Issuu

February 2014

Love Is

in the Air

Jodi Saso’s

Heart for Running Exploring Omaha

on Valentine’s Day

The besT plaCe fOr kids.

Olivia, age 5 Dakota Dunes, SD Inflammatory Bowel Disease Celiac Disease

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.

on the

inside

february 2014

Volume 1 • Issue 9 PUBLISHER Todd Lemke

features

MANAGING EDITOR

7 Does Your Family Have a

David Williams

Fire Escape Plan? 13 Jodi Saso’s Heart for Running: This Marathoner Just Keeps Going 17 What Happens When a Child Ages Out of Foster Care? 22 Exploring Omaha on Valentine’s Day

HER FAMILY EDITOR Chris Wolfgang EDITORIAL INTERNS Anna Hensel (No. 33) Molly Mahannah (No. 34) CREATIVE DIRECTOR John Gawley DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY & INTERACTIVE MEDIA Bill Sitzmann

columns

SENIOR GRAPHIC DESIGNER & WEB CONTENT MANAGER

8 Teen Voice: Valentine’s Day 12 Mom on the Rocks: Finding the Love 28 Activity: Conquer Cabin Fever 29 Fitness: Total Body

Katie Anderson ASSISTANT GRAPHIC DESIGNER Marti Latka CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Bev Carlson • Cindy Cook • Michael Dawson, M.D. Deborah Gleich-Bope • Daniel Jewell • Cherie Lytle Susan Meyers • Mandy Mowers • Leslie Murrell ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES

departments

Gwen Lemke • Greg Bruns • Gil Cohen • Vicki Voet

9 Meet the: Linthakhans 11 Young Hero: Heroes in Review 18 Fashion: A Date Night In 24 Education: Love Is in the Air, Especially at School 26 Food: Breakfast Banana Bread 30 Calendar of Events

ASSISTANT TO THE PUBLISHER Sandy Besch Matson ACCOUNT ASSISTANTS Alicia Smith Hollins • Jessica Linhart Dawn Dennis • Sydney Stander OPERATIONS Tyler Lemke ACCOUNTING Jim Heitz WAREHOUSE DISTRIBUTION MANAGER Mike Brewer For a one-year subscription (12 issues), send $9.95 to

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www.omahamagazine.com February 2014

omahamagazine

Love Is

in the Air

Thanks to Dave, Sarah, and Olive Nelson Photo by Bill Sitzmann

4 HerFamily • February 2014

Jodi Saso’s

The information contained within HerFamily is for informational purposes only. It is not intended and should not be used to take the place of seeking professional advice, counsel or assistance. Omaha Publications makes no endorsement of and is not responsible for contributors or advertising herein. If you have concerns or questions related to your health, consult with you physician. HerFamily is protected by copyright and may not be reproduced in whole or in part without written permission of Omaha Publications, 402.884.2000. Owned and managed by Omaha Magazine, LTD

Heart for Running Exploring Omaha

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feature story by Michael Dawson, M.D., Boys Town Pediatrics – Pacific Street Pediatric Clinic

HAVE A BASIC PLAN

Does your family have a fire escape plan?

upon us, families nestle in their homes trying to stay warm, spending time by the fireplace and preparing comfort foods. As the temperature drops, residential house fires occurrences rise. Several factors contribute to the increase, including the use of personal heating devices, candles, and unattended cooking equipment. Knowing how to prevent household fires, along with what to do when a fire occurs, will be beneficial to your family when every minute matters. ith the winter months

START WITH PREVENTION

The National Fire Prevention Association suggests your family start with the basics by: • Checking your household smoke detectors monthly; • Replacing batteries in smoke detectors annually; • Ensuring that your house or building number is visible from the street; • Memorizing the emergency phone number to the fire department; • Ensuring all exits are properly working and free of obstructions, specifically windows; • Designing a home fire escape plan. They also recommend that families conduct a fire safety walkthrough of their home monthly to eliminate any potential fire hazards such as overloaded electrical circuits or faulty wiring.

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Boys Town Pediatrics knows that developing a plan is important for those times when seconds are critical. Making a family fire escape plan can be a great opportunity to remind children about the importance of safety. Designing a fire escape plan can be easy with the following steps: 1. Make a map of your house’s layout, showing all windows and doors. 2. On the plan, make note of two exits out of every room, including the quickest exit outside. 3. Pick a meeting spot outside the house where the family will gather after an emergency happens. 4. Go over the basics in fire safety such as staying low to keep out of the smoke, never opening doors that are hot to the touch, and how to find the most immediate and safest route out.

TEST THE PLAN

The best way to ensure your plan will work is to hold a fire drill. Inform the family that there will be a fire drill within the next week. Waking your child in the middle of the night may be alarming, but we advise planning a drill in both the evening when it is dark as well as during the day. After the mock drill, tweak your plan as needed. Remember to revisit the family fire escape plan every six months or after a child has changed rooms. For more information on fire prevention and safety, visit the U.S. Fire Administration website at www.usfa.fema.gov. HerFamily • February 2014 7

teen voice

story by Daniel Jewell, Mount Michael

Benedictine School

Valentine’s Day

Catholic elementary school, we took notice of holidays with religious connections, mostly involving saints. However, as a younger child, Valentine’s Day did not seem to fit into that religious holiday category. February 14th, skipped over as a feast day by most, is originally known as St. Valentine’s Day. St. Valentine was a Christian priest in the third century, living in Rome. The Roman emperor at that time, Claudius II, decided that single men would be more useful for fighting, not falling in love. He issued a law forbidding the marriage of any young man. Valentine would not put up with this new rule, so he began to perform marriages in secret. Unfortunately, Claudius II found out about Valentine and put him to death. Now, Valentine’s Day is known as a holiday celebrating love. Not much is remembered about the famous martyr and even less is actually cared about. Most people see it as a day to recognize all the people that you love in your life—and especially that one special person. For teenagers such as myself, the holiday does not take over our lives. We shouldn’t spend hours upon hours figuring out the right gift and thinking of things to say to get someone else to fall in love with us. If you happen to be in a relationship, then it is perfectly fine to get your girlfriend/boyfriend a little something, but the holiday should not be blown up to be that big of a deal. Much of the reason teenagers like to make a big deal about Valentine’s Day is to make them seem more mature, but, in a sense, they are only mocking the original intent. The holiday is meant to celebrate everyone in real love, so I think we can leave that to the adults. With all the pink and red hearts floating around, the holiday can be pretty cheesy, but there is some good to it. For adults, it is a great day to show their love for each other. Kids, well, just stick to the hearts and candy. rowing up in a

8 HerFamily • February 2014

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meet the story by Mandy Mowers • photos by Amber Linthakhan

Meet The Linthakhans

An Omaha family transitions to park-ranger life in Washington.

David and Amber Linthakhan decided they were ready to start a family, David says he “started to look for something that could be a career in Omaha to make a bunch of money and have a big house and all that kind of stuff.” First selling cars, then working in insurance, David worked long hours and missed time with Amber and his two sons. “When he was in the car business, he would work 12- to 13-hour days,” Amber says. “He’d be gone when the boys woke up, and, two days a week, the boys would be asleep before he got home. So he missed out on days.” In insurance, the long hours included always being on call. “I was finding myself miserable,” David says. He started to wonder about bigger possihen

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bilities for his family. “One weekend we were out camping, and we really loved camping,” David says. “I had been, I guess, soul-searching without really talking to Amber. And I asked her what she thought if we moved away and did something else.” Amber says, “I’d been begging him to leave and move. I’d been having itchy feet to travel for a long time, so I was all for it. I said, ‘Absolutely. When do we leave? What are we going to do?’” Recalling his childhood dream of being a park ranger, David started looking into park ranger schools. “Being a ranger always had that appeal to me,” he says. “You stood for something. You were protecting something that we could destroy and never get back, and I wanted to be part of that.” From a list of just seven academies, Parks Law Enforcement Academy in Mount Ver-

non, Wash., drew them in. Though both were born and raised in the Midwest, David and Amber had always loved the Pacific Northwest. They were particularly attracted to Washington for its variety of landscapes and climates: trees, mountains, ocean and fresh water, deserts, and rainforests. In January 2013, David began school. A few months later, Amber and the boys joined him, bringing only what they could fit in their pickup truck. This was a leap of faith. “There wasn’t a guarantee of a job afterward,” Amber says. “It’s a really competitive industry,” David explains. “So many people in the states have the same dream, want to be part of conserving and preserving. You’ve really got to stand out amongst so many people who are fighting for that same job.” About three months into academy, Washington State Parks started recruiting from HerFamily • February 2014 9

meet the

within the program. David was grateful and relieved to be one of approximately five cadets recruited. Now the family lives in Lake Chelan State Park, Wash. “This park sits on a huge lake that’s 52 miles long and 1,500 feet deep at its deepest point, which puts it below sea level,” David says. “The water is crystal clear, so you can see down 20 feet.” David spends much of his on-season time educating visitors on the park features. “Sometimes I have to go into law enforcement mode and do things that a police officer would do,” David says. “But our park here is a little slower paced as far as that goes. A lot of families. So there’s not a whole lot of trouble, which makes it a really nice place to raise our kids.” Jace, 5, and Kasen, 3 and a half, are very adventurous. They like to go on hikes, play with bugs, and play superheroes—in fact, Kasen will only respond to the name “Superman,” and even corrects Amber when she talks about him.

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Amber stays home with the boys. In addition to enjoying the kids, she also gardens, repurposes furniture, does crafts, bakes, cooks, and “dinks around in a lot of different things.” She writes and keeps up their blog: simplythewildside.com. This has been one major way they can keep their family, all of whom live in the Midwest, updated. “It’s really tough being far away from family and friends,” she says. “But it’s a great time to fall into ourselves, learn more about us, and develop in that way. We are, basically, all alone out here. We lean on each other a lot and are growing a lot as a little family, for sure.” “I felt like my duty as a husband and father was to make a bunch of money and provide for my family. To make sure we had everything we felt would make us happy. TVs, going out to eat all the time,” David says. “I don’t make near as much money as I used to, but we have a better life, I feel.” It’s a simple life. Their belongings still pretty much all fit into that pickup truck.

They do have a TV for hooking up movies, but they rarely use it. “It just feels more free,” David says. “We’re not tied down to a schedule either,” Amber says. “We wake up, and if we just want to hang out all day, that’s what we do. There’s no time pressure.” Time is exactly the thing David was missing out on before. “Living in the park, I have so much more time to spend with my kids and my wife,” he says. “I don’t have to commute, for one. I walk out, and I’m on the clock.” His 15-minute breaks and his hour-long lunch breaks are spent at home. “It’s surprising how much time you get to spend with them just in those little bits,” he says. They can’t imagine going back to a “regular life, back to the busy,” according to Amber. If state and federal funding allows it, David hopes to be a park ranger until he retires. As for Washington, Amber says, “We’re not opposed to going somewhere else. But we do love it here.”

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young hero story by Chris Wolfgang

Ashley Dubas

Jack Kacin

Cole Rollins

photo by Bill Sitzmann

Young Heroes in Review

Omaha Storm Chasers, HerFamily magazine has been able to feature several amazing children and their incredible accomplishments over the past eight months. It’s time to take a step back and review just a few of these incredible kids. hanks to the

• Ashley Dubas, 12, is a sixth grader at Beadle Middle School. She’s also had two open-heart surgeries and a stroke. Her mom Sondra says Ashley has become a role model for other children, especially those with heart problems. “She shows them that, even though they may have special medical needs and go through hard times, they can overcome their obstacles.” • For her senior project at Bennington High School, Audrey Hansen raised money to purchase a kangaroo chair for UNMC’s neonatal intensive care unit. “It all started when I heard on the radio about Children’s Hospital here in Omaha having a radio-thon for kangaroo chairs that are priced at $1,500.” • Kristi talks about the playroom at the National Institutes of Health facility in Maryland where son Jack Kacin, 7, always plays with the other kids. After one visit where Jack had to stay for a month, Kristi says everyone in the playroom knew who he was. “He likes to make people laugh…He remembers people’s names, and he always asks how their day is going.” • Cole Rollins is 10. He’s in fifth grade at Pine Creek Elementary, and he’s chatty on the phone. “We have a huge, big party,” he says, “where we make the blankets, and then we go give them to the kids at Children’s Hospital. They’re the kind you cut out and tie together.” • Frankie Sites’ mom Julie is proud of the 4-year-old’s speech milestones, especially since she knows how difficult it is for him to communicate with others. “He has to overcome these obstacles daily, and even though he can’t always succeed, he’s not a quitter, [and] he doesn’t show anger when he gets frustrated…he just keeps going.”

If you know of a Young Hero that HerFamily readers need to hear about, contact editor@omahapublications.com or send us a message on Facebook.

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HerFamily • February 2014 11

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story by Leslie Murrell

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I did the splits when stepping on my son’s sweatshirt. It should probably be noted that I’ve never done the splits before, so I might have mentioned in a slightly unloving way that he needed to pick his stuff up. Then we had a friend over for dinner, and my sweet, gorgeous daughter reached over my friend and grabbed the drumstick off the chicken and put it on her plate. I was horrified. I’m really tired of lecturing them though. So I’m going to approach it differently. Maybe their poor housekeeping and manners is an extension of love. I give to you five odd ways that kids express their love for you: 1. The stall tactics at bedtime. Max and Lucy zone out and move extra slow at the mention of bedtime. They linger in the hallways staring at the walls or have a sudden need to pet the dog. Perhaps they’ve just realized (every night) that the day is over, and they spent a lot of it playing video games or playing with their friends. It’s their way of saying, “But wait, I wanted to hang out with you—I just had 47 other things on my to-do list.” They don’t want their day with you to end. It’s kind of sweet, really. I’m going to try to remember that tonight at bedtime. 2. “Tuck me in.” This one went on for a long time at our house. To the point where us jerksfor-parents would say things like, “I already tucked you in—go to sleep!” Maybe that’s what’s comforting to them—to see your face right before drifting off to dreamland. Whatever the case, one day they’ll stop asking. And it’ll hurt way more than it inconvenienced you when they were asking to tuck them in. 3. Leaving shoes, socks, and sweatshirts on the floor. How do they just walk out of their shoes mid-stride like that? Maybe they’re doing it because they feel so secure and comfortable in the home you’ve created. Okay, this one is a stretch, and my kids should find a way to just directly express their love for me—or someone is going to get hurt with this expression of love. 4. Grabbing at food like wild savages before you pray or say “go!” If you’re like me, there’s not enough food in the house that could qualify as being enough…ever. You made the meal for them with love. Consider them eating it with such vigor as the reciprocation of love. 5. They ask for tiger time or tickle time. Our kids both loathe being tickled. But they see the joy it brings us to all interact in some chaotic dog pile/giggly torture. Tiger time is when our kids ride around on our backs, and we crawl around on all fours. I’m not sure why they picked, of all four-legged creatures, tigers. But who cares. Sadly, the kids are too big to do tiger time any more. But it’s the precision and inside family name when the kids’ request it that shows their love. So there are five very indirect, slightly far-fetched ways that kids say they love us. I hope this month when we’re celebrating one day of love, we can stop and see the every day love. It’s gotta be in there somewhere. omahamagazine.com

feature story by Susan Meyers • photo by Bill Sitzmann

Jodi Saso’s Heart for Running This marathoner just keeps going.

or many avid runners ,

qualifying for the Boston Marathon is considered the pinnacle of their running career. For 35-year-old Jodi Saso, completing the Boston Marathon was that and so much more. Not only did it mark a major feat in her running career, but Saso crossed the finish line just 10 weeks after undergoing major heart surgery. Completing the marathon was a personal confirmation that she had risen above her heart condition and could continue “life as usual,” despite this unexpected setback. “I didn’t want to be a victim of my circumstances and lay around feeling sorry for myself,” says Saso. “It was all about determination and not wanting to live that life. I figured I had one shot to do this, and I wasn’t going to let my surgery get in the way.” bestofomaha.com

HerFamily • February 2014 13

feature

Traci Jurrens, MD

This is all even more amazing when you consider the fact that Saso had taken up running just several years ago when she decided she need to do something to get herself and her dog into shape. The pounds began to fall off, running became easier, and it wasn’t long before Saso had developed a new passion.

Saso found running to be a natural fit, and before long, she had started training for marathons. By 2012, she had run eight marathons in one year in addition to several half marathons and a 50-mile run. She was hooked and breaking her own records with each race. Saso felt wonderful physically and emotionally. But an annual check-up with her doctor told her otherwise. When Saso was very young, her pediatrician suspected that she might have Marfan syndrome, a rare genetic disorder that affects the connective tissue. The most serious complications of Marfan are defects of the heart valve and aorta. However, Saso never received a firm diagnosis. When she began seeing a new family practitioner in her late 20s, he too suspected Marfan syndrome and recommended they monitor her heart on a regular basis. A heart echo performed at her 2012 visit revealed an aortic aneurysm—a stretched and bulging section in the wall of the aorta. “When the aorta becomes stretched, there is a big risk of the aorta dissecting or tearing or, even worse, rupturing and causing

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“It is quite a difficult procedure, but Jodi had excellent results.” -Traci Jurrens, MD death,” says Traci Jurrens, MD, cardiologist at Nebraska Methodist Hospital, who performed the echocardiogram. “Jodi’s aorta had reached the threshold for repair.” Because of the difficulty of the procedure, most cardiac surgeons replace both the valve and aorta during surgery, which requires lifelong anticoagulation with the blood-thinning drug called Coumadin, explains Dr. Jurrens. Coumadin can have a host of side effects, including easy bruising and bleeding. “Since she was so young, we determined that it would be worthwhile for Saso to go to the Mayo Clinic, where cardiac surgeons were able to perform the surgery without removing her own valve,” notes Dr. Jurrens. Saso’s surgery was scheduled for Jan. 31, 2013. The timing could not have been worse. She had qualified for the Boston Mar-

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feature

Jodi Saso completing the Boston Marathon 2013

athon the spring before. The run was scheduled for April 15, just 10 weeks after her surgery. It was a dream she was not willing to let go so easily. “I asked my doctors if there was any way that I could still run the race,” she says. “They were doubtful, but they said it was contingent upon how the surgery and recovery went.”

Following surgery, Saso says she was in so much pain that she thought she would never leave the hospital. “Before I left the hospital, they told me that I had to walk the entire floor six times a day,” she says. “That first day, I could barely walk 10 feet.” But that’s when Saso’s determination kicked in. “My goal was to run the Boston,

and I was going to do everything I could to make that happen.” By day three, she was off pain medications. By day five, she was doing two laps instead of one six times a day and was released from the hospital to go home. Encouraged by her quick recovery, Saso was on a fast track from then on, she says. By two weeks, Dr. Jurrens had released Saso to return to work. Four weeks after surgery, Saso finished an entire stress test—Dr. Jurrens’ first patient to do that. Jurrens cleared her to run the Boston as long as she promised to run it over four hours. Donning a T-shirt that read, “I had open heart surgery 10 weeks ago. Let’s do this!” Saso proudly crossed the finish line in 4:08:15. “I felt amazing,” she says. Luck continued to be on Saso’s side. Having mistakenly booked her return flight extremely close to the race finish time, she had no time to hang out and celebrate. Instead, she left the race immediately to catch her flight. A short time later, she heard about the 2013 Boston bombings. “Someone was looking over me,” she says.

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HerFamily • February 2014 15

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“Jodi has done remarkably,” says Dr. Jurrens. “It is quite a difficult procedure, but Jodi had excellent results. Because Jodi was in such great shape, she was able to get through surgery very well. In general, great functional capacity prior to surgery predicts better recovery from cardiac surgery. That being said, we really do not know what is safe for Jodi in regard to running, and we do discourage excessive exercise. But running is Jodi’s life, and she is going to make her own decision in regard to running.” Saso completed five marathons in 2013 but says she is planning to slow down the pace for her own health benefits. “I’m going to do just two marathons a year in the future,” she says. “I want to be smart about this, and I really don’t want to have surgery again.” The pace may be slower, but her determination to live life as usual is stronger than ever, says Saso. She recites one of her favorite quotes, which she says she applies both to running and life: “The body does not want you to do this. As you run, it tells you to stop, but the mind must be strong. You can always go too far for your body. You must handle the pain with strategy…it is not age. It is not diet. It is the will to succeed. Let’s do this!” 16 HerFamily • February 2014

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feature story by Bev Carlson, APR, Lutheran Family Services

What happens when a child ages out of foster care?

the foster care system can be lonely and confusing. Just ask Tabitha. Shuffled from one home to another, one town to another—by the time she was in high school, she was an entire year behind in her studies. She lost track of the number of foster homes and families that she left behind. It wasn’t until she was 17—nearly out of the system—that she became part of a family. While foster care is not ideal, there are a few people who provide some stability and support while you are part of the “system.” Your caseworker. Maybe your therapist. But once you turn 19, those connections are usually lost. There may not be one single, caring adult who asks if you are doing okay. If you have enough to eat or just need a little help. If you have a place to stay or a way to get to work—if you even have a job. Or a way to go to college. Just one caring person can make all the difference for a young adult who ages out of foster care. On their own, many are simply lost. Without connections, the statistics are grim for these older teens and young adults. Within two years, half are essentially homeless. They may be couch-surfing just to have a warm place to sleep. They have no network to find a job. Few can afford a car or even know how to drive, since the State of Nebraska doesn’t take on the liability of state wards learning those skills. They are easy targets for pimps and human traffickers. Many become pregnant. Now, Lutheran Family Services of Nebraska (LFS) has adopted the national “Family Finding” model. This model recognizes the urgency of helping these young people establish meaningful, supportive, permanent relationships with loving adults—simply as a matter of safety, to start. LFS is currently the only Nebraska agency providing these types of permanency services to 19-26 year-olds previously in foster care. In July 2013, LFS’ Permanent Connections program began working to build bridges for young adults to biological family members, former foster parents, siblings, former case workers, or group home staff. Most recently, LFS began expanding this support to young adults in Fremont and surrounding areas. The program starts by identifying 40 people who have somehow been involved in the life of the young person. From this group, a smaller team is chosen. This team includes those willing to make a long-term commitment to this young adult and be an active, stable part of their lives. It’s not as formal as adoption; more like a vow to be a friend. Many youth who grow up in foster care or spend significant time in foster homes transition into adulthood alone. They lose contact with all the people in their lives who were once in a caring role. Permanent Connections helps these youth create ties with caring and supportive adults who can give them some stability and support. eing a child in

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HerFamily • February 2014 17

fashion story by Chris Wolfgang 窶｢ photos by Bill Sitzmann

A Date Night In

18窶ォerFamily 窶｢ February 2014

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Best of Omaha

THE INVITATION

“What are we doing for Valentine’s Day?” he asked. She looked at him blankly, then laughed. “Pizza, TV, and sweatpants? You know, like last year?” It had been a long day. Her students were getting into basic algebra, and her kids were getting into everything. “Tradition is important,” he admitted, “but what if we switched things up? Dinner, music, something nice?” He was serious, she realized. “Well, okay, but the kids? We can’t ask your mom to watch them again. And how nice? I mean, we did just come up with a new budget.” His smile was mysterious. Lofty. “Wear something fun. I’ve got this.”

THE PLANNING

It was Valentine’s Day, and she was staring into the depths of her closet. Fun? she thought. Well, she had a few new things from Luvbird Boutique that she hadn’t had a chance to wear yet. The plum fleece leggings would work with that crocheted tunic and the long camisole. The jeweled headband was a bit more whimsical than she was used to, but if she threw on that knotted pearl necklace from Scout Dry Goods & Trade along with their suede ankle boots… She nodded at herself in the mirror. Perfectly boho chic. Her phone beeped. His text read: Meet me in the living room. “What?” she whispered, but she couldn’t stop a grin. She didn’t exactly run downstairs. He was sitting in front of the fireplace, surrounded by old vinyl and an antique, portable record player. With his denim jacket, flannel shirt, and black skinny jeans from Scout, he looked straight out of a 1960s ad. She was pleasantly surprised to see the leather cuff and black ankle boots. He had laughed when she’d given them to him. “Accessories are everything,” she’d replied.

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84th and 1st St, Downtown Papillion 402-331-9136

Many Problems––One Solution!

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HerFamily • February 2014 19

fashion

Omaha Models: Bess Warming and Dan Lehmann Hair and makeup: Kat Ferm, Creative Hair Design Stylists: Shan Stavropoulos, Luvbird Boutique

Emma Headley, Scout Dry Goods & Trade Special thanks to Back in the Day

Luvbird Boutique 2110 S 67th St., No. 120

Scout Dry Goods & Trade 5019 Underwood Ave.

20窶ォerFamily 窶｢ February 2014

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PREVENTION & EARLY INTERVENTION

PERMANENCY & WELL-BEING

ChILdREN’S BEhAVIORAL hEALTh

Children Services (402) 661-7100 THE MUSIC

He looked up and grinned. “I promised Mom we’d make her dinner next week. We’ll get the kids tomorrow morning.” “Look who’s so proud of himself,” she said, kneeling next to him. She flipped over a record. “The Bee Gees?” He took it from her and set it in the player. “FYI, every time you criticize my selection, you owe me a serenade before dinner.” She raised her eyebrows. “I haven’t touched the guitar in years.” “I haven’t played the piano since college. We’ll risk it.”

The weather outside might be frightful, but make this easy and delicious chili dinner and everything inside will be delightful!

BeefItsWhatsForDinner.com

THE LOVE

Three 45s later, he asked, “You hungry?” “What about those serenades? I seem to owe you six.” He laughed. “You go change for dinner. I’ll cut it down to two.” “Change? What is this, Downton Abbey?” “I thought it could be fun to really pull out all the stops. I personally am going to wear a bow tie.” He smoothed an invisible mustache. She cocked her head. “I see your bow tie, and I raise you high heels and a dress.” That off-the-shoulder emerald dress from Luvbird would do, she thought as she raced back upstairs. With their blue teardrop necklace. And Scout had some great white lace tights the last time she went in. And those leather peep-toe pumps too. She heard the soft strains of their tiny upright before she came back into the room. Hm. The shawl-neck sweater and dark-wash jeans from Scout fit him better than she remembered. She tapped him on the shoulder. “Scoot over, college boy.” He grinned and never stopped playing.

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Skillet Chili Beef With Corn Biscuits Total Recipe Time: 35 minutes • Makes 6 servings

Ingredients 1-½ pounds ground beef round 2 cans (14-½ ounces each) chili-seasoned diced tomatoes, undrained 1 can (11 ounces) Mexican-style corn, undrained 1 package (6-½ to 8-½ ounces) corn muffin and bread mix

½ cup instant mashed potato flakes ½ cup plus 2 tablespoons milk ¾ cup shredded Cheddar cheese Chopped cilantro

Directions

Heat large nonstick skillet over medium heat until hot. Add ground beef; cook 8 to 10 minutes, breaking into ¾-inch crumbles and stirring occasionally. Pour off drippings. Add tomatoes, corn and 1 tablespoon corn muffin mix; bring to boil, stirring frequently. Reduce heat to medium-low; simmer 5 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Meanwhile combine remaining corn muffin mix, potato flakes and ½ cup milk in medium bowl. Stir until blended, adding enough of remaining milk until batter is just stiff enough to hold its shape. Stir in cheese. Drop batter in 12 mounds on top of simmering beef mixture. Cover skillet and continue cooking over medium-low heat 15 to 20 minutes or until biscuits are done (the tops will appear dry). Garnish with cilantro. Test Kitchen Tips: Cooking times are for fresh or thoroughly thawed ground beef. Ground beef should be cooked to an internal temperature of 160°F. Color is not a reliable indicator of ground beef doneness.

HerFamily • February 2014 21

feature story by Anna Hensel • photos by Bill Sitzmann

Exploring Omaha on Valentine’s Day

alentine’s

Day is all about sharing the love and letting your spouse, your children, your friends—even your dog—know that you care. But when it comes to Valentine’s Day celebrations, it can be a little difficult to share the wealth when you find yourself stuck in the stereotypical rut of chocolate, flowers, and the same dinner at your favorite restaurant every year. Home to dozens of distinct neighbor22 HerFamily • February 2014

hoods, Omaha offers hidden gems that are waiting to be discovered, as well as classic landmarks that might be overlooked on Valentine’s Day. Meghan Francis and Kerry Jones, founders of the Omaha-based blog Wise Owl + Sly Fox, brainstormed some unique Omaha Valentine’s Day activities. “I guess we’ve always been old souls with old styles, and that’s one great thing about Omaha: There’s just so much history here,” says Francis.

Together, Francis and Jones came up with a Valentine’s Day “tour of Omaha.” Pick and choose from different activities to show loved ones a small portion of all the intimacy, history, and romance that Omaha has to offer. Get your heart rate up in the morning with a walk or run with your loved one through the Field Club neighborhood. Located along an old railroad bend, the Field Club trail offers visitors a brief glimpse into a bygone era. Although you’ll have to bundle up, the sights of this secluded area include omahamagazine.com

Help your child

DISCOVER

something new. Omaha

Conservatory of Music gorgeous ravines, snow-capped trees, and abandoned railroad tracks. If your partner is a history buff, make a quick stop by the Gerald R. Ford Preservation Center near Hanscomb Park. An exhibition on Ford, the only president to have lived in Omaha, is open by appointment by calling the center’s main phone line at 402-595-1180. The exhibit is available for private viewing Monday through Friday from 9 a.m.-5 p.m., free of charge. The exhibit features photos of his birthplace, family memorabilia, and gifts given to Ford by world leaders and well-wishing locals. For lunch, hop on over to Dundee, home to both casual and higher-end fare in an all-accessible setting. Stop by the French Bulldog for something on the trendier side or try Dundee Dell for classic comfort food from an Omaha staple. Both spaces offer comfortable opportunities to spend some time watching the eclectic crowd of Dundee. If you’re looking for an afternoon activity once the kids come home from school, Valentine’s Day crafts are an easy way to get the whole family involved. Francis and Jones suggest making homemade cards. “We’re big fans of sending things through the mail. It’s just always a fun thing, and it’s something that we don’t do a lot in this day and age,” says Francis. “Send them to your grandma, your single aunt, veterans at the VA hospital, whoever,” adds Jones. For crafting supplies, head out to South-Central Omaha. David M. Mangelsen’s has been stocking Omaha’s crafting closets since 1961, and is an easy stop to find any Valentine’s Day-related arts and crafts supplies you could think of. A few hours coloring, gluing, and bedazzling might expose some hidden creativity among the family. If you want to end your night with a more traditional Valentine’s Day celebration, spend the night in the Old Market, which is home to a host of restaurants that offer the quintessential romantic dinners by candlelight. Francis and Jones’ personal favorite is La Buvette, a French-style café and grocer. For some after-dinner entertainment, look to the Omaha art scene. Many of the Old Market’s art galleries, including the Passageway Gallery and Anderson O’Brien Fine Art, are open until 9 p.m. on Fridays for some late-night shopping. Although, after a whirlwind day around Omaha, you might want to hit the sack early. bestofomaha.com

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HerFamily • February 2014 23

education

story by Deborah Gleich-Bope

LOCATIONS 14460 West Maple Rd.

14303 U St.

402.493.0443

402.895.0181

2609 S. 132nd St.

1919 N. 90th St.

402.334.6933

402.391.2072

10770 Fort St. [NEC]

4840 Dodge St.

402.493.3257

402.558.2000

8315 West Center Rd.

1701 S. Galvin Rd.

402.393.2557

402.292.2685

6901 S. 84th St.

545 West Washington St.

402.339.1090

712.352.4152

Omaha, NE

LaVista, NE

Love is in the air,

that people rush to buy flowers and chocolates in order to celebrate the love they have found with that “special someone.” However, for those of us working in an elementary school, we may look at this holiday a little differently than the rest. For us, we take this time to celebrate friendship and positive relationships of all types. We may do this by allowing the children to send special treats to friends or teachers with kind notes attached, or encouraging the students to bring small Valentine greetings to share with their class. This is done to facilitate an appreciation among the students for those people that help make school a nice place for them to spend their days. Yet, school personnel do not wait until February to show love to students. Schools try to do this all year long. During the nine to 10 months that schools are in session, many different programs are put into place in order to celebrate students and bolster their self-esteem. Awards assemblies are held to recognize students with good grades, students who attend school regularly, and students who are responsible and trustworthy when it comes to their education. Programs are also put into place that celebrate students who are good citizens, respectful, kind, and simply make the school an enjoyable place for others. Schools also make sure that children support other children by holding food drives for needy families, collecting coats and winter gear during the colder months to donate to other children, and supporting letter-writing campaigns to soldiers (who are also students’ parents) who are away from home serving their country. All of these things give students a sense of pride and accomplishment. This leads the way to further academic and personal success in their lives, and it helps them spread and receive lots of love! 24 HerFamily • February 2014

Omaha, NE

Bellevue, NE

Council Bluffs, IA

Flu Shots Offered Daily

especially at school. his is the month

Omaha, NE

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HerFamily â€˘ February 2014â€ƒ25

food story and photo provided by Children’s Hospital & Medical Center

Breakfast Banana Bread

on ’t throw away those

mushy bananas. Very ripe bananas are just what you need for this banana bread recipe. Wrap individual slices for a quick breakfast or healthy snack. For more healthy recipes, visit HealthyKohlsKids.com. The Healthy Kohl’s Kids program is a partnership between Children’s Hospital & Medical Center and Kohl’s Department Stores to educate children and parents about healthy nutrition and fitness.

Ingredients • ½ cup (1 stick) margarine, at room temperature • 1 cup sugar • 2 large eggs • 1 ½ cups whole wheat flour • 1 tsp baking soda • ½ tsp salt • 1 tsp vanilla extract • 1/2 cup fat-free sour cream • 1 cup mashed, very ripe bananas • ½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans, optional

Preparation

Nutrition Facts Calories: 171, Fat: 6g, Saturated Fat: 2g, Cholesterol: 16mg, Sodium: 245mg, Carbohydrates: 29g, Fiber: 2g, Protein: 3g *Nutritional information is based on ingredients listed and serving size; any additions or substitutions to ingredients may alter the recipe’s nutritional content.

26 HerFamily • February 2014

1. Preheat oven to 350°. Lightly coat a 9x5-inch loaf pan with nonstick cooking spray; set aside. 2. With a hand mixer, beat margarine and sugar in a bowl until creamy. 3. Add eggs, one at a time, and beat about 3 to 5 minutes until light and fluffy. 4. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt. Add to the margarine mixture and mix until just combined. 5. Add vanilla, sour cream, and bananas; mix to combine. Stir in nuts, if using. Pour into prepared pan. 6. Bake about 1 hour and 10 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let rest in pan on a wire rack for 10 minutes and then turn out onto rack to cool completely. Yield: 14 servings

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Now - April 13, 2014