Mary Rarick's blog

Per several requests, here’s the famous baked bean recipe:

3-pound can of prepared beans (of the pork ‘n’ bean variety)

1 1/4 c. brown sugar (I use a little less.)

1 1/2 tsp. dry mustard

3 onions, diced

9 slices of bacon, chopped and fried crisp, drained

3/4 c. catsup

Combine all of the ingredients in a large casserole dish. Bake, uncovered, in a 325-degree oven for 3 hours.

This recipe comes with a saucy bit of gossip. When I was young I thought that this was my Mom’s recipe. Turns out it’s originally from my “Aunt” Alma, my Grandfather’s girlfriend. We kids always knew Grandpa Roy had a girlfriend. What we didn’t know, until years later, was that “Aunt” Alma had been in the picture even before Grandma died.

Disasters. Emergencies. We often don’t think about them—until they happen. But disasters do happen. They can happen quickly, and without warning.

You can’t predict disaster, but you can prepare for it. Although it might be unpleasant to think about, what’s worse is not having a plan in place. By taking some simple steps in advance, you and your family can keep a sense of calm and routine in the event of an emergency.

Develop a disaster plan

During a disaster, your family may have to leave your home and daily routines behind. Do you have an evacuation plan? A list of phone numbers (for example: family members, trusted friends, poison control or your pediatrician) to call in case of emergency can greatly help.

Build an emergency supply kit

By: Emily Moser

Youth who stay busy reap an array of benefits, including lower rates of substance abuse and new skills and broader perspectives

Summer is here. And as the warmer weather rolls in, you may be ready to roll out a series of activities to keep your kids active and having fun while school is out.

As parents and guardians, it’s almost built into our DNA to steer our kids into positive activities because of the enormous benefits: young people learn and grow, and they are less likely to get caught up in risky behavior.

But there are usually some questions to answer, too. Which activities are a good fit? How can we strike a balance between a run-them-ragged schedule and having too much time on their hands? And what are some fun, affordable options in a difficult economy?

Emily Moser, director of parenting programs for the nonprofit Oregon Partnership, addressed these and other questions recently:

By: Tammy Ellingson, for Portland Family

“I don’t have false teeth. Do you think I’d buy teeth like these?” — Carol Burnett

The Best Defense is a Good Offense

Once upon a time, extractions and false teeth were just about the only remedy for tooth problems. Now we have options, but prevention is still the best medicine. As the saying goes, “only brush the ones you want to keep.” So where to start?

In the beginning, there were gums, and percolating under those gums are precious baby teeth. These are the gems the tooth fairy pays big bucks for, and when they begin erupting, around the one year mark, it’s time for your child’s first dental visit.

By: Erin Griffin

What’s the scariest thing you can imagine happening to your child? Does a life plagued by debilitating health problems, low self-esteem, and social torment rank among the top? These conditions, and many others, can be the devastating result of childhood obesity. This epidemic is among the leading health conditions affecting young people in America today, with the number of obese children ages 6 to 11 doubling in the past 20 years, and those ages 12 to 19 tripling, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). These children face a higher risk of suffering from diabetes at some point in their lives, and many others will face chronic obesity-related health problems, such as heart disease, high blood pressure, cancer, and asthma.

The only thing that went as planned on Tuesday June 12th was the pancake breakfast at Village Inn. I ate a short stack with butter and maple syrup, relishing every bite.

As I headed home to enjoy the rest of my day off, I looked forward to house hunting with my father-in-law followed by lunch with Cory.

My pregnancy had been uneventful. So I naively expected my labor and delivery to follow suit.

What went wrong:

1. My water “broke” with a whimper, not a splash, resulting in a Pitocin drip that hampered all of my labor plans. Strapped to a monitor meant showers were out for me.

2. Trying to keep an open mind I didn’t have plans to use pain meds, but by the time I wanted, no, needed them, I was informed it was too late. That “window of opportunity” had been slammed shut.

By: Janna Holm

It’s 11:20 am on a Friday morning. At a fast-food restaurant close to Grant High School, two 16-year-old girls are furiously writing papers while they scarf down their lunch and talk to their friends at the same time. They’ve just come from observing a lung removal surgery at Providence Hospital. It was educational and an invaluable experience, but it was also time away from school that they now have to make up. One of the girls explains, “It’s not just that I’m worried about doing well, it’s that I’m worried about the time to get everything done. There’s just not enough time. And I feel like I have to do everything: sports, AP classes, extracurricular stuff, because I have to get into a good college and they look at all of that stuff on the application.”

By JoJo Tabares

Communication skills are vital–especially in the information age. Studies show that effective communicators are happier, do better in school, are more successful, and make more money than their less-eloquent counterparts. So how do you teach your children to express themselves better? The FUN way!

The best way to teach children anything is to make it fun and involve as many of their five senses as possible. Here is a list of 10 games/activities that will foster effective communication skills in your children.

1. Play Telephone. The more the merrier. This old elementary school game is a delightfully fun way to develop your child’s listening skills. This game is perfect for any age. Begin with a simpler message for the younger children, and gradually increase the size and complexity as they get older.

My daughter’s current favorite (she even requested that we serve it for Christmas) this French Dip recipe is ridiculously simple. Ten minutes of prep time tops. Buy yourself a fresh baguette, chop up a salad, and call it good.

French Dip Sandwiches

Ingredients:

One 4-lb. boneless beef roast

1/2 c. soy sauce

1 beef bouillon cube

1 bay leaf

3 whole black peppercorns (or ground pepper)

1 t. dried rosemary, crusheed

1 t. dried thyme

1 t. garlic powder (I use fresh garlic)

1 baguette or French bread

Instructions:

1. Remove and discard visible fat from the roast. Place trimmed roast in a slow cooker.

Nothing like a visit to the dentist to scare some sense into a know-it-all teen. Last week’s visit yielded four words no one wants to hear: “He’s got a cavity.”

Since then the boy has been a regular zealot. I haven’t had to remind him to brush his teeth all week. It’s been great.