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Valentine’s Cookie Popcorn
Ingredients: 16 cups popcorn 16 oz candy coating 3 tbsp of cookie butter 1/2 cup candy melts 1/2 cup of M&Ms Sprinkles Directions: Pop your popcorn and place in a large bowl. Next, melt your vanilla candy coating in the microwave according to the package directions. Then add the cookie butter to the melted chocolate. Stir until combined. Drizzle the coating over the popcorn. Stir until evenly coated. Mix in M&Ms and then spread out on wax paper. Melt your colored candy melts in the microwave and then drizzle on top of the popcorn. You can always add a few drops of food coloring to white chocolate chips as well. Top with sprinkles. Enjoy! courtesy of: iheartnaptime.net
9. Feb 2020
Coaching your Child to Success
Coaching your child to success When kids engage in annoying behavior, such as destroying toys by taking them apart or trying to ‘boss’ siblings around, your first reaction might be to discourage the behavior. However, before you tell your child “Don’t do that anymore!” take a moment to consider that the annoying behavior may stem from a key strength possessed by your child. Your child’s strengths are part of her personality, and your goal is not to change who she is. Instead, your task is to help your child explore her key strengths and learn how to use them successfully. By doing so, you are teaching her to love and accept who she is. Connect to better understand your child’s behavior and core strengths From the moment our kids are born, we all have dreams of who they will be and what they will accomplish. As your child grows and aspects of her core strengths appear, it can be a little hard to accept that your child does not exactly match who you thought she would be. This may especially be true if her personality and interests do not match yours. However, once you have ‘let go’ of your idea […]
1. Feb 2020
Spying Eyes of Smart Devices
During the holiday season, many families added a smart TV or a digital assistant to their household inventory of electronics. These smart devices allow you to use voice commands to place a call or to start streaming an episode of your favorite Netflix show without having to get off the sofa. However, there may be a downside to the convenience provided by smart devices. If a smart device is always listening for commands and is connected to the internet, could it pose a privacy risk? Here are some measures you can take to reduce the data you may be sharing: Secure your smart TV and minimize data collection/sharing Smart TVs are connected to the internet but are not as well protected as computers, making them vulnerable to hacking. Smart TVs may also collect data on what you watch through a process called Advanced Content Recognition (ACR). ACR data, along with info that can identify you, such as your device ID and your location, is sent to the manufacturer and the manufacturer’s business partners. You cannot review or delete this data and it may be used for targeted advertising. Steps to maximize privacy and prevent your smart TV from being […]
1. Feb 2020
Expand their Palate and Knowledge with Cultural Food
Pizza, chicken tenders and french fries, it’s the diet for many American children. As parents, we often find ourselves in this complacency with our children’s palate. We allow them to eat the same fruits, veggies and meals day-after-day because it’s easier than arguing with them, and at least they’re fed, right? Expand your child’s palate by creating an adventure with their meal by trying new cultural foods. The Chattahoochee Valley is home to an array of locally-owned restaurants that offer exciting textures and flavors for you and your little one’s taste buds. If you’re a little hesitant to feed your child a falafel instead of a fry, we’ve got some tips to make this dining outing successful: Make it a Fun Lesson: These ethnic dining locations are often filled with culturally appropriate décor, photos and music. Make your dining experience more than just the food. Teach your child about the area where the meals originated. A simple google search for “fun facts about Germany” can give you lots of interesting information for table discussion. If your child is already familiar with the culture, consider discussing the food itself on the menu. For example, where olives are grown, how they’re harvested and […]
31. Jan 2020
Enrolling in GA Pre-K
Although the 2020 school year seems awhile away, local schools are preparing their open enrollment for GA Pre-K. The Pre-K program is unique to our state and has many other states curiously watching to see the positive effects it has on Georgia students. Georgia is the first state to offer Pre-K to all children, not only those in certain income brackets. The Georgia Pre-K program is funded by the Georgia State Lottery and has no effect on taxpayers, likewise, local taxes have no effect on GA Pre-K funding. This may be the first you’re hearing of this educational program. If so, we’ve got the answers to your most FAQs: Who is eligible for Pre-K? If your child is a Georgia resident and will be 4 by September 1, they’re eligible for GA Pre-K. However, the program is limited to its availability, and many schools enroll based on a lottery system. So, even if you sign up for a Muscogee County School District Pre-K program, you may want to enroll at other area schools, just to be sure a spot is secured. Where is GA Pre-K offered? Muscogee County School District offers Pre-K at 15 elementary schools, plus there are local […]
31. Jan 2020
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
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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.
