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2019 / Archives for October 2019

Archives for October 2019

Ice Cream Six Ways!

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Sprinkle some creativity onto your ice cream all year round! Here are six easy ways to liven up everyone’s favorite frozen treat.

  1. Lightly butter flour tortillas and sprinkle them with cinnamon and sugar. Drape the tortillas over the rungs of the shelves in an oven, placing a cookie sheet underneath to catch any drips. Bake at 300 F until just crisp. Fill with your favorite ice cream for some frozen dessert tacos.
  2. Create your own ice cream sandwiches from any firm cookies or dessert bars you have on hand. For example, cut two thin slices of fudge brownies. Spread softened ice cream in a complementary flavor, such as peanut butter or black cherry vanilla, in between the brownie sandwich pieces. Freeze to firm everything up and make it easier to eat.
  3. Fried ice cream pairs the seemingly incompatible frozen dessert with heat. Freeze scoops of ice cream until they are solid, dip them in an egg wash and coat with crushed cookie crumbs. You can then refreeze the finished ice cream balls and have them set to fry in time for dessert.
  4. Ice cream and frozen waffles make a quick dessert in a pinch. Raid the freezer for the ingredients, get the cast iron waffle maker to toast the waffles and then sandwich with ice cream. Top with fresh fruit and whipped cream, if desired.
  5. Spoon your favorite cookie dough into a muffin tin and mold the dough so it lines the individual cups of the tin. Bake until firm and let cool. Use the cookie cups to make little ice cream sundae holders for parties. Their diminutive size makes them ideal for kids.
  6. Whip up your own ice cream cake. Place a thin layer of any flavor cake on the bottom of a dish or pan that can be placed into the freezer. Scoop softened ice cream on top, then continue to layer as desired, finishing with ice cream as the final layer. Let freeze several hours until firmed up, then enjoy.

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College Car Prep 101: 4 Things Every Freshman Should Know

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Summer is winding down, and millions of new drivers will be taking their parents’ old ride or a used car back to school. But beyond financial tips, what do kids need to know about their cars so that they don’t end up stranded on a dark and lonely road?

The car repair experts at RepairPal —a nationwide network of over 1700 certified, pre-screened repair shops on a mission to help you find a fair price for quality work—have an important (and easy to remember) checklist for teens and young adults:

  1. Always keep fuel level above a quarter tank. When the gas gauge goes below a quarter tank, it shortens the life of the fuel pump, and that means costly repairs down the road.
  2. Properly inflate tires to improve gas mileage by up to 3%. When tires are not properly inflated, fuel efficiency drops. Plain and simple: more money wasted on gas means less money for study dates and late-night pizza.
  3. Rotate tires every 5,000 to 10,000 miles to save the suspension. Forgetting to rotate your car’s tires regularly causes them to wear out faster, and can damage the suspension, steering, and traction. This semester, switch up your tires so that you can cruise smoothly.
  4. Find a reliable mechanic near the school. Walking into the first shop that you find on Google is like rolling the dice. Try RepairPal’s Certified Shop Search and Fair Price Estimator and make sure you’re getting a fair price from a quality mechanic.

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Get Ready for Fall Sports Season

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Summer is a season of relaxation, especially for school-aged children who are not yet old enough to work. Such youngsters no doubt enjoy the chance to spend summer days lounging poolside or at the beach, all without a care in the world or any homework to complete.

Though summer is synonymous with R&R, parents of young athletes who hope to compete in scholastic athletics when the school year begins in autumn may need to take steps to ensure their kids aren’t at risk of injury once the curtain comes up on fall sports season.

  • Examine and replace equipment if necessary. The right equipment can protect kids from injury and help them realize their full athletic potential. But damaged or outdated equipment can increase kids’ risk of injury. Examine kids’ equipment long before fall sports season begins so you have time to bargain hunt should anything need to be replaced.
  • Schedule a physical for your child. Speak with the athletic director at your child’s school to learn the guidelines that govern athletic physicals. The physical will need to be conducted by a predetermined date, but you may also need the physical to be conducted after a certain date for it to be considered valid. Speak with your child’s physician if any problems are found during the physical.
  • Let kids heal. Kids’ schedules are busier than ever before, and many youngsters play several sports during the school year. Summer vacation may be the only extended period all year that youngsters’ bodies get to heal. While it’s important that kids stay physically active throughout the summer, make sure they don’t overdo it, as you should emphasize the importance of rest.
  • Gradually get back in the swing of things. While rest gives kids’ bodies a chance to heal and develop, it’s important that young athletes stay in shape over the summer. As the fall sports season draws near, help kids gradually get back in the swing of things. Tryouts tend to be physically demanding, so kids who have not lifted a finger all summer may be at risk of injury or missing the cut. Let kids ease back into regular exercise to make sure they are not starting from scratch come their first tryout.
  • Speak with coaches. Coaches can be great assets to parents who want to make sure their youngsters enjoy the summer without sacrificing their chances of making the team in the fall. Speak with kids’ coaches to determine if there is any area your son or daughter can work on over the summer to improve his or her chances of making the team. Make sure kids are the ones leading the charge to improve their games; otherwise, they may feel pressured into doing so and that can take away the fun of playing sports.

Scholastic athletes should take advantage of the opportunity to relax and recover that summer presents. But athletes who hope to compete in the fall can still work with their parents to ensure they’re ready once the school year and sports season begins.

Make a Lunch Kids Will Devour

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Children can be picky eaters, making it challenging for parents to find foods their kids will consume. Family dinners are challenging enough, but lunches kids will love can be even more difficult to come by.

Parents can prepare lunches kids are certain to devour by thinking outside of the traditional lunch box. Using some creativity and building off of kids’ favorite foods is the key.

Make it miniature

Mini versions of kids’ favorite foods can be entertaining and entice children to try things they normally wouldn’t. If it’s fun-sized, it can be swallowed in one bite. Think about mini sandwiches cut into fun shapes with a cookie cutter. Or use little condiment cups to hold chicken salad, soup or yogurt.

Offer variety

Give kids a bit of a buffet inside of their lunches. This way, if something isn’t tickling their taste buds, they still have other healthy options at the ready. This technique also ensures that kids will not get hungry after skipping meals. Lunch buffets do not have to be complicated. Include half of a sandwich, a piece of fruit or an applesauce cup, some trail mix, and a granola bar. Look for complex carbohydrates and protein so that little bellies will feel full.

Go with what works

If a child really enjoyed the previous night’s dinner, offer up a repeat for lunch the next day. If there is no option for heating food at school, invest in a thermos or a durable, insulated container that can keep the foods at a comfortable temperature. Lunchtime at school occurs not too far into the day, and it’s feasible that food can still be warm if heated right before leaving the house.

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Sneak in some nutrition

If kids are bound to eat the same thing over and over again, mix it up in subtle ways. Add a slice of tomato to a plain cheese sandwich and serve it on whole-wheat bread for added nutrition. Blend cauliflower into mac-and-cheese so it’s barely noticeable. Add flavor to lunch meats with a piece of bacon. Bake up nutritious cereal bars on your own that pack a nutritious punch and could have pureed fruit as the base.

Breakfast for lunch

Most kids go ga-ga over breakfast foods. Use that to your advantage, sending them in with egg-bacon-cheese bagel sandwiches, or some cereal to which they can add milk bought from the cafeteria. Thin pancakes can be rolled and stuffed with fruit in a crêpe style that makes for a tempting treat.

Rely on school lunch

School lunches shouldn’t be dismissed. When the pantry and refrigerator simply aren’t offering up the right inspiration, let children try something provided by their schools. They may like the menu, and that will save you time and effort in the morning. Plus, many school lunches are designed to be nutritionally balanced.

Picky eaters frequently make meal creation challenging. However, with some ingenuity, kids’ lunches can be enjoyed and savored.

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25 Signs You’re a New Mom

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I’m not a new mom. My kids are eight and four, so I’m not exactly new to this parenting rodeo. But like most moms, I’ll certainly never forget the sleepless nights, the ups and downs, the endless stress, and all of the bittersweet moments that go along with having a new baby. I put together this list to let the new moms know that everyone kind of loses it the first time around (and sometimes the second and third time too).

You might be a new mom if….

  1. At least once a night, you jump up out of bed like a maniac to make sure the baby is breathing.
  2. Much like the Great Wall of China, the dark circles under your eyes are visible from space.
  3. You have threatened the life of at least one telemarketer (or relative) for calling during the baby’s nap.
  4. You play rock-paper-scissors with your spouse over who has to change the next dirty diaper (and somehow you lose every time).
  5. You find yourself searching every corner and crevice of your house to see where that nasty odor is coming from— and then realize that it’s you. You smell like a person who hasn’t showered in over a week (because you haven’t).
  6. You proudly recite your baby’s height, weight, head circumference, and frequency of bowel movements to all close friends and relatives at the start of each conversation (and a quick conversation it will be, as they are likely thinking of a good excuse to get off the phone with you).
  7. You will stop at nothing to quiet a screaming baby, even if it means wasting gallons of water letting the baby listen to the faucet run, or pacing the floor for hours at a time, alternating between swaying, bopping, rocking, and humming, or even watching rap videos all night.
  8. The last home-cooked meal you had (while sitting down, no less!) was last Christmas, and you certainly weren’t the one who cooked it.
  9. You agree that waking a sleeping baby is an offense punishable by termination of friendship and possibly loss of life to the offender.
  10. Coffee. Just coffee. Lots and lots and lots of it.
  11. Your trips to Babies R Us “just for diapers” are doing more damage to your bank account than your wedding did.
  12. The next person to ask “is the baby cold?” is getting kicked out of your house.
  13. Same goes for the next person to ask “where is his hat? Doesn’t he have a hat?”
  14. The next person to say “just sleep when they sleep” will be forced to wash every dish in the sink, mop the kitchen floor, fold five loads of laundry, and get dinner started…all in the duration of a 45-minute nap with time to spare.
  15. Your diaper bag: a quick trip to the store or leaving town for a week? There is no difference.
  16. You’ve finally been introduced of the wonderful world of children’s television, where torturously catchy songs will play on an endless loop in your head for the next five years or so. You will, at least once or twice, fall sleep singing “I’m the map, I’m the map, I’m the map, I’m the map, I’M THE MAP.”
  17. You used to picture how adorable your baby would look in all of those cute little bathrobes you received at your baby shower, and then you gave her a bath for the first time and quickly threw them all in the donation pile.
  18. Your pediatrician is at the top of your contact list, and you could easily navigate the route to his office in your sleep.
  19. What was once your living room is now merely an obstacle course of large, brightly-colored objects, designed to hold or occupy your baby for any period of time – none of which work nearly as well as merely holding him yourself and utilizing your only free arm for household tasks.
  20. And that other arm? The one holding the baby?  Let’s just say the Incredible Hulk has NOTHING on you and your freakishly strong baby-holding arm.
  21. Remember when you created your first resume and listed “excellent at multi-tasking” as one of your skills?  Ha! You didn’t even know the definition of multi-tasking until now.
  22. Google is your new best friend! And also your very worst enemy.
  23. You have officially been peed on by another human being (and I really do hope that’s a first for you).
  24. You bought a smart phone with 128GB of memory for pictures and videos and ran out of space before your baby rolled over for the first time.
  25. Remember how much you loved the baby yesterday? Well, that love just doubled today. And tomorrow, it’ll triple. And the day after that, it’ll quadruple. It never stops. Someday, your baby will grow into a precious, baby-faced toddler, and she’ll say “I love you” for the first time ever, and your heart will explode into so many pieces that you’ll need a broom and dustpan to pick them all up.

Try to remember that feeling after your sweet little angel has her first public meltdown.

By Jeannine Cintron, a Staten Island mom of two. Read her blog at HighchairsandHeadaches.com

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Spreading Cheer Everywhere

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Teach your children the importance of being civic-minded

When my daughter, Maddy, was about five years old, she decided she wanted to “bring cheer” to lonely senior citizens. It prompted a conversation about people in the community who might not have very much and those who are alone. The thought made her sad, but instead of moving on, she felt empowered to make a difference. She decided to make handmade cards for Valentine’s Day for all of the residents of Eger Nursing Home on Staten Island. It was early enough that she could do this, and she did. She made around 200 valentines that were all unique and she handed each one out personally with a smile and sometimes a hug to every resident and some staff. Maddy continued to do this over the next 6 years, and continues to live each day with a strong sense of civic responsibility.

From seniors in need of a visit, food pantries in all corners of the borough, homeless families, to children living with terminal illness, there are countless people- some right next door- that could use some help. We all have the ability to instill a spirit of giving in our children, especially through our own actions. What do your children see you do? Volunteer or lend a hand?

Sometimes it’s easy to think that it’s a school lesson. In our busy lives, we often complain about how bad something is, whether politics, crime, or something as simple as litter or graffiti. But when was the last time you believed change can start with just you? How can we expect our kids to feel empowered in our community, to have a sense of ownership, pride, and involvement if we’re too busy to look up?

Adults often develop interest and passion in things they’ve experienced in their childhood. Think ahead to the person you want them to strive to be – kind, giving, compassionate come to mind for many of us. Here are some ways to build your child’s spirit of giving and help the Staten Island community:

  • Pick up a few extra items when you go grocery shopping. After you’ve unpacked, take the kids to a local food pantry and donate the items. You can also help them organize their shelves for a bit. The reward is great and truly hands-on. Right here on Staten Island, there are 26 food pantries from the North Shore to Tottenville. They are in all neighborhoods; you might not even realize there is one close to your home! For a list of food pantry locations and phone numbers, visit siparent-com.go-vip.net/food-pantries/. Be sure to call ahead since they may not be open every day.
  • Go through your child’s books, toys, and clothes. Find some that they’ve outgrown but are still in good condition, and drop them off (with the kids) locally at Project Hospitality (www.projecthospitality.org). It’s important to have them be part of the process so that they feel how good it is to give!
  • Help your child’s school engage in a community project. My organization, Brooklyn Home Foundation has launched a project called Smiles 4 Seniors, offering a $500-$1,000 grant to Staten Island schools and afterschool programs who will work to help seniors who often suffer from social isolation and depression. They can make cards, artwork, share a musical performance at a senior center, or have an intergenerational activity. For more information, visit www.brooklynhome.org/smiles4seniors. The idea really came from Maddy’s valentines and wanting to build an “army” of children who can duplicate and multiply these efforts so more seniors in our community aren’t all alone. That smile the children bring out could be the highlight of their week!
  • Find a beach clean-up day or other community service activity. You can find these by doing a google search or by reaching out to the Office of Borough President James Oddo (www.StatenIslandUSA.com). From the Conference House Park to the Greenbelt Conservancy, there is a great need for help!
  • Staten Island Parent hosts on its website a list of organizations offering volunteer opportunities. Check it out for ideas at siparent-com.go-vip.net/volunteer-opportunities/

It all starts with you and your actions. You are their role model in everyday life, so be sure to lead by example. With one person’s acts of kindness, we will see the butterfly effect impact so many and inspire others to do good and be great!

By Erika Hellstrom, a Staten Island mom of two, who finds community service a very rewarding part of parenting. 

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