There is a lot of talk about the growing number of people with a sensitivity to gluten. Gluten free diets have been said to reduce symptoms from skin and digestive issues to neurological disorders. Having one child facing some difficulty in a handful of skills (focus being one of them) we decided to jump on the band wagon for one month and see if it helped. Here are 7 things I learned in our gluten free month.
(I’m a bad news first kinda girl, so lets start there)
The bad:
1. It’s expensive. This one is kind of a no-brainer. The cost of gluten-free versions of your favorite wheat-y foods or ingredients are twice (even three times) as much as your regular gluten-y stuff. And it’s a crap shoot… almost every single gluten free version was met with outright rejection. Never try to trick a picky eater. Thankfully, my oldest takes after me in that he eats like a goat and we could always give the rest of the box to him… but he wasn’t our problem. If I had to do it over again we’d skip most of the GF versions and focus with foods that were naturally gluten free. I don’t want to even consider the amount of money I wasted this month in gluten free products that tasted terrible. It would depress me… in fact, I’m getting depressed right now… so moving on.
2. It takes a lot of time. I embarked on this experiment with timing in mind. I’m still only working part time due to maternity leave. I don’t think I could have done it otherwise. Things that were normally store bought, like cookies, muffins or pizza, I now made from scratch which took a lot more of my time. Because I had modified the recipes for cookies and muffins to contain a lot more vitamins (I’ll get to that) I wanted to have them on hand as a snack. At least once I found myself baking well after the kids had gone to bed (when I wanted to be in bed).
image source: rialtocafe.com
3. It’s not always a healthy diet. French fries, corn puffs, potato chips, rice cakes, corn chips… all “naturally gluten free” and kids love them. Frito-Lay has an extensive list of all of their gluten free options which include Ruffles, Fritos and Cheetos. Fabulous. Going out to eat you may find that the only gluten free option on the kids menu is a simple side of fries. Having a gluten free label does not make it any less fattening or more nutritious. Even Bob’s Red Mill All Purpose Baking Flour, my GF flour and pancake mix of choice, contains more fat, less protein and less fiber than whole wheat flour. So it’s easy for the GF diet to be just as, if not more, unhealthy than a diet containing wheat.
Now for the good:
4. We ate out less. I wouldn’t say that we ate out a lot before, but between the limited options for kids (that my son would eat) and the money we were spending on groceries we ate at home almost every night. With a really busy household, it was nice to get back to family dinners. (Pssst… For a list of places where kids eat free in RVA check here)
5. I paid better attention to what my children ate. Restricting something as predominant in our diet as wheat, I really had to pay close attention to what went into our meals and modern “convenience foods”. I would love to say that I always paid as close attention… but I didn’t. Reading labels of foods brought to my attention the need for nutritional diversity in my children’s diet. Which leads me to my next lesson…
6. I cooked more. Fridays became GF pizza night. We experimented with a new gluten free pizza dough each week. Because I was now cooking many things from scratch instead of buying it at the store, I was able to modify our regular go-to’s to make them lower in saturated fat and more nutrient dense. For example, I was able to make our regular cheese pizza more nutritionally diverse by adding steamed sweet potato and carrot into the pizza sauce. Mr. Picky Eater actually licked the sauce off the crust one night (that week’s crust turned out to be a failure). And cooking together was kinda fun. I’ll admit, I found it terribly frustrating at first, because cooking with a 5 and 6 year old takes approximately 8,000x longer than doing it on your own, but once I gave myself a quick reminder to ‘let it go’ we had a pretty good time.
7. It helped– Maybe? At around day 10 we noticed a difference. In sensitivity towards my son, I’ll refrain from details, but we couldn’t help but see a marked difference in his behavior. It was no miracle worker, but something changed. After considering it further it’s unclear whether or not this change was due to a gluten free diet, increased nutrition or simply coincidental.
We wont be sticking with a strict GF diet (to celebrate the end of our gluten-free month we ordered pizza) but that doesn’t mean we’re forgoing the diet all together. The kids ate more fruit and veggies this past month than they ever did before. Since there were no goldfish or cheese-its to fill up on, the kids ate better at dinner time and even Mr. Picky tried some new foods.
We’ll probably stay gluten light, rather than gluten free. Though baking from scratch is more time consuming, it’s not that difficult, and I rather enjoyed finding creative ways to create healthier versions of our favorites – as well as discovering new favorites.
To find out more information about gluten free diet, Celiac Disease and gluten sensitivity visit:
Mayoclinic
Celiac Disease Foundation
When diabetes starts during pregnancy, it is called gestational diabetes. Women with diabetes (whether or not it is classified as gestational diabetes) need special care during pregnancy.
Diabetes is a condition that prevents the body from using food properly. The body receives its major source of energy from a sugar known as glucose. Insulin, a hormone manufactured in the pancreas, must be available for glucose to be used in the tissues. During pregnancy, some of the hormones produced by the placenta have a blocking effect on insulin. Gestational diabetes occurs when the pancreas produces its maximum amount of insulin, yet that is not enough to overcome the effect of the placenta’s hormones.
What are the risk factors for gestational diabetes?
Gestational diabetes is more common in women who
- are overweight or obese
- are older than 25
- have had gestational diabetes in a prior pregnancy
- are African American, American Indian, Asian American, Hispanic, Latina or Pacific Islander
- have a family history of diabetes
- have previously given birth to an infant that weighed more than 10 pounds
- had excess amniotic fluid in a prior pregnancy
- had an unexplained stillbirth or miscarriage in a prior pregnancy
How is gestational diabetes diagnosed?
At Virginia Women’s Center, we screen for gestational diabetes at 28 weeks of pregnancy. You will have to drink a syrupy glucose solution and then have your blood sugar level measured one hour later. If your blood sugar level is higher than normal, you will have to do a follow-up glucose test. The follow-up test involves drinking another glucose solution and having your blood sugar level checked every hour for a three hour period. If at least two of the blood sugar readings are higher than normal, you will be diagnosed with gestational diabetes.
What if I am diagnosed with gestational diabetes?
If you are diagnosed with gestational diabetes, you will work closely with our nurse practitioners to create an individualized food plan. You will not have to give up foods you love, but you may have to limit them or eat them with other foods so that your blood sugar isn’t negatively affected. During pregnancy, you will have to manage your blood sugar so that it stays in the optimal range and reduces your risk for complications. Usually, this can be done through diet and exercise. You will also work closely with our physicians and may need additional testing to monitor the baby’s health and reduce the risk of complications throughout your pregnancy.
For most women, once the baby is delivered, gestational diabetes will go away. You will be tested again at your postpartum visit. If it does not go away, it is reclassified almost always as type II diabetes. Women who had gestational diabetes are at high risk of having diabetes later in life. Choosing to pursue a healthy lifestyle by eating nutritiously and exercising regularly may help prevent or postpone diabetes.
Additional Resources:
Virginia Women’s Center is an advertiser on Richmondmom.com
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The basket arrived at my office and I couldn’t wait for the kids to get off the bus to check out their loot–a bunch of new drinks to try! They, along with a couple of neighbor friends, dug right in and their response:
Yummy!
This is cool stuff!
Mmm, since it’s good for us, can we have another one?
I’ve always been a supporter of local Richmond businesses, and had heard of Fruit 66 being offered at Richmond area schools, but didn’t know much more about it. It was fun to learn that the drinks were made not only to appeal to kids, but to nutrition professionals, since the USDA has confirmed that each can are the equivalent of one serving of fruit.
The new line, called Epic, are crated to appeal to tweens and teenagers who often make poor choices (like soda) when it comes to beverages. If you’ve ever heard of the drink “The Switch”–it also comes from William’s creativity, and it’s pretty awesome that the Fruit 66 Headquarters is located in our very own Shockoe Bottom near the Poe Museum.
Fruit 66 has been offered to students in public schools in Virginia including Richmond City, Chesterfield and Henrico County, and can also be ordered online, if you’d like your kiddos to test it out, too.
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Over the next several weeks, it is likely that many of us will be travelling from one holiday get-together to another as we celebrate the season with friends and family members. While the holidays can be a fun and festive time, many of our celebrations will be focused on food, making it easier for all of us to over-indulge and potentially gain weight. Eating healthy is not only beneficial to our waistlines, but also, it is an important component of mental health and can help keep our stress levels at bay. Below are some healthy holiday eating tips that we can all remember as we head into Thanksgiving later this week.
Healthy Holiday Eating Tips
- Set yourself up for success. Don’t try to start a new diet regime or lose weight over the holidays, focus on maintaining your weight throughout the holiday season. At VWC, we’re hosting a “Maintain Don’t Gain” contest from before Thanksgiving to the New Year.
- If you’re going to a big party in the evening, eat healthy snacks and meals throughout the day so that you are less ravenous when you arrive.
- Bring your own healthy dish to the potluck party and encourage others to do the same.
- Drink a glass of water before you sit down for a meal as well as throughout your meal.
- Be careful of the beverages you choose. Alcohol can reduce your inhibitions, which can induce overeating. Other holiday beverages, like eggnog, can be very high in calories, so limit your portion or avoid it altogether.
- Survey any buffets before you get in line. Pick and choose your favorites and make sure you include fruits and vegetables to keep your plate balanced.
- Position yourself away from the buffet table; you’ll be less likely to constantly snack if you’re not standing right beside it.
- Eat your meals slowly so to savor every bite. This also helps reduce the amount of food you will eat.
- Trim the fat off of the meat you eat. Each tablespoon of fat contains 100 calories.
- Indulge in some sweets, but pick the ones that are unique to the season instead of wasting calories on foods you can have any time throughout the year.
- Once you’re satisfied (not stuffed), chew on a piece of gum or pop a mint in your mouth. You’ll be less tempted to keep eating.
- Make time for exercise – suggest a family walk after your holiday meal instead of the all too tempting snooze. Integrating daily exercise into your routine can also help ward off holiday stress.
What tips have you found to be useful as you try to maintain your weight over the holidays?
Virginia Women’s Center is an advertiser on Richmondmom.com
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We hear from women all the time about the special relationship they have with their nurse practitioner at Virginia Women’s Center. In honor of National Nurse Practitioner Week, November 11-17, we wanted to remind our patients that a nurse practitioner makes a great health care provider for many of your routine care needs–whether you are a young adult, pregnant or menopausal woman.
A nurse practitioner is a registered nurse who has completed specific advanced nursing education, typically a master’s degree, and is trained in diagnosing common and complex medical conditions. Nurse practitioners can provide a full range of services such as ordering, performing and interpreting diagnostic tests; diagnosing and treating acute and chronic conditions; prescribing medications and treatments; and managing overall patient care. At Virginia Women’s Center, our nurse practitioners are board certified by national professional organizations.
Women’s health nurse practitioners are specially trained and board certified in obstetrics and gynecology and collaborate with our physicians to provide services that include the following:
- Care before and after menopause
- Contraceptive care
- Evaluation and treatment of common vaginal infections
- Health and wellness counseling to patients of all ages, including family planning care and gestational diabetes consultations
- Annual exams, including Pap test
- Pregnancy testing and routine care before, during and after pregnancy
- Screening and referral for other health problems
- STD screening and follow-up
Women with medical conditions, especially those that require surgery, need the services of a physician. But when women have typical health care needs, a nurse practitioner can serve as their health care provider.
Nurse practitioners distinguish themselves from other health care providers by focusing on the health and well-being of the whole person, in addition to specific concerns. They work as partners with their patients, guiding them to make educated health care decisions and healthy lifestyle choices. Their aim is to educate patients on the effects their health choices can have on them, their loved ones and their communities.
To read the biographies of Virginia Women’s Center’s nurse practitioners, visit the staff page on their Website. To learn more about the care that nurse practitioners provide, read their comments here.
Additional links:
American Academy of Nurse Practitioners
Virginia Women’s Center is an advertiser for Richmondmom.com
Check out the events all week and plan ahead. Be sure and visit our Fall Festival and Fun page too – where you’ll find new additions to the calendar throughout the season.
Plan Ahead
Choose the right kindergarten for your child at upcoming open houses October 16 and 26.
HCA Girl’s Day Out is coming up October 19 – plan a fun day with a girlfriend, daughter, mother, or just go by yourself and meet other women. It’s a fantastic day of learning, socializing, shopping, and fun!
Pink Tie Gala is October 20 – mark your calendar!
October is:
- Breast Cancer Awareness Month
- Family History Month
- Virginia Wine month
- Read Aloud to a Child Week is October 21-27
- And we would be remiss if we did not report that October is National Dessert Month too – enjoy! (National Dessert DAY is October 14).
In addition to our Festivals and Family Fun, and our newest After-school Activities listing, we’ve included other ongoing activities below. Be sure and check out all of our great resources for family-friendly fun in Richmond (and even a few adult-only events!).
Be sure to book by October 15 to get great discounts at Great Wolf Lodge to be used through December! Use our special code just for Richmondmoms.
Ongoing Activities
Young Tom Jefferson at Virginia Rep’s Children’s Theatre at Willow Lawn – through October 27. Check our website for special deals on tickets too!
If You Love Your City: Prove It October 1-28, 2012 - make a difference in our city.
Free movie night at Tom Leonards every Friday in October. IT’S BACK!!!!! Every Friday night in October starting around 7pm, please join Tom Leonards Farmers Market located at 4150 Brookriver Drive, Glen Allen, VA 23060 under the big tent for kids holiday movie night. Will include free movie, popcorn, hot chocolate, apple 
cider, face painting and hay rides. Bring your chair or sit on hay bales.
All Fired Up: Set Special: Buy 4, get 10% off! 10:00 am - 6:00 pm - Buy any four of the same item, and get them all for 10% off! What a perfect opportunity to make that set of bowls, plates, mugs, or tiles that you’ve been wanting to design.
The Hound of the Baskervilles – Now through November 4, 2012. Part of Virginia Rep’s Barksdale Season at Hanover Tavern – Three actors take on more than twenty roles including Holmes, Dr. Watson, and themselves as they hilariously retell the story of the classic thriller with the killer dog! This highly theatrical comedy will have you howling with laughter. A fast-paced spoof for the entire family! Click here for some ongoing events at the Science Museum of Virginia and more.
Guitar: The Instrument That Rocked the World at the Science Museum of Virginia.
Monday, October 8
All Fired up – Your Youngster & You: Halloween Prints - 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. On Monday, October 8th, choose from several Halloween-themed handprint and footprint designs and let our helpful staff take care of the rest! We’ll help you get the perfect print from your infant or toddler, paint a festive border, and write a simple inscription of your choice. We strongly recommend reserving a half-hour appointment between 10am-1pm. Cost is only $25 per print project on a large rimmed dinner plate.
Inlight Lantern-Making at The Children’s Museum from 9:30 am – 5 pm - Please join 1708 Gallery for lantern-making workshops throughout the month of October at The Children’s Museum to participate in InLight Richmond! InLight Richmond 2012 is 1708 Gallery’s 5th annual, public exhibition of light-based art and performances. Free to all, InLight will kick off with a Community Lantern Parade on Friday, November 2, 2012 in the new Arts & Culture District of Downtown W. Broad Street. For more information about InLight Richmond please visit www.1708gallery.org/inlight.
Tuesday, October 9
GrowRVA Food Truck Court at Science Museum of Virginia 5pm – 8pm - Bring your friends and family to the Science Museum to find your favorite food trucks with a variety of gourmet, ethnic and specialty foods. They’ll be at the Museum the second Tuesday and third Friday of each month through the end of the year. For more information visit the website.
End the Struggle: Understanding a Brain-Based Approach to ADHD, Social, Academic, and Behavior. Join Dr. Mark Smith, executive director of the Brain Balance Achievement Center of Richmond for this informative program for parents of children ages 4 – 17 that are struggling with academic, behavioral, emotional or sensory issues.
The Nature of Boys (Parents of boys birth – 9 years) – A class all about boys. Promises Preschool, Three Chopt Presbyterian Church, 9315 Three Chopt Road, $30 per person. By Commonwealth Parenting. *Pre-registration required for all classes and support groups. Call 545-1272 or visit the website.
Short Pump Pals Clubhouse Meeting. 11 a.m. at Short Pump Mall Food Court.Have a magical time with Mike Klee Magic! Mike has all sorts of tricks up his sleeve and is sure to bring his bag of tricks. Join us and be mesmerized by magic tricks, and learn a thing or two.
Wednesday, October 10
Strong Healthy Family Nights at Good Shepherd. Come to Strong Healthy Families Night at Good Shepherd Lutheran Child Development Center and learn meal planning strategies for healthy meals and snacks that your family will RAVE about! Valerie Waters, in-store registered dietician for Martin’s Food Market, will provide moms and dads with practical tips and creative solutions.
Spirited Art - every Wednesday, we will be offering an adult class at 11 a.m. You’re welcome to bring your own lunch/snacks during this weekday class. Check out our calendar www.myspiritedart.com.
Mommy & Me at Willow Lawn - Wednesday, October 10, 10-11:30am: Silly Bus. Stop by our Richmondmom.com table and say hello!
First Home School Day at Polegreen Church Foundation -The Historic Polegreen Church Foundation offers Richmonders a unique opportunity to experience some of the history of Richmond and Polegreen. The Foundation is planning its’ first Home School Day on Wednesday, October 10, 2012. The event will take place onsite at 6411 Heatherwood Drive in Mechanicsville, VA 23116.
Live Sky. Science Museum of Virginia.Join us for an out of this world adventure as we explore the stars
Thursday, October 11
I Love You ‘A Latte” Tray at All Fired Up for adults - 6:00 p.m - 8:00 pm - The second thursdays of the month are now our Adult Technique Class series. This month, on Thursday, October 11th, from 6-8pm, we’ll show you how to paint a swoop server tray with an adorable coffee design (see website for design and details). Tell a friend and reserve your spot today! Cost is only $35!
October is Dyslexia Awareness Month. TNCS is hosting an event on October 11 that will help parents and caregivers understand dyslexia. Check it out and register early to attend.
Barnes & Noble Storytime at Short Pump
Friday, October 12
Kugel Ball 2012: Strike A Chord - 6:30 pm – The stage is set for a rocking evening at the Science Museum of Virginia’s Kugel Ball. Dress in your best “Blue Jean Black Tie” and get ready for an evening that’s sure to be electric! Get an all access pass to one of the world’s most iconic instruments in Guitar: The Instrument That Rocked the World. This interactive exhibit explores the evolution of the guitar, its cultural impact and the science of sound. It will strike a chord with your inner musician! The evening includes a silent auction, dinner and dancing to live music, while raising awareness and support for the Museum’s mission: Inspiring Virginians to enrich their lives through science. For more details and to purchase tickets visit this link.
Toys ‘R Us Grand Opening in Short Pump. Fun for kids and adults.The store will celebrate its grand opening weekend with great savings, giveaways, kid-friendly activities and visits from popular costumed characters beginning on Friday, October 12 through Sunday, October 14.
Unraveling the Mystery of Children’s Mental Health - From Brains to Behavior. 8:30 a.m. – 4:45 p.m. at the Library of Virginia.
An Evening with Rosanne Cash at CMoR - 7:00 p.m. – Join us for a very special evening welcoming Rosanne Cash and her husband, John Leventhal, to Richmond. Mingle with Rosanne and John, hear them share a few songs, and learn more about why Rosanne has supported Children Incorporated, a Richmond-based child sponsorship organization, for 25 years. Tickets are limited, so make your reservations today. The event takes place on Friday evening, October 12 at the Richmond Children’s Museum, 7 until 10pm. Tickets are $75 per person.
Richmond Folk Festival in downtown Richmond historic area.
St. Catherine’s School Kindergarten Open House - 9:30 – 11:30 a.m. Call 804.281.7140. Learn about what they have to offer.
After School Enrichment at All Fired Up. Working in wet clay, glass and glaze at Short Pump’s location from 3:30-4:30p.m., Carytown from 4-5 p.m.; Midlothian from 4:30-5:30 p.m. Call to register.
Saturday, October 13
The 6th Annual Step UP for Down Syndrome 5K & Family Festival is Saturday, October 13, 2012 from 8:30AM – Noon. It’s a heart-warming 5K run/walk and family festival. The event celebrates the abilities and accomplishments of individuals with Down syndrome in the Greater Richmond & Tri-Cities areas. Enjoy lots of FREE family activities, live music by The Groove Motive, DS Superstars Ceremony, pumpkin patch, fashion show featuring individuals with Down syndrome and more! Register to run, walk or volunteer at www.dsagr.com.
Musical Morning. 10am-11:15am. The Richmond Public Library – Main Library Auditorium. The Board of the Richmond Public Library Foundation invites your family to a musical morning featuring musicians from the Richmond Symphony. The program is free. You are encouraged to sponsor a book in your child’s name through the Foundation’s Buy-A-Book program.
Toys ‘R Us Grand Opening in Short Pump. Fun for kids and adults.The store will celebrate its grand opening weekend with great savings, giveaways, kid-friendly activities and visits from popular costumed characters beginning on Friday, October 12 through Sunday, October 14.
Make Someone Happy Day - Happy the Artist turns 70 and is throwing a public shindig to elebrate. Starting at 2:00 p.m. at Richmond’s Byrd Theatre – free movie, free popcorn, free cake and plenty of free fun. Happy wears colorful clown-like clothes and a bowler hat while driving mural-painted vehicles. The nationally known artist has traveled the country creating murals, exhibits, and more.
Snag-A-Job Pavilion at Innsbrook 11th Annual Fall Bash - Oysters, BBQ, local wines, and music. Must be 21_ to attend. Call 804.377.3430 for tickets or visit website. Tickets are $70 in advance; $80 at the door.
Musical Morning at the Library with musicians from the Richmond Symphony on Saturday, October 13, 2012 from 10 am to 11:15 am. It’s at the Auditorium of the Main Library, 101 E. Franklin Street, Richmond, VA and the program is free and open to the public. The Richmond Public Library Foundation invites you and your family to a musical morning featuring musicians from the Richmond Symphony. Join us at 10 am on Saturday, October 13, for refreshments, crafts, and an instrument petting zoo, followed by a performance at 10:30 by artists from the Richmond Symphony.
Art Workshop at CMoR - A Positive Perspective from 9:45 am – 10:30 am.
Step Out: Walk to Stop Diabetes 2012.
Paint the Town Green. We will meet up at Monroe Park at 8:30AM on 10/13/12 for a free breakfast. This event will satisfy any community service hours needed as long as you sign in. We will group up and head to the pick up sites at 9AM and should finish at 1PM where we will return to Monroe park for a party.
The Vintage Home Market is a gathering of some of the region’s very best vintage and antiques dealers, and true craftspeople who re-purpose and create with vintage finds. This is an indoor and outdoor fall show which also features gourmet food and beverages from local eateries.
11th House performs at the Science Museum of Virginia - performs live on stage in the exhibition Guitar: The Instrument That Rocked the World at the Science Museum of Virginia. Join us on designated Saturdays, for live guitar acoustic performances by Richmond area musicians. Each performance is about 1 hour long and is included with Museum admission.
International Mother & Daughter East Coast Pageant - October 13 at 11:00 a.m. at New Life Outreach International Church in Richmond. Compete for the crown – a family friendly event in celebration of mothers and daughters everywhere. Contact Kesha at Internationalecp@gmail.com or visit the website.
Richmond Bonsai Society Exhibit at Maymont - In celebration of the 100th Anniversary of Maymont’s Japanese Garden, the Richmond Bonsai Society will display their horticultural masterpieces and discuss the art of Bonsai, training a tree in a low pot. Free admission. Rain date is Sunday, October 14. For information, call 804-358-7166, ext. 310.
Kids Night Out at Romp n Roll. 5pm-8pm. Romp n’ Roll Midlothian, 11541 Busy St. Richmond VA 23236. Every kid deserves a special night out…and so do you! That’s why we created Kids Night Out. Parents get an evening to themselves while the children get to run and play with our energetic instructors and enjoy a Pizza Party dinner at Romp n’ Roll. $30, which includes a pizza dinner for ages 2-5 (potty-training not required). Reservations Required.
11th Annual Comfort Zone Camp Fall Bash - Join us for the 11th Annual Fall Bash. Enjoy all-you-can-eat oysters, barbeque, local wineries, and music from the incredible Right On.
JEFFREY A. REED MEMORIAL FUND 2ND ANNUAL 5K - Join us for the 2nd Annual 5k and One Mile Fun Run to benefit the Jeffrey A. Reed Memorial Fund! The fund, founded in memory of Army Sgt. Jeffrey Reed who was killed in Iraq in 2009, provides funding for college scholarships as well as various programs that help the veterans of our Armed Forces, both on a local and national level.
Sunday, October 14
Black Girls RUN!? Of course we do! We would like to invite you to join BGR! Richmond on Sunday, October 14 for our Monument Avenue run/walk event! The group will meet at First Baptist Church on Monument Avenue at 2:30pm. We will have a 2 mile and 3 mile walk/run. We invite women of all races and fitness levels.
Toys ‘R Us Grand Opening in Short Pump. Fun for kids and adults.The store will celebrate its grand opening weekend with great savings, giveaways, kid-friendly activities and visits from popular costumed characters beginning on Friday, October 12 through Sunday, October 14.
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Wouldn’t you love to create family meals that are both delicious and healthy? Wouldn’t you love to be able to balance good nutrition with your ridiculously busy schedule?
Come to Strong Healthy Families Night at Good Shepherd Lutheran Child Development Center and learn meal planning strategies for healthy meals and snacks that your family will RAVE about! Valerie Waters, in-store registered dietician for Martin’s Food Market, will provide moms and dads with practical tips and creative solutions.
And bring the kids. Complimentary babysitting with play-to-learn activities will be provided! Tell your friends and neighbors and bring them, too!
Register by October 5th and receive a VIP “Goodie Bag”, compliments of Martin’s and Good Shepherd. Plus, all families will be eligible to win a $150 Gift Card from Martin’s Food Market!
ADVANCED REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED. PLEASE CLICK HERE TO REGISTER.
For more information, contact Michele McTague at (804) 897-0260
This community-wide event is part of Good Shepherd’s “Strong Healthy Families” Education Series.
Good Shepherd Child Development Center is an advertiser on Richmondmom.com
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You may already know that Green Monkey School Lunches delivers fresh, nutritious lunches to many Richmond area schools. And now, if they’re not delivering to your school, you can still get their fresh, natural lunches for your kids delivered right to you. They’ve even expanded their delivery options to the Charlottesville area where Green Monkey school lunches have already been a huge hit with kids.
Green Monkey is excited to partner with RELAY Foods to bring healthy lunch options to kids everywhere. You can order several of these lunches to keep on hand in the refrigerator – the next morning just pull them out of the fridge and you’re ready to go.
Adults will love these lunch options too.
(Article below is excerpted from RELAY Foods newsletter).
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with healthy, fun school lunches
 Packing lunches that are delicious and healthy shouldn’t be a battleground, but there’s no denying that many an unpleasant morning spring from the fight over what goes in the lunchbox.Enter our friends at Green Monkey Catering. With fresh-packed, colorful bento boxes full of healthy ingredients, the Green Monkey team has forever saved a generation of Virginia parents from the horrors of Lunchables.As one Green Monkey regular puts it: “School lunches from Green Monkey make our lives much easier! Thanks for preparing healthy food for my son and allowing us a more relaxed morning without the hassle of packing lunches!”
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Green Monkey School Lunches is an advertiser on Richmondmom.com
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Source: http://blog.superhealthykids.com/2012/08/9-healthy-international-recipes-your-kids-might-love/#
What’s more fun than kids and cooking? And when you combine it with the Olympics – it’s awesome!
Sweet potato tater tots, vegetable sushi, Mexican pizza, summer pudding, and Italian zucchini frittata are just some of the great recipes and fun ideas you’ll find right here at this link. You can even print a passport for kids to color the flags from each country and learn more about them.
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Pregnancy is a beautiful thing, but at times the process can feel… less than glamorous! It’s not uncommon for expectant moms to feel run down, swollen, achy and in a general state of discomfort at various stages in their pregnancy.
Eating right and working out can help, but it’s important to take special care while you are expecting.
That’s why The Cedarhouse School has teamed up with local fitness expert, Allison Andrews of Fit in Your Body to offer prenatal fitness classes. First certified through the National Strength and Conditioning Association in 1996, Allison has over 20 years of experience in the health and fitness industry. She makes it fun to get in shape and stay fit!
Starting July 14, classes will be offered on Saturdays from 9:30 am-10:30 am at The Cedarhouse School. See registration details below.
Workouts are designed to suit all stages of pregnancy and fitness levels and will help expectant moms:
Feel Better
- Boost your energy level during the day and sleep better at night
Tone Up
- Strengthen and tone muscles to relieving backaches and improve posture
- Prevent wear and tear on your joints which become loosened during pregnancy due to normal hormonal changes
- Strengthens your muscles and endurance to help you prepare for delivery
- Get your pre-pregnancy body back faster, post-delivery
Make Friends
Whether you will be a first-time or veteran mom, it helps to share your experience with others.
According to Kelly Vance, “I’ve participated in Allison’s bootcamps for nearly two years and she’s been training with me one-on-one since I became pregnant. Thanks to Allison, I actually feel a modicum of control over my ever-growing preggo body! I sleep better, too.”
Take advantage of this fantastic opportunity to look and feel better – and have fun at the same time! All expectant moms are welcome, but space is limited. Contact Allison at Allison@fitinyourbody.com to register.
The Cedarhouse School is an advertiser on Richmondmom.com
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