Salem MOM | December 2021 / January 2022

real local moms

Salem | Dec 2021 / Jan 2022

since 2005

COVER MOM

FOOD

SOME OF OUR FAVORITES

CAITLIN DAVIS

SOUP’S ON!

HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE

BEST HOSPITAL

BEST PLACE TO HAVE A BABY

BEST LOCAL SURGERY CENTER

statesmanjournal.com

statesmanjournal.com

statesmanjournal.com

503.769.2175 • 1401 N 10th Ave., Stayton • SantiamHospital.org

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It’s what‘s

Holiday fun & then some

18

Meet the MOM experts ... 4

inside that counts

Soup’s on!

21

Holiday gift guide

24

Soup’s on!..........................21

They know what they’re

Cover MOM: Caitlin Davis .....................10

talking about.

This mom gets real.

the whole family on chilly

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

Holiday fun & then some.....................18

A message from MOM

Healthy MOM..................... 8 It’s tough to be a kid these days.

Easy, cozy recipes to warm up winter days.

Holiday gift guide...........24

Ideas for holiday fun,

A few of our favorite gifts

plus activities to take you

this year.

into January.

More ways to love your MOM mommag.com

facebook.com/ lovemommag info@mommag.com We love hearing from you. Email us with feedback, story ideas or nominations.

Cover MOM Photos by Samantha Shannon

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Advertise today Want to get the word out about your business?

Contact Kim Leighty at kim.leighty@mommag.com mommag.com 3

meet the

experts

[They know what they’re talking about] Pets Pets are Family with Dr. Emily Kalenius, Page 6

Drive

Health

On the Road with Laura Augustine, page 20

Healthy MOM with Santiam Hospital, page 8

Money MOM Your finances with Caitlin Davis, CFP®, AAMS®, Page 28

“

I looked up my

symptoms online and it turns out I just have kids.

“ — Just about every mom

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Say Cheese Say Cheese with Dr. Ana Castilla, page 30

EDITOR'S NOTE

Because I said so!

Published by GO Creative, LLC 263 29th Avenue SW Albany, OR 97322 Editor-in-Chief Managing Director Audrey Meier DeKam audrey@mommag.com Salem Advertising Representative Kim Leighty kim.leighty@mommag.com 503-510-9036 Mid-Valley & Lane County Business Development Manager Linda Blair linda@mommag.com 541-231-7250 Designer Sean Carver

MOM MagazineTM is produced by GO Creative, LLC. © 2021 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.

Why we give About 15 years ago, a sweet friend of mine was diagnosed with leukemia. She spent over 70 grueling days at OHSU, which prompted me to join Be The Match national bone marrow registry. Gratefully, my friend survived, and as the years have gone by, my name stayed on the registry.

Imagine my surprise when I was recently identified as a possible match for a 60-year-old man with a rare type of blood cancer. I thought I was too old to donate (the preferred ages are 18 to 35), but as long as I was healthy and willing, it would be fine. Before the donation coordinator could finish asking, I was ready to give. They overnighted a new cheek swab kit, invited me to a private Facebook Group for donors, and let me know it would be a few months of waiting to hear back.

The online community of donors is a beautiful group. People from all over the country, on any given day, are donating bone marrow or stem cells to total strangers — many of whom are children. Donating isn’t an easy process: you must have a complete physical, several blood draws and five days of injections to increase the number of blood-forming cells in your body. Many donors fly across the country, where they might be hooked to a machine via double IVs for five hours or more. Or, the donation might be done surgically, where marrow is extracted from the pelvic bone. An oft-given piece of advice from donor to donor: use a wheelchair in the airport because you will be sore.

The donors in the group are moms, soldiers, college students — people from every walk of life. They put their own lives on hold to willingly help a complete stranger. What’s more is that they are enthusiastic, becoming crestfallen when the transplant isn’t needed. Why are

average, everyday people so willing to go through so much for someone they’ve never met?

When I received news about my potential recipient, it was that his care team decided not to pursue a donation at this time, but I could be called back to help. When I asked if the patient knew about me as a match, the coordinator said yes. He then told me something I won’t forget: for a patient and their family, just knowing there is a donor who is willing to help gives them hope.

When you have a serious diagnosis, hope is a life raft in an open ocean of fear. So while I’m not immediately needed, there is a deeply rewarding sense of being someone’s hope. It answered my question as to why so many of us are motivated to be donors.

In this season of giving, I challenge you to give a gift to a stranger in need. Not everyone can be a marrow donor, but there are many other ways to help. Buy some socks for your local shelter, ring the bell outside the grocery store, pay for the car behind you in the coffee line. However you aid another human on this planet, you give them hope: and hope can carry us all so very far.

Have a wonderful holiday season.

Audrey Meier DeKam Editor-in-Chief

mommag.com 5

pets are family

If your dog gets sprayed by a skunk Getting sprayed by a skunk sometimes happens to curious canines who stick their noses where they don’t belong. The up-close and personal smell is a far cry from the one on the side of the road — it’s an acrid chemical that grasps your lungs and hurts your eyes. If you have this reaction, imagine what dogs, with their highly sensitive noses, feel.

If your pet gets skunked, this is the best formula* we’ve found: 1 quart 3% hydrogen peroxide

Mix the formula in a clean plastic bucket and apply it immediately (do not store it in a bottle as it may explode). Wash your dog as soon as possible in the solution. Work it into the fur, being careful to avoid the eyes.

Leave the solution on for 5 minutes and then rinse it with lukewarm water. Wash the dog as many times as it takes for the dog to smell like a wet dog rather than a dog sprayed by a skunk.

Severely skunked dogs should be monitored closely for 12 hours for signs such as lethargy, weakness or lack of appetite. Rarely, extremely severe cases can cause damage to red blood cells, resulting in anemia. Contact our 24/7 emergency veterinary hospital if your dog looks ill. *Safety Warnings: This mixture is flammable. Toss what you haven’t used – do not store it in a bottle or it will explode. The solution will bleach out fabric. Keep the solution out of your pet’s eyes.

1/4 cup baking soda 1 teaspoon of liquid dish soap

Wilvet Salem 120 Ramsgate Square S wilvetsalem.com (503) 741-8858 Open 24/7

Brought to you by: Emily Kalenius, DVM

Healthy sleep, Beautiful smiles, Happy kids Dr. Lindquist uses non-invasive removable appliances to help your child grow to his full potential!

Contact us today for a free consultation.

Give the gift of healthy sleep!

(503) 585-4282 • pearlywhitesfamilydentistry.com • 6 mommag.com

@pearlywhitesfamilydentistry

[

Momism #63: Please wear a coat.

]

SALEM HEALTH CANCER INSTITUTE

Supporting you and your loved ones from diagnosis, through treatment, and beyond.

Prevention A healthy lifestyle cuts cancer risk.

Screening Cancer is most treatable when it’s caught early.

Support You don’t have to do this alone.

salemhealth.org/lungcancerscreening

expand your reach with print 541.926.3000 oregonwebpress.com

magazines • inserts • newspapers postcards • catalogs • maps • calendars

mommag.com 7

IT’S TOUGH TO BE A KID THESE DAYS With the pressures of media and modernity, it’s tough to be a kid these days. Sure, some things are easier than when we grew up, like researching a paper online rather than using the Dewey decimal system. But with all the trappings of technology comes the burden of achievement. The world’s pace is faster, yet our human condition remains fragile. It’s enough to stress anyone out: Especially kids, and especially with the added strain of a global pandemic.

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SELF-CARE FOR THE STRESSED child and teen is more important than ever. As we work to navigate the dueling pressures of isolation and overstimulation, practice a few fundamentals of self-care:

Get enough sleep. In order to function well during the day, the groundwork must be laid at night by getting a good rest. Teens require about 8 – 10 hours of sleep, and younger kids need about 9 – 11 hours for optimal physical and emotional well-being.

Work it out. We’ve all become a little more sedentary in the last year and a half, and kids are no exception. It’s recommended that young people get at least an hour of activity every day, and in the case of exercise, more is usually better.

Write about it. There was a time when nearly every teen had a Dear Diary under their pillow. It’s time to bring it back into fashion! Many teens (and grown-ups, too) feel more comfortable processing their thoughts through writing rather than in a verbal conversation, and it’s a great exercise to stimulate creativity and self-reflection.

Unplug. Much has been said about not only the ill effects of social media, but screen time in general. It can be difficult to get a teen to put down a device for an extended period of time, but try to lead by example. Don’t check your phone at the dinner table or on family outings.

Resist checking email from work after hours.

Set device-free boundaries as a family and try to find another worthwhile activity to fill the space (or just take a nap!)

“

With good coping skills taught and modeled, children can learn they are capable of handling frustration and stress that comes their way.

“

Talk it out. Getting a teen or child to open up about things that are bothering them can be a challenge.

Realize that some kids might feel more comfortable talking to a counselor, teacher or doctor rather than their parents. The important thing is that they talk, and to a trusted source.

Our children look to us as models of behavior, whether they think they do or not, so it’s also keenly important to manage the stress of the adults in the household as well. We can take better care of our families if we take care of ourselves first.

With good coping skills taught and modeled, children can learn they are capable of handling the various frustrations and stress that comes their way. As parents, we might want to remove all the stress for them, but that’s not possible nor is it feasible. Instead, provide them with the right “tools in the toolbox” to cope and become their best selves.

Brought to you by: santiamhospital.org

mommag.com 9

Caitlin Davis With a career, husband, two kids and another on the way, life is bustling for Caitlin Davis.

Take a page from how she does it: screen time can be a sanity saver, chicken nuggets are plenty healthy, and a minivan can be a sanctuary.

Profession: Financial advisor Community: Salem/Keizer Husband: Jeff Davis, financial advisor Children: Colton, age 9, and Adalynn, age 6

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Photos by: Samantha Shannon

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Family comes first.

QA '

MOM s Favorite...

Tell us about your favorite… …family game: Go Fish. Through the pandemic we all got into Pokémon Go as a way to add some entertainment to our drives through town. …words to live by: You can have it all, you just cannot do it all. …place to find some peace & quiet: My van has been a go-to during the pandemic. I can go park anywhere (or sit in the driveway) and listen to a podcast, read a book or just listen to music in my own space. …binge-worthy media: The Holderness Family podcast …time-saving app or digital tool: The Fred Meyer app. Grocery pick-up has been a lifesaver! …parenting book or philosophy: Carol Tuttle’s The Child Whisperer, and 1-2-3 Magic by Thomas W. Phelan, PhD

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All families are unique. Tell us about yours.

Our family is currently four, about to be five. Jeff and I met in Hawaii while he was in graduate school and I was finishing my undergrad at the University of Hawaii at Mānoa. We moved to Oregon after we graduated to be close to his family. We settled in Keizer to start our family and businesses. Our first babies were our dogs, our schnoodle who is now 13 and our cockapoo who is 11. Our son Colton is 9, and daughter Adalynn is 6, and baby on the way should be joining us in December.

When did you know you wanted to be a mom?

I knew I wanted to be a mom when I was pretty young, and I also knew at that point I wanted to be a mom with a career outside the home, as my mom had modeled for me. I had it all planned out: two kids before 30 and then done...ha!

Has the pandemic changed the way you parent, beyond just the practical and logistical parts? If so, how? I think the pandemic has changed us all and in a good way when it comes to valuing our family and our time. I really took some time to slow down, to understand what my priorities are, what we value as a family, and help our kids focus on what is most important as well. We were so wrapped up in the go-go-go lifestyle before, it’s been nice to take a step back and refocus.

Tell us about one of your proudest mom moments. Most of my proudest mom moments happen when I see my children being kind, caring, and polite to others or I hear about how kind, caring and polite my children are. I also love seeing my kids really love and pursue their talents and passions. But above all, raising children to be good people who are compassionate, respect others and have good manners warms my heart.

Now tell us about one of your most humbling mom moments. When my son was 3 we discovered he had a very severe food allergy which involved an ambulance ride.

Realizing that I couldn’t protect him from something so scary was very humbling.

Having children, you realize how much you want to protect and control, only to find out how little you can.

What is something you swore you would never do before kids that you now do? (skip showers, go to a drive through coffee in your pjs, etc.)? Before kids I swore up and down we would not have screen time or make kid foods like chicken nuggets regularly, and I most certainly would get to the gym every day. Well friends, screen time can be a sanity saver, chicken nuggets can be plenty healthy, and as for the gym, there are plenty of other ways to get in daily movement and exercise as a mom if the gym doesn’t fit the needs of you and your family.

In what way are your children like you? How are they different? Colton moves fast with passion and persistence in everything he does; he is just like me in that way. He’s never met a stranger in his life, which is much more like Jeff. Adalynn is a mom and boss in training — very much like I was as a child. She can be rough and tumble with the boys thanks to having an older brother, which I never had and I’m so thankful she does.

No one works harder than mom.

We know that being a mom is a full-time job.

How do you balance (or not) motherhood, activities, work, volunteering, household responsibilities, and life in general? Balance is such a hard word. There truly isn’t balance — there’s prioritization and focus.

Any given day I have to stay focused on what I have prioritized: when I’m at work, I’m at work, when I’m at my son’s baseball game or playing with my daughter, I do my best to be fully present with them. It’s a work in progress. Planning ahead as much as possible and simplification contribute to a successful integration of all these roles. I also have awesome support that I have intentionally surrounded myself with: my wonderful husband. We can have it all if we can be clear on what’s most important, but we can not do it all alone. It takes a team.

Tell us about your work or volunteerism outside of the home. I empower highly motivated women and families to clarify their values, understand and evaluate how their money can support the life they love, and then take control of their financial future.

What have you learned professionally that has helped you as a mom? There’s a lot of overlap in how I run my business and how I show up as a mom. My business runs the best when I’m working in my talents and delegating the rest. At home with my family there are many aspects where I focus on my talents and find the easiest way to get help with what I am not great at. For example, our babysitters have always been super awesome at crafts. I personally love Pinterest but actually sitting down and crafting with glue and glitter drives me up the wall, so I don’t do it. But my kids love to craft, and I don’t want them to miss out.

Another example is with food. I fancy myself a chef but I know I don’t have the time or energy to put together amazing home-cooked meals every day during this season of life so we plan ahead, keep it simple, and use Hello Fresh often. Also, I’m a die-hard self-improvement woman, always focusing on what I can do to be the best version of me, at home, at work and for myself. We must know and care for ourselves before we can be the best with and for others, professionally and especially as a mom.

Tell us about a recent achievement you’re proud of, or a personal passion or talent.

Hopefully by the time this is published I will have moved into my new office building that I built. That has been such a learning experience and a huge accomplishment during the pandemic, while running a business, and while being a wife and mother.

When was the last time you failed? What did you learn? I fail daily, but with each failure comes a lesson, and as long as I can learn from that lesson, my failure has become a success. If you aren’t failing, you aren’t growing and learning. Isn’t that what we teach our kids? Same goes for us!

Do you have a goal you’d like to accomplish within the next five years? In the next five years our family goal is to start a foundation to give back to our community.

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If mom’s not happy, nobody’s happy.

Tell us about your upbringing. How did it shape the mother you are today? My upbringing has had a huge impact on who I am today. My parents both worked outside the home to provide a wonderful life. We took family vacations and lived in a great neighborhood. I missed them because of the long hours they worked.

Then when I was 12 my mom was in a terrible car accident that derailed our lives. It was scary and very impactful. I knew before the accident that I wanted to be a working mom, but that event also helped me onto the path I am on today. I chose a career that allows me to show up as the mom I want to be for my kids and provide them with all the experiences my husband and I see as valuable. As a family we are intentional about protecting our biggest resources — health, relationships, time and money.

What do you think is the most important life skill or value your parents taught you?

My parents allowed me to be me. To listen to intuition. To be independent and follow my dreams. There is no greater gift than to be loved and supported for everything that is uniquely you.

When was the last time you did something for the first time? I try to do something new a lot! Simple things like cooking a different meal or listening to a new podcast bring me joy.

When did you realize you were no longer a child? I always wanted to be more grown up when I was young, but I think I realized I was no longer a child in college when I started to see my parents more as equals. Then 10 years later I realized I was still a child in college.

What is the quality you like most about yourself? I am persistent. If I want something and it fits my priorities, I will find a way.

If you could instantly have one new skill (i.e. foreign language, musical talent, eyes in the back of your head, etc.), what would it be?

I wish I could sing. I tried really hard in middle school, but it just wasn’t meant to be.

What’s your superpower? Resourcefulness Name one thing that is part of your daily routine that you just can’t live without.

Shocker, I’m sure: coffee. I love coffee.

It’s Saturday afternoon and you suddenly find yourself at home alone for a few hours (we know, it never happens). What do you do?

If I don’t have a plan, I sit there and wonder what to do in a blissful state of bewilderment and then I start catching up on house to-dos. So recently I started a list in my planner of what exactly I would do if I find myself in this situation, and it includes taking a walk, reading a book, catching up on my photo projects and decluttering (it is oddly satisfying to get rid of stuff).

What keeps you up at night (apart from kids, of course)? My to do lists…that I forgot to write down.

MOMs Love Local We love locally owned businesses, restaurants, places and organizations.

Share your favorite…

…shop to pick up a gift for friend: Urban Block …coffee spot: Just Us Girls …spot to get a good workout: Any of the Keizer parks. My husband worked hard on a passion project over the last two years and got exercise equipment installed at most of the local parks, close to the play equipment. …place to treat yourself to a mani/ pedi, massage or other personal service: Simply Blissed …restaurant for a date night: Da Vinci Ristoranti …boutique to find a new shirt or home décor item: Felicity Boutique …place where kids can let off steam: Athletic Edge Adventure Park

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What keeps you sane? Simplifying, decluttering, organizing, and sitting in my mommy convertible (my mini van) and listening to podcasts. When I’m not nine months pregnant, going on daily morning walks is my sanity saver.

to be. Seeing my children as their own selves is just so amazing and all my expectations of myself and them go straight out the window to adapt to what they need to be the best versions of themselves.

What advice would you give your younger mom self? What do you wish you knew then that you know now? You are just exactly who your child needs you to be. You will mess up daily, they will forgive you, and you need to forgive yourself.

What is the best way that you let off steam?

Getting stuff done and moving my body.

Who and what has influenced the mother you are today? My parents, my experiences, my husband and most importantly, my children have made me the mother I am today.

What message would you like to share with other moms? Remember to tell it like it is.

Quite possibly the most important thing to raising children is to show kindness towards yourself (stop the mom guilt), your children, your partner and all others.

Listen to mom.

Is motherhood what you expected? What surprised you the most? Not at all!

Motherhood is so much more than I expected. It’s so challenging and so fulfilling, but not at all how I imagined it

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What’s the best advice you’ve received from another mom? Those dishes will always be there, but your baby will only be this old today.

[

Momism #20: I love you more.

]

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O

H LI AY D

Holiday fun & then some IDEAS FOR HOLIDAY FUN, PLUS SOME ACTIVITIES TO TAKE YOU INTO JANUARY.

NOVEMBER

DECEMBER

S M T W T F S

S M T W T F S

1 2 3 4 5 6

1 2 3 4

7 8 9 10 11 12 13

5 6 7 8 9 10 11

14 15 16 17 18 19 20

12 13 14 15 16 17 18

21 22 23 24 25 26 27

19 20 21 22 23 24 25

28 29 30

26 27 28 29 30 31

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Day trips Salem/ Keizer/ Silverton NOV. 26 - JAN. 9 Silverton Christmas Market at the Oregon Garden Lights, snowless tubing, market and more. silvertonchristmasmarket.com

DEC. 3 - 12 Annie the Musical Historic Grand Theatre enlightenedtheatrics.org

DEC. 11 Keizer Holiday Light Parade, River Road N facebook.com/ KeizerHolidayLightsParade

DEC. 19 - 23 Magic at the Mill at the Willamette Heritage Center Lights, children’s activities, miniature trains and more willametteheritage.org/ magic-at-the-mill

DEC. 3 - 17 Albany Storybookland Tiny tots will have eyes all aglow at holiday scenes and model trains. christmasstorybookland.org

DEC. 5 Downtown Twice Around Christmas Parade & Community Tree Lighting albanydowntown.com

Santiam Excursions Trains They had us at Candy Express and Ugly Sweater rides. santiamexcursiontrains.com

Splatterbox Splash one another with paint for messy good fun. splatterbox.net

NOV. 20 - DEC. 24 The Eugene Saturday Market’s Holiday Market Inside at the Lane Events Center

awesomeindoorplaygroundsalem.com

Albany/ Corvallis/ Lebanon

DEC. 17 - 23 The Nutcracker at the Hult Center, presented by the Eugene Ballet Company

NOV. 26 - DEC. 31 Pastega Christmas Lights, Benton County Fairgrounds A drive-through event

Watch whales at Depoe Bay. While the whale watching center may be closed, the viewing deck is usually open.

Eugene/ Springfield

DEC. 4 Springfield Christmas Parade Known as “Oregon’s Oldest and Coldest Parade.”

Awesome Indoor Playground Pizza and a playground sounds great for rainy day fun.

Go sledding at Santiam Sno-Park.

Note that you’ll need a sno-park permit.

Don’t forget sunscreen!

See the Spruce Goose at the Evergreen Aviation Museum. evergreenmuseum.org

Check Facebook events

Hultcenter.org

Demolition Zone Smash some stuff as a family. demolitionzone.net

Look for wintering dusky Canada geese at the Baskett Slough National Wildlife Refuge. fws.gov/refuge/ baskett_slough/

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on the road

Stuck in the car? Use the time to your advantage.

If you find yourself parked in a school pick-up line, you might as well put that time to good use.

Many moms spend hours in their cars, ferrying kids to and from school, sports, lessons and more. This lifestyle creates odd pockets of wait time that you can look at in one of two ways: a waste or a lovely gift. We prefer the positive view because there are many things you can do to use the time to your advantage.

IF YOU HAVE 10 MINUTES...

Make a call to schedule an appointment you need to make, like getting a mammogram or dental check-up.

Clean out your glove box. How many napkins do you really need in there anyway?

Check your car’s paperwork to see when your tags and insurance are due.

Look at your vehicle’s maintenance schedule and book necessary appointments. Keeping your car running its best is key to keeping family life on track.

Stare at the clouds for a mini relaxation sesh.

Brought to you by:

IF YOU HAVE 40 MINUTES...

IF YOU HAVE 20 MINUTES...

Finally deliver those bags of charitable items in your trunk to a local donation site.

Food run: get dinner or snacks for those always-hungry kids.

Round up all the garbage in your car for an instant clean.

Keep tweezers handy for personal use.

Natural light certainly has a way of showing those errant facial hairs.

If you’re by yourself, find a safe place to park, recline your seat and set an alarm for a power nap.

Stop by a self-serve car vacuum and suck out all the crackers from the crevices.

Meditate. Try an app for guidance, if you’re new to it.

Call a friend or loved one for a real chat, instead of texting memes.

Go through a car wash.

Clean out your phone’s photos and delete the trash. Same for bulky voice mails and unused apps that bloat your phone.

Read a book or magazine — like MOM Magazine!

Organize your wallet and purse.

Hit the drive-through anything, like the bank, a favorite coffee hut, prescription pick-up, etc.

Visit that cute local food stand you’ve been meaning to see.

Bring a portable craft like knitting or an adult coloring book.

MEET LAURA AUGUSTINE Laura Augustine has worked as a finance assistant at Capitol Auto Group for 7 years. She is the proud mom of three kids (four, if you count her husband Chad): Ariel, age 23; Claudia, age 22; and Bryson, age 18. As a family, they love to go fishing and boating at Detroit Lake, and they also have four Saint Bernard Dogs: Grace, Ted, Jerry and Stuart.

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Soup’s on!

EASY, COZY RECIPES TO WARM UP THE WHOLE FAMILY ON CHILLY WINTER DAYS.

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TACO SOUP 2 1 1 15

cups rotisserie chicken, shredded small onion, chopped red bell pepper, chopped ounces of corn, frozen or canned (drained) 15 ounces pinto beans, drained and rinsed 1 packet of taco seasoning 2 cups of chicken broth 15 ounces of tomato sauce ½ lime, juiced 1 teaspoon garlic powder

salt and pepper to taste Combine ingredients in a slow cooker and cook on low for 4 hours. Can be served with tortilla chips, cilantro, avocado slices, radish slices and additional lime.

WHITE CHILI 2 cups rotisserie chicken, shredded 12 ounces chicken broth 2 cans white northern beans, drained and rinsed 6 ounces Monterey jack cheese 4 ounces diced green chilis ¾ cup sour cream Combine chicken, broth, beans, cheese and chilis into a slow cooker. If you want a thinner soup, add 1/2 cup of water.

Cook on low for 4 hours, then add the sour cream before serving and stir well. Top with shredded cheese and cilantro if desired.

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SMOKY CHILI 1 1 2

15 28 15

POTATO & KIELBASA SOUP 8

potatoes, chopped into 1-inch pieces 14 ounces of kielbasa, sliced into ½-inch pieces 1 medium onion, chopped 4 celery sticks, chopped 2 cubes chicken bouillon 4 ounces Velveeta, cubed 1 can evaporated milk Brown the sausage and onion in a skillet over medium heat, then put into a slow cooker with the potatoes. Add the celery, bouillon, Velveeta and enough water to cover the mixture. Cook on low for 4 hours until the potatoes are tender, then add evaporated milk.

2 1 SOUPÇON VS. SOUP’S ON They sound similar, but carry different meanings.

A soupçon means a tiny bit or trace of something, usually in reference to cooking. The expression “soup’s on” has come to mean “dinner is ready” or “come and get it.”

¾ ½ ½ ½

pound ground turkey, browned and drained small onion, chopped cloves garlic, minced salt and pepper to taste ounces tomato sauce ounces Bush’s Baked Beans ounces black beans, drained and rinsed tablespoons brown sugar teaspoon smoked paprika (the smoked variety is key) teaspoon salt teaspoon garlic powder teaspoon onion powder teaspoon cumin dash of cayenne pepper

Brown the ground turkey with chopped onions and garlic in a large skillet over medium heat. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Drain and add meat to a slow cooker.

Add the rest of the ingredients and ½ cup of water if it’s too thick for your liking. Cook on low for 4 - 6 hours. Can be topped with shredded cheddar cheese and sliced green onions before serving. mommag.com 23

A FEW OF OUR FAVORITE GIFTS THIS YEAR

Holiday Gift Guide

01

Bonus: many are from talented, local makers!

02

03

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MADE IN THE WILLAMETTE VALLEY 01 CHARMING ILLUSTRATED PRINTS

From Daisy Yang of Linlan Design in Eugene. etsy.com/shop/LinlanDesign 04

02 YES-PLEASE BATH AND BODY PRODUCTS

Made in Corvallis by Ethos Body available online and in their downtown Corvallis location. ethosbody.shop 03 TOTES ADORBS

Halsey-based creator Mandy Deaube sells items like this hexagon-patterned canvas clutch. etsy.com/shop/TheWanderingQuail 04 YOU HAD US AT CUSTOM CANDLES 05

Salem-based maker Jessie, of Zilldy Gifting Co., can set you up with custom gift boxes. Perfect for pals, events and maybe just to treat yourself. etsy.com/shop/zilldy 05 KITTY WANTS TACOS

A refillable catnip taco toy that makes crinkle noises will drive kitty wild in a good way. From Brownsville maker Chariss of BooBoyCatToys. etsy.com/shop/BooBoyCatToys 06 CUSTOM HOUSE DRAWINGS

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Salem-based artist Heidi Toepfer specializes in custom house portraits with gentle lines and delightful watercolors. See more on Instagram @rosehipheidi and at her online store. etsy.com/shop/Rosehipheidi

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Holiday Gift Guide 02

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01 MISHEARD LYRICS GLASSES

You’ve been hilariously singing it wrong all these years. Look for Merriweather products at Ricky’s Bubbles & Sweets in Salem, Many Hands Trading in Corvallis or Hiron’s Drug in Eugene. meriwether.love 02 T-REX WALL ART

It’s art you semi-make with pre-cut and pre-creased paper. Shop by age for masks, lamps and other animal-inspired items. papercraftworld.com

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03 LUCHADOR BOTTLE OPENERS

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Wrestle those caps off with these fun bottle openers by Kikkerland.

Kirkkerland.com 04 FOOD, YA BURNT

Blue Q products have kept us laughing since their original flat cat in 1988. Look for their kitchen towels and oven mitts at Market of Choice and other local retailers. blueq.com 05 TORTILLA BLANKET

Do you need a tortilla blanket? No. But do you want a tortilla blanket? Yes, because burritos make everyone happy.

Mermaker on Amazon.com 06 RUMPL BLANKETS

Puffy, colorful and made from recycled material, Rumpl blankets are headquartered in Portland. rumpl.com

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Money MOM

DISCUSSING FINANCES WITH YOUR FAMILY As we celebrate the holiday season together and start into the new year, many of us think about our resolutions and intentions. If you are anything like most of my clients, something financial will be on that list. This is certainly the case for our family as well.

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AS A MOM, WIFE AND DAUGHTER, I have several different types of financial intentions, and the holiday season offers the opportunity to have these conversations with the important people in my life. For my children, I want to instill healthy money habits and beliefs, which includes our value of giving back. With my husband, I want to look at our current situation, review our priorities and values and keep our financial life in alignment with them. As a daughter, I want to ensure that I know my parents’ wishes and understand how I’m going to help them fulfill those wishes now and later.

Let’s look at some of the conversation you might have with family members this season: Your spouse You and your spouse may have different thoughts about a range of financial topics – how much to save, how much to spend, the level of debt with which you’re comfortable and so on. Try to reach some type of consensus on these issues.

However, with investing you don’t necessarily have to act 28 mommag.com

in unison all the time. You each may have different investment styles – one of you may be more aggressive, willing to take on more risk in exchange for potentially higher returns, while the other would rather invest with an eye toward mitigating risk, even if it means accepting a lower return.

Of course, there’s nothing stopping each of you from pursuing your individual investment strategies in your own IRA, 401(k) and so on. Still, if you are going to work toward common goals, especially toward a shared vision of your retirement lifestyle, you each may want to compromise in your investment choices. And this accommodation is even more necessary in your joint accounts.

Your parents It’s highly likely that someday you will be involved with your aging parents’ financial plans, and you should know in advance what to expect.

This may not be the easiest conversation to have, but it’s an important one. For example, ask your parents if they have a durable power of attorney, which allows

them to designate someone to manage their financial affairs if they become physically or mentally incapacitated. You might also ask if they have protected themselves against the potentially enormous costs of long-term care, such as an extended nursing home stay. If not, suggest that they contact a financial advisor who can offer solutions. Once you begin communicating about these issues, you may well want to go further into your parents’ estate plans to determine what other arrangements, if any, they have made. If it seems that their plans are not fully developed, encourage them to contact an attorney specializing in estate planning.

Your grown children Just as you talk to your parents about their estate plans, you’ll want to discuss the same topic with your own grown children. Let them know who you have named as a durable power of attorney,

what’s in your last will and testament and whether you’ve established a living trust. If you’re already working with a financial advisor and an estate planning professional, make sure your children know how to contact these individuals.

Of course, you don’t have to confine your communications to estate plans – if you want to help your children financially, such as loaning them money for a down payment on a home, let them know.

By talking with your loved ones about key financial matters, everyone benefits.

Enjoy the holiday season!

Brought to you by:

Caitlin Davis, CFP®, AAMS® Financial Advisor, Edward Jones

540 Patterson St. NW, Suite A Salem, Oregon (503) 585-1464 edwardjones.com

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TikTok trends that can hurt teeth We love TikTok as much as our teen patients do, with it’s fun videos, catchy songs and sometimes educational content. But dangers lurk on this popular platform, including a few dental-related ones.

DIY braces? Just don’t!

Never allow your child to use paper clips, wires, rubber bands or any other type of material to fashion themselves braces. It sounds ridiculous to have to give this warning, but unfortunately this has been tried ­— and caused damage that is more expensive to fix than the original price of actual braces. We offer free consultations with a board-certified orthodontist, and we offer financing that can work for your family.

Castilla Orthodontics 503-399-0721 info@castillaortho.com 434 Lancaster Drive NE, Salem

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Do not file your teeth.

Using any kind of tool on your own to “shave” your teeth is a bad idea. Once a tooth is filed down, it’s wide open to sensitivity, decay and even death of the tooth.

Tooth enamel does not grow back; once it’s gone, it’s gone. There are times when an orthodontist will reshape teeth, but it is minute amounts that will help with alignment and crowding.

When it comes to getting a great smile, tell your kids to leave it to the pros to help. And tag us in your TikToks so we can see your beautiful smiles! facebook.com/CastillaOrthodontics/ @castilla.ortho castilla.ortho

Ana Castilla, DDS, MS is a board-certified, Oregon-based orthodontist. She is passionate about helping patients attain their perfect smile, so they can live their lives to the fullest!

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Momism #14: Make good choices.

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