Have you ever felt frustrated while trying to shop healthy for your family? Than do I have the answer for you! The Andersons Market in Sylvania!
– Begin with the beautiful display of fresh local fruits
and veggies.
– Fill your cart with all the colors of the rainbow.
– Did you know that the Andersons will even core and slice your pineapple or your watermelon to ensure its perfection?
– Now roll your cart a little further and you’ll find a spread of fresh seafood and meats.
– Load up on packaged portions from the butcher that you can freeze for the future.
– When choosing your meats look for lean picks with
no marinades.
– When selecting grains make sure to reach for whole wheat pastas, brown and wild rice selections, along with (my
personal favorite) barley.
Choosing wisely
Scoring big
My family and I have been eating our way around the Toledo area for some time now. We support local, and this month we found another great local place for a flavorful meal at an affordable price.
Sports bar and more
There’s no denying it, the South End Grille, or South End Bar and Grille as others may call it, IS a great place to watch a game on HD TVs. As a matter of fact, when current owner Jeff Rozek purchased the South End Grille in September 2008, adding 14 HD flat screens was among several changes he made.
What we didn’t expect when we stopped in was the large menu, and food that was well beyond typical “sports bar fare”. “We’re trying to get people to realize we are really about our food”, said Rozek. The menu on their website is a bit outdated, as they have added so many more entrées and sandwiches. (I counted 21 sandwiches on the menu, ranging from $5.99 to $8.99.) Certainly you can find pub grub faves such as potato skins, chicken balls, pizza, burgers and wings, but you will also find signature items such as shrimp scampi, lasagna, and much more.
Friendly neighborhood grill
Much to our surprise, friends of ours along with their kids and their grandparents had stopped in for a meal. My kids were ecstatic to see their friends, and they had a blast playing corn hole in the atrium and on the upper level. They have not one, but two corn hole games and they are FREE. While the kids played, the adults had time to converse uninterrupted.
In the warmer months, we want to stop back and enjoy their patio. “We actually put in an outside patio that seats up to 75 people. It will be extended this spring and will probably double that size”, said Rozek.
Kids eat free EVERYDAY
If there’s one thing that can grab the immediate attention of a parent, it’s news of free kids’ meals. Every day at South End Grille, with the purchase of each full priced menu entree, you can receive a free kids’ meal for those 12 and under. And if you do purchase a kids’ meal, it’s only $3.99 including a side and drink.
We began our meal with deep fried soft pretzel bites with nacho cheese. Suffice it to say that next time I’ll just order those for the kids to feast on. They LOVED them. I tried one of their daily specials. For only $9.99, I had the Breast of Chicken Supreme with French Onion Soup in place of the salad, a veggie, and homemade mashed potatoes. The chicken was smothered in shrimp, sautéed veggies, and Muenster cheese. You bet I ate every bite! My husband was pleased with his choice, the Lake
Perch special.
My children were more than happy with grilled cheese and the chicken tenders. What delighted them more, however, was the Brownie Bite Sundae, with huge scoops of vanilla ice cream, whipped topping, chocolate sauce, and deep fried brownie bites.
Bottom Line: The South End Grille has been serving up good times and sports since 1996, but has seen a menu makeover in the last two years. Don’t forget to challenge your kids to a free game of cornhole before you leave.
Karen Zickes is a mom of three active children and freelance writer who resides in Holland, OH. She can be reached in c/o [email protected].
Reaching for success
According to Dani Moran, Children’s Services Coordinator for The Sight Center of Northwest Ohio, children with low vision or blindness need less help than people think.”Parents have to learn that kids need to be independent. We want to fully prepare them to do that, to be able to go out on their own,” Moran says. “That’s pretty much the goal of every program we have — to give the kids the tools they need to work along with their sighted peers with confidence and happiness. Real life isn’t easy. The kids who succeed are the ones who have independent skills,” Moran says.
Struggling to see
There are differences between blindness and low vision. Moran explained that low vision is a condition in which people struggle to see, even with glasses, adding that some with low vision benefit from glasses, but may still need large print books or other adaptations. Others may have a restricted field of vision or only see out of one eye. Some have conditions that cause the eyes to move constantly, making it very difficult to focus long enough to read well.
Moran, who came to the Sight Center in 2007, has worked with adults and children with low vision or blindness since completing a master’s degree from Western Michigan. Prior to working at The Sight Center, Moran worked in the blind rehabilitation program at the Department of Veterans. In addition to helping parents and children improve situations at school, The Sight Center also offers an Activities of Daily Living program designed to teach blind children (or those with low vision) to live independently. “We have a model apartment with a gas stove and an electric stove. We discuss nutrition, teach them how to plan a grocery list, how to find different foods in a grocery store. We talk about ways to label and organize items in the kitchen, how to test meat to be sure it’s fully cooked. They learn how to be really safe in the kitchen. They vacuum, dust and wipe tables. They learn ways to sort clothes if they can’t see them. Changing sheets. How often to do those tasks,” Moran explains.
Achieving independence
The Sight Center offers a vocational program that allows children ages 14 and older to gain experience at different job sites utilizing help from job coaches. While parents may find it troubling to allow a disabled child to make mistakes or to learn from trial and error, Moran said that this is the best way to help children succeed. She advised parents to find opportunities for children to socialize and to seek help from community resources like The Sight Center. “Don’t hesitate to provide opportunities for socialization with both kids with low vision and sighted kids. Nobody knows what to do in every situation. No parent has all the specialized knowledge,” Moran says.
When a child wants to help a blind classmate, Moran says that parents should encourage that impulse, but also instruct their children to ask before lending a hand. “Don’t be afraid to offer assistance, but ask first to make sure it’s needed. A lot of times, little helpers come along, and kids with low vision get so much help that they don’t learn how to do things for themselves. If a person is struggling, it’s okay to ask. [But] they may not be struggling; they may just be looking for a friend,” Moran said.
The Sight Center’s vision education program begins in February and March. Teaching parents about adaptive technology, the program instructs parents how to use tools provided by schools (including individualized education plans) and what accommodations parents should advocate for. For more information on vision education, summer camp programs and independent living, contact Dani Moran at (419) 720-3937 or by e-mail at [email protected].
1002 Garden Lake Parkway, Toledo.
Imperfections
To my horror, the E! Network has a new reality series called “Bridalplasty.” Brides-to-be go head to head, more like “nose to nose” against each other in fierce competition. The prizes for the contestants who are on a quest for perfection on their wedding day are nose jobs, lipo, implants and other assorted nips and tucks. I wonder how these self-absorbed females would handle removing a pic line, portable IV and donning a wig before they walked down the aisle.
For me, one of life’s greatest joys is a good wedding. I get the rare opportunity to demonstrate that my offspring can dress in something besides hooded sweatshirts, and having someone suited up offering me bite-sized little goodies is downright blissful. The girls and I just returned from a splendid affair in Charlevoix, Michigan. The event united Melissa, a former babysitter, ultimate giver of all that is unconditional, to her groom, Christian. The man at first glance we thought not worthy enough for our gal (this included all beings with testosterone) is actually a rare breed consisting of equal parts true gentleman, commitment, and devotion.
Even though our bride Melissa radiates an aura of pure love that shines on her family, students and friends, she is far from perfect. Melissa has cancer. On April 6, 2007 she received the diagnosis of “acute promyelocytic leukemia.” Gram always said “When you go through Hell, don’t take pictures. Just keep moving!” and that is exactly what she did. She had been in remission when a new “beast” arrived to battle. It is some type of lymphoma with a 20 something letter name that I could “google” but in the end, there really is only one kind of cancer, “sucky.”
So on December 31st, to herald in the New Year, we traveled hours to see a man and a woman who have already lived up to any vow a cleric could throw at them, become man and wife. How could this happen? Isn’t this beautiful, yet imperfect young woman who had to contend with hair loss, mouth sores, temporary loss of vision and nausea (nearing the level of mine while watching “Bridalplasty”) concerned about cellulite or breast size? What about the groom? He is not sending the right message to young girls. Our female youth will be confused as to why this vital, intelligent man is marrying a woman who has fallen short of perfection. They might actually come to the conclusion that there are people in this world who hold firm to their commitments and cherish their women for their substance, intelligence, soul and a love far bigger than anyone’s rumpus.
I think—actually know—that Chris and Melissa have an advantage, an edge, over the other couples on reality television. Even though their wedding was, well, perfect, marriage is not. Ask my mother. She sent my father out to buy a dining room set and he returned with a Mustang convertible. To make matters worse, Mom received snow tires for “that car” for Christmas. A true partner in life needs to be your support system through the ups and downs life hurls your way (Chris and Melissa certainly have that one covered!), and love you through the transformations that come with time (a no-brainer here)!
As the soon-to-be brides of “Bridalplasty” carve, suck and tuck their way toward “perfection,” these two newlyweds spent their honeymoon reminiscing about their special day in a hospital room and basking in perfect love.
Keeping women safe, with facts, not fear
Breast biopsy. You have probably heard the term before, but do you know what it means? Used to detect breast cancer and other breast conditions, this procedure takes a piece of breast tissue for testing. Learning the basics about breast biopsy will help you know what to expect if a doctor recommends that you, a family member, or a friend have one.
Why a breast
biopsy?
A breast biopsy is recommended when a suspicious lump or mass has been found in the breast. This may be after a routine breast exam, a mammogram or an ultrasound.
It is normal for women to have lumps in their breasts. In fact, that is one of the reasons why monthly breast self-exams can be helpful. When you know the normal shape and feel of your breasts, you can spot a suspicious mass more quickly. A lump that persists, becomes larger with time or is associated with an abnormal mammogram may cause your doctor or surgeon to
recommend a biopsy.
Having a breast lump does not necessarily mean you have cancer. Changes in breast tissue are not always harmful and many breast lumps are non-cancerous. Other reasons for breast lumps include cysts in the breasts, infection or non-cancerous growths. When breast exam and X-ray studies fail to determine the cause of a lump, your doctor may recommend
a biopsy.
What happens during
a breast biopsy?
The type of breast biopsy performed depends
on several factors, including the lump’s look, size and location.
A needle biopsy is the most common form of breast biopsy and is usually effective in testing for breast cancer. During the procedure, the skin is numbed with local anesthetic and a long needle is used to collect a small amount of tissue from the breast lump. If the doctor cannot feel the lump, he or she may use an ultrasound or a mammogram as a guide to direct the needle to the lump.
Another procedure is an open biopsy. During
this procedure, an incision is made to take out some or all of the abnormal tissue. This is an outpatient procedure with a low risk of side effects. However, most women usually take a day or two off work and may experience bruising.
After the tissue is removed, a pathologist – a doctor who studies the cause and development of disease – determines if the tissue is cancerous or if more tissue is needed to make a diagnosis.
What do you need to know
about breast health?
Breast conditions can occur at any age and for a variety of reasons. Remember to do your breast
self-exam each month and tell your doctor about
any unusual lumps. If your doctor or surgeon does recommend a breast biopsy, try not to worry. The
procedure is minor. And, in most cases, breast changes are non-cancerous.
Support for the spectrum
If your child has autism, information on support and training is always welcomed. The Ohio Parent’s Guide to Autism Spectrum Disorders offers advice on services, support databases, how to obtain parent mentors, support groups and autism Internet modules. The Ohio Center for Autism and Low Incidence has recently procured a grant from the Autism Society of Ohio to provide online copies of the manual to parents, guardians and educators at www.ocali.org. Those who work with children with autism spectrum disorders may also request copies from the organization by calling 866-886-2254.