Naturals Disasters for Kids

Like many of you, I was glued to my television yesterday. I sat praying and in awe of all the disaster that nature can make. I watch as my Facebook stream exploded with statuses of prayer and worry. It was just so sad. It was so overwhelming. And those poor poor babies.

But I had to remember my three year old who was watching, IS always watching. And when Save the Children sent me this press release with tips on how to help your child cope through natural disasters, I knew I had to spread the information. My friends, if at all possible, please turn off the tv today. Hug those babies tighter. And remember that their less experienced understanding of this world is counting on you to feel safe.

And for any DSM readers who are affected, you are in our prayers.

Tips to Help Children Cope with Oklahoma Tornado Devastation

WASHINGTON (May 21, 2013) — “Disasters such as the Oklahoma tornadoes can cause fear, anxiety and stress in children, which can last long after the initial impact,” said Carolyn Miles, president and CEO for Save the Children. “That’s why we have to do everything we can to minimize the emotional effect of such traumatizing events on children and provide the support they need.”

Based upon Save the Children’s years of domestic and international experience of coming to the aid of children in emergencies, these tips can be used as a guide for parents to support their loved ones in the event of a crisis.

10 Tips to Help Kids Cope with Disasters

1. Limit TV time. Watching television reports on disasters can overwhelm younger children who may not understand an event is being replayed and instead think the disaster is happening over and over again. Overexposure to coverage of the events affects teenagers and adults as well.
2. Listen to your children carefully. Emotional stress results in part when a child cannot give meaning to dangerous experiences. Begin a dialog to help them gain a basic understanding that is appropriate for their age and responds to their underlying concerns.
3. Give children reassurance. Let them know that if any emergency or crisis should occur, your primary concern will be their safety. Make sure they know they are being protected.
4. Be alert for significant changes. Be aware of changes in sleeping patterns, eating habits, concentration, wide emotional swings or frequent physical complaints without apparent illness. They will likely subside within a short time but if prolonged, we encourage you to seek professional support and counseling.
5. Expect the unexpected. As children develop, their intellectual, physical and emotional capacities change. Younger children will depend largely on their parents to interpret events, while older children and teenagers will get information from a variety of sources that may not be as reliable. While teenagers seem to have more adult capacities to recover, they still need extra love, understanding and support to process these events.
6. Give your children extra time and attention. They need your close, personal involvement to comprehend that they are safe and secure. Talk, play and listen to them. Find time to engage in special activities for children of all ages.
7. Be a model for your child. Your child will learn how to deal with these events by seeing how you deal with them. Base the amount of self-disclosure on the age and developmental level of each of your children. Explain your feelings but remember to do so calmly.
8. Watch your own behavior. Make a point of showing sensitivity toward those impacted by the disaster. This is an opportunity to teach your children that we all need to help each other.
9. Help your children return to normal activities. Children almost always benefit from activity, goal orientation and sociability. Ensure that your child’s school environment is also returning to normal patterns and not spending great amounts of time discussing the crisis.
10. Encourage your child to do volunteer work. Helping others can give your child a sense of control, security and empathy. In the midst of crisis, adolescents and youth can emerge as active agents of positive change.

Save the Children’s U.S. emergency response team is mobilizing staff and essential supplies to provide support, relief and recovery services to communities and families in Oklahoma.

Click here to help provide relief and support for children affected by disasters in the United States.

You can also text TWISTER to 20222 to donate $10 to Save the Children and help the response effort. Standard rates apply.

This article was originally published on De Su Mama - Building a Legacy of Love.

Celebrating the Mediterranean Diet

May is Mediterranean Diet Month and I’m excited to partner with Barilla to celebrate the many ways to incorporate healthy servings of pasta and other Mediterranean diet tips into our regular diets. While Alina is a great eater, she still shows the typical toddler pickiness at times, so I was thankful for the awesome selection of pasta sent to me from Barilla for all the summer salads I hope to make! (Don’t forget to enter the giveaway to win your own Barilla Pasta Pack!)

I fell in love with this Campanelle pasta almost immediately! Have you had it before? Its curved, ridged shape is supposed to be great for sauces, and since I haven’t met a toddler who doesn’t like a sauce, I figured the Campanelle would be perfect for my homemade Spinach Pesto. And it was! The Spinach Pesto is packed with leafy greens, I threw in fresh red and yellow grape tomatoes too, while the Campanelle gave the dish some heartiness. A seriously simple summer salad recipe perfect for a picnic!

Barilla Executive Chef Lorenzo offered to answer 5 DSM reader questions on the importance of the Med Diet. We asked everything from healthy pasta recipes to favorite wine pairings, and this is what he had to say…

I would like to know what makes the Mediterranean Diet a healthier way to eat? Also, what are Chef Lorenzo’s favorite add-in ingredients for pasta?

o   The Mediterranean Diet is a healthy style of eating inspired by the traditional dietary patterns of the Mediterranean region, which includes Italy at its heart. This style of eating emphasizes healthy foods like fruits, vegetables, fish, lean meats, olive oil and grains – like pasta, while eating only small amounts of red meats and sweets. Pasta really is one of the best ways to experiment with this way of eating as it’s the perfect foundation for many of these Mediterranean healthy ingredients. I love extra virgin olive oil based sauces, and usually go with what’s in season. I like kale, fava beans, aromatic herbs and generally speaking, almost all vegetables. From time to time I also enjoy pasta with seafood.

What are your favorite wines to pair with pasta dishes?

o   Wine is such an integral part of Mediterranean culture and it can be a healthy addition to your diet, when in moderation. For me, it really depends on what I am eating. I generally stick with red wines with bold and flavorful dishes, while I enjoy a white and crisp whine with seafood or veggie pastas. I also enjoy Prosecco or Franciacorta wines to start my meals.

Chef Lorenzo Boni, where can I find easy and quick Mediterranean recipes?

o   You’re in luck! My friend Kate Geagan, you may know her as America’s Green Nutritionist, and I created a few special pasta recipes in honor of Mediterranean Diet Month, which you can find at http://www.barilla.com/mediterranean-diet. They are full of healthy Mediterranean-inspired ingredients. Let us know if you try any at home!

What does Chef Lorenzo think are the biggest misconceptions with pasta recipes?

o   One of the biggest misconceptions about pasta is that it’s not healthy, or that it makes people “fat,” which is just not true. Pasta is a good complex carbohydrate food, and is especially healthy when paired with nutrient-rich pasta “partners” that are high in fiber or protein and low in unhealthy fats, such as fresh herbs, vegetables, beans and lean meats – all foods that are a key part of the Mediterranean Diet.

I was curious what Mr. Boni thought about cooking with whole wheat pasta? What am I sacrificing by using whole wheat as opposed to regular pasta?

o   Whole Grain pasta is not only delicious, but it’s a great alternative for people looking to add a little extra fiber to their diet. Barilla Whole Grain pasta delivers an additional 28g of whole grains and 6g of fiber per serving without sacrificing on taste. Try my Whole Grain Penne with Chick Peas and Leeks with Creamy Artichoke Sauce and let me know what you think! I also enjoy my Whole Grain pastas paired with green leafy veggies such as cabbage, kale,spinach, and brussel sprouts.  http://www.barilla.com/content/recipe/barilla-whole-grain-penne-chick-peas-and-leeks-served-creamy-artichoke-sauce

Enter the giveaway below for your chance to win the same pasta selection, including this delicious Campanelle pasta and some of the more popular selections, too.

De Su Mama is not responsible for shipment of prize pack. Open to readers 18 years old and older. United States entrants only. Good luck, and thanks for entering!

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*Disclosure: Barilla provided me with product in order to write this post. However, my opinions on the product are entirely my own and I have not been paid to publish positive sentiments towards Barilla or their products.

This article was originally published on De Su Mama - Building a Legacy of Love.

Summer Salad Pesto

Holy summer salad, I am on a roll in the kitchen these days! Sometimes I can’t stand the thought of it, but the last few weeks I wake up excited to get in the kitchen and try my hand at something different. With it being Mediterranean Diet Month (and getting super hot here in Vegas), creating simple additions to a light summer salad has been on my brain. And as always, trying to sneak in some healthy leafy greens into our diet is a good thing too.

I love making this cilantro pesto – it’s great on just about anything – but this time I whipped up a spinach pesto using walnuts and garlic that is sure to up the flavor of your summer salads, too!

As with most stuff I cook, there is no steadfast recipe. Just put more or less of whatever your family likes best!

Spinach Pesto Ingredients:

- Spinach, several handfuls (I used about 2 cups)

- 2/3rd cup Walnuts, toasted on the stovetop

- 1 lemon, zested and juiced

- 1/2 cup Parm cheese, shredded

- 2-3 cloves Garlic, use to your taste preference (we love garlic)

- salt/pepper, to taste

- EVOO (the good stuff!)

Throw everything into the food processor and blitz while pouring a steady stream of EVOO. Be sure to stop, wipe down the sides and give it a quick taste test. You may need more salt, but the parm cheese has plenty, so maybe not. I ended up throwing in even more spinach, and then another clove of garlic, and ended up with several batches of this incredible green goodness! It’s going to work perfectly with my summer salad creations!

Like usual, Alina was right by my side while I was making this summer salad addition. Cooking with kids has become a huge family tradition for us. Certainly not easy at times, but with a little patience, I’ve found that she’s way more likely to eat our veggie filled creations when she’s involved in making them.

Hope you enjoy the upcoming heat and a few summer salads of your own!

This article was originally published on De Su Mama - Building a Legacy of Love.