WNCParent April 2010

W N C M O M . C O M , T H E P L A C E W H E R E L O C A L M O M S C O N N E C T 1

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c o n t e n t s

In every issue

This months features

On the cover

P.O. Box 2090, Asheville, NC 28802828-232-5845 I www.wncmom.com

PRESIDENT AND PUBLISHERRandy Hammer

WNC PARENT EDITORKatie Wadington - [email protected]

CONTRIBUTING EDITORNancy Sluder

[email protected]

STAFF WRITERBarbara Blake

[email protected]/CIRCULATION

Miranda Weerheim - [email protected]

FEATURES EDITORBruce Steele, [email protected]

CALENDAR CONTENTSubmit in writing via

P.O. Box 2090, Asheville, NC 28802-2090or e-mail [email protected]

SUBMISSION DEADLINESAdvertising deadline for the May issue is April 20

Calendar items are due by April 15

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3 Get sportyTheres no shortage of sportscamps for kids to attend thissummer.15 worst foodsLocal experts tell us some of theleast healthy foods you couldfeed your kids.A healthy dinnerThe childrens menu gets healthieras stores roll out new programs.Cooking aheadMake dinner on the weekend andsave weekday prep time.Parent-child funClasses offer a chance for chil-dren to get moving with theirparents in tow.Quick mealsIdeas for fast lunches and dinnersfrom area cooks.Gardening insideGet kids started on gardening bymaking terrariums.48-hour spring breakWe give you some suggestions formaking the most of a shorterspring break.

Healthy hurlersTips for young baseball andsoftball players.Easter eventsA roundup of egg hunts, hatparades and more.Camp GuideFind updated and new listingsfor spring break and summercamps.

Kids Voices ......................30Artful Parent .....................32Divorced Families...............44Librarians Picks ................46Growing Together ...............48Kitchen Kids......................51Show & Tell.......................52Recall Roundup .................54Video Games.....................56Calendar ................59, 62-70Puzzles ........................60-61Story Times ..........................71

Photo special to WNC Par-ent

Getting your family to follow a nutri-tious diet is hard work. At my house, wetry to follow the rule that the kids musthave three fruits or vegetables beforeeven asking for a sweet. Some days,they eat five servings. Other days, one. Ishould follow the same rule (and proba-bly stop sneaking a cookie or three while hiding behind the pantry dooror even in the bathroom).

If you know what foods to avoid, thejob is a bit easier. staff writer Barbara Blake sat down withthree local experts and got their take on 15 meals and snacksthat wont do you or your kids any good. Her roundup startson Page 6.

Families need to keep fit, too. So why not sign your chil-dren up for a sports camp? See our story on Page 3 for plentyof options. Or, if your son or daughter is too small for that, trya parent-child class. We give a sampling on Page 16.

With spring comes baseball and softball season. Guestcolumnist Brian Lawler points out the protections parentsneed to take so young players dont ruin their arms on theballfield. His advice is on Page 42.

Enjoy spring!

Ideas for family fitness

By Katie Wadington, editor

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sportyone

The Asheville area is overflowingwith fun, active summer sports camps the only problem is deciding the best fitfor your children and you.

Options range from soccer to skate-boarding, basketball to gymnastics, mar-tial arts to a mixed activity camp. Whilemost summer sports camps focus on asport or two, they are equally focused onhaving fun, getting fit, and providingnew experiences.

SoccerSoccer, the most popular sport in the

world, is equally popular in this area.More than 3,200 children participate inAsheville-Buncombe Youth Soccer Asso-ciations spring and fall programs. Hun-dreds more participate in summer FUN-damentals soccer camps, which offerweekly half-day camps for 5- to 6-year-olds and full-day sessions for childrenages 7-14.

The focus is definitely on soccer, butits taught with a fun, games-based ap-proach with a ratio of six campers to onestaff member. Campers build technicalskills such as dribbling, passing andshooting, and then play short games. Theday ends by cooling off in the pool.

Parents typically pick up their kidswet, sometimes with popsicle juice ontheir face they are refreshed but worn

out, said Shane Weems, camp directorand former professional player for theCharleston Battery.

Alicia Sessoms has two sons whohave attended soccer camp for fiveyears.

Its great that both boys can go, andits active and outside and they learn

Camps for your

By Melissa StanzWNC Parent contributor

SPECIAL TO WNC PARENTABYSA runs soccer camps all summer for kids ages 5-17.

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more about the game, which they bothenjoy, she said. Shane and his staff aregreat with the kids, very patient andorganized.

GymnasticsFormer gymnast and experienced

coach Vicki Hahn enjoys running HahnsGymnastics summer camps, saying sheloves being with kids and watching themgain self-confidence and get healthy.

This is not about training for theOlympics or getting a college scholar-ship, although if that happens its great,she said. We want them to be meet newfriends and have an active, positive campexperience.

Hahns Gymnastics offers weeklyhalf-day and full-day camps beginning atage 3 (children must be potty-trained).Kids ages 13 and older can participate inCounselor in Training programs. Eachsession includes gymnastics, arts andcrafts, stories and games, and each ses-

sion revolves around a theme; a favoritetheme is Messy, Messy, Messy involv-ing mud and shaving cream.

BasketballCrossfire Ministries celebrates 20

years of summer youth basketball campsthis year. The camps pro-vide a Christ-centeredatmosphere, teaching bas-ketball fundamentalsthrough drills, lectures,individual instruction, andgame experience. Eachcamp also includes timefor sharing stories of faithand discussing age-appro-priate issues.

It offers weeklong half-day, full-day, and overnightcamp options for boys andgirls ages 6-17. Camps takeplace in Swannanoa, Hen-dersonville, Waynesvilleand Mars Hill. The sizablestaff includes former col-lege players and highschool and college coach-es.

JeremyWoods attended Crossfirecamps for 10 years and is now a counse-lor. He played college basketball andattended many different camps, butcredits Crossfire with the best funda-mentals teaching program. He also saysthe staff modeled how to listen, care and

share.Vicki Woods, Jeremys

mom, says all three of hersons have experience withCrossfire and agrees withJeremys assessment.

They teach the funda-mentals really well, and we soappreciate the character andhigh standards they also teach we trusted our kids tothem, she said.

SkateboardingPart of Asheville Parks and

Recreation programming, thePush Skate Camp at FoodLion Skatepark in Asheville,helps boys and girls ages 6-15learn more about the thrills ofskateboarding. Two to fourexperienced instructors work

Sports campsContinued from Page 3

PHOTO BY JOHN FLETCHERSkateboarders can hone theirskills at summer camp atFood Lion Skatepark.


with about 15 children per session.We help kids go at their own speed

and as they progress we teach themmore advanced moves, said Ryan Sey-mour, the facilitys manager. We focuson the basics, helping them overcomethe fear and pain factor. We want themto be able to comfortably skate a parklike ours.

Push Skate Camp concludes eachFriday with a pizza party and a raffle thatincludes many skateboarding-relateditems. There are also frequent waterballoon fights a great way to cool offon a hot summer day.

LacrosseAlthough its not exactly a household

word in this area, Jeff Miles, head la-crosse coach at Christ School, says thatlacrosse is the fastest growing sport inAmerica. Boys ages 10-18 can learn toplay in a one-week camp at ChristSchool, from July 6-10.

This camp, now in its fourth year, soldout the previous three years. Its limitedto 100 campers, who are grouped by ageand skill, and includes day and overnightoptions. With a low camper/staff ratio ofsix to one, campers receive individualattention from staff that includes aplayer from MLL all-star pro league andMiles, who is a former NC Coach of theYear. A typical day includes demos, teampractice sessions, competition for prizes,games, and all meals.

Lacrosse is a great combination ofseveral sports. It has the strategy of bas-ketball, the field work of soccer, and thecontact of ice hockey, Miles said. Weenjoy teaching this great game, and en-courage early sign up to make sure yourchild can participate.

Martial artsDojoku Martial Arts summer camp, in

Arden, combines martial arts with out-door activities, one week per month.The martial arts program incorporatessix different styles, and is taught by Ray-mond Cagle, who is a certified Black Beltin eight different styles.

We want the kids to have fun andlearn some skills, but we encouragethem to do many other things too, hesaid.

Campers enjoy field trips, hiking,taking in waterfalls and swimming.

SPECIAL TO WNC PARENTCrossfire mixes basketball and ministry. Here, campers hear from Robert Fields, former navalofficer and Asheville High athlete.

HIGHLIGHTED CAMPSABYSA FUNdamentals soccer camp: June14-Aug. 20. Half-day camps (9 a.m.-noon),$110; full-day camps, $190. Early Bird drop-off available. abysa.org; [email protected];299-7277.Crossfire basketball camp: Day camps are$90 at First Baptist Church in Hendersonville,ages 6-12, 1-4:30 p.m. June 14-18; AshevilleChristian Academy, ages 6-12, 1-4:30 p.m.June 21-25, and ages 6-17, 1-4:30 p.m. July5-9; Waynesville Recreation Center, ages6-12, 1-4:30 p.m. June 28-July 2; Mars HillCollege, ages 9-17, 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. July19-22. Overnight camp for ages 10-17, July18-22 at Mars Hill College, $350. cross-fireministry.com; 255-9111.Dojoku Martial Arts camp: June 21-25, July19-23 and Aug. 9-13. $125 members, $150nonmembers plus registration fee. At 36 A/BRosscragggon Road, South Asheville. dojoku-.com; 681-5023Hahns Gymnastics: June 14-Aug. 20. $140full-day; $75 half-day. At 18 Legend Drive,Arden. hahnsgymnastics.com; 684-8832;[email protected] Schools Revolution Lacrosse Camp:July 6-10. $395 for day campers, $445 forboarding campers. At Christ School in Arden.

revolutionlaxcamp.com, [email protected]

OTHER SPORT CAMP OPTIONSAsheville Athletic Club tennis camps, 254-5874Asheville Parks and Recreation outdooradventure programs, 251-4029 or [email protected] Racquet and Fitness Club tennisand sports camps, 274-3361Asheville YMCA sports camps, 210-9622British Soccer Camp at Waynesville Recrea-tion Center, July 26-30; challengersport-s.com; 465-2030; [email protected] Flight Gymnastics day camps, high-flightgym.com or 252-8746Grove Park Inn Resort and Spa tenniscamp, Stewart Atkins, [email protected] or 252-2711, ext. 1046Outdoor Family Fun Center golf camp, 698-1234 or outdoorfamilyfuncenter.comOver the River Farm horseback riding les-sons, overtheriverfarm.com or 215-3653Reuter Family YMCA All-Star Sports Campand volleyball camps, 651-9622Warren Wilson College soccer and basket-ball camps, warrenwilsonowls.com or 771-3737

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1. Doughnuts and pastries: Dough-nuts are high in trans fat, which has beenproven to dramatically increase risk ofheart disease, Palmer said. This lack ofnutritional value and overabundance ofsugar may lead your child to poor health,including diabetes, obesity and heartdisease.

2. McDonalds Chicken Selects: Afive-strip order has 630 calories and 11grams of artery-clogging fat the sameas a Big Mac, Edwards said. There is adifference between the two, though while Big Macs have 1,040 mg of sodium,Chicken Selects have 1,550 mg, and thatswithout the dipping sauce.

3. Sugary soda: A 12-ounce can ofpop has 6-10 teaspoons of sugar, Baech-told said unhealthy for people of anyage. Just one can per day can cause aweight gain of one pound per month,which can lead to obesity and diabetes,Palmer said. Sugary sodas break downdental enamel and weaken bones due to(their) high acidic content, which is badfor children.

4. Juice: Even though juice is fromfruit, it is not fruit, Edwards said. Alljuice has been stripped of the healthyfiber that makes fruit so good for you.

If you really must give your childjuice, dilute 1 or 2 ounces in 6 or 7 ouncesof water for a little flavor, Palmer said.Children should get their fruit servingsfrom whole fruits, not fruit juices.

5. Candy: One Hershey bar has awhopping 8 teaspoons of sugar, Baech-told said. It also leads to tooth decayand cavities, is full of empty calories,causes hyperactivity related to the sugarcontent and has absolutely no nutrition-al value, Palmer said. Choose fruitinstead.

6. Capn Crunch cereal: Whilemost cereals dont have incredibleamounts of fat, many do have insaneamounts of added sugar and empty calo-ries, Edwards said. This cereal has 12grams of sugar per serving, though mostkids would not limit themselves to 3/4cup as a serving.

15 worstfoods for kids

By Barbara Blake, WNC Parent writer

For snack or meals, local expertssuggest steering clear of these choices

Think buying chicken strips instead of burgers is healthier for your kids? Keepa supply of cereal on hand because its low in fat? How about juice all kidsneed a big glass of OJ to start the day, right?

Not so much, nutritionists say. Parents who may think theyre doing right bytheir children might be appalled at what theyre unwittingly letting them put intotheir tummies foods that are laden with fat, sugar, chemical preservatives andtooth-destroying properties disguised as fun or convenient, particularly thosethat are processed and pre-packaged.

We asked for tips from professionals to help guide parents away from foodstheir kids shouldnt be eating. Here are some thoughts from Julie Palmer, corpo-rate wellness community educator for Park Ridge Hospital; Lesley Edwards, co-ordinator of Mission Hospitals Child Weight Management Program; and Dr.Angela Baechtold of Great Beginnings Pediatric and Adolescent Dental Special-ists.

7. Potato/tortilla chips: Just be-cause the word potato or corn is in thename of the product doesnt mean it hasthe nutritional value of a vegetable,Palmer said. Some chips still containtrans fats, are cooked at very high tem-peratures forming carcinogenic sub-stances, are high in sodium and are veryhard to stop at just one serving, which isusually only 10-12 chips.

8. French fries: Yes, french fries area potato, but certainly not the healthiestway to consume this vegetable, Palmersaid. Just one serving of medium friesfrom McDonalds adds a whopping 610calories, 29 grams of fat and 77 grams ofcarbs. In comparison, a medium bakedpotato without butter contains 161 calo-ries, zero grams of fat and 37 grams ofcarbs.

9. Oscar Mayer Maxed Out Turkey& Cheddar Cracker Combo Luncha-bles (and other packaged foods):Filled with every form of fat and sugaryou could imagine, Edwards said. Theadded 61 grams of sugar and 22 grams offat maxes your childs lunch require-ments.

10. Sonic Wacky Pack: Whatswacky about this kid-friendly meal isthe 830 calories they have packed into agrilled cheese sandwich, fries and aslushie, Edwards said. Even a juniorburger has fewer calories than thatgrilled cheese.

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11. Aunt Jemima Biscuit Sandwich-es: In general you should ban packagedbiscuits across the board due to theamount of saturated fat, trans fat andsodium in them one of these sand-wiches has 21 mg of fat and 830 mgs ofsodium, Edwards said. If you are look-ing for convenience for your kids, thereare far better choices for their health.

12. White bread:White bread has nonutritional valuewhen compared towhole wheat bread,Palmer said. Whiteflour products areempty calories thatend up stored as fat if not burned offwith physical activity. Changing towhole wheat bread now will help yourchildren acquire the taste for wholewheat and make the transition easier.

13. Jimmy Dean Pancake and Sau-sage Links Breakfast Bowls: If youare going to feed your child this amountof refined carbohydrates, why not justgive them 1 1/2 Hershey bars for break-fast? Edwards said. They have the sameamount of sugar.

14. Red dye No. 40: This artificialfood coloring has been shown to causeallergies, hyperactivity, Attention DeficitDisorder, inability to focus and learn,and decreased energy level in children,Palmer said. This unhealthy food col-oring is found in cereals, sweet treats,Jell-O, fruit snacks and many otherfoods. Check your food labels. (Editorsnote: FD&C Red 40 dye is approved bythe U.S. FDA for cosmetics, food anddrugs. It is banned, however, in severalEuropean countries.)

15. TGI Fridays Loaded PotatoSkins: Yes, potatoes are a vegetable,Edwards said. But the addition of all thecheese, bacon and sour cream makes forabout 80 percent of a 9-year-olds calorieintake and thats just for half of thisappetizer order.

15 worst foodsContinued from Page 7


Ansley Forest and her two children know a good deal.The family frequents many of the local kids meal deals

around town, and Earth Fares new Family Dinner Night mighthave the others beat.

For the price of their mothers sushi, 6-year-old Kiley and3-year-old Azalea both got free Itty Bitty Bites Kids HealthyMeals. The children sat munching on grilled cheese paninisand fruit while checking out a new line of trading cards featur-ing healthy-themed characters.

Its a super-great deal and its super-healthy, Ansley Forestsaid. I think its the best deal around town I want my kids toeat healthy, and I feel good about what they are eating.

Earth Fares Family Dinner Night, 4-8 p.m. Thursdays, andits line of Itty Bitty Bites Kids Healthy Meals are steps in thegrocery stores ongoing fight against childhood obesity.

CEO Jack Murphy said the company plans to go to localschools to help educate kids about healthy eating and also

Kids can eat right

PHOTO BY JOHN COUTLAKISCadence Riley, 4, enjoys pizza at Earth Fare, which recently launched itsItty Bitty Bites Kids Healthy Meals program and family dinner night.

Asheville markets,programs offer fun,healthy childrens meals

By Nanci BompeyWNC Parent writer

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work with local organizations to help more people accesshealthy foods. The store is also working to make its food moreaccessible and affordable with coupons and its own line oforganic foods.

Murphy was inspired to attack the problem after attending ameeting at the White House kicking off first lady MichelleObamas childhood obesity campaign.

It became clear to me that we all had to do our little part toattack the problem of childhood obesity that is becoming in-credibly pervasive, he said. The Itty Bitty Bites campaign isone way that we really approach the childhood obesity issue,both with education and from a fun perspective.

While some chain restaurants are offering healthier kidsmeals, Earth Fare is among the first local eateries to tailorhealthy meals for children.

Appealing to childrenOther stores like Greenlife and the French Broad Food Co-

op focus on products that make it more appealing for kids toeat healthy, like fun lunch boxes and food items. Kelly Fain, ofthe French Broad Food Co-op, said the organization is focusedon empowering people to do their own cooking, rather than

eating out.We definitely have a lot of families who shop here, she

said. We have fun snacks and vitamins and kid-friendly sizesof all sorts of healthy stuff.

Terri March, coordinator of Healthy Buncombe, said manypeople think that it is difficult or expensive to feed kids healthyfoods, but she said it is possible to shop both healthy andsmart. She said parents need to plan ahead and look for dealswhen trying to feed their family healthy food.

If folks are careful in the way they shop, they can get quali-ty food and be successful in getting healthier choices at abudget price, March said.

March said involving kids in growing or choosing healthyfoods can also help them eat better. She said exposing kids tonew food choices in a fun environment can also change theirperception and willingness in a way that parents cant alwaysaccomplish.

In Asheville, some schools have received grants to bring infresh fruits and vegetables while others have started commun-ity gardens. Tailgate markets are also offering activities to ap-peal to children, and the Appalachian Sustainable AgricultureProject is publishing its first local food guide for children thisspring.

Rose McLarney, an ASAP spokeswoman, said while obesityis a complex issue, making it fun and accessible for kids tochoose fresh foods over processed foods can help reform eat-ing habits of the whole family.

If kids know where their food comes from it might lead to

Helping kids eat rightContinued from Page 9

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an interest in food for other reasons than quantity, she said.

Food and funEarth Fare said its Itty Bitty Bites meals and Family Dinner

Nights arent going to solve childhood obesity, but they are afirst step in trying to get kids to eat healthier by encouragingfamilies to eat dinner together while also making fresh, healthyfood accessible and affordable.

The Itty Bitty Bites meals, regularly $3.99, include a maindish like a slice of pizza or a wrap, along with a choice of ahealthy side, snack and a drink. Kids can choose from fruit,string cheese, raisins and other good-for-you items.

Children also get comic books and trading cards meant toteach them about eating healthy and staying physically active.

On Thursdays Family Dinner Night, two childrens mealsare free with a purchase of an adult meal, and the store encour-ages families to eat at the stores, offering amusements such asmusic and face painting.

March said Earth Fares Family Dinner Night and the healthykids meals that combine eating well with fun activities areboth good ideas in helping parents feed their children nutri-tious dinners. Fun goes a long way in helping kids choosehealthier options, she said.

The food and entertainment were a hit with 7-year-old Na-dia Fizette and her 5-year-old brother, Gilen.

We want to come every time, said Nadia Fizette.PHOTO BY JOHN COUTLAKISGilen Fizette, 5, of Asheville, checks out the prizes in his Itty Bitty BitesKids Healthy Meals at Earth Fare.

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Lenore Baum has a lot of one thing inher freezer.

Well, there are actually a whole lot ofdifferent kinds of one thing.

When Baum, the culinary force be-hind Lenores Natural Cuisine inWeaverville, wants to cook ahead, shemakes a big batch of a variety of soupsand freezes it for later.

Its just one idea for meals that can becooked in bulk on the weekend and en-joyed throughout the week, with mini-mal preparation needed before serving.

Soups are also great weeklong mealsbecause different toppings can be addedeach time its re-heated to make it moreinteresting, Baum said, a characteristicthats sometimes key to keeping kidsinterested.

Baum suggests adding a fresh veggie,like sprouts, or croutons, for crunch andtexture.

And soup doesnt lose any of itsflavors if its frozen just be sure toleave a couple of inches at the top of thecontainer.

Michael Gentry, a chef who teachesthe class series Everybody Cooks atWarren Wilson College, also uses thefreezer when planning meals ahead.

Gentry suggested going with a pestothat can be stored in the freezer. You

GettingoverleftoversIdeas on mealsthat be re-heatedand re-imagined

By Carol MotsingerWNC Parent writer


can entertain with it on Friday, he said,make macaroni and cheese with it onSaturday and a pizza with it on Sunday.

Pesto can also be added to sandwich-es for lunch that week to add a littlepunch of flavor, he said. And if the pestotaste is getting old, consider addedcheese or lemon to it, he said.

For Gentry, its important to stock upon ingredients that can used in a varietyof ways throughout the week.

I think beans are versatile, he said.They are an easy way to add protein orbalance to a diet. Beans can be a sidedish, the filling for tacos, put in a chili orpaired with rice.

PHOTO BY ERIN BRETHAUERMichael Gentry leads the Everyone Cooks class,focusing on regional, vegetarian, vegan and rawfoods at the Ransom Service Learning Center onthe Warren Wilson campus.

South American baked chickenRoast a chicken on Sunday and use it through the week in various dishes.4 split bone-in chicken breasts, about 2 pounds2 cloves garlic, minced2 tablespoons light soy sauce2 tablespoons lime juice1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil1 tablespoon minced canned chipotle in adobo sauce2 teaspoons honey1/2 teaspoon dried thyme1 teaspoon paprikaPreheat oven to 425 degrees. Coat a shallow baking pan with cooking spray. Place thechicken in the pan.Combine the garlic, soy sauce, lime juice, olive oil, chipotle, honey, thyme and paprika in abowl, whisking until the honey is dissolved. Pour the mixture evenly over the chicken andbake in the middle of the oven, basting occasionally, until the chicken is cooked to 160degrees, about 34 to 38 minutes. Makes 4 servings.

Cilantro and toastedalmond pestoPesto can be stored in the freezer and usedduring the week in many quick dishes.3 tablespoons slivered almonds2 cups chopped cilantro (1 large bunch)3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil3 tablespoons lime juice3 cloves garlic, chopped3 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese1/4 teaspoon saltGround black pepper, to tasteIn a small, dry skillet over medium-low, stir theslivered almonds until they are fragrant andlightly toasted, about 3 minutes. Transfer to aplate and cool for 5 minutes.In a food processor or blender, combine thetoasted almonds, cilantro, olive oil, lime juice,garlic, cheese, salt and pepper. Process untilsmooth, scraping down the sides with arubber spatula as needed.Makes 3/4 cup (about 12 servings).

Carrot spreadThis is a yummy, low fat alternative to peanutbutter that kids love on crackers, bread or justby the spoonful, Baum said.1 half cup filtered water2 cups of carrots coarsely chopped1/4 teaspoon of good sea salt2 to 3 tablespoons of almond butter or pea-nut butterOptional: 1 1/2 teaspoons of natural soysauceBring water to boil in small pot. Add carrotsand salt. Simmer for 10 minutesDrain and reserve cooking water.Add all of the ingredients to a blender andprocess until uniform in color. Add cookingwater as needed to reach a spreadable con-sistencySource: Lenore Baums Sublime Soups:Vegetarian Soups and Quick Breads

Pressure-cooked split pea soupSoups are great to make ahead and freeze.2 cups split green peas1 teaspoon canola oil2 medium onions, diced small1 6-inch strip kombu (kelp)2 garlic cloves, minced1/2 teaspoon dried thyme1 bay leaf2 tablespoons pearled barley2 carrots, cut into 1/4-inch rounds6 1/2 cups boiling water1 teaspoon unrefined sea salt2 tablespoons barley miso, pured in 1/4 cup waterPick over peas to remove small pebbles, debris and clumps of dirt. In a 6- or 8-quart pressure cooker,heat oil. Saut onions until translucent, about 5 minutes. Meanwhile, cover kombu with water and soakfor 5 minutes. Then, cut it into 1/2-inch squares. Set aside.Add garlic and thyme to onions. Saut an additional minute. Add kombu, bay leaf, barley, carrots andboiling water to the pressure cooker.Rinse peas through a strainer. Add to the pot. Lock the lid in place. Over high heat, bring up to fullpressure.Place a flame tamer under the pot. Reduce heat, maintaining high pressure. Cook for 15 minutes.Quick-release pressure by placing the closed pot under cold running water.After all pressure has been released, remove the lid. If peas are soft and dissolved, add salt. If not,replace the lid and simmer until peas are done. Then add salt. Lock lid in place. Let stand for 5 minutesto cook in the salt.Quick-release. Add pured miso and serve hot.Source: Lenore Baum, Lenores Natural Cuisine Cookbook.

Cook ahead, save dinner prep time

PHOTO BY JOHN FLETCHERLenore Baum, center, shows participants how to prepare foods for soups during a cooking class.Baum makes soups to freeze.

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As parents we know the many physi-cal benefits of exercise for ourselves andour children, but there are quite a fewintangible benefits.

Movement is an essential develop-ment tool for children. It is the conduitthrough which their minds and bodiesare synchronized; it is the experientialpathway through which they decode themusic of their culture, note Music To-gether founder Kenneth Guilmartin andresearcher Lili Levinowitz in spellingout the programs overall philosophy.

The Asheville area offers a wide arrayof parent-child classes to stimulate themind and body and prompt a lifetime ofmovement, healthy habits and joy infitness. These classes strengthen bothadult (be it a parent, guardian, nanny orgrandparent) and child, adding to in-creased physical, mental and emotionalwell-being.

Here is a sampling:

Asheville Area Music Togetherclasses

Parents are sometimes surprised bythe movement component of MusicTogether, says Kari Richmond, directorof Asheville Area Music Together.

As the teacher in this environment, Isometimes get skeptical looks from par-ents when I assure them that theirchilds insistence on crawling, jumpingor somersaulting around the room is

Getmovingtogether

Parent-child classespromote fun, fitness

and family timeBy Lockie HunterWNC Parent correspondent

normal and appropriate, she says.Music Together is just as much about

movement as it is about singing.Every activity that we do in class

incorporates some kind of movement,ranging from swaying and tapping kneesto finger plays to choreographed circledances and playing with rhythm instru-ments, says Richmond, adding thatrecent research and the traditions ofmany cultures have demonstrated a pro-found connection in the young childbetween movement and learning. Be-cause of the neural process involved inboth movement and learning, childrencan more effectively assimilate newinformation about their environmentwhen they are on the move.

The Little Gym of Ashevilleparent-child classes

Bonnie Rouse, owner of The LittleGym of Asheville, says she believes thatfun motor skill development builds con-

fidence andleads to alifetime ofsuccess.

Afterdecades ofresearch andhands-onexperience,weve learnedthat teachingmotor skillsis the mosteffective wayto build thephysical,social, emo-tional andintellectualskills of chil-dren, saysRouse, whoadds that theimportanceof cumulativegrowth can-not be under-estimated.What startsas an early

lesson in hand-eye coordination trans-lates into catching a ball or swinging a


SPECIAL TO WNC PARENTRuby Jacobelly has a joyfulmoment at The Little Gym,where parent/child classesstart as early as 4 months ofage.


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bat in years to come.A somersault teaches a child to fall

safely and get up quickly, assets in sportsand in life.

Ultimately, we believe that childrenflourish in a nurturing, noncompetitiveenvironment where trying your best ismore important than being the best,Rouse says.

Asheville Arts Center Mommy & Meballet class

Designed as an introduction to theworld of ballet, this ballet class is a placewhere daddies are welcome, too.

Mommy &Me Ballet was the veryfirst activity I shared with my daughterAislin when she was 2 1/2, and at the timeI had no idea the skills she would gainfrom this weekly 30-minute class, saysEliza Harris of the Asheville Arts Center.

I was just looking for something to helpher nurture her creativity.

She adds that learning physical activ-ities at a young age in a parent-childenvironment creates a safe, secure placefor children to explore movement andfeel confident in their body which setsthe foundation for healthy habits lateron.

Music & Movement classes alsohave positive effects on learning, Harris

says. They stimulate the entire brainwhich helps develop the neural pathwaysto make your child a better learner whilefostering a lifelong appreciation of cre-ativity and the arts.

Parent-child YMCA swim classesParent-child swim classes are founda-

tional and build confidence in the water for both the baby and the adult andbegin to develop childrens motor skills

SPECIAL TO WNC PARENTOscar Rouse enjoyslearning movementand music with hismom Molly Rouseand teacher KariRichmond, right, ata Music Togetherclass.

Parent-childclassesContinued from Page 17


for future lessons. The primary objective is for the parent and thechild to become comfortable in the water together and to have fun.The adult whether a parent, grandparent, nanny, baby-sitter orother guardian will also learn safety and develop a sense of re-spect for the water.

The importance of this class is not only the time children canspend in the water gaining motor skill sets, but also the time thatparents and/or guardians get to spend singing to their child, playinggames and really getting to enjoy the vast amount of learning andeducation that occurs in the first two years of life, says Jessica Stav-ish, aquatics director at the Asheville YMCA. Stavish adds that earlyexposure to water can lead to more relaxation later during indepen-dent structured lessons.

Baby and Beloved classes at West Asheville YogaAs a new mother, almost all of a womans energy is focused on

nurturing the child. At West Asheville Yogas Baby and Belovedclass, a mom learns techniques to nurture, stretch and strengthenherself while enjoying time with her new baby.

Each class assists the parent in focusing lovingly on themselvesand their child, strengthening the body while strengthening therelationship with this new beautiful being in your care, says CatMatlock, founder of West Asheville Yoga. Baby and Belovedclasses are designed for mamas/adults and their babies to cometogether in community with other babies and their caregivers in aspecial and sacred space.

The class also creates a pattern of good and healthy time to-gether for the rest of the childs life, whether it is practicing yogatogether or sharing other healthful activities.

PARENT-CHILD CLASSESHere is a sampling of classes that combine activity andparent-child time. Asheville Area Music Together with Kari Richmond:Classes for children ages birth to kindergarten held at theReuter Family YMCA in Biltmore Park and the Asheville MusicSchool West branch. All Weekly classes are 45 minutes over10 weeks. ashevilleareamt.com. The Little Gym of Asheville: Parent/child classes for chil-dren from 4 months-3 years. Days and times vary. Classesare 45 minutes. At 1000 Brevard Road, Suite 168, Asheville.667-9588 or tlgashevillenc.com Asheville Arts Center Mommy & Me Ballet: For childrenages 2-3 with a parent. At 308 Merrimon Ave, Asheville.253-4000 and ashevilleartscenter.com YMCA parent-child swim lessons: For children ages 6-36months. Session starts April 12 at Asheville YMCA, 30 Wood-fin St., 210-9605; and Reuter Family YMCA, 3 Town SquareBlvd., Biltmore Park, 651-9622. Session starts April 10 atCorpening Memorial YMCA, 348 Grace Corpening Drive,Marion, 659-9622. West Asheville Yoga Baby and Beloved: For newborns towell-moving crawlers and their parent/friend/guardian. At602 Haywood Road, Asheville. 350-1167 and westashe-villeyoga.com.

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Our children arent so different fromus. They want their food to taste goodand they dont want to eat the samething every day. (Although there arethose rare kids that have an undying lovefor tuna fish sandwiches.)

American parents probably tossenough leftover carrot sticks in the trashcan to feed millions of hungry children,said Asheville mom Ginna Tuten. Butwe keep on packing those carrot sticksbecause we want our kids to be healthy.

Most kids want a little diversity intheir food, a spark of creativity. Buttheyre not going to come out and tellyou exactly what they want to eat. Youlearn by trial and error.

Another obstacle parents face thesedays is lack of time. So many peoplethink healthy meals require more preptime than prepackaged foods, said Tu-ten. The truth is, I usually dont spendmore than 20 maybe 30 minutes on din-ner, but that little bit of time saves myfamilys health, well-being and money.

On Pages 21 and 22, find several reci-pes from local cooks to help you answerthose inevitable questions, Whats forlunch? and Whats for dinner?

Quickfixes

Fast lunch and dinner recipesadd variety and nutrition

By Stephanie JadrnicekWNC Parent contributor

SPECIAL TO WNC PARENTTry an apple-cream cheese sandwich with atouch of apple butter for a different lunch.


Spanish chicken witholivesThis is a great dish you can prepare ahead oftime. Throw all your ingredients in a slow cookeror crock pot at lunchtime and dinner will beready to eat when you come home.1 can (15.5 oz.) garbanzo beans; rinsed,drained1 cup converted white rice (may substitutebrown)1 onion; quartered and thinly sliced1 green bell pepper; cut into wide strips1 can (14.5 oz.) diced peeled tomatoes1/2 cup water1/2 teaspoon garlic powderSaffron threads2/3 cup pimiento stuffed olives, coarselychopped4 chicken breast halves; skinless, boneless,trimmed of fat1/2 teaspoon paprika1/2 teaspoon garlic pepper2 tablespoons fresh parsley; choppedIn a 3.5 or 4 quart slow cooker, mix togetherthe garbanzo beans, rice, onion, bell pepper,tomatoes with their liquid, water, garlic powd-er, saffron, add 1/3 cup of the olives. Top withthe chicken. Season with the paprika andgarlic powder. Cover and cook on the low heatsetting about 4 hours or until the chicken iscooked through and the rice is tender; do notovercook or the rice will be mushy. Mix in theremaining 1/3 cup olives. Serve garnishedwith parsley.Source: Allison Smith, Asheville

SPECIAL TO WNC PARENT

Veggie pita pocket1 whole wheat pita loafAny available vegetables (carrots, cucumbers,tomatoes, broccoli, lettuce, etc.)1/2 of an avocadoRanch dressing or Annies Naturals GoddessDressingToasted sunflower seeds (optional)Mozzarella cheese stick or shredded mozza-rellaCut pita loaf in half. Stuff pita pockets withsliced raw vegetables and avocado slices.Drizzle ranch dressing or Annies NaturalsGoddess Dressing over vegetables. If you havetime sprinkle toasted sunflower seeds in to thepita pockets to give the sandwich a hiddencrunch. Serve with a mozzarella cheese stickor sprinkle shredded mozzarella into pitasandwich.Source: Chelsea Merritt, West Asheville

Butter pecan pastaWhole grain fettuccini pasta2-3 cups chopped pecans1 tablespoon butter1 natural bouillon cube1 chopped zucchini1 chopped red bell pepper2 cloves garlic; chopped1/2 chopped onion1 tablespoon olive oilFresh ground black pepper to tastePrepare pasta according to package direc-tions. Place chopped pecans and butter in asaucepan on low heat. Add one naturalbouillon cube. Add zucchini, bell pepper,garlic and onion, and saut until everything iswell cooked. Mix with pasta and add the oliveoil and fresh ground black pepper.Source: Sarah Gralnick, of Montford

Nutty fruity almondbutter sandwich2 pieces of whole wheat bread1 1/2 tablespoon almond butterAlmond slicesRaisinsDried mangoSpread almond butter on one slice of bread.Sprinkle almond slices and raisins on top ofalmond butter. Serve sandwich with a side ofdried mango slices.Source: Ginna Tuten, Asheville

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Spring is in the air and its the perfecttime to introduce the world of gardeningto kids. But with possible plant-damag-ing chilly temps still looming, try playingit safe by starting your kid-friendly gar-den indoors.

Planting indoors may also be the tick-et if you dont have much room or sun outdoors. Or, some indoor plants can

be brought outside or transplanted intothe ground later.

Try kid-friendly herbs, veggiesKids get excited when they see vege-

table seedlings pop out of the dirt, know-ing that its from a seed theyve planted,says Michael Coyle, marketing directorof B.B. Barns, whose twin 7-year-old girlsand 3-year-old boy enjoy helping withgardening at home.

Get a vegetable garden going indoorswith seeds and plant the seedlings out-side next month. Choose faster-growingvegetables and patio/dwarf varieties ofherbs, vegetables and fruits, if keepingthe plants in pots.

For a quick, green garden that staysinside, try wheat grass or cat grass, saysCoyle. Kids can snip and eat the newgrowth, which can also be juiced. Micro-greens, the edible young leaves of plantslike radish, lettuce or beets, are edible

SPECIAL TO WNC PARENTJordan and Moriah Miller, 10, of Asheville, display the terrariums in their home. Theirs are on the ends; mom, Eugenia, made the others.

Get growingwith kid-friendly indoor plants

By Pam J. HechtWNC Parent contributor

KID-FRIENDLY PLANTS TO GROWINDOORS IN APRILVegetables from seed: tomatoes, peppers,eggplant, cucumbers, squash, melons, radish-es, peas, corn, cabbage, broccoli, kale, spin-ach, beets, lettucesSprouts: sunflower, lentil, mung beans, alfalfa,snow peasHerbs: mint, stevia, basil, lavenderHouseplants: spider, lipstick, rabbit ferns, leafysucculents like kalanchoe or sedum, coffee,tropical plants like philodendron, pathos, dief-fenbachia or cast iron plantTerrarium plants: ferns, spider, tiger kittenbegonia, moss, creeping Jenny, elephant ear

and grow quickly, as do sprouts like sun-flower or lentils, which can be grown ina jar and dont require soil or much light.

To keep fruits, vegetables and otherplants that require full sun indoors,youll need some type of artificial lightsuch as grow lights, which are speciallydesigned for plants and available at localnurseries and home stores. Fluorescentor CFL bulbs can work too, says Coyle.

Herbs like basil are easy and can dowell indoors by sunny windows, saysEmily Jackson, program director withAppalachian Sustainable AgricultureProject.

Kids love mint because it has lots ofsmell or stevia, with its sweet leaves,Jackson says.

Interesting houseplantsHouseplants with interesting features

like roots that wrap around hanging

pots, berries or unusual leaves are goodindoor choices, says Coyle, as long asthere are no thorns and the plants arentpoisonous.

Try setting up a terrarium, or growingcolorful cacti with different textures andcharacteristics, says Terry Deal, environ-

Get growing with kid-friendly indoor plantsContinued from Page 23

SPECIAL TO WNC PARENTKids can plant a simple terrarium to learnabout gardening.

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mental education coordinator at Ever-green Community Charter School.

Eugenia Miller, of Asheville, and hertwin 10-year-old girls enjoy growingplants in terrariums. Miller looks forunique shaped glass jars and fills themwith soil mixed with plant charcoal,rocks, moss and plants. To keep mois-ture in, she keeps the lids on or topsthem with plastic wrap. She and thegirls, who each have their own terrari-um, spritz the plants inside with wateronce or twice a week.

Its like seeing nature through a look-ing glass all year round, Miller says.

A few fun favoritesA bean tucked into a moist paper

towel and kept in a clear plastic cup iseasy and can later be transplanted intothe ground, says Coyle.

Cut the top of a pineapple and stick itinto the soil it grows into a large,spiky-looking plant, says Jackson. Or, dothe same with an avocado pit, peanut ora piece of ginger root.

Plant lemon seeds or sprout a sweetpotato in a jar with water covering thebottom inch or two you may need tocover the jar with black paper to preventalgae growth, and lift to take a peak atthe roots, says Deal.

Plant seeds of interestLook through seed catalogues and

decide what to grow in the garden, cookor taste some of the things theyre goingto get and read books about gardening,says Jackson. Its the perfect time to getexcited about gardening.

For helpful indoor gardening informa-tion, visit buncombe.ces.ncsu.edu, orGoogle a particular topic.

WHAT YOULL NEEDpots (or poke holes in egg cartons, yogurtcups or other recycled containers)high-quality potting soil or peat pelletsseed starter traystrowelpopsicle sticks for labelingwatering cana jar and cheesecloth, stocking or other meshmaterial for sprouts

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My favoritehealthy food is sun-flower seeds becausethey are easy to takewith you anywhereyou go. They are alsovery good and veryhealthy for you. Myfavorite treat is aplain cake doughnut.Its not good for you, but I have it once ina while as a treat.

Kara Fisher

Kids today know more than you might think about nutrition and healthy eating, but that doesnt mean theydont enjoy a special treat now and then. We asked fifth-graders in Susan Smiths class at West Buncombe Ele-mentary School to describe their favorite healthy food and their favorite treat or junk food thats not sohealthy. Heres what they told staff writer Barbara Blake.

I enjoy popcornwithout butter be-cause all the buttermakes the popcornhave fat in it, and Iknow that it has nofat or sugars in itwithout the butter.On occasions like atfootball games, I liketo eat one funnel cake with a little bit ofpowdered sugar.

Devon Davidson

I know that thepopcorn is actuallyreally good for you,although some peopledont know it, as longas you dont put but-ter on it. This piece ofcake has a lot of fatand sugar in the icingand cake. I think Illgo with the popcorn.

Bailey Wood

kids voices

Broccoli vs. funnel cake


My favoritehealthy food is applesand peanut butter. Ilike to take a Galaapple and dip it in thepeanut butter. I knowthis is a good, healthysnack because applesare fruit and have lotsof vitamins, and its OK to have a littlepeanut butter now and then. Sometimesas a treat I like to eat some mint choco-late chip ice cream with chocolate syrup.I know its horrible, with so much sugarin just the ice cream alone. I just add toit with the syrup. So I save it for birth-days and sleepovers. Hadley BucknerMy favorite

healthy food is a reddelicious apple. It isfull of fiber and vita-mins. I love them, butI also like soda. Idrink it 3-5 times aweek, but its veryfattening. Almostone-fourth of it is pure sugar. But I stillthink that I should eat much healthier.

Logan Anders

My favoritehealthy snack wouldhave to be a bananabecause it has a ton ofpotassium and is veryhealthy. Plus, somewhole grain breadsand water to stay hy-drated. My favoritejunky treat would have to be ice creamwith all toppings and a lot of funnel cakewith extra powdered sugar, as a treatysnack around Easter and Christmastimeand other holidays.

Heath Taylor

My favoritehealthy snack is pop-corn without butterand sunflower seeds.They have no sugar inthem. I also like chips,but I know it is junkfood and has a lot ofcalories.

Hali Hawkins

My favoritehealthy snack is afruit and grain cerealbar. Theyre madewith real fruit andare usually totally fatfree. And the bestpart is, they tastegreat. A treat that Ireally like is chocolate pie with CoolWhip. Even though it tastes good, itsterrible for me. Its loaded with fat andsugar, so its only good to have everyonce in a while.

Jacob Sannar

I enjoy healthysnacks like broccolibecause it has vita-mins and calcium.Still, on occasionslike Christmas, Ihave sweet greenChristmas punch.But if I drink toomuch I wont be able to fit into myclothes.

Colton Hightower

April is my favorite month it begins with my birthday and just gets better as the weather warms up andflowers burst into bloom all around us. Im a springtime gardening addict, and indoor arts and crafts often takea backseat to gardening and outdoor revelry for a couple of months (at least until the mosquitoes and heatdrive us back inside).

To hold on to the art amid the lure of the outdoors, here are a couple of nature art activities to try with thechildren in your life. Happy Spring!

Jean Vant Hul blogs as The Artful Parent at www.artfulparent.typepad.com.

the artful parent

Turn spring into art

PHOTOS BY JEAN VANT HUL/SPECIAL TO WNC PARENT

Set children up with a large sheet ofpaper and and a flower to draw. Eventhey can mimic the shapes of aflower.

By Jean Vant Hul, WNC Parent columnist

Paint a GeorgiaOKeefe flowerGet up close and personal with a smallflower, painting it large as the famousAmerican artist Georgia OKeefe did.Posterboard or paper (the larger thebetter!)Pencil, crayon or markerTempera paintPaintbrushChoose your flower. You can either bring itinside or you can bring your posterboardand pen out to the flower.Look closely at the flower and draw whatyou see as large and as detailed aspossible. Fill the entire posterboard withyour drawing.Note: Children as young as 3 or 4 can dosome observational drawing if encour-aged. For younger children, you can helpdescribe the shapes for them as theydraw. What shape do you see in thecenter? Do you see how it is round like acircle? Can you draw a circle? Now, letslook at one of the petals What does itlook like? Its an oval isnt it? Sort of likea squashed circle (or whatever shape thatparticular flowers petals are). Can youdraw that? How many petals are there?Do you see the lines in the petals? Etc.After the flower is drawn on the post-erboard, paint the flower. You can use thecolors of the flower you drew, or anycolors you like.Let dry and hang your masterpiece!Note: If desired, read a book aboutGeorgia OKeefe together such asThrough Georgias Eyes by RachelVictoria Rodriguez. Paint a picture in the style of artist

Georgia OKeefe.

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Pressed flower cards andcollagesGo on a nature walk to collect pretty spring flowers thenturn them into art that you can send to friends andfamily.Flower press, phone book or other bookCardstock or blank cardsClear contact paperGlue (optional)Take a nature walk through your yard or neighborhood,collecting flowers and spring leaves.Press the flowers and leaves in a flower press orbetween the pages of a phone book for several daysuntil dry and flat.Arrange dried flowers and leaves on cardstock or thefronts of blank cards. Create an abstract design,arrange as a bouquet, or have fun creating faces orflower people. If desired, you can use small dabs ofglue to help hold the flowers in place until you addthe contact paper.Cover paper with a piece of clear contact paper tohold the flowers in place and protect them.Add a message and send your card to a friend orcreate a few cards, tie together with a ribbon, andgive as a gift.You can make beautiful bookmarks this way as well!

Make bookmarks and more by pressingflowers and adhering them to paper withcontact paper.

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Winter snows may have stolen most of spring break fromBuncombe County school students, but that doesnt meantheres not plenty of fun to be had on the remaining days of thebreak, April 5 and 6.

With some creative planning, there are destinations nearand almost-near that families can enjoy together without trav-eling too far. Here are a few ideas, from jewelry making to fos-sil digging, along with some suggestions for kid-friendly res-taurants the whole family will enjoy.

The 48-hour spring breakJust because spring break is onlya few days doesnt mean it has tobe boring try a new day tripor a family night out for dinner

SPECIAL TO WNC PARENTVisitors to Hollywild, near Spartanburg, S.C., can see bison up closewhile on a safari ride.

By Barbara BlakeWNC Parent writer


Hollywild Animal Park, nearSpartanburg, S.C.

Take an outback safari ride through70-plus acres to see dozens of deer, ze-bras, bison, Watusi cattle, donkeys, lions,tigers, bears, leopards, cougars, macaws,monkeys and chimps, an Asian elephantand a rhinoceros. This nonprofit educa-tional destination provides interactiveexperiences in a protected and respect-ful environment, and children are en-couraged to offer the animals food that isavailable for purchase throughout thepark.

Admission includes full access towalk-through areas, guided safari rides,picnic areas, shopping, concessions andeducational programs. Admission is $10for adults, $8 children 2-12, free for chil-dren under 2.

Hours are 9 a.m.-1 p.m. weekdays, 10a.m.-5 p.m. weekends, April and May; 9


CINDY HOSEA/SPECIAL TO WNC PARENTThe 3-2-1 Blastoff! Exhibit at the Childrens Museum of the Upstate in Greenville, S.C., explores theprinciples of flight.

Destinations

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a.m.-4 p.m. weekdays, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.weekends, June and July.

Visit Hollywild.com or call 864-472-2038.

The N.C. Arboretum, off BrevardRoad in West Asheville

Take your bikes to the Arboretum toride through miles of trails, and end yourvisit with a stroll through the fantastic

exhibit inside the Baker Exhibit Center,The Scoop on Poop.

Kids and parents alike will enjoy thisinteractive and unusual display, whichexamines a subject thats typically hardto talk about without a few giggles. Itturns out that poop is fascinating stuff.Animals use poop to build homes, hidefrom enemies, attract mates, send mes-sages and cool off some even eat it.Veterinarians, farmers, naturalists, pale-ontologists and utilities use it, too.

Hours are 9 a.m.-5 p.m. daily. Exhibitends May 9.

Because Tuesday of spring break isthe first Tuesday of the month, the $8-per-vehicle cost to enter the grounds iswaived. Admission to the exhibit is $2 forchildren age 5-18, $3 for adults.

Visit ncarboretum.org or call 665-2492.

The Childrens Museum of theUpstate, Greenville, S.C.

This lively and interactive museumspans three floors with myriad hands-onexhibits and play spaces, designed pri-marily for children ages 6-11 with sometoddler-specific exhibits available.

A particularly interesting componentis the Ready River Bend with a suspen-sion bridge and waterfalls, showing thewonders of Earths most abundant re-sources through an interactive system ofpulleys, pumps, wheels and pipes thatmanipulate the power of water. Otherexhibits include Grandma Bettys Farm,Healthy Heroes, a Childrens Test Kitch-

The 48-hourspring breakContinued from Page 39


en, Real Tool Time, a Childrens Hospi-tal, Light Waves Ahead, KaleidoscopeClimber, Construction Zone, TalkinTrash and Earth Watch.

Hours are 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday-Sat-urday until Memorial Day (open Mon-days Memorial Day through Labor Day),1-5 p.m. Sunday.

Admission is $12 per person for ages 2and up. Visit tcmgreenvillesc.org or call864-233-7755.

Beads and Beyond, Wall Street,downtown Asheville

Ashevilles original bead store, oper-ating for more than 20 years, is a uniquedestination for kids both boys andgirls and parents to spend one-on-onetime together creating earrings, necklac-es, bracelets and other original jewelryitems.

Store staff will set you up in a workarea and provide tools and basic jewelry-creating techniques. Boys tend to leantoward leather necklaces with arro-wheads or animal figures; girls mightprefer shinier beads and feathers. A typi-cal outing might see a mother anddaughter spending two or more hourstogether creating four pairs of earringsfor $20.

Hours are typically 10:30 a.m.-5:30p.m. weekdays, but vary slightly.

Visit beadsandbeyond.com, 254-7927

Natural History Museum at EastTennessee State University, nearJohnson City

Geared toward fans of fossils anddinosaurs, this hands-on museum in-troduces visitors to the 5 million-year-old Gray Fossil Site, discovered in 2000by Tennessee Department of Trans-portation crews. Included are an ongoingfossil dig, interactive exhibits and educa-tion programs, along with traveling ex-hibits that change three times a year.

On April 4, children in grades K-2 areinvited to a Dinosaur Defense programfrom 2-4 p.m. The traveling exhibitcalled Dinosaur Revolution, with aninteractive maze, continues through May16.

Hours are 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. daily.Admission is $10 for adults, $9 seniors,

$7 children ages 5-12.Visit grayfossilmuseum.com or call

423-439-3659.

Why not travel to a new part of townfor dinner (or lunch)? Or try an old fa-vorite, and get a bargain in the process.Here are a few suggestions:

Blue Sky CafThis Fletcher eatery offers $3.99 kids

plates for ages 10 and younger. Entrees,which come with a side and drink, rangefrom grilled cheese sandwiches andtortillas to chicken tenders and minichicken corn dogs. A playhouse is on thepatio. At 3987 Hendersonville Road.

FuddruckersOn Monday and Tuesday of Spring

Break, kids eat free after 4 p.m. with apaying adult. Choices include a burger,hot dog, chicken strips or grilled cheese,along with fries and a drink. At 130 Char-lotte St., Asheville.

Papas and BeerThis popular Mexican restaurant

offers a childrens menu during lunchand dinner. Entrees such as burritos,

tacos, corn dogs, burgers and shrimpcome with a choice of rice and beans orfries, and a drink. At 1000 Brevard Road;17 Tunnel Road; and 1996 HendersonvilleRoad, all Asheville; and 1821 AshevilleHighway, Hendersonville.

Asheville Pizza and BrewingTuesday of spring break is the weekly

Family Night from 5-8 p.m., with boardgames, a balloon artist, dinner specialsand free sundaes for kids. At 675 Merri-mon Ave.

IHOPKids under 12 eat free after 4 p.m. each

day, choosing from burgers, breakfastitems, mac and cheese and other entrees.At 245 Tunnel Road; 275 Smoky ParkHighway; 229 Airport Road, all Asheville.

ShoneysChildren 10 and younger can enjoy a

99-cent meal after 4 p.m. on Tuesday ofspring break, either from the kids menuor the buffet, with a paying adult. Chil-dren younger than 4 eat free every night.At 425 Smoky Park Highway, 667-0108;379 Long Shoals Road, 684-5097.

WNC PARENT PHOTOThomas Dickson, 6, left, and his brother Jack, 4, check out "The Scoop on Poop " exhibit at the NCArboretum this winter. The exhibit runs through May 9.

Dining

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At first glance,baseball and softballwould appear to berelatively safe sports.But research hasfound that the in-cidence of injuries inbaseball that require surgery are equal tothat of football.

In young athletes who have not fin-ished growing, the growth plates in theirupper arm bone are the areas that aremost vulnerable to injury. Overuse inthrowing can lead to micro-fractures ofthe growth plates in either the shoulder(Little League shoulder) or the elbow(Little League elbow). Once a youngathlete matures and his or her growthplate closes, injuries are more likely todevelop in their ligaments, tendons orcartilage.

The following are some tips to keepyour childs arm healthy this spring. Research has shown that the most

important risk factor for injury is thetotal number of pitches thrown. Themore pitches thrown per game, perweek, per season, the greater the risk forinjury. For specific guidelines on properpitch counts based on your childs age,see USA Baseball Medical & SafetyGuidelines (asmi.org/asmiweb/usabase-ball.htm .) Children should not pitch through

pain. Joint pain in the elbow and shoul-der is one of the first signs of injury.Watch your child during the game forsubtle signs of pain such as rubbing hisor her arm in between pitches. If your childs pitches become slow-

er or less controlled, then that is an in-dication that your child is becomingfatigued and that he or she will need todiscontinue pitching.

Encourage your child to developtotal body strength through participationin a regular exercise program. Over halfof the velocity of a pitch comes from thelegs and torso, so your child should beperforming total body exercises such assquats and core strengthening exercisesof the trunk. Limit the number of months that

you let your child participate in a throw-ing sport. Research has found that pitch-ing for more than nine months will sig-nificantly increase their risk for injury. Perform specific strengthening

exercises for the shoulder and elbow.Many baseball and softball athletes donot have sufficient strength in theirshoulder blade and rotator cuff muscula-ture and lose strength in their arm as theseason progresses. Young baseball pitchers who throw

curveballs or sliders have an increasedrisk of developing elbow and shoulderpain. Young pitchers should focus onperfecting their fastball and change-up

and avoid throwing breaking pitchesuntil after they reach puberty. Seek the services of a pitching

coach. Sometimes injury is more of aproblem of improper throwing mechan-ics than it is a problem of strength or ofthe volume of pitches thrown. Oftensubtle changes in pitching mechanicswill reduce strain to your childs shoul-der and elbow and increase his or herpitching velocity.

Contrary to popular belief, the wind-mill softball pitch is as stressful to theshoulder as an overhand pitch. The sameprinciples listed above (following pitchcounts, increasing strength, perfectingtechnique, etc.) apply to female athletesas they do for male athletes.

Brian Lawler is a physical therapistand youth sports performance trainer atAsheville Physical Therapy. He can bereached at [email protected]. Forfree illustrations and descriptions of exer-cises that every pitcher should perform,visit ashevillephysicaltherapy.com.

kids and sports

Protect your players arm from injurythis baseball and softball seasonBy Brian LawlerWNC Parentcontributor

GANNETT PHOTOBaseball and softball can suffer injuries at the same rate as football players. Overuse in throwingcan lead to micro-fractures of the growth plates in either the shoulder or the elbow.

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So, what is thesingle most challeng-ing health hazard tofamilies undergoing aseparation/divorcetransition? No, it is not your ex-partneror the attorney fees. It is not the chil-drens play area at Burger World. (Isnt itfunny how they manage to get stuck atthe top of the tube.) It is a word thatsometimes feels overused, but not al-ways recognized and managed.

It is stress.You might say, Not recognized? Why,

most days I feel like I invented it!Maybe that is the way you truly feel,

but here are three ideas that are some-times not recognized about stress: It is not always a tension reaction to

negative events. It can equally be a ten-sion reaction to positive events like get-ting the divorce settlement you wanted,acquiring a new home, getting a betterjob to handle finances, or beginning todate people with possibility after along time of singledom. Stress can be accumulative. The

multitude of events can add up. Thisgets to be especially tricky when wehave gotten used to certain stress lev-els (you know, when you tell yourself itis normal to hold down three jobs anddrink four pots of coffee a day to makeends meet), and then a final little thinglike a car breakdown throws us into anunexpected rage. Stress affects our children in differ-

ent ways than it affects us as adults. Forexample, the more stressed we becomeand, consequently, our need for morespace, the more clingy and demandingour children may become, thus making

divorced families

Take care ofyourself byeasing stressBy Trip WoodardWNC Parentcolumnist


us even more stressed.So how do we manage stress? It is like

losing weight. For most people, youwatch what you eat and exercise (and insensitivity to some, I know this is nottrue for some people). Yet, even thoughmany people know this simple formulafor weight reduction, they just dont doit. Theyd rather find a shortcut.

The same is true for stress reduction.You cant get away from the basics. Andso, here is the basic rule of thumb: Focuson taking better care of YOU. This isntselfish. You simply cannot take care ofothers if you become too burned outfrom trying to take care of others.Watch your diet. Less caffeine and

soda, more water. Less fast food, morehealthy snacks. Less microwaved entreesand pizza, more white meats and vegeta-bles. And remember to spread this phi-losophy to what you serve your children.Watch your activity level. Put al-

lowances on video (no more than twohours a day). Walk the neighborhood.Practice daily stretching. Check out freeactivities available at your local recrea-tion center. Join an exercise group ad-vertised in the paper, at the local marketor at an affordable gym. Go to BurgerWorld and help another parent pull theirkid out of the top tube.Watch you emotional life. Take a

few minutes a day to read a good bookfrom the library. Notice how music af-fects your mood and collect music tocreate moods. Keep a journal of what isgoing on in your life. Rediscover activi-ties that bring joy into your life likecooking, singing, dancing or playingyour old band instrument.Watch your spiritual life. Try reli-

gious groups that share your values andwill be supportive. Learn to forgive your-self and others. Practice or learn to pray.Watch your social life. Let your

friends be your friends. Take them up oninvitations to hang out, watch a movie orgo for a walk. Do lunch with people atwork youd like to know better.

All in all, this is an important invest-ment in yourself. And you are worth itbecause your family and those in yourlife you love are worth it.

Woodard is a licensed family and mar-riage therapist and clinical member of theN.C. Association of Marriage and FamilyTherapists. Reach him at 606-8607.

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In the tradition ofTana Hobans con-cept books where asingle theme roadsigns, shapes, tex-tures is explored through vivid pho-tographs and lean prose, come two newpicture books.

A World of Colors: Seeing Colors in aNewWay by Marie Houblon encourag-es readers to think outside the crayonbox and see the variety of colors in theworld. Red is not just one red. Red can

be the matte, aged red on an old barndoor or the fierce light cast by a fierycircus hoop. Green can be the sun-dap-pled water in a canal or the dark, healthygreen of rain-soaked leaves.

For each color, Houblon posits ques-tions to direct readers attention to fea-tures in the photos. Each exploration of acolor ends with this: Look around. Canyou find (color) in your world?

The photographs, compiled by Hou-blon from National Geographic archives,capture honest, everyday moments fromaround the world: France, Japan, Mo-rocco, Costa Rica, Germany and severalother countries.

The images are remarkable for their

librarians picks

These 2 picture booksjump outside crayon box

By Jennifer PrinceBuncombe County

Public Library


high-contrast clarity. Unusual vantagepoints and occasionally surprising sub-jects make this collection of photos end-lessly appealing.

A more fanciful look at colors is seenin Tim Hopgoods Wow! Said the Owl:

A Book about Colors. Writ-ten in an

unaffected, child-friendly style,Wow! Said the Owl tells thestory of curious little owl: in-stead of staying awake all nightas little owls are supposed to do,she (takes) a long nap and(wakes) just before dawn.

How surprised the owl is tosee the colors of day! There is

the first blush ofpink as the sun rises.The sun shines yel-low through themorning mist. Whitefluffy clouds floatacross a bright blue sky.

With each new color dis-covery, there is a refrain,Wow! said the owl.

Yellow flowers, red butter-flies and a rainbow later, whennight comes again, the owl real-izes there are night colors, too.

To enjoy them, she staysawake all night long, just likelittle owls are supposed to do.

Hopgoods brightly cadenced

story marries well to his playful, mixed-media illustrations. Patterned papers cutin various shapes, and a variety of brushand pencil strokes vivify the figures.Generous applications of color saturatethe backgrounds. The overall effect haskid appeal.

Both books are ideal choices for shar-ing with preschoolers.

These books are available at throughthe Buncombe County Public Libraries.Learn more at buncombecounty.org.

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I had the audacityto complain lastnight. I kept it tomyself I com-plained in my brain, as I tell my children but I griped nonetheless.

My bellyaching came as I was un-loading the dishwasher for the third timesince breakfast. It wasnt even Christmasor the aftermath of a party. It was a Tues-day and my kids had used every dish inthe house, it seemed. As soon as Istacked the warm plates back on theshelf, a new pile, sticky with homemadejam or bits of grapefruit, waited to bewashed. I could not keep pace with thekids (mine and extras) who were raidingthe kitchen like adolescent wolverineshyped up on carbs.

I was reminded recently of one ofthose things I already know: thanks-giving should be my dialect. Instead, mydialect is often a mix of exasperation,laughter and grumbling, with a dash (orload) of smart aleck. Thanksgiving is inthe contains less than 2 percent of partof the ingredient list.

But oh, how grateful I am made thisday. The absurdity of my dishwashercomplaint was made clear as I talkedwith someone who drills water wells inunbelievably impoverished African vil-lages. Whats the big deal about a waterwell? Without it, mamas have to walkmiles each day to get water for theirbabies. Those babies stand a good

growing together

Put asidegrumblingfor a bit ofthanksBy Chris WorthyWNC Parentcolumnist


chance of not surviving to school age(if education could be an option) duein large part to disease from uncleanwater.

The idea of desperate poverty andlife without the basics of survival isabstract. We are (I am) too far re-moved to grasp it, even though Ispent years working with people inmy own community who live day-to-day. I learned then that people wholive without shelter, food, clean waterand basic health care spend everywaking moment seeking those things.Every thought is consumed withtheir survival and especially that of

their chil-dren. Tothem, con-cepts likehope, faithand futureare theabstractnotions.

We haveseen it inrecentweeks inHaiti, aplace that

is not so far removed from us. If I liveto be 100, I will never forget the ago-ny of the mom who mourned all fiveof her children lost in the earth-quake. Her desperate, quiet cry wasnot a sound of this world. The re-porter covering her story was atough, battle-hardened guy who hasspent decades covering war and trag-edy and things he cant show us ontelevision. He began to cry during hislive report as he spoke of her.

I heard it in the reporters voice,that dialect of thanksgiving, coupledwith a desperate desire to make herpain go away. He couldnt, of course.Our small efforts help those in Haiti,here at home and in far off places wehave to find on a map.

And my gratitude my dialect should spill out like a fountain, be-coming tangible to those in need.

Chris Worthy is an attorney whotook down her shingle to be a stay-at-home mom. Reach her at [email protected].

The idea of desper-ate poverty and lifewithout the basics ofsurvival is abstract.We are (I am) too farremoved to grasp it,even though I spentyears working withpeople in my owncommunity who liveday-to-day.

Fill your basket with Easter eggs andother treats at these events. Easter isApril 4.

April 1MOMS Club of Hendersonville Easter egg huntMOMS Club of Hendersonville hosts its annual openhouse and Easter egg hunt, with food, prizes and achance to meet other at-home moms. At 9:30 a.m.at annex building of Hendersonville Church of Christ,1972 Haywood Road, Hendersonville. Call Kerry at692-7724 or Liz at 595-4165, or visit hendersonvil-lemomsclub.wordpress.com.

April 1-2Hands On! Easter bonnet programCome make an Easter Bonnet for the downtownHendersonville Easter Bonnet Promenade (April 3) atHands On! A Childs Gallery, 318 N. Main St., Hen-dersonville. Free with $5 admission. Call 697-8333or visit handsonwnc.org.

April 2-3Train ride with Snoopy, the Easter BeagleRide the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad withSnoopy, the Easter Beagle. Train departs Bryson Cityat 1 p.m. Hunt and decorate Easter eggs, and meetCharlie Brown, Lucy and Snoopy, the Easter Beagle.Call 800-872-4681 or visit gsmr.com for reserva-tions.

April 2-4GodspellGodspell the Musical, performed by: HighlandActing Company at The Orange Peel, 101 BiltmoreAve. All ages. At 7 p.m. April 2-4 and 1 p.m. April 3.Tickets are $15 at The Orange Peel and godspel-lasheville.com.Lake Junaluska Easter eventsLake Junaluska Conference and Retreat Center hostsa Good Friday Service at 7:30 p.m. On Saturday, 5Kand 8K Run and Walk start at 8 a.m. and a Fun Runat 9 a.m. Easter egg hunts, Easter egg paintingcontest and crafts for children ages 1-12 run from 10a.m.-1 p.m. at Stuart Auditorium/Harrell Center Area.Enjoy brunch with the Easter Bunny at the TerraceHotel, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Easter vigil, 7-10 p.m.Easter service at 7 a.m., followed by breakfast andlunch. For information, visit lakejunaluska.com/easter.

April 3Dillsboros 22nd annual Easter Hat ParadeLadies, gentlemen, children and dogs welcome.Winners in several categories. 2 p.m. For information,call the Jackson County Visitors Center at 800-962-1911 or see visitdillsboro.org.East Asheville United Methodist egg huntEaster egg hunt and party for children of all ages,3:30-5 p.m. Bring a basket. At 48 Browndale Roadnear the VA Hospital. Call 298-3211.First Presbyterian of Swannanoa egg huntTrack down Easter eggs, collect chocolates and usethe playground. 2-4 p.m. Free, open to the public.Call Pastor Alex McLean, at 686-3140.

Fletcher Easter egg huntParade of Hats, noon; fifth-annual Easter Egg Huntstarts at 12:15 p.m. at Fletcher Community Park. Kidscan gather prize-filled eggs spread over six fields. Forinformation, visit fletcherparks.org.Hendersonville Easter Bonnet Promenade11 a.m. at the gazebo in the 400 block of MainStreet.Jackson Park Easter egg huntEgg hunt for ages 10 and younger, visit from theEaster Bunny and fun activities. Starts at noon, huntat 1:30 p.m. At Jackson Park in Hendersonville. Forinformation, call 697-4884.Tabernacle United Methodist Church egg huntEaster crafts and Bible stories, lunch and an Easteregg hunt, noon-1:30 p.m. Free. Tabernacle UnitedMethodist Church is on Tabernacle Road in BlackMountain. Call 669-7525.10,000 Stuffed Eggs huntMount Moriah Wesleyan Church is stuffing 10,000eggs for kids and grown-ups to gather. Hunts will bedivided by age group. Rain or shine at 10 a.m. At 1Fairmont Road, Candler. Call 667-2494.

April 4Biltmore Easter egg huntThe Easter rabbit makes his annual appearance onBiltmores front lawn on Easter Sunday, along withspecial childrens entertainment including a magi-cian, music, storytelling and crafts. Easter egg huntsat 11 a.m., 1 and 3 p.m. Children 9 and younger mayattend the egg hunt for free when accompanied byan estate pass holder or a ticketed adult. For infor-mation, visit Biltmore.com.Chimney Rock Park sunrise serviceCelebrate Easter at Chimney Rock Parks 55th annualEaster sunrise service. Gates open 5-6 a.m. for the6:30 service. Free. Interdenominational worshipservice is filled with song, scripture, music andsunrise views over Lake Lure and Hickory Nut Gorge.John Mason, the parks featured hammered dulcimerplayer, will perform. Arrive early, dress warmly andbring a flashlight. For more information, visit chim-neyrockpark.com.

Egg hunts, parades galore

PHOTO BY ERIN BRETHAUERTheres no shortage of Easter egg hunts andspring events the weekend of Easter.

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The following listings have additional or correctedinformation from the March issues Camp Guide.Some are new listings, for camps that did not havedetails finalized in time for last months issue.

Spring break campWaynesville Recreation Center, April 12-16Kindergarten-fifth grade. 7:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. $15per day ($20 for nonmembers). Camp for ages 11-15includes canoeing, rock climbing, team buildingorienteering, hiking, swimming, disc golf, ultimateFrisbee, outdoor skills and fishing. 8 a.m.-5:30 p.m.$90 for week ($125 nonmembers). Call 456-2030or e-mail [email protected].

Day campsAsheville Athletic ClubTennis camp, June 14-July 2253-5874Nike Junior Camp, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Mondays-Thursdaysfor three weeks. Quickstart, Future Stars, JuniorAcademy, Tournament Academy and ChampionshipSelect programs. At Crowne Plaza Resort. $495.Biltmore Equestrian CenterRiding Camps, June 14-Aug. 4225-1454; [email protected] 5-Adult, beginner to advanced. Two-day minicamps, $200 ($175 before May 1); and five-daycamps, $400 ($350 if paid by May 1).Camp RockmontCoed day camp, June 7-Aug. 6rockmont.com/daycamp; 686-3885Kindergartners to fourth-graders. Nature, archery,homesteading, singing, story time, hikes, crafts,more. 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. in Black Mountain. Trans-portation from Oakley Plaza on Fairview Road. $275.CrossfireBasketball camp, June 14-July 22crossfireministry.com; 255-9111Ages 6-17. Half- and full-day and overnight basket-ball camps. Times and locations vary: First BaptistChurch in Hendersonville, ages 6-12, 1-4:30 p.m.June 14-18; Asheville Christian Academy, ages 6-12,1-4:30 p.m. June 21-25, and ages 6-17, 1-4:30 p.m.July 5-9; Waynesville Recreation Center, ages 6-12,1-4:30 p.m. June 28-July 2; Mars Hill College, ages9-17, 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. July 19-22. Overnight campfor ages 10-17, July 18-22 at Mars Hill College.Smith-McDowell House MuseumHands-On-History camp, July 26-30253-9231; [email protected] second- to fifth-graders. Campers will becomehistory detectives, make heritage crafts and playhistoric games as they learn about a variety of histor-ical themes. Games, crafts, reading, more. 9 a.m.-5p.m. with extended hours. $150 ($180 for non-members). At 283 Victoria Road on the campus ofAsheville-Buncombe Technical Community College inAsheville.

Overnight campsAsheville TAASCJune-Augustashevilletaasc.com; 299-9844; [email protected] 8-18. TAASC (The American Adventure ServiceCorps) is a nonprofit program dedicated to inspiringyoung people to become compassionate leaders,stewards of the environment and responsible com-munity members. Programs are five or 10 days.Wilderness backpacking, climbing and rappelling,white water and flat water paddling, cave exploration,mountain biking, wilderness first-aid, leadershipdevelopment, and community service.Land of the Sky Wilderness SchoolSummer programs280-0847; lotswild.comAges 7 and older. Living history and adventure pro-grams at a wilderness complex in Haywood County(30 minutes west of Asheville). Students learn fit-ness, blacksmithing, tracking, archery, plant knowl-edge, carving, more. Theme programs includingsailing and music also offered. $350 per week.North Carolina ZooVeterinary camp, April 17-18, May 15-16, July 16-18and July 30-Aug. 1nczoo.com; 336-879-7273North Carolina Zoos veterinary staff hosts a summer

camp aimed at helping to cultivate the next genera-tion of veterinarians who will work with wild andexotic animals. Girls and coed camps in April andMay for ages 12-14. For students ages 15-16, girlscamp is July 16-18 and boys camp is July 30-Aug. 1.Classes about zoo veterinary work, exploring diversetopics ranging from tracking wild animals with radiotelemetry to tying surgical sutures. Overnight camp-ers will stay at the zoos Valerie H. Schindler WildlifeLearning Center. Spring camps, $230 for N.C. ZooSociety members ($279 nonmembers). Summercamps, $539 for members ($579 for nonmembers).

Special needs campSOARsoarnc.org; [email protected]; 456-3435June-August, 2- and 4-week sessionsCoed for ages 8-18 and young adults ages 18-25.SOAR is an adventure program for youths diagnosedwith LD and/or ADHD. Emphasis on developingself-esteem, confidence, social and life skills, more.Rock climbing, horsepacking, whitewater rafting,llama treks, SCUBA, fishing, kayaking, snorkelling,mountain biking, backpacking, more. Academy atSOAR is a private school for students who thrive in anenvironment with individualized curriculum andadventure-based learning.

camp guide 2010

Get camping this summer

SPECIAL TO WNC PARENTSOAR operates an adventure program for children with disabilities and ADHD.

What does it take to be a Kitchen Kid?The recipe is quite simple. Safety first.Then, add an interest in learning. Finally,sprinkle ia few simple kitchen skills.Make this recipe for chip dip with yourkids today.

kitchen kids

Dip livensup snack

Fiesta Dip1/3 cup onion, diced1 teaspoon olive oil2 medium tomatoes, seeded and chopped1 tablespoon canned chopped green chiles1 10-ounce package chopped frozen spinach,thawed and well drained1 cup (4 ounces) Monterey Jack cheese,coarsely grated1 cup (4 ounces) queso fresco cheese,coarsely grated1 8-ounce package cream cheese1 2.25-ounce can sliced ripe olives, drainedBlue and yellow corn tortilla chipsPreheat oven to 400F.Cook onion in olive oil in medium skillet overmedium-high heat 5 minutes or until tender.Add tomato and chiles; cook 2 minutes.Transfer mixture to a large bowl; add spinach,cheeses and olives, stirring well.Spoon mixture into a buttered 2-quart bakingdish. Bake, uncovered, for 30 to 35 minutesor until golden and bubbly. Serve warm withtortilla chips.Makes 6 cupsSource: Wisconsin Cheese

Special to WNC Parent


52 W N C P A R E N T | A P R I L 2 0 1 0

We welcome photos of your children. Send high-resolutionimages, along with names, ages and hometowns of everyonepictured. Include your name, address and phone number.

Send to Katie Wadington by e-mail at [email protected] or to WNC Parent Photos, P.O. Box 2090, Asheville,NC 28802.

UNC Ashevillesmath departmentcelebrated Pi Dayon March 14 at1:59 p.m. at Ashe-ville Pizza. Stu-dents from TheLearning Commun-ity School attend-ed, from left,Maggie Anixter,instructor BrianLee, Audrey Pierce,and Liza Pierce.Liza, an eighth-grader, recited pito 88 decimalplaces as part ofthe days festivi-ties.

Maddi Batton, 2, and Nathan Lambert, 2, make cook-ies in their class at Beverly Hills Baptist Preschool.Submitted by their teacher Lacey Holcomb.


Kylie Austin, 6, enjoys a day at WrightsvilleBeach. She is the daughter of Carrie and AlanAustin of Leicester.

Cate Ayers, 5 months. Her parents are Chadand Elizabeth Ayers of Mars Hill. Submitted byCharles Tolley.

54 W N C P A R E N T | A P R I L 2 0 1 0

The U.S. Consumer Product SafetyCommission has advised parents andcaregivers to be cautious when usinginfant slings for babies younger than 4months. The agency is investigating atleast 14 deaths associated with sling-stylecarriers over the last 20 years, includingthree in 2009. Twelve of the deaths in-volved babies younger than 4 months.

According to a press release from theCPSC, slings can pose suffocation haz-ards to babies. The youngest babies can-not control their heads because of weakneck muscles. The slings fabric canpress against an infants nose and mouth,blocking the babys breathing and rap-idly suffocating a baby within a minuteor two. Also, because a sling keeps theinfant in a curled position bending thechin toward the chest, the airways can berestricted, limiting the oxygen supply.The baby will not be able to cry for helpand can slowly suffocate, the agencysays.

Many of the babies who died in slingswere either a low birth weight twin,were born prematurely, or had breathingissues such as a cold, according to theCPSC. Therefore, CPSC urges parents ofpreemies, twins, babies in fragile healthand those with low weight to use extracare and consult their pediatriciansabout using slings.

CPSC recommends that parents andcaregivers make sure the infants face isnot covered and is visible at all times tothe slings wearer. If nursing the baby ina sling, moms should change the babysposition after feeding so the babys headis facing up and is clear of the sling andthe mothers body.

Report incidents or injuries directlyrelated to infant slings to the CPSC byvisiting cpsc.gov/cgibin/incident.aspx orcalling 800-638-2772.

recall roundup

Warningissued aboutsling carriers


Other warningsRudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer braceletsThe CPSC has issued a warning on

childrens winter and holiday-themedbracelets with high cadmium levels.

This warning involves Rudolph theRed-Nosed Reindeer brand childrenscharm bracelets. The two styles involvedin this notice are the Bumble Snowmanand Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.The bracelets were sold with winter andChristmas-themed charms including asnowman, Christmas tree, candy caneand snowflake.

Laboratory analysis determined thatafter a 24-hour incubation in simulatedstomach acid, ove

Documents

WNCParent April 2010