Momaha Magazine - March 2015

momaha.com

VOLUME 6 · ISSUE 3

MARCH 2015

PLUS

Easy on pasta d e-pot ishe an exra s with cup o deliciou f s

Get Organized

Gain much more with less

BABY LOVE

A “wildly” adorable shower theme and gifts she’ll coo over

WHERE THE WALLS BECOME

THE WORLD AROUND NATURE DISCOVERY DAY CAMPS

Fontenelle Forest welcomes you to a summer of discovery and learning in a place where the quiet wild of nature offers an unparalleled opportunity for your child to learn. Nature Discovery Day Camps feature science based learning through play. Our staff is committed to providing your child with high quality, positive experiences. Camps are either 3 days or a weeklong of fun.

Visit

FONTENELLEFOREST.ORG for complete camp listings.

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THE BEST PLACE FOR KIDS.

GraceAnn, age 7 Asthma

Visit ChildrensOmaha.org for more information on how we can help your child.

For a pediatrician, family physician or pediatric specialist, call 1.800.833.3100.

2

COME CHECK OUT THE Y Join us March 21, 2015 for our Open House at any YMCA of Greater Omaha location!

10:00 am-12:00 pm All YMCA Locations Everyone is welcome to come try the Y for free at our Open House! There will be something for the entire family!

Special Offers • Facility Tours and Demos • Summer Day Camp Information Become a YMCA member and be a part of something greater!

GET A JUMP ON SUMMER Register for Summer Day Camp at our Open House and pay NO CAMP REGISTRATION FEE! The YMCA is your place for camp this summer • Weekly themed Preschool Morning Camp & Summer Day Camp • Mini, special interest camps • Premier camps & YMCA Camp Platte • Counselors-in-Training program for teens

Summer may seem a long ways away, but it will be here before you know it!

Pick and choose the summer day camps that interest your child - and get excited about having the best summer ever at the Y!

YMCA OF GREATER OMAHA • www.metroymca.org 3

momaha where moms connect VOlUME 6 . ISSUE 3 . MARCH 2015 editor in chief CHRIS CHRISTEN chris.christen@owh.com 402-444-1094

your mag makers ChriS ChriSten

assistant editor

editor in chief

AMy laMAR a m y. l a m a r @ o w h . c o m 402-444-1416

creative director + designer HEIDI THORSON hhoffman@owh.com 402-444-1351

production coordinator PAT R I C I A “ M U R P H y ” B E N O I T

on the cover PH OTO: M Eg AN P O M ER Oy

content contributors DANIEllE HER zO g, AMy gR ACE, SANDR A WENDEl, C ANDACE K A l A S K y, M E g A N P O M E R O y, H E AT H E R W I N K E l , A M y T O K O S , DANIEl J O HNSO N

amy lamar assistant editor

to advertise, contact E M I ly M A R T I N emily.martin@owh.com 402-444-1411 CARRIE KENTCH carrie.kentch@owh.com 402-444-1448 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 2015 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.

Spring Cleaning & BaBy Fever!

T

his time of year, moms everywhere attempt to weed out toys and clothes that their children have outgrown or are no longer excited about. Organization of what remains also is top of mind.

At our offices, moms share horror stories of stepping on dozens of Barbie dolls and a sea of unmanageable accessories. Tiny shoes, shirts, pants ... everywhere. See our storage solutions on page 14. And take this advice: Sort while the kids are away.

Speaking of fresh solutions, see page 10 for a helpful list of everyday household items that can keep your kitchen sparkling – after you try contributor Heather Winkel’s onepot pasta dishes starting on page 22.

To round out this issue, we’re cooing over an adorable baby shower shared by contributors Candace Kalasky and Megan Pomeroy. Bring on the baby love!

heidi thorSon creative director + designer

Get Social Facebook: momahacom Twitter: @momaha_owh Pinterest: momahaowh

Enroll now!

Summer Camps for beginners to advanced!

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4

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Camps include: open One week in length. jump, dodgeball, exercise Camps run from programs, relay races, June 1 - July 31.

Open to Kids 6-12 yrs old. crafts, summer $100/Child.

Olympic events, Siblings are an learning teamwork additional $75 each and much more.

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JULY 22-26

CENTURYLINK CENTER IN OMAHA TICKET PRICES START AT: $20/Day or $75 All-Tourney Visit TicketMaster.com to purchase your tickets or call 800.745.3000 today!

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CONTENTS

Real MoMs + advice 12 Get Organized 30 Momaha.com Blogger 28 Be Well 32 Sassy Housewife

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d.i.Y. coRneR

10 Cleaning Tricks 14 Barbie Organization 16 Baby Fever

Recipes

23 Veggie Delight Pasta 24 Fiesta-Style Pasta 27 Meat-Lovers Pasta

Newborn Expo with Boys Town Pediatrics

Saturday, March 21 11:00 a.m. — 2:00 p.m.

Meet our pediatricians and tour our clinic.

• • • •

Pampering Services Newborn Seminars Gift Bags Desserts and Prizes!

Grand Prize!

Boys Town Medical Campus 14040 Boys Town Hospital Road 139th & Pacific Street

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Pediatrics ®

boystownpediatrics.org

Newborn Photography Session

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ON OUR RADAR THOMAS’S ADVENTURES IN MUSIC

Feb. 22

Holland Performing Arts Center omahaperformingarts.org Join Music Director Thomas Wilkins on an exhilarating journey into the heart and soul of music. The fun starts in the lobby at 1:15 p.m.

Hours: 2 to 3 p.m.

Admission: $12

NATURE CONNECTS 2 LEGO EXHIBIT

March 2-April 26

INFO: 402-444-7800, ext. 2396 twieser@nehumanesociety.org

Learn to ride!

At Po n c a H i l l s Fa r m

2015 Summer Day Camp

Lauritzen Gardens lauritzengardens.org The indoor exhibit features 12 all-new displays with 25 largerthan-life sculptures built with 300,000 Lego bricks. There is also a “Play and Let It Stay” station where visitors of all ages can create, take apart and tinker with Legos.

Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Admission: $10 for adults, $5 for children ages 6 to 12

FREE CRAFTS FOR KIDS

March 7 SESSION 1 JUNE 8 - JUNE 26 SESSION 2 JULY 6 -JULY 24

Lakeshore Learning Center lakeshorelearning.com Children ages 3 and older have the opportunity to work on crafts every Saturday. Reservations are not required.

Hours: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Admission: Free

SCHEELS KIDS KLUB

March 9

Scheels scheels.com Kids ages 4 to 12 and their parents can get to know Scheels in a fun way. Meet by the Kids Klub sign at the coffee bar.

Signing up at customer service is suggested but not required, and parents are encouraged to stay with their kids.

Hours: 6 to 7 p.m.

Admission: Free OPEN TO GIRLS AND BOYS AGES 8 -16. CAMP MEETS MON, WED AND FRI. ONLY TWO SESSIONS AVAILABLE! PLEASE CALL KERRY AT 402.453.7373 DOWNLOAD YOUR REGISTRATION AT PONCAHILLSFARM.COM

Proudly celebrating our 50th year!

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TECH CITY

Through May 10

Strategic Air & Space Museum sasmuseum.com Invent, design and create at Tech City, which features 12 interactive activity stations and exhibits that allow guests of all ages to solve real-world problems that engineers face every day.

Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Admission: $12 for adults, $6 for children ages 4 to 12 and free for members

9

IT CAN DO that?

Common household items pull double-duty in the kitchen.

Text by Amy LaMar Photography by Heidi Thorson

E

ver wonder what’s inside the bottles that you spray on your kitchen countertops, sink and across the same floor that your kids play and walk on every day? When we clean with harsh chemicals we inhale toxins, which can be poisonous if ingested.

Put these common household items to use in your kitchen for the ease, costsavings and fun of it. You may never have to walk down the cleaning aisle again.

BAKING SODA Use it to: Clean burned-on stains on cookie sheets. Cover a cookie sheet with baking soda, then immerse in hot water. Let it soak for 10 minutes. Scrub clean.

SALT Use it to: Get a slow-moving drain to flow again. Pour a solution of ½ cup salt for every quart of hot water down the pipe.

BINDER CLIP Use it to: Prevent a sponge from becoming smelly and waterlogged. Let it air-dry in a binder clip away from the sink.

COCONUT OIL Use it to: Prevent food stains on plastic reusable containers by rubbing a very thin layer of coconut oil on the container and letting it dry before use.

HYDROGEN PEROXIDE Use it to: Sanitize your dishwasher.

Add 2 ounces to your regular detergent.

LEMON JUICE Use it to: Freshen your garbage disposal. Simply squeeze a few drops down the drain.

OLIVE OIL Use it to: Buff streaks out of stainless steel. Apply with a terrycloth rag.

Then shine with a dry paper towel.

NEWSPAPER Use it to: Absorb odors in the refrigerator’s vegetable drawer. Line the bottom of the drawer with one folded page of newsprint.

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Capture, Preserve, Share.

At Rockbrook Camera photography is much more than a Smartphone App. We believe that recording, preserving and sharing memories through photography is more than just fun and artistic, it’s an obligation to the generations that follow us.

We are the only area store that combines the best in digital cameras and accessories with a complete education program and full service imaging lab.

Share your life with pictures.

Rockbrook - 108th & Center - 397-1171 | Legacy - 168th & W. Center - 691-0003 | Lincoln - 70th & Pioneers - 488-4200 | Shop 24/7 at rockbrookcamera.com

BUILD A CONNECTION WITH NATURE Don’t miss Nature Connects 2, an indoor exhibit featuring 12 ALL-NEW installations, inspired by nature and built from nearly 300,000 LEGO® bricks.

ON DISPLAY THROUGH APRIL 26 • 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Off Interstate 80 at 100 Bancroft Street, Omaha | (402) 346-4002 • www.lauritzengardens.org

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Get ORGanized // amy tOkOs Amy Tokos is a Certified Professional Organizer and the owner of Freshly Organized. You can find more organizing tips at freshlyorganized.com.

Minimalism An idea worth exploring.

t

here is a worldwide movement going on called minimalism. Have you heard of the people who live with just 100 things or downsize to tiny houses?

These are pretty extreme examples of minimalism. But maybe there’s something in it for you. First the definition: Minimalism is a tool used to rid yourself of life’s excess in favor of focusing on what’s important so you can find happiness, fulfillment and freedom. It’s basically being satisfied with what you have rather than what you want.

So why become a minimalist? Think about your to-do list. I bet most of the items are related to maintaining your stuff. It could be your house, your clothes, your car … your stuff.

If you have less, it gives you freedom – freedom from the stuff and from feeling overwhelmed so you can live in the moment.

Another benefit of minimalism is the good it does for the environment. The less you use and bring into your home, the smaller your carbon footprint.

If you’re not ready to give everything up, it’s OK. But choosing to think like a minimalist can allow you to make more deliberate decisions about your stuff. And these decisions can affect your time, space and bank account.

If you are like most people, you want to live with more than 100 items. But the concept can change your thinking – and your life.

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• Identify why it appeals to you.

If you had more time, could you travel, exercise, pursue a hobby, volunteer or hang out with your friends? The opportunities are endless.

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• Recognize that you use 20 percent of the stuff in your home 80 percent of the time. So that means 80 percent of your stuff is hardly used throughout the year.

Are there items you can borrow instead of own?

• Start removing stuff from your home by setting up donation bins.

Put five items a day (10 if you’re really motivated) in the bins.

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• Stop bringing stuff into your home. Yes, you can buy groceries to feed your family, but slow down on the clothes, toys and home décor. The stuff that you have to store, maintain or return is what can be minimized.

• Keep your eye on the future of the items you bring into your home.

How long do you think it will last?

After a clean-out, you’ll start to recognize the items that will be donated sooner rather than later.

Save your money and don’t buy them in the first place.

• Find inspiration for this journey.

Follow minimalists on Facebook or read their blogs and be motivated beyond this column. One of my favorites is Omaha native Joshua Becker. Look for his website, “Becoming Minimalist.”

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SHOE OR JEWELRY ORGANIZER For Barbie’s tops, pants, skirts and dresses

Barbie

Can’t Find Her Shoes!

BEAD/SCRAPBOOKING SUPPLY ORGANIZER For Barbie’s shoes, boots, hangers, purses and hair brushes

Avoid a diva-sized meltdown with these storage solutions.

Text and styling by Amy LaMar Photography by Heidi Thorson & Daniel Johnson

B

arbie accessories. Unlike Mom, there are no limits on Barbie’s shopping sprees. Kids’ birthdays and holidays can yield four new pairs of shoes in one swoop – and she doesn’t have to worry about foot pain.

While this little diva would love to have her own closet, the Barbie Dreamhouse is short on space – and Ken disapproves.

Mom may need to rethink her own accessory storage after checking out these clever solutions.

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WINDOW SEAT DRAWERS For Barbie herself and her friends and spare Dreamhouse furniture

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Wild for a BaBy Shower Sisterly love behind every detail.

Text by Candace Kalasky Photography by Megan Pomeroy

CANDACE

LINDSAY

THE BACKGROUND

To say that my sister, Lindsay Martian, and I are close is an understatement. She’s my only sibling, and we’re just 20 months apart in age. We work together every day at Lovestru.ck Weddings + Events. Lindsay runs the logistics and production side of our events, and I manage the design and creative side.

I designed and planned Lindsay’s wedding a few years ago, so I immediately began dreaming up ideas for a baby shower as soon as I found out she was pregnant. Lindsay wanted a wilderness-themed nursery, so that became our inspiration for the shower details.

The invitation incorporated cornflower blue and soft yellow with bears, bunnies, squirrels, cats and foliage. The invitations, which included the word “bubbies” (Lindsay’s pet name for babies), were printed on a soft cotton-like paper. The RSVP information was letter-pressed on a subtle wood-grain paper that tied in with the nature-inspired theme.

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THE SHOWER

We hosted the event at Lindsay and her husband, Andrew’s, home. On the welcome table were a custom guest book, framed baby photos of the couple, a hand-painted banner and cupcake jar favors.

The food tent was the main focal point of our decor. Lindsay and I built forts when we were young, so I wanted to create a tented area for the shower.

One side of the tent was filled with Lindsay’s favorite pastries and other breakfast foods: waffles, raspberry Pop-tarts and coconut marshmallow cake. The opposite side of the tent held a cereal bar and a “mama mocktail” beverage station.

For the centerpieces, we used belladonna delphinium and blue thistle in tall bouquets.

After Lindsay’s guests enjoyed sweets from the food display and egg casseroles, we moved everyone to the living room to open gifts. Then we surprised Lindsay with a Skype session with her best friend, who lives in Africa.

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COMING SOON!

• LOCAL ONLINE AUCTION EVENT •

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Save up to 50% on fabulous products and services for families!

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Watch the Omaha World-Herald for more auction details.

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THE VENDORS

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W

ould you believe us if we told you that you can make a fresh meal in less than 20 minutes from prep to table – and only have one pot to clean?

It’s true!

It’s a simple concept, really. Everything is thrown into one pot – yes, even the

dry pasta! – and is boiled to perfection.

Not only will you spend less time in the kitchen, but the pasta will be infused with flavor that you’ve only dreamed homecooked pasta could have.

Start with one of these recipes. You’ll be concocting your own version in no time.

One-POt WOnders The pasta trick that will change your life.

Text and Photography by Heather Winkel

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This can result in improved sensory input. Better motor planning & increased balance.

Better sequencing, memory, reasoning, social skills and much more!

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CALL OUR MILLARD OR PAPILLION PEDIATRIC CLINICS to schedule an appointment or a tour.

Veggie Delight

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Serves 4 to 6

WhAt YOU NeeD 12-ounce box fettuccine 1 red onion, chopped 1 handful of broccoli florets, halved 3 cups grape tomatoes, halved 2 handfuls of mushrooms, sliced 1 bell pepper, chopped 2 handfuls of fresh spinach 2 cloves garlic, minced ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes 4 cups water Salt and pepper to taste 1 cup shredded Parmesan cheese Fresh tomatoes for garnish WhAt YOU DO 1. Put all the ingredients except the cheese in a large pot.

2. Cover and bring to a boil.

3. Uncover and cook until the pasta is done – about 12 to 15 minutes. (There will be some water left in the pan when the pasta is fully cooked – don’t drain it!)

4. Toss the pasta with the cheese in the water left in the pan and garnish with fresh tomatoes.

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Fiesta style

Serves 4 to 6

WHat yOU NeeD 12-ounce box Campanelle pasta 1 red onion, chopped 1 can red kidney beans 1 can whole-kernel corn 1 cup fresh cilantro, chopped, plus more for garnish 3 cups grape tomatoes, halved 2 cloves garlic, minced 4 cups water Salt and pepper to taste 1 cup shredded Parmesan cheese Fresh tomatoes for garnish

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WHat yOU DO 1. Put all the ingredients except the cheese in a large pot.

2. Cover and bring to a boil.

3. Uncover and cook until the pasta is done – about 7 to 10 minutes. (There will be some water left in the pan when the pasta is fully cooked – don’t drain it!)

4. Toss pasta with the cheese in the water left in the pan and garnish with cilantro and fresh tomatoes.

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Earl May

CARES

SATURDAY • MARCH 28 SA JOIN US! JOIN US! we will be collecting non-

Food Drive

perishable grocery items during the month of March

20%of sales on 3/28 will be donated to: Victory Boxing Club

Meaty

Serves 4 to 6 WHat yOU NeeD 12-ounce box farfalle (bow-tie pasta) 1 red onion, chopped 16-ounce package precooked smoked sausage, sliced 2 handfuls of mushrooms, sliced 2 handfuls of fresh spinach 3 cups grape tomatoes, halved 2 cloves garlic, minced ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes 4 cups water Salt and pepper to taste 1 cup shredded Parmesan cheese Fresh tomatoes and cilantro for garnish

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WHat yOU DO 1. Brown smoked sausage in a small frying pan.

2. Put sausage and remaining ingredients except the cheese in a large pot.

3. Cover and bring to a boil.

4. Uncover and cook until pasta is done – about 7 to 10 minutes. (There will be some water left in the pan when the pasta is fully cooked – don’t drain it!)

5. Toss pasta with the cheese in the water left in the pan and garnish with fresh tomatoes and cilantro.

subscriptions to digital or print inspiredlivingomaha.com

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BE WELL Top of mind: Healthy snacks, vaccinations and creative play.

Compiled by Sandra Wendel

SnackS to go

Busy families short on time should put healthy snacks in front of kids, suggests Jen Arricale, Omaha lifestyle fitness chef and author of the cookbook, “Healthy Recipes for a Busy Life.” For youngsters, she recommends natural nut butter with apples and celery, popcorn, dried fruit, grapes, bananas and string cheese. For teens: unsalted nuts and baked oatmeal squares. And for young athletes: cottage cheese and pineapple, hard-boiled eggs, hummus and zesty pita chips.

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kidS and vaccinationS

Most parents agree that children in child care facilities should be vaccinated for preventable childhood diseases, and providers should be checking vaccine records every year. In a recent national poll, 74 percent of parents said they would remove their child from a child care facility if others were not vaccinated.

Source: University of Michigan/C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital

kick the habit

Add E-cigarettes and liquid nicotine refills to the household danger list. Sixty-five percent of calls to poison control centers reportedly are from desperate parents whose children have been exposed to liquid nicotine cartridges.

Source: Nebraska Regional Poison Center hotline: 800-222-1222

hide the iPad

When it comes to toys that encourage a child’s interest in science, sometimes simpler can be better and yet more sophisticated. Dr. Gintaras Duda, a Creighton University physics professor, suggests putting toys with tactile, movement-related components into a child’s hands instead of an iPad. “If you can get kids to be creative, that’s the main thing. If you dump a bin of Legos in front of them and let them go, you’ll always be surprised at what they come up with.” Hands-on building blocks, tower sets and more recently, kinesthetic sand, all capture children’s attention and imaginations.

The

Reluctant Dragon

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Fridays at 7 pm • Saturdays at 2 pm & 5 pm • Sundays at 2 pm Glaston is a boy who dreams of having dangerous and daring dragon encounters like the brave heroes in his books. But when bad things start happening in the town, the villagers fear that a real dragon may be terrorizing the countryside! When Glaston boldly offers to seek out the fearful beast, he is surprised to find a gentle kindred spirit. What will they do when the famed dragon-slayer, St. George, arrives to rid the village of its dragon problem?

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momaha.com blogger // amy grace Amy Grace writes on Fridays at momaha.com.

Baby Stuff

One mom’s version of what babies really need.

W

hen I registered at a local store for my first baby shower, I found myself staring glassy-eyed at an obscene list of items in one hand and a scanner in the other.

Now that my kids are ages 8, 5 and 1, I know there were plenty of items on my registry that I could have done without. Infant shoes, special baby detergent and a matching quilt for my baby’s crib set are a few examples.

But I was thankful that I had plenty of pacifiers, burp cloths and Onesies in my stash of baby gifts.

So what should you register for? Here’s my tried-andtrue list. Happy scanning!

Diapers & Wipes • 1 package newborn diapers and size 1 diapers OR cloth diapers and diaper covers • Wipes • Changing pad and changing pad covers • Diaper cream • Diaper pail Bathing • Baby bathtub • Baby washcloths • Baby shampoo and lotion (Consider products that don’t contain dyes or fragrances.)

• Hooded towels • Nail clippers • Aspirator • Brush sleeping • 2 swaddle blankets • 5+ zip pajamas • 2 sleep sacks/bags • 2+ pacifiers & 1 pacifier clip • 1 noise machine or music player • 2+ receiving blankets • 2-3 soft blankets • Bassinet and bassinet bedding • Crib and crib mattress • 2 crib mattress pads • 2+ crib sheets • Baby monitor

Bottles & FeeDing • Bottles and nipples • Dishwasher basket • Drying rack • Bottle brush • Breast pump • Freezer bags • Topical breast cream • Breast pads • 5+ bibs • 5+ burp cloths • Baby nursing pillow • 2 baby nursing pillow covers • High chair Daily Wear • 5+ snap Onesies • 3+ one-piece outfits • 3+ cotton pants • 3+ cotton short-sleeved shirts • 3+ cotton long-sleeved shirts • 5+ pairs of socks out & aBout • Car seat with snap-in base • Extra car seat base • Car seat cover • Stroller • Portable crib • Hat • Diaper bag (with changing mat) • Baby carrier Miscellaneous gear • Stationary play center • Play mat • Swing • Bouncy chair

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Advice // dAnielle Herzog Sassy Housewife Danielle Herzog is a married mother of two and a former middle and high school teacher. She is currently pursuing a master’s degree in counseling.

Is Kindergarten too young for a tutor?

Dear Sassy Housewife, With all the importance put on reading at such a young age, I’m concerned because my kindergartner is struggling. He knows a few words, but the teacher said he is in the lowestlevel reading group in his class. Is he too young for a tutor? Or am I worrying about this too much and just need to let him catch up at his own pace?

Signed, Resisting reading Dear Resisting, Don’t beat yourself up, Momma. You are doing what we all do – comparing your child to other kids. It’s natural. But the key is realizing what your child’s potential is and whether or not he is reaching it.

I was terrible in science class – absolutely terrible. My parents knew it and I knew it. But they also realized that while I was not an A student, I was definitely a B student. So we set

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obtainable goals. It wasn’t that they expected less from me. They were just more realistic.

In regard to your son, one of the issues might be that he hasn’t found something that has clicked with reading.

Perhaps he hasn’t discovered a subject that interests him. It’s very common, especially with hesitant readers. Also, a lot of kids his age have to go from all to nothing. For example, parents stop reading books to their kids at this age because the kids can read themselves.

Don’t, I repeat, don’t do that. Reading to a child at any age is so important.

A great thing to do is have your child figure out one word or one sentence on the page. That way, it’s less pressure and he still gets to enjoy the reading experience.

Before you rush out and hire a tutor, consider doing an extra worksheet or two at night to add a bit more to the learning experience. Find fun worksheets – not just extensions of the classroom.

You can also take advantage of items around your house. For a while I would put a sight word on a door and call it the “password”: My kids had to read it out loud and spell it in order to get in.

Maybe don’t do that for the bathroom though – I learned that the hard way!

Don’t stress. There is no rush. As long as you encourage your child and stay positive, it will rub off on him. In the meantime, cuddle up and enjoy sharing a book together.

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