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A Family favorite and a really pretty easy meal to cook. These easy oriental chicken wings can be served as an appetizer or a full mean if you add some yummy side dishes.

1 package frozen or fresh chicken wings
1 sm. clove garlic
1 scallion
1/4 c. soy sauce
2 tbsp. honey
2 tsp. rice-wine vinegar
1/2 tsp.g rated ginger
1/2 tsp. oriental sesame oil
Pinch of cayenne
1 tsp. sesame seeds
1 tbsp. chopped fresh coriander or
parsley

Remove wing tips and cut wings in half at the joint. (If chicken wings are frozen you can place them in a ziplock bag along with the marinade mix and let set overnight to defrost) Mince garlic and scallion. Combine soy sauce, honey, vinegar, garlic, ginger, oil and cayenne in a bowl. Add wings and turn to coat. Marinate at least 30 minutes, turning twice. Put larger wings at the edge of a baking dish. Bake in oven 20-25 min. on low heat turning twice and continuing to marinate. Transfer wings to a serving plate. Return marinade to oven and cook, partially covered on high for 2 minutes. Pour marinade over wings and turn to coat. Sprinkle with sesame seeds, scallion and coriander.

Check out our Recipe.. no recipe of the week for Easy Enchiladas.

What marks a successful after school program? What are the things that you should look for when enrolling your child into one such program? Other than the obvious advantage of learning something new, successful programs incorporate many things that help the development of the child.

Development of social skills is one of the more important objectives of a good after school program. In a recent survey, parents indicated that while they do want their children to respect others, they also wanted them to gain skills like getting along with other children and getting used to children outside the immediate circle of friends. Many children find it difficult to make new friends and get along with people outside their group.

Good after school programs place special emphasis on security and safety for kids. They keep children out of trouble and keep them safe. A good after school program should be fun, especially when the children are young. If these activities for kids are fun, you will not have to worry about keeping him interested or motivated. To be effective, programs should be organized and structured. They must also suit the age of the child. The child must be aware of the purpose of the program, and must be convinced that they are attending the programs to accomplish something.

Children grow up in a society that demands expertise in everything. You
really cannot sit back and decide that learning from textbooks is enough
for the overall development of your child. It’s the age of specialization
and your child cannot afford to miss out on this window of opportunity.
So, scour your locality for the most advantageous programs and enroll them
for the ones you think are the best.

After school programs are basically designed to develop a talent or a
skill that is ignored by regular schools. These programs could be
educational or recreational in nature. Whatever type they are, they
basically aim to keep the child active and interested.

The most important advantage of a good after school program is that it
widens your child’s area of interests. He or she is introduced to new
things, sometimes interesting, sometimes challenging. Mastering a new art
form or a new skill increases the child’s self-esteem. It also allows you
to introduce your child to new career options. A child attending a music
class may decide that she likes it so much that she wants to make a career
out of it in the long run.

Socialization is another great advantage of after school programs.
Children get to meet others who share their interests and make new
friendships. An acting class or a soccer class can be lots of fun. Many of
these programs coach children for performances or matches. Performing on
stage or playing a match can be a great experience for a young child.

After school programs keep your teenager busy. He or she thus has some
amount of protection from destructive habits like drugs and alcohol.
Surveys indicate that children who are kept busy through diverse absorbing
activities are less prone to abuse, depression and burnout. Significant
increase in achievement and attendance and a reduction in drop out rates
are other advantages of a good after school programs.

Most after school programs have children interacting with one or more
adult. This allows them to benefit from positive relationships with
adults. Children often find it difficult to confide in parents and
teachers, but may open up with other adults.

Many children are put into recreational after school programs so that they
reduce weight and remain healthy. A newly emerging trend shows that about
15% children below the age of 16 are obese. Parents who cannot put their
children on a strict diet resort to sports and games to burn fat. With
cases of child diabetes on the increase, this has become a prime focus of
many after school programs.

A good after school program has many benefits. It keeps the child
entertained as well as busy, and thus prevents children from becoming
addicted to TVs and PCs. By giving them ways to burn up their excess energy
and explore their creativity, after school programs help to shape the
overall personality of the child.

The moms zone understands that when parents send their children for after school programs, they take it for granted that the child is safe. But since the number of children participating in these activities has increased, it is necessary to look into safety issues.

Children are vulnerable when they are outside the classes. While going or returning, they should know the safest route to take. Many kids hang out with their friends just after these classes. Find out ‘danger zones’ from your neighbors and make the children aware of these.

The child has to know how to handle emergencies. It is better to discuss various scenarios with your child. Tell her what she should do in case the class is suddenly canceled. Show her the first-aid kit at home and make sure she knows whom to call in an emergency. Post any important contact information in a place that is easily accessible to the child. If the child will be alone at home, discuss a few unexpected things with her. Tell her to use the safety chain ALWAYS.

Relay on your neighbors and friends when needed. Let your child know who can be contacted at times of emergency. Ask your child to check in by phone. Above all, always tell the child to be in a group. Visiting toilets all alone or going home via isolated streets must always be avoided and the safety for kids should always be our top concern.

What could be better than getting the kids all ready for back to school? ok… well for us at the Moms Zone, we understand how exciting it can be for BOTH moms and kids!! We also know that when the kids are excited to go back… it makes it all that much easier for us to be excited about it! We found some of the cutest.. coolest… and hippest backpacks available. Check ‘em out and tell us what you think!

Kids Honor Roll Skate Backpack
Smaller- kids version- of our “Best Selling” Mens Skate Backpack. With Hurley style and quality this is the only Backpack your little ripper will need.

ecogear™ Kid’s Panda Eco-Pack Backpack

This sassy backpack can double as an every day school bag and traveling companion. It’s washable, wearable and a conversation piece for eco-conscious kids.

CAT Backpack

Looking for something unique? This bag is the cat’s meow, with cargo room!

Insect Life Backpack
This is the one I picked up for my little dude who is starting preschool this year! Sized perfect for smaller kids.

**Looking for a way to make a difference? Donate a backpack or help a teacher out today.

As school time approaches very quickly many kids are running around the stores picking up all the coolest backpacks, clothes, and supplies in excitement for the new school year. Unfortunately for many kids and parents the beginning of the school year can cause a lot of stress especially for those that don’t have the financial means to make the school year start off right.

You can help out this situation and bring a smile to a kids face by donating to one of the many organizations that support this mission. You can choose to donate locally or abroad. Many local school districts have something in place to help this cause as well.

Below are a few of the choices available:

Give a Kid a Backpack
www.giveakidabackpack.org

Give a Kid a Backpack Foundation collects backpacks filled with school supplies and hand delivers them directly to poor children around the world. GKB has delivered to backpacks filled with school supplies to United States, Mexico, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Bahamas, Honduras, Guatemala, Ecuador, Uganda, Afghanistan and the Dominican Republic.

DonorsChoose.org
www.donorschoose.org
“Teachers ask. Donors choose. Students learn.”
Desks, tennis balls, flannel board sets, skeletons, and so much more. Here, teachers ask for online monetary donations to be used for very specific supplies. A good search engine allows donors to search by subject area, types of supplies, school district, and greatest need.

iLoveSchools.com
iloveschools.com
This non-profit site matches donors with needy teachers. Donors can give money or specifically requested goods and receive a receipt for tax deductions. Schools that have been verified are marked with a gold star. Teachers register their needs with the site. Donors respond to requests by corresponding with the teachers via e-mail to find the most efficient ways to meet the needs.

Heat stroke is something that is not thought of too often but is a huge concern in regards to safety for kids. However it is very serious. The biggest reason that people get heat stroke is dehydration. To prevent your children from getting heat stroke it is important that they stay hydrated. Staying hydrated is a major concern in regards to the safety for kids. Make sure to let them know that if they are out side and they suddenly start to feel tired or even just funny that they need to let you know.

Try to let your kids play outside when you know that the sun is not at its hottest point. The sun is usually at its hottest point between eleven am and one pm. You should let your children know that if they want to play out side that is fine but they need to come in and cool down, just make sure that they are not out for long periods of time.

On really hot days it is fun to keep cool by playing with water. Try getting a small pool with a water slide or even just playing around with a hose.

Easy signs to spot if a person is really hot are: their skin is dry, they do not seem coherent, they feel dizzy or lightheaded, feel sick to their stomach, have headache or loss of consciousness. It is very important that you call 911 if you suspect that someone has heat stroke, because ew can never care too much about the safety for kids.

While you wait for the emergency medical personnel to get there the best thing is to try to cool the person down. To do this you can move them to a shady or air conditioned place, wrap them in a damp sheet or spray them with some cool water, have them drink some cool water if they can. Make sure that you check with the doctor if anyone has any medications to see if there could be any side effects from exposure to the sun or heat.

Check out the moms zone additional safety articles: Lead Safety and Our Kids

Here are some really great activities for kids to do outside, inside, or really just about anytime. The moms zone thinks kids and their parents should have lots of choices and enjoy their free time together.

MACARONI JEWELRY
Large macaroni
Yarn

Dip large macaroni into food colors for a few seconds. Lay macaroni on paper towel until dry. Cut yarn long enough for necklace or bracelet. Wrap end of yarn with tape. String macaroni. Tie the yarn ends together.

DRIED APPLE WREATH
Ripe red apples
1/4 c. lemon juice and 1 tsp.
ascorbic acid - per 2 c. cold water
Wooden embroidery hoop
Cinnamon sticks
Ribbon for bow

Do not peel apples, but do core, cut (slice) 1/8 inch thick. Let the slices fall into cold water to prevent rusting. Slice crosswise so you end up with a donut like piece of apple. Drain thoroughly. Spread out on cookie sheet and put in 140 degree oven. Turn once in awhile. Dry until fairly firm. Choose size of wooden embroidery hoop desired and glue apple slices to edge of hoop using hot glue gun or tacky craft glue. Arrange a bow or other decoration and glue on. Garnish with cinnamon sticks as desired.

HOMEMADE CANDLES
Commercial wicks - from some hardware
or craft shop
String can be used or wicks from old
candles
Beeswax
Paraffin
Old candles, melted down
Old crayon for color
Scents and wax colors can be
purchased at some craft supply
stores
Molds - or containers

Beeswax can be cut with a knife if the knife is warmed first. Wrap desired amount around wicks to form long tapers or cone shaped candles. To melt the paraffin you’ll need a double boiler and be real careful about how hot you get it as it is volatile. Old candles can be melted down in the same manner and crayon pieces added for desired color. Yogurt or butter tubs will make good molds for your candles or pour melted wax over crushed ice in a square milk carton and add glitter - wow! Or you can dip the wicks repeatedly into melted wax in double boiler and let harden between dippings for tapers.

FRUIT LEATHER
Whatever fruit you want to use
Powdered sugar if desired

Wash and pit or remove seeds, grind up or mash. Spread out thinly on cookie sheet. It can be sun dried or use your dehydrator or a warm oven (don’t get it too warm or you’ll scorch the leather). When it is dry, cut it in strips and roll up tightly. You can coat with powdered sugar by sprinkling some on your
breadboard and patting the strips in the sugar until its worked in. Store in airtight container in cool place.

So you gave pound to a toddler, claims the doctor! Does this mean your baby will be labeled with this “large” size forever? Or was baby born very small and you are afraid that this his future small size could hinder his abilities?

Guess again, baby weight has nothing to do with adult weight. If you were 5 pounds at birth, you can grow into a very large body builder. And if you had a 10 pound baby, she can still become as petite as can be down the road.

At about 1 -2 years of age, their weight will about even out with their height and age. As long as the baby is in their growth curve the baby is healthy and developing fine.

The problem with “big” babies, “bigger” toddlers, and even “bigger” kids are not with genetics are their birth weight, but with their environment. If you give your 12 month old unhealthy foods, sweets and salty foods, this will curve their appetite to liking only particular types of foods, and ones that are not so good for them. A great baby tip: the most important thing to give them, ONCE they have started and welcomed most all of the food groups is to make sure you try lots of variety.

Babies and toddlers have NEVER tried candy bars, soda, sugar drinks, but most likely if you give it to them, they will like it. Most all of us enjoy the sweetness in our palettes, HOWEVER if you never give them sweets, they will never know what they are missing! So they actually think that unsalted strained peas are good! Don’t think they are missing out just because they don’t eat cake and ice cream, they are perfectly content with their cheerios, whole grain pasta, sliced bananas, and other healthy foods.

If you can get babies and toddlers to like fruits, vegetables, and whole grains early on then you don’t have to struggle quite as much when they are older. Just don’t get too comfy with all the variety, because just as you think you have it nailed down, their tastes change and those hundred boxes of toddler mac-n-cheese will go to waste!

*Please note that we are not doctors nor heath experts and always recommend seeing a physician in any event. We are just here to provide information and all statements should be read as for informational only and not meant to diagnosis or provide treatment in any way.

Tired of the same, boring meal? Click here to download the ALOT Recipe Toolbar.

Easy Enchiladas:

A bag of corn or flour tortillas
2 small cans of enchilada sauce
a bag of shredded cheese
a bag of frozen chicken
an onion, chilies, peppers or whatever other veggies you like.

Place some of the frozen chicken into a pot of boiling water.  Use one piece per family member or more depending on the size of your baking dish. I like to boil it because it keeps the chicken nice and tender. Once the chicken is cooked and cooled, cut it up into small pieces.

Pour some of the enchilada sauce in the pan, throw a couple of tortillas over then start layering with your chicken, cheese, onion, sauce, and tortilla. There really is no science here. When you are done, I like to leave some cheese on top, place it into the oven to bake for about 35-45 minutes, again depending on the size.

When it is done, let it cool a bit, cut it up and serve it with some sour cream and a dinner salad. A great super easy meal the whole family will like.

The Moms Zone Alternatives: You can use red or green sauce, ground beef or turkey, peppers, rice, or veggie.

Cooking is a great way to get the whole family involved. You can even make cooking time into activities for kids and have them particiapte at least once a week for something fun.