Flu (Influenza)
September 9, 2014
The flu is an infection caused by the Influenza virus. Symptoms of the flu can be fever, cough, headache or body aches. Antibiotics do not help if you have the flu. Some things you can do to avoid getting the flu are:
1. Wash your hands frequently with soap and water
2. Avoid people you know are sick
3. Get the flu vaccine yearly for all family members
RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus)
September 8, 2014
RSV is the most common cause of bronchiolitis in children. It is usually seen in children two years of age and younger. RSV bronchiolitis occurs more frequently in the Fall and Winter months. Some of the early symptoms include a stuffy or runny nose, mild cough, fever, or decreased appetite. As bronchiolitis progresses, the child might develop a more persistent cough and/or wheezing. Children could also develop difficult, rapid or labored breathing. Young babies might have pauses in their breathing. If your child has these symptoms, you should call the office. Bronchiolitis is not treated with antibiotics. You can reduce the chances of your child getting bronchiolitis by washing hands frequently with soap and water, avoiding people you know are sick and getting a yearly flu vaccine for all family members.
Chicken Chili
September 7, 2014
Ingredients:
4 tbsp Canola oil
2 medium size onions, chopped
2 red bell peppers (cored and seeded)
2 tbsp minced garlic
3lbs boneless chicken breast cut and cubed to bite size pieces
2 cans (28 ounce each) plum tomatoes, crushed with juice
1 tbs tomato paste
1 1/2 cups low sodium chicken broth
1/2 cup dry red wine
3 tbsp chili powder
2 tsp ground cumin
1tsp dried sweet basil
1 tsp dried oregano
1/2 tsp crushed red pepper
1/2 tsp coriander
1 can (16 ounce) garbanzo beans (chickpeas), drained
1 can (16 ounce) red kidney beans, drained
Salt and black pepper to taste
Optional: 6-8 ounce cups cooked rice
Serves 8-10.
Steps:
Place oil in large, heavy casserole or Dutch oven. Over low heat, wilt the onions, red peppers and garlic for 5 minute, stirring occasional. Remove vegetables with a slotted spoon and set aside.
Raise heat to medium and brown the chicken in small batches. When finished, add chicken to casserole along with onions, peppers and garlic.
Add tomatoes, tomato paste, broth, wine, chili powder, cumin, basil, oregano, salt and pepper. Cook, partially covered for 1 1/2 hours.
Stir in beans, cook uncovered for 20 minutes. Adjust seasonings.
1 cup non-fat plain yogurt for optional garnish.
Fruit Salsa with Baked Cinnamon Chips
September 7, 2014
Ingredients:
For the fruit salsa:
2 kiwis, peeled and diced
2 Golden Delicious apples - peeled, cored and diced
8 oz raspberries
1 (16 oz) carton of strawberries, diced
2 tbsp white sugar
1 tbsp brown sugar
2 tbsp fruit preserves, any flavor
For the cinnamon chips:
10 (10 inch) flour tortillas
Melted butter
Cinnamon sugar:
1 cup white sugar
2 tbsp cinnamon
Steps:
In a large bowl, thoroughly mix kiwis, apples, raspberries, strawberries, white sugar, brown sugar, and fruit preserves. Cover and chill in the refrigerator at least 15 minutes while the oven preheats to 350 degrees.
Coat one side of each flour tortilla with melted butter. Sprinkle tortillas with desired amount of cinnamon sugar, cut into wedges, and arrange in a single layer on a large baking sheet.
Bake in the preheated oven 8 to 10 minutes. Repeat with any remaining tortilla wedges. Allow to cool approximately 15 minutes. Serve with chilled fruit mixture. This salsa can also be served with cinnamon graham crackers or cinnamon pita chips. Best when made and eaten the same day otherwise the fruit gives off too much juice and it gets runny.
Roasted New Potatoes and Asparagus
September 7, 2014
Ingredients:
1 bunch fresh asparagus, with thick stalks, ends trimmed, cut in 1 1/2 - 2 inch pieces
1-2 pounds new potatoes, cut in half or thirds (the larger ones)
olive oil
3 cloves garlic, sliced
1 tablespoon dried Italian seasoning, crushed between fingertips
Sea or kosher salt and fresh black pepper
1-2 tablespoons fresh basil or parsley, chopped
Fresh grated Parmesan cheese
Serves 4 as a side.
Steps:
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. In an extra large mixing bowl toss the asparagus, potatoes, 2-3 tablespoons olive oil, garlic, Italian seasoning and plenty of salt and pepper together. Alternately you can use your hands to massage the oil and seasonings into the vegetables. Grease a roasting pan, casserole dish or sheet pan. Roast vegetables about 35-45 minutes until potatoes are tender. Garnish with fresh herbs. Serve with Parmesan cheese.
Pasta with Pistachio Pesto
September 7, 2014
Ingredients:
1½ cups unsalted, shelled roasted natural pistachios
1 cup chopped tomato
2 cloves garlic cloves
1 handful of fresh mint leaves
1 handful of grated Parmesan
1 pinch of crushed red pepper flakes
Freshly ground black pepper
2 tablespoons (or more) olive oil
Kosher salt
1 pound pasta, cooked, cooking liquid reserved
Nutritional Information:
1 serving contains:
Calories (kcal) 220
Fat (g) 18
Saturated Fat (g) 3
Cholesterol (mg) 5
Carbohydrates (g) 9
Dietary Fiber (g) 3
Total Sugars (g) 3
Protein (g) 8
Sodium (mg) 125
Serves 8
Combine 1 1/2 cups unsalted, shelled roasted natural pistachios, 1 cup chopped tomato, 2 garlic cloves, a handful of fresh mint leaves in a food processor. Add a handful of grated Parmesan, a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes, and a pinch of freshly ground black pepper in a food processor until a coarse purée forms. Transfer to a bowl; stir in 2 Tbsp. olive oil (or more) to form a thick, chunky sauce. Season with kosher salt and pepper. Toss 1 cup pesto with 1 lb. freshly cooked pasta, adding pasta cooking liquid by the tablespoonful to form a glossy sauce. You can even chill the remaining pesto to spread on sandwiches!
September Family Fun Activities
September 7, 2014
September 9th: Jacqueline Woodson talks at 10:30 AM at Politics and Prose on Connecticut Avenue about her new book Brown Girl Dreaming.
September 11th and 18th: Tot Rock! Ages 2-7. 10:30AM. Jammin' Java's super-popular kids music concert series. The Great Zucchini is the featured artist of the day. Tickets available at jamminjava.com.
September 12th: Parent's Night Out: The Avengers. Kids 10 and under (potty trained children please). 6-9PM. Fun includes games, rides, activities, free play, dinner and more. Space is limited and preregistration is required. Register at www.my gym.com/bethesda.
September 13th: ABC's (Agility, Balance, Coordination) Soccer Fun. Ages 2 and up. 11AM at Norwood Park in Bethesda. This is a parent participation class that uses simple activities to introduce kids to soccer with the support of two professionally licensed Brit-Am coaches. The fun curriculum will mostly focus on the development of basic motor skills such as jumping, hopping, kicking, running, as well as build self-confidence and improve social skills such as listening and taking turns. Register at brit-am.com.
September 13th: Family Day at President Lincoln's Cottage. All ages. 10AM-3PM at 140 Rock Creek Church Rd NW, Washington, DC. Enjoy live entertainment and activities inspired by the Lincoln family and their life at the Soldiers' Home. Make your own top hat, pony rides and a petting zoo, Civil War reenact ors, Civil War era games, live music and food vendors. lincolncottage.org/familyday2014
September 14th and 18th: Family Ramble-Creek Crawl. All ages. 1:30PM-2:30PM at the Croydon Creek Nature Center in Rockville, MD. Join a naturalist hike through the Hayes Forest Preserve. We provide nets and all equipment to catch and examine creek critters. Register online at rockvillemd.gov.
September 19th-21st: 45th Annual Used Book Sale. All ages. 9AM-7PM, 10AM-6PM (Saturday), and 12PM-6PM (Sunday). Presented by The McLean Branch of the American Association of University Women at the McLean Community Center. Sunday, most books are $10 a bag. Credit cards accepted.
September 20th: Garden Sprouts Sunflower & Scarecrows. Ages 3-5. 11AM-12PM. Comb Green Spring on our autumn scavenger hunt. Help us stuff a friendly scarecrow to watch out Children's Discovery Garden and nibble on sunflower seed snack. Register at fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/greenspring.
September 21st: Rock 'n' Stroller 5k. All ages. 7AM check in, 8AM start. A safe and scenic timed 5k run and walk followed by the Freakin' Fabulous Family Finish Festival, a colorful, fun and music-filled expo headlined by the kid-favorite band Rocknoceros. Register at rocknstroller5k.com.
September 21st: ZooFiesta. All ages. 10AM-4PM. National Zoo, Washington, DC. Animal feedings, arts and crafts, musical entertainment, educational activities highlighting conservation research in Central and South America, and authentic gourmet cuisine at a Latin American inspired food bazaar. national zoo.si.edu
September 22nd: Let's Grow Garden Club. Ages 3-8. 2Pm-3:30PM. Green Spring Gardens, Lincolnia. Kids discover their green thumbs in our three-session fall gardening club. Interesting session themes change for our every-other-Monday meetings to keep minds active for hands-on gardening, crafting, natural science lessons and nature walks. Three sessions total (September 22nd, October 6th, and October 20th) fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/greenspring.
September 30th: Historic Homeschoolers Day. Kids 8-12. 10AM-3PM. Riverdale House Museum, Riverdale Park. Homeschoolers will blast into the past and learn what life was like for children 200 years ago with crafts, games, lessons, and more! Register by September 22nd. pgparks.com
