Second opinion july august 2017

July/August 2017

FREE

IN THIS ISSUE

All things

Baby!

Farmers Market Scavenger Hunt!

Brought to you by:

www.secondopinionmagazine.com | 1

CHIPPEWA FALLS, WI

Dr. Emily Smith

Chiropractor, Pediatric Specialist (DICCP)

Dr. Angela Prissel Chiropractor, FICPA

Our overnight youth camps promise a summer experience full of lifelong memories!

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Contents

Oh baby!

Think Green Tea Time 4

Late Summer Calls Us to Mindfulness Purr-fectly Purr-tect Baby 8 The Root of the Issue 10

6

Also Inside:

Feeling Good

Who Says Parenting Is Easy? 11 Massage during Pregnancy: Great for You and for Baby!

Live Your Best Life Define: Hunger 15

12

Calling All Kids: Get Outside and Get Active 18 Stress Relief and Your Skin 19 Is Chronic Lyme Disease Real? 20 Breastfeeding Benefits for Mom and Baby 24

Good Eats

Ta-Da! Dinner is DONE! Meals from Together Farms WIC Helps Keep Families Healthy 29

■ Green Products We Love - 7 ■ Dog Days of Summer - 16 ■ Fit Expo - 21 ■ Farmers Market Scavenger Hunt - 30 Arwen Rasmussen, 715.831.0325 editor@asecondopinionmag.com www.secondopinionmagazine.com Graphic Design: Brigit Olson

27

All articles are the sole property of the writers.

Opinions expressed in Second Opinion are those of the writers or advertisers themselves, not the publication or its editors. Second Opinion is not liable for use of any artwork provided by advertisers. Please direct concerns to the advertisers. ©2006-2017

Cover Photo:

My beautiful friend Renee Barth is an excellent photographer and mother. She truly has a gift for finding the right smile, the perfect light, the beautiful moment. Contact Renee B Photography for your next family photo session.

Find her on Facebook or ReneeBPhotography@outlook.com www.secondopinionmagazine.com | 3

teatime urbal tea - lemon mango Sweet mango and lemon combine to make this tropical, refreshing blend.

Contains: mango, orange, apple, pineapple, red clover blossom, raspberry leaf, blue violet leaf, lemon balm, nettle, lemon verbena, rosehip, lemon peel, lemon myrtle, dried mango

rishi omija berr y blush A gorgeous blend highlighting the remarkable omija berry. Omija Berry Blush combines omija with complementary botanicals to make a refreshingly tart, sweet, and unforgettably fragrant beauty blend. Accents of lavender, strawberry, and Chilean rosehips lend aromatic complexity that ties together in a deeply refreshing and balanced finish. Naturally caffeine free, Omija Berry Blush can be enjoyed at any time of day.

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think green

EARTH | PETS | GREEN PRODUCTS

numi chamomile lemon A combination of fine Egyptian chamomile blossoms with Australian lemon myrtle leaves for a sweet organic brew that imparts a lingering calmness with citrus murmurings.

why organic tea?

Organic certification is especially important when it comes to tea. The first time tea comes into contact with water is when it steeps in our cups. Organic cultivation protects the environment, the farmers, and you.

HSHS ST. JOSEPH’S AND SACRED HEART HOSPITALS’

Prenatal Classes CLASSES AT ST. JOSEPH’S HOSPITAL Three part series begins Monday, August 7 6 - 8pm McDonald Hall

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Choose one-day Saturday class or an evening series of four classes: Saturday, August 5 8am - 4:30pm Community Auditorium

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For more class options and breastfeeding classes: stjoeschipfalls.org or call 715.717.7421 sacredhearteauclaire.org or call 715.717.3100 www.secondopinionmagazine.com | 5

Late Summer Calls Us to Mindfulness

The practice of mindfulness is beneficial year-round, but let’s look at how it can be relevant in late summer.

Mindfulness in Late Summer

As the summer winds down to a close in August, many of us must shift from the carefree days of summer with little to no schedule (or a schedule that changes each week) to the organization of the school year. For some, this is a challenging transition. Our capacity to be present to our experience is critical, whether it is embracing school shopping or mourning the loss of casual evening driveway gatherings with the neighbors. A regular mindfulness practice helps us cultivate that present moment awareness, so we don’t fast-forward through the last days of summer to the business of the school year in our head.

Mindfulness Tools

A daily mindfulness practice of mindful breathing or mindful movement helps us cultivate awareness of our habits and patterns. For example, we notice when we are getting caught up in the to-do list in our head and not paying attention to the laughter of our children as watermelon juice runs down their chin or we hear the sounds of the band playing in the park. A regular practice helps us to show up to the moments of our life as they unfold.

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beginning October 25

by Ann Brand, PhD

Mindfulness and the Season

Each season has its unique joys and challenges. And it depends on the person to some extent. For me, the advent of a new school year is like New Year’s Day. I review my priorities, set goals, maybe even set some resolutions to be more organized, more productive, or eat healthier. I love the school year for the structure it provides to my daily life. But for others, the structure of the school year is confining rather than comforting. Mindfulness helps us to be more aware of our own particular habits and patterns, so we can respond skillfully to our experience.

Learn from the Children

Children are naturally mindful. They are in tune with the full range of their experience—the movements of their body, the sounds they are hearing, their emotional experience. They are much less likely to get stuck in the story in their heads like us adults. So we can take a page from their book and pay attention to what are we doing right now, whether that is feeling the sand between our toes or carefully sorting through last year’s school clothes to prepare for school shopping.

Benefits of Practicing Mindfulness

Mindfulness practice has many benefits. Because of advances in neuroscience, scientists can see how mindfulness practices work to change our brain and lead to benefits in physical health, stress reduction, attention, learning and memory, positive emotions, empathy, emotion regulation, and interpersonal relationships. Mindfulness practice can help us manage our stress and bring calm, clarity, and peace into our daily lives.

Mindfulness is a self-awareness practice. And when we get better at paying attention to our own experience, we get better at noticing others’ experience. This is important as our family members begin to anticipate the beginning of another school year with its excitements and fears. When we listen and notice without judgment, we can respond to others more skillfully and support them in the best possible way. This paves the way for a smoother transition to the new school year.

For more information contact Ann at annbrand365@gmail.com.

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Purr-fectly Purr-tect Baby from Allergies with Pets

By Margaret Meier Jones, Buffalo Valley Vet Clinic ringing home your new baby is a time of great joy and celebration. As you’ve gone through your pregnancy, no doubt you have received countless tips, suggestions, and various opinions regarding raising your baby with pets in your home. From the old wives’ tale of cats smothering babies in their cribs to increased risks of vivacious dogs harming your baby; you may have been encouraged to re-home your pets before your baby’s arrival.

The good news, however, is that children raised with pets have a stronger immune system and are actually less likely to be allergic to animals as adults!

B

In the study led by Ganesa Wegienka, PhD, and published in the journal Clinical & Experimental Allergy, researchers concluded “the first year of life is the critical period during childhood when indoor exposure to dogs or cats influences sensitization to these animals.” Wegienka went on to say, “Dirt is good.

Your immune system, if it’s busy with exposures early on, stays away from the allergic immune profile.” Interestingly, the study did not show a substantial reduction in adult pet allergies if the children were first exposed to pets after the first year of life.

Raising your baby with pets has many other benefits for you and your child. As your children grow, having a pet in the household can also help to keep your child active; thereby preventing childhood obesity. Taking your dog for daily walks with your child helps to demonstrate the importance of getting outside and exercising on a regular basis. These early influences help to develop a lifetime habit of activity and provide priceless memories for you and your child.

As your child grows, pets also help develop self-confidence and allow children to become responsible adults. Going outside to play with the family pet encourages one’s imagination and creativity. I remember well watching my daughter, Emilia, develop games she and our dog, Sara Jane, would play for hours on end. She would also carry her favorite kitten, Toupe`, in a small pail telling us he was in his seat and they were on their way to the grocery store to 8car | www.secondopinionmagazine.com

buy groceries. Finally, pets can also help our children learn how to deal with grief. Several studies have shown that the younger we are when we learn how to process the feelings of grief, the better equipped we are to deal with it throughout our lives.

So enjoy raising your baby WITH your pets. The benefits that will last your and your child’s lifetime are yours to create and share.

1. "Lifetime Dog and Cat Exposure and Dog and Cat Specific Sensitization at Age 18 Years," Journal of Clinical and Experimental Allergy, 2011, Jul 41, (7) 979-986.

When your pet is family, you want only the best for them.

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The Root of the Issue

by Gordon Petschow, Midwest Environmental Consultants

I

n today's modern world, the philosophy of lawn care and gardening is quick results at the least possible costs for the greatest yields. These expectations are not un-realistic, but perhaps if we can make an effort to understand that soils and nature's disciplines are forgiving but firm and unchangeable in its established procedures. To be successful, it is advisable to stay within the inherent boundaries of nature's principles.

Nature's workings are complex and interactive, but it becomes clearly focused when we garden, practice lawn care, or grow crops. It's at this point we understand its workings, procedures, and limitations. To be more specific, we must discuss in an itemized fashion these procedures.

1. Land ethics: By definition, land ethics is being willing to respect, accept, understand, and appreciate the land and soil we work; regardless of our desires or our vote to change the landscape and land use. To monocrop, erode, toxify, or demineralize the land with chemicals and incomplete fertilizers is classified as surface, short-term use of the land or mining the soil. Yes, it is easier to spray weeds with chemicals than to cultivate, but we transfer our savings on labor and materials costs to medical or environmental costs at some future date. When we realize that our living environment has degraded to a point we can no longer ignore the reality, we then take action at higher dramatic costs. To use the land and change the landscape, it's advisable to know nature, its procedures, and the soil that is going to be altered before we start.

Yes, income can be made in short order temporarily, but the soil base

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2. The natural world we work with is dependent on the nonliving or abiotic part of nature. Water, ice, broken rock, and minerals make up a large portion of the abiotic composition that assists in forming the mineralized portion of soil and lays the groundwork for the biotic communities to live and function.

3. All living organisms are derived from a single cell. The cells in time build tissues, and organs that in turn become a total living being.

It survives on minerals and nutrients derived from the abiotic world. Its life span is terminal and its remains create topsoil - the jewel of gardens, lawns, and agricultural crops. Together, living organisms have inherent physical characteristics but are dependent and interacting with other species and their living and abiotic environment. This is understanding the root of successful land management, and cell promotion and living organism health.

Working with nature's principles brings success, whether medical and health, financial, or environmental. This is the vital key. Short unplanned surface management gains, and elimination of the basic necessities of life (air, water, minerals), and chemical applications to life systems is the beginning of mutations and eventual demise of the living organism. For prosperity and preservation of the bases for living now and for the future, pursue the root of living.

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NUTRITION | HEALTH | BABY

feeling good

Who Says Parenting Is Easy?

By Melinda Gardner, Executive Director of APPLE PCC

S

omeone recently showed me a book that really made me laugh.

It’s called Parenting Is Easy: You’re Probably Just Doing It Wrong. It’s a book of stock photos of “perfect parents” and some funny captions about how “easy” parenting is.

Well–if you’re a parent, you KNOW that’s not true! Having a baby changes everything. It’s one of the most amazing experiences anyone can have. It can also be very overwhelming. We all need help and support and encouragement in raising our children.

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T R A N S FO R M AT I O N

The APPLE Pregnancy Care Center has been helping pregnant women and parents in the Chippewa Valley for over thirty-six years. We know that pregnancy can be an emotional time, and we all need support.

That is where our “Earn While You Learn” program comes in. We have an extensive curriculum to offer parents (women AND men) who want to learn about everything from pregnancy, nutrition, childbirth, parenting, and even life skills. Our moms and dads (and pregnant clients) can come in every week and chose what they want to learn. Each hour spent learning “earns” points to purchase diapers, formula, baby clothing, furniture, toys, and so much more.

The items you can earn are donated by individuals, churches, businesses, and organizations in the community. The Chippewa Valley is an amazing place, and we know it is full of people who love to give and help others.

Here’s what one of our moms says about her experiences here: “The staff are all super, caring, and helpful. I have felt very comfortable with them, and learning everything there is to know about having a baby is just amazing. I have gained a ton of knowledge about caring for an infant and what is going to happen when I have my baby. Getting diapers there has helped me out tremendously. I would recommend the center over and over again to anyone.”

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www.secondopinionmagazine.com | 11

Massage during Pregnancy: Great for You and for Baby!

By Danielle Wagner, licensed massage therapist, Refined Touch Massage

Massage Benefits during Pregnancy: Are you

expecting? Experiencing any aches and pains? Massage during pregnancy can help greatly with pain relief during a time when most medications should be limited. It also encourages relaxation and increased circulation, which can help with reduction of swelling.

Massage therapy also assists hormone regulation, helping with depression and anxiety (including post-partum depression).

Massage therapy during pregnancy helps to address the inflamed nerves that often lead to sciatic nerve pain and tension in the low back and legs from increased uterine pressure.

Massage Is Good for Baby Too: Receiving massage

during your pregnancy doesn’t just benefit you. Babies can sense and respond to the mother’s level of stress. Massage is great at lowering your stress level, and lowering the stress level in the mother also helps keep baby stress free. Massage therapy is a great way to take time for you and also connect with baby.

Many mothers love to have their stomachs massaged. This is referred to as “baby’s first massage” and can be done during a massage session after you’ve completed your first trimester.

Massage Helps Prepare You for Delivery: The

benefits of massage continue through your delivery, as having regular massage during pregnancy has been associated with lower complications during childbirth. Massage during pregnancy helps to prepare the body for childbirth by increasing range of motion and elasticity in joints and muscles used for delivery.

Pregnancy Massage Precautions:

A pregnancy massage is a little different than a regular massage. When you receive a pregnancy massage, the therapist uses cushions or pillows to support the pregnant body. We use side lying positions to make sure that you are completely supported. Tables that provide a hole for the abdomen can cause uncomfortable stretching of the uterine ligaments and should be avoided.

There are a few precautions to take into consideration. If yours is a high-risk pregnancy, you have experienced pre-term contractions, bleeding, preeclampsia, are experiencing severe swelling, severe headaches, or have had previous pre-term labor and pregnancy induced hypertension (PIH), you should speak to your doctor before receiving a massage.

It is safe to receive massage during the first, second, and third trimester of pregnancy. Please remember that excellent communication is a must for any therapeutic massage to be effective.

To schedule a massage, contact Danielle today at refinedtouchmassage@ gmail.com or 715-864-9596.

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Silver Fillings:

Just ugly?

Or harmful too?

This is a picture of a “Silver” or “Amalgam” filling. It is 50-52% MERCURY! If the mercury in this filling were spilled in a school, it would be evacuated...

This is a picture of a “light cured” composite filling. They can last as long as or longer than mercury fillings with no danger of releasing harmful heavy metals.

As noted on Dr. Mercola, Dr. Oz, and 60 Minutes... Mercury fillings may have a significant negative impact on your health.

HEALTH CENTERED DENTISTRY HAS BEEN SAFELY REMOVING MERCURY FILLINGS FOR OVER 40 YEARS. Call or visit our website for more information:

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MIND | BODY | SPIRIT

live your best life

Define: Hunger

by Corbin Burkard, Head Trainer, Burn Boot Camp – Eau Claire

E

ver feel hungry? Of course you have. Feeling hungry is our body’s natural way of letting us know it is time to eat. What is often misconstrued is understanding how truly “hungry” we actually are. As a trainer who is dealing with nutrition questions on a daily basis, one of the first questions I ask people is, “Do you feel hungry during the day?” Often the answer I receive is, “No.” For many people this is simply because we are undereating and need to gradually increase calories in order to boost our metabolism so we can actually burn MORE calories by putting better food into our bodies on a more consistent basis.

On the other end of the spectrum are those of us that eat a sufficient amount (or too many) of calories on a regular basis. If we are eating enough calories during the day, odds are we feel hungry, or at least we certainly would if we missed snack time!

Some foods make you hungrier without actually doing anything for you, like sugars and refined carbs. Whereas foods high in fiber, healthy fats, and proteins can assist to not only increase

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your metabolism and nourish your body, but can also help so you aren’t hungry constantly. From here, I put “hungry” into six different categories to help explain what type of hunger we are actually experiencing, and how to combat those types of hunger!

1. Starving – The feeling that you could “eat a horse.” At this point you are more than likely shaky, lightheaded, and possibly sick feeling.

2. Pretty Hungry – This is go time! Time to definitely be eating some food. You are maybe even a little past the point of when you should have last eaten. Right now there are some pretty empty sounds coming from your stomach, and this feeling more than likely came on gradually.

3. You Could Eat – This is my typical response when I am not all that hungry, but know I will be within an hour. At this point there is no reason to be eating. Drink some water, see how you feel, and then start to plan or prepare for your next meal.

4. Content – If you are not hungry, and also not full, why would you need to eat? This is one that gets a lot of people late at night. You have had dinner, you are going to bed in an hour, and there is no reason to eat! Don’t feel bad though, this is a common, learned, habitual movement (my favorite suggestion is to do air popped popcorn with light olive oil!). Typically I tell people to either drink some water or substitute something with essentially no caloric value to wean themselves away from late night snacks.

5. Full – Stop! Slow down, put that fork down between bites, eat slower, take a drink between each bite, use a smaller plate, put the rest of the food away in containers for tomorrow! Going beyond this point is usually what makes us sick, wastes our money, and keeps our waistband tight.

6. Overfull – Typically overeating happens often when we waited to eat until we were starving. You get all excited to eat again and start to cram anything and everything we can into your face too quickly!

Afterward you feel sluggish, slow, tired, and sometimes quite uncomfortable. This can be easily avoided by trying to stay between numbers 2 and 5 at all times! www.secondopinionmagazine.com | 15

Op August 2011!

Dog

! r e m m u S f o s y Da

at your h w d e id c e d u Have yo e fall? m o c g in o d is little one daycares, t a re g e m o s Here are grams, and ro p g in n r a e l y earl up today!! n ig S !! s ie it iv t c a

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It’s time to enroll for 2017-2018 classes!

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3225 Lorch Ave., Eau Claire, WI (Located inside Gold’s Gym)

www.daysgonebyel.com What Is Email: It? Eau Claire home@daysgonebyel.com

3225 Lorch Ave., Eau Claire, WI 4 Tomorrow is (Located inside Gold’s Gym) www.daysgonebyel.com TO ENROLLanFOR CLASSES! early 2017-2018 learning program offered to all Email: home@daysgonebyel.com four-year-olds in the Eau Claire Area Eau Claire 4 Tomorrow What Is It? Eau Claire 4 Tomorrow is an School District. The EC4T program is early learning program offered to all four-year-olds in the Eau Claire Area School What Is It? Eaufree* Claire 4to Tomorrow is ECASD residents.

IT’S TIME It’s time to enroll for 2017-2018 classes!

Eau Claire 4 Tomorrow

The EC4T program is free* to ECASD residents. * There is no charge for EC4T, anDistrict. early learning program offered to all * There is noparticipating charge for EC4T,services however fees mayprogram apply day. however fees may apply for families in extended beyond the EC4T four-year-olds in thefor Eau Claire Area families participating in extended services beyond School District. Thethe EC4T program is EC4T program day.

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If by September 1, 2017, your child will be 4 years old, free* to ECASD residents.

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Applications are available www.ecasd.us, click families participating in extended servicesOptions, beyond Schools, Early Learning, Program Eau Claireat 4 Tomorrow, Online Application. the EC4T program day.

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How Do I Register? If by September 1, 2017, your child will be 4 years old, an In Toyland Days Gone By The click Learning Tree EC4TBabes application must be completed. Applications are available at www.ecasd.us, Childcare Center Early Learning Child Care Center Schools, Early Learning, Program Options, Eau Claire 4 Tomorrow, Online Application.

715-830-9432 715-835-1234 715-834-5439 Beautiful Area School Learning Tree Days Gone By Eau ClaireThe Babes In Toyland Minds Child Child CareStart Center Early Learning District-Head Childcare CenterCare 715-834-5439 715-835-1234 715-830-9432 715-834-4360 715-852-3630 LittleChild Bloomers Eau Claire Area School Genesis Beautiful Minds Preschool Chapel Heights Child Care Center District-Head Start Child Care 715-832-2333 Center 715-839-1050 715-852-3630 Development 715-834-4360 715-830-2275 House Little Minds Matter, Inc. Genesis Child ChapelChildren’s Heights Preschool Montessori Patch 715-598-1819 Development Center The Kiddie 715-832-2333School, Inc. 715-830-2275 Early Learning 715-835-7861 Center Mayo CHS Child Children’s House 715-833-9464 Development Center The Kiddie Patch Montessori School, Color MyInc. World 715-838-3198 Early Learning Center 715-835-7861 Childcare KinderCare 715-833-9464 Rachel’s Place Color My World & Preschool Inc. Learning Center Early Learning KinderCare Childcare 715-835-2060 715-832-8099 Center Learning Center & Preschool Inc. 715-832-1414 x2200 715-832-8099 715-835-2060

RedeemerLittle Early Bloomers Care Center LearningChild Programs 715-835-9207 715-839-1050 Regis LittleChild Minds Matter, Inc. Development Center 715-598-1819 715-830-2274 Mayo CHS Child UW-Eau Claire Children’s Development Center Nature Academy 715-836-2178 715-838-3198 Western Dairyland Truax Head Place Rachel’s Start & Family Literacy Head Start Early Learning 715-985-2391, ext. 1251 Center YMCA Child 715-832-1414 x2200 Development Center 715-836-8460

Redeemer Early Learning Programs 715-835-9207 Regis Child Development Center 715-830-2274 UW-Eau Claire Children’s Nature Academy 715-836-2178 Western Dairyland Truax Head Start & Family Literacy Head Start 715-985-2391, ext. 1251 YMCA Child Development Center 715-836-8460

For information regarding regarding EC4T, contact EC4T, the Eau Claire Area School District EarlyArea Learning Office at 715-852-3608.

For information contact the Eau Claire School District For information regarding EC4T, contact the Eau Claire Area School District Early Learning Office at 715-852-3608.

832389_6-3-17 Early Learning Office at 715-852-3608.

16 | www.secondopinionmagazine.com

832389_6-3-17

A GREAT PLACE TO GROW

FAMILY DAY in DOWNTOWN

CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTER Ages 4 weeks-5 years

Our Center Includes: Family YMCA membership Swimming lessons for ages 3 and up Outdoor playgrounds Preschool curriculum Gym time and gym activities Morning & afternoon EC4T sessions Secure building Consistent staff

DID YOU KNOW? Our CDC has a 4-star rating through YoungStar!

SCHOOL AGE CHILD CARE

Before & After School for grades K-5 On-Site Locations: Flynn, Immaculate Conception (AM), Locust Lane, Manz, Meadowview, Montessori, Northwoods, Putnam, Robbins, Sam Davey, St. James, St. Mary’s Offered at Y with Bus Transportation: Immaculate Conception (PM), Lakeshore, Longfellow, Elk Mound (PM), Sherman Open from 6:30 AM until school starts and when school releases until 6:00 PM.

Eau Claire YMCA | 700 Graham Avenue, Eau Claire, WI 54701 715-836-8460 | www.eauclaireymca.org

Celebrate

Saturday, July 8, 2017 2PM-6PM The Point, Phoenix Park

the

Chippewa River

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Together, you’ll take his first steps down the path to success.

Adventure awaits. Join today!

BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA CHIPPEWA VALLEY COUNCIL

710 S. Hastings Way, Eau Claire | 715-832-6671 | wearescouts.org | scoutingwire.org/lion/

www.secondopinionmagazine.com | 17

Calling All Kids: Get Outside and Get Active

by Jamie Hoover, YMCA Healthy Living Director

t is summertime in Wisconsin again! School is out and the weather that we dream about throughout the depths of winter is finally upon us. As a health and fitness professional as well as a lifelong Wisconsin resident, I am telling you now, create an environment for the kids to get outside and get active!

I

Kids ages six and older should be active for 60 minutes or more each day. Current trends show that kids ages eight to eighteen get an average of seven hours of screen time each day, which includes television, computer, smartphone, and video game usage.

The benefits of activity and exercise for children are vast and far reaching. A healthy diet, physical activity, and active play are the building blocks of a healthy lifestyle for children as their bodies and brains are rapidly developing. Conversely, children who are overweight or obese are more likely to be obese as adults, which can raise the risk for health problems such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, asthma, and cancer just to name a few.1,2 An often overlooked benefit of physical activity for children is the impact it has on their mental health. Physical activity has been shown to stimulate brain growth and boost cognitive performance. Studies indicate that fit children tend to have greater brain volume in the hippocampus, a brain region associated with memory,3 and that more active children have faster reaction times and accuracy,4 as well as showing more extensive information processing during tasks.5 In other words, results suggest that aerobic exercise can enhance focus and improve cognitive flexibility. Physical activity has also been correlated with both short- and long-term benefits in the classroom. A study, with replicated results, linked aerobic activity with improved math skills and increased activity in the prefrontal cortex, a brain region associated with executive function.6

There are also many physical benefits aside from risk prevention, and perhaps some much needed personal time for caretakers and chaperones. Examples of physical benefits include: • Maintains blood sugar levels • Lowers blood pressure • Helps grow strong muscles and bones • Improves sleep • Can boost self-esteem • Can help relieve stress • Enhances athletic performance What does all of this mean? It means that physical activity is a must, and not only for children, but for adults as well. A key component to being active and staying active is to individualize it to each and every person and child. Being active doesn’t need to be a complex or expensive endeavor. Eau Claire has been named a top “Small Town to Live” by numerous publications and was also ranked number 4 in a poll of the 16 best places to live in the United States by Outside Magazine for many active reasons, including our running and biking trails, our beautiful terrain of woods and water, and our many great parks! The Y also offers many great options such as youth sports leagues, Athletic Enhancement Camp, and the Kids of Steel Triathlon!

Whatever your physical activity preference is, make the most of your summer by getting out, getting active, and enjoying our city!

Sources: 1. Freedman, D. S., et al. “The relation of childhood BMI to adult adiposity: The Bogalusa Heart Study.” pediatrics, 115(1): 22–27, 2005; 2. The Writing Group for the SEARCH for Diabetes in Youth Study, et al. “Incidence of diabetes in youth in the United States.” JAMA, 297(24):2716–2724, 2007; 3. Chaddock-Heyman, L., Hillman, C. H., Cohen, N. J., and Kramer, A. F. “The importance of physical activity and aerobic fitness for cognitive control and memory in children.” Monogr Soc Res Child Cev, 79(4): 25–50, 2014; 4. Hillman, C. H ., Pontifex, M. B., Raine, L. B., Castelli, D. M., Hall, E. E., and Kramer, A. F. “The effect of acute treadmill walking on cognitive control and academic achievement in preadolescent children.” Neuroscience, 159(3): 1044–54, 2009; 5. Hillman, C. H., Castelli, D. M., and Buck, S. M. “Aerobic fitness and neurocognitive function in healthy preadolescent children.” Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 27(11): 1967–1974, 2005; 6. Davis, C. L., Tomporowski, P. D., McDowell, J. E., Austin, B. P., Miller, P. H., Yanasak, N. E., Allison, J. D., and Naglieri, J. A. “Exercise improves executive function and achievement and alters brain activation in overweight children: A randomized, controlled trial.” Health Psychology, 30(1): 91–8, 2011.

SPIN THROUGH YOUR DAY

We’re excited to announce the arrival of our brand new IC7 Indoor Cycling bikes. Cycling classes are offered during several time slots throughout the day - give them a try!

FREE with Y membership or $5 for a class pass.

EAU CLAIRE YMCA

700 Graham Avenue, Eau Claire, WI www.eauclaireymca.org | 715-836-8460

18 | www.secondopinionmagazine.com

Stress Relief and Your Skin

By Sarah Green, Owner & Licensed Aesthetician, CLT

S

tress. It’s something we ALL face. Some of the people most affected by stress? Moms! Just ask my mom, Patti! It was, of course, my other three siblings that caused her stress and not myself…. (she’s rolling her eyes at this moment, I can assure you, as she reads this!).

Stress affects everyone, and unfortunately sometimes when we need stress relief the most we are unable to do certain treatments or use certain products, such as during pregnancy.

Here are some excellent alternatives for everyday stress relief that are safe and effective for everyone!

1. Organic or Natural facials. At Sakura we offer Organic Naturopathica or 97 percent Natural FarmHouse Fresh products. Both are centered on attacking stress with their luxurious and aromatherapeutic properties! Safe for everyone, including moms-to-be and nursing clients, help keep your skin in check with a fabulous facial. Facials are a great way to unwind but also to get a results-orientated treatment. One of our licensed aestheticians will help customize a treatment that is perfect for you. Some clients prefer to pick their facial from our very LARGE facial menu also.

Katie and Candace and their staff offer exceptional quality massages with years of experience in treating people in the Chippewa Valley.

For our clients who would like to experience a facial AND massage, Sans Souci will send over one of their fabulous therapists to help us create the ultimate spa day! Looking for just a massage? We highly suggest giving these ladies a visit. They will help customize a massage that is just right for you and your needs. They also offer pregnancy massages. (Just ask my sister, Rachel, Katie was a life saver for her during her second pregnancy!)

6. Aromatherapy. It is amazing what a little diffused goodness can do for you. We personally use a YoungLiving diffuser and essential oils at Sakura to help greet our guests with a welcoming and soothing atmosphere. I also personally use one in my home.

You can find just the right blend to soothe your needs. Essential oils can be exceptionally effective in helping with insomnia, stress, anxiety, and even with those blues we can all get. These oils can be applied topically, ingested, diffused, sprayed, or dropped in a hot bath. Whatever fits your lifestyle and mood!

Finding just the right balance in our lives to help combat stress is so important. So many people view a “spa” day as just an indulgence or just for special occasions, but in reality in can be so imperative to be sure we are taking care of not just our outer appearance, but also our mental well-being. A great spa treatment can do both.

Cheers to a happy, stress free life!

2. At home Naturopathica or FarmHouse Fresh products.

They aren't just for “in-spa!” Create your own peaceful escape within your own home. These products offer bath salts, oils, body scrubs, lotions, and masks to help you slip away into that world of relaxation! Melt away your stress without leaving your own house.

3. A Fire & Ice facial. This Innovative Skin Care treatment will leave you with soft, exfoliated, and hydrated skin without any worry during pregnancy or nursing. This 18 percent sugar cane glycolic treatment gently, yet effectively, rapidly resurfaces your skin, leaving you with a polished skin. Throw on the rejuvenating mask, and you’re left with hydrated, polished skin. Perfect to do before an event or before tackling grocery shopping with the kiddos, as there is no downtime!

4. Back Facials. While this isn’t always the best treatment for a woman who is pregnant, this is an excellent stress reliever. This treatment is a full “facial” treatment but for your back! While using warm steam and towels, your Aesthetician will cleanse, exfoliate and massage your back. They then will finish with customized treatment products to help hydrate and protect your skin.

5. Massage. Who doesn’t love- or NEED- a fabulous massage?

While we don’t personally offer massage at Sakura, we are proud to partner with Sans Souci massage of Altoona, Wisconsin. Owners

WHY SAKURA? Because you deserve it!

Proud to offer 100% Natural FARMHOUSE FRESH products & treatments!

Sakuraskinspa.com | 4210 southtowne dr. Eau Claire, WI | 715.514.3548

www.secondopinionmagazine.com | 19

Is Chronic Lyme Disease Real?

T

he question of chronic Lyme disease is one I often answer in my office on a daily basis for my patients who have previously been diagnosed with Lyme disease and have been treated with antibiotics. Although they followed the standard of care for treatment and a course of antibiotics, many of their symptoms seem to persist for years after the initial diagnosis. Other patients may fall into another category that have symptoms associated with Lyme disease but have never been treated for Lyme disease due to the fact that they tested negative on the standard Western Blot test and did not have the bull’s-eye rash that is characteristic in some that have been infected by a tick. Often individuals seeking care by our medical system in these situations are told that all of their symptoms are in their head, and some are even referred to seek psychiatric help instead of the medical practitioner really listening to the patient and all of the symptoms.

One of the causes of chronic Lyme is the biofilms that bacteria and parasites are able to wrap themselves in during a normal course of antibiotic treatment, allowing many of the bacteria and parasites associated with Lyme disease to go hide wrapped in these biofilms, waiting for the immune system to become weakened before attacking again.

The truth about so many of these patients are suffering from a hidden case of Lyme disease is that the testing methods are not good enough to detect the chronic cases. A simple blood draw on a chronic Lyme disease patient may show they have made antibodies to the Lyme bacteria, but often the number of bands (five specific bands are required) to create a CDC (Center for Disease Control positive Lyme case) are not present. Chronic Lyme hides in the brain and joints, which is considered outside the blood stream. None of the testing methods that are standard actually test these tissues, and over time they turn into a chronic disease diagnosis with very little understanding of the true mechanism of the problem.

Many of the bacteria and parasites associated with Lyme leave the blood stream and invade the joint tissue using the synovial fluid and cartilage as its long-term living quarters. These bugs secrete ammonia which is 46,000 times higher pH than our tissue. Our immune system recognizes these chemical toxins and reacts by creating superoxide and peroxide as part of our immune response to these invaders. Most of us have used peroxide on a cut because it is good at killing bacteria that may be in the cut. The body uses the same peroxide to help fight infections in our tissues. The problem becomes when we have a long-standing infection in our tissues (joint and brain 20 | www.secondopinionmagazine.com tissue) with ammonia and peroxide reacting in these tissues,

By A. J. Lindsley, Lindsley Chiropractic

we often see the effects as many different diagnoses that are dismissed as part of the aging process.

Chronic Lyme exposure in the brain tissue often results in one of four common neurological diagnosis: MS (multiple sclerosis), ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis—Lou Gehrig’s disease), Parkinson’s, or some form of dementia. Many of these neurological processes are considered partially genetic but have a strong association with autoimmune issues where the body has become confused and overwhelmed to the point where it attacks itself. Slowly we are seeing the number of people with these diseases rising with no known cause and no real treatment. Today one in nine Americans (11 percent) at sixty-five years of age have a diagnosis of dementia, one in four (25 percent) at seventy-five years of age, and one in two (50 percent) at eighty-five years old.

Currently 5 million Americans have dementia, and in twenty-five years 25 million diagnosed cases are predicted. Forget about nursing homes; we have a new business called memory care home facilities. Unless we begin to look for the chronic Lyme in the brain tissue and develop specific testing for these tissues, we will see these neurological diseases continue to rise and progress into younger and younger generations.

We are seeing, I believe, the same effects in chronic joint conditions. In the United States we are currently replacing over a million hips and knees per year! The prediction is 4 million joint replacements per year by 2035. Very few people are physically active enough to wear their joints out in a lifetime, so we have to ask ourselves what could be causing this extreme number of failures. Even more concerning is the number of non-contact sport injuries we are seeing in our young children.

There have been over a million knee surgeries on children under the age of eighteen for ACL and meniscus tears in our young athletes. These injuries were unheard of just twenty years ago.

I hear all the time in my clinic how these kids are pushed too hard in sports year-round. The truth is that a conditioned athlete does not get injured; an athlete with a hidden case of Lyme is chronically injured. Some of these injuries may be attributed to some trace mineral deficiencies but certainly not to overtraining.

Chronic Lyme, I believe, is the main factor involved in most of the “chronic disease processes” we are seeing affecting all generations and much earlier than ever before.

For more information, contact Lindsley Chiropractic Clinic & Natural Healing Center, 1565 195th Ave., Bloomer, WI 54724, 715-568-5058, www.lindsleychiropractic.com.

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2017 11-4 PM EAU CLAIRE INDOOR SPORTS CENTER EAU CLAIRE

FITEXPOEC.COM We began kimbentley, LLC two years ago as a fitness fashion blog. It quickly developed into a health and fitness marketing resource, and as we were partnering with fitness-related companies, we quickly realized that there was a need for an event like FIT EXPO. Creating this event just seemed like a natural extension of the kimbentley brand. There are many health fairs in the area, but we wanted to offer something truly unique. Our goal was to bring a group of businesses working together under one roof for one day to help our community members find their fit lifestyle. This event is not a tag on to some other event. It stands on its own to bring guests from around the Chippewa Valley information to guide them toward a healthier life. The best part is that FIT EXPO is that it’s for everyone no matter what your fitness level, age, or health status. You can meet with health and fitness experts, participate in a health screenings, talk to weight loss consultants, sample healthy food, shop booths, or try a free fitness class. FIT EXPO will be very interactive, and that really makes it unique. I can’t explain how excited we are by the response we’ve had so far. Our main sponsorships filled right away and we have almost 70 exhibitors and over 20 classes scheduled. Really we feel like we’re just getting started! In addition, guests will have the opportunity to register for thousands of dollars worth of giveaway prizes, and our early bird admission tickets are only $5.00! We want to invite the community to this event, and we’re really grateful for the support we’ve seen our first year.

For event details and sponsorship/exhibitor opportunities visit: fitexpoec.com or email expo@kimbentley.fitness FIT EXPO #fitexpoec #kimbentley https://www.facebook.com/fitexpoec/ https://www.instagram.com/fitexpoec/ https://twitter.com/FITEXPOEC/

EARLY BIRD TICKETS ONLY $5!

To get your tickets go to FITEXPOEC.COM/tickets or use the Ticket QR CODE! As of this date FIT EXPO is accepting exhbitors.

KIMBENTLEY, LLC IS PROUD TO ANNOUNCE FIT EXPO PLATINUM SPONSORS FOR THE EVENT; MAYO CLINIC HEALTH SYSTEM, FESTIVAL FOODS, AND SCHEELS ALL SPORTS

DaVinci Therapeutic Massage | Eau Claire YMCA | Royal Credit Union The Yoga Room | Queen of the Castle Magazine www.secondopinionmagazine.com | 21

There will be

$7,000

worth of health & fitness giveaways!

Register at FIT EXPO! -andThere will be a giveaway for EACH class! The giveaway winner will receive a bracelet from Lasker Jewelers in Eau Claire.

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New Patient

adjustment, exam, & x-rays New patients only.

Cannot be used with insurance, state or federal programs, or combined with other offers.

Limited time only.

3301 Golf Road, Ste 102 - Eau Claire

715.514.4302 imperiumchiropractic.com

22 | www.secondopinionmagazine.com

• Therapeutic massage • Ashiatsu • Pregnancy massage • Hot stone massage • Thai yoga massage • Body Treatments • Hawaiian lomi lomi

We have online scheduling available.

www.sanssoucimassage.com 715-830-9890 Therapists: Candace Engan Lokken, LMT Katie Meyer, LMT | Lisa Ornstein, LMT Sarah Heinze, LMT | Jane Kaler, LMT Brenda Boettcher, LMT

CLASSES OFFERED AT FIT EXPO 2017! for Camp- Shoe Clinic, Scheels • Finding the Right Sports Bra,-Bra • Kicks Clinic – Scheels On Pins and Needles. Just What Is • Dry Needling? - Mayo Clinic Health • Finding the Magic Muscle- Pilates System

by Penny Discover the NuVal System Learn How to Use Kinesiology • (Nutritional • TapeValue System) Festival Imperium Chiropractic Foods Yoga for Athletes- Ryanne • Cunningham, IGNITE Group Class – IGNITE by Author/Yoga Instructor • FitELITE ABS on Fire Class- Dragonfly Dance • and

Fall Harvest Moon Yoga FlowThe

Wellness • Yoga Room

Boxing Hector Pucheta • Boxing, Demo ZumbaEau Claire YMCA The Grind Factory • Burn Boot Camp Group Class- Burn Self-Defense ClassFitness AKF Martial Arts • Boot Camp, Eau Claire • MO Group Class- Momentum Sport More classes will be available from • Fitness The Tuning Tree, Royal Credit Union, POUND Group Class- Pure Fitness 4 IGNITE, and Apex Chiropractic.

• You Group Fitness Class- Anytime • Fitness Eau Claire Classes may change up until the date of the event.

WANT TO GIVE BACK?

Blood Drive Saturday, September 16 at FitExpo 11am-4pm

For an appointment, please visit redcrossblood.org and search by sponsor code Fit Expo.

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I N D E P E N D E N T B EA C H B O D Y COA C H

d a n i e l l e st ra u s sf it n e s s . c o m www.secondopinionmagazine.com | 23

Breastfeeding Benefits for Mom and Baby

By Erin Kaspar-Frett, CPM, LM, MSM

Finding Good Support

Sometimes a woman decides she wants to breastfeed and is met with opposition from her family or friends. Or, just as often, she wants to breastfeed and doesn’t find it as “natural” as others say it should be. Some struggle to latch correctly or are dealing with issues such as; thrush, lip or tongue tie, flat or inverted nipples. All of these can be worked around with proper support. A mother can contact a lactation consultant, a La Leche League (LLL) leader, a midwife, a pediatrician, or a friend that is experienced in breastfeeding.

Improvements in breastfeeding support continue. WIC offices and care providers are promoting and encouraging breastfeeding, lactation consultants are readily available to assist mothers that are having difficulties, many work places are providing pumping stations for their breastfeeding employees, and most areas have strong, supportive La Leche League groups available for moms to attend meetings and gain support.

I encourage all pregnant and breastfeeding moms to consider attending at least one LLL meeting to obtain or give support.

Many LLL groups have lending libraries, speakers, play groups, and a great deal of information that benefits the breastfeeding mother. For more information on LLL contact LLL international at 1-800-LALECHE (US) or (847) 519-7730 or visit their website detailing how to find leaders in your area at www.lalecheleague.org/leaderinfo.html.

Getting Off to a Good Start

Studies have shown that breastfeeding progresses most smoothly when the mother is allowed full access to her newborn directly from birth, allowing her to pick up the baby herself when she is ready. When this happens, babies will typically begin breastfeeding within the first hour of their birth. That “golden hour” is the height of colostrum. Babies have a built-in instinctual ability to know how to nurse. Mothers that have prepared themselves can be relaxed and ready to nurse when they meet their new baby. The first few latches may be a bit awkward for both, but in time, both mom and baby will be pros! However, mothers who

24 | www.secondopinionmagazine.com

are separated from their newborns often feel anxiety during the separation. Babies who are separated from their mothers often cry and appear anxious. When the two are together they can bond and get to know one another, enjoying the creation of a lasting love. Safe-guarding the first hours after birth for freedom of nursing, and delaying all newborn procedures (if both mom and baby are healthy and proceeding normally!), will go a long way in maternal and infant health and security.

Nursing on demand is the ideal way to feed. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends feeding on demand at newborn cue’s, before beginning to cry.* A baby who is fed on demand grows confident in his mother’s ability to meet his needs when he requests them to be met. Feeding on demand also provides the cue that the mother’s brain needs to make the ideal amount of breast milk for her baby. Breastmilk is supply and demand in reverse: the baby demands, the mother’s body supplies. For a healthy mother/baby team, there is never too little milk when the baby is permitted to tell the mother’s body how much is needed, although it might take a day or two to catch up. Following the cues of the newborn will solidify this nursing relationship.

Nutrition during Breastfeeding

What goes into a mother’s body while she is breastfeeding her baby is what becomes the nutrition her baby receives. Whole foods, a well-rounded diet, and plenty of liquids will benefit both the mother and the baby. Avoiding caffeine, cigarette smoke, and recreational drugs is recommended during breastfeeding.

Remembering to take the time to eat is sometimes difficult for busy mothers. Frequent small meals are often recommended to the breastfeeding mother. Nursing mothers need at least 2,700 calories and 65 grams of protein a day. Having an easy healthy snack and fluids available at all times is helpful for mothers who are busy or on the go.

Some babies will be sensitive to certain foods, becoming fussy or spitting up after the mother eats them. As the mother pays

attention to what she had to eat or drink prior to a fussing episode, she will often realize what is causing the baby’s discomfort.

What about the Other Parent?

The other parents sometimes wonder how they can participate in the child’s life if they can’t provide sustaining nourishment.

For some families, it works to have the other parent bottle feed expressed breast milk. For some, however, this feels awkward or the baby doesn’t relax in the same way. And yet, for some families, bottle feeding isn’t an options due to baby’s unwillingness. And yet there are so many important roles a non-breastfeeding parent plays in the life of the child.

Non-breastfeeding parents can hold, rock, bathe, feed solids when it is time, dress, and play with their children, creating a special time with their babies that provides a similar bond as the one breastfeeding mothers have during breastfeeding.

Non-nutritive parents play an important role in the development of their child’s life. These special times together will aid in developing a lasting relationship between that parent and child.

baby is done nursing. Work will still be there when the mother is ready to return. Friends and family members will gladly resume closeness when the mother feels ready to invest in these relationships again. The mother can simply relax and enjoy this special time between herself and her baby.

For a list of resources on the topic, please contact Erin KasparFrett, erin@earthmothermidwife.com. *Documentation recorded in the American Academy of Pediatrics Policy Statement, Pediatrics Vol. 100, No. 6, December 1997, pp.

1035–1039. www.aap.org/policy/re9729.html.

sandi anderson

Life & Soul Coach and Integrative Energy Therapies

Sandi Anderson BS, CHTP, RM, CHT

Relax and Enjoy Breastfeeding

Above all I remind mothers that the breastfeeding period is a special time, a time like no other in the mother’s or baby’s life. The baby will have the opportunity to get to know the mother during the time they spend nursing. The mother and baby will discover how important they are to one another during this time. The housework will still be there when the

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good eats Ta-Da! Dinner Is DONE! Meals from Together Farms

by Stephanie Schneider, Together Farms

Imagine it. You walk in the house to the tantalizing aroma of a meal that is nourishing and ready to eat. Instead of hearing “What’s for supper?” or “Can I have a snack?” you hear “Mmmmm…what is that yummy smell?!” and “I’ll set the table!” as everyone shifts into supper mode instead of starving-whilewaiting-for-supper mode. Having a dinner that is cooked and ready to be dished up as soon as you get home completely shifts the entire dynamic of how evenings usually play out, taking it from one of stress, chaos, and frustration to one of calm, contentment, and happiness!

Time and organization are also required to feed the family well.

After years of frustration and trying different methods, I finally came across the system that worked for me: freezer to slow cooker meals!

The beautiful thing about freezer to slow cooker meals is that you are not cooking them before you freeze them, so they don’t taste like leftovers. You are just labeling a bag, prepping, and freezing.

Then, when you need a break from figuring out what everyone should eat, you just pull it out and put it to work.

Here are some of the benefits: There are no limits. The options are extremely versatile in flavors and meat types and cuts. They can be complete all-inone meals or just meat and sauce.

Your brain gets a break. I struggle most with making the decision of what to eat. As you know, the classic response of “I don't know” and “I don't care” are less than helpful.

No struggle with allergens. All the meals we offer are free from most allergens, including gluten and dairy with soy-free an option too!

Lose weight. I'm not making any promises here, but I lost a lot of weight when I started really relying on these meals.

If nothing else, you'll feel so much better eating homecooked, no-weird-stuff meals than fast-food crap full of unpronounceable ingredients using meat filled with hormones and antibiotics.

Get out of a cooking rut. Do you keep recycling the same recipes over and over again and need to try something different? Together Farms’ meals are changed frequently, and we currently have eleven different options available in the store.

Enjoy guilt-free ingredients. We use our own high-quality meats, certified organic vegetables, spices, and sauces.

Labels that help. Each meal you receive will have a waterproof label on it explaining how to cook it, showing all the ingredients, and suggesting ways to serve it as well as side dish ideas.

Customized for you. Hate green peppers? Ingredients can be left out at your request.

They make the perfect gift.

Struggling to find something a new mom can actually use? Or, maybe you want to prepare before the baby comes? You can stock up now on finished meals to take the stress and worry out of cooking once the new baby arrives.

Pro tip: Moms usually get bombarded with way too much food, help, and attention in the first week or two after baby arrives. The freezer meals are happy to wait in the freezer until she runs out of (or throws out) all the chicken soup.

Host a Party Get our ebooks and either have a big meal prep day or make it part of your baby shower. Or, leave all the work to us and call/ text or email Stephanie today to set up your own private party.

Order for you (or someone you love) TODAY! Visit togetherfarms.grazecart.com/store/freezer-meals. www.secondopinionmagazine.com | 27

Sick of tacos?

Try

Switch it up! Try healthy meals right from the farm.

Together Farms Freezer Meals for yourself or as a gift for someone that could use a little less stress in their lives!

The perfect dinner solution for busy families.

O ver 10 available now, inlcuding: • Beef Tips w/Mushrooms • Chicken Curry • Korean Beef Lettuce Wraps •Teriyaki Pork Chops

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WIC Helps Keep Families Healthy

WIC gives you healthy food and teaches you how to use it.

Good nutrition during pregnancy and in the first few years of life has long-term positive impacts on health. WIC teaches you about the benefits of breastfeeding and guides you through the process. WIC gives you free healthy food and teaches you how to shop for it, how to prepare it, and ways to help your child enjoy eating it.

By Susan Krahn, MS, RDN, CD, CLC Public Health Nutritionist, Eau Claire City-County Health Department

W

hat does healthy eating mean to you? To the WIC Program, healthy eating means healthier moms and babies, happier families, and brighter futures. The Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Program is a public health nutrition program that provides wholesome foods, nutrition and breastfeeding education, and community support for low- and moderate-income women and children up to the age of five years.

We provide a community of support. At WIC you’ll find dietitians, a breastfeeding peer counselor, and others ready to listen, share information, and give guidance and support. WIC is a network built for moms.

We connect them, we educate them, and we learn from them.

There are more women in our community who benefit from WIC than you may think. In fact, over half of the babies born in the United States use the WIC program. WIC is the nation’s most successful and cost-effective public health nutrition program.

Nationally, we know that when eligible families use WIC: • Moms are less likely to have premature or low birth-weight babies; • Moms are more likely to start breastfeeding after delivery; • Infants and children are twice as likely to see doctors for well-child care; • Moms, children, and infants are less likely to have anemia.

We connect you to care beyond WIC. Food and nutrition are only one piece of a healthy lifestyle. Through referrals we can connect you with resources outside of WIC, including public health nurses, doctors, dental services, immunization services, and social services. Referrals put you in touch with the care or resources you need to be healthy in every part of your life.

If you think your family may be eligible, contact your local WIC office. A visit to WIC means you will walk away with an EBT card to buy more healthy food for your family. But, did you know that WIC means much more than food? At a WIC appointment, parents are connected with people who truly care about the health and well-being of their children. Parents walk away with the feeling of support, connections to healthcare resources, and inspiration to make healthy changes in their home.

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www.secondopinionmagazine.com | 29

ger hunt Farmers markeattthescFarmavers en Market!

Let’s have fun

e of Visit on cal lo these s Farmer s: Market

EC DOWNTOWN: MENOMONIE: Phoenix Park Wilson Park (Wilson Avenue & 8th St.) Wed Sat & Wed 7:30am-1pm; 11am-6pm; Sat 8am-1pm Thursday noon - 5pm.

CHIPPEWA FALLS: Farmers Market Lot, 53 E. Central St., Rushman Drive and East Central Thursday: noon-6pm.

EC FESTIVAL FOODS: 3007 Mall Drive Sunday 7am-2pm

EC GORDY’S: Hamilton Ave Tues & Sat 8am-2pm Birch St: Wed 8am-2pm

Red:

l u f r e w o p uce! prod Can you find a vegetable that is bumpy? ____________________ Smooth? ____________________

Produce Rainbow Find a fruit or vegetable for each color of the rainbow.

Yellow: Blue:

Purple: Orange:

Green:

Can you find a vegetable that is smaller than your fist? ____________________ Bigger? ____________________

Find a fruit or a vegetable that you have never tasted before. What is it? ____________________ Would you taste it today? ____________________

DOUGLAS WASHBURN

Fabulous farmers!

BAYFIELD

ASHLAND

Let’s find out about life on the farm! Ask a farmer: Do you have kids?________ What chores do they have _____ on the farm? ________________________________________ _______ Why are the hay bales in big circles? _______________ ________ __________________________________________________ _______ How much milk will one cow make each day? _____

Ask 5 farmers where their farms are located. Put a dot on the map.

PRICE

SAWYER

BURNETT POLK

RUSK

BARRON

CHIPPEWA DUNN MARATHON

TAYLOR ST. CROIX EAU CLAIRE

PIERCE

PEPIN

WOOD

BUFFALO

CLARK JACKSON

ADAMS LA CROSSE

ht Broug u to yo by: 30 | www.secondopinionmagazine.com

MONROE JUNEAU VERNON RICHLAND

CRAWFORD

Complete the Scavenger Hunt with your little explorers and return it by the end of August to to be entered to win lots of prizes!

Prizes: Free Passes

Gift Certificates and Free Books

Free Ice Cream

Free Corn Maze Passes

Free Passes

Canvas Coupons

Give us a hand in growing ou r roots in the community.

Slippery Hill Farm lettuce heads are just one of the products that go straight from the farmer to your plate. From employee to farmer to guest, we will continue to grow our roots deep in the community. Join us at The Informalist every day for a seasonal celebration of the best se produce and meats the Chippewa Valley has to offer.

Lilypad Lab: Gift Certificates for Classes

Your Name: ________________________________ Phone Number: ____________________________ Email:______________________________________

Mail or drop off at: Lily Pad Lab - 1620 Ohm Avenue Eau Claire, WI 54701 Want your kiddos to learn more about fruits, vegetables, and healthy eating and cooking?

Join us at the Lily Pad Lab for our new Healthy Hands Cooking Classes and Camps. Our signature cooking program will lay a foundation of nutrition and cooking skills for life. Kids, 2-18 yrs old, will learn kitchen safety, proper food storage, and make healthy snacks, breakfasts, lunches, and dinners.

M-F 6am-11pm S-S 8am-11pm 205 S. Barstow 715.318.7399 www.secondopinionmagazine.com | 31

Baby Food 101 F

ood introduced in the first year of life can impact future nutrition habits. For the first six months of life, breastfeeding is widely recommended. However, between six to eight months of age, most infants are developmentally ready to try pureed, mashed, or “lumpy” foods to compliment breast milk (or ironenriched formula). These new foods and textures may take multiple offerings before acceptance. So to start, it is important to gradually offer a variety of foods one-at-a-time to help the infant’s palate and digestive system to adjust.

Jarred baby food is a quick and convenient way to help growing infants get the nutrition they need. It offers a consistent texture and flavor that may be better received by “picky eaters,” and they are produced under strict food safety guidelines.

Homemade baby food is another option. Compared to commercial baby food, homemade baby food may be a more affordable option and may offer a wider variety of flavors. Whether looking to supplement or replace commercially produced baby food products, one of the easiest ways to start is to simply mash foods that may already be on your grocery list, like bananas or avocados. Or, try incorporating nutrition-packed foods that wouldn’t necessarily be found in jarred varieties, like pureed eggs, broccoli, kiwifruit, or no-salt-added canned beans.

Regardless of the food served, infants and young children are very impressionable. The actions and behaviors of those around can impact the development of food preferences and eating behaviors. Whenever possible try eating (and enjoying!) the same food your baby is eating.

STEPS FOR MAKING BABY FOOD

1. Start with clean hands, cooking surfaces, and equipment.

Even though infants and children are more susceptible to food-borne illness, it is always a good practice to wash hands with warm, soapy water and sanitize any surfaces or equipment before food preparation.

32 | www.secondopinionmagazine.com

2. Prepare food; washing, peeling, and trimming, as needed.

Wash all fruits and vegetables thoroughly. Peel and trim, if necessary. If preparing meat or fish, remove all skin, bones, gristle, and excess fat.

3. Cook and/or process food.

Cook food, if necessary, until very tender. Boiling, steaming, or microwaving food with water is often ideal.

When preparing meat or fish, cook to well done. Allow cooked food to cool slightly before pureeing or mashing to reach desired consistency. Adding a small amount of water may be necessary to achieve an appropriate texture.

4. Serve or store.

If food is not going to be eaten right away, store it in the refrigerator for up to two days, or freeze for use within a month. Freezing baby food in ice cube trays can help provide baby-sized portions when they’re needed. Small portion sizes are important because any leftover food, regardless if it is homemade or commercially prepared, should be thrown away due to exposure to bacteria.

Some combinations to try after introducing individual foods: • No-salt-added canned black beans (drained and rinsed) and avocado • Kiwifruit and banana • Baby cereal and berries • Sweet potato and applesauce Emily Schwartz is a nationally accredited, registered dietitian-nutritionist (RDN) serving the Eau Claire and La Crosse communities as Festival Foods’ Western Wisconsin Regional Dietitian.