May 5, 9-11 a.m: FREE workshop for parents of picky eaters: “How to Shepherd Your Child’s Appetite.” (@ La Altura Pediatrics)
Recipe: BBQ Meatballs
I helped host a bridal shower this weekend and made these meatballs. Everyone absolutely loved them, so I thought I would share them with you. They are a great appetizer, kids love them, and adults love them. You can also serve them for dinner over brown rice with a salad on the side. You could serve them in whole wheat buns with a fresh coleslaw. You could serve them with a delicious cucumber quinoa salad. There are all kinds of options for this recipe!
CROCKPOT BBQ TERIYAKI MEATBALLS
- 3 small (or 1 large) bag of ready-made frozen meatballs (about 90 meatballs)
- 1 large can of chunk pineapple
- 1 jar bbq sauce
- 1 jar kc masterpiece teriyaki sauce
- 1/2 sliced onion
Put sliced onion in the crockpot. Add the meatballs. Pour in the full jar of bbq sauce and the full jar of teriyaki sauce. Pour in the entire can of pineapple including juice. Stir slightly. Cook on high for at least 4 hours.
You want the meatballs to be covered in sauce. If you find that you do not have enough sauce, then add a little water to your empty bbq and teriyaki sauce jars, shake to clean out the jars, and add this saucy water to the crockpot. (We should be rinsing out our jars to recycle them anyway, right?)
There are many good brands of pre-made frozen meatballs to choose from, including vegetarian meatballs that would be good in this. I would like to say that I found organic meatballs and/or turkey meatballs, but I did not. If you prefer organic products or a lower calorie product, then you should make your own meatballs, brown them in a skillet, then add them to the crockpot to continue the recipe. As for sauces, I prefer KC Masterpiece bbq sauce and teriyaki sauce, but you can use your favorites. There are also organic sauces available.
This recipe is party sized, and makes about 30 appetizer servings.
One serving is 3 meatballs, which is about 200 calories.
Allergies
Allergies are one of those things that seem to be inevitable living in Texas. It seems everyone I know thinks they have allergies! They are running around with runny noses and stuffy heads and trying to make it through the day.
As a Pediatric Dietitian and the Business Manager for La Altura Pediatrics, I see many children every day that are struggling with allergies. Most of what I see as a Dietitian is food allergies. The most common food allergens are shellfish, milk, egg, soy, corn, wheat, tree nuts, and peanuts. Yet, not every allergy-type symptom is a true allergy. Sometimes it is a virus, or a non-allergic response to a trigger. That’s why it’s important to talk to your Pediatrician if you are concerned about allergies.
For little children under the age of 5, the common symptoms of allergies are skin rashes, upset stomachs, and recurrent ear infections. If a child this young has allergies, it will most often be food related. It is not until after the age of 5 that children will usually start to show allergies to airborne substances, such as pollens. There is a great website, www.pollen.com, that will give you the daily pollen forecast for your area.
It is also important to know there is a threshold when it comes to allergies. What do I mean? If you have several small allergies, but are being exposed to all of them at the same time, your body will eventually reach a point that the allergy response will go overboard. When this allergy threshold is met, you feel miserable. I will put it into a math equation for you:
small allergy + small allergy + small allergy = big allergic reaction
You can significantly cut back on your bodies allergic response by avoiding those things that trigger a response. There are many ways to cut down on your exposure. If you are allergic to certain foods, try to find alternatives. If your child loves cereal and milk every morning but is allergic to cow’s milk, then try rice milk. If you are allergic to airborne substances, then get good quality filters for your HVAC (air conditioning) system. Filtrete makes some great ones. If you are allergic to cats or dogs but don’t want to get rid of the family pet, then just get them out of your bedroom. Vacuum often with a HEPA filter vacuum to get rid of pollens and pet hair. Also, a home air purifier with HEPA and UV filtration will work wonders for your indoor air quality. On a similar note, please, please put allergy covers on your mattresses and pillows. I will not go into the gross details, but you do not want to sleep on mattresses and pillows without covers. Finally, have every person remove their shoes before entering your home. Lots of allergens are brought in by shoes.
It is important to talk to your Pediatrician about possibly having your child tested for allergies if you think this may be an issue. Your Pediatrician should be able to order this test for you if he/she finds it medically necessary. You do not want to give your child unnecessary allergy medication if there is not a true allergy present. Yet, you also do not want to deny your child a medication that may bring relief from miserable symptoms. Please note that If you have had your child (or yourself) tested for allergies, these results can change over time. So you will need to see your Pediatrician or Allergist regularly to see if or when a retest may be needed. Let me also say that if you test positive for food allergies, then please find a Pediatric Dietitian to help you. You can find one at www.eatright.org.
Terri Hamons Garza, MS, RD, LD
Pediatric Dietitian
Business Manager
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Forgiveness
Babies come into this world with only the mechanisms to demand survival: cry for food, cry for a clean body, cry for the close comfort of a parent so that they know they are safe and cared for. As babies develop into toddlers, their job is to explore the world around them. They have no point of reference to tell them if objects are safe or unsafe, behaviors good or bad. Toddlers are essentially little cavemen. Their concept of civility and etiquette is virtually non-existent. That’s where adults come in. Parents have the job not only of providing food and shelter, but to foster emotional development as well.
Any parent of a toddler will tell you that is a tall order. We hope and pray that our child will not be the one at the park or at the play date who hits, bites, or takes a toy away from another child. Inevitably, at some point, it will happen because the parts of a toddler’s brain that regulate self-control and emotional regulation are not developed. Toddlers are looking out for number one, so when a child transgresses against another, our job as parents is to teach the correct behavior and try to plant the seeds of empathy.
We tell them to say, “I’m sorry.”
Toddlers initially balk at the mandate to express regret for their actions, usually because they aren’t really sorry. The ability to reach true contrition for hurting someone else’s body or feelings develops over time, with guidance from loving and patient adults. The ability to feel remorse or regret for harming someone shows remarkable growth in brain development. The ability to express remorse shows remarkable growth in character.
Going a step further, we can contend that saying ‘I’m sorry’ (and meaning it) shows good character for the transgressor, but an often overlooked pillar of emotional development is the response to an apology. The one that can be harder at times to say than ‘I’m sorry’ – ‘I forgive you.’
The poet Alexander Pope wrote, ‘To err is human, to forgive divine.’
Teaching to be forgiving requires the same amount of attention as teaching to be contrite and is equally vital. Holding grudges denies us the chance to use our problem-solving capabilities and robs us of precious minutes, days, and sometimes even years of happiness. Fostering a forgiving attitude in our children endows them with the ability to choose a life and attitude of happiness.
As parents, it is one of the most important lessons we can learn as well. Our children will make many mistakes as they learn to navigate their way through life. Many a parent is driven to distraction by a world-conquering toddler. After the ordeal, when tempers are cooled and tears have subsided and your little one offers a heartfelt ‘I’m sorry,’ gift him with a gracious ‘I forgive you,’ and teach him to do likewise after receiving an apology. We will also, as parents, find ourselves making mistakes as we raise our children. An apology to our child(ren) may at times be appropriate. It lets them know that we are human, we make mistakes too, and we are honest enough to admit when we are wrong. Hopefully, our children will be forgiving of us and a loving, trusting relationship can be restored and the fruits can be enjoyed while the hurts are forgotten.
Sometimes apologizing can mean swallowing a good deal of pride, and so can forgiving. Both actions show a willingness to let go of the balls and chains that shackle us to the past and look forward to all the good things that are waiting to help us build a better future. Forgiveness shows a love that transcends mere humanity, and is one of the greatest gifts we can give our children because we should all be so lucky as to be on the receiving end.
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Pool Safety 101
School is out for summer! Youngsters are celebrating and anticipating that delightful moment when they get to dip their toes, or even do a giant cannon ball, into the water. Most adolescents have mastered basic swimming skills which allow them to fluidly navigate the crystal waves. For their younger counterparts, or any one who has not yet learned to swim, the cool waters of the pool can pose an enormous risk to non-swimmers. Curious toddlers especially can wander off to explore and fall prey to the hazards of the water.
Just like protecting ourselves and our little ones from the ill effects of the hot sun, parents can also practice some simple safety rules to prevent drowning. There are many, but the top three are supervision, supervision, and supervision!
It cannot be overstated that you should always be present when you have a child in the water and that little one should always be in your line of sight. Make sure you can identify your future Olympic swimmer from the multitudes of summer water-goers. Always stay close by your child and remain vigilant in all cases.
Own your own pool? Be sure that it is gated and locked. The lock should be at a height difficult for curious (and clever) little hands to reach. There are also other devices to help with pool safety, such as pool covers and pool alarms. Be sure that any locks on doors leading to the pool are not accessible to your little Einstein. Toddlers are notorious for figuring out how things work.
Kiddie Pools are fantastic for little people who just need to cool off in the back yard, but aren’t ready for the Olympic-size pool or the giant waves of the beach. Find a shady spot to sit the pool or try to fill it earlier or later in the day, when the sun is not as high in the sky and will not beat down directly on your child or the water. Supervise. Do not leave babies or toddlers unattended in the pool; they can drown in just a few inches of water. Also, when you are finished playing in the pool, empty out the water.
In a larger pool, flotation devices can help your non-swimmer get comfortable being in the water and put your mind at ease, but I must say it again: flotation devices are not replacements for adult supervision. An adult should always be present when children are in the water whether they are master swimmers or first-time novices. Some flotation devices are just fun for swimmers: Noodles, inner tubes, boogie boards…some are useful for non-swimmers: baby floating seats and zip-up flotation suits. These can be found at most grocery stores, pharmacies, or discount stores and can take on fun shapes such as stars or turtles for your little one’s aesthetic pleasure. Your baby can sit in a floating seat while you taxi him around in the water making fun motorboat noises.
For the older non-swimmer, you may try a life jacket, but beware of any that may suspend your child face-down in the water. Inflatable arm bands are good for toddlers who are nearing swimming age and may touch the bottom of a shallow pool with their feet. Walk-in pools are great for acclimating toddlers to swimming. Be aware of the distance your child can go up to their chin and restrict any further venturing. Be sure you are there to hold your child’s hand and return her to a safe depth when necessary.
If you’re going out in a boat this summer, EVERYONE should have on a life jacket, even adults. Set a good example for your child or someone else’s.
Find the appropriate flotation device for non-swimmers. Discourage “dunking”. Never leave babies or toddlers unattended, even in kiddie pools. Make sure gates are locked and you know where your little one is. Look and listen – children are noisy. If you can’t see or hear your child in the water making noise, stop all other activity and locate your child immediately. Should the unthinkable happen, make sure you or someone with you knows CPR and can perform it properly. If you have babies and toddlers, it is a good idea in general to be familiar with CPR and basic first aid.
When it comes to water safety, an ounce of prevention is worth far more than a pound of cure, to be sure. Supervise at all times and enjoy the cool blue water this summer!
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Play it safe in the Summer Heat
Summer comes early to South Texas. While our northern neighbors are just beginning to experience the thaw of winter and are gently transitioning to higher temperatures, we in San Antonio like to jump into summer with a big belly flop. By the end of May, we may experience a cold front when the temperature dips down to 95 degrees Fahrenheit. So it is time to dust off the inner tubes in the garage and start packing a delicious picnic for that trip to the water you have been waiting for!
While you are dreaming about the crystal blue waves of the beach and thinking about the sacred family potato salad recipe, don’t forget to take care of the most important thing required for summer fun: you and your family! From your head to your feet, there are several ways to safeguard yourself from the more malicious conditions related to the high heat:
Hats and Shades
Your skin is the largest organ system of your body and the most exposed during the summer. A wide-brimmed hat offers the best shade for your body if you are not in a location that offers many options for shade. Sunglasses are a must have for summer for a few reasons: One, they help filter out harmful UV rays from the sun that can harm your eyes, and two, they significantly reduce the glare from highways and roads when driving, an increased hazard during the summer for those behind the wheel.
Sunscreen
Protect the skin you are in! If you have an infant younger than six months old, ask your pediatrician which product is suitable for baby’s sensitive skin. It is a good idea to get into the habit of putting it on every day, several times a day, starting in the morning. Apply at least 15 minutes before going out or going swimming and reapply every 30 to 45 minutes. It can be easy to forget when you are splashing in the water, but it will greatly reduce your chances of getting severely sunburned and damaging your skin if you frequently apply it. Spray-on sunblock is quick and convenient without as much mess, so it may save you some precious minutes.
Water Socks
The cool water beckons, but the hot sand is merciless to tender feet on the beach. Besides sharp rocks, sticks, or pieces of glass or shells that may be on or below the surface, sand gets hot much quicker than the water. If you are at a pool, the concrete surrounding the pool is no exception – it gets very hot very quickly in the San Antonio sun. Protect your feet by wearing water socks. These are shoes that are made specifically for swimming in, and thwart the fiery sand. If that’s not possible, at least try to minimize the distance that your bare feet travel between the time you kick off your sandals and the time you dip into the pool.
Water
Drink a lot of it! On any given day, we should drink at least 8 glasses (8 ounces each) of water. Even if you are in the water playing, you are sweating and losing the water in your body that it needs to keep your temperature constant and your body functions in order. You need more water if you are going to be exposed to high temperatures and hot sun for any length of time. If you are applying sunscreen every 30 to 45 minutes, take a big swig of water before you go back to the pool or the waves.
Cars
Never, ever, not for a few minutes or a few seconds, leave your children or your pets in the car alone, not even with the windows cracked or down. That would be like leaving them in an oven with the door cracked open – it is very hot and very unsafe.
Now that summer is upon us, try to minimize your exposure to the elements as much as possible. That is, until it’s time to hit the sand for a friendly game of beach volleyball or to bodysurf the waves. Take care of yourself and your family by following these summer fun guidelines. This will help you maximize your fun in the sun!
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Chores
Many of you have asked about chores for your kids. We often get questions such as “What age do I start my kids doing chores?” and “What chores are ok for a ___ year old child?”
The simple truth is that you should make cleaning up a part of your child’s life from the day they are born. If they see you taking care of your home and cleaning up, then it will not be a foreign concept for them as they grow up. As for how many chores to assign, I have heard it said that one chore per year of age is a good rule of thumb. I assign one morning and one evening chore per year of age. So the 5 year old has 5 chores in the morning and 5 chores in the evening.
Even when your children are infants, you can make them a part of your cleaning routines. When it is time for you to get dressed in the morning, you can set them in a swing or bouncy seat in the bathroom with you. When you are vacuuming or packing lunches, you can wear them in a sling or pack.
Once they get more mobile, even a child as young as 15 months can “help” fold laundry and put away their toys. They can wipe their own hands and faces when they are dirty. They can throw away their own diapers. There are lots of things these little helpers can do.
Older toddlers and preschoolers really enjoy helping with the chores. They can pick out their own clothes, help pack their bags if they go to child care, put away their toys and books, put away their shoes, and hang up their jackets. When you are mopping, you can give your toddler a damp towel to help you mop. When you are cooking, you can have your toddler next to the kitchen with his or her own set of dishes. These chores are easier if you provide ways to make it easy. Put out just a few toys at a time in nice baskets so they do not feel overwhelmed with clean-up time. Hang some hooks down at their level so they can easily hang up their own jackets and bags. It is important to teach these young ones that they are an important part of the family dynamic and that they are needed.
As your children get older, it is important to give them some independence. Consider giving them a chore checklist with morning, afternoon, and evening routines. You can post it in their bedroom and also in the kitchen. This will allow them easy access to their chore list, and the freedom to do some things on their own. Even a young child can have a chore checklist with pictures instead of words. Our 9 year old’s routine looks like this:
- Morning: get dressed, brush hair, eat breakfast, make bed, brush teeth, take dirty clothes to laundry room, finish packing backpack for school
- Afternoon: do homework as soon as you get home from school, practice piano, play outside
- Evening: help set the dinner table, put dinner dishes in sink, put away clean laundry, bathe, brush teeth, get clothes ready for the next day
Once your children hit the pre-teen and teen years, it is vital for them to be assigned household chores. They may have more say in which chores they want to take on, and slightly more freedom as to when they get done. They do still have to be responsible for getting the chores done though. This is such an important age for your children to learn how to become adults. If they want some of the independence of adulthood, then they need to learn some of the responsibility of adulthood.
Perhaps you are reading this and thinking that having the kids do chores is too much work, that it is easier to do it yourself, and you may be right. Nobody ever said that parenthood would be easy though. Your job is to teach your kids, and to love your kids. So teach them how to take care of the things they have been blessed with, and love them like they are the best thing to ever happen to you.
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San Antonio Run For Life 5k
We at La Altura Pediatrics are honored to be sponsors for the upcoming San Antonio Run for Life 5k. The event will be held on Saturday , July 16, 2011 at the Blue Bonnet Palace, 17630 Lookout Rd.
San Antonio Run for Life is a charity organization formed to support the non-profits: San Antonio Coalition for Life, Allied Women’s Center, and Guadalupe Home. Through an annual 5k race, San Antonio Run for Life is committed to further the growth and development of these non-profit organizations which promote the dignity of human life. For more information, visit http://www.sarunforlife.com.
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Back-To-School Already?
As May begins, many of us parents are starting to think about summer plans. What will we do with the kids home all day, every day? The visions of popsicles and swimming pools dance in our heads.
Before you know it though, another school year will begin. Let’s make it a goal this year to NOT be the parent at the discount store at 10pm the night before school starts trying to find construction paper and a box of 24 crayons! Let’s make a list of back-to-school chores now, so we can schedule a few things throughout the summer.
For instance, consider buying some school clothes and shoes in June, especially if your child wears a uniform. Many school uniform suppliers offer discounts if you buy in June. Are you afraid your child will outgrow the clothes? One option is to buy the clothes and shoes a little big to allow for growth. You can also just keep them in the bag with tags on and hide them in your closet. When school time comes around, if they don’t fit, many retailers will allow you to exchange them.
Some other back-to-school chores we can do early include purchasing backpacks, stocking up on school supplies when they are on sale, and getting school physicals. Speaking of school physicals, most schools do not allow kids to start school without a physical. So be sure to schedule yours early in the summer if your insurance will allow you to. The doctor’s offices are usually much less busy in May and June.
So, let’s all enjoy our kids when they get out of school for summer break, but don’t forget those back-to-school chores. If fact, don’t let your kids forget their chores either! I think that’s a topic for my next post. Happy May!
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