Click on the cover image above to view the Apr/May issue.

Planning for Summer Camp

Recipes - Spill the Beans, Chocolate and Coffee

Jump Rope!

Vote for your MOM Makeover Winner!

Win tickets to Sesame Street LIVE!

Autism Awareness

Healthy MOM - Spring allergies

Vacation MOM - Aloha in Paradise

Money MOM - Financing the family vacation

Earth MOM - Gardening with kids

SuperDAD

Click on the page to view PDF for directions.

Love notes from nature

It may be hard to imagine now, but seeds planted today will yield crops in May, some even earlier. For Valentine's Day and spring celebration time our family likes to make, give and plant love notes from nature. Cards with spring vegetable and flower seeds that will offer succulent treats for humans and pollinators are perfect choices to add to a greeting card.

For February-March you can include cylindrical beets, lettuce, arugula, radishes, garlic, and of course, lots of peas that are great to planting this time of year.

How to make a love note from nature

1. Make paper pulp and arrange cookie cutters on a window screen over a container.
2. Embed seeds in the paper: ladle one-millimeter paper pulp into the mold, sprinkle lettuce seeds, then add another one-millimeter layer of pulp. Adjust pulp thickness to seed thickness. Seed cards must dry quickly at very low heat or the seeds won't germinate later. Talk with your kids about how to keep seeds fresh for planting next year's crops. Find an excellent, free seed-saving zine at SeedAmbassadors.org and read about some young farmers for inspiration!
3. In the damp but somewhat stiff stage, it can be very carefully taken off and shaped with your fingers, a textured glass, stamp, rolling pin or other textural implement.

And remember, encourage your recipient to plant their card right away in a sunny spot.

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Click on the cover image above to view the Feb/Mar issue.

Recipes - Pasties

Let's Party! - Great birthday party ideas

Feb/Mar Giveaway- Win a Birthday Surprise!

Healthy MOM - Fighting the flu

Vacation MOM - Head to Palm Springs

Money MOM - The gift of a future

Adventure MOM - Geocaching

Earth MOM - Love notes from nature

Coach MOM - Giving back

The gift of time

by Julie Grossman

Quick: Name a toy you got for Christmas circa 1980. Not coming up with anything? Now try to remember a special  holiday tradition. Coming back a little more clearly? I try to think of this when I get pangs of discomfort around holiday gift giving season. This year, I'm going to try to give more of my time.

» Family art time: Invite friends of all ages over with their craft supplies

» A weekend away

» Learn something new together: Tap dancing? Fly fishing?

» House project parties: Rotate among friends' homes and help each other out

» Weekly walking date: With that friend that you rarely see.

What time might you give? Post your Gift of Time Ideas on the Y's Facebook Page and enter to win a three-month family membership to the Y, where you and your family can spend some playtime together this winter!

Brought to you by:

2055 Patterson St. in Eugene

Julie is the Associate Executive Director at the Eugene Family YMCA and a mom to two girls. She loves to read, cook, write, camp and watch pre-bedtime princess-song-and dance shows.

Vacation MOM™
Staying healthy while you travel

by Donnita Bassinger

Vacation time is precious and nobody wants to waste a minute of it not feeling their best. There are things you can do as a mom to keep your family as healthy as possible while traveling.

Before you travel

When planning your flights, choose the most direct schedule possible. The less time you spend in airports and changing planes, the better for all of you. Fly from your local airport so you don't add extra hours of car travel at the beginning and end of your trip. Consider the sleep habits of your family-whether you are earlybirds or night-owls- and plan accordingly. Talk to your physician about getting the annual flu vaccine. Various influenza viruses can circulate at different times and in different places. You can be exposed to people and illnesses from all over the world when you fly. Most doctors recommend you take multi-vitamins and eat vitamin C rich foods (oranges, guava) before and during your travels to help boost your immune system. Have everyone get a good night of sleep before you depart and eat well.

Pack important items in your carry-on luggage

I have a Travel Medical Kit that I bring on trips with small amounts of medications we might need. Pack children and adult versions of fever reducers, headache/pain medication, anti-diarrheal, allergy medication (Benadryl), motion sickness (Dramamine), cough drops and cold medicine. Children under 18 should not be given aspirin. Most items come in foil

packets with the names of the product printed on each dose. Just take a few of these and write notes on the back if needed. Buy small bottles of medications and refill with the same product. It is best to have solids as restrictions apply to carrying liquids on planes. I also have bandages, a small thermometer, antibiotic cream and tweezers in this kit. Bring anti-bacterial wipes to keep little hands clean and disinfect your surroundings on the plane.

Bring healthy snacks (non-liquid) to keep your family fed and happy. Avoid spicy or sugary items that may upset stomachs. Pack crackers, nuts, cut-up veggies, cheese, cereals, raisins, dried fruit and pretzels. Bring chewy candy or gum just for take-off and landing to help relieve ear pressure. You can bring sippy-cups and bottles with liquids for infants. Show these to the TSA screeners who may test them.

During travel

Airports now offer a much better selection of healthy food than was the case a few years ago. You can buy fresh salads, fruit and sandwiches in to-go boxes to take on the plane.

Purchase water bottles after going through security as it may be quite a while until you get served on the flight. It is important that you and your children stay hydrated. Avoid alcohol and caffeine as these will dehydrate you. Adults who take diuretics (water pills) for chronic illnesses such as high blood pressure or heart disease are prone to dehydration and must be extra careful. Try and walk around and stretch during flights. When changing planes encourage kids to skip and hop. I hope these pointers will help to make your travels as healthy as possible!

Meet Vacation MOM™

Donnita Bassinger is mom to three well-traveled children. She lives in Eugene with her husband where she is active in Cub Scouts, school PTOs and local charities. Donnita has been a travel agent for 27 years and loves to share the wisdom she has gained with her clients. She is the owner of VIP Vacations, Inc and would be happy to chat with you about travel at 541-688-7473. You can find more information on Facebook under "Vacation MOM".

Vacation MOM™ is brought to you in partnership with the Eugene Airport.

gifts for your home

• Plant a tree in the front yard to add value, beauty and nature to your surroundings. Planting a fruit bearing tree will add a double value by providing you with fresh produce.
• Add some native plants to your yard. They are easier to take care than non-native since they are used to a northwest climate.
• Install a water filter to your kitchen faucet. It is better for your health and the environment than bottled water, plus it is much easier use when the clean water comes directly from your faucet.
• Change the air filters regularly to save on energy bills and ensure you have clean air in the house.

Sponsored by Eugene True Value Hardware

Healthy MOM
A healthy start

by Martha Reilly, M.D.

Ensuring that your baby boy or girl has a healthy start to life begins with good prenatal care. Prenatal care refers to the care you receive for yourself and your baby during your entire pregnancy. Following a prenatal care plan can positively impact both you and your baby's health by minimizing pregnancy complications, decreasing the likelihood of birth defects and easing postpartum recovery.

The first step in promoting your growing baby's good health is to establish healthy habits for yourself, before you become pregnant: a nutritious diet, regular exercise, and avoiding harmful substances such as tobacco, alcohol and certain medicines and foods. Women who are planning to become pregnant should talk with a doctor for advice on lifestyle changes and healthy practices that will contribute to a healthy pregnancy.

Once you are pregnant, getting good nutrition, plenty of exercise, sleep and avoiding stress are good guidelines to follow. Babies born to mothers who do not receive prenatal care are three times more likely to have a low birthweight and five times more likely to die than those born to mothers who do get care, according to the March of Dimes. Babies that weigh less than 5 pounds, 8 ounces at birth are considered low birthweight and are at greater risk of serious health problems and disabilities such as mental retardation, learning problems, cerebral palsy, bleeding in the brain, digestive problems and vision or hearing loss. One in 12 babies is born with low birthweight, according to the March of Dimes. These infants' survival rate is also lower than babies of normal weight (ranging from about 5 ½ to 9 pounds). Research suggests that babies with low birthweight may be at risk for health problems as adults, too, such as high blood pressure, diabetes and heart disease.

Giving your baby an early foundation for good health is one of the greatest gifts. If you're planning to start a family, begin with a pre-conception checkup. Your doctor can help screen for certain health problems, infections, make sure your immunizations are up to date, as well as discuss your nutrition and lifestyle habits, medications and certain foods and beverages to avoid during pregnancy.

Your doctor will establish a regular schedule of check-ups and various screenings. It's important to follow this plan, and comply with your doctor's instructions for your medical care and personal health habits. Specific lifestyle choices an expectant mother can make to reduce the chances of having a low birthweight baby include avoiding tobacco and alcohol, getting adequate rest and nutrition, managing stress and taking a daily multivitamin with folic acid (0.4 mg). It's also important to work with your doctor to manage any chronic conditions that can affect your pregnancy and your baby's growth, such as high blood pressure, diabetes or thyroid disease.

To learn more, visit McKenzie-Willamette Medical Center click on "Health Resources" and "Interactive Tools," and take the Birth Defects Quiz, Smoking and Pregnancy Quiz, Healthy Pregnancy Quiz, and more. Or, call 541-741-4649 to make an appointment to tour the birthing center.

Remember that this information is not intended to replace the advice of your doctor, but rather to increase awareness and help equip patients with information and facilitate conversations with your physician that will benefit your health.

Sources: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office on Women's Health, www.womenshealth.gov, March of Dimes, www.marchofdimes.com, National Institutes of Health, www.nlm.nih.gov.

Healthy MOM™ is brought to you by McKenzie-Willamette Medical Center .

Meet Healthy MOM™ - Martha Reilly, M.D., is Chief of Women and Children's Medicine for the Medical Staff at McKenzie-Willamette Medical Center. Board-certified in obstetrics and gynecology, she practices at the Center for Women's Health. After earning her medical degree at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, she completed her internship and residency at Abington Memorial Hospital in Pennsylvania.

Jamie Squires is SuperDAD!

There are no words to express how I feel when I see my two-year-old son snuggled up on the couch with his daddy watching The Muppets, both belly laughing to the "Mahna Mahna" video, like it was the first time they both have seen it. The bond that my son, Pierce, and my husband, Jamie, have is undeniably strong. I have been given a gift to watch this beautiful father-son relationship blossom in front of my eyes. You can definitely say that Pierce is a daddy's boy. Jamie is the last to get a kiss good night and the first person Pierce runs to in the morning with open arms and a smile from ear to ear. Those moments are priceless.

The happiness that my husband brings to my son is not the only thing that makes him an amazing man. Jamie is a husband, father and is a teacher to 30 third graders. Jamie works endless hours after our son goes to bed and due to increased budget cuts within our school system, is expected to reach unattainable goals with inadequate tools. Jamie is an incredibly passionate man who doesn't realize how many lives he has touched through his teaching, great leadership, compassionate heart and the sincerity of wanting all students to succeed.

Jamie fills his students with hope and showers them with a thousand reasons to embrace all aspects of life. As I watch my son and husband walk hand in hand on a walk I feel comfort and ease knowing that Pierce has such a wonderful father figure in his life. Someone he can look up to, be proud of, learn deep passion for what he believes in and mostly, be best friends with. A father should be their son's first hero and I know my husband, Jamie, is Pierce's Superhero. I think this makes him one exceptional SuperDAD.

SuperDad Jamie was nominated by his wife. Nominate the SuperDad in your life at www.mommag.com

Money MOM - Can I have $20?

by Nanette Garrett

How often does your child ask for money? It could seem annoying, but when children learn they can buy things with money they feel a sense of empowerment and freedom. A whole new world opens up for them. As parents helping to oversee your child's growth and well-being, teaching him how to handle money is one of the biggest jobs.

When kids get older they become adults who need to be able to earn, spend and
create wealth on their own. The tools they receive as a child will go a long way towards their future.

Start early

Before most children can add or subtract they become aware of the concept of
money. When they are preschool age, show them how you personally earn and spend money so they can get an understanding of the how it works.

Be a model

Children will take cues and develop patterns from their parents, and being a role model of how to successfully create and spend money is helpful.

Save, spend and give

Use three canning jars marked "Save", "Spend" and "Give." Let them decide how
much should go into each at first. This will help them recognize that there are
different ways of using money and sets a foundation.

Help them find their creative genius

Every child has skills and talents. Finding the ones that will help her feel confident in wealth building is important. Let her find the power to earn money from her own
creativity. Talk about ways to create wealth, such as raking the neighbor's leaves,
walking a dog for an elderly person or selling crafts for the holidays to family and
friends. Ask your child to put the money they earn in jars (save, spend, give).

Teenagers and college-age kids

Checking accounts, credit cards and debt are as elemental to the young adult
experience as books and parties. Teaching teenagers about banking and credit will
make them more savvy when they leave the nest. Arrange a meeting with
professionals at your bank, a stock broker and/or a real estate broker while he/she is in high school to get a better understanding of the financial world. Teach
them about credit scores and how it can impact their future financial health.

Investing

High school-age kids can and should be taught about the market-using real
money. Put part of their allowance (if they get one) toward a penny stock portfolio
with an online or local broker.

The tools you provide for your kids now will go a long way to providing them with a good financial foundation.

Money MOMTM is brought to you courtesy
of Pacific Cascade Federal Credit Union and
MOM Magazine.

Meet Money MOM - Nanette Garrett is a member service counselor for Pacific Cascade Federal Credit Union and a busy mother of three. If you've got a question
about balancing the family budget, contact Nanette today. 800-477-3328

Snow tubing thrills in the Cascades

by Lisa Lawton

It was a bit frightening the first time I sent my kids careening down a snow tubing run. The plan-my husband would go first to catch the kids at the bottom. I would go last to send them down one at a time. As I followed, reaching speeds of what felt like a 100 miles-an-hour, I wondered what in the world I had done! Really? Pushing my kids off an icy cliff?

To my relief, when I hit bottom their faces said it all-pure joy! We had a blast that day and now, a few years older, the kids still enjoy a day of tubing in the Cascades. At venues like Willamette Pass and Hoodoo Ski Resort, tubing is much different than sliding downhill by sled or an old inner tube. This winter tradition is much safer and easier with designated, well-groomed lanes free of trees and other hazards. And, no hills to climb or tubes to lug. Gear is provided and a special lift pulls you to the top. Less than an average lift ticket, tubing tickets run $12 to $14 each and, most importantly, provide a day full of fun and lasting memories.

Eugene, Cascades & Coast Adventure Center
Open daily 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
3312 Gateway St., Springfield
541.484.5307

Meet Adventure MOM - Lisa and her husband Jeff, enjoy exploring the region with their children Ryan and Hannah. For more information on family winter ideas, visit EugeneCascadesCoast.org/family or the Eugene, Cascades & Coast Adventure Center for guides, maps and Sno-park permits.