Salem MOM | October / November 2021

real local moms

since 2005

Salem | October / November 2021

COVER MOM

BEYOND THE SPICED LATTE

HOW (AND WHY) TO HOLD A

SHEILA ROBERTS

PUMPKIN EVERYTHING

FAMILY MEETING

Your First Choice for Orthopedic Care

Call today to make an appointment

503.769.8470

1377 N 10th Ave, Stayton SantiamHospital.org Santiam Hospital & Clinics accept all insurance including all Medicare Plans, OHP, Kaiser Permanente & Blue Cross 2 mommag.com

It’s what‘s

Interview Your Kids

18

Meet the MOM experts ... 4

inside that counts

Pumpkin Everything

Family Meeting 28

20

Pumpkin Everything......20

They know what they’re

Cover MOM: Sheila Roberts..................10

talking about.

This mom gets real

spice latte

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

Interview Your Kids........18

Family Meeting................28

A message from MOM

They really do say the

How (and why) to hold a

darndest things.

family meeting.

Healthy MOM..................... 8

Beyond the pumpkin

Healthy Halloween

1

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 Joni Loraine

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CONGRATULATIONS to the Salvation Army Ray & Joan Kroc Corps Community Center, winner of the 2021 MOM Magazine Community Impact Award.

For more information about the Salvation Army Ray & Joan Kroc Corps Community Center, see their ad on page 17.

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 19

Healthy MOM with Santiam Hospital, page 8

Money MOM Your finances with Caitlin Davis, CFP®, AAMS®, Page 26

“

The best thing to

spend on your children is your time.

“ — Louise Hart, Ed.D

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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.

How candy and time both slide by Last year I was determined to make trick-or-treating safe for social distancing and to give out full-size candy bars. I’m happy to report I was able to do both, with a nifty candy slide built by my husband out of a large PVC pipe. Combined with our unique front entrance, it worked perfectly.

The trick-or-treaters were delighted, which was the goal.

Looking back to last year at this time, it was still filled with so much uncertainty: most schools were in distance learning, vaccines weren’t yet available, and Oregonians had just gone through devastating wildfires.

We’ve processed so many changes in one year, some for the better and others not.

It got me thinking big thoughts about the passage of time. Last year neither one of my kids wanted to dress up for Halloween or go trick-or-treating, claiming they had outgrown it. I wasn’t ready for that. With children, you get an accelerated version of years going by, and while some of it you’re glad to have in your rearview (the drudgery), there are parts that catapult you forward with such force it makes you gasp.

Whether you’re ready for it or not, your baby outgrows those 0-3 month clothes, wants to pour their own milk in the cereal bowl, to ride their bike around the block without you...how time marches forward can certainly make a mom wistful.

ME AS CAROLE BASKIN WITH MY TIGER, IN FRONT OF OUR CANDY SLIDE.

major events, it will change us permanently — and hopefully for the better. I think of my candy slide: it was made out of necessity, but will now become a holiday staple. And in those moments when my kids mature faster than I want them to, I remind myself what a wonderful privilege it is to watch them grow.

Audrey Meier DeKam Editor-in-Chief

This Halloween, I’ve resigned myself to dressing up again with my dog, who is my most willing partner when it comes to themed costumes. And while this season may not be quite the way we all wanted, i.e., normal as defined by pre-pandemic times, there’s no going backwards. Like many

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pets are family

A spooktacular Halloween for pets and humans

Costumes are a cute and festive way to celebrate Halloween with your pet, but make sure it won’t make them uncomfortable. Flowing costumes can be tripping hazards, while too-tight ones are constricting. Some dogs will try to eat parts of their costumes, so watch your pets constantly while they are wearing one.

If you opt to take your dog trick-ortreating, be aware that they are going to be exposed to sudden moves by children in unusual costumes and other excited dogs out with their families. If your gut tells you that your dog doesn’t have the temperament for this, leave them at home in a safe place.

During trick-or-treating or Halloween parties, frightened pets can bolt out the front door. Nervous or hyper dogs may do best with crating for the evening.

Consider keeping your cat in a closed and quiet room. If separation from the party isn’t enough to prevent anxiety and destructive behavior, ask your veterinarian about sedation options beforehand.

Overindulgence is a concern for everyone on Halloween. Dogs can ingest toxic levels of chocolate and xylitol, which can be life-threatening. Remind children not to give any candy to the dog. If your dog does ingest candy, call 24/7 Salem Wilvet at (503) 741-8858 for advice.

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

Help your kids focus in school

Dr. Lindquist uses non-invasive removable appliances to help your child grow to his full potential!

Contact us today for a free consultation.

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

@pearlywhitesfamilydentistry

[

Momism #172: Don’t forget your mask!

]

Non-surgical scoliosis intervention Call us for a free phone consultation

scoliosis studio LL

ScoliosisStudioPT.com (503) 926-3338 Located in Corvallis

If you or your child has been diagnosed with scoliosis, there is help. Scoliosis Studio offers non-surgical, Schroth Method physical therapy to improve symmetry, posture and pain-relief.

The most important time for intervention — when scoliosis is shown to progress — is adolescence. We also help women during pregnancy and menopause, as well as men and women with age-related degeneration.

Bailey Denno, PT, DPT Doctor of Physical Therapy

Schroth-BSPTS C2 Certified Scoliosis Practitioner

Scoliosis Studio is a direct pay PT clinic, we do not bill insurance.

I am a specialized physical therapist certified in and focused on the treatment of people of all ages with scoliosis, hyperkyphosis and hyperlordosis. I also treat people both before and after surgery.

mommag.com 7

“

While Halloween may not be totally back to normal this year, there are ways to keep trick-or-treaters happy and healthy.

“

HEALTHY HALLOWEEN 8 mommag.com

W

WHETHER YOUR LITTLE ONES are hitting the

neighborhoods or celebrating at home, sweets are an expected part of Halloween fun. But at a time when healthy lifestyle choices have never been more important, sugary treats are even less attractive.

While we wouldn’t recommend handing out carrot sticks and broccoli to little ghosts and goblins at your door (but they’re great for parties), there are healthier alternatives when it comes to sweets.

Interestingly, one can apply the same rule to candy that they do in making food choices: items that more closely resemble whole foods, organic choices and items with lower sugar are tasty and at least, a little better for you.

If there’s anything we’ve learned over these last many months, it’s that our health is as precious as our happiness.

•

When it comes to chocolate, go dark.

White chocolate is not really chocolate at all, just a super sweet mix of cocoa butter (fat) and sugar. And while milk chocolate is ubiquitous, dark chocolate at least provides a hint of antioxidants and less sugar.

•

Add nuts. Unless there are food allergies, candies that contain nuts are slightly better than chocolate alone.

•

Go organic. Sweets with organic ingredients or sweetened with natural sugar alternatives such as honey or agave are healthier choices.

•

Avoid gummies and hard candies.

These are really just sugar delivery systems with no nutritional value.

Of course, if your children are trick-ortreating, they’ll likely come home with treats that run the gamut of sugar content.

Part of the fun of Halloween, of course, is in the days afterward as kids work through their haul. Encouraging them to ration their consumption might be a hard sell, but when they realize their candy (and enjoyment) will last longer, they might just be convinced!

Brought to you by: santiamhospital.org

mommag.com 9

Sheila Roberts Professional organizer and cover MOM Sheila Roberts has many talents — just don’t ask her to put on false eyelashes.

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Profession: Professional organizer Community: West Salem Husband: Matt Roberts, architectural sheet metal shop foreman Children: Isaiah, age 14, and Eli, age 11

Photos by: Joni Loraine

mommag.com 11

Family comes first.

QA '

MOM s Favorite...

Tell us about your favorite… …family games: Pirates of the Caribbean Life, Nines, Phase 10, Catchphrase …place to hide and find some peace & quiet: My bedroom, shower or car …binge-worthy TV or podcast: The Chosen …way to get out of making dinner: Working late …time-saving app or digital tool: Google Suite, Trello, Audible …parenting book or philosophy: Kids are people, too.

All families are unique. Tell us about yours.

Matt and I have been married for almost 18 years. We met at Bible camp in high school and fell in love a few years later while in ministry school together. We have two boys, ages 14 and 11, and an adopted “rotten lab” (Rottweiler-Lab) named Cheyanne we call Shy for short, even though she’s very outgoing.

Every family has their own traditions, rituals or inside jokes. What’s one of yours?

Christmas day is always spent at home.

We don’t go anywhere or have people over, so we get to lounge around and play with all the new toys and enjoy each other without having to rush off to the next family gathering. My husband makes some fun new breakfast dish every year — he really enjoys getting creative. We’ve had red and green frosted cinnamon rolls, blueberry and cream cheese French toast casserole, bacon cinnamon rolls...

When did you know you wanted to be a mom?

Interestingly enough, I didn’t want kids when I was younger. I grew up thinking kids were chaotic and stressful. But at some point I changed my mind. It’s so much different having your own kids.

Do you think that parenting is easier or more challenging than when you were growing up?

Whew, I mean, probably both. It’s easier as there are more resources and automation these days, but a busier lifestyle is more challenging — more options, more demands. Until 2020, that is…that definitely slowed down our schedules.

What is the most surprising thing you have found wedged between the sofa cushions or behind a car seat? I mean, I’ve found all the expected things, like popcorn, fruitsnacks, pennies, Hot Wheels cars, Legos, etc.

Maybe a dog bone was kind of unexpected?

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.

This wasn’t recent, but sleep deprivation got the best of me one day. My sister was visiting from Montana, and we decided to

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do some shopping at Plato’s Closet. As we started to browse, I saw a stroller roll by and realized we had left my newborn in the car! Thankfully it was a fair-weather day, and he was still snoozing away!

In what way are your children like you? How are they different? My oldest is a deep thinker and is very particular about things. Things have to be “right.” That’s definitely similar to me. He looks so much like his dad, though. My youngest is passionate and mechanically-minded like me. He’s wild and mischievous like his dad — jumps first, thinks later — no fear.

You know you’re a mom when you hear yourself say, “______________.” “This, too, shall pass.” My mom used to say that all the time, and it drove me crazy. I could be a bit dramatic as a kid — everything was the end of the world.

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? What sometimes falls through the cracks? I would be lost without my Google calendar and all my checklists. So many checklists. Make one decision today that prevents 1,000 decisions later. Cleaning the shower definitely falls through the cracks.

Tell us about your work or volunteerism outside of the home. I’m a professional organizer and started my business in 2017.

It’s so fun and rewarding. I get to help people get their spaces in order, and it really is life-changing for them. We also love being part of Community Life Church.

We help with several areas like worship/ music, kids, small group, etc. It’s so important to be part of a community that supports and encourages one another.

What have you learned professionally that has helped you as a mom? Google it! I can’t tell you how many times I’ve had to Google ideas and answers for my business.

It’s the same with parenting. There’s a lot you can learn from others, and a lot of those random questions kids ask can be answered by Google, too. I’m not about to heap more mom-guilt on my head just because I don’t know every detail of trivia

in the world. You just never know what your kid is going to ask. Our brains only have so much capacity, people, and there is a lot to keep track of in life.

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

I love being creative. My boys and I recently went to a private, outdoor painting studio to do our own oil paintings. Learning all the steps, getting creative and doing our own thing was so fun.

When was the last time you failed? What did you learn? I don’t know that this qualifies as a “real” example of failure, but I failed miserably at my first attempt with false eyelashes recently. I learned that if you have watery eyes, it’s just not going to stick, and that’s okay — I’ll stick with lash growth serum and waterproof mascara, thank you very much.

When was the last time you did something for the first time? I painted an abstract oil painting last week.

What is something you will NEVER do again?

Live in a home without A/C. We didn’t have it for the first several years of our marriage, and I am so grateful we have it now.

Which good habit do you wish you started earlier? Flossing. I used to floss every once in a while, but a few years ago, I got sick of having to get cavities filled, so I started flossing every night and haven’t had to get a filling since. And, of course, I still wish I had better eating and exercise habits.

What is one thing you never had that you want for your kids? Confidence What are three words your best friend would use to describe you? Fun, Creative, Loyal

Do you have a goal you’d like to accomplish within the next five years? I would love to have a consistent team of employees for my business.

What are three words your kids would use to describe you? Nice, Fun, Weird

If mom’s not happy, nobody’s happy.

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?

Speed. I would love to be able to do things really fast — it always feels like things take too long and we never have enough time. Also, a fast metabolism!

Tell us about your community/upbringing growing up. How did it shape the mother you are today? It was strict, and we had a lot of responsibilities. I hated it at the time, but looking back, I’m so glad I was taught how to work hard and contribute to the family. It’s a team effort. So now, our boys have plenty of responsibilities to do their part in keeping our home functioning.

What is special about where you grew up?

We lived on some beautiful properties in small-town Libby, Montana. It was awesome to get to see the trees and mountains right outside my window.

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

Work ethic. We worked just as hard as the boys — bucking bales, picking rocks, putting in fences, feeding the animals, you name it.

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What is the quality you like most about yourself? My small nose.

What’s your superpower? I can organize just about anything.

Name one thing that is part of your daily routine that you just can’t live without.

Vaseline. I put it on my lips and cuticles multiple times every day.

Tell us something about you that would surprise your kids (or your husband). I was part of a hip hop dance team and stomp team that traveled around to perform for school assemblies and other events, and I even did a little bit of motivational speaking.

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?

Either double down on business stuff or take a nap, depending on my mood.

What keeps you up at night (apart from kids, of course)? My business: have I forgotten anything, is there more I can do for my clients, I need to get some social media posts going, I need to review my goals and update my plan, I need to build my team, what expenses are worth it, I need to review my numbers, etc. There’s always so much to think about — it’s hard to turn it off.

What is the best way that you let off steam?

Getting stuff done. I always feel so good after crossing a bunch of stuff off my list — especially things that have been on there a long time.

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

Share your favorite…

…shop to pick up a gift for friend: The Find in Monmouth, Top Drawer, The Arbor …coffee spot: Urban Grange, Broadway Coffeehouse, Dutch Bros …view or scenic lookout: Multnomah Falls, Silver Falls …restaurant to take the kids: Annette’s Westgate …restaurants for a date night: Jubilee Champagne & Dessert Bar …take-out, food truck or quick bite: Momiji …meetup spot for happy hour: Archive …place where the kids can let off steam: Get Air Trampoline Park …event in your community: Fourth of July fireworks shows in Salem and Independence

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What’s your guilty pleasure? (dark chocolate hidden in the pantry, TJ Maxx, daily latte habit?) Chocolate chip muffin top from Dutch Bros.

What is your greatest extravagance?

For some reason, it sometimes feels extravagant to go through the car wash.

Who is your favorite fictional hero? How about Thor, I mean, he’s pretty dreamy...

They say that everyone has a book in them.

What’s the title of your book? It’s Weird to be Normal, and it’s Normal to be Weird.

Subtitle: The only normal people are those you haven’t gotten to know yet.

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Listen to mom.

Is motherhood what you expected? What surprised you the most? I didn’t realize how much love I could have for another person.

I mean, I knew I’d love them, but it’s so much more than I thought.

What’s the best advice you’ve received from another mom? Never discipline out of anger — always do it in love.

What advice would you give your younger mom self? What do you wish you knew then that you know now? I wish I would have spent more time playing with my kids instead of always cleaning my house and working on my business.

[

Momism #20: I love you more.

]

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Interview your kids THEY REALLY DO SAY THE DARNDEST THINGS. A fun way to get to know your children better is to interview them. Take video, record it or write it down because you’ll want to remember it.

Ages 3 – 5

Ages 9 – 10 What part of being a grownup are you most looking forward to?

And the least?

What’s your favorite number and color?

What is your favorite game or toy right now?

What makes a person a good friend?

Tell me something that makes you really happy or mad.

What is something grownups should know about kids your age?

What is your most favorite food?

If you could be a bug, what kind of bug would you be and why?

Ages 11 – 13 If you could teach a class at school, what would it be about?

Ages 6 – 8 What made you laugh today?

Describe what kind of work your parents do.

What’s the grossest thing you’ve ever seen?

If you were a chef at a restaurant, what would you make?

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Before sleeping each night, what do you tend to think about?

What is something you think grownups need to start or stop doing?

What is your favorite thing about yourself?

ononthe theroad road

ByBy Lynne Lynne Brown Brown forfor thethe Parenting Parenting Success Success Network Network

A AFEW FEWOFOFMANY MANY SAFETY SAFETYFEATURES FEATURES

Shopping Shoppingfor forcar carsafety safety It’sIt’s a top a top priority priority forfor many many parents parents When When shopping shopping forfor a new a new car, car, look look at at thethe entities entities who who evaluate evaluate vehicle vehicle safety. safety.

In In thethe U.S., U.S., there there areare two: two: thethe National National Highway Highway Traffic Traffic Safety Safety Administration Administration (NHTSA) (NHTSA) and and thethe Insurance Insurance Institute Institute of of Highway Highway Safety Safety (IIHS).

(IIHS).

The The NHTSA NHTSA is aisfederal a federal government government agency agency that that conducts conducts crash crash testing testing of new of new vehicles vehicles using using a five-star a five-star rating rating system. system.

They They testtest forfor front front and and side-impact, side-impact, as as well well as as rollover rollover testing testing onon SUVs SUVs and and pick-ups. pick-ups.

Their Their mission mission is to is keep to keep Americans Americans safe safe onon roadways. roadways.

The The IIHS IIHS is an is an independent independent nonprofit nonprofit agency agency founded founded by by major major insurance insurance companies. companies.

You You might might recognize recognize them them as as thethe entity entity behind behind Top Top Safety Safety Pick Pick and and Top Top Safety Safety Pick+.

Pick+.

The The IIHS IIHS also also performs performs rigorous rigorous crash crash testing testing of of vehicles. vehicles.

Both Both safety safety agencies agencies have have their their nuances. nuances.

ForFor instance, instance, thethe U.S. U.S. News News & World & World Report Report points points out, out, “the “the NHTSA’s NHTSA’s rollover rollover testtest evaluates evaluates a vehicle’s a vehicle’s resistance resistance to flipping to flipping over. over.

The The IIHS IIHS rollover rollover test, test, meanwhile, meanwhile, evaluates evaluates roof roof strength, strength, should should a rollover a rollover actually actually occur.” occur.”

ForFor consumers, consumers, it means it means looking looking at data at data from from both both entities entities when when making making a buying a buying decision. decision.

Consider Consider at at your your family’s family’s unique unique needs. needs.

The The number number of family of family members, members, including including beloved beloved dogs dogs or or other other pets, pets, should should be be factored factored in.in.

Choose Choose a vehicle a vehicle that that youyou as as a driver a driver feelfeel comfortable comfortable operating. operating.

If you If you don’t don’t likelike thethe feeling feeling of aofcar a car with with a longer a longer body body style style (or(or shorter), shorter), then then it’sit’s notnot forfor you. you.

Also Also take take into into account account how how thethe driver’s driver’s seat seat feels feels and and thethe positioning positioning of the of the dashboard. dashboard.

2626mommag.com mommag.com

The The lists lists areare long long and and detailed, detailed, which which is great is great forfor anyone anyone who who loves loves to to research. research.

A few A few of of thethe newer newer ones ones include: include:

NUMEROUS NUMEROUS AIRBAGS AIRBAGS Many Many moms moms areare familiar familiar with with thethe Lower Lower Anchors Anchors and and Tethers Tethers forfor Children, Children, which which areare thethe built-in built-in attachments attachments forfor children’s children’s carcar seats. seats.

While While new new cars cars have have them, them, they they areare different different to find to find and and useuse in each in each vehicle. vehicle.

Bring Bring your your child’s child’s carcar seat seat while while carcar shopping, shopping, so so youyou cancan feelfeel comfortable comfortable using using what what you’re you’re buying. buying.

AsAs with with anyany safety safety system, system, it’sit’s only only as as good good as as thethe way way it’sit’s properly properly used. used.

Dual Dual front front airbags airbags areare required required byby lawlaw in in passpassenger enger vehicles. vehicles.

There There areare many many more more airbags airbags available, available, though, though, such such as as knee, knee, side side and and curtain curtain airbags. airbags.

You You can can find find new new mid-size mid-size cars cars with with upwards upwards of of 1010 airbags. airbags.

Newer Newer cars cars areare safer. safer.

ADAPTIVE ADAPTIVE HEADLIGHTS HEADLIGHTS

Newer Newer cars cars will will have have better better safety safety features, features, as as they they areare built built upon upon years years of data of data and and research. research.

Safety Safety requirements requirements also also increase, increase, such such as as electronic electronic stability stability control control systems systems required required in vehicles in vehicles since since 2011 2011 and and rearview rearview video video backup backup systems systems since since 2018.

2018.

Sometimes Sometimes called called smart smart headlights, headlights, they they adjust adjust in in shape, shape, brightness brightness and and direction direction without without blinding blinding oncoming oncoming traffic. traffic.

Sources: Sources: NHTSA, NHTSA, IIHS, IIHS, U.S.U.S. News News & World & World Report Report

ELECTRONIC ELECTRONIC STABILITY STABILITY CONTROL CONTROL

Brought Brought to to youyou by:by:

MEET MEETLAURA LAURAAUGUSTINE AUGUSTINE Laura Laura Augustine Augustine hashas worked worked as aasfinance a finance assistant assistant at Capitol at Capitol Auto Auto Group Group forfor 7 years.

7 years.

SheShe is the is the proud proud mom mom of three of three kidskids (four, (four, if you if you count count herher husband husband Chad): Chad): Ariel, Ariel, ageage 23;23; Claudia, Claudia, ageage 22;22; andand Bryson, Bryson, ageage 18.18.

As As a family, a family, they they love love to go to go fishing fishing andand boating boating at Detroit at Detroit Lake, Lake, andand they they alsoalso have have four four Saint Saint Bernard Bernard Dogs: Dogs: Grace, Grace, Ted, Ted, Jerry Jerry andand Stuart.

Stuart.

Sensors Sensors to to avoid avoid or or control control skidding, skidding, sliding sliding and and rollrollovers overs have have been been shown shown to to reduce reduce crashes crashes byby 3535 percent percent or or more. more.

COLLISION COLLISION AVOIDANCE AVOIDANCE SYSTEMS SYSTEMS Using Using radar radar and and camera camera systems, systems, these these offer offer lane-departure lane-departure warning, warning, blind-spot blind-spot detection, detection, collision collision warnings warnings and and parking parking assistance. assistance.

They They may may take take some some getting getting used used to,to, so so give give yourself yourself time time to to learn learn them. them.

mommag.com 19

BEYOND THE SPICED LATTE…

Pumpkin Everything This iconic fruit (yes, it’s a fruit because of the seeds) is more than a sign of the season.

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3. Cut the pumpkin in half. De-seed and de-pulp. Some cooks drizzle olive oil on the innards to keep them from drying out during baking.

MAKE YOUR OWN PUMPKIN PUREE No judgement here on using the canned variety, but if you want super fresh, try making your own pumpkin puree:

4. Put pumpkin halves on a baking sheet and roast at 350 degrees. Plan for 45 minutes to an hour, until you can insert a fork into the pumpkin with ease.

PUMPKIN PUREE DOUBLES AS BABY FOOD! Got a little one ready for pumpkin?

This puree doubles as a baby food.

Some moms add a dash of cinnamon to it for their little gobblers to enjoy.

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1. Look for sugar pumpkins, sometimes called “pie pumpkins” and not the ginormous ones meant for carving.

5. After it has cooled, separate the skin and then use a food processor to puree. For a smoother result, you’ll want to strain it through cheesecloth or a fine-mesh colander.

2. Clean and dry the pumpkin, then cut off the stem.

6. Freeze the puree in one-cup quantities for future use.

PUMPKIN PIE without evaporated milk Forgot that can of evaporated milk?

No worries. Regular milk works fine, and we hear canned coconut milk makes for a zippy, dairy-free spin on this seasonal favorite.

1 ¼ cups pumpkin 1 cup brown sugar 3 tablespoons flour 2 eggs 1 cup milk 1 teaspoon cinnamon ½ teaspoon allspice 1 teaspoon vanilla Pinch of salt 1. Mix ingredients into a large bowl, then pour into an uncooked pie shell (for a variation, try a graham cracker crust).

2. Bake for 15 minutes at 375 degrees, then decrease the temperature to 325 degrees and bake for 30 minutes more.

If the edges start to brown, cover them with foil. You’ll know it’s done when the center is wobbly, but not liquid, and an inserted knife comes out clean.

3. Let the pie cool on a rack for at least an hour or more before serving.

PUMPKIN SPICE POTPOURRI For a quick and easy way to make your house smell like the best of autumn, bring 1 1/2 cups of water and 2 tablespoons of pumpkin pie spice to a boil in a saucepan, then set it to simmer. If you don’t have pumpkin pie spice, use a blend of cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla, cloves and ginger for a similar result.

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GRILLED PUMPKIN WITH ARUGULA 5 - 6 thin pumpkin wedges 2 tablespoons olive oil 1 teaspoon kosher salt 1/2 teaspoon chopped fresh rosemary 2 cups or more of fresh arugula ¼ cup goat cheese, crumbled ¼ pomegranate seeds, dried cranberries or chopped nuts Vinaigrette dressing of your choice 1. In a large bowl, coat the wedges with the olive oil, salt and rosemary until they are evenly covered.

2. Grill the wedges about 5 minutes per side, and cook until they are fork tender.

3. Toss the wedges with fresh arugula, goat cheese and a sprinkle of pomegranate seeds, dried cranberries or chopped nuts.

4. Dress with the vinaigrette.

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EASY-PEASY PUMPKIN BREAD This sweet bread is an easy sell for busy school morning breakfasts. Make it ahead of time, and then reheat a slice in the microwave, slather it with butter and call it breakfast.

RANCH PUMPKIN SEEDS 2 2 1

cups cleaned pumpkin seeds tablespoons olive oil packet of dry ranch seasoning

1. Combine ingredients in a bowl, then spread evenly on a parchmentlined cookie sheet.

2. Bake at 350 degrees, stirring after 10 - 12 minutes. Cook longer if needed to get the seeds toasted.

1 ⅔ cups flour 1 ½ cups sugar ¼ teaspoon baking powder 1 teaspoon baking soda ¾ teaspoon salt ½ teaspoon ground cloves ½ teaspoon cinnamon ½ cup vegetable oil ½ cup water 1 cup pumpkin 2 eggs 1. In a large bowl, mix all the dry ingredients. Add oil, water, pumpkin and eggs and stir to combine.

2. Pour into a greased loaf pan and bake for one hour at 350 degrees. Allow the bread to cool for about 10 minutes before running a knife around the edges and removing it from the pan.

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Money MOM

529 PLANS ARE MORE VERSATILE THAN EVER As a mom and someone who values education, I wanted to save for my children’s future. While there are many options to save for school, we chose the 529 plan when our children were born for the tax efficiency and focus on education.

O

VER THE LAST FEW years, changes in the education environment and updates to how 529s can be used have brought up many questions from my clients. Let’s dive into some of the changes.

The learning environment During the COVID-19 pandemic, colleges and universities switched to online classes, or at least to a hybrid of in-person and online. And even before the pandemic, many schools offered remote classes, though obviously not to the same extent. But after COVID-19 subsides, it’s likely that the online component will remain an important part of higher education. What does this “new world” mean for you, when you’re saving for college?

Will a 529 plan still be relevant?

In a word, yes. First of all, a 529 plan can offer tax advantages.

Earnings in a 529 plan are federally tax-free, provided the money is used for qualified educational expenses. And if you invest in your own state’s 529 plan, your contributions may be tax deductible.

Online learning costs are eligible for a 529 plan’s tax benefits just as much as those incurred from in-person

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classes. Tuition, textbooks, supplies, computers and services — all of these should qualify, assuming the school meets certain criteria. Also, students enrolled half-time or more don’t have to live in a dorm for room and board expenses to be covered by a 529 plan — they can live in off-campus housing. However, these room-and-board costs typically must equal the cost of living on campus. Some schools identify a specific cost for “commuters” or “at-home students,” so you will need to contact the college directly to determine qualified roomand-board costs.

Updates to 529 plans Now, let’s take a quick look at what some changes in the rules governing 529 plans over the past few years might mean for you. Eligible expenses from a 529 plan include: K-12 expenses: Parents can withdraw up to $10,000 per student, per year, from their 529 plan to pay for tuition expenses at elementary and secondary schools. If you intend on sending your children to a private school, this use of a 529 plan might interest you.

Apprenticeships: 529 plans can be used to pay for fees, textbooks, equipment and other supplies connected to apprenticeship programs registered with the Department of Labor. These programs, typically offered at a community college, combine classroom instruction with on-the-job training.

Student loans: Families can withdraw funds from a 529 plan to repay the principal and interest for qualified education loans, including federal and most private student loans. There’s a lifetime limit of $10,000 for student loan repayments per each 529 plan beneficiary and another $10,000 for each of the beneficiary’s siblings.

All of these newer uses of 529 plans may contain additional guidelines and exceptions, and state tax treatment varies.

You’ll want to consult with your financial team, including your tax advisor, before taking money from your account.

The core importance has not changed What hasn’t changed with 529 plans is how they can be used by parents, grandparents, family and friends to help save for a child’s education, even as a part of wealth transfer and estate planning.

It’s valuable for you to know the different ways you can put a 529 plan to work for your family and your finances.

Brought to you by:

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

515 Taggart Dr. NW, Ste #130 Salem, Oregon (503) 585-1464 edwardjones.com

[

Momism #172: Eat your vegetables.

]

We’re here for you — for breast cancer screening, treatment and support

About 1 in 8 U.S. women will develop breast cancer in their lifetime.

Know your risk and talk to your doctor about when screening is right for you.

If a cancer diagnosis ever becomes a part of your life, you’ll always find support at Salem Health Cancer Institute. salemhealth.org/cancer

expand your reach with print 541.926.3000 oregonwebpress.com

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

mommag.com 27

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How (and why) to hold a

Family Meeting Family meetings provide focused, open space to talk about everything that impacts your household, from practical issues like who keeps throwing away all the forks, to more serious topics such as the health of a family member. Some of the reasons you might hold a family meeting include: •

To share big family news such as moves, changes in health, deployments, job changes

•

Before any kind of travel, event or holiday

•

For addressing behaviors and resetting expectations

•

Before a change in family schedules, dynamics, sitters, etc.

•

To brainstorm vacations or getaways

•

For sorting out shared pet care, house and yard duties

•

To find out more about what can be improved in your family life

“

Family meetings teach civility, model effective communication, how to work as a group and that compromise is sometimes needed and reached.

”

Setting it up Give advance notice of the meeting, with topics, so everyone can be thinking it over in the days beforehand. Choose a time after everyone has been fed, napped and isn’t on the go to the next commitment.

Keep it informal. Follow a general format you like, such as one from work, place of worship, or volunteer organization. There’s no need for Robert's Rules of Order, but you do want to keep everyone from talking over one another. You could use an object that is passed from one person to the next when it’s their turn to speak (we don’t advise sticks, heavy or other breakable items, because kids).

You could schedule monthly meetings or do them as needed. Oh, and have a rule to put the screens away — including your own — so that everyone is engaged in active listening.

Benefits Family meetings teach civility, model effective communication, how to work as a group and that compromise is sometimes needed and reached. You might be pleasantly surprised to learn what’s on your kids’ minds.

You can also draw on what you talked about when needed. For instance, when the kids are impatient because the plane is delayed, you can say, “Remember how we talked about patience during our family meeting? This is when we need to use it because sometimes travel delays just happen.”

Family meetings are also spaces for conflict resolution: When the toilet keeps getting clogged with too much TP, it often leads to a chorus of “not me!” Stay focused on finding solutions rather than ferreting out blame: “When the toilet plugs up, it’s a problem for all of us. What can we do to keep it from happening?”

Kids have important things to say too, even if it comes out in a jumble. Sure, they may use their talking time to advocate getting a gerbil. Gently remind them about the topic at hand and ask them a specific question to get back on task, such as, “That’s something to talk about at a later time. Right now we’re talking about how we want to spend our winter vacation.”

Your kids are smart and perceptive, so they benefit from knowing, rather than hiding information that is part of family life. That said, too many details can be overwhelming and frightening. For a cancer diagnosis, you might say, “My hair will fall out and I’ll look a bit different, but it means the medicine I need is really doing its job.”

Results will be perfectly imperfect When it comes to serious topics, don’t be shocked by outlandish questions or total silence. Some kids may need more time to mentally process what it all means. Do be prepared for oddly timed questions that come up after the fact, like right as you’re trying to cook dinner. One meeting may not cement what was talked about, so be ready to repeat and clarify as necessary.

Give a family meeting a try. Your children will surprise you with their insights.

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Making orthodontics fun We get it: orthodontics and fun don’t seem to go together, as having your teeth worked on may not be most people’s idea of a good time. But we love what we do, and we aim to prove you can indeed make orthodontics fun, for patients and staff.

One of our favorite things to do is have contests for our patients. We make it fun for all ages, with anything from “match the movie line to the movie,” to “guess the number of cheeseballs in the jar.” Recent prizes have included an Alexa Echo, a waterproof Bluetooth speaker, a Keurig Mini coffee maker, and more. We also hold quarterly drawings for patients who refer others to the office for a complimentary consultation. Referral drawing prizes have ranged from iPads to Yeti coolers, to flat screen TVs. The prizes are just a few of the ways we love to celebrate our patients and show our appreciation.

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

We’re also known for some epic dressup days. From superheroes to Coco, to our most recent tulle-and-sparkle-filled Quinceanera party, we believe in creating joy for ourselves and others.

Of course our number one priority is always providing a high level of orthodontic care for you and your family. The unique nature of orthodontics means we get to know our patients over several years of care. And that’s part of why we make our office a place patients look forward to visiting.

Visit our social media pages to see what we’re up to for the holidays! 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!

call your doctor. she misses you.

OBSTETRICS & GYNECOLOGY FAMILY MEDICINE URGENT CARE 503.399.2424 30 mommag.com

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263 29th Avenue SW | Albany, OR 97322 541-926-0353 | 541-926-1515 fax

mommag.com | info@mommag.com

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