HEART Support Group in State College, PA

We believe that “together we can do what we cannot do alone.”

HELPING EMPTY ARMS RECOVER TOGETHER

HEART of Central PA is an organization that provides support for individuals who have experienced pregnancy

loss, still birth, infant death and/or fertility issues.

 We offer two programs:

1. Grief and Loss Support Program – This seven-week program is for parents/couples who have experienced

pregnancy loss, still birth or infant death. The group is led by Evelyn Wald, a licensed professional counselor

specializing in grief and loss, and Jackie Naginey Hook, a former group participant.

Dates: Every Monday from October 4 through November 15.

Time: 7:00 - 8:30 p.m.

2. Fertility Issues and Loss Support Group – This is a monthly support group for women who have experienced

fertility issues and/or pregnancy loss. This group is led by individuals who have had similar experiences.

Dates: The second Wednesday of each month.

Time: 6:30 - 8:00 p.m.

Both groups meet:

CHOICES

2214 N. Atherton Street - Upper Level

State College, PA 16803

These groups are FREE for all participants.

(Initial support provided by the Centre County United Way)

For more information, please visit our website at www.heartofcpa.org or email us at info@heartofcpa.org.

Great Blog on Slow Cookers

www.crockpot365.blogspot.com

O’Dea likes shortcuts. A LOT. She shared her number one cooking shortcut in 2008 when she made a New Year’s Resolution to use her Crock-Pot slow cooker everyday for a year and write about it on the Internet. Her award-winning blog, A Year of Slow Cooking has had more than 8 million visitors from all over the world.

Fast Family Meals - MOPS & Beyond Meeting Thursday, October 14 @ 9:15 AM

We have an awesome meeting planned to kick off the morning M&B group on Thursday, October 14 at 9:15 to 11:15 AM!


Jane Jantzer-Wilson has been cooking and teaching for decades and has a passion to teach parents how to cook fresh and naturally for their families.  She will be teaching and showing us how to prepare kid friendly meals from scratch fast and deliciously!  


A light breakfast will be served due to all the food tasting during the cooking class.  Plus great giveaways to help your kitchen go healthy!


Invite all your mom friends to join us!  We have wonderful childcare for all the children (infants and nursing infants are welcome to stay with mom).


Questions?  Email Sarah here

Crop 'till you Drop Event

Crop ‘till you Drop Event

Where:     Zion Community Church, 3261 Zion Road, Bellefonte, PA  

When:       Friday & Saturday, November 12 & 13

Time:        6:00 pm – 12:00 pm on Friday, November 12

                   8:00 am – 8:00 pm on Saturday, November 13

                   

Cost:          $10

RSVP by November 5th to 

Laurinda Benner @ laurinda@engr.psu.edu or 

Tina Cutler @ tinacutler@embarqmail.com

Details:  A weekend full of cropping, sharing and hanging with friends!  There will be door prizes and other fun treats along with plenty of room to spread out.  You may leave your stuff set up Friday if you are returning on Saturday.  The building will be locked and secure.

·       Please bring a snack, dip or dessert to share and your own drinks

·       Dinner on Friday is on your own (we’ll probably order out if you want to)

·       Lunch (soup and sandwich) will be provided on Saturday

·       Creative Memories Consultant and Stampin’ Up Consultant will be set-up and taking orders

WE HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE!!!!

MOPS International Membership

If you would like to register with MOPS International for the 2010-2011 year, click here


You can register online or at a meeting.  The member is $23.95/year and includes MomSence magazine (a great one to read!), weekly mom-e-mails for a boost of encouragement, MOPS logo “Friends don’t let friends mother alone!” reusable shopping bag, MOPS bumper sticker, No Mom Alone 2-in-1 frame magnet and a bag tag that can be used on luggage, diaper bags or even your gym bag!


PLUS your membership to MOPS International helps moms around the world!!  I encourage you to sign up!

Dine Cheaper in Happy Valley

Eating out is something I love to do - no dishes, everyone eats what they like, and everyone is happy until the bill comes sometimes (especially when you paid $3 for a soda that you didn't get one refill on).  But in the area, families can eat out for a great price at some of the great restaurants.


Applebees - On Monday nights, get one free kids’ entrée with an adult-entrée purchase. Bonus: Additional kids’ meals are just $1 each.


Garfield's - On Sunday, get one free kids’ entrée with an adult-entrée purchase.


Dairy Queen - Sign up for great BOGO coupons at www.blizzardfanclub.com; plus become a fan on Facebook of the Bellefonte DQ for more great deals!


Pizza Hut - Kids age three and under eat free from the lunch buffet.


Bellefonte Wok - Kids age three and under eat free from the buffet everyday.  Children ages 3 to 12 eat at half price.


Burger King - Sign up for Club BK and your child will receive a coupon for a free BK Kids meal at their birthday.


Do you know of more places?   Email me!

Free Parenting Seminars

FREE PUBLIC PRESENTATIONS - FALL 2010

MidStep Child Development of State College is offering free parenting seminars this fall.  

For more information, click here

Recap of Thursday's Meeting

The 1st night meeting of MOPS & Beyond was awesome!  Thanks to all the beautiful ladies who came out and we missed all you couldn't make it out.  And welcome to the new faces :)

A recap of last night

Quick Tips - 

• Use plastic frisbees as plates in the car for those eating on the run times.  They have a rim to keep the food on the 'plate' and they are dishwasher safe.
• Decorate a clipboard for each child to hold important papers you need to fill out.  Hang them up by the door to remind you of important things!
• Book review of The Survivor's Club and Llama Llama Red Pajama.

Creative Lunch Tips - 

• Purchase FoodWriter Edible Markers to write notes to your child on their bananas, cookies, etc.
• More tips available in a packet of information available at the next meeting!

Notes from Joan's talk - 

• Anything is good in moderation!  Learn to read nutrition labels and find foods are best for your family.
• Aim for low amounts of fat, saturated fat, cholesterol, and sodium.
• Aim for high amounts of potassium, fiber, vitamins A & C, calcium, and iron.
• Look at serving size and number of servings per package or container.
• Look at % Daily Value (DV) - 5%-low  20% high
• Low fat = 3 grams or less per serving
• Lite = 1/3 fewer calories or 50% less fat
• Fat free = less than 0.5 grams per serving
• Low sodium = 140 mg per serving or less
• Sodium free = less than 5 mg per serving
• Trans fat free = less than 0.5 mg per serving
• Reduced = 25% less of a nutrient or calories

Reading Labels

Look at caloric content.

Look at total grams of  Fat-less than 3 grams.

Look at total mg of sodium- less than 140 mg.

Check out portion size.

Summary

Moderation is key.

Watch portion sizes.

If  a claim sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

Examine nutritional labels.

Make dietary lifestyle changes slowly.

Keep going!

Creative Lunches & Pantry Redo - Thursday, September 16 @ 7 PM!

Our 1st meeting of the year is Thursday, September 16 from 7:00 - 8:30 PM at Zion Community Church.

I'm so excited to get this year started and meet so many new moms since this group is now for moms of children of ALL ages!  So grab your girlfriends, fill up the Swagger Wagon, and come on over!

Refreshments provided by your Steering Team and a great giveaway to help your pantry become healthier :)

Joan Savage, a Nutritionist at Geisinger, is our special speaker.  She will be giving alternatives for all our pantry staples along with tips to keep kid's lunches healthy and fun!

Contact Sarah with any questions!

Help Needed for State College MOPS Group

One of our sister groups, State College MOPS, is looking for wonderful people to help with childcare.  Read more below!

When was the last time you were a hero because you could tie a knot? You can make a difference. 

MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) helps mothers of young children (newborn through kindergarten) experience authentic community and God's love through relationships and resources.

We are seeking loving women and men to share Christ and His love with these children through hugs, dancing, bible stories, songs and crafts.  Serving children for the kingdom of God is a critical part of this ministry.

MOPS meets at Calvary Baptist Church on University Dr. the 1st and 3rd Tues. of the month starting 9/21 till 5/17 from 9-12am.Transportation and breakfast provided. 

To volunteer in this ministry, please call or email me.

Blessings,

Sherry Nichols
san35@comcast.net

5 Ways Babies Are Like Celebrities

1. People are constantly pointing cameras at them.
2. Teenage girls love to talk about how cute they are.
3. Hitting the bottle is just how they roll.
4. Naked photos? Inevitable.
5. They've got chauffeurs, chefs, and personal stylists (of course, in your baby's case, that's just you).

- Charlotte Latvala, Parents Magazine 2010

No-Bake Strawberry Granola Bars - www.allbran.com

Joan Savage, our guest speaker for Thursday's meeting, wanted to share this great recipe!

Enjoy!

No-Bake Strawberry Granola BarsPrep Time: 15 minutes

Ingredients

1/3 cup	honey
1/4 cup	sugar
2 tablespoons	butter or margarine
1 teaspoon	grated orange peel
1/2 teaspoon	cinnamon
2 1/2 cups	Kellogg's® All-Bran® Strawberry Medley cereal
1 cup	quick-cooking oats
1/2 cup	dried mixed fuit bits or finely chopped dried apricots

Directions1. Line 9 x 9 x2-inch pan with foil. Lightly coat with nonstick cooking spray. Set aside.

2. In medium saucepan combine honey, sugar, butter, orange peel and cinnamon. Cook and stir over medium-high heat until boiling over entire surface. Boil for 1 minute. Remove from heat. Stir in KELLOGG'S ALL-BRAN Strawberry Medley cereal, oats and fruit bits. Firmly press into prepared pan. Cool completely. Cut into squares. Store in airtight container at room temperature for up to 48 hours. 

A Great Article for Stay At Home Moms Trying to Explain There Day ...

Lunchbox Tips from friends on Facebook!

I asked my Facebook friends for lunch box tips and I have to share them with you!  Enjoy!

Peanut butter & carrots
Wraps - using tortillas instead of bread
Kraft has great ideas - www.kraftkitchen.com 
Napkin notes :) or if that is embarrassing to them - write on the Ziploc baggies so its like secretive!
Fruit cups, applesauce
Freeze Go-Gurts (they thaw by lunchtime)
Craisens, raisin boxes
Cookie Cutter Sandwiches - different shapes everyday
Grapes, mandarin oranges, apples
Colored saran wrap

Thanks gals and guys!

A Great Quote

When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left, and could say, "I used everything you gave me." ~Erma Bombeck

Creative Lunches & Pantry Redo - Thursday, September 16 @ 7 PM!

Our 1st meeting of the year is Thursday, September 16 from 7:00 - 8:30 PM at Zion Community Church.

I'm so excited to get this year started and meet so many new moms since this group is now for moms of children of ALL ages!  So grab your girlfriends, fill up the Swagger Wagon, and come on over!

Refreshments provided by your Steering Team and a great giveaway to help your pantry become healthier :)

Joan Savage, a Nutritionist at Geisinger, is our special speaker.  She will be giving alternatives for all our pantry staples along with tips to keep kid's lunches healthy and fun!

Contact Sarah with any questions!

Lunchbox Lessons - Tips of Packing Lunches

Weis Markets puts out a free magazine monthly called Healthy Bites.  They had a great article about packing lunches.

Click here for the article and pick up your free magazine next time you are at Weis (located at Customer Service Desk).

Lunch Box Tip - Bananaograms!

Today, I packed Havyn's 1st ever lunch and snack for Kindergarten.  Wanting to be a 'cool' mom, I wrote "I Love You" on her banana!  She loved it!

So grab a marker (non-toxic) and go bananas!

Just Kids Resale - FRIDAY & SATURDAY!

Gena Henry, a MOPS & Beyond mom, started Just Kids Resale over a year and a half ago in Bellefonte, PA!  I love it because of all the selection of consignment items where I can find toys for cheap, clothes priced better than clearance, and I can sell items to make money all in one shot!

Check out her website here for all the details!

Tips from a Kindergarten Teacher for us 1st Time Parents!

A beautiful gal, Megan Burks, is a Kindergarten Teacher in Northern Virginia and I have known for years.  I recently asked her for advice for a 1st time mom sending her 1st child to Kindergarten!  I'm sharing it with you!  Enjoy!


Kindergarten is SUCH a fun age and a great time to be in school.  The beginning may be a bit rocky for your child as well as the parent. With that said, keep everything as routined as possible from the very beginning. It may be easier on your heart to (for example: drive her to school the 1st day instead of putting her on the bus). My advice is DON'T...resist the temptation...no matter how sad/anxious you/her may feel, pump her up and cry later. :) From my experience the kids adjust SO much faster, if the parents are consistent with routine from the 1st day.  Plan a special outing with just her the afternoon of the big day, too. She'll have something to look forward to all day.


If you're able...volunteer in the classroom.  Let her teacher know that you'd be willing to do whatever. I love when parents are specific (ie: room mom, take home folder stuffer, prepare teaching materials, work with small groups of kids, work in the library, etc.). 


Don't be afraid to communicate with her teacher about WHATEVER. I just had open house and dealt with a bawling mother and a parent who asked if there was a phone that her son could talk to her on during the day. :) Don't feel silly for sharing a question/emotion...let her know this is your first go around with kindergarten.  


Lastly, don't feel pressure to compare or comment on various students' progress. The number one question i get at conferences is: 'where does he/she rank among the other kids.' HATE THAT ??!!! and I never answer it. Kindergarten (in my opinion) is about having fun, and growing socially...learning how to be at school and explore the learning process. Some parents stick their noses' into business that isn't theirs.  I don't know where your child at socially or academically, but just know that everything evens out at the end of the year... PROMISE! Curriculum wise handwriting is a toughy and will bring about frustration at some point...just go with it and keep practicing...same with learning money (that's the toughest math unit for my kiddos).  


Things to practice on a regular basis: writing first/last name, learning sight words, knowing letter ID and letter sounds. 


All in all--stay consistent from the beginning, be postive, share your thoughts with the teacher and get involved in some way at the school. It really will be a fantastic year, it's just making it a part of everyones' routine that takes getting used to.

Ladies Night Out - 2000 Degrees & 'NDulge Cupcakes

Join us on Monday, September 27 for a ladies/moms night out at 2000 Degrees catered by 'Ndulge Cupcake Shop!  Come anytime between 6 and 7 PM to pick a beautiful piece of ceramic to paint (prices from $5 to $50 each) and learn some great techniques that will make your masterpiece.  You don't need to be an experienced painter to give it a try!  A flat studio fee (to cover paint, brushes, etc) is $6 for the entire evening!  So grab your girl friends and enjoy a night out!!!

Playdate on September 21st

Playdate at Tricia's House
When: Tuesday, September 21st  from 9:30 AM to 11:30AM
Where: 181 Teasel Way, Bellefonte, PA (near the Benner Township Building)
Phone: 814-357-8012
Directions:
Take 550 (West Water Street/Buffalo Run Road) out of Bellefonte towards the airport.
After 3 miles, turn left onto Chicory Ave. (there are red/white/blue welcome flags at the entrance - you have gone to far if you pass the Benner Twp. Building)
Go straight through the stop sign.  The house is the last house on the left in the cul-de-sac.


She has been selected by House Party to host a Fisher Price House Party!  She has been given the hottest new toys this fall for us to 'test drive'.  Come and enjoy!