Evian Roller Babies US
Berry Shortcake
July 4, 2009 by Dan
Filed under Kids in the Kitchen
By Alicia Cantrell
July 4, 2009
Description
Festive, fruity and delicious cake for all of your patriotic holidays.
Ingredients
Dough:
2 3/4 Cups Cake Flour
1/4 Cup Sugar
1 Tbsp plus 1 Tsp Baking Powder
Tsp Salt
10 tbsp chilled unsalted butter
1 cup heavy cream
Berry Mixture
1 pint blueberries
1 pint raspberries
1 pint strawberries
2 Tbsp sugar
1 tbsp lemon juice
1 tsp orange zest
1 can of whipped cream
Directions
In a food processor, combine cake flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Mix until just combined by turning the processor on and off quickly a few times. Add butter then pulse until just combined. With the motor running, pour heavy cream through the feed tube, just before the dough forms a ball.
Lightly flour a work surface and gently knead the dough until it forms a smooth ball. Roll out dough to a round 3/4 inch thick. Cut the dough into 7 circles with a 3-inch cookie or biscuit cutter. Knead the leftover scraps together, roll and cut out 3 more circles.
Line one baking tray with parchment paper and arrange the dough circle on tray. Brush the tops with heavy cream and sprinkle lightly with sugar. Bake for 5 minutes in a 375 degree oven and then reduce the heat to 350 degree oven. Bake for another 25 to 30 minutes, or until the cakes are golden and firm to the touch.
While the dough cools, mix the berries. Combine 1 pint blueberries, 1 pint raspberries, and 1 pint strawberries with 2 tbsp sugar in a large mixing bowl. Then add 1 tbsp lemon juice, and 1 tsp orange zest. Gently mix and set aside.
When ready to serve, split each shortcake in half and warm slightly. Place the bottom half of the shortcake on a dessert plate. Squirt whipped cream on the cake and arrange a cup of the berry mixture over and around the ice cream. Top with the additional whipped cream. Serve immediately while the shortcake is still warm.
Prep Time: 15 Min
Cook Time: 30 Min
Total Time: 45 Min
Servings: 6
Source: Eversave
Editor’s Note: We would like to know what you think? dan@youngchronicle.com
4 of July Patriotic Punch Cups
July 4, 2009 by Dan
Filed under Arts and Crafts
by Family Fun
July 4, 2009
Look-alike plastic cups have a way of losing themselves in a crowd. Reduce mix-ups (and waste) with guest-decorated designs.
CRAFT MATERIALS:
 |
Plastic cups |
|
Large and small star stickers (red, white, and blue) |
|
Placard |
|
Marker |
| Time needed: 30 Minutes or Less | |
1. Add a large red, white, or blue star sticker to each cup, along with a few smaller stars for decoration.
2. Next to an assortment of markers, set up a placard directing guests to choose a cup for the event and write their name on it.
Source: Family Fun
Editor’s Note: We would like to know what you think? dan@youngchronicle.com
Kids Craft – Making of the American Flag
July 4, 2009 by Dan
Filed under Arts and Crafts
By Family Fun
July 4, 2009
Celebrate the country’s birthday with the fanfare it’s due — waving a handmade fan that looks like the American flag.
| CRAFT MATERIALS: | |
|
17- by 5 1/2-inch piece of white paper |
|
Ruler |
|
Pencil |
|
Red and blue markers |
|
Pushpin |
|
Plastic drinking straws |
|
Paper fastener |
|
Tape |
| Time needed: Under 1 Hour | |
- In the upper left-hand corner of the paper, measure and mark a rectangle that’s 8 1/2 inches wide and 3 inches high. Draw rows of stars within the rectangle and then color around them with blue marker.
- Divide the rest of the paper into stripes and color every other one red. Now fold the paper accordion style.
- Create a frame for the fan by using the pushpin to poke a hole through each straw, 1 inch from the bottom. Then, join the three straws with the paper fastener.
- Spread apart the top of the straw frame, fit the flag onto the frame, and tape it in place.
Source: Family Fun
Editor’s Note: We would like to know what you think? dan@youngchronicle.com
The Rockets’ Red Glare!
July 4, 2009 by Dan
Filed under Young Voices
By Editor Suzanne Freeman
July 4, 2009
I may need a boat to see any fireworks this Fourth of July. I’m staying on a lake in Central Texas for the summer. Normally the small towns in the two counties here compete with each other for the best holiday fireworks displays. The bad economy has put a damper on the patriotic fervor in the Texas Hill Country, this year.
In the Highland Lakes, which is about 40 miles west of Austin (the state’s capital), the problem is not just the economy though. While the cost of a community fireworks display led the Marble Falls Chamber of Commerce to cancel its town’s pyrotechnics, the drought has also played a role.
Burn bans are in effect throughout Burnet and Llano counties, and yet fireworks stands are open to the public along almost every major roadway. Volunteer fire departments plan to be on alert all weekend long. (Kid Reporter Quinn Jacobson is here covering that story for The River Cities Daily Tribune, one of the local papers. More on his cool summer internship later!)
In this area of Texas, only Kingsland and Horseshoe Bay will feature community fireworks, and both of those are on the water. Kingsland, which is a small community about 50 miles west of Austin, is still holding its annual Aqua Boom fest. And just as the name suggests, it’s all about the water: boat parades and fireworks center lake.
Just try and rent a boat around here on the Fourth of July! Well, I have and it’s not happening, so me and mine will be straining our necks on very dry land for a glimpse of the rocket’s red glare!
What about you? What are you doing for the Fourth? What is your community planning (or not)? Click on the blue comment link below and tell us all about it!
Editor’s Note: PHOTO: Part of the Aqua Boom 4th of July Boat Parade in Kingsland, Texas, 2008. Photo courtesy The Picayune.
We would like to know what you Think? dan@younghronicle.com
Source: Scholastic News Online
Children Bleeding Disorders
By Michael K. Davis, MD
July 3, 2009
Bleeding is the leakage of blood from blood vessels. This may be due to injury or illness. Bleeding after a minor injury is typically quickly controlled with the normal process of blood clotting and constriction of blood vessels. There are disorders of blood clotting that can lead to excessive bleeding from even minor injuries. Mild clotting disorders may actually be helpful later in adulthood when strokes and heart attacks result from blood vessel damage and blood clots.
Clotting is a complex process which involves multiple proteins in the blood and tissues as well as platelets. Platelets are formed in the bone marrow and act as first responders to sites of blood vessel injury. Platelets help plug blood vessel holes by sticking to the damaged areas and “spinning” a fibrin web to keep blood cells from leaking out. Hemophilia and Von Willebrand disease are blood clotting disorders that some children are born with.
What is abnormal bleeding?
Bleeding is considered abnormal when it occurs at unexpected times, in unexpected places or lasts longer than expected. Some examples of abnormal bleeding would include:
- excess bleeding from circumcision in a newborn male
- frequent nose bleeds
- frequent bleeding from the gums
- excess menstrual bleeding in females
- easy bruising
- blood in urine or stools
- excess bleeding after an injury or surgery
- bleeding into muscles or joints
- <>small pinpoint bruises under the skin or mucous membranes (called petechiae)
What causes abnormal bleeding?
Genetic causes
- Hemophilia and Von Willebrand disease – caused by the absence or deficiency of a clotting protein.
- Platelet deficiency or abnormal platelet function
- Abnormal blood vessel diseases or syndromes
Drugs or vitamins
- Many medications can slow down the production of platelets and other blood products
- Deficiency of vitamin K
- Deficiency of vitamin B12 or folate
- Aspirin and other medications impair the function of platelets
Illness
- Production of platelets and clotting proteins can be impaired
- Blood vessels may become leaky due to abnormal inflammation
- Abnormal uncontrolled blood clotting and bleeding may occur in severe illness (i.e., sepsis)
Low platelet count
- Decreased production (i.e., illness or genetic causes)
- Increased consumption (i.e., idiopathic thrombocytopenia, sepsis, bleeding)
Liver disease or malnutrition
- Poor production of clotting protein
- Poor absorption of vitamin K or other nutrients
How is a bleeding disorder diagnosed?
- Your doctor will perform a history and physical exam.
- Blood tests include “coags” or prothrombin time (PT), partial thromboplastin time (PTT), and a platelet count.
- More sophisticated blood tests are available if necessary
How is a bleeding disorder treated?
This depends on the cause. Acute bleeding should be treated by applying pressure and seeking medical care. Bleeding disorders are often referred to a hematologist (blood specialist).
Source: Dr Tummy
Editor’s Note: We would like to know what you think? dan@youngchronicle.com
Next week we will talk about: Hypothyroidism.
Kat’s has Asthma and Still Plays Sports
By Elana Pearl Ben-Joseph
July 1, 2009
Look at Kat go! She’s 12 and she loves soccer and track and field events, like running and jumping. She even qualified for the National Junior Olympic Cross Country Championships. Unless you saw her using her inhaler, you would never guess that she has asthma.
Asthma is a lung problem that can make it difficult to breathe. Breathing, as you know, is pretty important when you’re running a race or charging down the soccer field. Your body needs the oxygen it gets from breathing to work properly. And your body needs even more oxygen when you’re exercising.
So how does Kat do it? Let’s find out:
(Q) How old were you when you first discovered you have asthma?
(A) I was 8 years old and in the third grade.
(Q) What happened that led you and your family to think you might have asthma?
(A) My mom says I had a bad cough that sounded like a bark and it just would not go away.
(Q) Did you have a lot of tests, and what were they like?
(A) I had a pin test where they injected (under my skin) tiny amounts of the stuff that can cause allergies. I had that test because allergies can cause the symptoms of asthma or make asthma worse. They also put a “sleeve” on my finger to measure the amount of oxygen in my blood. And I had to blow as hard and as long as I could into a peak flow meter so they could figure out how well my lungs work.
(Q) How did you feel when you first heard you had asthma?
(A) I did not exactly know what it meant so I did not care too much. But when I learned what it was and what it meant I was scared and thought I would not be able to play sports anymore. Luckily, I didn’t have to stop.
(Q) What’s the hardest part for you about having asthma?
(A) Having to remember to take my medicines I would say is very hard, but also remembering what makes my asthma act up is pretty difficult.
[Smoke and cold air are two things that make Kat’s asthma get worse.]
(Q) What does it feel like when you have an asthma flare-up? Some people describe it as “like breathing through a straw” or “drowning above water.”
(A) I actually have never had a real flare-up, but when I have breathing trouble, my throat loses the moist feeling. I feel like no air will go through or down my throat, like a boulder rolled over my throat blocking air. Like someone once said about having asthma, “I feel like a fish out of water.”
(Q) What do you do to prevent yourself from getting an asthma flare-up?
(A) I follow my doctor’s advice about taking my medicine.
[This includes controller medicine taken every day and “rescue” medicine she takes if she feels breathing trouble starting to happen.]
Taking my medicine has prevented me from having a big, dramatic asthma flare-up. Whenever I feel breathing trouble about to start, I take a puff on my inhaler. I do this even in the middle of a soccer game, which I really don’t like but know I need to do! Before every sporting event I take two puffs, one dose, on my inhaler. And because cold air will make my asthma worse, I wear a ski mask over my face when I’m outside or competing. I wear the mask because it warms the air before I breathe it.
(Q) As an athlete, what is the most challenging thing about managing your asthma?
(A) Knowing when to take my inhalers and remembering which one is for sports is challenging, but it is a lot easier now. Also, coming out of a soccer game to take my medicines is hard because I love to play the game.
(Q) You play two sports (track and soccer) where competing and success depend on how hard you push yourself. How do you do this and still manage your asthma?
(A) I do not let sports take over my life, and if I can’t breathe easily, I will take a break from the sport or go back to my doctor and see what is wrong. Also, my coaches are supportive and make sure I use my inhalers when I need to.
(Q) How do your teammates handle your asthma?
(A) The people on my soccer team always ask me if I am OK.
(Q) Many kids don’t have asthma. What do they need to know about it?
(A) That asthma is not contagious.
(Q) What tips or encouragement would you give to other kids who have asthma and want to play sports?
(A) Go for it, but make sure it is OK with your doctor. And if your asthma acts up, remember it is OK to take a break during practice, a game, or race.
Source: Kids Health
Editor’s Note: We would like to know what you think? dan@youngchronicle.com
Fireworks & Safety Tips : How to Shoot Roman Candles
Safer Fireworks for Children
Grilling safety tips
July 4, 2009 by Dan
Filed under Safety Tips
by Sparky
July 2, 2009
Editor’s Note: On this 4th of July, we will probably be cooking outside. We as Parents it is our responsibily be sure sure are kids are safe and know the rules of cooking on the grill. We also have a video that you can watch in our video section.
We would like to know what you think? dan@youngchronicle.com
Fire in the grill, under hot dogs and burgers, is a welcome sight at the family cookout. But fire anywhere else can make your summer kick-off barbecue memorable for all the wrong reasons.
Safety tips
- Propane and charcoal BBQ grills should only be used outdoors.
- The grill should be placed well away from the home, deck railings and out from under eaves and overhanging branches.
- Keep children and pets away from the grill area.
- Keep your grill clean by removing grease or fat buildup from the grills and in trays below the grill.
- Never leave your grill unattended.
Charcoal grills
- There are several ways to get the charcoal ready to use. Charcoal chimney starters allow you to start the charcoal using newspaper as a fuel.
- If you use a starter fluid, use only charcoal starter fluid. Never add charcoal fluid or any other flammable liquids to the fire.
- Keep charcoal fluid out of the reach of children and away from heat sources.
- There are also electric charcoal starters, which do not use fire. Be sure to use an extension cord for outdoor use.
- When you are finished grilling, let the coals completely cool before disposing in a metal container.
Propane grills
Check the gas tank hose for leaks before using it for the first time each year. Apply a light soap and water solution to the hose. A propane leak will release bubbles. If your grill has a gas leak, by smell or the soapy bubble test, and there is no flame, turn off the gas tank and grill. If the leak stops, get the grill serviced by a professional before using it again. If the leak does not stop, call the fire department. If you smell gas while cooking, immediately get away from the grill and call the fire department. Do not move the grill.
Source: NFPA Sparky the Fire Dog