Encouraging kids to eat and LiveWell

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January 21, 2022

By Elizabeth Inman

The National Restaurant Association announced a major update to the Kids LiveWell nutrition program following the 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans.

This program, launched in 2011, aims to support nutritional health for children by offering a wider selection of healthy options at restaurants and chains. Kids’ nutrition remains in the top 20 food search trends annually, and the National Restaurant Association provides easily accessible information for parents when searching for smart choices.

Restaurants can have their menus LiveWell-certified from the National Restaurant Association if their menus include two meals and two sides that meet a specific criteria. These options encourage more consumption of fruits and vegetables, lean proteins and low-fat dairy products.

Many drink options with high sugar concentrations are also being removed from LiveWell menus, and are instead being replaced with water, low-fat or non-fat milk and 100 percent juice.

Other important updates have shifted the view of nutritional value to be content-based, instead of calorie-based. Instead of measuring the calories from total sugar, the guidelines now place limits on added sugars. The same goes for total fat, and now no trans fats are allowed in Kids LiveWell meals to maintain FDA guidelines.

Nearly 13,000 restaurants across the country have been Kids LiveWell-certified. Many well-known and locally available chains are on the list including Applebee’s, IHOP and Outback Steakhouse. Fast-food chains are also beginning to make an effort to provide healthy options for kids, with Chik-fil-A, Sonic and Panda Express among them.

More information about the program, as well as more restaurants that offer a LiveWell menu, can be found online at the Kids LiveWell | National Restaurant Association

Kids Astrology January 20-February 18

By

Kimmie

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January 19, 2022

January 20-February 18

Capricorns are truly some of the most adaptable children of the zodiac! This adaptability is good quality, but most parents don’t even know about it until they see the child figuring out ways to make an unexpected situation into a positive experience. Your child was born with the natural talent of turning stressful situations into something that will be grounded and without a lot of drama. That will come in handy because there are a few situations that will get in your child’s way this month. Be forewarned: The planet Mars is playing with your child’s emotions and, while your grounded child seems like everything is fine, they will be challenged with issues of trust and feelings of being left out. Focus on the energy of “temporary” and take advantage of being able to teach your strong-minded Capricorn child different ways to adapt to change. This is surely a month that your child will soak up a lot of lessons that can be really fun for you as a parent and advantageous for your family.

This may be an exciting month for both you and your child. From my own experience as an Aquarian child with imaginary friends (that I didn’t think weren’t so imaginary), my parents were supportive and would play along. If your child asks an imaginative question, like “Could I dig my way to China?” read articles together on the subject. As your Aquarius is a humanitarian addressing questions about the ephemeral nature of life is very important and this is a great time to give your child hands-on experiences, like sending money to help a certain cause. If your Aquarius is considering who they want to be when they grow up, ask them for a few ideas and match them with someone in that line of work who will mentor them for a day. The most important thing you can say to your Aquarius child— or really any child— is “We don’t use the word ‘can’t’ in this house!” Allow and encourage them to do anything they set their minds to.

Camp Kesem Supports Families Affected by Cancer

By

Karen L. Zickes

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January 18, 2022

3. The author’s three kids pose with a group of CK camp counselors. — Karen’s kids, Gregory, Morgan and Nathan, attended Camp Kesem through Notre Dame. Here they are posing with their favorite counselor,

“Kesem” in Hebrew means magic, a concept that is the inspiration behind the national organization that goes by the same name. It provides “magic” through week-long, overnight summer camps for children affected by a parent’s cancer.

Kesem sponsors chapters at nearly 130 universities across the country and is managed by student leaders who are passionate about the Kesem mission. My three children first attended a Camp Kesem (CK) through the University of Notre Dame in 2013, just a month before their father passed away of stage 4 pancreatic cancer. The CK community has become an extended family and has remained my children’s favorite week of the year. Camp is FREE to the families, as the student leaders raise the funds throughout the year to cover the cost of camp.

New Camp Kesem chapter at The University of Toledo

When a family experiences cancer, it feels extremely isolating. It was through CK that my children finally found a place they could go and be surrounded by other kids, and some camp counselors, who knew exactly what they were going through. We describe CK as a “game changer” for my family. My oldest, Morgan, is now a senior at the University of Toledo and along with other students, launched a campaign to bring a Camp Kesem chapter to UToledo. Last summer they held their first camp virtually due to COVID. Nationals will decide soon if camps will be in person or virtual this summer.

“I know how hard my mom looked for support networks for me and my brothers when my dad was diagnosed, and in the years since, few resources for kids affected by a parent’s cancer have become available. I wanted to make it possible for kids in the Toledo area, kids

The author’s three kids pose with a group of CK camp counselors.

just like me, to be able to experience the magic of Camp Kesem and build a support network close to home”, said Morgan. She and her brother Gregory, a freshman at UToledo, will also be camp counselors this summer.

Fun. Supportive. Positive.

Camp Kesem is NOT a week spent talking about cancer, being sad, having counseling sessions, etc. Rather, it is a week filled with everything positive and doing normal summer camp activities, but doing so in an environment where people share your struggles. There are times during the week to share your experiences but only if you CHOOSE. Aru Goel, a senior and one of the CKUT directors said, “Our main goal is to create a support system for campers, counselors, and families who are going through or have gone through similar struggles. When we are with our campers, we want to help lift the burden they face with a parent affected by cancer.”

Kaitlyn Huffman, a senior and Toledo native, learned of Camp Kesem from her cousin who was part of Camp Kesem Michigan State. She is currently the volunteer coordinator and looking forward to summer camp. “Seeing the kids we serve laugh, smile, and have a good time with us really solidifies the importance of Camp Kesem”, said Huffman. “It absolutely warms my heart to see the impact that Kesem has had on families in my community,” she added.

How to get involved

Registration for camps will open in February. To be contacted when registration opens, submit this form. For additional information regarding CKUT, email [email protected]. Interested in volunteering or getting involved? Email [email protected]. Looking to help financially? Make a donation here. General information on Kesem National can be found at kesem.org.

Karen Zickes is the mother of three and freelance writer who resides in Holland, OH.

Ode to the Zip Code 2022 Entries Begin on February 1

By

Digital Media

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January 14, 2022

Write an ode to your ZIP Code!

For the sixth year in a row, Adams Street Publishing teams up with The Fair Housing Center, The Arts Commission and the Toledo Lucas County Public Library for the Ode to the ZIP Code poetry contest.

Toledo-area residents can enter this free poetry competition by submitting a poem based on their ZIP Code.

Each entry should be a five-line, acrostic, haiku-like poem, where the number of words in each line is dictated by the corresponding digit in your ZIP Code.

This year, there are three age categories: two youth categories (ages 11 and younger, and ages 12-17) and one adult (ages 18+) category.

Top entries will be featured in the Toledo City Paper and Toledo Area Parent, and the authors will be invited to perform their poem in a special event in April. Winners selected from adult and youth categories will receive cash prizes.

Submissions run Tuesday, February 1 through Tuesday, February 15

Rules:

Poems must be five lines each, with the number of words in each line determined by the corresponding digit in your ZIP Code.
No more than three submissions per poet will be accepted.
All submissions will be juried and published online.
TO BE CONSIDERED, ALL SUBMISSIONS MUST BE SUITABLE FOR PUBLIC CONSUMPTION.
Employees of presenting partner organizations are not eligible to enter.
Judges’ decisions are final and binding.
Winners will be notified by email.

You and your kids can submit entries on the Toledo City Paper website when the contest begins.

Mothers’ Center of Greater Toledo: Winter Programs

By

Elizabeth Inman

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January 13, 2022

Mothers' Center2 — Photo courtesy of the Mothers' Center of Greater Toledo

The Mothers’ Center of Greater Toledo has unveiled their winter program schedule for parents in the Toledo area.

The Mothers’ Center is a local non-profit organization founded in 1984 with the goal to provide community and support to Toledo parents, guardians and caregivers. They offer reflective group sessions, children’s events, and educational meetings and seminars. Anyone is welcome to attend one free event before deciding if they would like a one-year membership for $30.

The Mothers’ Center is offering a variety of events for their winter season.

On January 20, positive parenting and encouragement coach, Chelsea Miller, is offering an online seminar for parents on Inner Child Work. This seminar aims to help parents understand personal traumas and learn how to create a supportive environment for their child. Online registration and event information is available here.

On January 27, the Mothers’ Center is inviting families to join them at Imagination Station in Downtown Toledo. The visit is from 10am-noon, and discounted group rates are being offered by the museum. If you plan on attending, contact information for the Mothers’ Center is available here.

On February 3, Claudia from Health Food by Claudia is hosting a free informational session on natural health remedies at the King Road Branch Library at 6pm. Claudia will explore the healing qualities in plants and how to use them at home. More information can be found here.

The Mothers’ Center of Greater Toledo will be observing Random Acts of Kindness Week February 18-25. Members will take part in personal kindness missions with their family and friends and share their acts via social media throughout the week.

Two open house events are available for those interested in joining the Mothers’ Center. These sessions will offer insight to the mission of the Mothers’ Center and will detail responsibilities and benefits for being a member. An in-person open house will be held on February 26 from 10am to noon at Brew Coffee House at the University of Toledo. A virtual open house will be held on March 3 from 8pm-10pm via Zoom. If you are interested in the virtual event, contact information for the Mothers’ Center is available here.

At all events prospective members will have the opportunity to meet with other members, ask questions and enjoy all planned activities. More information about the organization can be found at the Mothers’ Center of Greater Toledo website.

Sledding Safety Tips for Winter Fun

By

Katy Clark

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January 12, 2022

By Katy M. Clark

There is no better way to spend a winter’s day than swooshing down a sledding hill with your family. While sledding may be a fun rite of passage during the snowy months, it does send thousands of children and teens to emergency rooms every year. Injuries range from the serious, like head injuries, to the more common cuts, bumps and bruises. Check out the following tips to make your next sledding adventure as safe as it is fun.

Location, location, location

Choose a hill that does not end in a parking lot, to avoid colliding with cars or light poles, or a pond, which may not be solidly frozen enough. Likewise, make sure the sledding hill is free of rocks, trees, or poles that could injure riders. Sled during daylight hours, or else choose a slope that is well-illuminated at night. Again, you want to make sure any potential obstacles or dangers are visible.

To find locations to sled in Toledo, check out our Ultimate Sledding Hill Guide.

What to wear

Dress for the weather. If it is cold enough to sled, then it is cold enough for winter coats, snow pants, hats, boots, and gloves. If your kids are older and more serious about their sledding fun, dressing in layers is advisable so they can be removed as the kids work up a sweat.

Head protection is important, especially for children ages 12 and under. If you don’t have specialized winter head gear, even a bike helmet offers some protection.

Avoid scarves, if possible, since they can get caught or tangled and increase the chance of injury.

How to sled

Teach your kids to ride down the middle of the hill and return to the top by walking up the sides. This avoids collisions between those riding down the hill and those walking back up.

Ride one at a time, unless your kids are younger than five years or so. In that case, it is best for the littlest riders to be accompanied by a parent.

Sit feet first and discourage any sledding while standing up or going face first. The latter method greatly increases the risk of head or neck injury.

The safest type of sled can be steered by hand and includes brakes to come to a safe stop. Try to avoid substitute sleds like lunch trays or cardboard boxes.

Kids should be coached in how to fall off the sled to avoid a crash. If the sled is going too fast or a collision seems imminent, teach children to roll off the sled and let it go.

Reminders for the adults

Always supervise your kids. In case someone does get injured, you will be there to give first aid or take the injured party to a doctor.

Never pull a sled behind a motorized vehicle such as a car or ATV. Speed and being on a trail or roadway are dangerous combinations.

Finally, don’t

forget to have fun. Sledding is a terrific way to celebrate winter and enjoy the outdoors. Plus, most sledding parties like to conclude the outing with hot chocolate–yum! If you keep these sledding safety tips in mind, then you and your family will have a frosty good time.