Ugh...the stomach flu....

Ok...so, the stomach flu (sometimes also known as ROTA VIRUS) has arrived and in FULL FORCE. Every day I am hearing about another family (yes the entire family) being plagued by the sudden onset of vomiting!! One of my friends had to cancel New Years plans, the other was hours away from getting on a plane for vacation and had to postpone. My family has been through this a couple of times and I can tell you, its the WORST!!!!

Here are a few tips (remember, I'm not a doctor...I've only been through this, unfortunately 3 or 4 times and am speaking based on my own experiences).

Stomach flu itself is relatively quick (usually only 24 hours), however, dehydration can occur....you want to do everything possible to avoid this!!!Once the vomiting begins:

1) DO NOT give water to drink. Although this is everyones first instinct, I think it actually makes it worse! Give only tiny sips (really tiny) of Pedialyte, Gatorade or ginger ale. Do this as often as you can. It really helps!!
2) NO FOOD at first. My rule of thumb is, if your child has gone a few hours without throwing up, then it's on to the B.R.A.T. diet for the day. That consists of bananas, rice, apples (or applesauce and toast). If they can keep that down for a couple of hours, you should be in the clear!
3) IF your child appears to not be getting better, can't keep anything down for hours or is exhibiting ANY signs of dehydration...CALL YOUR DOCTOR or GO IN right away.
4) DO NOT send your kid back to school the next day. This thing lingers and while they may seem fine, they are still contagious (especially if diarrhea followed). Isn't this a pleasant blog! :)
5) KEEP WASHING YOUR HANDS!!! It can really help prevent this nasty bug from sticking around.
6) In some cases, doctors will prescribe suppositories of Tigan, Zofran or other anti-vomiting medication. You'd have to ask your individual pediatrician about that.

In my kids cases, our doctor did presribe stuff....and it really helped!!
I have also learned that spreading the word is always the best line of defense! If your kid gets this...let the parents in your class know. If you know someone in your child's class has this and is back at school the next day, you may wanna keep your kids away, if possible.

Once again, I am not a doctor (just the daughter of one)....please do not take any of this advise as professional medical opinions. These things have helped me with both of my kids and are just my suggestions!!

Stay Healthy!!
Aud

Happy Holidays!

The last few weeks have been absolutely crazy....working, end of school activities, running around like a "chicken without a head." However, two events that have happened within the last week have given me reason to pause. First, as I'm sure many of you have heard about is the story of 14 year old Cody Badalato. I did not personally know him or his family, but his story has touched me. To summarize, Cody was by all accounts a healthy 14 year old boy. He had what seemed to be a lingering cough that so many of our kids have this time of year. Cody awoke in the middle of the night gasping for air and needed to be rushed to the hospital. What he and his family didn't know was that he actually had a mass pressing on his heart that was preventing him from breathing. In addition, an MRI showed that he had Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. Unfortunately by the time he arrived at the hospital he was already in a coma and so tragically never came out of it. After two weeks Cody passed away the day after his 14th birthday. The second event involved another family that I didn't know personally. It happened just a few days after Cody. Samantha Freedman, mother of two children went into the hospital to have her third baby. The day after she gave birth, she suddenly passed away from an aneurysm. No warning, nothing....just like that, the miracle of birth happens almost simultaneously with the sadness of death. Though I didn't know either of these people or their families, many of my friends did. It just made me stop to think that with all the stresses life brings, it's important to stop and cherish my loved ones. It's important to tell the people in your life that you love them. It's important to take a few seconds out each day to give hugs and kisses. At this time of the year, with all the difficulties happening in our Country, it's important to be thankful for what we have and try not to worry so much about what we don't have. It's important to try and not "sweat the small stuff." It's important to live, to love, to laugh! It's important to realize that life is so short and can change so quickly! With all of this being said, I wish you all a very Healthy and Happy Holiday! May the next year bring everyone some peace, love, and prosperity!!
Aud
xo

The dreaded "dinner duty"

Do any of you despise "dinner duty" like I do??? I seriously make the same meals every week. I'm bored of it and so is my family. My biggest dilemma is trying to incorporate veggies into each meal. My kids are just not that into them. I've tried "hiding them" as Jessica Seinfeld's book suggested, but come on, garbanzo bean chocolate chip cookies....cauliflower mashed potatoes....they are no fools!!! While some of the recipes were "ok"...they are a pain in the ass to make. I know some of you are saying "just make regular veggies and make them eat them." I've tried....I've done ok with broccoli...they both really like it, but how many times a week can i make it. Now, I have found a terrific new recipe that was SO easy, VERY affordable and my kids LOVED it. Below is the recipe just in case you're interested....

Here are the ingredients- I made my own modifactions to it:

4 tbsp (1/2 stick) butter
4 tbsp all purpose-flour
3 cups milk (i used low fat)
Salt & pepper
Freshly grated nutmeg (i'm not a fan, so i left it out)
1½ c grated parmigiana-reggiano (i used fresh shredded instead)
2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1 garlic clove, cracked away from its skin
2 pounds spinach, (i used 2 bags and didn't chop it)
1 box no-boil lasagna noodles (not a HUGE fan of this, but if you're short on time, it's great. Otherwise, I'd boil regular lasagna noodles.

1. Preheat the oven to 375° f2. Melt the butter in a medium pot over medium heat. Sprinkle the flour over the melted butter, whisk to combine, and cook for about 1 minute. Slowly whisk the milk into the butter-flour mixture, season with Salt, pepper and nutmeg, and cook for a couple of minutes to thicken. Stir in half the parmigiana (about ¾ c). Set the sauce aside...it will get very thick!!

2. Heat the Olive oil in a large cast-iron skillet over medium-high. Toss in the cracked clove of garlic and cook for a minute or two to release its aroma and flavor. Add the spinach a few handfuls at a time, and saute it. Don't let it wilt too much. Season the greens with salt and pepper.

3. Break the pasta into large pieces. Toss them into The pan with the greens and give them a good stir to incorporate them. Pour the sauce into the skillet, stirring again to incorporate everything evenly. Smooth the top down and sprinkle in the remaining ¾ c parmigiana into the skillet. Cover the skillet with it's lid. If you don't have a skillet lid, use tin foil, transfer to the oven, and bake the lasagna for 30 minutes. Remove the lid or the foil from the pan and let it finish cooking uncovered for about 15 more mins to brown the cheese. Most skillets are oven safe, if you're not sure....check on line!

My family LOVED this dish...they actually asked for 2nds. Give it a try...it's really good! Let me know how it goes!
Thanks Rachel Ray! :)

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Where have i been??

I know, I know...it's been too long since the last blog. I've received sooooo many emails...thank you all for reading and supporting!! Ok, here we go....for the past eight years, I've had the good fortune of having the same nanny. She's been with me since before my oldest was born. My kids LOVE her, she has truly become part of the family. So, how do you get rid of someone you love?? I've grappled with this problem for a while now. My little one is over three...goes to school every day, and I just think we've out grown the need, not to mention it's expensive!!! My nanny is paid for holidays, only works from 8:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m., gets a week paid vacation each year and brings her son to my house all summer long, when he is out of school! Not too shabby, huh? While she has it good, so do I....I trust her with my kids and my home...I am just SICK of having someone here. So, my loyal readers....I put this out to you....because I've "asked Aud" and I need some other suggestions!!

Proud to be an American!!

Wow...what an amazing night it was!!! I never for a minute thought that I would be as emotional as I was. I was riveted by Obama's speech and equally impressed by the graciousness of McCains. My 7 year old even got in on the action. His school had a mock election where all the kids were able to cast votes. He proudly came home telling us that he voted for Obama and was sooooo excited to wear the "I Voted" sticker. He also said that 3 kids in his class voted for McCain. He said the ones that voted for McCain did so because their parents told them that Obama was a bad man and a liar!! Interesting way to teach your kids about politics, right? However you voted, it's an exiting time for America and it is "history in the making!" There hasn't been young children in the White House in many,many years. Remember when Amy Carter was the first daughter? I do....I remember sending her a letter and getting a postcard back from her with a picture of her and her cat and how much she loved living in Washington. It was a standard card, but It was exciting to receive something from the Presidents daughter. I also sent both my boys birth announcements to President Bush and also received congrats cards on White House stationery. They make great keepsakes for your kids. I am going to have Max write a letter to the littlest Obama.....might be a fun thing for you to do as well!!Make sure to keep your newspapers today. Put them in a plastic bag and tuck them away!! November 4, 2008 is now and forever an historic day! YES WE CAN and YES WE DID!

Should I call the doctor??

Cold and Flu season is here and in full force!! What's worse though is that Pneumonia is also going around. I would have to say at least 4 of my friends or their kids have come down with pneumonia within the last month. Scary!!! Here are the signs: 1) Hard cough 2) shortness of breath 3) fever 4) general body weakness. This doesn't always mean you have it, but I think it's worth a trip to the doc rather than an extended stay in the hospital! Also, if you haven't gotten your flu shot...do it now!! I actually had the flu last year...worst week of my life...have never been so sick!!Remember, I am not a doctor (but my dad is and this info is from him)...I am however a "germaphobe." If you've have the flu, cold or anything else...stay away from me! :)
Election blogging tomorrow!!
Aud (an Obama mama)! :)
xo

Halloween!

Is it just me or does it feel like Halloween has been dragging on forever?! Maybe it's because it started last week for us with our school Monster Mash, and there have been subsequent events every day since then. It feels so watered down....my kids are excited (I guess) but have been getting candy all week and their costumes are almost worn out already!! Well, that is Max's costume. Once we convinced Jackson NOT to dress up as Dora, he has decided NOT to dress up at all!! Then there's the candy....they collect POUNDS of it, eat one piece and the rest sits in the pantry for 6 months until I get to throwing it out. I find myself offering them pieces of candy every day for weeks, and they want nothing to do with it! Maybe this year we should all take our leftover candy to the "polls" on Tuesday....as a condolence to the Republicans!! Might make them feel better!! Only kidding all you McCain crazies! Anyway, for all of you who know me really well, you know that I am no "Martha Stewart"....but, this is a great tip that you should try. If you use a real candle in your pumpkin (not a battery operated light), sprinkle some cinnamon on the inside of your pumpkin lid. You'll get that awesome smell!! :)

Any other fun tips??!!

Have a safe and happy Halloween!