Mid Valley MOM | August/September 2019

REAL | LOCAL | MOMS

Mid Valley | August/September 2019 | FREE

COVER MOM

BACK-TO-SCHOOL

FOOD FEATURE

SHARON RACKHAM KING

GEAR GUIDE

RECIPES FOR KIDS

2 mommag.com

It’s what‘s

Gear Guide

inside that counts

Toothpaste Batik 23

Back to School 26

They know what they're

Cover MOM: Sharon Rackham King...10

Community Impact Award Recipient..............24

talking about

This mom gets real

Spotlight on CASA Voices

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

Back-to-School................16

A message from MOM

Science-themed gear guide

Let's Talk Health................ 7

Toothpaste batik.............23

Your health questions

Minty-fresh twist on the

answered by Samaritian

traditional art of batik

16

Meet the MOM experts.... 4

for Children

Back to (cooking) school.................................26 Recipes kids should know

Health Services

More ways to love your MOM Blog: mommag.com

Facebook: facebook.com/ lovemommag

Cover MOM

10

Photos by Kirstin Carroll Photography

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

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

mommag.com 3

meet the

experts

[They know what they’re talking about]

Health.

Let’s Talk Health with Samaritan Health Services, page 7

“ What makes a child

Smile.

Learn.

Something to Smile About with Dr. Kim Kutsch and Dr. Greg Renyer, page 8

Partners in Education with Carla Towery, page 22

Thrive.

Natural.

Go Out and Play with Karen Swanger, page 14

Natural Choices with Emily Stimac, page 28

Style.

Say Cheese.

About Home Style with Heather Van Eyk, page 20

gifted and talented may

Say Cheese with Dr. Wade Haslam, page 29

not always be good grades in school, but a different

and learning. ― CHUCK GRASSLEY 4 mommag.com

“

way of looking at the world

Focus.

Pet.

Focus on MOM with Carli Lancaster, O.D., page 21

Friends Fur Life with Chris Storm, page 30

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

[ Momism #98: Don't

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miss the bus sweetie.

]

Let’s talk health

Have a question you forgot to discuss at the doctor’s office or are too embarrassed to ask? The experts at Samaritan Health Services are here to help.

4 Polio 1 Varicella (chickenpox) 2 MMR or 2 Measles, 1 Mumps, 1 Rubella 3 Hepatitis B 2 Hepatitis A Entering grades 11 through 12 5 Diphtheria/Tetanus/Pertussis (DTaP) 1 Tdap booster What vaccinations does my child need to attend school in Oregon?

4 Polio

State law requires that children receive certain vaccines to attend school or a childcare facility.

Below are the American Academy of Pediatrics vaccine recommendations. If you are following these, your child should be on schedule.

2 MMR or 2 Measles, 1 Mumps, 1 Rubella

1 Varicella (chickenpox) 3 Hepatitis B ~ Monica DeMasi, MD, Samaritan Family Medicine, Albany

If your child is behind and needs to catch up on vaccines, you have until “Exclusion Day,” which will be in mid-February 2020.

4 Diphtheria/Tetanus/Pertussis (DTaP) 3 Polio 1 Varicella (chickenpox) 1 Measles/Mumps/Rubella (MMR) 2 Hepatitis A

How do I put together a nutritious meal that my picky child will eat?

3 or 4 Hib

A little planning goes a long way.

Entering kindergarten or grades 1 through 6: 5 Diphtheria/Tetanus/Pertussis (DTaP) 4 Polio 1 Varicella (chickenpox) 1 Tdap booster 2 MMR or 2 Measles, 1 Mumps, 1 Rubella 3 Hepatitis B 2 Hepatitis A Entering grades 7 through 10: 5 Diphtheria/Tetanus/Pertussis (DTaP) 1 Tdap booster

™

first so it’s not a weird food in a lunch box. It comes down to practice because sometimes it takes kids 30 times trying a new food before they like it.

I recommend introducing new foods at dinner with a “safe” food. If broccoli is new, serve it steamed together with carrots. Help your kids learn to like a variety of foods by preparing it in a tasty manner and enjoying it as a family.

Don’t make lunches too hard. Make it as easy on yourself as you can. Let your kids help create your healthy grocery list. When you get home from the store, immediately wash, chop and package fruit and veggies so they are ready to throw in lunches that week.

To remove the “what to fix” stress, try having only five or six meals in rotation for lunches.

This makes it easier to shop for, and it gives kids enough variety that they aren’t bored.

What about cookies and Twinkies? It's advised for kids to stick to one ‘wrapper’ a day. That means one traditional snack food like chips.

There’s a place in life for these foods but it should not take the place of something nutritious that their body needs.

At least 18 months old and entering preschool or child care:

3 Hepatitis B

Let’s talk health

Healthy lunches include each of the five food groups: protein, veggies, fruit, grains and dairy or dairy alternative. I recommend following the USDA MyPlate method at choosemyplate.gov. This is an updated version of the food pyramid and it’s a good visual to help parents get enough of each food group.

I tell parents that meal planning doesn’t have to be hard or fancy, but it helps to be intentional. It might take some work at the beginning.

Is your child a picky eater? Unfortunately, there's no fix for this. Try the food for dinner

~ Kim Iszler, RD, LD is a clinical dietitian with Samaritan Pediatrics, Corvallis.

Brought to you by:

Call Samaritan Health Services Find a Doctor line at 800-863-5241 to find a provider who is right for you.

mommag.com 7

Make dentistry a

family affair Does your family have a dentist?

Introducing young children to their dentist helps remove fear of visits and creates future success. It’s important for kids to learn about prioritizing brushing and healthy eating. It also helps establish and maintain good oral habits for a lifetime.

ounce of prevention, as the saying goes, is critical. Preventive dentistry significantly reduces the annual costs of dental treatment in adulthood. In fact, your family’s preventive visits literally insure everyone against feeling tooth pain. That’s the best news a family can get!

Many family dentists allow your entire crew to be seen in one visit, provided you have a solid appointment history. That’s good news for all ages—years of research indicates that a healthy mouth equals a healthy body. An

Join us in welcoming Dr. Sophie Diepenheim to our practice. She is approachable, calming and a wonderful first impression for fearful or younger patients.

Brought to you by: 2200 14th Ave. SE, Albany Pinnacle-smiles.com 541-928-9299

Drs. Sophie Diepenheim, Kim Kutsch and Greg Renyer

Philomath Montessori School Serving Corvallis & Philomath since 1984

Now Enrolling for Fall 2019 Offering a small school atmosphere for children 2 ½ - 6 1123 Main St. Philomath • 541-929-2672 • philomathmontessori.org

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“The child is both a hope and a promise for mankind.”

-Maria Montessori

[ Momism #130: Don't forget your lunch. ] What can MOM do for you?

YOUR DREAM IS OUT THERE. MAKE IT A REALITY. Top-ranked degrees

ONLINE “WE AGREED AFTER OUR SECOND CHILD I WOULD GO BACK TO SCHOOL AND NO MATTER HOW LONG IT TOOK, I’D GET MY DEGREE.” Heather Reding

B.S. in Human Development and Family Sciences Beaverton, Oregon

Moms make 82% of household purchasing decisions. Reach your customers with MOM Magazine.

Contact Linda Blair today at linda@mommag.com or 541-231-7250 to secure your ad space.

ecampus.oregonstate.edu

mommag.com 9

Cover MOM

Artist, mother, community volunteer and farmer, Cover MOM Sharon Rackham King is showing the world that the future is stigma free. Her frank and honest story is helping to de-stigmatize discussions of mental illness and letting other moms know that, “It’s okay when you’re not okay.”

Q& A Who is MOM?

Community/hometown: Corvallis, OR. Family: Husband, Andrew, engineer

and children: Everett, age 16 and Dario, age 14.

Profession: Artist, community volunteer, farmhand.

Photo credit: Kirstin Carroll Photography 10 mommag.com

Sharon Gets real!

Rackham King to be “cured” from feeling angry. It took meeting with a couple of counselors before I found someone compatible and I’ve been seeing her ever since. We discussed many aspects of my life and she offered helpful tools to use. I learned to listen to signals my body was sending. I decided in advance that, when I felt anger rising, I would immediately sit on the floor. It was a short-term solution to calm me enough to prevent me from yelling, which was a massive relief. However, the unhealthy (and unhelpful) feeling remained: that I was a bad person because I experienced anger, even when I could control it. I didn’t know that anger or irritability could be a sign of depression. I thought of it as a character flaw.

Celebrating their 20th wedding anniversary

Family comes first.

All families are unique. Tell us about yours.

Andrew and I just celebrated our 20th Anniversary and we are proud parents of Everett, age 16 and Dario, age 14. Dario pursues challenge classes and has been dedicated to Kenpo Karate for seven years and, thus far, has earned the belt just below youth black belt. Everett was recently inducted into the National Honor Society and earned a spot on the varsity boys’ soccer team at Crescent Valley. Enzo, the Border Collie, and Nigel, the black cat, watch over the people and the farm animals.

We live in the Lewisburg area of NE Corvallis and love our local schools: Mountain View Elementary, Cheldelin Middle School and Crescent Valley High School.

Tell us about one of your proudest mom moments?

If the question is about being proud of an action I’ve taken as a mom, the answer is

that I sought help from a therapist. I’m not currently embarrassed or ashamed to say that I am affected by depression for months at a time, and then healthier for a number of months. But about 10 years ago, when the kids were 4 and 6 years old and I was teaching art to hundreds of elementary students, the stigma surrounding mental health issues weighed on me. And the need to be perceived as perfect, or at the very least okay, was powerful.

I sought counseling the morning after a tough spring break day when I just broke. I was as stressed as I’d ever been with moving, a new job, a new school, trying to establish friendships for the kids (and myself), building a house while living in a tiny space in the middle of the construction and dealing with chronic pain. I was triggered by an event at the end of a particularly difficult day and started yelling at my family until I wore myself out and then cried until I fell asleep. I deeply regretted my actions, dove into trying

It wasn’t until two-and-a-half years later that my physician diagnosed me with major depression. It was surprising. I realized that people thought of me as sensitive, that it took me longer than most people to do some things and that I nearly always felt a need to improve in some way. Plus, of course, those feelings of anger. But, I wasn’t particularly sad. I thought “Depression Equals Sadness,” period. I was typically smiley, friendly, high-achieving and reliable. Not sad.

At first, I was ashamed of the diagnosis. That wasn’t how I thought of myself. That wasn’t the way others thought of me, either. But when I gradually reached out to a few people I trusted to share that I was depressed, I found that a bit of weight was taken from my shoulders. When I was brave enough to share, and had chosen a trusted audience, I felt so much less alone. People began to open up about similar experiences with me. After a couple more years passed, I decided to come out on Facebook as having depression.

I was nervous, but not ashamed. The love mommag.com 11

Q& A …words to live by: The future is stigma–free.

…inspirational quote: “The reason life works at all is because not everyone in your tribe is nuts on the same day.” ~ Anne Lamott

…parenting book or philosophy:

MOM’s favorite…

Raising Your Spirited Child was super helpful when they were younger, as was 1-2-3 Magic. Brene Brown’s books and TED Talks don’t specifically focus on parenting, but her work on shame resilience, vulnerability and connection have shaped my parenting more than any other resource.

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and acceptance that came rushing toward me was so touching. It still carries me through tough times when I reflect on it.

Being able to share my story with your readers is truly an honor. It’s part of one person’s effort to de-stigmatize mental illness and I hope it starts some productive conversations. I do believe that the future is stigma-free. That future can’t come quickly enough, especially for youth grappling with mental health issues.

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.

After graduating from Oregon State University with bachelor's degrees in French and Business, I went into banking and Human Resource Management for 10 years until Everett was born.

Then I started working part-time for Andrew’s tech company, often wearing a babe in a backpack.

When Ev was almost 1, I needed to regain a sense of self and got back to my deeply-loved, but quietly-held passion for watercolor. As the boys entered pre-school and kindergarten in Portland, I volunteered to teach art at their schools.

When we moved to Corvallis in 2008, we became hay farmers, while raising lambs and cattle. I also

became the artist-in-residence at Mountain View Elementary and had a fantastic eight years teaching art while my kids attended that school. As Dario was moving to Cheldelin Middle School in 2016, I left teaching and joined the cooperative downtown art gallery, Voices Gallery, which has now grown to 11 fabulous moms with strong and diverse artistic talent. I also began volunteering to co-lead Corvallis Arts Walk, a free, interactive downtown art crawl from 4 to 8 p.m. on the third Thursday of each month. Organizing artists is a cat-herding position if there ever was one!

I volunteer for several other local and state-wide art groups, but opening, managing and curating The Hold Studio and Gallery downtown with the wonderful Holly Campbell in October, 2017 is the pursuit that best feeds my soul. It prompts me to make new acrylics and watercolors every month, collaborate on a theme, promote it, support fellow artists and put part of myself out into the world. It’s vulnerable work and entirely worthwhile.

Do you have a goal you’d like to accomplish within the next five years?

A community service goal is to continue learning about and championing mental health resource availability in schools. An artistic goal is to have work accepted into at least one competitive show per year and to earn one or more awards.

it's okay when you're not okay. your mental health will sometimes be shaky. that's normal–so will everyone else's

If mom’s not happy, nobody’s happy.

Which good habit do you wish you started earlier?

Meditation. I’m still trying to make it a habit.

What are three words your best friend would use to describe you?

Creative. Connector. Genuine. (It felt REALLY good to ask a couple friends and hear their answers.)

What are three words your kids would use to describe you?

Kind. Caring. Passionate.

Dario answered in Spanish: Divertida.

Organizada. Agradable. (Fun. Organized. Nice.)

Who is your celebrity crush?

This will surprise no one: Duran Duran! We took the kids to see New York City over spring break and ended up attending the 2019 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction ceremony.

Simon Le Bon, vocalist, and John Taylor, bassist, were there to induct Roxy Music.

When I saw Simon walk out of the tunnel

nearest us, I jumped over all of the people in our row, ran down the stairs and sneaked past the security guards to meet him. Pretty soon John walked up, too! They were each incredibly gracious to chat with me and pose for a photo. It was absolutely thrilling and completely worth the risk, though Dario was thinking I might be arrested on the spot by NYC’s finest!

What is something you think everyone should do at least once in their lives?

Something that takes them out of their comfort zone. For those of us who live in privilege and find ourselves in our society’s majority, it’s pretty eye-opening to experience the flip-side. It’s an excellent conduit to feel deeper compassion for others.

Listen to mom.

What surprised you the most about motherhood?

It surprised me that I decided against returning to a career-in-progress and I feel incredibly fortunate that Andrew supported

it. I had never expected to be a stay-at-home mom, but was emotionally unprepared to return to 60-hour work weeks and travel, particularly after being floored by how much time breastfeeding took! It was tough to come to the understanding that part-time was not an option for the Assistant Vice President position I held. But, at home, I was captivated by the magic that happened during the endless clothing and diaper changes. My favorite memory is watching the babies discover their own hands as they danced them above in the most beautiful compositions.

What message would you like to share with other moms?

“It’s okay when you’re not okay.” Your mental health will sometimes be shaky. That’s normal—so will everyone else’s. Your physical health will sometimes be less than ideal. You will be well much of the time, but when you’re not, please, don’t hesitate to ask for help from those you trust. Our kids benefit from their moms being well.

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Momism #39: Look both ways before crossing the street.

“I can’t do this... yet.”

“I don’t know... yet.”

“I am not good at this... yet.”

“It doesn’t make sense... yet.”

“I don’t get it... yet.”

Back to school with a growth mindset Heading back to school is a great time

for your family to discuss how you celebrate learning and the importance of the word “yet.” At KidSpirit, we encourage using a growth mindset to navigate life and learn new skills.

We all thrive when we focus and value persistence, hard work, working through disappointment, dedication, forming good habits and even making mistakes versus grades and final outcomes.

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When your child becomes frustrated or has negative self-talk, teach them the power of “yet.”

Adding "yet" provides the gift of time to learn, stay curious and reframes our self-talk.

Growth mindset teaches us to let go of perfection, embrace mistakes and, through struggle, reach success. The power of “yet” and growth mindset are fundamental life tools here at KidSpirit. We encourage our kids and staff to view themselves as capable, curious and courageous individuals!

Brought to you by:

Karen Swanger is the Director of KidSpirit Oregon 4-H Youth Programs

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[ Momism #67: Did

you finish your homework?

]

Growing the next generation of gardeners

Join us for an upcoming Little Sprouts Class!

We Offer Year-round Swim Lessons.

Sign Up NOW! Fall Sessions begin September 9th.

Each month Garland Nursery hosts Little Sprouts, a hands-on, make-and-take kids class on gardening. Visit our website for the schedule and more details.

Registration required.

Upcoming Classes

Make a Succulent Planter Sat., Aug. 10th – 11 a.m., $7 per child

Make a Concrete Mosaic Stepping Stone Sat., Sept. 14th – 11 a.m., $7 per child Pumpkin Painting Sat., Oct. 12th – 11 a.m., $7 per child Fresh Green Centerpiece Sat., Nov. 9th – 11 a.m., $7 per child Fresh Green Holiday Swag Sat., Dec. 14th – 11 a.m., $7 per child

2855 NW 29th, Corvallis 541.757.8559 timberhillac.com

5470 NE Hwy 20, Corvallis , OR 9733 (541) 753-66010

GarlandNursery.com

@TimberhillAthleticClub @timberhill_ac

mommag.com 15

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 17

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

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

mommag.com 18

[ Momism #210: Play

Nice .

] Christina Miller, MD

541 704 7304

Raising strong families through personalized care.

At Willamette Valley Pediatrics we believe that healthcare is personal.

“We are all in this together” Back-to-school checklist for visiting your pediatrician: Well-child checks/sports physicals Immunization schedule Learning concerns Chronic problems: anxiety, depression, aches and pains, etc.

Dr. Christina Miller takes the time to develop relationships with her patients and their families in order to care for their “whole” health.

You and your child’s health are our priority.

We know that health concerns are stressful for moms, we offer same day appointments and can work with your busy schedule. We schedule sports physical with minimal wait time, because we know that an active child is a healthy child.

Dr. Miller knows that children are a blessing.

That is why she comes along side you and your child to help them become their best self.

To learn more contact us at 541-704-7304 or www.willamettevalleypediatrics.com

Christina Miller, MD

Dr. Miller strives to provide so much more then just a doctor’s “visit”.

Located in Albany 1123 Hill Street SE, Suite B. Albany

willamettevalleypediatrics.com 541 704 7304 mommag.com 19

Designing a Kid's Room Back-to-school is an opportunity to share quality time with your kids while creating a space they can’t wait to get home to for doing homework, relaxing or studying and hanging out with friends.

While every child will want to express their unique ideas for decorating and organizing their space, keep in mind a few essential elements to ensure those all-important studies get done before inevitable distractions beckon: COLOR » Try bold invigorating paint colors, murals,

posters or wall stickers, area rugs and bedding that reflect personal style.

As your child’s taste change, continue to refresh key elements to create new and unique room designs they’ll never forget.

Visit us at NW Design House for more family-friendly design tips.

541-738-2806 | nwdesignhouse.com

FURNISHINGS » A desk with storage, a comfortable

chair for hours of sitting and reading, shelving for organizing, a corkboard or chalkboard wall to display personal art and encourage artistic expression.

LIGHT » Sufficient task lighting as well as ample

ambient light.

STORAGE » Plenty of file cabinets, crates and baskets

Heather Van Eyk is a mother of two; Principal Designer at NW Design House & owner of Budget Blinds located next to Starbucks in North Albany.

to keep things tidy.

Improve sleep quality and performance in the classroom

Budget Blinds of Linn & Benton Counties 630 NW Hickory Street, Suite 120, PMB #11 Albany, OR 97321 541-738-2806 budgetblinds.com/BentonCounty

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Summertime contact lens care As you escape the heat this summer, be sure to remove your contact lenses before jumping in a pool or other body of water

According to the FDA and the American Optometric Association (AOA), contact lenses should not be exposed to any kind of water, including tap water and water in showers. Contact lenses are like sponges and will absorb whatever is in the water, including any chemicals or bacteria that may be present.

If a contact lens is accidentally splashed with water, use artificial tears to lubricate and float the lens on the eye, wash and dry your hands and remove the lens, then clean and disinfect the lens with fresh sterile solution, or if it is a disposable lens, throw it away.

If you need vision correction for water-based activities like swimming, waterskiing, boating and other sports, ask us about well-fitted prescription goggles or sunglasses.

Source: American Optometric Association

Brought to you by

Carli Lancaster, O.D.

eyecareassociates.net Albany Willetta St SW (541) 926-5848 Albany Custom Eyes (541) 928-2020 NW Corvallis Office (541) 752-4622 Downtown Corvallis Office (541) 757-1120 Lebanon Office (541) 451-5808

we’re here for you!

It’s the wIlvet way.

Our hospital is staffed with veterinarians, technicians and boarding attendants 24/7/365. Our doors never close.

wIllamette veterInary hospItal 1562 SW 3rd St. in Corvallis 541.753.2223 | wilvet.com mommag.com 21

It’s perfect, honey!

Where did the Have you ever noticed that we love our children’s artwork, no matter how purple the sky or red the grass they’ve drawn?

We don’t expect it to be perfect, yet we find joy in it anyway.

We find joy in their imperfection, yet we often expect no less than perfection from ourselves or our spouse. When we reflect on our Just like Christmas and birthdays, the first day of school comes around each year. The summer flies past in such a hurry, it often takes us by surprise! There are some easy ways to prepare both moms and kids for the exciting day!

School supplies shopping – Supply lists

are available on school websites and at many retailers by mid-July. Start shopping early to spread out the cost and catch great sales. Waiting until the last minute can be a costly decision.

Practice bed time – It’s hard to get used

to going to bed on a “school year” schedule if you make the change suddenly. It’s especially hard to transition while it is light out until late evening hours. Gradually transitioning from a summer schedule to

go?

lives, we see what we don’t have. When we look in the mirror, we see our flaws instead of the blessings. Can we take a step back? Can we accept those few extra pounds, or scuffed shoes, or not-so-new car—even with its occasional rattles—and allow ourselves to experience satisfaction with what we have and who we are? Peace with ourselves liberates us to be our own “best.”

Today’s day.

Give yourself a break from the expectation of a school schedule starting in the early August A little summer preparation makes the makes it easier all around. perfection and say, “I’m okay.”transition back to school easier for your Practice “night before” preparations kids andtoday! keeps it on your “mom radar” too.

It’s called GRACE. – Give yourself some Whether it’s packing a lunch, checking Happy Dog Days of summer! that supplies are ready to go and placed See you soon! next to the door, or doing daily reading assignments, getting brought into the to habit youofby Brought to you by: preparing things the night before makes things easier to manage once school gets started.

Visit your school – Especially if your Carla TowerySantiam is a Christian Schools Santiam Christian Schools little one is just beginning school, visit the Kindergarten teacher, www.santiamchristian.org campus this summer www.santiamchristian.org and make it a place of confidence and familiarity.

Go play x243 on the 541-745-5524 x 243 Santiam Christian Schools 541-745-5524 playground, or walk around the campus.

Spending time “making it theirs” this summer makes for a great start this fall.

Carla Towery is a Kindergarten teacher, Santiam Christian Schools

LA FLAUTA MAGICA BILINGUAL PRESCHOOL Providing a dynamic Spanish-English curriculum based on literature, music and art in a nurturing atmosphere.

The program is designed to help children develop the disposition and skills necessary for a lifetime of creative learning.

541-602-4140 | 2945 NW Circle Blvd. www.the-magic-flute.org

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

4 mommag.com 22 mommag.com

ONLINE DEGREES CONVENIENCE FLEXIBILITY

Toothpaste batik Supplies: Scrap paper Embroidery hoop Pencil

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

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

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

mommag.com 23

...With Jen by his side, encouraging and reminding him of his worth, Jeremy left the center and headed to a new foster family—his 20th placement. Things were different this time.

SPOTLIGHT ON

CASA

VOICES FOR CHILDREN

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

MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN A CHILD’S LIFE CASA, Court Appointed Special Advocates,​is a unique program; there are no other agencies or nonprofit organizations that provide advocacy on behalf of children in foster care. CASA is built on the foundation of everyday people contributing to make a difference in an abused child’s life.

When a child who has been abused and neglected is going through the trauma of the court system, a CASA advocate is tirelessly working to guide them through safely, quickly and effectively.

Without the powerful voice of an advocate, children too often return to unsafe homes or languish in long-term foster care, risking future abuse or neglect. Since its foundation, CASA-Voices For Children has proudly served 100% of the children within the Child Welfare System in Benton County; advocating for each and every child.

“Jeremy was removed from his mother at age four. She had physically and emotionally abused him, and relinquished her own parental rights. He moved from foster home to foster home, acting out and running away until he found himself in a long-term behavioral health center with few options for his future. That’s when the judge ordered a CASA volunteer—Jen—to be placed on Jeremy’s case. Jeremy was 14 by then; the center was his 19th placement. The judge hoped that with an advocate, he could find his way out of the system. Jen went to the center every week to visit Jeremy. They would play chess and he wouldn’t talk. But every week he learned to trust her a little more, too, and she kept going.

Over the next several months, his coping and communication skills improved. His behavior got so much better, in fact, that case workers grew hopeful about his chance to be fostered again. With Jen by his side, encouraging and reminding him of his worth, Jeremy left the center and headed to a new foster family—his 20th placement. Things were different this time. From the beginning, Jeremy felt as if he fit right in with his new parents and siblings, and the family worked hard to help him adjust. When his annual foster care review rolled around, Jeremy’s life was different than it had been for all those years before. His CASA volunteer and foster parents were beaming in the courtroom beside him when the city attorney asked that the goal of adoption by his new foster parents be approved. After over a decade in care, Jeremy has found a family.” ~ National CASA Association

The success of CASA-Voices for Children depends on the generous support of volunteers.

Learn more about how you can make a difference in a child’s life by visiting www.casa-vfc.org

[ Momism #45: Listen

to your teacher.

] SPEAK UP FOR AN ABUSED AND NEGLECTED CHILD Volunteer: become a CASA or in another capacity Donate: financially or through our wish list Events: attend or sponsor CASA-VOICES FOR CHILDREN Serving Benton County 541-753-5838 www.casa-vfc.org CASA OF LINN COUNTY 541-926-2651 www.linncasa.org

Be my voice - Be my CASA

mommag.com 25

Back to (cooking)

school

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.

CRISPIEST BREADED CHICKEN PREP TIME 5 MINUTES

COOKING TIME 6 MINUTES

“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, age 12

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 breadcrumbs 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

Easy Mac & Cheese This single serving-sized macaroni and cheese recipe is perfect for an after school snack, and easy enough for the kids to make!

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

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.

FOR THE DOUGH 2 (1/4-ounce / 7 g) packages

active-dry yeast

1 1/2 CUPS plus 2 tablespoons (385 ml) warm water

4

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

olive oil

1 TABLESPOON coarse sea or

kosher salt

2 TEASPOONS sugar 2 TABLESPOONS cornmeal for

3/4 to 1 1/4 CUPS (180 to 295 ml)

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

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

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.

dusting (optional)

FOR THE TOPPINGS 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)

DIRECTIONS MAKE THE DOUGH 1

2

3

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.

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.

Put the dough in a clean medium bowl that’s been lightly oiled with vegetable

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.

Ingredients • ²⁄3 cup elbow macaroni • 1 cup cold water • ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese • 4 tsp. milk • 1 Tbsp. butter

Directions

Put dry macaroni and water in a medium-sized bowl. Microwave for 4 minutes, stir, then microwave for 2 minutes and stir again. If macaroni appears dry, add a little extra water, then microwave 1 more minute. Note: do not drain macaroni. Add cheese on top of the macaroni, then microwave for 45 seconds.

Add milk & butter, and stir well.

North Corvallis 2855 NW Grant Ave South Corvallis 1007 SE Third St Open daily 7am-10pm @firstaltcoop

mommag.com 27

www.firstalt.coop

choose this...

Keep your kids and the earth healthy with these back-to-school tips.

Reusable lunch containers: Plastic is forever, so when you use it, make it last.

Reusable lunch containers from the Co-op are a perfect way to reduce waste and save money. Packing a sandwich and two bags of snacks everyday uses around 540 bags per year, costing approximately $35. Instead, two reusable sandwich bags and two small, reusable snack containers from the Co-op will cost around $12 total and last for years.

They’re available in cool colors and shapes your kids will love.

Come to the First Alternative Natural Foods Co-op for all of your grocery needs. It’s the natural choice.

Back-to-school immune boosters: Don’t wait for sniffles; nip illness in the bud with immune boosting foods!

Probiotics are healthy bacteria that live in our digestive system. Adding live, cultured foods to your kid’s diet, like a yogurt snack or kefir drink ,will help their body fight off trouble. Betacarotene is another important food for wellness. It’s found in orange veggies like carrots and yams. Add a carrot stick snack to their lunch or try shredded carrots on sandwiches.

Two locations in Corvallis 1007 SE 3rd • 541-753-3115 2855 NW Grant • 541-452-3115 Open 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily www.firstalt.coop

Emily Stimac of First Alternative Co-op and her children.

Sandcastle Preschool

Register now for Fall 2019. Call for more information.

New extended hours and options.

Preschool ages 2½ to 5 | 9 a.m. to noon.

Early Bird Dropoff & Lunch Bunch Options

CELEBRATING 34 YEARS

541-753-7078 | www.sandcastlepreschool.net 435 NW 21st Street in Corvallis

Top 5 Star SPARK rated program!

2019 - 2020

28 mommag.com

Back to school with braces If your child is heading back to school with braces, be prepared with these tips: • Pay a quick visit to the orthodontist before heading back to school to ensure everything looks good and trimmed.

• Stock up on orthodontic wax to send to school if something starts to rub.

• Review what foods are ideal with braces. Packed lunches are a great way to make sure your child is eating braces-safe foods.

• Buy or get a travel toothbrush from your orthodontist to keep in a backpack or locker. Brushing at lunch will help keep their braces clean and healthy.

• Send a mirror for your child’s locker to check for embarrassing food debris that might get trapped in braces.

• If back-to-school means back-tosports, invest in an orthodontic mouthguard to protect your child’s braces and mouth.

By planning for success your child will head back to school with a smile.

This smile is brought to you by:

WADE L. HASLAM, DMD, PC 2657 NW Rolling Green Drive, Corvallis | 541.757.2440 valleyvieworthodontics.com

Dr. Haslam is a Board-Certified Specialist in Orthodontics.

What a beautiful baby Congratulations to the KRKT & HiLine Homes 2019 Beautiful Baby Contest winner:

Ellie from Salem Photo credit: Troutman Photography

mommag.com 29

Hiking with your pet

Here are three tips for summer hikes with your furry friends.

Know your dog well. Even in areas that allow for off-leash hiking, your dog must be dog-savvy and human-friendly to be off their lead.

Remember that, just because you have a friendly dog, doesn’t guarantee that other dogs you encounter will be.

Periodically call your dog over to you.

Reward her for coming and consider securing her to her leash before removing it and letting her go again.

Many owners mistakenly only call their dog when it is time to leave or when the dog has done something wrong, effectively poisoning their recall skills.

Build strong recall skills. If you are hiking with your dog off-leash, it’s important that you are able to recall her back from a wide variety of temptations like wildlife, and other hikers and dogs. To maintain good recall skills, periodically reward her with high-value treats, play and attention for responding to you when you call.

MID-WILLAME

CA PRESENTS

TTE FAMILY YM

An all day event featuring live music, local food trucks, adult beverages, and a kids zone. A day of fun for the whole family!

Brought to you by:

Brought to you by: safehavenhumane.org Chris Storm is the Executive Director of SafeHaven Humane Society and is mom to two beautiful daughters and many "fur children.”

AUGUST 17 th 11am 11pm LIVE MUSIC

•FOOD TR

UCKS •KID

S ZONE

FOR TICKETS AND MORE INFORMATION VISIT WWW.YMCAALBANY.ORG/EATS-AND-BEATS

Contact us today to schedule your tour Fall enrollment now open 30 mommag.com

541-926-3183 ext 310 upcchildrensplace.com

Caring for newborns through the preschool years | Nutritious meals included in the price of tuition

[ Momism #150: What did you learn today? ] HONOR

the volunteers and donors who enrich our lives and make Benton County a vibrant community

S A V E

T H E

D A T E

BENTON COMMUNITY FOUNDATION’S Philanthropic Achievement Awards

November 15, 2019

Purchase tickets at www.BCFgives.org/awards

Thank you to our Mission Sponsors

Isn’t Parenting great?

It’s better with support.

For Parents in Linn & Benton Counties

BACK TO SCHOOL, BACK TO YOU! TRY US OUT FOR FREE! @ORANGETHEORYCORVALLIS 1838 NW 9TH ST SUITE 112 541.716.5006 mommag.com 31

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

www.mommag.com | info@mommag.com

The views, information and content in this magazine are not that of the organization that may have provided MOM Magazine to readers as a courtesy.

MOM Magazine and its distributors assume no liability for the contents or events arising out of its distribution.

Gymnastics Balance • Flexibility • Strength • Courage • Discipline • Focus • Fun

Ages 2+ are welcome in our encouraging and safe gymnastics environment!

Come join us for fun learning in our classes offered all week!

OREGON JAMBOREE

Aces Days

A fun, safe place to learn and grow during no-school days

Oregon State University kidspirit@oregonstate.edu 541.737.KIDS (5437)

Whether your child is a budding artist, athlete, chef, or scientist, get ready to learn through play with our broad range of fun activities!