Momaha Magazine - January 2013

momaha.com

volume 4 · issue 1

january 2013

Cheap and healthy versions of your kids’ favorite foods

Inside Your Child’s Mind

Tips for nurturing a right-brain v. left-brain thinker

plus

One Mom’s Dream Closet Makeover

Superheroes Aren’t Born,

They’re Made

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www.peru.edu

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FROM our MOMAHA.COM editOR

momaha where moms connect

vOLUME 4 · ISSUE 1 · JANUARY 2013 editorial director CHRIS CHRISTEN chris.christen@owh.com 402-444-1094

creative director/designer

Embrace Those Moments of Independence

A N A N DA S pA DT

momaha.com editor

W

e were pressed for time, but my 4-year-old didn’t seem to care.

She refused to wear the floral-print dress, tights and Mary Jane shoes I had set aside for her the night before. Instead, Alejandra held a citrusgreen tutu, mismatched socks and shoes in her hands. I could tell by the look on her face that she wasn’t going to give up without a battle. So mismatched shoes — one pink and one green — it was that day.

If your child wants to wear mismatched socks or unusual color combinations, learn to just take a keepsake photo and embrace your child’s creativity! Independent dressing is an important developmental milestone, as well as a confidence-booster for a child.

Alejandra’s little hands are developing crucial motor skills, and her young mind is learning logical thinking, concentration and order. So she goes against the grain sometimes. It’s OK. She is also super curious, and that’s OK, too.

As parents, we should encourage creativity, imagination, play, exploration and intellectual curiosity. Children act on these valuable attributes freely, discovering happiness, belonging, connection and community through them.

The world is a wonderful learning center full of surprises and wonder. We hope this issue helps you listen for your child’s joys, fears and celebrations.

J O S I E LOZ A josie.loza@owh.com 402-444-1075

production coordinator pAT R I C I A “ M U R pH Y ” B E N O I T

on the cover I L LU S T R AT I O N BY M AT T H A N E Y

content contributors A M Y TO KO S , C AT KO E H L E R , J O S I E LOZ A

copy editing AMY LAMAR

to advertise, contact KRISTINE BUHMAN kristine.buhman@owh.com 402-444-1442 Momaha Magazine is a monthly publication of the Omaha World-Herald, 1314 Douglas St., Suite 600, Omaha NE 68102. Momaha is a registered trademark, and all content is copyright 2013 by the Omaha World-Herald. All rights reserved.

The opinions and perspectives published herein are those of the authors and should not be construed as those of Momaha Magazine.

Chat with Josie each Friday from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. on momaha.com Facebook.com/josie.loza @LozaFina pinterest.com/momahaowh

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Miracle Pregnancy Left Her in Complete Shock “How I Do It” introduces you to a local mom and how she juggles life. Alejandra Jimenez-Sanchez, a client service associate with Morgan Stanley Wealth Management, is married and was pregnant with the couple’s first child, Liam Isaiah, when we chatted with her. The baby was born Nov. 29.

CONVERTED HUSKER: “After 17 years of living here, I now consider myself a Cornhusker. I was born and raised in sunny California, so I always thought I would one day move back. Omaha grew

on me, and I can’t imagine living anywhere else.”

amazing feeling, and I couldn’t be more proud.”

MOST INFLUENTIAL PERSON IN MY LIFE: “My mom, Diana, is such a strong and positive person that she rubs off on people.

Despite all of the hardships in her life, including six major surgeries and divorce, she continues to have a contagious smile and a positive outlook. I’m mainly proud of my mom because she became a U.S. citizen last year, and she voted for the first time this year.

I became teary-eyed when she registered to vote. It was an

MARRIED LIFE: “I have been married to Edgar for twoand-a-half years. Our home is comfortable and peaceful, and it has a touch of both vintage and contemporary. I love to decorate, so there are a lot of personal touches and DIY projects throughout the house.”

WHEN I FOUND OUT I WAS PREGNANT… “I was in complete shock because I was told I would never be able to have children.

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When I was in my 20s, I had surgery to help me get pregnant one day. But after almost two years of trying, my husband and I weren’t having any luck. I was scheduled for my second surgery in March of this year.

I wasn’t feeling very good in February after a vacation to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, and my doctors suspected a stomach virus. Just to be sure, I had two pregnancy tests, and both came back negative. I was very disappointed and cried each time. Weeks passed, and I still had this “stomach virus.” So they gave me another pregnancy test, which came back positive.

I dropped to my knees and cried out, ‘Thank you, Jesus!’”

ASKING FOR HELP: “I have had a pretty tough pregnancy, and asking for help has been hard because I’m so independent.

When I was put on bed rest in my first trimester, I had to learn to let people help. I am so thankful for my husband, friends and family.”

MOST DISGUSTING PART OF MY PREGNANCY … “My enhanced sense of smell. OMG.” THROUGHOUT THE PREGNANCY … “I’ve tried to be more aware of my husband’s feelings, fears and worries. You

get so involved and consumed with how your body is changing — if you are eating too little or too much, if you are doing a good job taking care of the baby and your own emotions — that you forget that there’s another person who is also going to be a parent for the first time. One day after an ultrasound, my husband was very serious and not himself. When I asked him what was wrong for the fourth time, he started to cry and told me how scared he was that he wouldn’t be able to provide for our baby. He was worried about whether he would be a good father. It broke my heart to know that I never thought he had such fears. I figured that he wasn’t the one carrying the baby so he had nothing to worry about.”

name.”

OH, BABY! “My husband loves the name, Liam, which he got from the actor Liam Hemsworth.

When he put it together with Isaiah, which is one of my favorite names, I was sold on the

ALSO READ: “A real-life haute mommy”; “Former Husker talks about pro career, being a dad”; and “Teacher Gabrielle GainesLiwaru,” among others in our “How I Do It” series.

I’M MOST AFRAID OF …

“Changing my baby’s diaper while he’s healing from being circumcised. My friends tell me it’s a piece of cake. It gives me anxiety just thinking about it.”

BEST PART ABOUT BEING PREGNANT: “I am lucky that I get to bring a little human being into this world. I love feeling him move in my womb. It is amazing!”

SOMETHING NO ONE ELSE KNOWS … “I have been praying to go on a missionary trip wherever and whenever the Lord puts it in my path. I was given the gift of becoming a mother, so it’s my heart’s desire to give back.”

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Closet Envy

The secret to deep-cleaning and reorganizing your closet the right way

By Amy Tokos

I

am a professional organizer. I help other people have great closets. But in my own home, I used to pull clothes from a shabby 25-year-old drooping-rod, buildergrade closet.

After years of closet envy, we decided to upgrade our closet.

I was ecstatic about having my shoes off the floor and my handbags off the walls. My husband was on board, but he had very few expectations. It was just a closet to him.

My go-to closet designer came to my house, measured our closet and discussed the options for our space and our stuff. We made choices on shelving, drawers, wood and rod lengths. After the final design decisions were made, it was time to get started. sTep 1: Empty our closet. If you have ever moved, you are probably familiar with this process of discovery. I had things nicely organized and contained, but there was a lot of rarely — if ever — used stuff.

Our closet system provider gave us two sets of portable clothing rods, we had to decide where we would park them during the weeks of construction.

sTep 2: The tear-down. If you have ever seen the HGTV shows where people start swinging the sledgehammers, that was us. We gutted our closet. Over the next few weeks, the walls were repaired and painted and new flooring was installed. Did you read that? Yes, it took a few weeks. A typical closet makeover can take just a couple of days. It took us a few weeks because we combined it with a bathroom remodel. sTep 3: Put it back together — strategically. The actual closet install took one day. It was an amazing transformation from an empty room to a showroomquality system. When we sorted through all of our clothes, put back only the things that fit and what we actually wear, it was beautiful and inspiring and just made me smile. It exceeded everyone’s expectations, including my husband’s.

I love many things about our new closet, but I would say that my favorite thing is the drawers.

They help simplify the process of getting ready by allowing all of our clothes to be in one area.

We no longer have dressers in the bedroom. My second-favorite thing is having everything off the floor.

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cover story

Right Brain vs. Left Brain By josie loza | illustration By matt haney

Use your child’s learning style to help teach, learn, play and nurture.

J

immy doodles on his notebook every time his teacher explains a new math concept. Sally has an upset stomach every time art class begins so she asks to see the nurse. What’s going on?

Every child learns differently, and for that reason diverse teaching styles are required. Neuroscientists and child experts have studied why some children do better at certain subjects, and they have concluded that it’s all in our heads - literally. Each one of us has a left-, a right- or a middle-brain preference, and this significantly influences our learning patterns.

Scholastic.com recently discussed each type of thinker in an article titled, “Left Brain/Right Brain: Pathways to Reach Every Learner.” You’re apt to see your child in one of these examples:

The LefT-Brain STudenT Left-brain students prefer to work alone. They like

to read independently and incorporate research into their written assignments. They favor a quiet classroom without a lot of distraction.

Sally, for instance, would score “strong left” on a brain preference test for children. Though she’s not learning-disabled, the right hemisphere of her brain is significantly weaker than the left.

Sally has great difficulty understanding lessons with a visual-spatial orientation. She is also a perfectionist.

When her teacher introduces an art project, Sally believes that she cannot successfully do the work. She is afraid to fail, and consequently becomes nauseous.

Seeing the nurse accomplishes two things: It gets her away from an unpleasant situation, and it gives her time to regroup.

The righT-Brain STudenT Right-brain students prefer to work in groups. They like graphic design, art projects and taking industrial arts electives in middle school. They would prefer to design and make a mobile rather than write another tedious term paper.

Jimmy, for instance, would score “strong right” on a brain preference test for children. The left hemisphere of his brain, though healthy, is significantly weaker than his right. He does not have a learning disability, but he has difficulty processing information that is presented verbally.

When his teacher lectures or talks in compound, complex sentences, he becomes anxious and overwhelmed and shuts down. The teacher’s words run together, and the meaning becomes garbled.

His drawings comfort him; he knows that drawing is something that he can do well. He can easily do rightbrain activities such as painting and drawing with pride.

SeT Your Mind To iT left-Brain Crossword puzzles Spelling exercises Math problems Brain teasers Puzzles Blocks Legos Debates and idea exchanges

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right-Brain Memory games Flash cards Role-playing Exercises in identifying sizes Exercises in identifying colors Mandala designs Tangram puzzles Memory grids Clay modeling

Whole-Brain Skipping rope Bubble-blowing Picking up sticks or jacks Clapping games Drawing

Cognitive Quiz Choose the one sentence that is more true. Do not leave any blanks.

1.

A ) It’s fun to take risks.

B ) I have fun without taking risks.

2.

A ) I look for new ways to do old jobs.

B ) When one way works well, I don’t change it.

3.

A ) I begin many jobs that I never finish.

B ) I finish a job before starting a new one.

4.

A ) I’m not very imaginative in my work.

B ) I use my imagination in everything I do.

5.

A ) I can analyze what is going to happen next.

B ) I can sense what is going to happen next.

6.

A ) I try to find the one best way to solve a problem.

B ) I try to find different answers to problems.

7.

A ) My thinking is like pictures going through my head.

B ) My thinking is like words going through my head.

8.

A ) I agree with new ideas before other people do.

B ) I question new ideas more than other people do.

9.

A ) Other people don’t understand how I organize things.

B ) Other people think I organize well.

10.

A ) I have good self-discipline.

B ) I usually act on my feelings.

11.

A ) I plan time for doing my work.

B ) I don’t think about the time when I work.

12.

A ) With a hard decision I choose what I know is right.

B ) With a hard decision I choose what I feel is right.

13.

A ) I do easy things first and important things later.

B ) I do the important things first and the easy things later.

14.

A ) Sometimes in a new situation I have too many ideas.

B ) Sometimes in a new situation I don’t have any ideas.

15.

A) I have to have a lot of change and variety in my life.

B ) I have to have an orderly and well-planned life.

16.

A ) I know I’m right because I have good reasons.

B ) I know I’m right even without good reasons.

17.

A ) I spread my work evenly over the time I have.

B ) I prefer to do my work at the last minute.

18.

A ) I keep everything in a particular place.

B ) Where I keep things depends on what I’m doing.

19.

A ) I have to make my own plans.

B ) I can follow anyone’s plans.

20.

A ) I am a very flexible and unpredictable person.

B ) I am a consistent and stable person.

21.

A ) With a new task, I want to find my own way of doing it.

B ) With a new task, I want to be told the best way to do it.

to SCore 1. Give yourself one point for each time you answered “A” for questions: 1, 2, 3, 7, 8, 9, 13, 14, 15, 19, 20 and 21.

2. Give yourself one point for each time you answered “B” for questions: 4 ,5, 6, 10, 11, 12, 16, 17 and 18.

3. Add all points. Totals imply: 0-4: strong left brain 5-8: moderate left brain 9-13: middle brain 14-16: moderate right brain 17-21: strong right brain

Source: “The Alert Scale of Cognitive Style” (Western Michigan University, 1989) by Dr. Loren D. Crane

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Brain Busters: A maze of fun and education

K

eep your eyes peeled. A Maze of Illusions is winding its way to Omaha.

The mind-boggling experience, created by Minotaur Mazes in Seattle, will be part of the Brain Busters exhibit Jan. 10-13 at the Midlands International Auto Show at CenturyLink Center Omaha.

“Everybody loves a maze,” says Greg Krogen, one of the developers of the traveling exhibit. It has been a popular draw at children’s museums and science centers across the United States and Canada.

Krogen promises mind-bending adventures, 3-D puzzles and problem-solving challenges.

“We are unique in the way we create mazes,” says Krogen. “We started out in 1988 building interactive experiences on dinosaurs and rainforests and other topics. Then we evolved into the science of the maze itself.

That has become very, very powerful for us in the development of interactive experiences.”

The Maze of Illusions, which will be at the World-Herald-sponsored auto show, includes a series of physical and mental challenges designed to trick your brain. Disappearing colors and impossible shapes are examples.

“Each maze is a problem-solving experience,” Krogen says. “We’ve designed it so that all ages are equally engaged and challenged.”

The Brain Busters exhibit will cover about 6,000 square feet. Krogen recommends allowing about an hour to work your way through the network of intersecting paths, wrong ways and dead-ends. Maze of Illusions alone is a 20-minute experience, he says.

“Adults are not slow to be drawn in,” Krogen says. “There are some significant challenges in the illusions and games.

“Everybody loves mazes. Most people are compelled to walk into it.”

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If you go Midlands International Auto Show When: Jan. 10-13 Where: CenturyLink Center Omaha Hours: Thursday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Friday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Admission: Adults, $9; seniors, $6; children ages 7 to 12, $5; children ages 6 and younger, free.

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get organized

Activate and Organize Your Creative Mind

By Amy TokoS

T

he creative mind is a beautiful thing. You can easily get lost in your creativity and escape from your daily routine. If you are the creative type, getting lost in your art can create its own set of challenges. The “must do” daily business that seems tedious doesn’t get done. Here are tips to help you tackle this sometimes unpleasant work:

• Create ways to liven up dull, routine tasks. Listen to music, invite a friend to help or wear a fun outfit. These are all ways to keep your creative spirit in your routine.

• Use color to organize your stuff. This might include colorful files or desk supplies.

Just make the space feel good — even for just balancing your checkbook.

• Set aside 15 minutes a day to get rid of irritants. This includes those low-priority items that you’ve let stack up.

• Learn to say no. Many creative types like to help others. Try to keep your priorities in check and say no so you have time to say yes to the things you truly love.

• Try the quick method. Tell yourself that you are going to quickly file your papers or quickly empty and load the dishwasher. Sometimes we become overwhelmed by the thought of doing a tedious task when in reality, it can be done quickly.

• Take “should” and “have to” out of your vocabulary.

These commands can create guilt. You think you should do something but you don’t, and then you feel guilty.

• Delegate. If there are tasks that you dread, then it is time to delegate. This is especially true for those who run their own business. Hire a bookkeeper, for example.

Delegate the tedious tasks so you can focus on your strengths.

If you are not the creative type because you feel like you don’t have time to be creative, here are steps to help you gain free time: • Get your to-do list out of your head. All the “I don’t want to forget ...” thoughts make you less likely to have time to be creative. Put your to-do list on paper or use your mobile device.

• Tackle your to-do list. Prioritize the list, and strive to accomplish three items per day until you are caught up.

This will give you time to be creative.

• Remove distractions. This can be anything that keeps you from focusing, including electronics, noise or too much stuff. Have you ever noticed that your creative energy shows up while you are on a walk or in the shower? These are moments when you are relaxed and not distracted. By removing distractions, you might be able to capture this energy at other times of the day.

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Resolution Buddy Ends Idea of Feeling Like a Loser

I

f you’re reading this, the Mayans were wrong. The world didn’t end. Instead, we’re celebrating the beginning of another year and making resolutions that we can’t keep.

Most years, my resolutions are doomed before Presidents’ Day in mid-February.

A study by the University cat of Scranton koehler showed that only 8 percent of resolutions are successful.

With only about 45 percent of Americans actually making resolutions, we look like a bunch of losers. As a person who hates to lose, I have a plan.

It’s called the buddy system, and here’s how it works: Everyone who isn’t making a resolution simply adopts someone who is. They cheer them on and celebrate with them when they meet their goals.

That’s right, the non-resolution-maker’s only job is to encourage your resolution buddy and lift him up when he stumbles.

Remind your buddy of his progress. Send notes of congratulations and encouragement.

When your friend reaches a goal, celebrate his success.

And remember, your resolution buddy wasn’t the only one who succeeded. You helped get him there, so pat yourself on the back too!

Cat Koehler is married and has two children. She works full-time. Read her column Mondays on momaha.com.

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easy MeaLs

Fresh and Fun Healthier meal options from Rachael Ray

F

ood personality Rachael Ray is an expert at creating quick meals. She also aims to motivate families to swap their traditional recipes for versions that contain healthier ingredients and taste just as good.

She shares recipes and tips on how to incorporate fresh ingredients into favorites like pizza and mac ‘n’ cheese. “Anyone can get started on their ‘freshover projects’ in their own kitchen,” she says.

Broccoli and cauliflower Gratin Mac ‘n’ cheese Yield: 6 servings Prep Time: 20 minutes Cook Time: 1 hour

tip: Put individual servings of chicken in bags right after purchase. You won’t have to defrost more chicken than you need for a meal.

the only pizza you’ll ever want aGain Servings: 4

Prep Time: 15 minutes

crust 16-ounce package pizza dough at room temperature 2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil 2 tablespoons grated Parmigiano-Reggiano

toppinGs 1/3-pound broccoli 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil (1 turn of the pan) 3 cloves cracked garlic 1/2-pound chicken breasts cut for stirfry or chicken tenders Salt and black pepper 1 cup part-skim ricotta cheese 10 sun-dried tomatoes in oil, drained and sliced 1 cup shredded mozzarella 12 to 15 leaves fresh basil

16

Cook Time: 20 minutes

1. Preheat oven to 500 degrees. 2. On a 12-inch nonstick pizza pan, stretch out dough and form pizza crust. 3. Drizzle olive oil on crust, and spread it with a pastry brush to the edges. 4. Sprinkle crust with grated Parmigiano-Reggiano. 5. In a small covered saucepan, bring 2 inches water to a boil. Separate broccoli tops into florets, discarding lower stalks. Salt water and add florets. Cook, covered, 3 to 5 minutes.

Drain broccoli and chop into small pieces. 6. Heat a small nonstick pan over medium-high to high heat.

Add oil, cracked garlic and chicken. Season with salt and pepper. 7. Brown chicken until lightly golden all over, 3 to 5 minutes. 8. Chop sautéed chicken and garlic into small pieces. 9. To assemble pizza, dot crust with broccoli and chicken. Dot crust with spoonfuls of ricotta, spreading gently with the back of a spoon. Add sliced sun-dried tomatoes. Complete assembly with a thin layer of shredded mozzarella.

10. Place pizza in oven on middle rack and lower heat to 450 degrees. 11. Bake 12 minutes, or until cheese is deep golden in color and the crust is brown at the edges. 12. Remove from oven and let stand 5 minutes. Top with torn or shredded basil.

1 small head or bundle of broccoli, trimmed into florets 1 small head cauliflower or half a large head, trimmed and cut into florets 1 pound whole-wheat macaroni or penne or other short-cut pasta 2 cups sour cream or reduced-fat sour cream

1 tablespoon Dijon mustard 1/3 cup finely chopped chives 2 cloves garlic, peeled and grated or crushed into a paste A few drops hot sauce Salt and black pepper 2½ cups grated extrasharp cheddar

1. Bring large pot of water to a boil over medium heat. Salt water and add broccoli and cauliflower florets. Boil vegetables for 5 minutes, then remove and drain. Add pasta to water and under-cook by about 2 minutes, drain. 2.

Meanwhile, combine sour cream tip: in large bowl along with mustard, Make a chives, garlic, hot sauce and double batch salt and pepper to taste. 3. Add and freeze pasta and cauliflower and 2/3 of for a later the cheese. Stir to combine, then date. transfer to a casserole dish and cover with remaining cheese.

Cool and chill for a make-ahead meal. 4. To heat and eat, put casserole on baking sheet and bake in the middle of a preheated 375-degree oven until deeply golden and bubbly, about 40 to 45 minutes.

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