August 2013 • Moms Just Know • Free
PARENTIN G MEDIA AS SOCIATIO
N
2013 Silv Award W er inner G eneral Ex cellence
Making the right
Choice
Indiana's Choice Scholarship Program
preschool
READINESS
facing
School
5 Summer
Movies
to re-watch with your kids
The Parent Edition
libraries
utilize this great tool this school year
too school FOR COOL
Lunchbox tips for Mamas on the go
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on the cover: Madie from South Bend 1st Place Winner of the Cutest Kid Contest (7-10 Year Old Group)
Photography: Classic Image Photography, Granger Photos shot on location at Lanser's The Natural Way in Mishawaka
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CUTEST KIDS CONTEST WINNERS: 2nd Place: Megan - Elkhart 3rd Place: Lincoln - Edwardsburg
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F RO M THE P U B LI S H E R
Things We (at FAMILY)
Love
Right Now!
1. A Great Schedule! 2. Antonio's Pizza in Elkhart 3. Football!
Photography: Classic image photography Makeup: Camellia Maalouf, Camellia Cosmetics Granger
4.
Shopping for Cool School Clothes
Welcome Chaunie!
5. Personalized Tennis Shoes on NikeID
I am so excited to announce the addition of our new Editor to The Family Magazine team... Chaunie Brusie.
6. Pre-Autumn Air
Chaunie comes to us with a wealth of experience in motherhood, nursing and writing. She is a mom of three young and adorable children and has been writing for The Family Magazines for some time. She is also a published author, a national speaker, a mom blogger and a labor and delivery nurse, to boot! Chaunie is a featured writer and regular contributor to Babble, American Baby and Everyday Family. Her knowledge and experience with parenting & mama issues as well as the work/ life/balance challenges she has experienced as a professional working woman, mother and wife, are just what we needed to head up our editorial department at The Family Magazines. You will be hearing from Chaunie quite a bit in upcoming issues of FAMILY and she'll be stopping in at MANY events around Michiana to meet you very soon. Please welcome Chaunie to the family!
7. Sunflowers 8. Chai Tea Candle Scents 9. Garage Sale Treasures 10. The Calculator 11. Fun Lunchbox Food 12. Thirty-One Bags 13. Pound Puppies, Kitties & Bunnies 14. Surrounding Ourselves with Those That Lift us Higher
AUGU ST
Chaunie Brusie Chaunie@MichianaFamilyMagazine.com
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FAMILY MAGAZINE | AUGUST 2013
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4Keeps
About the artist Casey Kiel lives in Nappanee with her husband Matt and their four children – Mason, Caleah, Makinzie and Caden – who are the inspiration for this comic. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Art Education and works as a Graphic Designer for the University of Notre Dame and as a freelance artist.
By Casey Kiel
Time to get dressed
Like '4Keeps' on Facebook or visit CaseyKiel.com
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Your new calendar in the middle of the magazine is WONDERFUL. I have been pulling it out of the magazine each month and hanging it on our door that goes out to the garage (it's metal) with a magnet. It's just what we need to know what great things are going on that I can take my kids to around town. - Shawn
We'd LOVE to hear from you! contact: The FAMILY Magazines
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FAMILY MAGAZINE | AUGUST 2013
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the FAMILY magazine 18 Too School for Cool
22
By mealsonwheelsbymindy.com
table
Of
contents
22 Libraries By Tina Emerich
24
FAMILY CALENDAR CENTERFOLD
26 Facing School By Chaunie Marie Brusie, RN, BSN
28 Calendar of Events
live your best 3 Find the Hidden Acorn 4 Letter from the Publisher, Things We Love
summer mom fun 30 5 Summer Movies to Re-watch with our Kids By Michelle Shirk
5 4Keeps & Reader Testimonials
family responsibility
8 The FAMILY Month Calendar
32 What is Vegan? By Noelle Elliot
back to school 12 Preschool Readiness By Meagan Church 14 Making the Right Choice By Jennifer Warfel Juszkiewicz
family recipe
35 Froze Chocolate Sandwiches
family matters 44 Elkhart Humane Society
18
Photo by Faryn Davis Photography
family pregnancy 46 Visiting Hours are Over
By Chaunie Marie Brusie, RN, BSN
calendar of events
28 Go to www.MichianaMom.com for tons of additional family events
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6/23/132013 9:25:49 FAMILY MAGAZINE | AUGUST 7 PM
LIVE your best
The FAMILY Month 4
Old Fashion Ice Cream Social at Ruthmere 1:00PM - 4:00PM
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Sheppy's 1 Year Birthday Party Shepard Swim School & Underwater Photography, Elkhart
Shipshewana Antique Market 8:00AM - 4:00PM
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HERBS; GROWING, USING AND OVERWINTERING Wellfield Botanic Gardens, Elkhart
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Diaper Drive! Madelyn Martinec attended Growing Kids Learning Center from preschool until 12 years old, taking advantage of the Summer Camp program. She made a lot of great friends, and still has wonderful memories of her time spent at Growing Kids. Madelyn is currently the Summer Program Intern at the Food Bank of Northern Indiana, and a full time student at Holy Cross College at Notre Dame. As the programs Intern at the Food Bank she has educated herself on diaper needs and its effects. According to the National Diaper Bank Network, in the last three years, 5.9 million American babies were born into low-income or poor families, forcing some parents to choose between buying food or diapers for their child. Help put an end to diaper needs. After receiving approval from CEO, Milton Lee to hold a diaper drive, she immediately thought to contact Growing Kids Learning Center about hosting a drive. Madelyn said, “I believe Growing Kids has truly prepared me for the world, even though I went there at a very young age, Growing Kids taught me how to interact with people who were different than I, and that skill is crucial for the real world. If you would like to donate diapers, bring a pack of diapers to one of the drop-off locations during August 5 – 9th. Help end the diaper needs in Northern Indiana!
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FAMILY MAGAZINE | AUGUST 2013
Growing Kids Learning Center Locations
Kroger Locations
17850 Ireland Road South Bend, IN 46614
2330 Hickory Road Mishawaka, IN 46545
17475 State Road 23 South Bend, IN 46635
906 S. Merrifield, Ave. Mishawaka, IN 46544
2601 N. Bendix Drive South Bend, IN 46628
4526 W. Western Ave. South Bend, IN 46619
825 W. Bristol Street Elkhart, IN 46514
1217 E. Ireland Rd. South Bend, IN 46614
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Calendar
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Sunday Funday Wellfield Botanic Gardens
16-25
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I Hate Shakespeare South Bend Civic Center
3rd Annual Michiana Renaissance Festival Kamm Island Park
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Star Martial Arts Grand Opening Star Martial Arts, Mishawaka
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The Stylish Kid In Class
Go back to school in style with a customized, one-of-a-kind hand-made short sleeve ree-tee supporting your school! And, Mom–you need one too! Sport your school spirit at football games with a custom blanket or have a patch made to put on an item of your own! Wearsomefun, Elkhart Short Sleeve Ree-Tee: $28 Single Patch: $20 574-536-6983
FAMILY Movie Review TURBO
Cole's Rating: (3 out of 4)
Reviewed by: Cole P.
“No dream is too big.” You hear that Dreamworks? That means that you can indeed make a film about
out of the theater, he proclaimed “four stars!”, as he is aware of my rating system. It always elates me
a snail entering the Indy 500. TURBO is a movie that plays by its own rules and doesn’t take any risks.
to see a smile on his face after a movie, so if you’re looking to see a movie, the only thing I can say
However, the film boasts characteristics of originality; and that’s partly why it’s a movie I recommend. It
for sure is this: enjoy TURBO for what it can do for your family at any time of the day, and let your kids
is relatively expendable because anything could happen on its own terms; however, it doesn’t have too
bathe in the glorious animation. And remember, “That snail is fast!”.
many recycled ideas (I won’t discuss the ending). Overall, this animated film is an entertaining under-
(Recommended for ages five and up; appropriate for all ages)
dog story that will leave you and your family with a smile on your face, despite the fact that there isn’t much to think about after the credits roll. TURBO is about Turbo, a race-car-driving-wannabe snail whose life is in the dumps at his home in the tomato plants. That’s basically all we get to know about the dreamer (unfortunately), so when he gets “transformed” into a super-speedy snail, he only focuses on being fast; and exercising his ability. He meets some friends along the way (including humans and snails), and they are voiced pretty well for the movie’s comedic and overall benefit.
My name is Cole, I’m an incoming Freshman at Penn High School, and I’m an unconditional film lover. Check out my website for more insightful reviews! CCConFilm.Blogspot.com
If you’re wondering if you should go see this, my answer is sure. It’s pure, family moviegoing entertainment. It’s not as good as MONSTERS UNIVERSITY, but as my younger brother and I strolled 100% Recyclable
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Back to SCHOOL
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Brand NEW Location! Twice the size! 620 W. Edison Road, Mishawaka, IN • Next to Bonefish Grill 574.807.8797• www.TheNaturalWay.org Like us on Facebook!
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“
The whole purpose of education is to turn mirrors into windows.
”
~Sydney J. Harris
Back to School Section
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
FAMILY back to school
Preschool
readiness By Meagan Church
Forget the ABCs. Teachers speak up about what preschoolers and kindergartners really need to know. Honestly, do preschoolers really need to know their ABCs and 123s before starting school? We have all seen the infomercials that promise to teach babies to read and we’ve seen the flash cards geared towards kids who aren’t in school yet. But, is it really necessary for kids to learn those things before they even step inside a classroom? According to seasoned teachers, the answer is no. So, what should parents teach their little ones? Three local teachers give us the inside scoop on getting your preschooler or kindergartner off to the right start--and it doesn't involve flash cards!
Establish routines.
“The children that succeed in school have set bedtimes and bedtime routines. The same time each night provides security and comfort for the child,” said Kathe Streeter, who has been a teacher for 18 years and currently teaches early childhood at Marquette Montessori Academy. “Children thrive on routine. It makes them feel safe and secure, and helps them to get the security they need to launch off into school and adapt to new routines. If there is no routine at home, then learning the routines of the classroom becomes new territory and can be frightening. If there are set routines at home, then adjusting to school has already begun."
Encourage independence.
the school environment where she will need to know how to complete tasks on her own. Peggy pointed out that teaching your child to effectively handle her frustrations and emotions is part of teaching independence. “‘Selfregulation’ is the newest buzzword for early childhood. Basically it means a child has control over his/her emotions and is more capable of handling frustrations, anger and other emotions in a productive, collaborative approach, as opposed to physical aggression, loud cries, etc.”
Teach personal care.
Oftentimes, families rush from one activity to the next and, to get out the door on time, parents take care of personal care needs for their children. From buttoning coats to tying shoes and even assisting in the bathroom, these are all things that most preschool-aged children are capable of doing for themselves. “Having 4- or 5-year-olds entering school who are able to snap, button, zip and tie is huge,” said Kristy Holland, a teacher for 23 years who currently teaches pre-k at Holy Cross School. “When you have a group of 20 kids in your class and all of them are wearing tie shoes and don’t know how to tie them, then I can’t do my job effectively because all I’m doing is tying shoes. If they know these things before coming to us, we can spend more time teaching them numbers, letters, colors and more.”
“My personal experience is that children with confidence and a sense of independence tend to do very well,” said Peggy DeLanghe, who has taught for 13 years and is currently master lead teacher at Early Learning Center. Empowering your child to do things for herself will help her gain confidence and pride and will help her transition into
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Give kids household responsibilities.
Teacher-Approved
As Kristy pointed out, parents often underestimate what their children are capable of. Not only is a preschooler capable of helping out around the house, but they can learn valuable lessons by doing so.
Play Time
“Anything that has a process is important for parents to do with kids, such as having a child set the dinner table,” Kristy explained. When a child is given a task that has multiple steps to complete (putting the plate, fork and spoon on the table, for instance), they learn to do simple, sequential commands, making their transition into the classroom smoother, and laying the groundwork for reading and arithmetic.
The following are teacher-approved activities that will help prepare your child for school. The best part is, the child will be learning through play and not even realize that what they are doing is educational. After all, Einstein once said, “Play is the highest form of research.” Play with Play-Doh and clay to strengthen their hands for writing.
Focus on manners.
Help prepare meals to learn sequential order.
Every teacher agrees that having good manners goes a long ways. Teaching your child to be respectful towards adults and other kids will serve them well. Model the use of saying “please,” “thank you,” and “you’re welcome.” Encourage them to think of others by doing things such as holding the door open for someone else.
Say “no.”
“Parents spend too much time in our culture asking children what they want. Choice is good, but they are not dictators,” Kathe said. In one-on-one situations within the home, the child might have more of an opportunity to call the shots, but in a classroom with a group of others, that just isn’t possible. Nor is it possible in life. As Kathe explained, let your child know early that “yes” isn’t the only option. “It is okay to say, ‘No, we are leaving this store now. No, we are going to bed now.’ Then live through the resistance. They will test it, but they will feel secure in knowing that they are not in charge. They want independence, but they need security more.”
Go to library story time to hear stories and also learn to interact with other kids by having to wait and share.
Read every day.
Every teacher agreed that perhaps the most important thing a parent can do is, as Peggy said, “READ! Every single day, multiple times a day. Let your child see you reading and read to your child. Read all forms of books, poems, song lyrics, newspapers, magazines and more. Read for pleasure, read for information. Just read, read, read!” “Children need to hear the pattern of language, have their world expanded by hearing larger than life stories like myths and legends, tales from history, namely books that have ideas and vocabulary that are beyond their reach,” Kathe said. “If parents do nothing else, they need to read to them each day for as long as possible.”
Take them grocery shopping and have them help make out the list and locate items. Encourage them to draw. Find ways for them to use their five senses. Let them dress themselves. Give an option between two outfits, if guidance is necessary. Use fine-motor skills with tweezers, Legos, crayons, scissors, baking and more. Go to the playground for social interaction and lessons on patience.
Before school starts, put down the flash cards and pick up a picture book. If you focus on things such as teaching independence, personal care and social interaction, your child will be off to a good start. As Kristy said. “It’s not all about letters and numbers and colors. It’s okay to hit upon those at home, but they aren’t the most important lessons before starting school.”
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Meagan Church is a writer and mother of three kids. Her current projects include DefiningMotherhood, and Unexpectant where she explores the realities of modern motherhood for her book project.
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FAMILY back to school
Making the Right Choice: Indiana’s Choice Scholarship Program
By Jennifer Warfel Juszkiewicz
“Every child is unique, so every child learns differently. My son and daughter are polar opposites of each other, and finding a school that accommodates both of them is difficult,” says Misti Coussens, whose children attended the John Glenn Schools before being moved to Holy Family Catholic School.
Coussens’ family initially didn’t qualify under the Indiana Choice Scholarship Program, colloquially referred to as the “voucher program.” However, she was unhappy with the quality of education and safety at their present school. The family made careful financial choices, budgeting so they could send both children to Holy Family, and the smaller class sizes and one-on-one attention have better served their needs. This year, the family felt some relief when they became eligible for Choice Scholarships; the program had changed and Coussens’ daughter was granted an Individual Education Plan (IEP) by the state due to her learning disabilities. The benefits for Coussens’ kids have been clear, and Coussens defends the Choice Program on the basis that “parents, not the state, have the right to choose the best environment for their children.” Coussens’ case shows the complexity of the Choice Program. Not all families qualify, and the process for determining qualification can be complex. Additionally, sending children to private schools may not be ideal for everyone.
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Money Matters The Choice Program provides vouchers of between $4,500 and $5,600 per year to the nearly 4, 000 students enrolled; approximately 374 live in the South Bend Community School District. That tuition amount is often less than the approximately $8,000 the state provides public schools per student. The difference between these rates goes to support the public school the student would have attended otherwise. This year, the Indiana Department of Education calculated that the state owed $5 million back to the public schools. However, as of May 2013 the state only had $3.3 million available for distribution. In addition to this discrepancy, opponents from groups such as the American Federation of Teachers in Indiana contend that the voucher program leads to far less money being appropriated overall to the public schools, further disenabling them from improving.
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“A private school doesn’t guarantee a good education – there are good and bad teachers everywhere. Instead of the voucher system, let’s make the public schools better by retraining teachers and following the example of schools like Kennedy Primary Academy or other public institutions with excellent records, schools that well serve students from all backgrounds,” says an experienced, practicing teacher who has worked at both public and private elementary schools in South Bend, but who prefers to remain anonymous.
State Control The state does control which schools receive Choice Scholarship students. Eligible schools must be accredited, generally by the Indiana State Board of Education, administer the ISTEP, and participate in the Board of Education’s school improvement program, which requires schools meet minimum instructional requirements, such as teaching of specific subjects. Eligible schools may not discriminate based on race, color, or national origin. These admissions stipulations do not mention religion, and religiously affiliated schools generally do provide religious instruction. Carl Loesch, the principal of Marian Catholic High School in South Bend, where nine percent of the students utilize scholarships from the Choice Program, is proud of his school’s identity: “At Marian, we educate the whole child: spiritually, academically, physically and socially. The primary responsibility of parents is to help our children get to heaven.” As Coussens points out, “some parents just don’t realize that religion is a part of the curriculum, but if you’re enrolling your child in such a school, that’s the school’s expectation.” In 2012-2013, the Choice Program was challenged in court on the grounds that the program violated the constitutional separation of church and state because many of the vouchers were used at religiously affiliated institutions. The judges began their decision statement clarifying that they were ruling on constitutionality, not whether Choice was a good program. They determined that since parents chose whether to send their children to religiously affiliated schools, the Program was constitutional “so long as a ‘uniform’ public school system, ‘equally open to all’ and ‘without charge,’ is maintained” as well.
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FAMILY back to school The Qualifying Round Loesch explains that new legislation took effect in July of this year, creating “multiple pathways to Choice Scholarships, including new opportunities for students with IEPs and siblings who have [already] received Choice Scholarships.” To be specific, some (although not all) of the ways students can qualify is if they live in a district where they would normally attend a school that has received an “F” grade from the state, of which there are seven in St. Joseph County. There are also accommodations for students who are part of the state’s foster care program or who have special education accommodations. Eligibility is also dependent on financial need, generally calculated as an annual household income of 150 percent or less of the amount used to qualify for the Federal Free or Reduced Lunch Program. Information on whether your child qualifies for the program is available from State Secretary of Education Glenda Ritz’s webpage: doe.in.gov. You can also contact the school to which your child has been admitted. For example, if you’re considering sending your child to Marian, you can contact their director of admissions or their business office. All contact information is, as with most private schools, available on their website: marianhs.org.
The summer months offer so much fun for your family that there’s no need to hear the dreaded, “I’m bored!” Another great thing is that you won’t have to travel far in Indiana or Michigan to enjoy all of the activities that are ripe for the season and ready for your family to experience.
Parents’ Choice Setting aside whether the Choice Scholarship Program is right for Indiana’s schools, it does fill a need for some parents. As Coussens explains, “parents are trying to give their children a better opportunity” and the excellent record of many private schools can be convincing. In statistics shared by StateImpact Indiana, the average passing rate for all of the South Bend Community Schools on the 2012 IREAD-3 exam for third and fourth graders was 71.2 percent, but of those, seven were below 65 percent passing. In contrast, the average passing rate for ten of the thirteen religiously affiliated elementary schools (the other three statistics were unavailable) was 89 percent, with none below 65 percent. If parents live in school districts with a fine academic record where their children are happy and well supported, perhaps the Choice Scholarship Program is not relevant. As the teacher we spoke to explained, “In many cases, small private schools cannot provide all the same accommodations for students with special needs or who have particular interests. The public schools have more specifically trained staff who are on-site.”
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However, there are alternatives for those whose children are not thriving at their current school. As Loesch explains, “Parents are the primary educators of their children. Parents know their children and how they learn best. Some children learn best in a larger setting, while other children thrive in a smaller setting with a close-knit community.”
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Jennifer Warfel Juszkiewicz is a doctoral student in English at IU Bloomington. She previously taught at (and attended) Saint Mary’s College. She has two dogs, a husband and more books than she cares to count.
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FAMILY back to school
Photo by Faryn Davis Photography
Too School
for Cool!
School Lunchbox Tips for Busy Mamas on the Go!
S
chool lunchboxes can get old r-e-a-l fast for both parents and kids. It’s an especially tall task to make a meal that can sit for hours unrefrigerated, is enjoyable to a very young palate, is nutritious and can be made in just a few minutes. Meals on Heels lifestyle and entertaining expert Mindy Kobrin, encourages parents to have children help prepare their own lunch alongside you. “Even though what you eat and what your kids eat can be very different, the best way to encourage healthy and – dare I say – adventurous eating is to lead by example,” says Mindy. Mindy offers the following tips for the ultimate lunchbox love:
Shop smart! As a family, create a colorful seasonal produce chart to hang in the pantry or on the fridge. It’s a great reminder of what’s super yummy at any given time of the year. What’s more, if your child knows his/her favorite fruit or vegetable will be coming to market in all its seasonal glory, together you can develop some fun recipes to make lunchtime even tastier. Photo by Faryn Davis Photography
Pantry staples to save the day (in more ways than one)!
If your children love dried fruits and granola, don’t hesitate to buy or make in bulk. It’s both economic and environmental. Keep reusable produce bags or stainless steel containers within your pantry for easy grab and go options. To make sure you’re not going overboard with the granola and nuts, keep some measuring spoons to rest assured you’re staying within a healthy calorie limit. Also, whole wheat pasta, plain yogurt, all-natural jam or honey, peanut or other nut butter, cheese or cream cheese, and pita bread are great foods to have on hand at all times. Toss some whole wheat pasta with parmesan and olive oil. Make a container of yogurt with dried nuts a dollop of jam on top. Pack a quick pita with almond butter and drip of honey. All delicious, healthy lunches for your kids. *See recipe for Walnut Ginger Granola.
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WALNUT GINGER GRANOLA Prepared in 30 minutes or less. Ingredients 4 cups old-fashioned rolled oats 1-1/2 cups raw walnuts, chopped (can substitute with fresh pecans or almonds) 1 tsp ground ginger powder 1/4 tsp Sea salt 1/4 cup Sunflower, Safflower or Canola oil 1/2 cup agave nectar or maple syrup 2 egg whites, whipped until light and frothy 1 cup crystallized ginger, finely chopped
32 Pearls
Preparation Preheat oven to 325°F. Combine oats, chopped nuts, ground ginger and Sea salt in a large bowl. Toss well with hands or silicone spatula until ingredients are mixed. Pour oil into the bowl. Pour agave nectar into the bowl. Mix well with spatula until ingredients are incorporated. Add whipped egg whites to bowl and toss mixture to coat. Spread granola onto a baking sheet. Bake until golden brown, approximately 30 minutes. Make sure to toss granola every 8-10 minutes during the baking process to evenly cook. Remove from oven and sprinkle crystallized ginger over the hot granola. Stir quickly then allow granola to cool completely for several hours.
Think TAPAS for kids! Bento Boxes, those fabulous multicompartment boxes used to contain the different courses of a meal are hot buys for back to school, and perfect for giving your child options for lunchtime. Instead of packing the traditional sandwich and snack, make a lunch out of a variety of small meals and/or snacks. A hard-boiled egg can be packed with a handful of trail mix and a scoop of tuna on a bed of lettuce. Add it all together and you’ve got a delicious salad. Separate, you’ve got a healthy, protein-packed meal!
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FAMILY back to school Stamp your passport!
Pick one day each week and go with an international theme– Mediterranean, Mexican, Asian, Italian, Indian, French, etc. Theme all elements of the lunchbox that day and even include a note about the origin of each and a picture of its flag. Make it a tasty educational experience so your child learns something new. **Recipe for a lunchtime trip to Italy below! \
GRILLED MOZZARELLA AND SUN-DRIED TOMATO SPIEDINI Prepared in 10 minutes or less.
Soup’s on!
Kids love soup, especially with something crunchy like sliced almonds or Asian noodles on the side that they can add when they are good and ready. During the cold months, make a big pot and freeze it for lazy days. During the hot months, don’t be afraid of sweetening that thermos with a refreshing Watermelon Gazpacho. *Recipe for Spicy Watermelon Gazpacho below!
SPICY WATERMELON GAZPACHO Prepared in 10 minutes or less.
Ingredients 4 cups (approx. 1-1/2 lbs) cubed seedless watermelon, diced 3 large tomatoes, diced 1/2 jalapeno, habanero, or serrano chile, seeded and diced 1/2 cup blanched almonds 1 lime zested and juiced 1/4 cup olive oil 2 Tbs minced red onion 1 cucumber, peeled, seeded and finely chopped Salt and fresh ground pepper
Ingredients 24 pieces of good quality sun-dried tomatoes in oil 1 lb fresh mozzarella, cut into 1-inch cubes 16 fresh basil leaves, rinsed and patted dry 8 skewers Salt and fresh pepper to taste
Preparation Preheat grill or oven to broil. Lightly brush the grill rack or broiler pan with olive oil. On each skewer, alternating the ingredients, thread three pieces of sundried tomatoes, two mozzarella cubes and two basil leaves. Brush the mozzarella with marinade from the sundried tomato jar. Grill or broil the skewers just until the mozzarella begins to melt, flipping once. Serve immediately. Serves 8.
Preparation Puree in a blender or food processor the watermelon, tomatoes and chile. Add lime zest, juice and olive oil to mixture. Pulse until well combined. Gently fold in the minced red onion and chopped cucumber. Season with salt and fresh ground pepper to taste. Chill for an hour before serving. Pour watermelon gazpacho into shot glasses and garnish with skewers and crumbled feta.
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Get crafty! To a young belly, a carrot shaped like a flower could look whole lot tastier! Buy some fun sandwich, veggie and fruit cutters. Even your older kids will think a sandwich looks cooler shaped like a dolphin!
By: Meals on Heels by Mindy, www.mealsonheelsbymindy.com
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FAMILY back to school
LIBRARIES a great tool for you and your child this school year
By Tina Emerick, M.L.I.S.
Summer is just winding down and thoughts of school are on the minds of everyone from teachers to parents to students. New backpacks, notebooks and pencils are just some of the tools needed for a good school year. Another great tool is your local library.
T
he local library can help with information for book reports, research papers or a great science fair project. Let’s explore some of the great resources that your library has to offer you in this coming school year.
Libraries keep up with great literature including the classics and award winning titles. The Newbery collection, Hoosier nominee books and Coretta Scott King winners are just some of the many collections available. For those just starting their reading journey, beginning reading books and phonic pamphlets are very useful tools. Audiobooks with books or standalone audio can help enrich a story for better comprehension.
Tumblebooks. National Geographic for Kids, A to Z: the USA, and Global Road Warrior will provide information for a country, state or animal report. Gale has online encyclopedias and ebooks for many topics. Their Information (homework) Gateway will assist in U.S. History, biographies, state information, hot topics and more.
Nonfiction material is available in different formats. Reference collections will have detailed information on many topics that can be used within the walls of the library. As an education partner, many libraries purchase supportive printed material for any type of project. Magazines are another way to get current information from science to nature and history. If you are in need of an article from a magazine, academic journal, newspaper, websites, images and other resources, go to INSPIRE for help. This database is state supported through the Indiana State Library. If a student is doing a report, this database also has a bibliographic feature for searched resources. As technology grows, so does the need for libraries to help students become equipped with today’s resources. Ebooks and databases are available for reading help including NoveList, Litfinder and 22
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Along with databases, pre-searched websites will help students determine which sites are reliable and have documented information. By looking at library Internet links or their Kid Zone you will find such sites as NASA, Printed on Recycled Content Paper
the White House, MythWeb, King Tut One and others. Math help through games, practice questions and other activities can be used not only by the student, but also for tutors and teachers alike. A library’s website is also a great place to find booklists, which are librarian-recommended books grouped together by topic. Booklists can be as simple as a booklist for dinosaur picture books or as detailed as a list of books, both fiction and nonfiction, about the Civil War. Check to see if your library has homework help, where students come in to help fellow students complete their assignment. Boys and Girls Clubs, the Y and other sites often have afterschool help as well. AskRose.org is a great site where college students will help 6-12th graders in the areas of math and science, free of charge. This is another site you will find on many libraries internet links. You might also want to spruce up that report with a video segment, sound byte or just the right music or effect to take it from a completed report to a great interactive report. The library can help with that too. And if you have a group project, many libraries now offer study rooms. Call to see if your library has one. This is a great way to pool together all of your team members and gather all of your materials in one place. Another resource to utilize is your librarian! He or she will be able to get you what you need or make suggestions on where to find just the right book, magazine or resource. Many students aren’t sure what topic to do for a report and sometimes just talking to another person can help make a student’s goal clearer. Using years of experience, your librarian will ask just the right questions to help you narrow down your topic and leave knowing you got what you truly wanted.
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Libraries strive to help fill their community with lifelong learners. The library is your partner all the way from your very first visit as a young child to graduation and beyond. We want to see you succeed and have fun reading and learning along the way. The library is more than just books, so check it out today. We hope you have a great school year and hope to see you soon!
Tina Emerick, M.L.I.S. is the Children’s Services Coordinator at the MishawakaPenn-Harris Public Library. She loves working with children and has worked with them for over 25 years. Tina is a Penn High School graduate and lives in Elkhart with her rescue dog Lexi.
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1:00PM - 4:00PM
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Summer Program 2013
Wellfield Botanic Gardens
HOW TO PHOTOGRAPH A FLOWER OR PLANT CREATIVELY
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Shipshewana Antique Market
Shepard Swim School & Underwater Photography, Elkhart
Sheppy's 1 Year Birthday Party
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School time is here! We have a ton of fun waiting for you! Tape it to your fridge, pin it to your wall -- you'll have it all at the tip of your fingers!
SCHOOL!
Old Fashion Ice Cream Social at Ruthmere
4
Tuesday
Its that time again!
Monday
BACK TO
Sunday
2013
August
Wellfield Botanic Gardens
Sunday Funday
25
19
18
26
Center for History
Sweet! The Wonderful World of Chocolate, Candy & Ice Cream
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11
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Wellfield Botanic Gardens, Elkhart
STORIES IN THE ENGLISH COTTAGE GARDEN
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Wellfield Botanic Gardens, Elkhart
HERBS; GROWING, USING AND OVERWINTERING
13
28
21
14
29
22
Pla-Mor Campground
Indiana Woodcarvers Camp
15
30
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South Bend Civic Center August 16th - 25th
I Hate Shakespeare
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BrennanDentistry.com 574.259.9956
Notre Dame University All day event!
Nortre Dame v. Temple Football game
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Kamm Island Park
3rd Annual Michiana Renaissance Festival
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Star Martial Arts, Mishawaka
Star Martial Arts Grand Opening
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FAMILY back to school By Jane Suter
Facing School, The Parent Edition
W
By: Chaunie Marie Brusie, RN, BSN
I’m not ready for her to go.
about her dreams and sit next to me to narrate her drawings? How can I possibly let my little girl go off with other people all day? Sometimes I wish kindergarten still operated like days of our youth, when school consisted of half-days and naptime and those glorious cookies and milk snack breaks. Instead, approaching kindergarten feels like we’re gearing up for a fast battle track into a full-speed ahead course into furious academics and standardized testing that won’t stop until she’s waving that tassled hat at graduation.
I know, I know, all the seasoned parents in the house are shaking their heads at me, but tell me that there are some of you out there feeling the same way that I am? As in logically, of course, I fully understand that my daughter is not actually the first child to ever go to school and that I am not, in fact, the first parent to ever deal with sending my little baby off to kindergarten, but in my heart?
I find myself constantly second-guessing our decision to send her to a local public school. Although we did our research and requested school of choice with the environment we felt would best suit her needs, I’m still not entirely convinced. Part of me wonders, should I be homeschooling? Would private school be better? What’s all this about virtual school—maybe I should look into that more?
It certainly feels like it.
The school decision is completely overwhelming me. Although it seems like a fairly simple first step—child turns five, child start school—with all the choices about schools that exist now and hot debates about the merits of homeschooling vs. public school vs. charter school vs. private school and even virtual school, my head is constantly spinning.
ith kindergarten registration letters and brochures arriving almost daily in my inbox and in the mail, I am bombarded with the reminder that come September, I am officially entering into “School Mom” mode. And while I’m fairly certain that my oldest daughter is ready to go to school and that she will love it, there is just one small problem—
Granted, there are days when I would love to have my precocious daughter out of the house, but I simply can’t fathom that in a few short weeks, the majority of her days will be spent with someone else. As a work-at-home mom and a nurse who has worked nights primarily, she and her siblings have been home with me. Which of course, has been wonderful most days and tear-inducing the other days. So I worry about losing that knowledge of her day-to-day activities. What will that do to our relationship? Will she still tell me 26
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Up until this point, my role as a mother has been pretty straightforward. Sure, I constantly navigate the stay-at-home and working mom dilemma, but all in all, the preschool years have been pretty simple. A play date here, a Popsicle there, a trip to the library tomorrow. My focus has been, primarily, to just be. To be with my Printed on Recycled Content Paper
daughter, as much as possible, in order to foster her emotional growth, development, and lay the groundwork for all those brain synapses you hear so much about in the first five years. But now? As school approaches, my parenting approach is supposed to shift dramatically from just being to somehow learning to let my daughter just be.
I Hate Shakespeare
To be without me.
August 16 - 25
To learn to make her own way in the world.
Think Shakespeare as a reality show. Romeo & Juliet on the Dating Game. Othello on a talk show. Wild idea, but oh so much fun. And oh, yes, zombies and talking cows. It’s a Kids4Kids production you won’t want to miss.
To make her own friends. And her own mistakes. And her first triumphs and joys and successes, and somebody help me, someday, her own dates. I’d be lying if I told you I was ready. Part of me is screaming that five is much to young for all this school shenanigans anyways and who decided we all needed to go to school anyways, and why can’t I just stay home all day and read them books forever?
For tickets, call 574-234-1112 or order online at SBCT.org. 403 N. Main • Downtown South Bend
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But the other part of me watches as my daughter, my first-born, fiercely independent, Daddy’s girl, so-much-like-me-it’spainful-to-watch, little girl excitedly tells her younger sister about how “she’s going to school all day” and packs and repacks her backpack and dutifully starts in on her summer homework, and I can’t help but smile a little. Because deep down, as much as I hate to admit it, I think that she is ready for school.
Even if I’m not. Which brings me to my next point— I think it’s high time that we re-instated that naptime and cookies and milk snack rule. For the parents, of course. Because come September, some of us are going to need all the help we can get.
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August 2013 Calendar of Events August 1- 4 Amish Acres Arts & Crafts Festival
More than 300 juried artists and crafters from around the nation to display and sell their wares around the pond on a historic Amish farmstead listed on the National Register. City: Nappanee
August 2 iMpact Community Carnival
4:30PM - 9:00PM Come to "The Post" Friday, August 2nd from 4:30-9pm for our First Fridays Carnival. Free food, drinks, live music, dramas, inflatables for kids and more! iMPACT 2013 First Fridays Carnival is an event which is put on by 7 local churches for the Goshen community. All are invited. Our heart is to bless the community with free food, live music and activities for the whole family...for FREE! Just show up and have a blast!
August 3 Shipshewana Antique Market
8:00AM - 4:00PM 100 Antique and Home & Garden vendors will be spread out over the lawn of the Antique Gallery and inside the Trading Place Pavilion with quality antiques of every kind. Music and refreshments! Fun for the whole family!
August 4 Old Fashion Ice Cream Social at Ruthmere
Sunday, August 4, 2013 1:00PM - 4:00PM The Old Fashion Ice Cream Social is combined with Free Family Sunday, August 4. In addition to free tours of Ruthmere and/or Havilah Beardsley House, Ice Cream will be served on Ruthmere's front lawn, free of charge.
August 5 Pioneer Life Summer Camp
Elkhart County Historical Museum Monday August 5thWednesday, August 7, 2013 9:00AM - 1:00PM Experience life from the early 1800's in this fun summer camp. You will learn about how Elkhart County was formed, and participate in activities that someone would have done over 150 yeras ago! This camp is for 1st-3rd grade aged children and you must preregister by July 31st by calling 574-848-4322.
August 6 Diggin' in the Dirt Kid's Club
MPH Library, Bittersweet Branch 11:00-12:00pm - Children entering grades 1-6 Join Library Staff and Master Gardeners as we learn about bugs in your garden. Green thumbs and garden gloves optional, but be sure to dress for a mess.
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HOW TO PHOTOGRAPH A FLOWER OR PLANT CREATIVELY
Wellfield Botanic Gardens Summer Program 2013 Tuesday, August 6th, 5:30 PM - 6:30 PM Danny Graber, of Goshen Photography Guild, will cover composition, focusing point, lighting, positioning the camera, correct lenses to use and avoiding blurry photos. The advice he gives will be suitable for users of both 'point and shoot' digital cameras and DSLRs. Reservations may be made with Wellfield starting April 2nd. Register by August 3rd. $5 ($4 members) Call for more information: 574.266.2006.
August 8 Children's End of the Summer Book Sale
MPH Library, Bittersweet Branch 9:00 AM-9:00 PM Come browse the fiction books and non-fiction books that are on sale in the Children's Room.
Smash
Lerner Theater, Elkhart 7:30 PM A comedy based on George Bernard Shaw’s novel, "The Unsocial Socialist."
August 9 Children's End of the Summer Book Sale
MPH Library, Bittersweet Branch 9:00AM-9:00 PM Come browse the fiction books and non-fiction books that are on sale in the Children's Room
August 10 Paws To Read
MPH Library, Downtown and Bittersweet Branches 10:00- 11:00am (Bittersweet) 11:00 AM- 12:00 PM (Downtown) - Children in grades 1-6 who would like a fun reading aloud experience are invited to read to Lady, a friendly Great Pyrenees. Registration is not required, but parental permission is needed for each 15 minute session
Middlebury Summer Festival
Memorial & East Parks in downtown Middlebury This is an all-day event. Bring your family to meet old friends and new, with live music, festival food, crafters, children's activities and more! Wholesome family entertainment can be found at this fun small town festival with the largest small town parade in the area on Saturday at 1:00.
Sheppy's 1 Year Birthday Party
Shepard Swim School & Underwater Photography, Elkhart Join us from Noon-5pm to celebrate Sheppy's Birthday and our swim school turning a year old! Bring your family and enjoy a FREE swim, bounce houses, music, face painting, kids activities, food and more! For more information, contact www.shepardswimschool.com or call 574-296-SWIM (7946).
*Please be sure to call ahead to confirm times and information.
August 12 Storytime Sampler
MPH Library, Bittersweet Branch, 10:30 AM All ages welcome. Share stories, songs, and finger plays. No registration required.
Geocaching 101
MPH Library, Downtown, 6:30 PM School age children and adults. Come learn about geocaching, a fee real-world outdoor treasure hunt where players try to locate hidden containers, called geocaches, using a smartphone or GPS. After a short presentation, groups will be invited to try their hand at finding temporary geocaches hidden around the library.
August 13 HERBS: GROWING, USING AND OVERWINTERING
Wellfield Botanic Gardens, Elkhart Tuesday, August 13th, 5:30-6:30 Master Gardener Poorna Bhagat will help you learn about herbs: varieties of herbs, care of herbs, which ones you can grow over winter and of course using herbs in cooking.Reservations may be made with Wellfield starting April 2nd. $5 ($4 members).
August 14 Indiana Woodcarvers Camp
Pla-Mor Campground, all-day Wednesday, August 14, 2013 - Saturday, August 17, 2013.This is an all day event. The Indiana Woodcarvers Summer Camp is an annual roundup of woodcarvers in August each year. 30+ woodcarving instructors from across the United States, including CCA carvers and National Champions, as well as many other talented instructors. Many classes are free with the purchase of the wood blank. Some instructors may charge a fee. Instructors include National Champions and members of the CCA (Caricature Carvers of America), as well as many other talented carvers. The camp is open to everyone, from everywhere, and from beginners to advanced carvers. Children are especially welcome–this is a family camp and makes a great annual vacation at an affordable price!
August 16 - 25 I Hate Shakespeare
South Bend Civic Center What’s the big deal about Shakespeare? You will never see Shakespeare quite the same way after this fun and inventive show! SBCT Kids4Kids will answer all the problems you have with Shakespeare in wild and wacky ways: Romeo and Julie on a dating game show, Othello working out his jealousy issue on a talk show, and oh yes, zombies and talking cows!
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Have an event you'd like to submit? Visit www.MichianaMom.com! August 17 Star Martial Arts Grand Opening
Star Martial Arts, Mishawaka Come and 15 celebrate our new Mishawaka location at June our Grand Opening event from 11 AM to 3 PM. Come and break a real board and also enjoy bounce houses, facepainting, balloon animals, free food, pictures with Kung Fu panda, door prizes, DJ Sticky Boots. FREE classes in child safety, bully prevention and martial arts! All for 1 special – entire family trains for the price if 1! For more information, contact www.StarTKD.com or call 574-277-KICK (5425).
August 31 Nortre Dame v. Temple Football game Notre Dame University All day event!
July 27
August 19 Sweet! The Wonderful World of Chocolate, Candy & Ice Cream
Center for History, Mon–Sat 10 am to 5 pm, Sun noon - 5 pm. magine stepping into a candy store or ice cream shop. The enticing aromas and bright colors prepare us perfectly for the delectably sweet tastes. Whether rich chocolate, sugary candy, or flavorful ice cream, confectioneries touch our senses in a unique way. Enjoy learning about this tasty world in this fun and colorful exhibit. Price: $8/adults, $6.50/seniors, $5/youth 6-17, free/members.Hours: Monday–Saturday 10am to 5pm, Sunday noon to 5pm.
healthworkskids.org/kohls-fit-feastival
574-647-KIDS
August 20 STORIES IN THE ENGLISH COTTAGE GARDEN
Wellfield Botanic Gardens, Elkhart, 6:00 PM -6:30 PM July Join in the20 fun as Rachel Rice from the Elkhart Public Library brings stories to life! We will be gathering in the English Garden (in case of rain we will meet in the tented area). Bring a cozy blanket to sit on and enjoy the beautiful surroundings! No registration necessary and open to all ages. Free with admission.
August 24 3rd Annual Michiana Renaissance Festival
Kamm Island Park Let's get Medieval! This August, Kamm Island Park, in downtown Mishawaka, is taking a huge leap back in time, straight into the Renaissance and beyond. Do not miss the Michiana Renaissance Festival, August 24 and 25, 2013 10:00am- 6:00pm. Spend the day enjoying live shows, street performers, live steel combat, kids quest games, music and more!
August 25 Sunday Funday
Wellfield Botanic Gardens Sunday, July 28, 2013 - Sunday, September 29, 2013 2:00PM - 4:00PM. Join us on the last Sunday of the month for fun, hands-on activities you can do at your own pace. Stop by the striped tent any time between 2:00 and 4:00pm to learn more about plants and the natural world through discovery stations, crafts and stories. The activities are free with admission to the Gardens.
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Here’s what makes Growing Kids special:
Educational Excellence: Our students enjoy educational activities designed to inspire growth. And they have fun along the way.
Extraordinary Care: Staff members are committed to providing individualized attention in a creative environment with an unmatched level of safety and security. Exceptional Value: Don’t take our word for it. Visit other child care facilities in the area. It’s the best way to see for yourself what makes Growing Kids such a great value. Five centers in South Bend, Elkhart, and Valparaiso. • Full or part-time care • Evening care as late as 11:30 pm • Infants (6 wks) through school age • Camps–winter, spring, summer • Monday-Friday; only 6 holidays • Before/after school care For more information, call 574-220-6400 or visit GrowingKids.com
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(approx. 5 hours) Check with any center for details.
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SUMMER MOM fun
Summer Movies 5 to re-watch with your kids By Michelle Shirk
Last month we talked about kid-friendly books from decades gone by. This month it’s time to turn our nostalgia toward popular children’s movies from the 80’s and early 90’s. Below you’ll find a roundup of five classic selections you may remember from your younger years, all of which are now available on DVD for your viewing pleasure. Make your kiddos and yourself happy by picking up one of these oldies-but-goodies next time you’re ready to take a break from the heat this summer.
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“The Secret of NIMH” (1982) – While seeking medical help for her son, field mouse Mrs. Brisby (voiced by Elizabeth Hartman) sets in motion a series of events that lead to revelations about her late husband and a secretive colony of rats who reside nearby. “NIMH” feels a bit grittier and more intense than the average animated film, at least by today’s standards, but the movie’s memorable cast of characters and unique plot boost it into my personal top five animated movies of all time. Parents looking for a literary tie-in can preface or follow a viewing of this film with a reading of the very excellent novel, “Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH,” by Robert C. O’Brien, on which the movie is based. (Rated G)
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“Sesame Street Presents: Follow That Bird” (1985) – Provide your little Sesame Street fans with a glimpse of what their favorite show looked like during the preElmo era. This feature-length film follows Big Bird (Caroll Spinney) in his efforts to return to Sesame Street after being uprooted and rehomed by an overzealous social worker. After hearing of Big Bird’s escape, a diverse group of Sesame Street residents that includes Gordon (Roscoe Orman), Maria (Sonia Manzano) and Cookie Monster (Frank Oz) join forces to find their friend and bring him home. “Follow That Bird” provides pretty much everything one could ask for from a kid’s movie – wacky Muppet hijinks, a memorable soundtrack and celebrity cameos by everyone from Chevy Chase to Sandra Bernhard. (Rated G)
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“The Mighty Ducks” (1992) – Who could forget the “Flying V”? Emilio Estevez stars as Gordon Bombay, a cynical lawyer in legal trouble. As punishment for a drunk-driving episode, Bombay is required to coach a lovable band of hockey-playing misfits, and thus our underdog story begins. As the Mighty Ducks improve their hockey skills, Gordon improves his people skills and forms a particularly close friendship with a young player named Charlie (a pre-“Dawson’s Creek” Joshua Jackson). “The Mighty Ducks” manages to be comfortingly formulaic while still offering some real excitement during the on-ice scenes. If the Ducks are a hit, your family can promptly move on to other underdog sports movies from this era like “The Sandlot” and “Angels in the Outfield.” (Rated PG) Printed on Recycled Content Paper
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“Newsies” (1992) – Feel like adding some singing, dancing and a dose of history to your family movie night? Introduce your kids to this musical re-telling of the 1899 New York City newsboy strike. The charismatic Jack (a young Christian Bale) and well-spoken David (David Moscow) organize a ragtag band of paper sellers to fight for improved working conditions. It’s kind of like “Les Mis” with kids. While the “Newsies” story will probably be over the heads of very young viewers, it makes a serious subject – child labor – accessible to older children via its stirring collection of song-and-dance numbers. After watching, you’ll be ready to open the gates and seize the day. (Rated PG)
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“The NeverEnding Story” (1984) – If you grew up in the 80’s, you’re likely no stranger to this creepy but cool quest movie. Its plot follows the separate but intertwined struggles of bullied bookworm Bastian (Barrett Oliver) and Fantasia warrior Atreyu (Noah Hathaway). A strong sense of atmosphere and cast of fascinating mythical creatures including a rock-eating giant, flying dragon and scary wolf-like monster puppet help “The NeverEnding Story” stand out from other films in its genre. This movie does have some pretty intense moments – most notably its Swamps of Sadness Sequence and Atreyu’s eventual confrontation with its villain – so definitely prescreen this classic before sharing it with younger or more sensitive children. (Rated PG)
Source: www.imdb.com. Michelle Shirk is an attorney currently taking a break from litigating to pursue her writing career. Her primary topics of writing interest include adoption, travel, family and local events. Michelle is a proud graduate of the University of Notre Dame Law School and longtime resident of the Northwest Indiana area.
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FAMILY responsibility
what is vegan? Come On Down to Vegan Town
By Noelle Elliott
"What is vegan?" my son asked. He had overheard a conversation with my mother explaining why even chicken wouldn’t work for me at our family cookout.
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hen I decided to stop eating meat I did it on the downlow. I didn’t want to cause panic in my meat-eating home. When my husband saw the veggie burgers in the freezer he asked me point blank, “Are you having a relapse?” As a vegetarian in college I attempted to make him some pretty unappetizing meat substitute dinners that apparently he hasn’t forgotten. Living as a vegan means eliminating all animal products. This includes, eggs, dairy, and of course, any type of meat. Even fish. Basically, anything that did not grow from the earth. And the reaction of many people when they hear about what it takes to be a vegan? As best said by my son, “ Why would anyone do that?” I can only speak from my personal experience. I have had a major problem with digestion most of my life. I tried eating more grain, that didn’t work; I tried fiber drinks and pills, but nothing worked. My doctor suggested that I eat more vegetables. I thought the iceberg salad I ate at work for lunch was enough but I learned that it had as much fiber as the desk I ate it at. I did my research and came across a book called “The Beauty Detox” by Kimberly Snyder. I decided to incorporate her green smoothie (which had more vegetables than I typically ate in a week) into my daily diet.
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And presto--it was delicious, and my digestion issues were gone. I was amazed how well I felt and over a three-month time frame, I cut out animal protein, dairy and glutton. Not only did I feel great, my cravings for sugar and carbs seemed to diminish also. My family began to notice that my dinner looked a lot greener than theirs. My sons became curious so I decided to fill a portion of their plates with my salad of kale or spinach. To my surprise, they loved it. I had assumed they wouldn’t, but never took the time to let them try it. My husband is still working on it. It has taken a quarter of a year, but my family now has meat free dinners at least 3 nights a week. According to Snyder, animal protein takes a significant longer time to digest than raw leafy greens. Digestion takes a significant amount of energy. When I thought I was doing myself a favor by loading up on lean protein, left me feeling exhausted. I have more energy now than I ever had before. And people notice, especially my husband. In fact, I don’t even need coffee in the morning anymore. If you feel like you would like to try out a vegan lifestyle, I suggest you do it in steps. You don't want to eat french fries and potato chips for dinner, (well, you might want to) although, technically, that would be considered vegan, keep in mind that the point is to feel better, not worse.
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Start small.
Begin with one vegetarian meal a week. You will find that it is easier than it sounds. It could be as easy as whole-wheat pasta and fresh tomato sauce or a grilled vegetable wrap with a side of sweet potato wedges. Your family will acquire a taste for a variety of vegetables and after awhile, they will ask for it.
Don’t be afraid to forgo the animal protein at dinner.
Did you know that 100 calories portion of cup of Kale has as more protein (11gm) and a sirloin steak per 100-calorie portion only has (5.4 gm.)? There is a misconception that you can only get protein by eating a big portion of meat. I was really surprised to learn this and there are plenty of places on the Internet where you can learn the protein content of several vegetables. A list can be found on www.raw-food-health.com.
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Get out of your cooking comfort zone.
Because most of the recipes are full of cheese and meat, I did a little digging and found a recipe that involved less cooking that my entire family loved. I used crushed walnuts instead of ground beef--and my family didn't even notice. No, seriously. They didn't.
Search for resources on line or Cookbooks in your local library. There are several free and very informative websites to guide you as well as hundreds of books with simple, inexpensive and tasty recipes you can copy. Websites that I frequently visit are Kimberlysnyder.net and Detoxinista.com. An even easier option is to type vegan recipes on Pinterest. You will be surprised at what you see.
I don’t impose my eating habits on my family but I do make it available. Traditional dinners that are centered on meat are familial. I respect that, and in turn they respect my desire to pass on it. We all want what is best for our kids and I found that what was best for mine was already growing in our backyard. You don’t need to declare yourself a vegan and deprive yourself of all the foods you like, just replace meat with veggies once in awhile you may like what you discover.
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Like Us on Facebook! Noelle Elliott is a social media junkie, blogger, writer and career woman. She lives in South Bend with her husband, four young sons and two chocolate labs.
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FAMILY recipes
*Images used are to represent the recipe only. Prepared recipes may vary in appearance.
FROZEN CHOCOLATE SANDWICHES Makes: 12 sandwiches Hands-On Time: 20minutes Total Time: 3hr 40m
Ingredients: 3/4 cup whole milk 24 marshmallows 12 ounces semisweet chocolate, grated or chopped 1 1/2 cups heavy cream 18 graham crackers
Directions: Line a 9-by-13-inch baking dish with foil, allowing the foil to hang over the sides. Heat the milk and marshmallows in a large saucepan over low heat, stirring often, until smooth. Remove from heat. Add the chocolate and stir until melted and smooth. Refrigerate for 20 minutes. In a large bowl, with an electric mixer on medium-high, beat the cream until stiff peaks form. Working quickly, fold the whipped cream into the chilled chocolate mixture, mixing until no traces of white remain. Spoon into the prepared dish. Tap the dish on the counter to remove air bubbles. Freeze, covered, until set, at least 3 hours. Holding both sides of the foil, transfer the frozen block to a cutting board. Cut into 24 squares. Break the graham crackers in half. Layer the chocolate squares between the crackers to make 12 double-decker sandwiches. Place the sandwiches on a plate, cover, and return to freezer until ready to serve. 100% Recyclable
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family matters
OK...
By Jane Suter
but seriously Let's get honest about the holidays
As we celebrate the 4th of July this month, it occurred to me that a few of these festive dates on our calendar have lost their original, intended purpose. Often their significance belies the reality. It is in that spirit that I have come up with a holiday list that I like to call, OK ... but seriously. **** For New Jersey, Michiana Child/Parent and Washington : With Labor day coming up next month, it occurred to me that a few of these festive dates on our calendar have lost their original, intended purpose. Often their significance belies the reality. It is in that spirit that I have come up with a holiday list that I like to call, OK ... but seriously. ***** 36
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Mother's Day
OK: The second Sunday in May is desig-
nated as a day to honor and show gratitude to our mothers. But seriously: Someone obviously confused this day with Labor Day, m'kay. Every Mom out there knows that after breakfast in bed and the hand-made cards we will spend the next few hours cleaning up a crime scene of glitter, toast crumbs, pots, pans and egg goo that has defiled our once sparkling-clean domicile. On the other hand, the extra hugs, kisses and Mom, U are more butifool than ranbows make our souls melt.
Labor Day
OK: This "workingman's" holiday was a creation of the labor movement. It celebrates the economic and social contributions workers have made to our country.
But seriously: This end of summer holiday is nothing BUT labor. You have organized
the picnic, set up croquet and badminton in the yard and cooked for three days in preparation. I will go so far to say that this holiday should replace Mother's Day in its entirety. In fact, since it already has the word labor in its title, no other holiday would be more fitting. I hate to be pedantic, but unless you've physically blown a watermelon through a straw, you have no idea what actual labor is! Therefore, be advised: A person who makes an economic contribution is called a "worker." A laborer is a child-bearer. Am I right?
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The 4th of July
OK: The day that celebrates our nations independence. But seriously: A better name would be: National Emergency
Room / Xanax Day. Case in point: There you are, exhausted from an afternoon of barbequing when Uncle John unveils his truckload of every terrifying (and illegal) firework he could smuggle over the border. He then hands out case after case of humongous sparklers to your children. Once these foot-long, white-hot burning metal rods of death are dispensed, he encourages your offspring to run around the yard with them. Faster than you can dial 911, he hands your toddler a pack of matches and gleefully shows her how to light an arsenal of M-80's. If your children survive this holiday with all of their fingers intact, it will be a miracle.
St. Patrick's day
Thanksgiving
OK: This national holiday is designated as a day of giving thanks for the blessing of the harvest and of the preceding year.
But seriously: As the heated debate of to stuff or not to stuff
rages on in the kitchen, our husbands and children will spend most of the day deliriously lounging on the sofa. Sorry, Pilgrims, but all we care about on this day is gravy and football ... and the coveted Meow at the dinner table. Just one finely textured utterance of Mmmmm mixed with WOW! makes our endless hours in the kitchen totally worth it. Yeah, we're easy like that.
OK: Celebrated for over 1,000 years, this cultural and religious holiday is marked by eating, drinking, dancing and feasting.
Irish, you nailed it! Muuuwaaah!
Columbus Day
New Year's Eve/Day
But seriously: Yes, we all love America, but this holiday has
But seriously: I got nothin' because this day RAWKS! Go you,
OK: A day to revel in new beginnings as we welcome a new year. But seriously: Objects drop from the sky. Traffic jams.
Obligatory smooching. By the time you finally get your children to bed at 2a.m. will have had roughly four hours of slumber until you are awakened with a bang. Your children, still hopped up on the red, white and blue, found those stupid noisemakers you bought last night and are now partying like a heavy-metal hair band. It will take a fistful of Advil and 14 gallons of coffee to make it through this day.
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OK: A U.S. holiday that commemorates the landing of Christopher Columbus in the New World on October 12, 1492.
become so entirely controversial that it sucks the sails out of the non-celebration. Plus, every kid in this "New World" mistakenly believes that Mr. Columbus came over on the Nina, Pinta and Santa Maria. As the Pilgrim mix-up proliferates, the ancient Vikings and Chinese now duke it out on The History Channel for this same discovery. Excuse me, what person on this planet isn't aware that the American Indians beat us to the punch?
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Groundhog Day
OK: On this day, Punxsutawney Phil prog-
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nosticates the beginning of Spring.
But seriously: Sure, it's fun to think
a rodent has mystical powers. OK, now that I typed that it sounds pretty weird. Crazy, actually. Anyhoo, explaining this furry forecaster to our kids is even weirder -- especially when they see a few dozen of them on the road as street pancakes. "Why don't they use their magic to avoid cars?" the little ones inquire. Some things cannot be explained. Nor should they be. Ever. Let's all just back away from this holiday slowly, in silent, stunned disbelief. There are no words except, Did he see his shadow? Did he? Writer's note: By no means is this an allinclusive list. Forgive me. I'll hit the "biggies" another time. Pinkie swear promise.
–xo jane
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Birthday Party Resource Guide Inflatable Playground
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Did your team get a big win? We want to see your pictures! Submit group/team photo and detailed info on the winning team of kiddos ages 12 and under Make sure the kids’ parent’s give permission to submit! Submit high resolution photos and info to info@ MichianaFamilyMagazine.com
Visit Lanser's the Natural Way to turn in your coloring contest or send it in by mail for a chance to win a
$50 Value Gift Basket full of prizes!
Hey Kids! Color this page and win! The coloring contest winners will be featured in our October issue of FAMILY Magazine! One winner will be selected from each of the three following age categories: 3-5, 6-9 and 10-12 years of age.
NAME: _________________________________________ AGE: ______ ADDRESS: __________________________________________________ CITY: ___________________________ STATE: ______ ZIP: _________ DAY TIME PHONE: __________________________________________ PARENT’S NAME: ___________________________________________ E-MAIL: ____________________________________________________
For your chance to WIN, color your best picture and mail entries to: Lanser's the natural way • 620 W Edison Rd • Mishawaka, IN 46545 • (574) 807-8797. Coloring contest is open to children 12 years and under, and entries must be mailed by September 8th, 2013. Winners will be featured in the October issue of FAMILY Magazine and will be notified via phone or email by Lanser's the Natural Way. Winners' artwork will be featured along with their first name and age. For additional coloring contest entries, this coloring page may be photocopied and printed off.
W T F R O R O G M B T U N B B R O C E D
V O R Y E O N A O M L A I X M K G X S F
D Y G P D I T R Q S D R E S S E R X A U
O S A V H E S G S A C Z R S R Y Y T C R
J I B T R I R E Q E F R K E R O H H K N
D W O N B K I B H V I H B L G A O B O I
Y L I R A U A E B D X R Q E G I C M O T
C T V T A B H D R D S E O V D L S L B U
Y B O U Y C C D G Z S C L S O R T T V R
D E B K N U B I P M Y Q G T S K O L R E
D I S H W K B N U O G N H Z R E W O I Y
U D B T P K E G L U H E D E S K C L M B
E P A U F K Y T B D S Z Z B E E D C W A
L R J E O I N M X T K I N S O D W E A R
Wagon Wheel Theatre
Have Fun! Registry Gifts Baby Stroller Accessories Toys Carseat 42
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R I A H C H G I H Y W J S T R O L L E R
10% off bolton furniture Through Aug. 31
Find the words below in the Lanser's The Natural Way word search puzzle. Words can be forwards, backwards, diagonal, vertical or horizontal.
Bunkbed Highchair Clothing Maternity Clothes Bedding Bedroom Furniture Diaper Bag
Room Decor Desk Bookcase Chairs Crib Dresser Printed on Recycled Content Paper
FAMILY book reviews
www.StorySnoops.com Story Snoops is a completely free service created by four moms to help you find what’s best for your child to be reading. Reviews of all sorts of books for kids ages 8-18 are here for your perusal, with helpful information from a parent’s perspective, including mild to graphic language warnings and more.
Reading Magic – Why Reading Aloud to Our Children Will Change Their Lives Forever
As a busy mom, you’ll be glad to have the resource and we’re happy to tell you about it!
by Mem Fox Reviewed by Denise Stuart, Children’s Services Library Assistant, Harris Branch Library of the Mishawaka-Penn-Harris Public Library From the viewpoint of a former elementary school teacher, and the parent of a child with a learning disability, I was excited and delighted after reading Mem Fox’s Reading Magic – Why Reading Aloud to Our Children Will Change Their Lives Forever. I wish this book had been written and available to teachers, parents, caregivers, and me years ago. I highly recommend this book to every adult who loves an infant, or child, and wishes to create in them a joyful attitude toward learning to read. Mem Fox is an Austrailian writer of children’s books and an educationalist specializing in literacy. Her book, Reading Magic, offers a simple and obvious solution to the problem of children struggling with reading development. She presents concise steps for adults on how to provide a solid read-aloud foundation to children: read aloud three books at bedtime – a favorite book, a familiar book and a new book. The author believes babies should be read to as soon as they are born. In other words,
the sooner the better to introduce reading, especially for boys. Reading Magic offers valuable tips and fun games to engage boys and girls in effective reading development. The book presents helpful suggestions on how to determine a “good” book, including how to decide whether to borrow or buy a book. The final chapter lists 20 books most children love, which parents are strongly encouraged to share with their children. Reading Magic is an informative and uplifting read for adults. The book is available from the Mishawaka-Penn-Harris Public Library.
Kira-Kira
By: Cynthia Kadohata Reviewed by Michaela Ritschard Have you ever found yourself getting lost in the words of a great book?As if you are in the story? Only certain books can make you feel this way, though. One book that I know of where you feel like you are standing right next to the characters, traveling through their journeys with them, is Kira-Kira. Kira-Kira is an inspiring story about the journey of Katie Takeshima and her family, and the struggles that they are going through.
parents are both very shy people; they keep to themselves, and don't usually talk to even their own children. As the story goes on, you will meet Sammy, whom is a very young boy that looks up to and depends on Katie.
It all starts with the Takeshima family in Iowa. Katie's parents own a small Japanese cuisine grocery store there. There aren't too many JapaneseAmericans where they are located in Iowa, so that store goes out of business. After the store goes out of business, Masao Takeshima, Katie's father, makes the tough decision to move his family to Georgia where he feels that his family will be better off. When they get there, Katie and Lynn do not like their new apartment as much as they liked their old house. Lynn starts school at the local public school, but Katie is still too young. When Katie does start school, Lynn warns her that since they are Japanese most of the children there won't talk to them. Katie soon realizes that this is true, and learns that she doesn't do as well in school as Lynn does. After a little while, Lynn starts to get very sick, and the family deals with many other hardships throughout the book. As you can tell, Katie Takeshima is the main character. She is a very lively, mischievous, affectionate young girl. Lynn, her older sister, is an independent, reserved girl who turns into a young woman as the story progresses. Their
As you are reading this book, you get consumed in every word. It's as if there is a hex on the book that doesn't allow you to put it down before finishing. The journey that the characters go through is very exhilarating and heartwarming. Cynthia Kadahota really works her magic on this book.
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Michaela currently graduated from Edwardsburg Middle School, and is looking forward to entering the high school. She enjoys reading and spending time on the lake with her family and friends.
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FAMILY matters
The Elkhart Humane Society Needs your Help! Loving animals are in need of families! Each month the FAMILY Magazine will feature one dog, cat, and a bunny who are waiting to find their forever homes! Please contact the Elkhart Humane Society for more information at (574) 848-4225.
Wrigley Wrigley is about 4 years old. He has so much love left to give. He has been at the shelter for a while now and can’t wait to find a forever home. He prefers a home without cats. But, one with doggie friends would be ideal. He is neutered and up to date on all shots.
Bugs
Bugs came to the shelter after he was found hopping at large and no one ever came looking for him! He is a sweet boy that would love to find his forever home! He has been at the shelter a while now and can’t wait to break out!
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n e t r a g r e d n i K
&
Alfred
more at
St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic School! Now Registering for Fall Classes!
Alfred loves daily belly rubs! He has a lot of personality and gets along with cats and people. He is neutered and up to date on all shots. Alfred would prefer a home where he can watch birds during the day and lounge with you on the couch at night!
Please call our school office at 574.264.4855 for more information or to schedule a tour. Visit us at www.stselkhart.com or www.stthomaselkhart.com!
St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic School 1331 North Main Street Elkhart, IN 46514 St. Thomas the Apostle School is Catholic in character, but open to all faith traditions. Approximately 12% of our current enrollment is non-Catholic.
54687 County Road 19 Bristol, IN 46507 (574) 848-4225 www.elkharthumanesociety.org
as hom St. T ol Scho “A” d an e v i e te rec e sta on th d! r rt ca repo
• Outstanding Academics
• Christian Family Atmosphere
• Safe Environment
• 21st Century Learning Facility
• Before and After School Care
Recently Renovated and Expanded
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family pregnancy
Visiting Hours Are
OVER
By Chaunie Marie Brusie, RN, BSN
While it seemed like a great idea to ask your sister to tag along with you to the hospital, now that you are in the throes of contractions, you have discovered that she is driving you crazy. If you have to hear one more story about that amazing party she went to or her latest shopping excursion, you just might hit her with your IV pole. As a labor and delivery nurse, I see a lot of first-time expectant mothers who come into the hospital with a birth plan in place and a whole entourage of family and friends along for the labor journey. And while some women find the support helpful, some women may be unpleasantly surprised to discover that having grandma, aunts, uncles, and some lady they think might be a neighbor, in the room during their labor is suddenly not part of the plan they envisioned on their big day. To prevent any hurt feelings or potential obscenities shouted in the throes of labor, here are a few tips to help you make a plan for visitors during your labor and delivery.
Decide who you want in the room at delivery. Many hospitals have a limit on the number of people who can be in the room for the actual delivery of the baby. For instance, the hospital I work at only allows three people in the room at the time of birth. The limit is set primarily for safety reasons, as too many people + a lot of birth equipment + potential for emergency situations can equal a complete and utter disaster. Deciding ahead of time who you want in the birth with you can help avoid any congestion or awkward conversations when someone has to be asked to leave at the big moment. Additionally, if you and your partner have decided ahead of time to have a private birth, it may make asking visitors to wait until after the baby’s born to say hello a little easier. Designate a point person. If you anticipate that a large number of your family and friends will be clamoring for updates on your labor and delivery status, designate one “point person” to keep everyone abreast on the latest baby watch news. Not only does that free you up from a constant influx of calls, texts, and Facebook messages and allow you to focus on your labor, but it may just keep people from bombarding your hospital room too. Ask your support person or another close family member or friend who is comfortable with the requirement of mass text messaging to keep everyone updated. Consider a visiting ban until after birth. Now, this doesn’t have to be as harsh as it sounds, but I really, really encourage expectant moms and dads, especially first-time parents-to-be, to consider asking family and friends to refrain from visiting until after the baby is born. When I see an exhausted mama, trying to put on a brave face while entertaining throngs of visitors during her labor, I just know that she is putting energy and effort away from the labor process. As I mentioned earlier, although some women may need the support of one or two close individuals
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during their labor, others may find that their labor progresses more effectively in a more private setting. In fact, here’s a fun labor fact for you: did you know that a monkey’s contractions will actually stop when she is being observed during labor? There is just something about labor and nature that precipitates privacy. Although you can’t predict with complete accuracy which camp your labor will fall in, it may be easier to start with the assumption that your labor will be visitorfree instead of hastening people out of your room quickly when you just need a moment to yourself. When in doubt, rely on your labor and delivery nurse to be your advocate for what you—not anyone else—needs during your labor. As a nurse, I consider myself first and foremost a patient advocate and I make sure to always tell my patients that if, at any point before, during, or even after their labor, do they feel the need for space or privacy, to just consider me their personal bouncer. Minus the crazy muscles and tight t-shirt, of course. But seriously, your nurse is there to help you get through your labor and make sure that your little one’s entrance into the world is as smooth as possible. So don’t be afraid to speak up and let her know what you need!
Chaunie Brusie is a labor and delivery nurse and mother of three. Her first book, Tiny Blue Lines, a non-fiction guide to young motherhood will be released in 2014.
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The little things are important to us. When it comes to your newborn’s health and safety, the little things are probably pretty important to you, too. Which is why we offer a Level 2-B Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, along with certified neonatologists and experienced neonatal nurse practitioners right here in our Special Beginnings Maternity Center. This way, you can be sure that should a situation arise, we’ve got the right people in place, ready to help. Because when it comes to watching over your little one, no amount of caring is too big, or too small.
To schedule a personalized tour of the Special Beginnings Maternity Center, call 574-523-3444.
600 East Boulevard • Elkhart, IN 46514