We enjoy creating new recipes, especially ones that the kids will eat.  And making dinner meals that kids will eat is often a challenge for mom and dad with all the things busy parents have to do.  One of our favorite quick and easy meals, that the kids enjoy, are these mini crabcakes.  Sometimes we also use packaged salmon and make salmon cakes instead.  Both are healthy options to serve some good protein and the kids can even help make the meal.

We serve these tasty little crabcakes with kiwi and a dollop of Dijon sauce.

Ingredients:

8 ounces crab meat

2 tsp Dijon mustard

1 tsp mayo, reduced fat

2 tbsp crushed pineapple

2 tbsp bread crumbs

½ tsp Old Bay seasoning

1 egg

½ tsp lemon juice

Dash of lemon zest

Dash of salt

Dash of pepper

Bread Crumb Mixture:

Bread crumbs

Old Bay seasoning

Salt

Pepper

What to Do:

Mix all ingredients and shape into patties.  Mix bread crumb mixture and dip crabcakes, coating on both sides. Spray skillet with non-stick coating and heat on medium.  Lightly brown crabcakes on each side, approximately 2 minutes per side until cooked through.

Serve with slices of kiwi or pineapple and a dollop of honey Dijon mustard sauce.

Kristin Fitch & Sharon Pierce McCullough

More kid-friendly foods

The experience is one of a kind.  You will encounter animals you would likely not get to see otherwise or at least not on an open plain.  We saw Buffalo, Zebra, many types of Antelopes, llamas, Cattle, Ostriches, and so many other animals.

There is even a Giraffe Feeding station where you can feed and touch a giraffe.  That was a definite highlight.

As you slowly drive through the winding road, you can roll down your windows to feed the animals.  If you have a minivan you can open your sliding doors to feed the animals.  It is a photographer’s dream and a family event to remember.  This is one trip you don’t want to forget your camera and video camera.

You will be given a booklet at the entrance- it has all of the animals listed and the park rules on the back of the book.  It lists three animals you are not to feed.

Cost: per person fee to enter the park

$14.00 adults

$10.00 children

$13.00 seniors

pay $3.00 per bucket of feed (recommend buying 4 buckets for $10.00)

Note:  When letting your kids feed the animals be aware that the larger animals will push down with force and may take the bucket out of their hands.  I would suggest only allowing your kids to feed the smaller, less aggressive animals or have an adult help them hold the bucket.

There is also a 10 acre walking zoo with a few snakes and reptiles, a petting zoo, monkeys, birds, tigers, kangaroos (they looked very old), and a handful of other animals.  The walking zoo is small and nothing to write home about, but it is a nice ending to the experience after being in the car.  The giraffe feeding station made the walking portion worth it.

Learn more at the website: VirginiaSafariPark.com

April showers bring May flowers … but they also bring the need to use umbrellas. If you have to be out at night during a rain shower, why not make it fun? We love these “lighted” umbrellas to lighten and brighten your way.

These umbrellas by Bright Night have graced the pages of VOGUE, ELLE and INSTYLE. The umbrellas come with the cool “umbrella quiver” and sterling silver clasp.

What a perfect and unusual gift for Mothers Day! And they come in a variety of colors and patterns. $38
http://www.bright-night.com/36965/Lighted-Fashion-Umbrellas.html

Should people that make assumptions about costs of coverage or put a price on our child’s health or future be in office? I ask you how do we have so many delegates that are so out of touch with today’s reality?  Please post a comment and weight in on this issue.

Dear Friend:

Thank you for contacting my office regarding your concerns about Senate
Bill 464. Allow me to share the background of my vote. I submitted
legislation, which passed last year and is now in the Code of Virginia,
that requires any mandated coverage carried by private insurers in Virginia
also be included in the medical insurance plans of state employees. These
employees of the Commonwealth are facing pay cuts, mandatory furloughs and
reduced retirement contributions. The least we can do is provide the same
coverage for them that private businesses must offer. Thus, I submitted an
amendment to SB 464 to require that autism spectrum disorder coverage be
included in the state health plan. I stated that I would not support the
legislation if my amendment was defeated. Subsequent to that defeat I
voted against the bill, since it violates state law.

How supporters of SB 464 can call this bill “a good first step,” is a bit
of a mystery, since it does not include large companies that self-insure,
businesses with less than 50 employees, Medicaid recipients or the
thousands of state employees who deserve coverage as well. It seems to
include only small to medium business insurers that are struggling to stay
afloat and can ill afford yet another insurance rate increase. As the
father of a special needs child, I do understand the challenges of raising
an individual with a disability. However, it is my fear that employees of
such businesses, who receive 80-100% personal insurance coverage from their
employers, will stop purchasing coverage for their spouses and children
because it is simply too expensive, especially in a down economy.

Finally, during the bill’s progress it was stated many times that the bill
caps coverage at $36,000 and that it covers only ages 2-6. However,
according to information from the U.S. Department of Health and Human
Services, it is illegal under federal law to either cap the dollar amount
or place age restrictions on coverage. Without these limits, the costs
could be astronomical.

I fully understand why parents of autistic children view the world through
that particular prism, but I must represent all of my constituents. I hope
this adequately explains my reasons for voting against SB 464.

Sincerely yours,

Frank W. Wagner

Have you been looking for kids drinking cups that don’t pose a health risk to your children? Here at Ziggity Zoom we have been searching for safe alternatives to plastic cups and kids dinnerware.  If you have been on the lookout also, you will notice that there hasn’t been much to choose from.  But we’re happy to report about two safe alternatives for your kids rather than the plastic cups they might have been drinking from, containing BPA.

Ecococoon, founded by a Brisbane mother, Libby Versace, who was concerned about the widespread use of BPA in kids drinking cups, offers a set of cups made from food grade stainless steel.   They are sold in a set of six brightly colored cups, outer painted with lead free eco-paint.  Fun, kid-friendly images grace the cups.  Boys  and girls sets are offered and also a Favorite Things set with images below.

• Green dinosaur
• Light blue surfboard
• Royal blue football
• Ruby red strawberry
• Hot pink ice cream
• Purple pony

Our second selection is a great glass for young children that comes with a silicone sleeve from Silikids. This is a great new alternative from the plastic “glasses” that abound for children.  This silicon-covered glass is easy to hold and is a great protection in the event of an accident.

I’m sure in the future there will be many more options, as manufacturers get the message, but for now we highly recommend these two products.

Ecococoon cup set, $39.95           Silikids Silicone Glass, $7.95

* This review was a voluntary review without samples or compensation being provided.

According to an Associated Press story, new research has shown that fish oil pills “may be able to save some young people with signs of mental illness from descending into schizophrenia.” While the study was small, the results are hopeful — especially because of the limited pharmaceutical options and the potentially serious side effects when treating children and teens.  Fish oil has previously been reported to also help kids with ADD and ADHD.

The Austrian study of only 81 patients adds to evidence suggesting severe mental illness might be prevented with the right intervention.  It seems incredibly simple,  but fish oil fits one hypothesis for what causes schizophrenia, a possible difference in how the body handles fatty acids.

Schizophrenia is a severe mental illness that strikes adolescents and young adults. About 2.4 million Americans have the disorder, which is treated with antipsychotic medication.  The signs include sleeping dramatically more or less than usual, growing suspicious of others, believing someone is putting thoughts in their head or thinking they have magical powers. The young people in the study sought professional help and most were referred by psychiatrists at the Medical University of Vienna, Austria.

No one knows what causes schizophrenia but one hypothesis says people with the disease don’t process fatty acids correctly, leading to damaged brain cells.  Omega-3 fatty acids in fish oil could help brain cells to repair and stabilize, the researchers speculate. Some prior studies on omega-3 supplements in people with full-blown schizophrenia have shown benefits.

“The results are very impressive and very striking and really represent a step forward potentially for patients and their families,” said Dr. Neil Richtand, a schizophrenia researcher at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine.

Tomorrow you can make a difference in this child or another person’s life by registering for the Bone Marrow Registry.  It only takes a little while to register (fill out a form and get your cheek swabbed).

I read that 70% of patients that need a Bone Marrow Transplant do not have family members that are matches and have to rely on the registry or cord blood for the bone marrow transplant.

If you want to make a real difference this holiday season and for years to come- sign up for the bone marrow registry.

THIS Saturday, Dec. 19th we are holding a Bone Marrow REGISTRY Drive at
Church of the Holy Family , 1279 N. Great Neck Road, 9:00am – 3:00pm.

I am going to go tomorrow to register for the Bone Marrow Registry.  I hope I am a match for someone and can help them.  I pray my children never have to go through this, but if they did I would hope others would be willing to donate if I were not a match for them.
I was given this information through a local friend.

Many locals may know the extended family).  Debbie and Keith Lowrence are her grandparents.  Debbie is associated with Virginia Beach Cornhole League and VB Hockey League.  Keith was the Kempsville High Wresting Coach for years.  Both are still very active in the area and in Kemspville.

Learn more about Bea

It is only a cheek swab–very easy — Anyone can request a kit be mailed to

their home online at:  www.bethematch.org
Info on BEA can be found at:  www.beasawyers.org
<http://www.beasawyers.org/>
To see the Video/ hear PSA the MARROW registration story, CLICK below:
>
> http://www.marrow.org/NEWS/MEDIA/Public_Service_Announcements/index.ht
> ml

THANKS for you consideration.

Questions / info:

Debbie Lowrance 757 675 7724
Beach Cornhole, VBHL

Kim Odom 757714 3239
BEA’s Grammy
Marrow Drive Contact

B.M. Williams Primary

Principal: Craig K. Mills

1100 Battlefield Blvd. N.
Chesapeake, VA 23320
(757) 547-0238
(757) 547-3475 fax

http://www.cpschools.com/Schools/BMW/index.html

Butts Road Primary School

Mrs. Grace Hopkins, Principal

1571 Mt. Pleasant Road
Chesapeake, VA 23322
Phone: (757) 482-4566
Fax: (757) 482-4066
bripagemaster@cps.k12.va.us

http://www.cpschools.com/Schools/BRI/home.html

Camelot Elementary School

Dr. Stephanie D. B. Johnson- Principal

2901 Guenevere Drive

Chesapeake, VA 23323

Tel:757.558.5347

Fax:757.558.5351

E-Mail .: campagemaster@cps.k12.va.us

http://www.cpschools.com/Schools/CAM/index.html

Cedar Road Elementary

Principal-Michael Bailey

Cedar Road Elementary School
1605 Cedar Road
Chesapeake, VA 23322 757-547-0166

http://www.cpschools.com/Schools/CRE/CRE.htm

E.W. CHITTUM ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Sherry Wilson, Principal

2008 Dock Landing Road

Chesapeake, VA 23321

phone: 757-465-6300

http://www.cps.k12.va.us/Schools/CHT/index.html

Deep Creek Central Elementary

Curtis Lane, Principal

2448 Shipyard Road

Chesapeake, VA 23323

757-558-5356

http://www.cpschools.com/Schools/DCC/index.html

Deep Creek Elementary

Dr. J. Jones- Principal

2809 Forehand Drive

Chesapeake, VA 23323

757-558-5333

email:triolcda@cps.k12.va.us

http://www.cpschools.com/Schools/DCE/index.htm

Georgetown Primary

436 Providence Road

Chesapeake, VA 23325

757-578-7060

gerald.england@cpschools.com

https://www.edline.net/pages/Georgetown_Primary

Grassfield Elementary School

Thomas Rubin- Principal

2248 Averill Drive

Chesapeake, VA 23323

757-558-8923

email:gfegators@cps.k12.va.us

http://www.cpschools.com/Schools/GFE/index.html

Great Bridge Primary School

Mrs. Brenda Wilson- Principal

408 Cedar Road

Chesapeake, VA 23322

757-547-1135

http://www.cpschools.com/Schools/GBP/index.html

Greenbrier Primary School

Mr.Chuck Barnes-Principal

1551 Eden Way, South

Chesapeake, VA 23320

Phone: 757.436.3428

Email: grppagemaster@cps.k12.va.us

http://www.cpschools.com/Schools/GRP/index.html

Hickory Elementary School

MRs. Kim Pinello-Principal

109 Benefit Rd
Chesapeake, VA 23322
(757) 421-7080

http://www.cpschools.com/Schools/HES/index.htm

Rena B. Wright Primary School

Principal: Mrs. Brenda H. Hobbs

600 Park Avenue
Chesapeake, VA 23324

Phone: 757.494.7585

http://www.cpschools.com/Schools/home2.php?school=RBW

Southeastern Elementary School

Leslie Wiggins- Principal

1853 Battlefield Blvd.

Chesapeake, VA 23322

phone: 757-421-7676

http://www.cpschools.com/Schools/SEE/index.htm

Thurgood Marshall Elementary School

2706 Border Road
Chesapeake, VA 23324

Phone: 757.494.7515

http://www.cpschools.com/Schools/TME/index.html

Treakle Elementary School

Hope Terrell- Principal

2500 Gilmerton Rd.

Chesapeake, VA 23323

Phone: 757-558-5361

http://www.cpschools.com/Schools/TES/index.htm

Western Branch Primary School

4122 Terry Drive

Chesapeake, VA

Phone: 757-638-7951

Email: WBPbruins@cps.k12.va.us

http://www.cpschools.com/Schools/WBP/

Dock Landing Road, Chesapeake, VA 23321

2008 Dock Landing Road, Chesapeake, VA 23321

Telephone: 757-465-6300   Fax: 757-465-6304

2008 Dock Landing Road, Chesapeake, VA 23321

Telephone: 757-465-6300   Fax: 757-465-6304

Alanton Elementary

Bayside Elementary

Brookwood Elementary

Centerville Elementary

Christopher Farms Elementary

Cooke Elementary

Principal:

Creeds Elementary

Fairfield Elementary

Hermitage Elementary

Holland Elementary