Starting solids is a fun rite of passage for both parents and babies… but those little packages can feel really wasteful not to mention it gets expensive quick!
Relay Foods, Chop Suey Books, Franklin Goose and Hip to be Round are hosting a free baby food demo at the Hip to be Round store in Carytown.
You’ll learn how to make your own baby food, hear tips, watch the process and taste the final product.
In addition to learning a thing or two you’ll have a chance to meet other moms, win door prizes and get a discount on nursing apparel.
DIY Baby Food Demo
Thursday, March 26, 2015
6:30pm
Hip to be Round in Carytown
3124 W. Cary Street
Richmond, va 23221
No RSVP necessary.
Hip to be Round is a sponsor of Richmondmom
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UPDATE from the Fairfax County: The confirmatory test result for the suspected measles case has come back negative. Although this was not a positive case, residents are reminded of the ongoing multi-state measles outbreak and are encouraged to check their vaccination status and contact their healthcare provider if they have questions.
The Fairfax County Health Department has identified a suspected case of measles in a Fairfax County resident. The case is being investigated and it will take 24 hours for test results to confirm or rule out the disease.
If the case is positive, a press conference will be held Wednesday, Feb 11 with further information.
From the Fairfax County website:
People who have received at least one dose of measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine in the past are at very low risk of being infected with measles. Measles is easily preventable through safe and effective MMR vaccine. The best protection against future measles cases is the on-time vaccination of all susceptible people.
Measles is a highly contagious illness that is spread through coughing, sneezing and contact with secretions from the nose, mouth and throat of an infected individual. Measles symptoms usually appear in two stages. In the first stage, most people have a fever of greater than 101 degrees, runny nose, watery red eyes and a cough. The second stage begins around the third to seventh day when a rash begins to appear on the face and spreads over the entire body.
If confirmed, this would be the first case of the measles in Virginia this year.
According to the CDC, 17 states and Washington D.C. have confirmed cases of measles from January 1- February 6, 2015. 85% of the cases are are a result of a large, multi-state outbreak linked to an outbreak at Disney World. As of today, the CDC website has yet to update to include Georgia in it’s count which has since confirmed it’s first case of measles in 3 years.
Visit the CDC’s website for more information about the measles outbreak.
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February is American Heart Month, and it’s a good time for everyone in the family to show their hearts some love! Whether your health goals are to manage high blood pressure or high cholesterol or to form lifelong healthy habits, there are plenty of foods that the whole family can enjoy to help meet these goals.
Foods that show the biggest benefits for our hearts include choices with fiber and unsaturated fats like omega-3 fatty acids, and low in saturated and trans fats, sodium and added sugars. These would include most vegetables and fruits, beans, nuts and seeds, whole grains, fatty fish, like salmon, tuna, trout or sardines and plant based oils like olive oil. Minimize those foods high in added sodium or sugars, and high fat dairy products. Making exercise a part of your daily routine is also important for heart health – make time to take some family walks, or visit one of the beautiful parks around the Richmond area!
Here are some delicious ways to show your heart some love this month:
- Avocado is a yummy source of unsaturated fat and fiber! Spread on sandwiches instead of mayonnaise, add to salads or mix into fresh salsa.
- Beans are an excellent source of fiber! Here’s a quick afterschool snack that your kids will love and can make themselves! Using a corn tortilla, sprinkle low-fat cheddar cheese and place your favorite beans – black beans, soy beans, or kidney beans – on top. Microwave on half power for 30 seconds, or until cheese melts. Finish with some salsa and avocado for a heart smart snack.
- Raw, unsalted or lightly salted nuts are a great snack and easy to keep with you during the day. If nut allergies are a concern, try dry roasted or frozen and shelled soybeans! These choices contain unsaturated fats and fiber.
- Fresh veggies make a great snack! If you or your little ones crave that “something extra” try making a Ranch flavored dip with 6 oz fat free, plain Greek yogurt and 1-2 tbsp powdered Ranch mix. Nut butters, low-fat cottage cheese, hummus or guacamole also make great dips!
- If your children think there is something “fishy” about fish, try making salmon cakes in fun shapes, or tuna or cod fish sticks coated with some whole wheat bread crumbs or crushed Shredded wheat. Serving these new foods with an old favorite, like homemade sweet potato fries may help your kids to try something new!
- Replace snacks like potato chips or crackers with baked kale or Swiss chard. Baking these nutrient rich veggies is easy and fun for the whole family! Wash and dry the leaves very well, then have kids help you tear them in small pieces. Lightly coat with olive oil and your favorite spices, like garlic, pepper or cumin and bake in the oven at 275͒ and turning halfway, for 15-20 minutes, or until crispy.
- Give PB& J a new twist! Replace the jelly with your kids’ favorite fresh fruit, like bananas, strawberries or apple slices. Using a whole wheat wrap works just as well, and is still a source of whole grains.
- There’s still room for dessert in a diet that supports heart health! Try replacing eggs with ground flaxseed, or oil with applesauce or a mashed up banana in baked goods. What about a dessert pizza? Bake a whole wheat pizza crust, spread with Greek yogurt or Neufchatel cheese and top with your favorite fruits. You can finish with a slight drizzle of honey if your kids crave something sweeter!
If you have “picky eaters”, try introducing one new food at a time, with foods that your child is familiar with. Picking out foods for the menu and preparing them can also help to familiarize kids with these new options, so make sure to involve the whole family in mealtime.
For more healthy tips, visit MARTIN’S website or call to schedule a consultation with Caroline, or with Valerie Pulley, MARTIN’S in-store nutritionist on Richmond’s West End.
Check out these other great healthy eating tips from MARTIN’S
MARTIN’S is a sponsor of Richmondmom.com
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photo credit: Joakim Wahlander
Have you ever heard the phrase, “Never put anything smaller than an elbow in your ear?” Sage advice, indeed.
My parents told me when I was 3 years old, I put a cocoa puff in my nose and it got stuck. Quite a pretty picture, eh? My dad reportedly put black pepper in my other nostril, I sneezed, and the situation was remedied.* I have no memory of the event and cannot imagine why I would do such a thing.
Apparently, incidents of young kids putting objects in their ears, noses and throats are not uncommon. According to the American Family Physician Journal, the most common ear foreign objects include beads, plastic toys, pebbles, and popcorn kernels. The majority of patients with an object in their ear are younger than 8-years-old.
A few years ago when my oldest was 6-years-old, he complained that his ear “felt weird” and that he could not hear very well out of that ear. He had no fever, and had only had one ear infection in his young life, so we waited it out for a few days. Since he swims regularly, I wondered if he had water in his ear. When it had not resolved, I took him to the pediatrician and I watched in horror as she expertly and gently flushed it out. It was one of the most disgusting things I have ever seen.
The dislodged object looked like a large piece of popcorn (popped and expanded) coated with thick wax. The object had become very porous, so in addition to being coated with wax, there were large nooks and crannies filled with wax. The doctor showed it to my son and asked him what it was. My son casually said, “Huh. Well…huh. It looks familiar to me, but I can’t identify it right now.”
Fortunately, there was no follow-up necessary – we went on our way and my son proclaimed that his ear “felt great and totally not weird”. Well done, son! It turns out that popcorn is much easier to extract than an unpopped kernel, due to density and shape. It could have been a lot worse. Read on to learn the interesting story of one young boy’s astonishing ear bean.
Have your children ever put any foreign objects in their ears, noses, or throats? If so, how did you handle it?
*Please seek medical treatment if you suspect your child has a foreign object stuck in their ear, nose, or throat.
The City of Richmond wants to help you get ready for Back 2 School Friday, August 22nd 8am-2pm.
Richmond city residents are encouraged to bring their kids along with shot records and insurance information to 400 East Cary Street to get all the necessary immunizations and physicals before the school year starts.
Services available at the Back 2 School Event:
- Vaccinations for daycare, and school-entry
- T-dap booster shots for rising 6th graders
- Physicals for Head Start and elementary school-entry
Walk-in: no appointment needed. Call 482-5500 for more information
If you can’t make the Back 2 School Event, visit the Weekday Immunization Clinic
400 E. Cary Street
Tuesday afternoons & Friday mornings
Walk-in or call for an appointment: 482-5500
School vaccination dates:
*Tuesday August 5, 12, 19, 26 & September 2
*Friday August 1, 8, 15, 22 & September 5
Back 2 School Event
Richmond City Health District
400 East Cary Street
FRIDAY, AUGUST 22nd 8 AM- 2 PM
Summer is here and so is the bountiful crop of fresh and local fruits and veggies! Whether you are growing or purchasing local produce, it is a rewarding experience to support local farmers, provide fresher produce to your family, and save at the same time. Local produce begins to appear in MARTIN’S stores in late June through September. Visiting a farm is a fun experience the whole family can enjoy. Many farmers are happy to provide tours or talk to their community, in fact, nearly 90% of Virginia farms are owned and operated by individuals or families, just like you!
What will you find at the stores and markets this summer?
June: Asparagus (ends in June), beets, blackberries, blueberries, cabbage, cucumbers, green beans, greens/spinach, fresh herbs, onions, potatoes, squash, strawberries
July – August: Apples, beets, blackberries, blueberries, cabbage, cantaloupe, cucumbers, eggplant, green beans, fresh herbs, nectarines, peaches, peppers, potatoes (July), raspberries, squash, sweet corn, tomatoes, watermelon
September- October: Apples, Asian pears, beets, broccoli, cabbage, cucumbers, eggplant (ends in September), green beans, greens/spinach, fresh herbs, peppers, potatoes (October), pumpkins, raspberries, squash, sweet potatoes, tomatoes
Now that you have filled your basket with fresh produce, time to take it home and enjoy it! Time is ticking to eat up fresh produce before it spoils and we have all been there! Take advantage of any free time in the kitchen to prep your produce to help save time on busy weeknights. Your family will be much more likely to eat it if it’s ready to go. You can wash and prepare carrots, bell peppers, cherry tomatoes, zucchini, squash, broccoli, green beans and melons; keep in the fridge to munch on for several days. Even your hearty greens like kale and collards can be washed, dried and stored for use later in the week. Wait to wash and prep fruits and vegetables that have a thin skin like strawberries, raspberries and peaches, they will need to be eaten within 24 hours for the best quality.
Try these ideas for incorporating local fruits and veggies into your family’s daily diet!
- Summer is great time for making smoothies! Try a green smoothie by adding spinach or kale. Peaches, blackberries and blueberries are delicious in smoothies.
- Bell peppers, cabbage, or even zucchini are great veggies to stuff with a mix of ground turkey or beans, quinoa or rice, other veggies, and fresh herbs like basil, oregano or cilantro.
- Wrap your favorite chicken or tuna salad in fresh lettuce leaves or stuff into a big Hanover tomato.
- Have the kids help you tear a bunch of kale into small bite size pieces to add to salads, mix into rice, quinoa or pasta dishes, or bake into kale chips.
- Use up a lot of veggies at once by roasting a large tray of peppers, onions, squash, eggplant broccoli, sweet potatoes and more! Add your favorite fresh herbs and olive oil. Roasting veggies brings out the natural sweetness in veggies to help cut the bitterness, making them more kid friendly! You can mix them into pastas, stuff into a wrap, or use as a pizza topping.
- Jazz up water or sparkling water by adding fresh berries or cucumbers or even fresh herbs like basil or mint.
- Add some natural sweetness by tossing a handful of berries or sliced peaches into cereals, yogurt, over ice cream, into salads, or top pancakes or waffles.
- Make watermelon savory by tossing with spinach, feta cheese and a vinaigrette dressing.
- Grill fruit for dessert! Grilled peaches and pineapples (OK, not local, but still great when grilled!) are delicious paired with vanilla yogurt or light ice cream.
Kids are often the pickiest eaters in the family, so take advantage of the dog days of summer to get the kids active in the kitchen! Involve them with possibly growing a garden, prepping, and cooking. Kids are much more likely to try their masterpiece if they had a hand in it! Enjoy the longer days and bounty of fresh produce this summer available to you from MARTIN’S!
Valerie Waters, RDN is MARTIN’S In- Store Nutritionist. Valerie is located in 3 Richmond area MARTIN’S stores and available to assist customers in their quest for healthy food choices! She has 13 years of experience as a registered dietitian nutritionist and has worked in the grocery setting for 7 years. As a working mom of two daughters, Valerie relates well to the challenges today’s moms face trying to establish and maintain healthy habits for a busy lifestyle. She is committed to offering practical advice based on up-to-date medical information to help families make sustainable healthy changes to their lifestyle. To get a plan tailored to you, call Valerie at 804-364-3644 to set up a one-on-one consultation.
MARTIN’S is a sponsor of Richmondmom.com
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Photo: Migle Seikyte
Whether you have celiac disease, gluten intolerance/sensitivity or have chosen to go gluten-free for other reasons, GIANT Food Stores and MARTIN’S Food Markets offers several ways to make gluten-free shopping and meal planning easier.
MARTIN’S features blue and green labels on the shelf immediately below a gluten-free product to help customers easily identify gluten-free items as they shop the aisles of the grocery store. Currently, thousands of Own Brand and national brand products are identified as gluten-free throughout the perishable and nonperishable departments.
The team of GIANT/MARTIN’S nutritionists is also sharing several tips to help go gluten-free:
- Try gluten-free muesli for breakfast. Rich in whole grains, this cereal packs a punch to your morning routine.
- For a sweet treat, bake apple slices in the oven with a bit of cinnamon until soft and top with a light drizzle of agave and walnuts.
- When looking for gluten-free baked goods, look for high-fiber, watch out for sodium and keep portion control in check. Gluten-free doesn’t mean calorie-free.
- Make your own gluten-free trail mix by combing dry roasted edamame, almonds, dried cranberries and pumpkin seeds.
- Quinoa is a nutrient-dense source when it comes to gluten-free grains. It’s rich in fiber and protein to keep you feeling full longer.
- Wheat-free products may still contain rye, barley or other gluten-containing grains. Read the ingredient list and when in doubt, go without.
- Perk up the flavor and texture of gluten-free breads, rolls and muffins by toasting them. Warming these products can result in a better flavor and texture.
- Crushed gluten-free corn flakes or raw quinoa make a great crunchy topping for fish, chicken or anywhere you’d use breadcrumbs. Spray the top with cooking spray to help it brown.
- Instead of bread or wraps, use romaine or kale leaves, add your favorite sandwich ingredients such as tuna or turkey, tomatoes, avocado, etc. and roll up.
- To replace pasta, experiment with zucchini or eggplant. Thin strips for spaghetti (cut with a knife) or wide ribbons for lasagna (made with a vegetable peeler).
- Xanthan gum can help improve your gluten-free baking. This thickening agent imitates gluten and provides elasticity that will help hold your baked items together.
- Let your pharmacy know you are following a gluten-free diet. Fillers in medications can have gluten-containing products.
For more information or to register for any of these classes, please visit Martin’s website or call your local MARTIN’S store.
Check out the MARTIN’S Gluten-Free Tour & Tasting Events in May.
Read about what we learned when one of our writers went gluten free for one month.
MARTIN’S is a sponsor of Richmondmom.com
Photo: Phillipp Kleindienst
Just how much salt are you eating?
According to the FDA recommends The FDA recommends no more than 2,300 mg of sodium a day and says that over 75% of your sodium intake comes from from eating packaged and restaurant foods.
But what, exactly, is 2,300 mg of sodium? We know it’s lurking in our lunches but where?
Healthline measured out half your daily intake of sodium and gives a visual using prepackaged food.
You may be surprised to learn a just over 2oz of smoked salmon actually has the same amount of sodium than three slices of lasagna!
Check out their visual guide to sodium here.
Then tell us, which surprised you most?
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It started out as just another day of color guard practice for 17-year old Brittany on a cold day in January, 2012. Her high school team was gearing up for a competition the following week and everyone was working hard. Then, the unthinkable happened. A series of maneuvers requiring a team member to jump over Brittany’s flag, while she spun her wooden rifle next to her, went awry. Instead of spinning the rifle next to Brittany, the other girl miscalculated the rifle spin and struck Brittany on the forehead and over her left eye with the rifle. Brittany fell to the gym floor, hit the back of her head, became dizzy and lost consciousness.
Someone cleaned the cut over her eye, and Brittany sat out for a few minutes. She called her parents to pick her up since she wasn’t feeling well. Brittany was taken to the doctor, x-rayed, and was told that there was mild bruising. She was sent home with instructions of 11 warning signs to look out for and be monitored at home. Two hours later, she exhibited one of these signs (vomiting) and was rushed to the hospital. What followed was a series of hospitalizations and accompanying diagnoses, ranging from mild concussion to moderate to severe brain injury. According to the Centers for Disease Control, “…health care professionals often describe concussions as a “mild brain injury” because concussions are not usually life threatening. However, the effects can be serious. “
As a result, Brittany reported symptoms of one-sided numbness and weakness, memory loss, double vision, impaired balance, headaches, decreased processing speed and attention, impaired speech, and motoric problems. Brittany’s mother, Melissa, recalled the time that Brittany was playing a board game with her hospital roommate while she watched, stunned that Brittany couldn’t remember when it was her turn, how many spaces to jump or the number on the dice that she had rolled moments earlier.
Brittany has only fleeting memories of this time frame and for one to two years prior to the injury. She recounted one of those scant memories – trying to work a puzzle with a friend, realizing that the picture on the puzzle just didn’t make any sense and how she had difficulty manipulating the puzzle pieces.
Brittany with her game face on, ready for color guard
Brittany received occupational therapy, physical therapy and speech language therapy. Alongside these treatments, her doctor ordered “cognitive rest”, where she could not use electronics, read, or even listen to audio books or podcasts while she healed. She was permitted to talk on the phone (mostly listening) for 30 minutes per day and a friend could visit for no more than 10 minutes. After she was cleared medically, she began the daunting task of trying to make up months of school work.
Brittany was relieved that she had previously worked ahead in her curriculum. Brittany’s mother, Melissa, remarked, “Some kids go to summer camp. Brittany went to summer school. Not because she had to – because she wanted to”. Those extra credits came in handy as Brittany struggled to complete school work that had previously come easily. With those banked credits, she was able to graduate early, despite her difficulties. Recalling her love of physics, she said, “I used to be a sciency-mathy person. My favorite class was physics and that was my direction. Now I am not an academically-based person. Now I am a personality-based person and I work based off my smile.”
When asked what they would like to share about this experience, Brittany and her mother stated that they both hope for greater knowledge in the community about precautions after an individual has a blow to the head or another type of head injury. “You can’t overreact – you only have one brain!” Melissa exclaimed. In fact, according to the Centers for Disease Control, “Concussions can occur in any sport or recreation activity. So, all coaches, parents, and athletes need to learn concussion signs and symptoms and what to do if a concussion occurs,” according to the Centers for Disease Control.
Brittany advises, “A brain injury is a slow and difficult process. Don’t rush into getting better. Take your time and listen to the doctors.” With this comment, Brittany and Melissa shared a chuckle, as there had apparently been some “discussion” over the amount of cognitive rest she was instructed to have without electronics!
So what does the future hold? Brittany explains, “I’m better, but I’m not the way that I used to be. I am still good at math. Numbers are numbers to me.” She is considering the ways she can incorporate math into her future. She is able to drive and is working. She hangs out with friends and lives independently. She reports that she recently started color guard again for an independent college group and she is looking forward to participating in an upcoming competition.
March is Brain Injury Awareness Month. For information about concussions and other brain injuries, click here.
For information about legislation, athletes and brain injury, click here.
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As parents, grandparents, and caregivers, we all know how important it is to help children learn about healthy nutrition and activity. But it isn’t always that easy in today’s hurried world of fast food, juggling activities, working, school events, and other daily activities. Wouldn’t it be nice if someone could help us by giving us tips on helping our kids grow up fit and healthy?
Well, you’ll be glad to learn about Richmond’s latest resource that focuses on childhood obesity prevention and control!
Weight of the State
The Virginia Foundation for Healthy Youth and Prevention Connections are pleased to invite you to Virginia’s third Weight of the State conference on childhood obesity prevention to be held:
- April 11-12, 2013 (Thursday and Friday)
- Location: Westin Richmond hotel in Richmond, Va.
Virginia’s 2013 Weight of the State conference will showcase the latest approaches in childhood obesity prevention and control. Hundreds of attendees from across the Commonwealth will gather to hear national, state and local experts sharing cutting-edge tactics for reducing and preventing obesity, including community-based approaches and policy changes.
According to the Weight of the State website:
In the last three decades, childhood obesity has more than tripled in the United States. One out of three children is now obese or overweight. Here in Virginia, where more than 60 percent of the adult population is also obese or overweight, it’s much the same story.
With that in mind, we can all see how important it is to teach healthy nutrition and encourage physical activity for our kids and ourselves. Take advantage of this event to learn more about the issues and the solutions. Click here to register.
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