PARENTS and KIDS Magazine - Rochester - August Issue

Magazine - Rochester

Clean & Green:Organic vs. Non-Organic

PARENTS and KIDS

Focusing on Family Health, Wellness and FUN!www.parentsandkidsmagazine.com

AUGUST 2014

Have Kids, Will Travel: Disney MagicBands and

FastPass+

FREE ISSUE NO. 9

Home from School and HUNGRY

When Your Child is Nervous about the First Day of School: Overcoming the

Queasies

Inside: Kid's Activity Pages

Music Lessons: Your Child's Brain Will

Thank You

NEW FEATURE:Local Business of the

Month

Flour City Drive-In

Real Parents of Rochester

Magazine - Rochester

2 www.parentsandkidsmagazine.com

All rights reserved. Reproduction with-out permission is strictly prohibited.

Distribution of this magazine does not necessarily constitute an endorsement or necessarily reflect the opinions of

this publication.

PublisherAMA Advertising

EditorHeidi LaDuca

Associate EditorHilary Hagen

Layout Design/Art DirectorHilary Hagen

Account Manager Heidi LaDuca

Account ExecutivesHeidi LaDucaGail Morelle

Hilary Hagen

PrintingDual Print & Mail

DistributionNorth Star Distribution

Contact Us!Parents and Kids Magazine

125 State StreetSuite 300

Rochester, NY 14614

585.232.2242info@parentsandkidsmaga-

zine.com

OUR TEAM

August 2014 3

Dear Readers:

Wow! Was it just one month ago we were welcom-ing summer? And in our current issue we are embracing back-to-school? It seems CRAZY… but true. Fall is just around the corner and my family, and likely yours, is in full-swing back-to-school mode. For my family, this in-cludes my oldest going away to COLLEGE! It’s sort of like that first day of kindergarten X 100… and much scari-er for mom than for child, trust me. I’m distracting myself from the cruel reality that my family dynamics will forever be changed by focusing on all of the exciting things going on at Parents and Kids Magazine!

Inside this issue you will find just a sample of all of the new and exciting things going on! We have added several new columns which will be in each issue. Now that we are a monthly publication, we are so excited to be able to announce that our mission here at Parents and Kids Magazine is to focus on family health, wellness and FUN! We are here specifically to celebrate Rochester families and local businesses. Email us with any ideas you’d like to share!

~Heidi

From the Editor


FLOUR CITY DRIVE-INBill Gray's Regional Iceplex

BACK TO

SCHOOL August features

in every issue

PARENTS and KIDS

what’s inside

LOCAL BUSINESS OF THE MONTHA PLUS Childcare, Spencerport, NY

MUSIC LESSONS Your Child's Brain Will Thank You

OVERCOMING THE QUEASIES When Your Child is Nervous About the First Day of School

HOME FROM SCHOOL...and Hungry!

GYMNASTICS IN SCHOOLS U of S Research HAVE KIDS, WILL TRAVEL

Disney Magicbands and Fastpass +

KIDS ACTIVITY PAGESWord Scramble, Word Search & a Secret Message!

CLEAN AND GREENThe Dirty Dozen....& a few more!

14

08

10

06

20

13

18

16

22

on the coverElla Grace of Webster, NY enjoying a summer day at Charlotte Beach in Rochester.

THE APP ADDICTBest Educational Apps for All Ages

28

WE'RE THE GREATEST! Taking Back Our Health

24

EASY EATINGStrawberry Mice Treats

31

CREATIVE CORNERDIY Desk Accessories

30

28 PRODUCT REVIEWwww.lovewithfood.com

August 2014 5

looking aheadStarting next month, we wil l be featuring these columns in each issue along with featured articles from our talented, contributing writers!

Have Kids, Wil l Travel: Cruising with Kids

Easy Eating: Apples, Apples, Apples

Creative C orner: DIY projects for children (and parents!) Check out the September issue

C lean & Green: Tips on healthy eating & living for families.

C ool Kids of Rochester: Featuring local kids that are making a difference. Know a child that is making an impact on his or her community? We want to know about it! Send us an email. Making a difference deserves being recognized!

Local Business of the Month: Spotlight on a local ly owned business. Want to have your business featured in our upcoming issues? Email us about a favorite local business of yours!

Real Parents of Rochester: Rochester’s Real Parents. Real Stories.

Family Fitness: Focusing on f itness for the whole family

“Connecting Rochester families with

local businesses and promoting family

health, wellness and fun”

HEIDI LADUCA: Heidi LaDuca is a 1991 graduate of Youngstown State University and a 1994 gradu-ate of Capital University Law School. She has prac-

ticed law in the Rochester area for 19 years, has been a fitness instructor with the YMCA of Greater Rochester for 16 years. She has owned an oper-

ated Characters Corner Vacation home since 2002 and has been an Advisor with Advocare since May of 2013. She enjoys teaching spinning classes at the Bayview YMCA, is a Disney fanatic (especially with respect to runDisney) and loves to travel with her family. Most importantly, she loves to spend time with her husband, Tony, and four children,

John, 18, Hannah, 17, Jared, 15 and Ella Grace, 6. JAN PIERCE: Jan Pierce, M.Ed., is a retired teacher

and freelance writer. She lives in the lush Pacific Northwest where farm-fresh food is readily avail-able and where garden plots are the rule rather

than the exception.HILARY HAGEN: Hilary resides in Brighton, NY with her two children, Tyler and Olivia, and her

husband, Matt. In her spare time she enjoys pho-tography, art, healthy eating and fitness, graphic

design and traveling.THOMAS PILLER: Thomas Piller is an Associate Technical Producer for Global News. Thomas is from Saskatoon and began his career at Global

News in 2011.MARGE GERWELS: Marge Gerwels is a wife and

mama to 5 AMAZING kids. Registered Nurse, Cra-zy-Runner, Disney Enthusist, runDisney obsessed, Vegetarian, DVC owner. Proud to be a columnist

for WDW Fan Zone and Adult Side of Disney. She HATES the term “stay-at-home-mom” and poor grammar. LOVES the smell of clean baby and

bedtime snuggles. Wishing upon a star for a clean house and an invitation to be on the Disney Parks Moms Panel. Always planning her next “magical”

family vacation.JOE MANZA: Dr. Joe Manza runs Wellness For You

KNOW Chiropractic located in Henrietta, NY.


When Your Child is Nervous About the First Day of School: Overcoming the

Queasies

Featured Article

The first day of school is a landmark day at any age, but especially if it’s the day he enters first grade, or she enters middle school. It’s nor-mal to have questions, doubts, and even a few

fears related to those big days. “What will my teacher be like? Will I get lost? Will I make a friend?” These are just a few of the questions your child may be asking and worrying about. What can you do to help your child manage these normal, but a bit scary feelings? Here are five tips to help you navigate the queasies this school year.

• A week or two before school begins, change your schedule back to your family’s normal school day rou-tine. Go to bed earlier and get up earlier. Practice being ready to be out the door at the normal school time. Up the reading schedule each day and do a little review of basic learning skills such as handwriting and math facts. Get into school mode and that first day won’t come as such a shock.

• Do a trial run at the school. Get permission to tour the building if it’s new or just visit the playground and spend a little time. You may have the opportunity to actually meet the new teacher in person or say hello to office staff. Just seeing the facility may help to calm fears of the unknown.

• Talk about first day fears. Let your child know that teachers are a bit nervous and excited on the first day of school too. Read a book about back to school such as First Day Jitters by Julie Danneberg or Brand-new Pencils, Brand-new Books by Diane deGroat. Voicing fears and talking about them is a way to diffuse the ten-sion and turn fears into a positive “looking forward to” kind of feeling.

• Display confidence in your child’s abilities and cop-ing skills. Kids are quick to pick up on parents’ fears for their safety or success. Show your child you are fully confident that they’ll be fine and that the school year will be a great one. You’re not worried.

• Let go. Easy to say, but hard to do. Each new school year is an exercise in growth and independence. A few rough patches in the road won’t overcome all the love and support you’ve given your child over the years. He’ll be fine. She’ll be fine. Just breathe.

By: Jan Pierce

Begin yours atBeAScout.orgor call 585-244-4210to find a Cub Scout Pack in your neighborhood.

Adventure is waiting.

Cub Scouts is an adventure of fun family experiences that build character and instill values.

Boy Scouts of America Seneca Waterways Council

August 2014 7

We're MoreThan Just Ice...Bill Gray's Regional Iceplex isRochester's utlimate birthday partydestination. We offer numerous hasslefree packages, along with custom partyoptions that can fill anyone's birthdaywishes! Visit our website for full moreinformation, or call us today to book thecoolest birthday party in town!

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NOW BOOKING PARTIESAT OUR DRIVE IN THEATRE!!!


OH, THE THINGS I HAVE LEARNED ABOUT

MAGICBANDS AND FAST PASS+

If you are currently planning or thinking about plan-ning a trip to Walt Disney World, chances are you have stumbled upon the words “MagicBand” and “FastPass+”. Both are a part of Disney’s MyMagic+, an interactive planning system that uses wristbands with

RF technology, smartphone apps, and touchpoints, to allows guest to seamlessly plan their Walt Disney World vacation and make the most out of their park day. MyMagic+ to allow guests visitors to not only plan their park experiences in a way that best suits them but to also allow them to access and change their plans on the go. With the abundance of infor-mation that can be found in books and online, first time Walt Disney World visitors and seasoned travelers alike can be left feeling overwhelmed. Here are answers to some of the most common questions about MagicBands and the FastPass+ sys-tem that will hopefully help you gain a better understanding before your next Disney vacation.

Before we get started, let’s talk about the My Disney Experience website and app, since those are two important aspects to know in order to fully utilize your MagicBand and the FastPass+ system. You will need to create a My Disney Experience account, if you do not have one already, by visit-ing https://disneyworld.disney.go.com. Click on the My Dis-ney Experience tab at the top right side of the page and fol-low the instructions to create an account. If you already have an account, simply sign in. Once your account is created, you will want to link any reservations or tickets you already have. You will need that information in the My Disney Expe-rience system in order to customize your MagicBands and make FastPass+ selections. Each member of your traveling party will also need an account if you are to manage their MagicBands, tickets, and FastPass+ reservations. It is easy to do, although a little time consuming if you have a large travel party. Everyone will also need a ticket number linked to their account in order to make FastPass+ reservations. If you are planning on purchasing tickets at the gate, that’s okay. You can still link them once you purchase and will still be able to utilize MyMagic+. If you have a smartphone, it is great idea to download the My Disney Experience app and once you enter your log in information, all of your trip details will be accessible on the go. Now that you’re all set up, let’s talk MagicBands and FastPass+.

What is a MagicBand?

MagicBands are little plastic devices that wrap around your wrist—like a watch or bracelet. They are used at various spots around the resort area called “touchpoints”. You will see them at the park entrances, as you enter an at-traction, and even inside the shops throughout the Walt Disney World area. The bands are intended to be worn for the duration of your visit and are even waterproof so you

By: Marge Gerwels

Have K ids, Will Travel

can keep them on while in the pool or as you get soaked on Splash Mountain.

What Can My MagicBand Do?

Oh, so many things, young Grasshopper, and your band’s abilities will be determined by the specifics of your visit. For ALL park guests, your MagicBand will serve as your ticket into the park, grant you access to your chosen Fast-Pass+ experiences, and will link any pictures you have taken by a Disney PhotoPass photographer right to your account. If you are staying at a Walt Disney World Resort, your MagicBand will also be used to open the door to your room, can be used to pay for food and merchandise while at the parks and at Downtown Disney, and to access dining credits if you have purchased the Disney Dining Plan. Sounds Great! How Do I Get a MagicBand?

If you are a resort guest, you will receive a MagicBand for each guest listed on your reservation—even infants--at no additional cost. The MagicBands can be customized through the My Disney Experience website up to 10 days before your trip and they will be sent to your home. The default color is gray, but you have the option of choosing from six other colors for the bands. You can also choose the name you want imprinted on the back of the MagicBand—up to 9 characters. The default name for each band is whatever name you have set on each My Disney Experience account. It is important to remember NOT to pack them in your checked luggage if you will be using Disney’s complimentary transportation from Orlando International Airport to the resort--Disney’s Magical Express. The MagicBand will serve as your ticket to get on the bus at the airport and to unlock the door to your room, so make sure you have the bands easily accessible.

If you are NOT staying at a Walt Disney World Re-sort (so staying off-site), you can purchase a MagicBand at select locations inside the parks and at Downtown Disney stores for about $13 each. You will link your park ticket to the bands after purchase and will then have the ability to use the bands at the touchpoints located at the park gates as well as the FastPass+ entrances. You can also use your band to link your Disney PhotoPass photos to your account. You will also have the ability to use the My Disney Experience site or app to manage your bands and to make or modify your Fast-Pass+ reservations.

Okay, I think I understand the MagicBands, so what is FastPass+? The FastPass+ system allows Walt Disney World guests to “reserve” times to experience their favorite attrac-tions, shows, or parades before even leaving home. By using FastPass+, guests can map out their park visit well in advance

An article in our continuing“Got Disney” series

August 2014 9

MargeGerwelsisawifeandmamato5AMAZINGkids. Registered Nurse, Crazy-Runner, Disney Enthusist,runDisneyobsessed,Vegetarian,DVCowner.Proudtobeacolumnist forWDWFanZone (checkout linkbelow) andAdultSideofDisney.SheHATEStheterm"stay-at-home-mom"andpoorgrammar.LOVESthesmellofcleanbabyandbedtimesnuggles.Wishinguponastarforacleanhouseand an invitation to be on theDisney ParksMomsPanel.

Alwaysplanninghernext"magical"familyvacation.

so that they can make the most of their day. Each guest is allowed 3 FastPass+ reservations per day for ONE PARK. Additional FastPass+ reservations can now be made once you have used up those initial three experiences or the time window has passed. FastPass+ reservations can not only be used for rides but also for character meet and greets, shows, parades, and fireworks viewing.

How do I make FastPass+ reservations?

You can make your daily FastPass+ reservations us-ing the My Disney Experience website or app or you can make your selections at one of the many FastPass+ kiosks lo-cated inside the parks. It is important to remember that you MUST have your ticket linked on the My Disney Experience website in order to make advanced FastPass+ reservations. Your window for making advanced FastPass+ reservations is as follows • Guests staying at a Walt Disney World Resort can make FastPass+ reservations 60 days in advance. You can make FastPass+ reservations for the entire length of your stay beginning 60 days from your check in date. • Guests NOT staying at a Walt Disney World Resort but who have purchased tickets in advance can make reser-vations 30 days in advance. • Guests purchasing tickets at the gate may still use the FastPass+ system once they enter the park by visiting one of the FastPass+ kiosks to make reservations.

To make your FastPass+ selections, you will log in to the My Disney Experience website using your login informa-tion. Under the “My Disney Experience” tab at the top right of the page, you will select the FastPass+ option from the drop-down menu. It will then bring up a calendar. Click on the day for which you want to plan, choose which of your friends and family will be joining you and then select the park you are planning on visiting that day. You will then be taken to the page that lists the attractions for that park and you have the ability to select three. It is important to know that EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios have tiered attractions and you will only be allowed to choose one attraction from the tier one options. For example- if you are planning on visiting EPCOT you can only get a FastPass+ for either Test Track or Soarin' --not both. since they are both tier one attractions. At this time all attractions at both Disney’s Animal Kingdom and Disney’s Magic Kingdom parks are weighted equally, so you are free to choose whatever you would like. After making your choices for that day, you will have the option of pri-oritizing your selections. Once that is complete you will be given four potential schedule options. You choose whichever you think will fit into your day the best. Don’t worry if some-thing isn’t quite right. Once you have made your initial res-ervations, you can go back and change the attractions or the one-hour time windows for your current selections. Other important things to remember are • All FastPass+ experiences and times can be changed—as long as there are FastPass+ times still available. For most attractions, it is easy to change your arrival window by using the My Disney Experience App on your smartphone or at one of the FastPass+ kiosks inside the parks. For the more popular attractions (i.e. The Seven Dwarf’s Mine Train,

Test Track, Toy Story Mania.etc.), changing your time win-dow the day of your visit can be a little more difficult, if not impossible, especially during peak travel times. It is helpful to remember this when making your initial FastPass+ reser-vations so you can be sure you choose a time that will most certainly, barring any unforeseen circumstance, work for you. • Once guests have used all of their daily-3 FastPass+ passes at one park (or the time window has passed) they are allowed to make additional FastPass+ reservations. Guests can make selections one at a time—for any park (so it does not have to be the same park at which you had your “daily 3” FastPass+). Any additional FastPass+ selections must be made at the FastPass+ kiosks inside the same park as the ex-perience that you would like to reserve. For example, say you used your “daily 3” at Disney’s Animal Kingdom and decide you would like to ride Space Mountain that night. You would need to physically go to Disney’s Magic Kingdom and visit a FastPass+ kiosk inside the park in order to make that ad-ditional FastPass+ reservation. Once that FastPass+ has been used, you can make another and so forth and so on.

One point to note is that using MagicBands and FastPass+ are optional. If the idea of wearing a band around your wrist all day makes you feel itchy already, you can get a card instead. It is about the size of a credit card and works the same as a MagicBand—only you will keep it in your pock-et rather than on your wrist. Using the FastPass+ system is also something guests are not required to utilize during their park day. Some folks like their park day to have an element of spontaneity. If you are one of those people who prefer to just go with the flow while on vacation, you can simply wait in the regular queue for each attraction. The idea behind the MyMagic+ program is to make Walt Disney World vacations more enjoyable for all guests, so remember, it is your vaca-tion and you have the ability to use (or not use) whatever tools will make your trip the most magical.

Planning a Walt Disney World vacation can some-times seem a bit intense. With so much to see and do, it is easy to become overwhelmed with information and feel baffled about how to make the most of your park day. My-Magic+, will not only allow you to make sure you are getting to all of your “must-do” attractions through FastPass+ but also by using a MagicBand, you will be able to travel lighter and have less to remember during your vacation, which will leave you with more time to focus on making memories that will last a lifetime.

“All information and opinions are exclusive to Marge Gerwels and does not reflect that of official Disney Co.”


Tips on healthy eating & living for families

Clean & Green

Organic vs. Non-Organic??

Can we really AFFORD an organic diet?

One of my top priorities as a parent is to provide a healthy lifestyle for my children. One of the ways that I do so is by educating myself on the food that I purchase for them. Educating children while they are young about healthy eating habits is a lifelong gift that parents can give to their children while also benefitting themselves. From the minute you step into a grocery store, you are faced with various choices of produce; fruits, vegetables, organic and non-organic. Before having children, I saw an apple as an apple. As an uneducated consumer, I saw the only difference between organic and non-organic as cost. After having children, things changed and I began to research what organic vs. non-organic really meant.

So what DOES organic mean? Doing a quick In-ternet search you will find that the USDA National Or-ganic Program (NOP) defines organic as follows:

“Organic food is produced by farmers who empha-size the use of renewable resources and the conservation of soil and water to enhance environmental quality for fu-ture generations. Organic meat, poultry, eggs, and dairy products come from animals that are given no antibiotics or growth hormones. Organic food is produced without using most conventional pesticides; fertilizers made with synthetic ingredients or sewage sludge; bioengineering; or ionizing radiation. Before a product can be labeled "organic," a Government-approved certifier inspects the farm where the food is grown to make sure the farmer is following all the rules necessary to meet USDA organic standards. Companies that handle or process organic food before it gets to your local supermarket or restaurant must

be certified, too.”

Ok – so now that I’ve provided you a long-winded response to WHAT organic means, let’s discuss WHY and HOW the consumption of food that has been treated with pesticides and fertilizers can negatively affect your health.

Pesticides are designed to not only protect crops from damaging insects, but they also disrupt the natural growth pattern of a plant’s ability to absorb trace minerals from the soil and the balancing of important hormones in the plant. We eat fruits and vegetables, not only because they are delicious, but also for the health benefits. Pesti-cides reduce those natural health benefits making con-sumption less effective. While I could go on and on about how pesticides potentially negatively affect your body, some of the health issues that have been linked to pesti-cide consumption are: food allergies, memory loss, obesity, diabetes, infertility, cancer, Parkinson’s Disease, Alzheim-er’s Disease, Autism and other developmental diseases. That alone should make you think twice about what you are putting in your body!

When I met my husband, he admittedly brushed aside the idea of organic foods. It took a year but after much persistence, he agreed to try organic, grass fed beef, organic chicken, and organic produce. He now under-stands why and how the change in diet has positively af-fected his body. My husband, who had suffered from a lifelong allergy to apples, finally agreed to try an organic apple. The result? NO allergic reaction. I personally have seen a vast improvement in the daily behavior of one of our children who has struggled with behavior issues since we began to feed him organic and dye free foods. Person-ally, I feel better – more energetic, less bloated when eat-ing protein and organic food (especially meat) and overall, the experience of eating organic food is a more flavorful one.

One of the most common concerns I hear from people when they learn about pesticides and the bene-fits of eating organic is cost. YES – It is more expensive. Although I do attempt to only purchase organic food for my family, it can sometimes push our budget. In a perfect world, I would eat organic and non-processed foods only but as a mom of two children and two stepchildren, this is not always realistic. Many news articles have touched on what is referred to as the “Dirty Dozen”, that being the twelve fruits and vegetables that are exposed to a high lev-el of pesticides and chemicals during their farming. There is also a list of foods that are considered the “Clean Fif-teen”, the fifteen foods that the least amount of pesticide residue is found on. Using a combination of both lists (and those foods in between) I can typically still provide healthy meals to my family while buying primarily organic (with a few exceptions) on a budget.

While many moms and dads alike revel in a solo grocery trip (don’t get me wrong, I do too!), I also will bring my children along to teach them about the food they are eating. It’s unfortunate that many of the “Dirty Dozen” include some of my children’s favorite fruits and vegetables but I have used it as an opportunity to teach my children about organic food. While they would love for me to buy pears, grapes, apples, and strawberries every

By: Hilary J. Hagen

August 2014 11

Dirty Dozen

ApplesStrawberries

GrapesCelery

PeachesSpinach

Sweet Bell PeppersNectarines (Imported)

CucumbersCherry Tomatoes

Snap Peas (Imported)Potatoes

Hot Peppers*Kale/Collard Greens*

Clean Fifteen

AvocadosSweet CornPineappleCabbage

Sweet Peas (Frozen)Onions

AsparagusMangoesPapayas

KiwiEggplant

GrapefruitCantaloupeCauliflower

Sweet Potatoes

week, I stress to them that providing organic food is more important to me and that due to the price, sometimes we have to limit what “Dirty Dozen” foods we purchase. That doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy a wide range of fruits and vegetables, it just means that you substitute a food on the “Dirty Dozen” with another that isn’t.

Together, my husband and I have found ways while preparing meals to make sure that we include or-ganic meat and certain vegetables and using a combina-tion of organic and non-organic food in each meal to keep costs down. While Taco Tuesday in our house is a family favorite, we now prepare one pound of organic ground beef, instead of two pounds of non-organic beef. We make up for it with avocados, rice, and sweet corn to complete our meal.

Provided to the right is a list of the Environmen-tal Working Group’s 2014 “Dirty Dozen” along with the “Clean Fifteen”. The EWG is an organization made up of scientists, researchers and policymakers that developed the “Dirty Dozen” and “Clean Fifteen” lists based on data from the United States Department of Agriculture on the amount of pesticide residue found in non-organic fruits and vegetables after being washed! I suggest cutting this out and sticking it in your wallet for you next shopping trip. Admittedly, the idea of staring at the sea of produce and food in front of you while playing bumper carts in a crowded grocery store on a Saturday morning and trying

to determine what to purchase organic and what you can buy non-organic is daunting. My suggestion? Sounds like a great excuse to leave the kids at home with a spouse, grandparent or a sitter and enjoy a solo grocery-shopping trip!


We've turned the clock back to the days of polyester and four wheels!These family friendly events take place every Friday

and Saturday night from 7:00pm to 9:00pm.

www.billgraysiceplex.com 585-424-4625

DISCJOCKEY23 17

RENTALSKATES23 17

August 2014 13

A University of Saskatchewan (U of S) researcher says a little gymnastics here and there for children can go a long way to fighting osteoporosis. For her doctoral work, U of S college of kinesiology assistant professor Marta Erlandson set off working to find out if low-level gymnastics could be beneficial. As a former gymnast, she knows competitive gymnastics is a high-impact physical activity that isn’t practical

for all, but it also strengthens bones. Erlandson’s research focused on recreational gymnasts, between the ages of four to six, and analyzed their bone mass annually for four years. “The children were involved with anything from one to four hours per week of gymnastics participation and that increased their bone parameters,” said Erlandson. She says the key in gymnas-tics is “impact load” exercises that strengthen the upper body. Running and walking can achieve these results with the lower body. Adequate exercise, like gymnastics, is criti-cal to building strong bones and this must be done during childhood and adolescence which could help fight osteoporosis. “You have your peak bone mineral accrual, which is the greatest amount of bone you’re ever going to have, somewhere between 20 and 30 years of age. After that, you can’t actually increase the bone. You can only slow the rate of loss,” said Erlandson. Erland-son says a little gymnastics could easily be added to the curriculum at schools. “Even though they will lose as they age, they’re never going to reach a fracture threshold. That’s what we hope to do with these childhood interven-tions.”

Gymnastics in Schools For Stronger

Bones: U of S Researcher

Featured ArticleBy: Thomas Piller, Global News

“Children had better bone param-eters even after an hour or so a

week of participation”

This article originally appeared on http://globalnews.ca on April 23, 2014 and was used with permission from the author.

Secret Code

Word Scramble

Kids Activities


Answer Key:Word Scramble: 1. Strong Museum 2. Planetarium 3. Seneca Park Zoo 4. Seabreeze 5. The Little 6. Roseland Waterpark 7. Festivals 8. Erie Canal

Secret Code: Have a great and safe school year

??Answer Key??

Word Search

August 2014 15

Kids Activities

Featured Article


Rochester's Flour City Drive-In Theatre

Flour City Drive-In @ Bill Gray’s Regional Iceplex

By: Heidi LaDuca,

YES!! ROCHESTER HAS A DRIVE-IN!!!

Looking for some good old-fashioned fun for the entire family?? Looking for something different, unique and affordable without leaving the Rochester area? Have you driven along Interstate 390 lately and seen the Flour City Drive-In billboard? Yes, along with Rochester’s long-awaited summer, Bill Gray’s Regional Iceplex FLOUR CITY DRIVE-IN is here!

As a mom of four, it is sometimes difficult to find affordable family activities that will interest kids of a variety of ages. What is interesting and unique about the Flour City Drive-In is that it’s NOT just a Drive-In. Your $10 ticket ($8 for kids 12 and under) includes Roller-Skating, Ice-Skating AND a movie! Can you say retro-family fun?

The event series takes place every Friday and Saturday evening at the Iceplex, located on the Monroe Com-munity College Campus. Ice skating, roller skating and other activities take place inside the Iceplex starting at 7pm, with the movie showing on a 40 foot screen outside at dark.

Other special events take place throughout the season, such as themed nights, live music and major sport viewing events.

Friday nights are geared more towards action movies, with Saturday's being focused on kids and family movies.Movie listings can be found online at www.billgraysiceplex.com.

"We're more than just ice here at the Iceplex, and this event series is a great example of that," states Chris Woodworth, General Manager of the Iceplex. "We view and treat our facility as a top notch, local entertain-ment option with many family friendly activities taking place throughout the year. Our facility just happens to have some frozen water in it, which comes in handy here in the Northeast. We are very fortunate to be able to offer ice and roller skating to those that come to see a movie, which makes this event series packed with value and something healthy to boot."

And yes, that is correct, tickets are $8-$10 per person for roller-skating, ice-skating AND a movie under the stars! This might just be the best family value in town! Be sure to check it out while you can!! And let us here at Parents and Kids Magazine know what you think!

FOR MORE INFORMATION:www.billgraysiceplex.com

August 2014 17

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NEW!

NEW!


take music lessons show improved brain development with increased memory capacity. he studies also show higher general intelligence in skills related to language and reading, mathematics and overall IQ scores. Dr. Peter Simon, President of the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto, Canada says, “Music education is a powerful tool for attaining your child’s full intellectual, social and creative potential.” The test results are enough to make you a believer. Even in the best of times it may be difficult to find funds for extras such as music lessons. But the facts concerning the benefits of regular music instruction on your child’s brain development make a very strong argument for including them. Further, the earlier you begin exposing your child to music, the better the results will be. There’s no magic here. Neuroscientists have teamed with educa-tors to test young children’s brain development and have made remarkable discoveries. Music study requires precision in auditory (hearing) processes, multi-tasking, such as hearing and reading notes simultaneously, and focused attention to the task. Not only do these activities aid in earlier, stronger brain development, but decades later adults who studied music show quicker and more accurate responses to sound patterns. What does this mean? MRI’s and other imaging devices show when a child’s brain is exposed to regular sessions of music study, it builds increased white matter made up of nerve fibers which serve as connectors between mo-tor regions of the right and left hemispheres of the brain. In other words, the brain builds a structure on which new skills can grow, and that structure lasts a lifetime.

The Benefits

• Music education can improve speech and reading ability.Musically trained children have shown increased ability in phonological skills, (identifying where syllables and words be-gin and end) which aid in learning one’s own language and new ones.

• Music education can improve basic memory skills.

Studies show musically trained individuals develop better working memories. A working memory allows us to remember things even while our minds are busy with another task—a cru-cial skill for problem solving in math and comprehension in

reading.

• Music exposure builds creativity, empathy and social awareness.

Neuroscientists have found increased communication between the two sides of the brain in musically trained chil-dren, believed to increase creativity. Tests show participating in collaborative music-making, increases empathy for others. This may be due to increased verbal intelligence by which a child picks up nuances of speech and the emotions behind them. Making music requires cooperation and focused attention which are valuable skills in personal relationships.

• A study done in 2007 showed increased test scores for students having had quality music instruction. Whether music exposure was received in the home, in a group or individual settings, a quality experience with music instruction was key to higher test scores in English and Math. (Christopher Johnson, Professor of Music, University of Kan-sas.)

Featured Article

New Brain Research Shows Music Instruction at Early Ages Produces Lifelong Benefits

By: Jan Pierce

“A research report by Dr. Sylvain Moreno showed that 90% of the children who partici-pated in their study showed a remarkable gain

in intel ligence after only 20 days of musical training.”

(Rotman Research Institute)

“Musical activity involves nearly every region of the brain that we

know about, and nearly every neural subsystem.”

Daniel Levitin, from This is Your Brain on Music, pg 299.

Music Lessons:Your Child's Brain Will Thank You

Are you interested in building your child’s brain power? Over the last decade brain re-search has determined that children who

August 2014 19

Petacular Parties!Create lasting memories when you celebrate your child’s special occasion at Lollypop Farm!

Book your party today! (585) 223-1330 x139

www.lollypop.org/parties

Have fun on the farm with special guest appearances by our furry friends, a behind-the-scenes tour, and more!

• Music training is beginning to show increased health and well-being into old age. Studies are emerging which show music training provides improved cognitive function all through life. Music thera-py is helpful to those recovering from strokes, those who stutter or have other neurological problems and those with autism and Parkinson’s disease. It is believed to help delay the onset of dementia. Parents, the resources and efforts expended in providing musical training for your young children will deliver life-long benefits. That training leads to lasting, positive brain changes. It increases capacity to perform tasks requiring sustained attention, careful listening and engaged reading. Finally, music training builds creativity, encourages empathy for others and builds a healthy sense of self-confidence.

ReferencesFive Amazing Benefits of Exposing Young Children to Music Instruction, EarlyEducation Essentials.com Music Lessons Early in Life Could Boost Brain Development, Lily Avent, The Huffington Post, Feb. 18, 2013.Early Musical Training and White-Matter Plasticity, Christopher Steele, et al, Journal of Neuroscience, Jan. 16, 2013.First Evidence that Musical Training Affects Brain Development in Young Children, Oxford University Press, Sept. 20, 2006.The Royal Conservatory, The Benefits of Music Education: Your Child’s Development: Music Study may be the Best Tool., April 2014.

The Benefits of Music EducationQuick Facts

• Improved Language Abilities• Increased Emotional Resilience• Increased Empathy• Increased Attention Span and Focus• Increased Self-C onfidence

Research shows that participating in music study benefits both brain structure and function. Just like wel l-exercised muscles protect the bones and joints, reduce blood pressure and increase energy levels, music education produces bigger, better-functioning brains---a benefit to people of any age.

From: The Royal conservatory: Your Child’s Development. Music Study may be the Best Tool. April 2014. (see www.rcmusic.ca)Further Reading

This is Your Brain on Music by Daniel Levitin, Aug. 3, 2006.

Music, Language and the Brain by Aniruddh Patel, June 1, 2010.

Short-Term Music Training Enhances Verbal Intel ligence and Executive Function, by Sylvain Moreno, et al, Psycho-logical Science Oct. 3, 2011.

Why Music Makes our Brain Sing, The New York Times, June 9, 2013.

Early Music Lessons Have Longtime Benefits, The New York Times, Sept. 9, 2012.

“Research is showing that learning to play an instrument leads to changes in a child’s brain that make it more likely they wil l reach their ful l cognitive and

academic potential.”(The Royal C onservatory of Music, The Benefits of Music Education, Your Child’s development : Music Study May be the Best Tool.


When your munchkins arrive home after a busy day of school you can bet they’ll be starving. Most primary grade students eat their lunch well before the noon hour so by the time they

come through the front door, their tummies are empty. After school snack time offers an opportunity to teach your children about healthy food choices. They could plow through a bag of chips or cookies and they’d feel full. But with just a tiny bit of planning and some smart shopping, you can keep healthy snack options available to your kids.

When the weather is still warm

Frozen Yogurt/Juice Bars are a great treat to make ahead for those fall days still sunny and warm. Orange juice and non-fat yogurt is a good choice, but why not try some exotic flavors too such as mango, cherry or guava?

Featured ArticleBy: Jan Pierce

Home from School... and HUNGRY!

Frozen Bananas rolled in chocolate and nuts makes a great after school treat. Fresh fruit pieces are welcome in any weather, but on a warm day they hit the spot. Try offering sliced apples, pears, and bananas with a dip of yogurt sweetened with a bit of honey.

Old favorites

Spruce up fresh veggies by adding a flavorful dip such as low-fat ranch or hummus. And don’t offer just car-rots and celery, branch out with cherry tomatoes, jicama slic-es, snow peas or pepper slices. Crackers and Cheese are always a hit. You might throw in a cheese other than cheddar, try string cheeses and find the healthiest crackers available. Rice Cakes with their satisfying crunch make a great bed for any number of toppings. In addition to peanut but-ter, nutella, cheese spreads and the like, why not add bits of dried fruit, fresh apple pieces, banana slices or berries?

Homemade and Healthy

Kids love to come home to the aroma of fresh baked treats. Mini-muffins made with applesauce substituted for part of the oil are a delicious and healthy choice. Add dried fruits and use part whole grain flours for added nutrition. Gorp is a trail mix made with a wide variety of healthy ingredients. Begin with your favorite dried fruits—apricots, peaches, dates, raisins and mix with nuts plus something sweet such as a few m and m’s or chocolate chips. You’ll save a ton of money if you make your own gorp rather than buy-ing expensive trail mixes. Air-popped popcorn with an added flavor is a change from sweet snacks. For the adventurous, sprinkle on seasonings such as garlic salt or chili powder. For a tamer taste add freshly-grated parmesan cheese.

If You’re On the Go

Peanut Butter Balls or almond butter balls are great for taking on the road. If you have after school sports or oth-er activities to attend, you can eat these tasty treats in the car with minimal mess. Begin with peanut butter; add oats, hon-ey and your choice of seeds, nuts, and dried fruits. Coconut and chocolate chips are other good additions. Store these in the refrigerator before you take them along and serve them while you travel. Kashi brand granola bars, made with nutritious in-gredients and nothing artificial are good choices for in-car eating. They come in many varieties and include seeds, nuts, whole grains and real fruit. Pretzel Snack Mixes are crunchy, tasty treats that travel well in baggies. They are made up of pretzels, crackers, nuts and chex cereals of your choice. They’re usually sea-soned with savory flavorings such as worcestershire sauce, onion powder or garlic salt. Kids love to have choices. When you plan ahead and have healthy snacks available, they’ll be sure to pick some-thing to both satisfy their hunger and keep them in tip-top health.

August 2014 21


One of our missions here at Parents and Kids Magazine is to celebrate lo-cally-owned and operated businesses! Check out the success story behind A

PLUS CHILDCARE in Spencerport, NY! Owner Debbie Licciardello was a stay at home mom while her three children were growing up, working only part time for her husband’s home based business. Her love and passion for rais-ing her family led her naturally into a career of volunteerism and advocacy for children ranging in age from preschoolers to teenagers. Debbie has spent the past 17 years, up to and including the present time, as the PTSA CO-CHAIR at Webster Schroeder High School in Webster, NY. She has served 6 years as the Vice President of the Webster Central PTSA and

served on various committees such as the school district’s Health and Wellness committee, Shared Decision Mak-ing, Strategic Planning, C.A.R.E., Senior Citizen’s Day and Community Arts Day. She has additionally played an integral part in the hiring of key faculty within the school district. Debbie’s dreams and passions have always revolved around caring for children. When her own children began their college careers, she was naturally drawn to the prospect of continuing her educa-tion, caring for children, and opening her own business! During a pivotal moment and meeting with an admired professor, Debbie was faced with an opportunity to own and operate her own Daycare. Unsure in the beginning, but inspired by those around her, one professor in particular, she asked herself “Why not?” and there began her story. In March of 2013 Debbie was awarded a New York State Daycare license for the operation as Owner/Direc-tor of her own Daycare center. Doors opened at A Plus Childcare, located in Spencerport, NY and additionally serving children in Gates, NY in April of 2013 and since that time, staff has grown from 3 children and two staff members to the current 45 children and 8 staff members! A PLUS CHILDCARE is located off of 531 on the corner of Lyell and Elmgrove Road in the Elmpark plaza. Staff is CPR/First Aid Certified and they provide childcare services for children ages 6 weeks to 12 years of age, Infant, Toddler, Preschool and bus service for before and afterschool care in the Spencerport Central School District.

Give A PLUS a call with your childcare needs at 585-247-2273 or check out their website at http://www.a-pluschildcarecenter.com!

Local Business of the Month A PLUS CHILDCARE

3872 Lyell Road Rochester, NY 14606

(585) 247-2273

Owner Debbie Licciardello

PARENTS AND KIDS MAGAZINE

CELEBRATES OUR FIRST LOCAL BUSINESS OF THE MONTH!

“A PLUS CHILDCARE’S mission is to provide a safe and nurturing

environment where ALL children can achieve success and grow to be all

that they may be.”

August 2014 23


We live in the greatest city, in the greatest country on Planet Earth. Our sporting heroes have been named the “Great One” (yes I know he’s from Canada) and the “Greatest of All Time”. We have been entertained by the “Greatest Show on Earth” and by the “Greatest Game Ever Played”. Our super-heroes have taught us that “with great power comes great responsibility”. We even have great dreams!

We’ve overcome a Great Depression and survived not one, but two Great Wars. From these trials and tribulations our “Great-est Generation” has brought forth great advances in technology, science and medicine. Upon entering the Nuclear Age our view has forever changed, especially that of our health and how we care for it. Undoubtedly, all of these miraculous medical advancements have certainly saved more lives than ever before. No one can argue that fact. Need triple by-pass surgery? Find yourself a great Cardiothoracic surgeon (we have some of the greatest right here in town). However, when it comes to keeping, promoting, and optimizing the health of our durably delicate human temple, modern medicine has done little. We’ve made the error of believing that our body is weak and needs help to stay healthy. This has lead to our Great Nation achieving some of the lowest scores in healthcare ever. In 2007 The Commonwealth Fund ranked the US health-care system 7th overall. In an even more recent review, we’ve been awarded the 11th best health-care system. Meanwhile, we are spending more on our healthcare system than any of the higher ranking 11 countries. It should also be noted that, for the first time in our great history, our current generation is not expected to outlive their parents, as reported by the New England Journal of Medicine. When we look at the World Health Organization’s (WHO) definition of health it states: “Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.” I’m would alter that definition slightly by adding the word “symptoms” to the end. We’ve been taught to wait until we are sick or have a symptom to take action. Then we look to something from outside the human body, such as a pill or procedure, to heal whatever our diagnosis happens to be. But if we would take the WHO’s advice we would actually be caring for our body all along, as it requires con-stant action to continuously BE in a state of WELLness, rather than waiting for sickness to arise. Going back to our friend the surgeon, her job is to take care of the crisis, not teach us how to keep our heart healthy from the minute we enter this world. Ask any medical professional and they will tell you it is infinitely better to prevent than to control a crisis situation; but the how may not be so forth coming. This is the point in time when we choose to change our destiny and guide our children along with us. Our Dental profession has taught us that by taking a lifelong proactive approach to the health of our oral cavity we will prevent tooth decay, gum disease and we can also improve the health of our heart. By consulting with a Nutritionist you can learn what food really is and how it is utilized by the body. Working in conjunction with a Personal Trainer will help to develop and strengthen the human machine by promoting appropriate types of exercise and movement. Lifelong care for the only spine and nervous system you’ll ever have is critical for optimal health and the full expression of life. This is the vital role of Doctors of Chiropractic. Incorporating and encouraging these simple measures, from preconception through to our final days will help to ensure a “state of complete physical, mental and social well-being”.There has never been a better time than RIGHT NOW to take back our health. It begins by taking action, by educating our-selves, and our children. When we understand that every single thing we think, say or do will have a profound impact not only on our “physical, mental and social well-being” but that of future generations as well. Only then will we begin to reclaim our birthright as The Greatest and Healthiest Nation on planet Earth. It’s as simple as that.

Featured ArticleBy: Dr. Joe Manza

We're the Greatest!

Taking Back Our Heath

August 2014 25


I was born in Rochester, NY and my parents moved our family to Webster when I was 5. I loved being able to ex-plore the woods near my house and spent hours climb-ing trees, catching polliwogs in the ponds, and picking

wild raspberries. I graduated from Webster High School in 1991 and left for Ricks College in Rexburg, ID shortly thereaf-ter. It was my first time on a plane and the furthest I had ever been from home. It was an exciting opportunity for me to see a different part of the country. While at Ricks I went on a three month Natural Science and Field Expedition and it changed my life. I fell in love with hiking and geology. It was shortly after this that I decided to pursue a degree in geology. Romance and that thing called love, however, soon swept over me. I graduated with my Associate’s Degree and was married two months later. My husband and I moved to southern California to be close to my husband’s family and in addition, both continue our educations. Sound familiar? Less than two years later we welcomed our first child. I quit school to support my husband as he worked on his education and decided to stay home with our son to be a stay-at-home Mom. Over the next five years we welcomed two more sons into our family. In the summer of 2009 a storm blew through my house. I was diagnosed with breast cancer. One week af-ter the diagnosis I found out I was pregnant with my fourth child. The doctor told me I could not continue the pregnancy and I would need to terminate. It was the hardest thing I ever had to do and it devastated me. I thought I had reached my lowest point. The next week I had a lumpectomy and only days later, my husband of

16 years, told me he was leaving. I was left to face the rest of my cancer treatments and deal with the loss of the pregnancy on my own. I was broken in every way possible and it had all hap-pened within a 5 week time span. I had been a stay-at-home mom for 14 years and was suddenly faced with supporting a family on my own. I hadn’t finished my college degree and I had no training. I barely knew how to use a computer. It took a year to overcome the effects of the cancer and the depres-sion that gripped me when my family fell apart. I had to rely on help from my family and church to pay bills and get food on the table. I knew I couldn’t continue to live like that and realized I had to think about what I was going to do with my life. And then it hit me. I woke up one morning and told myself “I am going back to school.” I went online that day and applied to the local community college. This was terrifying… especially the idea of studying Math again! I was terrified and afraid to go back to school. I pic-tured myself as the old lady in the back of the class, alone with no friends. The idea of sitting through a math class was the worst! I wasn’t sure I had what it would take to get through school and be a mom, but I knew I had to try. I be-gan to look at it as a second chance to follow my dreams and study geology. I had to do this for myself and for my children, so failure was not going to be an option for me. I registered for my first semester of classes and was sure to start with a very introductory math class. Before the semester began I decided to take my boys over to the campus to help me find where my classes would be and to show them where I would be going to school. After we had been on campus for a little while my youngest son said to me “When I grow up, I want to come to school here.” I was so happy and thought what a great example I was setting for my boys. Then I asked him why he wanted to go there and he told me “There are vend-ing machines everywhere, you can have Dr. Pepper anytime you want!” Well, whatever gets them there I guess! The first day of school finally came and I think my boys were as excited as I was. They loved telling me to have a good day and not to get detention. I was nervous and ex-cited as I drove to school that first time, but was shocked and happy to find that I was not “the old lady at the back of the class” like I thought I would be. I made friends in all of my classes, even though my new friends were half my age, and I always sat in the front. I took advantage of free tutor-ing offered on campus and looked for any other assistance I could get to help ensure my success in school. I found that there were various programs on campus available to help “return” or “nontraditional” and “disadvantaged” students. I found offices like “EOPS” and “Adult Re-Entry.” Through these programs I was able to get help paying for books, extra academic advising and priority registration. I applied for and received financial aid grants and qualified for a fee waiver to get my classes tuition-free. Suddenly I was being paid to go to school! My first semester back in school I got a 4.0 average. I was so proud of myself, my kids and my family were proud of me. I realized that I could do it, I could go to school and do well. I began looking for scholarships to apply for. I went to the science department and asked what scholarships there were and I asked at EOPS and Adult Re-Entry if they knew

Real Parents of RochesterAn article in our ongoing series ~ The Real Parents of Rochester

Parents and Kids Magazine's Real Mom of Rochester:

Kelly Shaw

By: Kelly Shaw

August 2014 27

of scholarships I could apply for. I also asked my geology professors if they knew of any. I found that there are a lot of schol-arships out there for re-entry students, especially for women. I applied to all of them I found. Soon I started receiving con-gratulatory letters letting me know I had been selected as a recipient of a scholarship. My financial worries were getting lower with each letter and my self-esteem and confidence grew each semester. As a geology major, I am required to go on many field trips. I was worried that this would cause a problem for me as a mother but knew I needed to work it out. Between my ex-husband and my kids’ friends, I have always been able to find a place for them to stay when I needed to be out of town. I have seen more of California in the few years that I have been in school than in all the years I was married. I have even been on a field trip that took me to Bryce Canyon, Zion and Grand Canyon. After every trip I show my kids pictures of where I went and what I did. I tend to bring home new rock samples from each field trip. Now when I come home and my kids see the rocks they say “More rocks?!” I think they are convinced that rocks are go-ing to take over the house. The time came for me to transfer to a uni-versity. Due to custody arrangements, I had only one option for a university close to my home and was very lucky to find out that they have an excellent geology program. I was accepted into California State Uni-versity-Fullerton for the Spring 2012 semester. I was scared all over again! I was familiar with the school I had been attending, I was comfortable there and knew the professors. Now I was going to be attending a University! Who would have thought I would ever do that? I know I didn’t. Again, I took my kids to walk the campus and help me find my classes and again my youngest son looked for all the vending machines (it has become a tradition for us now). I became actively involved with the geology club and ran for club treasurer after my first semester. I was elected for the position and the next year ran for president, a position I currently hold. Last year I found out about the Environmental Science Research in Thailand program. I wanted to apply but thought there was no way I could make it work and I didn’t think I would be selected. I went back and forth on whether I should apply or not and finally decided to go for it. I was so excited when I found out I was selected to participate in the program. I was afraid my kids would be upset, but they were as excited as I was. They thought it was so cool that their mom was going to study in Thailand for a month, they even started telling their friends about it. While I was in Thailand I skyped with my boys and was able to show them some of the areas I was travelling and doing my research. They were especially excited when I got home and they got their souvenirs. My kids are a part of my education, they come to the geology club activities, study at my school when I need to be on campus late, they are proud of me when I tell them about my scholarships and my grades and I think they know the campus as well as I do now. They have seen the hours I put into studying and the opportunities I have had by going to school. They now

look forward to the day that they will go to college and the experiences that they will be able to have. It’s funny how such a tragedy in my life could lead to such amazing opportunities. If someone had told me six years ago that I would be doing the things I am doing, I would have thought they were crazy. I never could have imagined I could go to school at my age and have the experiences I have had and be successful academically. I will graduate soon and fulfill a dream over twenty years in the making and I will do it with my chil-dren standing by my side.

Kelly is a Rochester native graduating from Web-ster in 1991.

Know a local mom or dad (or a mom or dad who is a native of the Rochester area) who you think might be great to feature in our Real Parents of Rochester series? Email us at [email protected]


Snack Smart. Do Good. Snack smart, do good…that’s the tag line for one of my favorite (yummy) new services. For as little as $10, subscribers to lovewithfood.com receive a monthly goody box of organic or all-natural “unique, hard-to-find tasty snacks.” That’s the “snack smart” part of the service. In addition to the monthly box of morsels, for every box sold, love-withfood.com donates a meal to feed a hungry American child. So while you are savoring your smart snacks, know that your subscription is helping to feed a child and “do(ing) good.” So, what does $10 a month get you? An annual subscription of the basic tasting box includes: at least eight snacks, one meal donated and free shipping. The deluxe tasting box (at $17 per month) includes 16-20 new snacks, two meals donated and free shipping.

Subscriptions may be cancelled any time.

Each month’s box is built around a seasonal theme. May’s theme was Derby Days and included snacks like Sea Salt Caramels, Key Lime Cookies and Giddy Up and Go Granola (nine snacks in all.) Take Me Out to the Ballgame set the tone for June’s box, which featured Chicago Mix (a caramel and cheddar popcorn snack that really worked!), Gum Balls by Tree Hugger Gum and Montmorency (dried) Cherries (eight snacks in this box.)

My preschooler loved the dried cherries, so I was thrilled to learn they offer featured snacks (as well as previously released boxes) for purchase on their web-site. And just about everything included shipping! So, if you are a foodie (or just like

to try new things) let lovewithfood.com deliver all-natural treats to your door every month and know you are also helping to end hunger in America, “one meal at a time.”

Product ReviewRachel Horsley’s review of www.lovewithfood.com

Toddlers/Pre-SchoolersSound TouchiPhone/iPad/AndroidCost: Lite version is free, Full version is $4.99

My kids loved this app. There are 133 sounds and pictures with the lite version and 372 sounds and pictures with the full version. They range from animals to motorcycles to violins. The concept is simple yet oddly entertaining. Press the pig icon and you are treated to a photo of a real pig doing something piggy, coupled with a recorded “oink oink”. The best part is that if you press the same icon again you get a different pig picture with a different sound.

The App AddictBest Educational Apps for Kids

By: Matt Hagen

School KidsPBS KidsiPhone/iPad/Android Cost: Free

Let’s face it, you can’t go wrong with anything associated with PBS. Any-thing that would make your mom proud has gotta be a good thing right?. This app is more of a home-base for other educational apps, ebooks, albums, and episodes of popular PBS kid’s shows. In addition, the app allows you to track and/or block what your child is viewing and which apps they use.

BabiesBaby Sign (ASL)iPhone/iPadCost: Lite version is free & has 34 char-acters, Full version is $4.99 & has more than 200 fully animated signs

Sign language is a great way to communi-cate with your pre-verbal child. It has been proven that babies as young as 6 months old can learn how to use sign language in order to share their basic needs with their caregivers. As a result, these communica-tive babies don’t get as frustrated because they are able to express their thoughts in a way that others can visibly understand. There are wonderful developmental ben-efits as well. My son experienced speech delay when he was a toddler. We taught him some basic signs such as “more” and “food” etc., and it was amazing to see how much more engaged he was with us and his surroundings by using only a few signs. This app shows you how to do simple signs with a short video demonstration.

Tweens/TeensTED iPhone/iPad/AndroidCost: Free

Think of this as Youtube, but without the garbage. The content in this app is limited to video presentations from the world’s brightest and most interest-ing people on topics that range from “Hidden miracles of the natural world” to “should you live for your resume…or your eulogy?”

August 2014 29

*“It’s just wonderful sharing our family

with another child.”The simple things in life connect us all.

Bennett and Bonnie are host parents. You can become a host too by sharing your heart and home with a New York

City child for up to two weeks this summer.

Visit freshair.org to see interactive testimonials and volunteer to become a host family today!

To learn more, please contact 1.800.367.0003 or Patricia Kaleta at 1.585.338.7272.


Creative CornerDIY projects for parents & kids

By: Hilary J. Hagen

Desk accessories. For some people, they spend more time at their office or desk than at home and I found that while working in an office setting, my desk was one of the few ways I could express my personality. Instead of searching for accessories that matched my per-sonality, I instead have created my own using recyclable jars and cans along with cereal boxes for my desk at home. Using Wall Border tape I found at Walmart (link here ) shown to the right, Scotch Washi tape, pink wrapping paper and clothespins, I was able to complete my desk with unique desk accessories! These best part is that if you are anything like me and con-stantly find new color and pat-terns that you want to incorporate into your office or home, this is a budget friendly and eco friendly way to do so!

-Hilary

What you’ll need:

Shallow cans (For paper clips, magnets, etc)Glass jars (I used pasta sauce and a pickle jar)

Cereal box Exact-o knife

Wooden clothespins (Dollar Tree)Scotch Washi Tape (Any art store - my favorite

is Michael’s!) Wall Border tape or patterned duct tape (Wal-

Mart has some great selections)Wrapping paper

While the jars and cans are pretty self explanatory, the cereal box can be slightly tricky. Using the exact-o knife, begin cutting at a 30 degree angle until you reach the shorter side of the box. Cut straight across. Begin-ning on the other side of the box, cut at the same angle until it meets the straight edge that you already cut. It might take a few tries but that’s ok - I’m sure you’ll have another cereal box or if not, soon will! Wrap and tape on the inside and you have a file and paper holder to help organize your desk! They can be used to store coloring and activity books as well.

August 2014 31

Easy EatingHealthy eating made fun! Strawberry Mice Treats

By: Hilary J. Hagen

When I was growing up, treats always meant candy, baked goods & sweets. In my house today, a treat or dessert doesn’t always mean what it meant to me as a child. While I don’t ban sweets from the house, I definitley am always trying to find a healthier option for my kids. Many school districts, including my son’s, has requested that in lieu of a birthday treat to celebrate in the classroom, that either a book or healthy treat is brought in. Strawberry mice (pictured to the left and below) was my son’s classroom treat a few years ago and since then is one of his favorites I have made. Easy, quick and your child will love helping you create them (and eating some too). I used kiwis and blueberry’s to mimic a pond and land but that is only a suggestion. You could even layer the dish with some nonfat yogurt and sprinkle granola on top! Since nut allergies can be an issue with this recipe, I would recommend using a few pieces of oats to replace the almonds and use melted chocolate in place of Nutella if necessary. As a side note, I recommend using organic strawberries along with dye free licorice. A great website to find natural candy is www.naturalcandystore.com. They have some amazing alternatives to what you can generally find in grocery stores. It’s also a great resource for parents and children who have specific dietary restrictions including a Special Diets Advanced Search tool. Try making these yourself and send me pictures of how you used your imagination! I’ll be posting your photos on the Creative Cor-ner page on our website.

What you’ll need:• Fresh, whole, and organic strawberries

• Dye free licorice rope • Sliced almonds

• Nutella• Blueberries

• Kiwis or any other ideas you come up with!• Sandwich plastic bag or frosting tube and tip

1. Wash strawberries and slice the stem off 2. Line pan (I used a pyrex glass baking dish ) with

fruit and arrange as you like3. Cut licorice rope into 1/4 to 1/2 in. pieces

4. Carefully stick the rope into the flat side of the strawberry

5. Taking two almond pieces, place into strawber-ry to mimic ears

6. Fill the plastic bag with Nutella and cut small hole in corner of bag

7. Create eyes and nose 8. Try to not eat them all before sharing

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PARENTS and KIDS Magazine - Rochester - August Issue

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Transcript of PARENTS and KIDS Magazine - Rochester - August Issue