REAL | LOCAL | MOMS

Eugene | August/September 2019 | FREE

COVER MOM

BACK-TO-SCHOOL

FOOD FEATURE

STACY CARPENTER

GEAR GUIDE

RECIPES FOR KIDS



2 mommag.com

It’s what‘s

Gear Guide

inside that counts

Toothpaste Batik 24

Back to School 26

They know what they're

Cover MOM: Stacy Carpenter...............10

Back to (cooking) school.................................26

talking about

This mom gets real

Recipes kids should know

Because I said so............... 5

Back-to-School................20

A message from MOM

Science-themed gear guide

Community Impact Award Recipient..............28

Vacation MOM................... 6

Toothpaste batik.............24

Flying with little ones

Minty-fresh twist on the

from Eugene Airport

traditional art of batik

20

Meet the MOM experts.... 4

Spotlight on ELRod Center

More ways to love your MOM Blog: mommag.com Facebook: facebook.com/ lovemommag

Cover MOM Photos by MJ’s Photography

10

Advertise today Want to get the word out about your business? Contact Linda Blair at linda@mommag.com mommag.com 3

meet the

experts

[They know what they’re talking about]

Vacation MOM

™

with Donnita Bassinger, page 6

Beyond the bin

™

with Sarah Grimm, page 8

Focus on MOM

™

“ I love when my kids

with Dr. David Hackett, Pediatric Optometrist, page 18

tell me they're bored. As if the lady standing in a front of a full sink of dirty dishes is

how to have a good time.

“

where you go to get ideas about

―Anonymous

4 mommag.com

EDITOR'S NOTES

Because I said so! Published by GO Creative, LLC 263 29th Avenue SW Albany, OR 97322 Editor-in-Chief Managing Director Angela Hibbard angela@mommag.com Mid-Valley & Lane County Business Development Manager Linda Blair linda@mommag.com 541-231-7250 Salem Advertising Representative Kim Leighty kim.leighty@mommag.com 503-510-9036 Tri-Cities Business Development Manager Kim Harvey kim@mommag.com 509-460-6526 Designer Sean Carver We love hearing from you. Email info@mommag.com with feedback, story ideas or nominations. MOM MagazineTM is produced by GO Creative, LLC. © 2018 All rights reserved. Any reproduction, in whole or part, without written permission of the publisher, is prohibited. Information in the magazine is provided for general information purposes only with the understanding that none of the content constitutes professional advice. Opinions expressed by the writers or advertisers are not necessarily the opinions of the magazine or the publisher. Inclusion in the magazine does not constitute endorsement of information, products or services.

Don’t do for others what they can do for themselves. If you’ve spent time around self-help circles, you’ve probably come across the phrase “Don’t do for others what they can do for themselves.” Like so many things in life, I have a new appreciation for this sentiment now that I am a mom— especially as my kids grow older and gain more independence.

in order to let them do for themselves I have to accept that it will never be done my way and will likely take twice as long. But if I take a deep breath and summon extra powers of patience, they can do for themselves.

By definition, the mother-child relationship is one of dependency. Your newborn baby literally can’t live without your total devotion and care. Then moment by moment, year by year, the relationship slowly, but steadily, shifts. While our kids need us for so much, ultimately our job is to allow them to grow to the point where they don’t need us at all (sniff, sniff) and are ready to launch into adulthood on their own. For a control freak like me with codependent tendencies, that can be a challenging transition. So I try to remind myself, “Don’t do for others (my kids) what they can do for themselves.” Sometimes it’s small things like my current crusade not to answer questions they can answer themselves. “Mom, what time is it?” asks my son endlessly while standing in the kitchen surrounded by no less than three time-telling devices: microwave, oven, coffee pot—okay, the time on the coffee pot never seems to be right, but you get my drift. Other transitions feel more significant like potty training, tying shoelaces, doing their own laundry, packing their lunches or even (gulp) learning to drive. Whatever the task,

Back to school is a great time to reevaluate what new responsibilities your child can take on. Remember that our success as moms ultimately involves us working ourselves out of a job—except for the unconditional love part; that stuff’s forever. Why? Because I said so!

Angela Hibbard MOM Magazine Editor-in-Chief

mommag.com 5

FLYING WITH

LITTLE ONES TAKING YOUR FIRST TRIP WITH CHILDREN CAN BE DAUNTING; DEPENDING UPON HOW YOU PLAN YOUR TRIP, IT CAN BE A FUN FAMILY ADVENTURE OR A TOTAL NIGHTMARE. HERE ARE A FEW THINGS YOU CAN DO TO IMPROVE YOUR CHANCES OF HAVING A POSITIVE EXPERIENCE:

Security Rules Airlines are required to collect official full name, date of birth and sex of each passenger. TSA rules still prohibit taking liquids over 3.4 oz. onboard aircraft; however you can bring filled bottles or sippy cups for children, just show them to the security screeners and know that they may be tested. Passengers of all ages flying anywhere outside of the U.S. are required to have a valid passport (passport books, not cards). Children under the age of 18 who are not traveling with both parents may need a notarized letter of permission for international travel. Some countries require that you apply for permission and pay a fee to enter their country—this is documented with a stamp in your passport called a visa. A travel agent can assist with all of these details.

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Baggage & seats All airlines, except Southwest Airlines, charge $20-$50 per checked-in bag each direction with a maximum weight of 40 to 50 lbs per bag. Many airlines now charge for carry-on bags that won’t fit under a seat. These charges can add-up quickly for a family. There may be a discount if you prepay your baggage fees. A recent development is airlines charging for pre-assigned seats. It is important to check airline websites for the latest rules, plan ahead and pack carefully to minimize these costs. Usually you can take a stroller and/or car seat to the plane and gate-check for free. Bring a plastic bag with an address label to put your items in to keep them from getting dirty.

Food & beverage The days of free meals & snacks onboard domestic flights are over. Every mom knows that hungry kids are a recipe for disaster. I never get on a plane without a carry-on bag full of snacks. Purchase bottled water, or bring an empty water bottle to fill after clearing security so you always have it available.

Flying with infants On domestic flights, most airlines allow an infant, prior to their 2nd birthday, to sit on the lap of an adult for no charge. This must be noted on the reservation as a “lap child” and you may be required to show a birth certificate or passport to prove their age. For international travel there is usually a highly- discounted rate for infant tickets.

TIP 1 Plan ahead so you can reach your destination with the fewest flights possible—every time you change planes and, especially when you change airlines, you increase your chances of delays, lost luggage and more hassles. This is not the time to buy discount tickets with multiple connections.

TIP 2 Before you go, talk with your children about what to expect, how they need to behave and safety rules like not running off, and staying seated during the flight. Remind them not to kick the seat in front of them.

TIP 3 Check ahead of time to see if the airports you are visiting have “play areas.” Treat the flights as an exciting adventure and your kids will look forward to flying.

A zipper bag with a couple of diapers and a small pack of baby wipes is much easier to take into a tiny airplane bathroom than a huge diaper bag. Pack at least one complete change of clothes for baby in another zipper bag. If you have to change the baby’s clothes, the wet, dirty outfit can go in the bag. If your baby needs a pacifier, take several. Disposable bibs are also helpful on a flight. Don’t forget to pack a good attitude, “Look kids, an escalator!” Kids will sense if you are agitated, so try to make the best of any situation. If you make it fun, you will have great little travelers ready to see the world! Vacation MOM is brought you in partnership with Eugene Airport. See ad on page 31.

TIP 4 Fly from Eugene Airport where parking, check-in and security clearance are much easier than flying from larger airports. Eugene Airport offers non-stop flights to Chicago, Denver, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Mesa, Oakland, Phoenix, Portland, Salt Lake City, San Francisco and Seattle.

Brought to you by:

MEET VACATION MOM

TM

Donnita Bassinger, CTC, MCC is owner of VIP Vacations, Inc. She has been a travel agent for three decades and a “Vacation MOM” for 18 years. She has taken her three children on numerous vacations. Some favorites include Hawaii, San Diego, cruises and all-inclusive Resorts.

For more information visit her on Facebook @VacationMOMpage.

mommag.com 7

Back-to-school

waste prevention tips Today’s choices, actions and purchasing habits form the building blocks of what the future holds for our children. Did you know that 42% of all greenhouse gas emissions result from the production and manufacturing of food, products and packaging?*

• Choose gently-used school clothes, sports equipment and supplies. Many reuse stores like MECCA, NextStep and St. Vincent de Paul provide valuable services to local families. • Make zero-waste lunches with reusable containers, utensils and cloth napkins. Buy snacks in bulk, use fresh whole foods and avoid heavily-packaged or processed foods.

By adjusting our purchasing habits we can set a good example for our children and reduce pollution caused by manufacturing. Here’s how:

To learn more visit www.lanecounty.org/recyclingguide

• Do not purchase new school supplies if you have usable items from last year.

To build a better future, reuse existing goods. Purchase durable, repairable and reusable goods. Don't waste food.

• If you must buy new items make a point to ask for, and buy, items made with recycled content. • Participate in, or organize, a clothing swap—at your school or with friends and neighbors.

* Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

Brought to you by: Sarah Grimm is the Waste Reduction Specialist for Lane County Public Works. She is an avid gardener, flyfisher and lover of the great outdoors.

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Cover MOM

Q Photo credit: MJ’s Photography Cover MOM Stacy Carpenter is passionate about her family, science and teaching. What's her message for other moms? Have patience and put those screens away.

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Stacy Carpenter ! l a e r

Q& A Who is MOM?

Community/hometown: Springfield, OR.

Family: Husband, Chris, plans examiner for the City of Springfield and children: Quealey, age 15 and Taylor age 13. Profession: Middle school science teacher.

s t e G

Family comes first. All families are unique. Tell us about yours. My husband, Chris, and I met when we were in our mid 20s. We spent quality time together hiking, fishing and mountain biking for six years before we had children. We have tried to make it a point to get our kids outside as much as possible and instill a love of nature in them. Our daughter, Quealey, is a kind, academic and athletic young lady. She is a varsity basketball and track athlete. Our son, Taylor, is a lover of anything fast. He is interested in sports cars, mountain biking and loves basketball. Their sports are a lot to keep up with but it is so fun to watch them succeed at what they love. Two years ago, at Christmastime, we adopted our dog, Shelby. She has been a loving addition to our family and it seems like she has been with us her whole life. Every family has their own traditions, rituals or inside jokes. What’s one of yours? Camping at our favorite spot in the Cascades. We love camping and getting out in nature. Tell us about one of your most humbling mom moments. One day, I looked at my kids and realized that I have a limited amount of time left with them. Knowing that I only have a few more years to instill the values that I want them to have is eye-opening and makes my heart skip a beat. We’re all moms so we know that no one is perfect all of the time, or even some of the time. Tell us about your most recent

“Mother of the Year” moment. You know, like forgetting to pick the kids up from school. My daughter loves horses and, a few years back, I saved some money to buy her a horse. We thought we found the perfect one. She fell in love with it and we walked away with the knowledge that we just had to sign a contract and pass the money between us and the seller. I got home, looked through the finances, double-checked the numbers and realized I could not afford any emergency bills that might come along if the horse was injured or sick. With that knowledge, I could not in good conscience buy the horse. Needless to say, I broke my daughter’s heart. That haunts me to this day. She never got a horse. Disappointing my children is the worst possible thing to me. What is something you swore you would never do before kids that you now do? Color my hair! Who knew I’d go gray? At the end of a long summer some days it feels like the beginning of school can’t come soon enough. But the busy routine of school and activities can be hectic. What’s your advice for getting everyone where they need to be without losing your mind? Planning ahead and using a family calendar are essential for us. A couple of weeks before school begins, we start waking up a bit earlier to get ready for those early mornings. The family calendar has all of our activities on it so anyone can look at it or add to it. Chris and I have a “meeting” at the beginning of the week to decide who is taking whom to which activity, since they Continued on page 14

mommag.com 11

…inspirational quote: “A river cuts

through rock, not because of its power but because of its persistence.” ~Jim Watkins

…parenting book or philosophy:

Love them through it, whatever it is and give them and yourself grace. Each experience is a first for that child, even if it isn’t new for you. So try to remember that the world is new to them and they are learning to navigate it, which means making mistakes. Be there when they fall— physically and emotionally—to pick them up, dust them off and help them develop resilience from their experience.

Quick questions for MOM

MOM’s favorite…

…words to live by: Never give up!

Tea or Coffee?

Dog or Cat?

Morning or Night?

Beer or Wine?

Coffee!

Morning

Dog

Beer

Bath or Shower?

Summer or Winter?

Shower

Fly or Drive?

English

Summer Drive

Gold or Silver?

Gold

Math or English?

Hot or Cold?

Hot

Sweet or Savory?

Savory Hugs or Kisses?

Hugs

Ice cream or Chocolate?

Chocolate! Early or Late?

Late

?

mommag.com 13

Q& A Continued from page 11

are at different schools and each have sports practices. You hear your mother’s voice when you say to your kids “…….” Put your dishes in the dishwasher! Your biggest wish for your kids is… Happiness.

No one works harder than mom. We know that being a mom is a full-time job. Tell us about your work or volunteerism outside of the home. I was a stay-at-home mom for eight years. When my son went to kindergarten I knew I wanted to have another career, so I went to work part-time as an education assistant for Springfield Public Schools. After four years, I decided to get my master’s degree and became a science teacher at the same school where I worked as an EA. I love it! My first career was as a wildlife biologist so this marries my love of science with my love of teaching. It gives me such joy to see young scientists at work in the classroom and to know that I can be a mentor for girls who want to go into science. What have you learned professionally that has helped you as a mom? I see children from a different point of view as a teacher. As a mom, I only saw a small facet of my children's lives. As a teacher, I am able to take into account what they may be experiencing socially and academically in school and how that affects their mood at home. I have more insight and knowledge about child development and can understand a bit better what is “normal” for a certain stage, or what might be coming around the corner to prepare myself and them before we are in the thick of it. It has helped all of us.

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How do you balance (or not) motherhood, activities, work, volunteering, household responsibilities, and life in general? Typically, what falls through the cracks? It’s difficult and stressful, to be truthful. Life is not all roses around here! I work nearly 10 hours per day and Chris works eight hours per day. Communication is key and when it breaks down, that’s when trouble happens. I am trying to learn not to burn the candle at both ends, to be alone and decompress if I can by going for a walk or reading a novel for an hour or so. The kids are big enough now that we split the household chores between all of us to keep the duties to a minimum so we can have fun. Tell us about a recent achievement you’re proud of, or a personal passion or talent. Getting my master’s degree on my 45th birthday was my proudest achievement.

If mom’s not happy, nobody’s happy. Tell us about your upbringing. How did it shape the mother you are today? I’m a lifelong Oregonian and proud of it. My hometown is North Bend, OR on the south coast. My mom was a stay-athome mother for most of my life and was there for everything. My father was a tugboat captain and, as such, was gone for weeks at a time out to sea. Because my mom was the one in charge of everything when he was gone, she modeled strength for me. She taught me that struggle was okay but perseverance was better; that making mistakes is fine but to learn from them; that you can do anything you put your mind to. My family was very tight-knit and we spent a lot of time on

the weekends with my grandmother in Gold Beach, OR. She was alone and had 50 acres to manage so my mother, brother and myself went there a lot. I learned the value of hard work there. I know how to run a chainsaw, stack wood, dig ditches and fix things that break with whatever tools you have available. I learned to listen to my surroundings. This shaped me into the mother I am today because I see myself teaching my kids the same things. We still go to Gold Beach and they are now learning to do what I did when I was growing up. It makes me proud to see them be close to the land and self-sufficient. What is the quality you like most about yourself? My ability to see both sides of a story.

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What’s your superpower? My “eyes in the back of my head” ability to know what is going on anywhere in the house. What is the best way that you let off steam? Backpacking and hiking. It’s how I release energy and energize myself at the same time. Who is your fictional hero? After watching The Avengers I would have to say Ironman. Who is your real-life hero? My mom.

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Outside of your family members, who or what inspires you to be better? The kids I teach. They mean the world to me and I know that I am modeling adulthood for them. What is something you think everyone should do at least once in their lives? Go on a wilderness backpacking trip. It grounds you and gives you time to come back to what is real in your life.

Listen to mom. What advice would you give your younger mom self—what do you wish you knew then that you know now? Have patience.

What message would you like to share with other moms? Get off of your phones and don’t sit your children in front of them to keep them busy. Parenting is difficult! Take the challenge and struggle with your child. Yes, sometimes they will be unhappy that they didn’t get their way. Yes, they will cry and throw fits—they are telling you that they need something like boundaries, a nap, your unconditional love, food, or to talk to you about things. Even the struggles will lead to bonding. When we put the screen in front of them we are taking away the opportunity for them to learn coping skills that they will need for a successful life.

[ Momism #45: Listen

to your teacher.

RIGHT WHERE YOU ARE THE EASTERN EDGE eou.edu/mom

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Are you making an impact? NOMINATE A DESERVING ORGANIZATION FOR THE MOM MAGAZINE COMMUNITY IMPACT AWARD

The MOM Magazine Community Impact Award honors a local, not-for-profit organization serving mothers and children in the community. The recipient will receive a free 2020 advertising contract, editorial feature and social media promotion. Nomination period is September 15th to October 15th. To nominate your organization or learn more about the MOM Magazine Community Impact Award visit www.mommag.com/award. See Terms and conditions at mommag.com

mommag.com 17

August is Vision & Learning Month Many vision problems are undiagnosed or misdiagnosed resulting in frustrated children who struggle in school. Before your child heads back to school, study up on these vision facts.

• Vision is more than “20/20.” Reading requires more than a dozen additional visual skills.

• 80% of the information in a classroom is presented visually.

• The American Optometric Association recommends that infants, preschoolers and school-aged children get comprehensive eye exams before the school year.

• Smart kids who struggle with reading may have a vision problem. • School eye/vision screenings miss up to 75% of children with vision problems. • Learning-related vision problems can occur in children who do not need glasses.

• Visual problems can mimic learning problems such as ADHD and Dyslexia.

Call us today to schedule your child’s comprehensive eye exam. For more information about Vision and Learning Month visit COVD.org/August

Brought to you by: David Hackett, O.D.

4765 Village Plaza Loop, Eugene (541) 342-3100 • lifetimeeyecare.net

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Eugene Montessori School Educating for a better world since 1962. A quality Montessori education for children 3 through kindergarten. The individualized curriculum includes music and P.E., snacks and a wholesome hot lunch.

Call for a tour! Eugene Montessori School 2255 Oakmont Way 541.345.7124 eugenemontessorischool.com

mommag.com 19

C BA K to

SCHO O L

gear guide

Inspire young minds with these science-themed school supplies.

Backpack

Ba 1

$19.99

Beakers, test-tubes, magnets and more. Your preschooler is sure to be inspired by this mini backpack. www.amazon.com

Give back

Those long school supply lists can be a burden for families, so remember those in need. Many schools and districts collect surplus supplies for those who need a helping hand. Some retailers also allow you to purchase supplies to be donated to local schools. Explore give-back programs in your community or start one of your own.

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Shirts

Sh 2

$22.00

Your science-loving middle-schooler can feel smug returning to school in one of these witty tees. www.snorgtees.com

Ruler

Ru 4

$11.99

Case

Ca3

$6.00

The school year will measure up with this buildable ruler from Lego™. www.amazon.com

Unpack bright ideas with this pencil case. www.etsy.com

*Prices are accurate at the time of printing.

mommag.com 21

Pencils

Pe 5

$7.82

The medium is the message with these fun pencil sets. www.etsy.com

Team up.

You don’t have to do this alone. Get together with friends to buy items in bulk (at a cheaper price), then split the supplies. Or tap into social media groups to swap extra items with other moms— you might have unused notebooks from last year while they have unopened boxes of crayons to trade.

Shop local.

Online shopping is a busy mom’s best friend. How else can you manage a 2 a.m. feeding while ticking items off of your back-to-school list? But it can be isolating, so don’t forget about your neighborhood retailers when buying your back-to-school supplies this year. Supporting local businesses helps your local economy, builds your community and gets you out of the house!

Erasers

Er 6

$9.70

School work is more fun with these cerebral erasers. www.amazon.com

Books

Bo

Free

7

Check out some tech-inspired children’s books at your local library.

Don’t break the bank.

$

$$ Lunchbox

Lu 8

$44.60

While it’s fun to splurge on one or two choice items like the ones featured here, save your wallet by purchasing bulk items for the remaining supplies: pencils, erasers, notebooks, etc. And before you do any shopping, be sure to take an inventory of what you already have. You might be surprised to find unused or barely used paints, pencils, folders and other supplies left over from last year. Thrift stores and garage sales can also be great places to find unique supplies like backpacks, pencil pouches and more.

Venn it’s time for lunch, this lunchbox will do the trick. www.zazzle.com

mommag.com 23

Toothpaste batik Supplies: Scrap paper Embroidery hoop Pencil

Instructions:

Hand lotion White fabric or muslin Squeeze bottle Paint brush

Sharpie pen

Permanent tempera or acrylic paint

White toothpaste

Colored Sharpies

1

Select your embroidery hoop size and trace your circle. Then kids can begin drawing their ideas on to scrap paper. Tape your picture to a piece of cardboard or hard surface and trace with a black Sharpie marker. Make sure there is something under your art in case the Sharpie bleeds through.

2

Then, tape a piece of white fabric over the drawing. The Sharpie lines should be visible through the fabric. Doing it this way, means there are no pencil lines on the fabric.

3

Mix toothpaste and aloe hand lotion together in squeeze bottles. The ratio is 1-to-1. It doesn't have to be exact, you just don’t want it runny. I found the lotion and toothpaste at Dollar Tree and used glue bottles for squeeze bottles. You can use glue instead of the toothpaste-lotion mix, but it is less precise and the glue lines can seep together making it blobby looking. Right before use, shake your bottle, then trace over your lines beginning at the top so you don’t smudge your work.

What is batik?

4 5

It takes about 24 hours to dry and will feel rubbery when dry.

Batik is both an art and a craft, which is becoming more popular and well known in the West as a wonderfully creative medium. The art of decorating cloth in this way, using wax and dye, has been practised for centuries. In Java, Indonesia, batik is part of an ancient tradition, and some of the finest batik cloth in the world is still made there. The word batik originates from the Javanese tik and means to dot. batikguild.org.uk

Toothpaste batik instructions courtesy of Lori Paul, owner of Maxtivity Arts and Crafts Creative Space. Learn more about her creative classes and workshops at maxtivitycreative.space

24 mommag.com

Paint directly onto your fabric. Tempera paint is best because it drys soft while acrylic dries hard. Try your favorite brand, but remember: DO NOT USE WASHABLE PAINT! You can paint right over the toothpaste/lotion lines.

6

Let the paint dry. To remove the toothpaste mix, run the fabric under warm water and rub gently. If you used glue instead of the toothpaste mix, soak in warm water for about an hour.

7

Add additional details as desired with Sharpie markers. Insert into the embroidery hoops, hang and enjoy. Adapted from There's a dragon in my art room plbrown.blogspot.com

Your kids will love this minty-fresh twist on the . traditional art of batik

[ Momism #190: What

did you learn today?

]

mommag.com 25

Back to (cooking)

school CRISPIEST BREADED CHICKEN PREP TIME 5 MINUTES

COOKING TIME 6 MINUTES

INGREDIENTS 1/2 CUP (65 g) all-purpose flour

1 large egg 3/4 CUP (60 g) panko

breadcrumbs or regular breadcrumbs

1 TEASPOON fine sea salt 1/2 TEASPOON ground black pepper

4 pieces thin-cut boneless,

skinless chicken breast or cutlets

2 TABLESPOONS canola or vegetable oil, plus more if needed

NOTE: You can substitute the

chicken with a white fish, such as cod, tilapia, or sole. The cooking time is about the same.

SERVES 4

DIRECTIONS 1

Put the flour, egg, and breadcrumbs in 3 separate shallow bowls.

2 Whisk the egg until it is a uniform yellow color with no streaks of egg white or yolk.

3 Add the salt and pepper to the bread-

crumbs and stir until mixed thoroughly.

4 Place each piece of chicken in the flour and turn to coat in a thin layer of flour.

5 Dip and flip each flour-coated piece of chicken in the egg mixture so that it is completely covered with egg.

6 Place each egg-coated piece of chicken in the breadcrumb mixture and turn to completely coat in breadcrumbs.

7 Heat a cast-iron skillet or any heavy-

bottomed pan over medium-high heat.

8 Add the oil and heat until a drop of egg

sizzles when added to the pan. If you are using a large pan, you might need to use extra oil.

9 Add the chicken and cook, flipping once, until golden brown all over, 2 to 3 minutes per side. If you use thicker pieces of chicken, you will need to cook it for longer. Add extra oil to the pan between batches as needed.

10 Remove the chicken from the pan and let it sit in a paper towel to remove excess oil.

26 mommag.com

Making cookies and treats with your kids is fun, but teaching them recipes they can use to actually feed themselves, is giving them an important life skill. That’s what sisters, Esme and Calista Washburn, did in their new cookbook, 20 Recipes Kids Should Know. With tips, techniques and recipes written by kids and for kids, this cookbook will give your children the basics they need to be proficient in the kitchen.

“When I was little, my babysitter used to make breaded chicken for my older sisters and me. As I got older, I started making this dish myself, substituting panko for the breadcrumbs. I really love how crisp and airy the chicken crust is with panko. I like serving them with lemon slices and my sisters like dipping them in ketchup.” ~ Esme

Esme, age 12 and Calista, age 17, pictured here cooking together.

“Our family has always had one favorite dinner ritual— Sunday night pizza. We used to order pizza, but then realized it’s even more delicious and so much fun to make it at home where everyone can customize an individual pie with different toppings. Yum!” ~ Esme

PERFECT PIZZA PREP TIME FOR PIZZA DOUGH 15 MINUTES RISING TIME FOR DOUGH 45 MINUTES PREP TIME 5 MINUTES PER PIZZA COOKING TIME 3 TO 5 MINUTES PER PIZZA MAKES 6 (8- TO 10-INCH / 20 TO 25 CM) PIZZAS

INGREDIENTS

DIRECTIONS

FOR THE DOUGH

MAKE THE DOUGH

2 (1/4-ounce / 7 g) packages

1

active-dry yeast

1 1/2 CUPS plus 2 tablespoons (385

ml) warm water

4 CUPS (520 g) all-purpose flour 3 TABLESPOONS extra-virgin

2

olive oil

1 TABLESPOON coarse sea or

kosher salt

2 TEASPOONS sugar 2 TABLESPOONS cornmeal for

dusting (optional)

3

FOR THE TOPPINGS 3/4 to 1 1/4 CUPS (180 to 295 ml)

Tomato Sauce or Pesto

15 OUNCES (425 g) mozzarella cheese, preferably fresh

2 TABLESPOONS (30 ml)

extra- virgin olive oil

1 1/2 CUPS (85 g) grated Parmigiano- Reggiano cheese (optional)

Coarse sea salt or kosher salt to taste Fresh basil leaves, for serving (optional)

4

MAKE THE PIZZA 1

Preheat the oven to its highest setting, usually 550oF (285oC). Place a pizza stone or baking sheet on the middle rack of the oven and let it heat up for 5 minutes.

2

Using the dough hook, mix the ingredients on low for 2 minutes. Increase the speed to medium and knead until the dough is smooth and elastic, about 1 to 2 minutes. Form the dough into a ball. You can also knead the dough by hand; see step 5 in the recipe for Back to Basics Bread (page 45) for kneading instructions.

Dust a pizza peel or large cutting board with cornmeal or flour. Using your fingers and knuckles, gently stretch a ball of dough into an 8- to 10-inch (20 to 25 cm) circle and place on the prepared pizza peel.

3

Put the dough in a clean medium bowl that’s been lightly oiled with vegetable or canola oil. Cover the bowl with a clean, damp tea towel (or plastic wrap). This prevents the dough from getting a hard crust while it rises. Let the dough rise at room temperature for 30 minutes.

Spread 2 to 3 tablespoons of tomato sauce or pesto evenly on the dough using the back of a spoon. Tear 2 1⁄2 ounces (70 grams) of mozzarella into small (roughly 1-inch / 2.5 cm) pieces and scatter over the tomato sauce. Add toppings, if desired. Drizzle with 1 teaspoon (5 ml) of olive oil and sprinkle with a pinch of salt to taste.

4

With the help of an adult, slide the dough onto the pizza stone in the oven. Bake until the crust is lightly brown and the cheese is bubbling, 3 to 5 minutes.

5

Remove the pizza from the oven and cool for 1 minute. Top with Parmigiano- Reggiano and basil, if using, and serve whole or cut into quarters.

In a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook attachment, or in a large bowl, combine the yeast and warm water then add the flour, olive oil, salt, and sugar.

Divide the dough into six equal portions and shape each portion into a round ball. Place the balls of dough on a lightly floured work surface, cover with the damp tea towel, and let sit for 15 minutes.

Excerpts from 20 Recipes Kids Should Know (Prestel, 2019), recipes and text by Esme Washburn, Photographs by Calista Washburn.

mommag.com 27

SPOTLIGHT ON

ELROD CENTER

“Our heart-felt mission is to provide the young people of our community with a safe and nurturing environment so that they can utilize the proven power of creativity to process, heal and grow.”

HELPING YOUTH ACHIEVE FUNCTIONAL WELLNESS IN A DYSFUNCTIONAL WORLD. Through play and artistic expression, ElRod Center helps children and adolescents heal. The unique pairing of art and therapy at ElRod Center allows young clients to learn artistic skills and expression, while processing mental health and emotional issues.

KNOW A NON-PROFIT MAKING A DIFFERENCE IN THE LIVES OF MOMS AND KIDS? NOMINATE THEM FOR THE 2020 MOM MAGAZINE COMMUNITY IMPACT AWARD. NOMINATIONS OPEN IN SEPTEMBER. FOR DETAILS VISIT: MOMMAG.COM/AWARD

28 mommag.com

ElRod Center was founded in 2017 when Julie Nowacki and Marian Stiegeler, LPC combined their individual passions to form a single vision to help children and teens suffering from emotional and social issues. Julie, a former artist manager, had seen the incredible healing power of artistic expression and was passionate about helping others pursue their dreams. When her father-in-law, Rod—who suffered from mental illness—tragically took his own life in 2016, Julie was inspired to use her experience to address the mental health crisis affecting youth nationwide. Her vision was to create a safe place where kids of all ages could come and express themselves

while increasing their social and emotional intelligence. Marian, a licensed professional counselor with a passion for helping children, also had a dream of opening a play-based therapy center inspired by the trauma she had experienced as a youth. So when Julie and Marian met in July, 2017, their combined visions made one complete and beautiful dream. Shortly thereafter, they founded ElRod Center in memory of Julie’s father-in-law, Rodney Lee Nowacki. To learn more about the programs available at ElRod Center or how you can help visit www.elrodcenter.com

Lunch box love notes At the beginning of the new school year it’s easy to feel ambitious about our ability to get the kids up early, eat breakfast, pack healthy lunches, check homework and get everyone out the door on time every morning (bonus if both socks match). But let’s be honest, as the year progresses we’re lucky if a comb passes over their hair once a week. So if you’ve got grand ideas about slipping a loving note into your child’s lunch box every day, or even once in awhile (we recommend the once-in-awhile approach), you need to be armed with some tools to make it easy.

It's okay to make mistakes

You can conquer the world!

that's why pencils have erasers!

You've got it in you!

Stick with it!

You can learn

Make today

Dino -

Mite

ANYTHING!

I've got

your

back mommag.com 29

Cut out these lunch box notes and add your own personal message on the back.

Tips! Stock up.

Keep notecards, Post itŽ notes, or scratch paper on hand in the kitchen so you can quickly scribble a message as you’re packing all those healthy lunches. Heck, you can even jot down a little note on a paper napkin as you slip it into their lunchbox.

Get inspired. Raid your books or the internet for quotes, riddles and poems that will put a smile on your child's face during their school day.

Print it. The internet is full of free printable lunch notes like these.

Interact. Ask a question that your child can answer after school.

For more printable lunch box notes head over to mommag.com/blog

[ Momism #210: Play

nice

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