“When parents do not discuss the disaster with children, it appears that these things are so horrible that even adults dare not talk about them,” said Kathleen Olson, a family relations educator with University of Minnesota Extension. “When children are stressed, they often express their feelings through actions rather than words.”

Olson suggests that you try comfort and reassure your child if he or she acts differently or behaves in unacceptable ways. Make the assumption that the behaviour is in response to stress. Be aware of the extra attention and affection your child may need during this time.

Olson shared these tips for talking to children in a crisis:

Ask questions and listen Do not downplay their worries, and don’t try to cheer them up or tell them they shouldn’t worry. Instead of trying to solve their problems, let them know you are there to help them find a solution, or to just listen.

Be available and “askable”

Not talking to children about the flood or what is happening to the families involved can convey that the subject is off limits. Be open to talking about it on the child’s level. Be a good listener so children express their worries and questions. Don’t worry about having all the answers.

Share your feelings

Tell them about your own concerns but don’t overwhelm them. Talking about your feelings makes it easier for them to share feelings.

Support children’s concern for people they do not know News media outlets throughout the nation report on disasters, so other people in children’s lives may call and talk to them with their concern. Acknowledge this level of caring from people who are far away.

Look for feelings beyond fear Children need some reassurance, but don’t stop there. Continue to be open to talking about the disaster and progress that has been made. Encourage children to express other emotions such as anger or questioning why this would happen.

Prepare and reassure

Help children prepare a “go bag” ahead of time to help them feel prepared for a possible disaster. Keep the bag handy by an exit door. Ask children to select a couple of changes of clothing, a “mobile toy” like a stuffed animal, small ball, action toy or playing cards, but no more than what the child can carry in a bag. Include some transportable snacks like granola bars, mini raisin boxes and a water bottle. Older children benefit by preparing their own “go bag.”

Although parents would like to protect children from all the disasters and bad things that occur in today’s world, no one can do that. It is important for all adults in the lives of children to remain open, honest and available.

The post Talk To Your Children About Floods appeared first on Manitoba Co-operator.

That’s a quote from the irrepressible Garfield, the cartoon cat. Your carrots and pumpkins likely still need time, but if your zucchini are doing as well as mine, you’re soon facing that seasonal glut and wondering what to do with a small mountain of this prolific summer squash.

I’m also hearing that dill and broccoli are doing very well in many home gardens, although the heat of the last few days may have slowed broccoli down.

Here’s a few new ideas from a variety of sources to add to your recipe boxes this summer.

BEET AND CARROT CAKE

This recipe was selected out of The Culross Community Cookbook, a reprinted third edition of a community cookbook dating back to the early 1950s. Culross is located just east of Elm Creek.

Beat egg yolks and add next four ingredients. Beat well. Add carrots, beets, nuts, and raisins. Sift and add the dry ingredients, mixing well. Fold in stiffly beaten egg whites. Bake 45 minutes at 350 F.

With harvest around the corner, here’s a recipe that can get a meal on the table or on its way to the field in about 20 minutes. If you don’t have any leftover roast beef, use cooked, drained ground beef instead.

This recipe is provided courtesy of www.beefinfo.org(The Beef Information Centre).

Enjoy!

3 egg yolks

1-1/2 c. sugar

1 tsp. vanilla

1 c. salad oil

3 tbsp. hot water

1 c. finely shredded

raw carrots

4 c. rigatoni pasta

2 c. coarsely chopped

broccoli florets

2 tbsp. extra-virgin

olive oil

1 onion, chopped

3 cloves garlic, minced

1/4 tsp. EACH salt and hot

pepper flakes

1 c. finely shredded

raw beets

1/2 c. chopped nuts

1/2 c. raisins (optional)

2 c. flour

2 tsp. baking powder

1/2 tsp. salt

3 egg whites

2 tbsp. all-purpose flour

2 c. tomato juice

2 c. slivered cooked

roast beef

2 green onions, thinly

sliced

1 c. shredded

cheddar cheese

Cook pasta in boiling salted water for 6 minutes. Add broccoli; cook until pasta and broccoli are tender, about 4 minutes. Drain. Meanwhile, in deep skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat; add onion, garlic, salt and hot pepper flakes; cook until softened, about 3 minutes. Stir in flour, cook, stirring constantly, for 1 minute. Whisk in tomato juice; bring to boil. Reduce heat and simmer, stirring occasionally, until thickened, about 4 minutes. Stir in beef, pasta mixture and green onions; cook to heat through, about 3 minutes. Toss with cheese. Thank you for supporting the recipe swap! We love receiving readers’ favourite recipes and recipe requests.

ZUCCHINI YEAST ROLLS

If you make this recipe use a combination of types of summer squashes to produce soft rolls flecked with yellow and green.

This recipe is from Simply in Season, Expanded Edition by Mary Beth Lind and Cathleen Hockman-Wert. Copyright 2009 by Herald Press, Scottdale, PA 15683. Used by permission.

2 -3 c. summer squash

(shredded)

1 c. water

1/2 c. sugar

3 tbsp. oil

2 tsp. salt

Combine in a saucepan and heat slowly until warm, stirring to blend. Or warm in microwave.

1 c. bread flour

1 c. whole-wheat flour

1/3 c. milk powder

2 tbsp. active dry yeast

1/2 tsp. mace (optional)

Combine in a mixing bowl. Add liquid ingredients and beat well until smooth.

1-3/4 c. to 2-1/2 c. bread flour

Stir in enough additional flour to make a soft dough. Knead 8 to 10 minutes until smooth and elastic. Place in greased bowl, turn to grease both sides, cover with a damp cloth and let rise until double in bulk. Punch down and let rise 10 minutes. Shape rolls and place on a greased baking sheet. Cover and let rise until doubled. Bake in preheated oven at 350 F until golden brown 25 to 35 minutes. Brush with milk for a soft crust and let stand for 5 to 10 minutes before removing to a wire rack.

Tip: Shredded uncooked zucchini may be frozen in freezer bags for this bread. Squash may also be cooked and mashed then frozen in 1-1/2 c. portions.

SEND RECIPES OR RECIPE REQUESTS TO:

Manitoba Co-operator Recipe Swap

Box 1794, Carman, Man. R0G 0J0

or email

lorraine@fbcpublishing.com

DILL YEAST BREAD

I made this recipe last week and it was very good. I baked it in a round casserole and it had a slightly crunchy texture that reminded me of corn bread. It was especially delicious right out of the oven served with butter. – Lorraine

This recipe is also printed with permission from Simply in Season.

1 tbsp. dry active yeast

1/4 c. warm water

Stir together to dissolve yeast.

Set aside.

1 c. cottage cheese

In small microwavable bowl heat until warm (not hot); place in a large mixing bowl.

2 -4 tbsp. fresh dill

(chopped or 2 tsp. dried)

2 tbsp. sugar

1 tbsp. butter (melted)

or oil

1 tbsp. onion (minced)

2 tsp. salt

1/4 tsp. baking soda

1 egg

Add to cottage cheese and mix together. Stir into yeast mixture.

1 c. whole-wheat

bread flour

1/2 c. cornmeal

1 to 1-1/2 c. bread flour

Add, using enough white flour to handle easily. Knead 8 to 10 minutes until smooth and elastic. Place in greased bowl, turn to grease both sides, cover with a damp cloth and let rise until doubled in bulk. Punch down and place into well-greased 9 x 5-inch loaf pan (or use a 1-quart round casserole dish to make a round loaf). Cover and let rise again until doubled, about 45 minutes. Bake in preheated oven at 350 F for 30 to 35 minutes (casserole dish may take longer). Remove from pan and brush with milk for a soft crust.

The post Beef And Broccoli Rigatoni appeared first on Manitoba Co-operator.

It is important for parents to take a moment from the immediate needs that must be met and talk with their children.

When a natural disaster such as a flood occurs in the community, it will affect every member of that community or household in a variety of ways. It is important for parents to take a moment from the immediate needs that must be met and talk with their children.

Regardless of age, children are vulnerable during these events and need the help and support of their parents. Parents often wait until it is convenient for them to talk to their kids about difficult topics, but it is actually best to talk to children when their anxiety demands a response. Time spent giving your children a reassuring word or a hug will go a long way toward creating a sense of security.

When parents do not discuss the disaster with children, they communicate that these things are so horrible that even adults dare not talk about them. When children are stressed, they often express their feelings through actions rather than words. Often these actions are regressive and inappropriate. This may include “bad dreams,” stomach aches, and nightmares, anxieties about situations incidental to the disaster, “clinging” to the parents, requests to sleep near the parents, and regressive behaviour such as thumb sucking and bed wetting.

In older children, you may notice fighting, withdrawal, difficulty in concentrating and paying attention, poor performance in school, or feeling very tired. If your child acts differently or behaves in unacceptable ways, try to comfort and reassure her or him. Make the assumption that the behaviour is in response to stress. Be aware of the extra attention and affection your child may need during this time.

Here are some tips for parents on talking with children of all ages in a crisis:

Ask questions and listen. This is especially important with teens. It is important for parents to talk with teens before they get overly stressed because teens could fall into a state of depression or hopelessness. Ask them (in private) what is bothering them or start a discussion with a statement such as, “You seem down lately.” Do not downplay their worries, and don’t try to cheer them up or tell them they shouldn’t worry. Instead of trying to solve their problems, let them know you are there to help them find a solution, or to just listen.

Be available and “askable.” Not talking to children about the flood or what is happening to the families involved can convey that the subject is off limits. Be open to talking about it on the child’s level. Be a good listener so children express their worries and questions

about what’s happened. Don’t worry about having all the answers.

Share your feelings. Tell them about your own concerns but don’t overwhelm them. Talking about your feelings makes it easier for them to share feelings.

Support children’s concern for people they do not know. News media outlets across the country have reported on the flooding, so other people in their lives may call and talk to them with their concern. Acknowledge this level of caring from people who are far away.

Look for feelings beyond fear. Children need some reassurance, but don’t stop there. Continue to be open to talking about the disaster and progress that has been made. Encourage children to express other emotions such as anger or questioning why this would happen. Children can eventually tire of hearing about the disaster, especially when they aren’t directly affected. Talk about what is currently happening with those you know and what others need from a distance.

Reassure children. Children who have experienced a natural disaster worry about the future. They wonder if there will be enough money for food and clothes and if/where their family will have to move. When your children ask questions about the future, try to respond in a way that is truthful and makes them feel secure.

Although parents would like to protect children from all the disasters and bad things that occur in today’s world, no one can do that. It is important for all adults in the lives of children to remain open, honest and available.

The post Talk To Children About Flooding appeared first on Manitoba Co-operator.