A New Year, New Ideas

It's a new year and at LTF, we have some new and upcoming events to mark on your calendars! As we look forward to a new year, we are always remember the ones from 2012 and a big thanks to all those who helped out! The sam-i-am race, kids-on-chemo drive, 3,000 acts of kindness and so many other events as well would have been nothing without our supporters in the Fox Valley and beyond.

We have some great family-centered events coming up in January. Join us at our NF Talking Circle: talk-a-little on January 26 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Bubolz Nature Preserve in Appleton, Wis. Learn about the effects of NF from a family perspective. Interested in skiing for a good cause? Then ski on over to our ski-a-little that will also be held at the Bubolz Nature Preserve from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.! See you there!

Delicious Ideas from Weelicious!

Not sure what to feed the family tonight? We've all been there. So let's look at a few words of advice from Weelicious founder, Catherine McCord. She has been cooking healthy and nutritious meal options for her children. Her website also features ideas lunch ideas for kids during the school year.

Q1: Your website Weelicious, has become a go-to for easy, fast, nutritious meals and recipes for may families. What inspired you to get started on this cooking path?

A: I wanted to inspire my kids to be great eaters. I have always been fascinated how some children love good food--- why some are great eaters and some are picky. The idea of how much impact do you as a parent have on your children’s eating.

Q2: What do you love about cooking?

A: Beginning, middle and end. I love finding the produce at farmer’s markets that have fresh seasonal produce. I love cooking it and finally feeding my family.

Q3: What is the most popular dish people love from your website?

A: Oh so many-- Raspberry Cream Cheese Tart, Kale Chips, Cinnamon Roasted Chick Peas, Crock-pot Mexican Lasagna.

Click here to get inspired! 

 

Eating better, eating together

Eating together is an important part of relationship building in a family. It bridges gaps between generations through stories, cooking and recipes. Not too long ago, many families ate a nutritious, home-cooked meal together. Sometimes the food was homegrown- straight from the family garden. However times have changed.

Now people are on the go or on social media and have little time to eat with one another. Our jobs and academic obligations now have us eating at fast-food establishments by ourselves with no one to talk to. Nowadays, a family may eat together during national or religious holidays at most. The precious moments of spending time dining together are irreplaceable. At Littlest Tumor Foundation, we dedicate this month to eating better with those whom we call family and friends. So take the time to eat better and  eat together as a family this month.

NF and Families

The Fight Against Neurofibromatosis

Tumor growth in children affects families, too

By Kimberly Klessig

 

Health and nutrition play an important part in family wellness for children with health issues and their families. Both chronic and catastrophic health issues in children really have an impact on entire family units.

Neurofibromatosis (NF), a little-known disorder that begins in children with uncontrollable tumor growth in their bodies – such as in the brain and spine – as well as a series of other significant health issues, can create stress for children with the disorder and their families. First hearing the diagnosis of NF creates emotional strain for everyone involved.

Currently, there is no known cure or effective treatment for NF. The unpredictability of the tumors returning, even after surgery, can send children and their families on emotional rollercoaster rides.  The financial strain for medical expenses, such as chemotherapy treatments, surgeries, scans and procedures, can also take a toll.

One way for families to alleviate some of that stress over emotional and financial matters and to better focus on ways to balance the NF health crisis and to build wellness, are through family wellness retreats. These experiences are wonderful ways to provide families with opportunities to learn, educate and promote family wellness.

Family wellness retreats for parents of children with NF might include nutritional therapy, yoga, relaxation, doctor question and answer periods, group support building sessions and nature walks. They also provide time for families to strengthen bonds through the difficulties inflicted by NF and the stress of the treatments.

There is a lot of literature that supports that stress reduction and plant-based nutrition can have a positive effect in disease progression.

One technique that can help families reduce the stress from NF and its treatments is yoga. By doing yoga, participants connect with themselves and others around them in a healthy and relaxing manner. When done as a group, yoga can build bonds between NF families and create social networks that can last a lifetime.

By following healthy, plant-based diets at the wellness retreats, families reconnect with nutritious, wholesome foods. Families can easily make these simple recipes together at home after the retreat for very little cost. Despite the perils of childhood disorders and diseases, family wellness retreats are a great way for families to form connections with each other and cherish the time they spend together through healthy and relaxing activities.

Kimberly Klessig is a master of social work intern at the Littlest Tumor Foundation in Appleton, Wisconsin. The Littlest Tumor Foundation is a nonprofit organization with a mission to find a preventive therapy and treatment for tumor growth in children. The organization is dedicated to advocating for and raising research funds for NF, empowering families, and raising awareness. Services offered for NF families include: NF Family Wellness Retreats, NF Quarterly Talking Circles, NF Educational Webinars and a variety of fundraisers. For more information, visit www.littlesttumorfoundation.com.

Little goes on a run and walk for the cure!

Sam-i-am… tumors i do not like them run and walk

On Saturday May 26, 2012 the Littlest Tumor Foundation held the annual sam-i-am tumors i do not like them, run/walk for the cure. The event was held at the scenic Plamann Park located in rural Appleton. There was a fantastic turn out of over 300 people, despite the earlier rainy weather. During the event, we gave out special kids' bags. We kicked off the event with kids' fun runs to begin the race.

Thanks to InstaPrint Plus for making all the yard signs and posters, Apple Creek Orthodontics donated the dental care items in the kids’ bags, Big Apple Bagels donated the tasty bagels, Premium Waters, inc refreshed us with bottled water and the Little Gym. A special thanks to all of our interns and volunteers, as well as those at Plamann Park for letting us hold our event there. You are all so awesome! See you next year!

Little's Big Thank You and Big Farewell

As I look back at this year’s Kids-on-Chemo Drive, I cannot help but feel overwhelmed with gratitude. The Fox Valley community rallied behind us in a big way! Littlest Tumor Foundation found themselves supported by a complete mix of community members including: fire fighters, neighbors, college students, schools, family, friends, and the list goes on... 

This particular Kids-on-Chemo Drive was a stand-alone event for the first time ever! It was a big task but the LTF crew pulled through with A LOT of help from volunteers, community members and participants.

The stars of the night, the headshavers, did an incredible job collecting pledges. No matter how big or small the amount collected, the donations we received will go to a great cause! I think a little recognition is in order:

Our Sami Cup recipient, raising $2900, was Linda Elliot. This was the second year she shaved her head for this event and we are so happy Linda uses her incredible drive to further our cause.

Other headshavers include Paul Williams, Kevin Martinson, Adam Mohr, Justin Dull, KC Stadler, Ryan Lee, Nick Davidson, Boyd Van Landghen, Zack Akin, and Brent Debenedet. We even had a few people sneak in without giving us their names! That is how eager the community was to help! In addition to headshavers, three lovely ladies donated their hair for Locks of Love: Kali Thompson, Sara Burns, and Megan Mau. 

Another key part of our event was our volunteers. We recruited the most amazing volunteers we could find! We wanted to give a BIG thank you to all those who donated their time and efforts to making this event the great success it was. 

This event also marks the end of my internship with the Littlest Tumor Foundation. What an experience! If I had to pick the most important thing that I am taking away from this experience, it would be this: Everyone wants to be a part of something bigger than themselves, even if it’s in a little way.

I am very thankful that I could be a part of the beginning stages of a foundation surely destined for greatness.

A Little NF Talking Circle

On March 11, 2012, the Littlest Tumor Foundation held its first quarterly “NF Talking Circle” at the Medical College of Wisconsin in Milwaukee, Wis. Present were adults, kids and families that are impacted by NF.

In the circle, people discussed their NF journeys with each other. It is powerful to talk with others who understand your situation. Meanwhile the children did activities such as painting, thank you card writing and game playing. Healthy snacks such as apples, blackberries, pita chips and hummus were provided. Beverages such as coconut water, along with pineapple and orange juice was served. At the conclusion, many of the attendees enjoyed the circle and it was decided by LTF leadership the “ NF Talking Circle” was a success and will be held again in early summer 2012.

Cancer Survivor Hollye Harrington Jacobs Shares Story

Since the time of my breast cancer diagnosis, we have talked openly with our five year-old daughter. While the personal nature of this circumstance made the conversations emotionally challenging, my professional experience as an adult and pediatric hospice nurse gave me both the tools and confidence to ensure that we gave her the developmentally appropriate answers.

Right after my treatment finished, our daughter has been revisiting a lot of the original questions as well as asking some new ones. For example, the other day while driving to school, Finally Five asked, “Do you think that your cancer will come back?” GULP.

So, I thought I’d take this opportunity to share with you her questions and our answers. These questions tend to be typical of most children affected by a cancer diagnosis.

• What is cancer?
• The body is made up of cells. Cells make our bodies work. They are so tiny that you need a microscope to see them.
• Cancer cells don’t look or act like normal cells. They don’t allow our normal, healthy cells to work properly. They can grow very fast and spread. Cancer cells may group together to form a tumor.
• There are many different types of cancer. Cancer can grow anywhere in the body.
• Finally Five wanted to know if a person could get cancer in your eyes, on your skin and in your legs.
• There is an iPad application called 3D4medical that has an image of a breast cancer cell. It is an ominous looking beast of a cell. This was really helpful for Finally Five to envision what was in my body and to then understand the sense of urgency (& drastic measures!) to get it out.

• Is cancer contagious?
• Cancer is not something that you can catch from someone else like you can a cold or the flu.
• You can be close to the person who has cancer and not worry about catching it.

• Did I cause cancer?
• No. Nothing that anyone does, says or thinks can cause cancer in someone else. Ever.
• Though they will rarely ask the question out loud, YES, children wonder whether they caused cancer. It’s sad, but true. If this question isn’t addressed, children can carry this fear (that they had some hand in causing cancer) with them into adulthood.

• Why do people get cancer?
• Most of the time, no one knows why someone gets cancer. It’s hard to not have all of the answers, but the truth is we don’t.

• What causes cancer?
• There is still a lot we don’t know about how cancer begins and what causes it?
• Sometimes cancer can be caused by some chemicals, air pollution (smoke), certain viruses and other things inside and outside the body.

• Do children get cancer?
• Yes, unfortunately children do get cancer. It is rare for children to get cancer. More adults get cancer than children.

• Who will take care of me?
• There are lots of people who will help me take care of you when I’m feeling sick. When I’m finished with my cancer treatment, I will be strong again. When I’m getting my treatment, I’ll be around as much as I possibly can and we will do different things when I’m sick, like watch Silver Lining movies and read books.
  
  Another reason to process information about cancer with parents is that children learn about cancer from other sources, e.g., school, television, the Internet, their classmates, and listening to other people talk. Some of this information is correct but a lot of it is not. Not knowing what is really going on or how to cope with information about cancer can be terrifying to a child.
  So, doesn’t it just make more sense to hear the information at home?
  Talking about cancer does not have to be traumatic. If anything, NOT talking about it is ultimately more traumatic. In the past, misplaced embarrassment about cancer has allowed misunderstandings and fears about the illness to grow. Remember: there are always professionals who are willing and able to help when parents feel overwhelmed by talking with children (Silver Lining). Engaging professional help when coping with cancer is a sign of strength and resourcefulness.
  
  

  Honesty is the first chapter of the book of wisdom.

  ~Thomas Jefferson
• Go to the following sites to learn more about Hollye:
• www.TheSilverPen.com
• hollye@thesilverpen.com
• twitter.com/hollyejacobs

Healthy miracles with My Culinary Angel Linda Ott

Q) Tell me about yourself i.e. hobbies, activities, parenting…ect.

A) My hobbies include gardening, sewing, cooking (of course!), reading, and traveling both in and out of state, biking, swimming and playing with my two daughters. I have always loved cooking and that is my first love even before I decided to cook for a living. When I’m not cooking for a client, you can usually find me in my kitchen cooking up a special treat for a bunch of teenagers or my own family.

Q) Tell me about the type of cooking services that you provide to people.

A) The mainstay of my business is cooking for people on a weekly, bi-weekly or monthly basis. Most of my current clientele reached out for me because they were struggling with a new diet i.e. diabetes, low cholesterol, low fat, etc. I also do fun cooking parties where people cook with me and then enjoy the fruits of their labors and cooking classes for children. And from time to time, I do dinner parties for small gatherings in my clients’ homes. Some of the people I cook for are overwhelmed because of they have to give up eating something or have to start eating new foods due to what a dietician said. After just a few cooking sessions, they see there is a new world--a new set of foods for them to choose from. I know I have succeeded when I receive wonderful comments about the new foods I have introduced to my clients. Sometimes I help them go through their kitchen cupboards, and help them clear out the unhealthy food choices based upon what the dietician has told them. Other times, I meet the clients at the grocery store and help them learn to shop for healthier choices. It’s just overwhelming for them to adjust to their new lifestyles, but at the end of the day, I find it very rewarding to help them.

Q) What are you areas of expertise in the cooking field and why you chose them?

A) I enjoy cooking healthy meals & surprising my clients with delicious and nutritious meal options--eating healthy doesn't have to be boring! I do a lot of research on the recipes I make. The web has truly made it simple to do this with the recipes. I have subscribed to various newsletters that help me with menu planning for specific dietary needs.

Q) Where you were you taught about this type of cooking? What motivation you to start this?

A) I learned most of my cooking skills from my first mentor at a private resort in upstate New York. William Schwartau took a chance and hired me. He taught me to make some interesting dishes such as beef tongue and ox tail soup! I went to college and learned learned to perfect my cooking and menu planning skills. After college, I went to work for Marriott. I have worked in every hotel department and have always come back to my love of food either working in restaurants or catering. After 31 years of moving around for a company and working 60-80 hours a week 365 days a year, I decided to take my skills and become self-employed. I started My Culinary Angel, LLC about a year ago.

Q) What types of dishes do you cook for others and at home?

A) I am pretty fortunate that I can follow any recipe and have success. Usually with a new recipe I’ll follow it the first time and the second time, I’ll put my own personal touch on it. At home I love to experiment--when I cook for my family I don’t often use recipes.

Q) Do you suggest people by local or homegrown food or going and buying food? Explain.

A) If you have the space and the time in your schedule, growing your own food is not only healthy, but very rewarding. I grow my own herbs during the spring and summer, and during fall and winter I move them from outdoors and into my basement; it kind of becomes a jungle. Local farmers markets and food co-ops are also a great option. When I can, I always buy organic to avoid pesticides.

Q) I understand that you cooked for the Littlest Tumor Foundation retreats, why did you choose to help them?

A) After Tracy called me to meet with her, I looked up her info on the web. She gave me a run down about cooking for her Family Wellness Retreat in Door County. I had already decided before I met with her that I would donate my time for her retreat. I have been blessed with two very healthy children. I jumped at the chance to help these families have a great weekend in a special place.

Q) How can parents get their children to integrate healthy food into their diets?

A) Healthy eating should start at birth. The more you expose them to healthy foods, the more likely they will choose to eat healthy. Remember, kids are watching what you eat as well--set the right example. There is a lot of comfort food, it’s truly a mindset of choosing and I think that if you talk to anyone in the healthcare industry there are things a person can do. I think that people aren’t going to change the way they eat, until they are ready to change their eating habits.

Q) What has worked for you to get your children to eat healthy?

A) I raised them the same. My first child was raised on a vegetarian diet until about three when she came to Wisconsin. My 15-year-old has always been an easy-to-please kind of eater. She will try anything and enjoys healthy food--not to say that she doesn't enjoy junk food but if I stock my kitchen with good food, she will choose to eat good food.
My 6-year-old, on the other hand, is my picky eater. As with most kids, her tastes are constantly changing--one week she loves carrots and the next week she won't touch them! We grow a lot of our own veggies in the summer and that seems to help to get her to try the veggies after she has worked so hard to grow them. She also loves to cook with me and here again, if she is involved, she will try it. She has her days, some days I make Mac’ n Cheese but she also eats broccoli. I sometimes have to pick my battles. During the summer she is more likely to eat vegetables because she could see how they grow. I also find that she is more willing to try new things if they are simple--not a lot of sauces or seasoning and she prefers to eat one food at a time so no casseroles for her. I find that when I cook with my daughter she is more willing to try it later.

Q) In closing, what are some tips or even advice to give to people who are trying to eat and cook healthier?

A) The web has made searching for recipes so much easier than scouting through countless cookbooks. From what I have read I have learned that fresh is best, but frozen is the best second choice. When I do my own freezing I do them in servings of four and when it’s for a family or yourself then fresh is the best idea to go.
Take baby steps; don't try to overhaul your diet overnight. Start by adding a new fruit or vegetable each week or every other day. Try practicing Meatless Monday. Whip up a new flavored smoothie each week.

The Littlest Tumor Foundation thanks Linda Ott for this interview on how people can change their and their families’ lives by using healthier and tasty cooking options. If you are interested in her services or contacting her, Ms. Ott can be reached at:

My Culinary Angel LLC
A Personal Chef Service
(920) 904-1684
lindaott@hotmail.com
or check out her website at:

My Culinary Angel

Neurofibromatosis intern

Hello all,
My name is Mardy Wiesman, a recent spring 2011 graduate from University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh. I had gone to college for a journalism degree with an emphasis in advertising and religious studies minor. I enjoy writing and my dream job someday will to be a copywriter. I have recently started at the Littlest Tumor Foundation (LTF) in late November 2011. Here, I am going to be in charge of the blog and contacting fellow bloggers on the net to join the LTF blog.
Prior to my internship here, I had no idea what neurofibromatosis (NF) was at the time. I sometimes would watch The Learning Channel (TLC) from time to time and there were a handful of specials on the disorder from time to time, although I forgot the disorder’s name over the course of time. After reading the book “Understanding Neurofibromatosis: 2nd Edition An Introduction for Patients and Parents” by James Tonsgard, Ph.D., for LTF, I was able to connect the disorder with the documentary specials I had watched years before. One of the points of both the book and the documentaries was the mentioning of café-au-lait or coffee mixed with milk-colored spots that were present on those who were afflicted with NF.
Then it came back to me. I remembered how some people would have these spots on their body and that would be all they would be afflicted with. Then I remembered how other people would get a more severe case of NF and have neurofibroma or tumors all over their bodies. Yet at the same time, NF is a common, yet relatively unheard of disorder. Here at LTF we are spreading the word on NF by means of social media such as blogging and Facebook, but also through events and campaigns. Together we can find a cure for children with NF before they reach adulthood. Join LTF today and soon we will find a treatment because, “Tumors in children, we do not like them!”

Neurofibromatosis and Green Juice

Posted on November 29, 2011 at 11:40pm

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I was moved this week when I read an article written by my friend's sister. I wanted to use my blog this week to share it with you for two main reasons.

First, I wanted to give some publicity to the rare condition of Neurofibromatosis as it is something that many of us know nothing about. Briefly, it affects 1 in 3,000 children and causes tumors to grow anywhere in the body including the brain and spine and can cause a series of other significant health issues. They range from serious skeletal abnormalities, to endocrine issues, to difficult-to-treat cancers. Much is not understood.

Tracy Wirtanen, the author of the article I read, and my friend's sister, is the mother of an 8-year-old boy, Sami, who is diagnosed with Neurofibromatosis. You can read her blog here, where she wrote as a guest on Kriss Carr's website crazysexylife.com and you can find out more information about Neurofibromatosis at the website of the foundation she created at www.littlesttumorfoundation.com

Secondly, in her article, Tracy talks about the changes she and her family have chosen to make with regard to their nutrition, both for Sami and the other members of her family. She talks about the fact that Sami drinks green juice every day, and loves it, he even asks for it! I bring this up, because it highlights something that can get forgotten when we talk about juicing. This stuff is really good for you, at a cellular level. There is a real theraputic benefit in drinking vegetable and fruit juice. Our bodies can use the nutrients provided by the juice to both prevent future tumour growth, and help the body deal heal itself.

Yes, juice is a great vehicle to boost health and vitality, and help us to clean our systems when we have overindulged, but there is a more serious side to its benefits as well. If incorporating it into your diet will allow your body to battle cancer tumours, or give your body the tools it needs to prevent them developing in the first place, then what an incredible gift you can give to yourself, and your children every day! The gift of good health!

For those of you with juicers, then try the following Green Juice recipe, packed full of antioxidants, chlorophyll and good health.

Green Delight

3 kale stalks

1/4 pineapple (not peeled)

1 apple

1/2 piece ginger (not peeled)

1 stick celery

1/2 lime (not peeled)

Pack the kale into the juicer chute, and put the apple on top, then whizz every thing through the juicer. If you want to add some extra nutrients, then add a spoonful of spirulina to the juice and blend it with some ice.

Please do click on the link to both Tracy's article and her foundations website, she is doing terrific work to educate us about this potentially devastating disease.

If nothing else, give Tracy, Sami and her family a thought or a prayer over the coming weeks, and if you are lucky enough, be thankful for you and your families good health.

Happy Juicing,

Jx

http://millburn.patch.com/blog_posts/neurofibromatosis-and-green-juice

Spork Foods Interview

Spork Foods: Jenny Engel and Heather Goldberg

Q1

You two have become famous as vegan sisters who teach how to make fun and

delicious vegan food. How did you get started on this cooking path, and why did

you start Spork Foods?

A:

Jenny: I became a vegan in college with the connections I made about the

environment and food choices. Initially, it really began out of immediate necessity,

as at that time there were not a lot of vegan food products out there and it

prompted me to begin cooking and loving it. We always really wanted a sister

business and so as we came to the same realizations about food on separate

paths, it ultimately led to Spork. We love empowering people to cook and

eat fun and easy foods and the best way we know how is through classes.

Heather: It began with a bit of empowering people to take their health into their

own hands and impact animal suffering.

Q2

What do you love about vegan cooking?

A:

Heather: A lot! It makes us feel good that we make three choices a day about

what we put in our body. It impacts the earth, animals, and our health.

Jenny: It is a fun challenge to make tasty food. I am able to be creative and make

healthier options.

Q3

What are the top three most popular dishes/recipes from your book or cooking

classes?

A:

1. Mac-n-Cheese: It was 4 years in the making. It is a go-to recipe that is a great

comfort food in fall and winter.

2. Crunchy Peanut Butter Bonbons: They make people happy.

3. Seitan Wellington: It is designed for the holidays made vegan style.

Q4

Because we focus on children, in your opinions, what are the must-have

ingredients for a healthy family vegan pantry?

A:

1. Nutritional yeast: Sprinkle on popcorn and salads for good flavor.

2. Miso makes soup fast, is immune boosting, fights infection, and there are

probiotics in it. It is a staple in our pantry.

3. Fruits and vegetables, of course!

4. Kids love quinoa with chopped veggies.

5. Tortillas are great to wrap around everything, especially butternut squash

enchiladas.

Q5

What effect has vegan eating had on your lifestyle? What are the health benefits

of being a vegan?

A:

Heather: I lost 20 pounds without trying or knowing it and have stayed at my

ideal weight. I had high cholesterol and it is now perfect.

Jenny: I have a lot of energy that comes from eating good food. It is really amazing

energy and I sleep so well at night. I also no longer feel guilt about foods I eat. It

changed our lives. We are able to live out our dream with a purpose. I feel very

lucky being able to do what we love.

Q6

What is your all-time favorite recipe you have created?

A:

Fettuccine Alfredo! We crave it on a weekly basis. It is creamy from cashews and

has a satisfying quality.

Q7

What does the future hold for Spork Foods?

A:

We are working on refining the Spork online classes. We want to get the word

out to the world. We have tons of content already with 19 classes. We want to

expand our website. We have many tricks up our sleeves.

A Journal of Cookery

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2011

Brussel Sprouts

My kids love brussel sprouts. It is the go-to vegetable in our house, when all else fails (nutrition-wise). So I am happy they are in season! I normally just cut them in half, brown them with a bit of butter and finished them with a bit of stock till softened in a skillet (s&p, of course). But I happened upon this recipe and liked the idea of beans and brussel sprouts together. Adapted from an old Bon Appetit magazine (brussel sprouts from Farmer's Daughter http://farmersdaughter.farmvisit.com/):

Brussel Sprouts with Cannellini Beans

3/4 cup dry cannellini beans (or 1 can of cannellini)

1 cup vegetable stock

2 lbs brussel sprouts

4 cloves of garlic, chopped

2 tbsp butter (plus an additional tbsp for finishing)

1/4 cup fresh grated parmesan

Salt and pepper

Soak beans overnight...drain, rinse and cover with cold water (about 2 inches higher than the beans). Bring to a boil, reduce to simmer 1 hour (add a couple cloves of garlic for flavor...salt when there is about 15 minutes left to go). (Skip this step, if using canned.) Melt 2 tbsp butter and toss w/brussel sprouts...roast in oven at 450 for 15 minutes. In a skillet, saute garlic in remaining butter and then add stock and brussel sprouts for 5 minutes...then beans, salt, and pepper. Place in serving dish and add cheese.

(Am going to use this opportunity to plug my favorite beans,

Rancho Gordo, www.ranchogordo.com)

*Sidenote...I ended up cutting the brussel sprouts in half at the end, and would recommend cutting them in half before roasting in the oven.

The Power of Family Fitness

The Power of Family Fitness

Often times, when we think about being active we think of it as something we have to “squeeze in” when our kids are sleeping, at a friend’s house, or at school. Have you ever thought about how great it would be to include your family in your pursuit to exercise more regularly? Exercising as a family will improve the health of your entire family, make exercise more fun, and at the same time help family members develop stronger connections.

Some simple tips to get you started.

You may start out by simply focusing on educating the entire family about the benefits of being active and leading a healthy lifestyle.

Put up a healthy living bulletin board in your kitchen, with resources about the benefits of leading a healthy lifestyle, this will help get your point across, without having to bombard your family with statistics and facts related to living healthy. Example: post a story about a young person who had trouble focusing at school but started exercising and saw an amazing difference. You are only limited by your creativity!

Here are a few other ideas to get your family focused on fitness:

• Have a family member pick an exercise at the beginning of the week and make that your family activity for the week. Then train throughout the week with the goal of improving by the weekend. Keep the focus on the fact that everyone is improving. Rotate who gets to pick the activity each week.




• Hold a family fitness night each week. Each week select a different family member to design the family workout that you will all do together. This ensures that everyone gets to do something they enjoy, and your workout will never become dull.




• Join a fitness facility. You will be surprised how motivated your entire family will become when you all head out for a workout after dinner each night or take a class together. You can also purchase small pieces of equipment to keep around the house (jump ropes, resistance bands, stability balls and dumbbells) to keep you from missing your workout on even the busiest of school nights.




• Never underestimate the power of going for a walk. It is a great mode of activity and also naturally encourages conversation.




• Set some family goals. Example: Set a target of being activity 3 nights per week, and build from there.

Most importantly, make the process fun. You’ll be teaching your children about discipline, goal setting, and the importance of not only health, but also family connection.

Interning for a Solution

Hello!

My name is Kayla Guns and I am the Littlest Tumor’s intern. Before this summer I had no idea what Neurofibromatosis was and defiantly didn’t know how to spell it. But it didn’t take long to learn that this disorder had huge impacts on families and the people who live with it, especially children. Our motto is “tumors in children, we do not like them,” which I think sums up LTF in a nutshell. The Littlest tumor Foundation is truly inspiring, the people involved work so hard to promote awareness and generate the funds needed for researching a cure. The fundraisers and events that LTF puts on are always fun and allow for people suffering with NF a chance to forget their worries and spend a day with their families. Also I am impressed with the determination of LTF to become a national even global presence in the NF community. As a small non-profit, I didn’t think LTF had much of a voice outside of the Fox Cities but as the summer progresses I’ve learned that LTF is already known nationally and we’ve even had a sponsored event in Africa! I am excited to continue working with LTF this summer and see what else we can accomplish for NF. Here at LTF we are asking people to give a little, because every little bit helps. “What’s your little?”

Americorps Blogs

My Soulution

It is hard to believe that the beginning of August is right around the corner already at the Littlest Tumor Foundation. My journey at the foundation thus far, has been a remarkable experience. Too often individuals disregard lessons learned along their life path. With the pull of the universe embedded in technology and the business of schedules, people rarely take the time to give a ‘little’, reflect a ‘little’, laugh a ‘little’ or volunteer a ‘little’. In finding a solution, I have learned that it takes a ‘little’ heart and soul.

Over these past summer months, putting my soul into creating awareness, promoting wellness, and developing research, has made the solution come alive in my heart. Being able to work with children who have Neurofibromatosis has been extremely rewarding. Courage and bravery in their smiles, and positive energy it their attitudes, has taught me that the fight is always worth it. Now, more than ever, I strive to be a part of the solution. Creating awareness has been a major part of my solution, as well as pushing myself to eat my greens and practice moments of wellness. It is the ‘little’ things that can go a long way and create a big impact. I often ask myself, “what is my little?” What can I personally do today to make a difference tomorrow? When I start asking myself these ‘little’ questions, the solution becomes achievable!

Emily Wagner

23 Year Old Female, Single and Seeking a Solution

This week wraps up out 30-day Awareness Campaign and the theme is Solution. According to Dictionary.com, there are three definitions of a solution.

1. The act of solving a problem, question, etc.: The situation is approaching solution.

2. The state of being solved: a problem capable of solution.

3. A particular instance or method of solving; an explanation or answer: The solution is as good as any other.

So what I have been doing to be a part of the solution? Well the answer is not simple because the problem of NF has not yet been solved but I feel my work and dedication to the cause and the Littlest Tumor Foundation have aided in the solution.

Being a part of the solution means stepping outside of one’s comfort zone, doing something daring and exciting, reading and research, creating activities and events for awareness raising, having an open mind and devotion. A solution is not always easy to come by but there are so many things to learn along the way.

During my short time with the Littlest Tumor Foundation, I have worked daily with Emily, the best coworker one could ask for. I have also learned a great deal and have been part of a multitude of work for the purpose of finding a solution, including: an expanded knowledge of social media, how to organize an entirely free three day retreat, created a month long campaign, have been featured on the radio and in the newspaper, have met celebrities who are also dedicated to finding a solution for those charities they support, written countless letters to media outlets including news broadcasting stations, magazines and newspapers, created a quarterly newsletter for our foundation and attended community meetings and events. Emily and I have worked tirelessly to be part of the solution and continue to give our talents, skills and vigorous passion to find that solution.

Please join us to keep the movement going. You can do so by writing your politicians, getting involved in an organization such as the Littlest Tumor Foundation, attending events and benefits put on for NF and for children, just taking some time to read up on the most recent research and scientific/medical breakthroughs, etc. Do what you’re able. Anything will do. We are happy to have anyone and everyone on board for the solution.

“The important thing about a problem is not its solution, but the strength we gain in finding the solution” --Unknown

Yours truly, Bailey Murph