“I like to choose an easy dessert with creative twists that can carry me through the season,” says Mary Beth Harrington, a McCormick Kitchens flavor and baking expert, “That way, when it’s time to celebrate – whether I’m playing host to a large party or bringing a dessert to a spring gathering – I never have to wonder what I’m making, and I never serve the same dish twice.”

Lemon Cheesecake Bars are Mary Beth’s sweet inspiration for the season. A classic spring flavor, lemon adds a unique twist to simple cheesecake bars, making them a refreshing hit for all ages. For a new take, substitute the lemon extract with other seasonal tastes, like fragrant orange or fruity raspberry extracts. And, for a special garnish, top the cheesecake with a fresh berry topping, which can be personalized with your favorite blend of berries and a touch of vanilla extract.

You can find more flavorful twists on go-to recipes on www.McCormick.com. While you’re there, take a peek at the “My Look Book” feature. These digital scrapbooks are a hub for spring inspiration, featuring a collage of dazzling images and mouthwatering recipes.

Lemon Cheesecake Bars

Makes 24 servings
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Refrigerate Time: 4 hours

1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
1/3 cup butter, melted
1/2 teaspoon McCormick Ground Ginger
3 packages (8 ounces each) cream cheese, softened
1 cup sugar
1/4 cup milk
2 tablespoons flour
1 1/2 teaspoons McCormick Pure Lemon Extract
1 teaspoon McCormick Pure Vanilla Extract
3 eggs

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Mix graham cracker crumbs, butter and ginger. Press firmly onto bottom of foil-lined 13 x 9-inch baking pan. Refrigerate until ready to use.

1. Beat cream cheese and sugar in large bowl with electric mixer on medium speed until well blended. Add milk, flour and extracts; mix well. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating on low speed after each addition, just until blended. Pour over crust.

1. Bake 40 to 45 minutes or until center is almost set. Cool completely on wire rack.

1. Refrigerate 4 hours or overnight. Lift out of pan onto cutting board. Cut into bars. Garnish as desired. Store leftover bars in refrigerator.

Flavor Variations: Prepare as directed. Use 1 1/2 teaspoons McCormick Pure Orange Extract or 2 teaspoons McCormick Raspberry Extract in place of the Lemon Extract.

Nutritional Information per Serving: Calories: 198, Fat: 14g, Carbohydrates: 15g, Cholesterol: 63mg, Sodium: 159mg, Fiber: 0g, Protein: 3g

Moving From the World of Fantasy to Reality

Up until this stage, many kids fret about things like the dark or imaginary monsters, which — though harmless — they can’t understand. But as experience helps them make sense of the world, they begin, around age 5, to shift from worries based on fantasy to those rooted in reality: animals, insects, big machines, and thunderstorms, says Olivia Velting, Ph.D., at the NYU Child Study Center’s anxiety and mood disorders service. Now they comprehend that the source of their anxiety — that growling dog or booming thunderstorm, for example — won’t go away just because they close their eyes.

Even if the fear seems silly, never mock or punish a child for being afraid or tell her to just get over it. Nor should you always rush in to soothe her, tempting as it may be. You’ll help your youngster more in the long run by teaching her how to comfort herself, says Velting. If a kid is extremely agitated (for instance, unable to catch her breath or stop crying), encourage her to breathe deeply or even sing a simple song, like the ABC’s. By distracting herself from the source of her fear and quieting her physical symptoms, she’ll be able to get her emotions on a more even keel. Empathize with her feelings — “It seems like that frightened you” — without judging her, says Carolyn Saarni, Ph.D., professor of counseling at Sonoma State University.

Then, step by step, help her brainstorm solutions — “Let’s think of a plan together. What would be helpful to you?” For example, talk about how she can avoid the dog, or, after explaining what makes a thunderstorm go boom, suggest ways to avoid the noise, such as putting on headphones and listening to peaceful music during the storm. “It’s also essential to act confidently and tell your child that she can handle it,” Velting adds. “This helps her feel more in control of the scary situation.”

At these ages, children can also work through fears by drawing, pretend play, or silly humor. A 7-year-old might make up a rhyme about not being afraid of thunder; a 5-year-old who’s afraid of a dog could pretend to be one. “By playing a game with the fear, a child can feel more powerful,” explains Lenore Terr, M.D., clinical professor of psychiatry at the University of California, San Francisco, School of Medicine.

Imagining themselves as stronger or bigger than they really are will help some children — and that’s fine. This is not the time for a reality check, says Donna B. Marold, Ph.D., a psychologist and research associate at the University of Denver. For instance, when Eileen Mullen’s 5-year-old son, Patrick, of Ridgewood, New Jersey, recently told her, “If a bad guy comes into the house, I’m going to go after him and kick him out,” she didn’t bother correcting him. Distraction can also work. For example, if you know a thunderstorm is on the horizon, pop in your child’s favorite videotape or open a board game — and divert his attention with a treat, such as ice cream.

Dealing With Life’s Tougher Dilemmas

Children gradually become less fearful of animals and thunderstorms — those tangible things they’ve encountered and grown more familiar with. Now new fears appear. Typically, these relate to death and illness, matters kids now understand the significance of, yet don’t have any control over. In other words, their imaginations remain strong while they become more aware of their real vulnerability to physical harm.

Fortunately, they also develop new tools to cope — in particular, a more sophisticated ability to express themselves. “The more verbal skills a kid possesses, the fewer fears he has,” says Marold. Simply putting a worry into words makes it more manageable.

Open a discussion by asking, “When did you start feeling this fear?” Then, suggests Saarni, explore with the child, from her perspective, some ways to deal with it. At the top of this list should be learning about the scary situation from a book or an expert. So for a child who fears vaccinations, research why injections are given (ask your pediatrician to explain; there are also kid-friendly books on this topic). Knowledge will make your youngster feel more in control.

Performing Around Peers

Children’s social lives now become the most prominent source of fears. They worry about being left out and teased, notes Marold. Kids fret increasingly about performance challenges in their social and academic worlds and about how peers will judge their abilities — whether in taking a turn at bat or offering an answer in class. Give your child tools to deal with performance fear, such as relaxing her muscles by exercising and visualizing peaceful images (a tranquil meadow, a lake). Suggest encouraging words she can say to herself during the performance to calm her fear. Even asking, “What’s the worst that can happen?” can be a stress reliever. Nine-year-old Mary Gibbons of Chicago got herself so worked up before her first piano recital that she froze. Her mom, Ellen, gently took her aside and said: “All the other parents want you to feel relaxed. We’ll applaud you. What’s the worst that can happen? Missing some notes is no big deal. No one is going to even notice — or laugh.” (This was Mary’s biggest fear.) This made Mary feel safe enough to perform. Role-play smart ways to deal with fearful situations ahead of time.

Despite kids’ growing independence, they still need family as an anchor, says Marold. “If your child feels secure with you, he’ll be better able to cope with his fears.”

Kids grapple with countless fears and anxieties as they grow up: starting a new school, diving off the high board, taking a big test, encountering a bully or a growling dog. It’s natural for us to want to shelter them from these scary situations, but that’s not possible – which turns out to be a good thing. Children need to learn how to handle new challenges and worries. What’s more, their anxieties about disappointing others and embarrassing themselves can actually motivate them to excel: to study harder, practice longer, connect better with others, and otherwise improve themselves.

Moving From the World of Fantasy to Reality

Up until this stage, many kids fret about things like the dark or imaginary monsters, which — though harmless — they can’t understand. But as experience helps them make sense of the world, they begin, around age 5, to shift from worries based on fantasy to those rooted in reality: animals, insects, big machines, and thunderstorms, says Olivia Velting, Ph.D., at the NYU Child Study Center’s anxiety and mood disorders service. Now they comprehend that the source of their anxiety — that growling dog or booming thunderstorm, for example — won’t go away just because they close their eyes.

Even if the fear seems silly, never mock or punish a child for being afraid or tell her to just get over it. Nor should you always rush in to soothe her, tempting as it may be. You’ll help your youngster more in the long run by teaching her how to comfort herself, says Velting. If a kid is extremely agitated (for instance, unable to catch her breath or stop crying), encourage her to breathe deeply or even sing a simple song, like the ABC’s. By distracting herself from the source of her fear and quieting her physical symptoms, she’ll be able to get her emotions on a more even keel. Empathize with her feelings — “It seems like that frightened you” — without judging her, says Carolyn Saarni, Ph.D., professor of counseling at Sonoma State University.

Then, step by step, help her brainstorm solutions — “Let’s think of a plan together. What would be helpful to you?” For example, talk about how she can avoid the dog, or, after explaining what makes a thunderstorm go boom, suggest ways to avoid the noise, such as putting on headphones and listening to peaceful music during the storm. “It’s also essential to act confidently and tell your child that she can handle it,” Velting adds. “This helps her feel more in control of the scary situation.”

At these ages, children can also work through fears by drawing, pretend play, or silly humor. A 7-year-old might make up a rhyme about not being afraid of thunder; a 5-year-old who’s afraid of a dog could pretend to be one. “By playing a game with the fear, a child can feel more powerful,” explains Lenore Terr, M.D., clinical professor of psychiatry at the University of California, San Francisco, School of Medicine.

Imagining themselves as stronger or bigger than they really are will help some children — and that’s fine. This is not the time for a reality check, says Donna B. Marold, Ph.D., a psychologist and research associate at the University of Denver. For instance, when Eileen Mullen’s 5-year-old son, Patrick, of Ridgewood, New Jersey, recently told her, “If a bad guy comes into the house, I’m going to go after him and kick him out,” she didn’t bother correcting him. Distraction can also work. For example, if you know a thunderstorm is on the horizon, pop in your child’s favorite videotape or open a board game — and divert his attention with a treat, such as ice cream.

Dealing With Life’s Tougher Dilemmas

Children gradually become less fearful of animals and thunderstorms — those tangible things they’ve encountered and grown more familiar with. Now new fears appear. Typically, these relate to death and illness, matters kids now understand the significance of, yet don’t have any control over. In other words, their imaginations remain strong while they become more aware of their real vulnerability to physical harm.

Fortunately, they also develop new tools to cope — in particular, a more sophisticated ability to express themselves. “The more verbal skills a kid possesses, the fewer fears he has,” says Marold. Simply putting a worry into words makes it more manageable.

Open a discussion by asking, “When did you start feeling this fear?” Then, suggests Saarni, explore with the child, from her perspective, some ways to deal with it. At the top of this list should be learning about the scary situation from a book or an expert. So for a child who fears vaccinations, research why injections are given (ask your pediatrician to explain; there are also kid-friendly books on this topic). Knowledge will make your youngster feel more in control.

Performing Around Peers

Children’s social lives now become the most prominent source of fears. They worry about being left out and teased, notes Marold. Kids fret increasingly about performance challenges in their social and academic worlds and about how peers will judge their abilities — whether in taking a turn at bat or offering an answer in class. Give your child tools to deal with performance fear, such as relaxing her muscles by exercising and visualizing peaceful images (a tranquil meadow, a lake). Suggest encouraging words she can say to herself during the performance to calm her fear. Even asking, “What’s the worst that can happen?” can be a stress reliever. Nine-year-old Mary Gibbons of Chicago got herself so worked up before her first piano recital that she froze. Her mom, Ellen, gently took her aside and said: “All the other parents want you to feel relaxed. We’ll applaud you. What’s the worst that can happen? Missing some notes is no big deal. No one is going to even notice — or laugh.” (This was Mary’s biggest fear.) This made Mary feel safe enough to perform. Role-play smart ways to deal with fearful situations ahead of time.

Despite kids’ growing independence, they still need family as an anchor, says Marold. “If your child feels secure with you, he’ll be better able to cope with his fears.”

By Douglas S. Barasch, a father of two, lives in New York City.

Tooth decay affects more than 25 percent of American children 2 to 5 years old, and half of children 12 to 15 years old – that’s more than any other chronic infectious disease, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Left untreated, tooth decay causes pain and infection, which can lead to problems in eating, speaking, playing, and even learning.

There is plenty that parents and caregivers can do to help prevent tooth decay and other oral diseases.

First Things First – The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) says that children should have their first visit to a pediatric dentist no later than their first birthday. The first tooth usually comes in between 6 and 12 months of age – schedule an appointment and get started on good oral health care from the beginning. The AAPD says that, in one study, children that saw a dentist before their first birthday had dental costs that were 40 percent lower in the first five years than costs for children who had not seen a dentist by their first birthday.

Establish Good Habits – Kids need help establishing good dental care habits. Make sure they brush twice a day, floss every day, follow a healthy diet and visit the dentist every six months for checkups and cleanings.

• Using a soft-bristled brush, kids should brush for at least two minutes. Some power toothbrushes have a built-in timer. Before teeth appear, clean baby’s gums twice a day with a soft cloth or baby toothbrush and water.
• Parents should floss young children’s teeth once a day, until they can do a good job themselves, at least until age 7 or 8.
• Make sure they eat foods with vitamin C, which helps gum tissue stay healthy, and calcium, for strong teeth.

Be Alert – Watch for signs of oral health problems. Talk to your dentist if you see warning signs such as:

• Changes in performance at school – listening, concentrating and learning.
• Sucking on cheeks or lips.
• Reluctance to smile.
• Problems chewing foods.
• Problems sleeping.
• Aching teeth or gums.

You can also talk to your dentist about sealants, which can be applied to the chewing surfaces of teeth. Sealants are one more way you can help prevent cavities and keep your kids’ smiles healthy and beautiful. For more information about kids’ dental health, visit Ameritas Insight.

Photo Courtesy Getty Images

Cupid’s arrow hits the mark with moist and delicious Red Velvet with Love Cupcakes. The vibrant red goodies are fun for kids and adults alike to make, decorate and eat.

Creative cupcakes like these have endless possibilities with Valentine’s tips and techniques from Wilton. Themed baking cups coordinate with colorful sprinkles, icing decorations and party picks to make it easy to decorate a gift from the heart.

Dress up cupcakes using a pink, red and white palette. Create cute and quick love monsters by piping icing to make the nose, mouth and fur, and then attach candy eyeballs, and heart-shaped picks for ears. Other decorating options include wrapping cupcakes in foil cups for an elegant effect, or finishing with colored sugars and sprinkles. You can even write special messages on them.

After decorating, package cupcakes in a festive box adorned with ribbon and bows for a treat that’s sure to tie a heart in knots.

For more Valentine’s Day celebration ideas, visit www.wilton.com.

Red Velvet with Love Cupcakes

Valentine Standard or Mini Baking Cups, Heart Eyelet Baking Cups, Cupcake-N-Pix Combo or Heart Silicone Baking Cups

2-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons cocoa powder
1-1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter or margarine, softened
1-1/2 cups granulated sugar
2 eggs
1-1/2 teaspoons No-Taste Red Icing Color
1 teaspoon Imitation Clear Vanilla Extract
1 cup buttermilk
2 tablespoons water
1-1/2 teaspoons white vinegar
1 teaspoon baking soda
Buttercream Icing
Red, Rose and Black Icing Color
Red Foil Swirls Cupcake Wraps
Valentine Sprinkles, Jumbo Hearts Sprinkles, Heart Icing Decorations, Rose Icing Decorations, Candy Eyeballs

Preheat oven to 350˚F. Line muffin pan with baking cups or set silicone cups on cookie sheet and spray with vegetable pan spray.

In medium bowl, combine flour, cocoa, baking powder and salt; set aside. In large bowl, cream butter and sugar with electric mixer until light and fluffy. Add eggs, red icing color and vanilla extract; mix well until icing color is well incorporated. Alternately add flour mixture and buttermilk; add water and mix well. In a small bowl, combine white vinegar and baking soda; gently stir into cupcake mixture. Distribute cupcake batter evenly in cups.

Bake 20-22 minutes for standard cupcakes, 10-12 minutes for mini cupcakes, or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool cupcakes completely.

For Love Monster Cupcakes, use tip 18 and rose icing to pipe pull-out stars on cupcake tops.  Add candy eyeballs with dots of icing.  Add tip 10 red icing dot nose. Use tip 4 and black icing to pipe dot pupils and outline mouth.  Position heart picks.

For Other Cupcakes, spatula ice cupcake smooth or top with tip 22 mini cupcake icing swirl or tip 1M standard cupcake icing swirl.  If desired, place in cupcake wraps. Top with desired sprinkles or icing decorations or add tip 4 message.

Makes about 20 standard cupcakes; 4 dozen minis.

Gabby, 14, made a resolution to change “everything” this year, asking “Why live if you don’t move forward?”

Like Gabby, lots of people set goals and make changes. It’s all part of the process of self-discovery. But deciding on a goal or something that needs changing is the easy part. The hard part is all the work that goes into getting there.

We heard from 900 people ages 13-18. More than three quarters (77%) made New Year’s resolutions on everything from losing weight to learning the banjo. And almost all of them say they are doing really well at sticking to their goals.
Here’s more on what our survey revealed.

Most Common Goals
We gave our survey-takers examples of some common types of resolutions and asked if their resolutions fit into these categories.

Here’s how the goals we asked about ranked in popularity:

1.  Lose weight.
2.   Do something for personal development (e.g., learn a new skill or hobby, overcome shyness, be nicer to others).
3.   Do better in school.
4.   Get more exercise.
5.   Kick a bad habit (e.g., smoking or cutting).

Making It Happen . . .
To reach a goal, it helps to have a plan with specific steps. It also helps to tell your goal to someone you trust — supportive friends and family come in very handy for those times when your willpower’s doing a couch potato act.
But do people really make plans and ask for support? Or do they just wing it? Our survey says it’s a bit of both: 55% of our survey-takers said they made specific plans, but 45% said they just let things happen. And while 49% shared their resolution with someone else, 51% preferred to keep it private.

The people who do plan and share their goals gave us lots of tips on making it work.  For example:

1.  Kyla, 13, says, “I make plans about eating and exercising, and I plan what I am going to do when I reach my desired weight. I encourage myself every day.”
2. Anne, 16, says, “I look at a sheet of paper where I have written down all of my dreams.”
3. Sarah, 14, says, “I make a list because I like to tick things off when I get them done, and I feel guilty when I’m not able to tick them off, so it keeps me on track.”
4. Liliana, 15, says, “I talk to my family about it — it really works!”
5. Jasmine, 17, says, “I go to the gym with my sister.”
6. 6. Kaylee, 14, says she gets support from “talking to my boyfriend and him telling me that he is really proud of me.”

The people who love you can help you stick with a goal or make a change. But what about the people who just pretend to care? Ondrea, 13, says, “Friends can also be a bad influence.” She told us she needs to stay away from the people she hung out with last year if she’s going to keep her resolution.

. . . or Not
It can be tough to stick with a goal for a long time, especially when you don’t have the right support. Of the people in our survey who gave up on their resolutions, most (39%) said it was because they couldn’t get motivated to do it. Motivation is complicated, but identifying the reasons you want to make the change is one necessary part of getting motivated. Your reasons for making the change need to be at least as strong as the effort you’ll need to put in.

The fact that so many people give up on resolutions is one reason why 23% of our survey-takers said they don’t make any resolutions at all. “I wouldn’t be able to keep the resolution, I never do,” says Maritza, 18.

Staying Positive
Although some people do give up, our survey shows that most of you definitely are not quitters. An impressive 92% of our survey-takers are still on target to meet their goals.

What’s even more impressive is that more than a third of them say they slipped up but then got back on track again. That’s hard to do. When people stray from their goals, it’s tempting to give up altogether. But slip-ups are actually part of the learning process. Congratulations to everyone who recognized this and recommitted to their resolution!

Thinking positively helps people achieve goals. Optimism brings success. And success in turn can help people stay motivated to keep going. Tiffany, 17, made a resolution to get more exercise because she was feeling out of shape. She told us, “After 1 week of staying on track, I realized I felt energized, slept better, and my confidence went up.” Tiffany is very confident that she will continue exercising.

Angie, 13, says, “My friends help me keep my mind off junk foods. Since they know I’m not eating them anymore they watch what I eat. But, honestly, I don’t crave junk food anymore.”

Staying Motivated
Recognizing and enjoying small successes is one motivator for people who are trying to stick with a resolution.

Here are some of the other things that keep our readers going:
A little competitive spirit works for Yusra, 13, who told us, “I play soccer a lot with my friends and that motivates me, especially when I’m losing.  Also, I play with my dad and his friends and they are really big and strong so that also drives me to do better when I play with them.”
Nick, 14, is already good at football. He could stop there, but he wants to push himself to get even better. To improve his skills he says, “I watch my old tapes every day.”
Brigid, 15, made a resolution to get into her school’s spring musical. “Since this is my first year in high school, it was harder to get in,” she said. “I practiced my audition piece a lot and did my best at the tryouts.” Brigid’s work paid off, and she was able to tell us, “I made it!”
Amanda, 15, told us, “When I saw my last grade report it had a C on it. It made me upset because I didn’t try as hard as I could have. To stay motivated and inspired I just keep looking back on that grade report and say to myself, ‘I know I can do better than that.’ ”

Taking inspiration from someone or something else also helps many of you. Lots of readers talked about looking up to someone they knew who had accomplished a goal. One 13-year-old girl who wants to lose weight to manage her diabetes told us, “I picture my aunt because she had diabetes and did it, so I can do it too.”
Another 13-year-old who is trying to overcome a cutting problem told us, “Cutting is a bad habit that is hard to break. I try to think about what my school guidance counselor told me and how much my teachers and counselor care.”

When Times Are Tough
A number of you made resolutions to help overcome serious difficulties. Some of the people who took our survey said they had been hospitalized for depression, eating disorders, and even attempted suicide. One 14-year-old told us that she is motivated to work through her problems because “I don’t want to end up back in the hospital or dead.”

If things are really tough, making a resolution to change often isn’t enough. It can be hard to stay motivated when you’re doing it alone. People with serious problems need help from friends and family. Fortunately, lots of you get it.

Dana and Tina (not their real names) are two 14-year-old friends who wrote to share their experience. Dana told us her resolution is to “keep helping my friend [Tina] in rehab for an eating disorder and to get her out and keep her healthy when she is ready.”

Tina told us how it happened. “I had a really bad smoking and drinking habit, and I suffer from an eating disorder. I decided I wanted to become healthy, but it was hard so I stopped trying and kept starving myself and smoking and drinking. But it was my best friend who caught me forcing myself to throw up.”

“I caught her outside puking purposely,” Dana told us. “I convinced her life was ticking away like a timer, and she said she needed help. So I told her parents and now instead of shopping I spend money going to see her [in rehab]. I think [she] appreciates it.”

“She is my life saver,” says Tina. “Thanks to her I have already achieved one step in my goal. I admitted I have a problem and got help.”

If you’re struggling with some heavy problems, admitting them and reaching out to a friend for help is the first step to recovery. Sometimes friends even see problems before the person is ready to recognize them. If you’re feeling too depressed or down on yourself that you can’t even get motivated to change, talk to someone. And listen when a friend like Dana gets up the nerve to talk to you about your troubles.

Focus on Accomplishments, Not Failures
If you’ve made a resolution that’s a struggle to keep, it can help to focus on the little things that you achieve, rather than thinking about what you’ve done wrong or when you’ve slipped up.

Tell yourself how much better you feel. Like Ariel, 14, who says, “I think of how much healthier I’m eating and how eating an apple instead of a piece of cake makes you feel better.” Or Alexis, 13, who says, “When I cut down ‘media’ time and go for a run, the gym, or play outside, I feel refreshed, and healthy.”

Give yourself rewards, like Anna, 13, who stays motivated to get schoolwork and studying done because “afterwards I can use the Internet and watch TV.”

Most of all, take it easy on yourself. “Just take it one day at a time, then a week, then a month — and then it will be a year!” says Katherine, 13.

Change Comes More than Once a Year
A new year isn’t the only time to make a change for the better. In fact, quite a few people told us they make resolutions anytime they feel like it.
Tanya, 15, says, “I believe that people can make a resolution and change their life any day of the year if they want, it doesn’t have to be on New Year’s.”

Jamie, 16, says, “I’m continually making goals. When I need to make a change, I do it — I won’t wait for a new year to make my life different.”

Mary Kate, 13, says, “It feels more like a new year in September when I start a new school year and everything is different.”

So if you think you’d like to make a change, why not make a prom season, summer vacation, back-to-school, or other resolution?

And if you’re happy with how things are at the moment and can’t think of anything you want to work on, celebrate yourself! Like Arielle, 13, who told us, “I didn’t make a New Year’s resolution because I am happy how my life is set and I don’t think I need to change anything.”

Reviewed by:  D’Arcy Lyness, PhD

This information was provided by KidsHealth®, one of the largest resources online for medically reviewed health information written for parents, kids, and teens. For more articles like this, visit KidsHealth.org or TeensHealth.org™. 1995- 2011 . The Nemours Foundation/KidsHealth®. All rights reserved.

“Making and sharing cookies can really be a gift from the heart,” says Ima. “That’s what ‘The Treats Truck’ is all about – sharing a little of myself through my fresh-baked treats. It really is one of the greatest ways to connect with people.”

McCormick and Ima share some simple tips for making holiday cookies extra-special:

• Fantastic Flavor Combinations – Certain flavor match-ups are real winners around the holidays. Cinnamon and ginger are comforting holiday classics, while a splash of peppermint extract adds a surprising hint of refreshment.
• Dress it Up – Spruce up versatile, go-to recipes like Spiced Holiday Sugar Cookies with seasonal flavors and creative decorations. Add a hint of almond extract to deepen the flavor, or play with festive cookie cutters and colorful frosting.
• Gift It – In a mason jar, combine pre-measured spices, seasonings and other dry ingredients for a homemade “cookie mix.” With a strip of ribbon, attach a recipe card with baking and decorating tips.

To capture the magic of holiday cookie-baking virtually, McCormick is helping bakers share their own delicious gifts from the heart in “The Big Cookie Share” at www.Facebook.com/McCormickSpice. After choosing a signature cookie recipe and customizing it with their own flavor twists, McCormick fans will receive an e-cookie to share with Facebook friends – complete with a frosted holiday message – and the accompanying recipe to bake up a batch at home.

Spiced Holiday Sugar Cookies

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 8 to 10 minutes per batch
Refrigerate: 2 hours

2 1/3 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon McCormick Ground Cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon McCormick Ground Nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 1/4 cups granulated sugar
1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened
1 egg
2 teaspoons McCormick Pure Vanilla Extract

Colorful Cookie Icing:
1 cup confectioners’ sugar
3 to 4 teaspoons milk
1/2 teaspoon McCormick Pure Vanilla Extract
3 to 4 drops McCormick Assorted Food Colors and Egg Dye

1. Mix flour, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt in medium bowl. Set aside. Beat granulated sugar and butter in large bowl with electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy. Add egg and vanilla; mix well. Gradually beat in flour mixture on low speed until well mixed. Refrigerate dough 2 hours or overnight until firm.

1. Roll out dough on lightly floured surface to 1/8-inch thickness. Cut into shapes with cookie cutters. Place on greased baking sheets.

1. Bake in preheated 375°F oven 8 to 10 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool on baking sheets 1 minute. Remove to wire racks; cool completely.

1. For the icing, mix all ingredients except food colors. (Stir in additional milk as needed to thin icing or more confectioners’ sugar to thicken, if needed.) Place small amount of icing into small shallow bowls, using one bowl for each color desired. Stir drops of food coloring into icing until desired shade is reached.

1. To ice cookies, hold cookie by its edge and dip top of cookie into icing. (Or spoon icing onto cookie using a teaspoon.) Place iced cookies on wire rack set over foil-covered baking sheet to dry. (The foil-covered baking sheet will catch drips.) To add decorative details to cookies, spoon tinted icing into resealable plastic bag. Snip off tiny piece of corner. Squeeze icing through hole in plastic bag to decorate cookies. If desired, colored sugar may be sprinkled onto freshly iced cookies.

Makes 6 dozen or 24 (3 cookie) servings.

Test Kitchen Tip: Mix 1/4 cup flour and 1/4 cup confectioners’ sugar to use for dusting surface.

Nutrition Information Per Serving: 184 Calories, Fat 8g, Carbohydrates 26g, Cholesterol 29mg, Sodium 137mg, Fiber 0g, Protein 2g

Arts and Crafts Ideas
With the most soft cotton at the tip*, Q-tips cotton swabs are gentle and safe for baby care and pet care; great for cleaning nooks and crannies in the house and for fixing makeup mishaps. They can also be used in a variety of craft projects. Use them to:

• Replace expensive paint brushes. Perfectly-sized for children’s small hands, you can use a different cotton swab for each color and simply toss when finished.
• Apply glue to small areas on models and crafts. Use one tip to apply the glue and the other to remove any excess glue before it dries.
• Carve detailed designs into pottery. Moisten the tool to put the finishing touches on sculptures.
• Touch-up hard-to-reach areas on freshly painted model airplanes and cars – or even dollhouses.

Have fun with your family making this adorable snowman that’s simple for children to create with a little help from mom or dad.

Cheery Snowman

Skill Level: Intermediate
Prep Time: 2 hours
Dry Time: 30 minutes

Materials:
1 Standard pack (500-count) of Q-tips cotton swabs
3 Styrofoam balls; 1 large, 1 medium, 1 small, (no smaller than 2 inches in diameter)
1 brown pipe cleaner
1 sheet wax paper
1 Popsicle stick or floral stake
Child-safe scissors
Child-safe, non-toxic black paint
Child-safe, non-toxic orange paint

Have an adult cut the bottom off the largest Styrofoam ball, so the piece can lay flat upon a table or surface.

Using a Popsiclestick or floral stake, stack all three Styrofoam balls from largest at the bottom, to smallest at the top to form one standing figure.

Fold and twist 5 cotton swabs in half; dip 9 halves into the black paint and 1 into the orange paint. Lay flat on wax paper to dry.

Cut pipe cleaner in half; insert into sides of middle Styrofoam ball as arms.

Begin folding cotton swabs; insert into foam balls until completely covered.

Insert black cotton swabs into top ball for coal eyes and mouth. Insert orange cotton swab as the carrot nose.

Find step-by-step photos for this project, additional kid-friendly crafting ideas and household tips at www.qtips.com. Or, share your own tips or craft ideas at www.Facebook.com/qtips.

*From the end of the stick to the top of the swab.

The good news is, you don’t have to completely abandon what you know – traditions can be easily evolved into something suitable for you and your loved ones.

A recent Bing survey revealed that shaking up holiday traditions is on the minds of many this year. In fact, a major life change – such as marriage or a new baby – is the most popular reason (33 percent), with a change in financial situation coming in a close second (30 percent). No matter your reasoning, if you’re looking to create new ways to celebrate and entertain this holiday, Bing’s lifestyle expert, Karin Muskopf, offers tips for how you can do just that:

Create Your Own Holiday

The holidays are one of the busiest party seasons of the year, and it can be tricky to get everyone together on one specific day. If you’re looking to entertain, use Bing.com to help find ideas and inspiration on how to create your own special day, think outside the box and borrow festive ideas from others.

“To me, it’s less important what day of the year it is,” said Muskopf, “and it’s more about being together with good food and lots of laughs.”

If you can’t get everyone together at the same time, consider several mini celebrations throughout the season. Or, host an “Eve Before the Eve” party – celebrating the day before the actual holiday so people can either squeeze in an extra special day with family and friends or simply relax.

To keep things interesting, start a new tradition with a competitive twist. “Our annual holiday party has turned into a highly anticipated event – Pie Night,” Muskopf said.

“Each guest bakes his/her own pie to bring to the party for a taste test. Everyone samples a piece of each pie, and we award the ‘Most Delicious,’ ‘Most Festive’ and ‘Most Fattening’ titles in a hilarious ceremony.”

However you do it, celebrating together on an off-day creates a memorable experience and a unique bond for all those involved.

Spice Up the Holiday Meal

If you’re like many, you’ve got a few favorite holiday recipes up your sleeve. Holiday meals present a special opportunity to leave a lasting, happy holiday memory with your guests. Here are some fun, delicious ways to enjoy holiday feasting:

-Make it a potluck - Rather than burden one family member with all the cooking duties, have everyone bring their own specialty to the table, and ask everyone to bring copies of their recipe to share. Everyone will go home with a full stomach and a delicious keepsake for holidays to come.

-Serve healthier options - “My mom’s classic holiday recipes are comforting and delicious, but often come with loads of extra calories and fat,” said Muskopf. “These days, it’s so easy to tweak recipes so they still taste like home but won’t leave you five pounds heavier come February.”

For more ideas and inspiration on tweaking old traditions, creating new ones and making this holiday all your own, go to www.Bing.com.

Photo courtesy of Getty Images

For more holiday tips and recipes, visit www.CampbellsKitchen.com.

Herb Roasted Turkey with Pan Gravy

Prep: 15 minutes
Roast: 3 hours
Cook: 10 minutes
Makes: 12 servings

1 turkey (12 to 14 pounds)
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 carton (26 ounces) Swanson
Chicken Stock (Regular or
Unsalted) (about 3 1/4 cups)
3 tablespoons lemon juice
1 teaspoon dried basil leaves, crushed
1 teaspoon dried thyme leaves,
crushed 1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/4 cup all-purpose flour

1. Remove giblets and neck from turkey cavity. Rinse turkey with cold water and pat dry with paper towel. Tie ends of drumsticks together.

2. Place turkey, breast-side up, on rack in roasting pan. Brush turkey with oil. Insert meat thermometer into thickest part of meat, not touching bone.

3. Stir stock, lemon juice, basil, thyme and black pepper in large bowl. Reserve 1 3/4 cups stock mixture for the gravy. Pour remaining stock mixture over turkey.

4. Roast at 325°F for 3 hours, or until thermometer reads 165°F, basting occasionally with pan drippings. Begin checking for doneness after 2 1/2 hours roasting time.

5. Remove turkey from pan, cover and keep warm. Spoon off any fat and pour off all but 1 1/2 cups pan drippings.

6. Stir reserved stock mixture and flour in medium bowl until the mixture is smooth. Add flour mixture to the pan. Cook and stir over medium heat until mixture boils and thickens, scraping up browned bits from bottom of pan. Serve gravy with turkey.

Green Bean Casserole

Prep: 10 minutes
Bake: 30 minutes
Makes: 12 servings

2 cans (10 3/4 ounces each)
Campbell’s Condensed
Cream of Mushroom
Soup (Regular,98% Fat Free or Healthy Request)
1 cup milk
2 teaspoons soy sauce
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
8 cups cooked cut green beans
2 2/3 cups French’s French Fried Onions

1. Stir soup, milk, soy sauce, black pepper, beans and 1 1/3 cups onions in 3-quart casserole.

2. Bake at 350°F for 25 minutes or until bean mixture is hot and bubbling. Stir bean mixture. Sprinkle with remaining onions.

3. Bake for 5 minutes or until onions are golden brown.

Ultra Creamy Mashed Potatoes

Prep: 15 minutes
Cook: 20 minutes
Makes: 6 servings

3 1/2 cups Swanson Chicken Broth
(Regular, Natural Goodness or Certified Organic)
5 large potatoes (about 2 1/2 pounds), peeled and cut into 1-inch pieces (about 7 1/2 cups)
1/2 cup light cream
2 tablespoons butter
Generous dash ground black pepper
1 can (14.5 ounces) Campbell’s Turkey Gravy, heated according to package directions

1. Heat broth and potatoes in a 3-quart saucepan over medium-high heat to a boil.

2. Reduce heat to medium. Cover and cook for 10 minutes or until potatoes are tender. Drain potatoes well in colander, reserving broth.

3. Mash potatoes with 1/4 cup reserved broth, cream, butter and black pepper. Add additional reserved broth, if needed, until desired consistency. Serve with gravy.

Moist and Savory Stuffing

Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 10 minutes
Bake: 30 minutes
Makes: 10 servings
2 1/2 cups Swanson Chicken Broth (Regular, Natural Goodness or Certified Organic)
Generous dash ground black pepper
2 stalks celery, coarsely chopped (about 1 cup)
1 large onion, coarsely chopped
(about 1 cup)
1 package (14 ounces) Pepperidge
Farm Herb Seasoned Stuffing

1. Heat broth, black pepper, celery and onion in 3-quart saucepan over medium-high heat to a boil. Reduce heat to low. Cover and cook for 5 minutes or until vegetables are tender, stirring often. Remove saucepan from heat. Add stuffing and mix lightly.

2. Spoon stuffing mixture into a greased 3-quart shallow baking dish. Cover baking dish.

3. Bake at 350°F for 30 minutes or until stuffing mixture is hot. For crunchier stuffing, bake uncovered.

Don’t fret about what’s left!

Want to make leftovers seem a little less left over? Plan ahead by stocking your kitchen with the basics — eggs, milk, cheese, bread, canned soup and broth. This French Onion Turkey Casserole, made with Campbell’s Condensed French Onion Soup, is a welcome departure from the standard hot turkey sandwich, and uses ingredients many people already have on-hand.

French Onion Turkey Casserole

Prep: 20 minutes
Bake: 45 minutes
Makes: 8 servings

Vegetable cooking spray
6 eggs
1 can (10 1/2 ounces) Campbell’s
Condensed French Onion Soup
2 cups milk
1 cup shredded Swiss cheese (about 4 ounces)
2 tablespoons chopped fresh thyme leaves or 2 teaspoons dried thyme leaves, crushed
9 slices Pepperidge Farm Farmhouse Hearty White Bread, cut into cubes
2 cups shredded or cubed cooked turkey

1. Heat oven to 350°F. Spray 2-quart shallow baking dish with cooking spray.

2. Beat eggs, soup, milk, 1/2 cup cheese and 1 tablespoon thyme in large bowl with fork or whisk. Add bread cubes and turkey. Stir and press bread cubes into milk mixture to coat.

3. Pour bread mixture into baking dish. Sprinkle with remaining cheese and thyme. Let stand for 15 minutes.

4. Bake for 45 minutes or until a knife inserted in center comes out clean.

Life with a tween/teenager around can be completely unbalancing. Though they are often unwilling to admit it, tweens/teenagers are simply bigger children with raging hormones, larger appetites and the seemingly ever-present know-it-all attitude. The attitude is one parents have seen before, but have merely conveniently forgotten. It’s the same one that made them proclaim at two and three years old, NO! I DO IT!” It’s just voiced with a bit more attitude and at probably higher decibels, when “teenagerdom” rears its head. Unfortunately, for some parents, this scenario begins when their child hits those between years, currently called “tweens.”

They love you one minute, and the next don’t want you in the same zip code! How can a parent prepare them for life as an adult, with adult responsibilities while still managing to keep them safe? Today’s real world is a lot more complicated and society is more aware of everyday dangers. What’s a loving parent to do?

Independence the Catch 22

How much independence is too much? How can you balance the desire to keep them protected with the need to let them get out and explore? What do you do with a child who feels safe and secure and doesn’t want to venture out of the nest? Just how do you know it’s time to “cut the umbilical cord” or when to reel them back in?

So much depends on the child, the parents, social and societal influences. This is a case when each of these factors can weigh heavily in how much freedom is allowed, and exactly which activities need to be supervised or restricted. Children have a knack for finding ways to get into trouble, especially when in a group. However, this is often the compromise parents reach with their children. They are allowed to go out in groups for safety, but it this ideal?

How to Decide?

So much of this depends on guidance. Have you prepared your child for the real world? Do they know about the dangers of talking to strangers, accepting anything from someone they do not know, following someone because they “look” normal, not to mention the typical dangers of promiscuity, drugs, and alcohol? While children need independence, they should be well-informed of things they may encounter in advance. They should know about the dangers and lure of “forbidden” temptations. They should also know about the consequences of what can occur from not following the rules established by parents and society.

One thing parents must realize is that a child’s personality is a key factor in his or her quest for independence. Does your teen tend to do what he is told or does he tend to be unreliable? If he’s chronically irresponsible, he should have to earn the right for independence. Independence is all about trust. If you can’t trust him to clean his room, or come home straight from school, he can’t expect you to allow him more responsibility. On the other hand, if a child is honest, reliable and responsible, a parent will be more apt to allow him/her more freedom, at least in controlled environments.

Not only must the child be responsible and reliable, but she must also be honest, have integrity and be respectful of herself and others. Groups of unruly children can often be found on the streets of any town across the country. Complete and utter disregard for rules and others is typically at the root of most of society’s ills. Help your tween/teen understand they should not be contributing to the demise of society, but to its resurgence.

Make sure you can communicate with your tween or teen. It’s okay for them to think you know nothing, but they must realize they can come to you with any issues they may have for advice, support, and encouragement. They must recognize that you’re the parent, and you’re ultimately their ally, even if they want to pretend to ignore you most of the time.

In the book Boundaries with Kids: How Healthy Choices Grow Healthy Children, Dr. Henry Cloud makes a keen observation, “We parent in the present, without thinking about the future.” Parents should remember that it’s what has been taught to children to this point that will shape how they handle their freedom.

Preparing your Tween/Teenager for More Responsibility

Let your tween know what to expect. Let her know that it’s normal to want to pull away from parents during these years, and you still love her. Let him know that independence is the ultimate personal responsibility, and what he can do to make it a possibility.

• Let her know that independence is all about trust, and trust must be earned and retained. Allow her to demonstrate that she can follow established rules.

• He must show you he can handle situations that may arise with a level head, or when caught in a potentially tricky situation, he can quickly find and ask for help, if needed.

• Know who your tween is socializing with, both in person and online. Get to know his friends and his friends’ parents.

• If you feel comfortable, let your tween venture out with a responsible older sibling for a bike ride, or rollerblading with their friends. That way supervision is present, but it’s just not a parent.

• If the idea of letting your tween venture out and about the neighborhood is uncomfortable, try a group activity. Many businesses are catering to the times by staging “lock-ins”, an environment where groups are locked in for sleepovers at museum, zoos, laser tag facilities, dance studios, etc. Again, supervision is present, but it’s typically not provided by a parent.

• Perhaps find things for your tween or teen to do with other kids their age being chaperoned by someone you trust – who is NOT you. That may be the compromise you’re looking for. Let your kids go places with their friends’ parents, or a fun aunt or uncle as the designated driver – as long as you know and trust them. Rotate this out with other parents to give each of you a chance to let your child(ren) grow.

• Start small. Perhaps, you can begin by leaving your child at his activities while you run errands, or ask another parent to drop him off at home. This provides a bit of freedom that can be expanded as maturity and comfort levels increase.

• In a situation where safety may be a factor, like navigating public transportation, or the first few solo trips to and from school or the bus stop, follow your child. Make sure they can make from point A to point B on their own until you both feel comfortable. Don’t be sneaky. Let him/her know you will be “around,” keeping an eye on him/her in case you are needed.

Children are precious, no matter what age they are. It’s up to parents to keep them safe, but also up to parents to make sure they can reach their full potential as individuals and as productive members of society. Independence and responsibility are important personal characteristics.

Despite the societal challenges parents face, there are ways to balance freedom and safety. Parents should remember each child is unique and will develop and grow at his or her own pace. Stay present and realistically gauge maturity levels versus desires, to determine what to approve. Above all else, parents should trust their instincts.

Kim Green-Spangler, B.S. Ed and M.S. Eng, is a freelance writer, wife and mother. Her niche is writing articles pertaining to family life, health, fitness, parenting and home based businesses. She may be contacted at www.justwrite4u.com.