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Saving for your Child’s Future
The start of a new year is the perfect time to review and update your family’s financial goals, including your plans for saving for your child’s future. Starting to save money early in your child’s life means the investments have more time to grow before he reaches adulthood, but it is never too late to get started. Review your family’s financial plan There are financial essentials you should address first. Once they are in place, you can then decide how much of your monthly household budget to contribute to your child’s savings. Build an emergency fund for your household that is large enough to cover six to nine months of living expenses. Review the monthly contributions to your retirement savings plan. Saving enough funds to cover your living expenses when you retire takes priority over saving for your child’s college expenses. Put resources into place that will keep your kids financially secure, even if you pass away before they reach adulthood. Many employers offer inexpensive term life insurance policies as part of a benefits package. Review each of your life insurance policies and savings plans to ensure the list of beneficiaries is up to date. When listing a minor child as the beneficiary […]
31. Dec 2019
Twice Baked Potatoes
Ingredients 2 medium russet potatoes, scrubbed and pricked with a fork all over 2 tablespoons unsalted butter 3 tablespoons heavy cream 4 pieces of cooked bacon 4 large eggs 1/2 cup shredded cheddar thinly sliced chives salt and pepper Preheat oven to 400˚F. Place potatoes directly on oven rack in the center of the oven and bake for 40 to 45 minutes or until potatoes are tender through the center. Remove and allow potatoes to cool for about 15 minutes. Slice each potato in half lengthwise and hollow each half out, scooping the potato flesh into a mixing bowl. Add butter and cream to the potato and mash together until smooth. Season with salt and pepper and stir together. Spread some of the potato mixture into the bottom of each hollowed potato skin and sprinkle with 1 tablespoon cheese. Add 1 piece of bacon to each half and top with a raw egg. Place potatoes onto a baking sheet and return to the oven. Lower oven temperature to 375˚F and bake potatoes until egg whites just set and yolks are still runny. Top each potato with a sprinkle of the remaining cheese, season with salt and pepper and finish with […]
30. Dec 2019
Do Your Kids Really Play?
By Joanne Cogle, CSCS, MS, owner of CrossFit CSG, local military spouse and mom to 7-year-old daughter Red Rover Red Rover, Tug of War, Double Dutch, Frozen Tag…where did those simple playground games go; simple playground games that simulated gross motor movements and playground camaraderie. They have long been replaced with indoor recess, video games and specific sports activities. Locking our kids into one specific sport and eliminating movement activities is doing them a disservice. Our children are missing out on a vital part of growing up; the sport of play. Sure, they play baseball or basketball, but can they perform functional gross motor skills, like squatting or pulling up their body weight, as efficiently as they can drill a ball? Probably not. Think back to when you were in elementary school and performing the President’s Fitness Test. Imagine if you had kept that same strength and agility through your younger years. Would you be a different parent? Would your back hurt less? Would you move better? Most fitness professionals, including myself, recommend getting your child(ren) into as many movement activities as possible while keeping it fun. What might have turned your crank as a kid may not turn theirs. Letting […]
30. Dec 2019
Paper Plate Snowman
Supplies Paper Plates Medium Black Buttons Large Pink Buttons White Glitter Mod Podge Orange Puffy Paint Paint Brush Glue Gun Directions Hot glue your two black buttons towards the top middle of your paper plate for the eyes. Then hot glue your two pink buttons below the eyes and to the side for the cheeks. Naturally, you can also paint these with pink and black paint. Paint your plate with mod podge and sprinkle your glitter onto the mod podge. Use your black puffy paint to connect the two pick buttons with a wavy smile (you can also use a black marker to draw the smile, but you will have to do it before you use Mod Podge and sprinkles – this will also make the smile not so visible). Alternatively, you could also use small black buttons. Then draw on a carrot-shaped nose with your orange puffy paint and let your plate dry. Courtesy of www.easypeasyandfun.com
30. Dec 2019
Meal Prep 101
When your family has a calendar full of after school activities and weekend events, planning healthy meals your family will enjoy eating can be a challenge. However, taking a few minutes each week to plan and research recipes that fit your schedule can save you time, reduce food costs and help your family eat healthy, nutritionally balanced meals. Decide what types of meals fit your schedule First, look at your schedule for the next week and note how much time you have to prepare meals each day. Decide which days you will prepare meals fresh at home. If there is a particular evening when you will be very short on time, that maybe the evening you want to plan to prepare a slow cooker meal or heat up a homemade freezer meal you have thawed in the refrigerator. If you have at least one afternoon a month to spend preparing your family’s favorite recipes and freezing them in meal-sized portions, freezer meals are a good way to reduce the number of times a month you eat out. Strategize your meal-planning to save time and money Now that you know what types of meals you need, decide what you will prepare. One […]
30. Dec 2019
Workout Myths
There are some exercise myths that seem to persist, even when there is no scientific evidence that supports them. Here are a few that could get in the way of an effective workout or even be harmful. Doing a lot of crunches is healthy and will get rid of belly fat You can’t turn the belly fat into muscle by doing crunches. In order to reduce belly fat, you have to make lifestyle changes that help you lose weight and, even then, you have no control over where your body chooses to lost fat. In addition, crunches only target a few muscle groups and put pressure on the lower back, which can cause lower back pain and injury in the long term. According to research performed by University of Waterloo biomechanics professor Dr Stuart McGill, when you bend your spine while doing a crunch, about 340 kg of compressive force can be applied to the spine. Instead, try planks and other exercises that allow your spine to remain in neutral alignment (not curved) and work on strengthening your entire core. A pilates class is an excellent way to strengthen your entire core. You should not work out in the evening […]
30. Dec 2019
Christmas at Rock Ranch
This holiday season, enjoy a “Country” Christmas on the farm at The Rock Ranch, a 1,500 acre “agritourism” destination located an hour or less from Atlanta, Macon, and Columbus. Beginning Thanksgiving night, guests are invited to experience more than one mile of magical Christmas lights. In December, as Christmas gets closer, there are multiple Christmas themed offerings including Wagon Rides through the lights, Breakfast with Santa or the Grinch, Christmas Express Train Rides, and Santa’s Workshop. On eight special nights in December, guests are invited to enjoy Country Christmas Nights at The Rock Ranch. A general admission ticket ($8) provides guests the opportunity to ride through the beautiful Christmas lights on tractor-pulled, covered wagons. They’ll be dropped off at the Christmas Café where they may purchase dinner from a variety of homecooked options that include soups, salads and Chick-fil-A chicken sandwiches. Shopping is available at The Christmas Country Store and admission includes a visit with Santa, where visitors may take photos with their own cameras. A limited number of general admission/wagon ride tickets are sold per hour time slot. Time slots do sell out and should be purchased online in advance. These special nights also allow guests to enhance their visit with […]
4. Dec 2019
Ringing in the New Year with the Kids
Holiday family traditions make memories and create a sense of belonging for the family members. New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day are the perfect opportunities to create new family traditions that can be a blend of the ones you grew up with and new activities you think your kids will enjoy. With a little planning, you can keep even young kids entertained at these holiday gatherings. Family Fun on New Year’s Eve On New Year’s Eve, include kids too young to stay up until midnight in the celebration by having one for them earlier in the day. Have a dress-up party and create a ball to use for a ‘ball drop’ countdown to noon. Read a book together about New Year’s Eve and the ways different cultures around the world ring in the new year. Have some fun games available and enjoy some holiday sweets. For older kids who are determined to stay up until midnight on New Year’s Eve, create a slumber party in the family room complete with blankets and pillows. This will allow kids who fall asleep before the clock strikes twelve to rest comfortably until it is time to wake up the next day. Keep […]
22. Nov 2019
Yoga – Shifting Their Focus
“Anything bad that’s happened to you I want to exit it out of your heads…A teacher made me upset, breathe in, breathe out, something happened that I did not like, breathe in, breathe out, someone did something to me unfairly…Deep breaths.” This is how yoga begins at St. Mary’s Elementary Magnet Academy in Muscogee County. At the end of school each day, students ranging from kindergarten to 5th grade gather in the library to find their center with Assistant Principal Mrs. Zara Williams. It’s one way she’s connecting with her students. “Growing up, I had to make space for myself to be okay in classes…and I was just thinking what if somebody took the time to talk to me. Not even talk to me, just ask “how are you” how much of a difference would that make in my life,” Mrs. Williams explains. The assistant principal has an open-door policy in her office. She believes open communication can reduce the number of consequences her students receive during their time at school. One of the biggest struggles for her students is being heard. Students are often in her office because they’re unable to break down barriers of communication, sometimes struggling to […]
22. Nov 2019
Melted Crayon Ornament
Supplies: glass ornaments crayons pliers hairdryer Directions Instructions: First you need a bunch of peeled crayons in many different festive colors. Then, take off the top of the glass ornament, and put two or three small bits of crayon inside each ball. We found less crayon wax was better, since it doesn’t take much to coat the inside of the ball. It worked best when we used pieces about 1/2 an inch long. One of my favorite combinations was the orange, yellow and red crayons, which made an ornament that reminds me of a crackling fire. Then use the pliers to hold the end of the ornament and a hair dryer to melt the wax. Once the hair dryer heats up, it starts to melt the crayon bits so they flow inside the ornament. As the crayon wax melts, turn the ball to create swirling patterns. Once you are satisfied with the design, simply wait for the ornament to cool and put the top back in the ornament. Courtesy of www.upstateramblings.com Additional Links: Cookie Exchange Recipes Winter Wonderland Icicles Wood Slice Ornaments
22. Nov 2019
2019 Gift Guide
Finding the perfect gift for the special person in your life isn’t always easy. Oftentimes, we have that one special recipient we just can’t check off our list. What do you get for the person who wants for nothing? You get them something they never knew would improve their everyday life! Check out some of our favorite gift options for the 2019 holiday season: For the person in need of time: Home Chef: Save the hassle of meal planning with a subscription to Home Chef. A week or a year, if your recipient needs time, they will appreciate dinner being checked off the list. Robot Vacuum: Not only do robot vacuums save cleaning time, they also provide a more cleanly home, able to sweep, mop or vacuum daily. Your recipient’s floors will be spotless with this gift. Instant Pot: Cook chicken breasts in 7 minutes with an Instant Pot! This gadget saves time and allows for whole new dinner opportunities. For those who need to relax: Weighted Blanket: A weighted blanket provides a deep pressure touch, promoting relaxation. It’s like a hug that lasts for hours. Encourage your recipient to use this blanket for a cozier rest. Oil Diffuser: Aromatherapy is useful for a lot […]
22. Nov 2019
Not-So-Typical Christmas Celebrations
Are you tired of the same ‘ol Christmas activities every year? Does the obligation of gifts for everyone intimidate you to the point of declining invites? Do you dread the 24th and 25th because it involves a trip to every family member’s house in less than a 48-hour period? You are not alone. This holiday season, break the monotony and toss the anxiety by creating new traditions for a more festive celebration. Here are some suggestions for an enjoyable, holiday-themed get-together with your loved ones: Gingerbread Decorating Party: Clear out your pantry, stop by Dollar Tree and have yourself a party. To make this party a success, you need lots of supplies! Pretzels for trees, cereal for shingles and Oreos for windows. Your imagination is the only limit. If you’re catering this party towards young children, consider creating simple gingerbread houses with graham cracker cookies glued together, building many for the kids to decorate. If the party is for adults, ask each adult to bring a kit and you provide the supplies for decorating. Ugly Sweater Party: ‘Tis the season to be tacky! Invite your friends to create the ugliest sweater of them all. Award trophies for the ugliest sweater, […]
21. Nov 2019
Importance of Winter Outdoor Play
In the winter months, the reduced number of hours of daylight and chilly temperatures can make it more difficult to ensure kids get at least an hour to play outside each day. However, there are multiple ways in which kids benefit from playing outdoors in the winter that make it worth putting aside time for play and bundling everyone up for an outdoor adventure. Playtime outdoors in the winter keeps kids healthy Spending time outdoors provides an opportunity for everyone in the family to get some fresh air and provides a break from the recycled, heated air indoors. The recycled air indoors can contain germs and allergens like dust and pet dander. Spending time outdoors reduces the amount of time kids are exposed to the germs and allergens in the air indoors, actually making it less likely they will get sick or have allergy trouble. Outdoor play provides an opportunity for kids to exercise large muscle groups while they play games and explore the outdoors. Your child continues to grow during the winter months and daily exercise helps support her muscle development and gives her a chance to practice her motor skills. Also, research studies suggest that exercise can help […]
21. Nov 2019
Santa’s Fantastical: A Holiday Experience in Atlanta
We experienced a night of wonder and merriment at Atlanta’s holiday pop-up Santa’s Fantastical. My four-year-old described it as a visit to the North Pole. This indoor attraction offers interactive photo booths, games, a stage show and visitations with Santa and a bunch of adorable North Pole characters. From the moment you walk-in, you’re transported into a land of magic. Your adventure begins in a large, library viewing area. The walls come to life with interactive characters welcoming you and explaining what to expect inside. Once the doors open, you’re greeted by a breathtaking forest of lit Christmas trees, massive light-covered ornaments, snowflake coated, interactive walls and adorable photo ops. We didn’t get a lot of time to spend in the forest, as my ambitious child followed the sign directing you toward the man in red. Following that sign, we went down a long corridor at “crunched” as you walked as if snow were beneath your feet, the walls glistening like the northern lights. When the hall ends, you’re greeted with numerous options for your holiday excitement. Some of the features you can expect include: Numerous photo opportunities: Many of these photo booths are optical illusions. One photo op placed […]
13. Nov 2019
Pumpkin Dessert Dip
Ingredients: 1 block (8 ounces) cream cheese 1 cup powdered sugar 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice 1 can (15 ounces) pumpkin puree 1 tub (8 ounces) whipped topping, thawed Directions: Beat cream cheese and powdered sugar until light and fluffy. Add pumpkin and pumpkin pie spice. Continue to mix. Slowly add in whipped topping. Mix until well combined. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving. Serve with ginger snaps, graham crackers and/or your favorite fruit. Additional Links: Fall Leaf Globe Keepsake Handprint Towel Hosting Friendsgiving
29. Oct 2019
Leaf Globe
Ingredients Large Mason Jar Glycerin Fall Foil Leaf Confetti Tree Branch from your backyard Hot Glue Gun Water Directions: Collect a small tree branch or twig from your yard. Make sure it’s clean, without peeling pieces of bark that might cloud up your bottle. Trim the tree branch to fit inside your mason jar. Test to make sure that it fits (with the lid close before attaching with glue. Once you have the size you need then add a generous drop of hot glue on the middle of the bottom side of your mason jar lid. Place your tree branch in the middle of the glue and hold until it is set. Glue leaves to the twig and allow to set until all the glue is completely dry. Fill mason jar with water (if using a quart jar this will be about 4 cups), then add the glycerin (I used a little over ½ cup). Stir with a spoon then add a handful of the confetti to the jar. Swirl again with spoon and if the confetti immediately sinks to the bottom then add more glycerin. Place the twig carefully down into the water and twist on the lid tightly. […]
29. Oct 2019
Benefits of Taking your Child to a Theatre Event
Taking your child to a live show is known to have many more benefits than watching a movie or television episode. In fact, studies have shown live theatre provides your child with a lasting impression, children will reference to a character or moment for months to come. Increases Awareness of Emotions: Seeing a live show builds a deeper connection with live, tangible characters than most shows on screen. Young theatre-goers can sympathize with a character’s emotions as well as gain exposure to new emotions and ways to cope with these new feelings. Influences imagination: Oftentimes, a stage show requires a bit of imagination to come to life. A regular stair is a balcony, a broom becomes a tightrope and arms are the wings to an airplane. Seeing a live show teaches your child ways to improvise. The heightened theatrics in movement and props will inspire your child’s imagination. Allows for a more technical experience: Unlike television, a live show gives your child the opportunity to view stage resets, lighting and costume changes. For some children, this technical aspect may be the star of the show. Tips for Going to a Live Show Choose a show based on interests and age: For your child’s first […]
29. Oct 2019
Making the Most of a Nature Walk with the Kids
What better way to spend quality time with your family and get in touch with nature than a fresh, invigorating walk in the woods, along a river, or the beach? What’s more, family hikes make for fun learning opportunities for kids and parents alike. A stone is a stone is a…mineral? Take an excursion along a shoreline to learn about rocks and minerals. Before you go, learn which rocks and minerals are abundant in the area. Take along baggies or plastic containers, a rock and mineral guide, and magnifying glass for viewing the colors, layers and details. As you identify stones, discuss their uses and other neat facts. Sounds of nature Wander through a forest and listen for a variety of bird and animal sounds. Carry a cell phone to record some of the sounds you hear. Listen to the recording again at home and play a game of detective to determine the source of the sounds. Search the Internet to discover the makers of the mystery calls. Photo adventure Capture nature’s splendor. Hiking trails provide plenty of photo opportunities, and kids will love snapping the shots. When you get home, print out the best photos, then create a nature […]
29. Oct 2019
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Welcome to Family and Kids Magazine‘s online parenting resource, serving families of Columbus, Fort Benning, Phenix City and the rest of the Chattahoochee Valley. We strive to be your #1 local magazine for family news, parenting tips, local events and business referrals. Check out our online localized directory for things to do, places to eat, where to shop and almost every other resource a growing family in the Chattahoochee Valley could need. While you’re here, enter our monthly giveaway or submit your child’s photo to be featured in our Hoo’s Cute section of our magazine. We welcome all families coming into our area, whether for a temporary stay or a new place to call home, and hope our magazine guides you through our large community. Pick up a copy of our Family and Kids magazine at our many distribution locations, including all local Chick-fil-as or read the latest issue here.
