Caring for Carmelite Kids at Easter

Franciscan Physicians Hospital has a tradition of helping the children who live at St. Joseph’s Carmelite Home and this Easter is no exception. But, what started as a hospital committee project turned into a project completely driven by Facebook groups wanting to help.

Office supervisor and Franciscan employee, Brandy Egnatz, is part of the Service Excellence Committee at Franciscan Physicians Hospital and helped formulate the idea for the Easter basket donation. To make the most out of the project, she decided to write a post requesting donated Easter items in two different Facebook groups she belongs to. One post went to went to a group of over 3,000 northwest Indiana moms and the other was for the town of Lowell.

Egnatz coordinated the project when she started getting an outpouring of Facebook members who wanted to help in the mission.

“I told them what I was doing and I asked for donations. Then I bought the baskets and the next thing you know, I had everything to fill them!” Egnatz said. “I met the women to collect the donations and with the help of my mom, Vickie Loeber (whom is also a Franciscan employee) and my babysitter Kris Holsti, we filled the baskets”.

Delivery of the gifts took place Thursday March 14th, during which time a basket with each child’s name was provided. Baskets contained stuffed animals, candy, toys and books that were all age appropriate for each child. Over 65 baskets were made and delivered.

Egnatz commented on why this project was so important to her. “I just wanted the children to have something to open on Easter. I have three kids and couldn’t imagine them not having a basket to wake up to. I just wanted to make them happy”.

For information on supporting the mission of the St. Joseph’s Carmelite Home, visit www.carmelitehome.org or call (219)397-1085.

About the St. Joseph’s Carmelite Home

Since its establishment nearly 100 years ago, the Carmelite Home has been a refuge for neglected and abused children from birth to age 18. Known for having the highest outcomes in Indiana, children of the Carmelite Home are successfully integrated back into the community. The nonprofit organization for family and child services offers comprehensive care with a residential treatment center and emergency shelter so no child will be homeless.

Back to School: What's in your child's lunch box?

It’s no secret that school lunch in America has its issues. Kids get the option of choosing pizza, fries, and chocolate milk on almost a daily basis. Although the kids may not have an issue with eating these foods every day, it can be very damaging to their health and development.

The nutritional standards for schools are improving, yet sugar laden and fattening options are still readily available in the school cafeteria. Many would say that the answer is to pack your child’s lunch from home. And although this may be healthier, it could be an even worse option as far as nutritional value is concerned if you buy the wrong foods.

Knowing what is truly healthy and what isn’t is the key. Picking up sugary snacks, fattening snack crackers, fruit in heavy syrup and sports drinks to pack in a lunch is comparable to buying flavored milk, fried potato chips, and a cookie at a school cafeteria. Baked snacks, low sodium lunch meat, whole grain breads, fruit, veggies, and real fruit juice are much more viable options when packing your child’s lunch.

Childhood obesity is still a major issue in the US. According to the CDC, childhood obesity has more than tripled in the past 30 years in America. Although in some cases genetics may play a role, most cases of childhood obesity occur from lack of exercise and poor food choices.

Setting a good example at home of what to eat will show your child that eating healthy is “the norm”. If children are getting nutritious meals while at home, choosing healthy options at school will be less difficult for your children. Almost every food distribution company is jumping on board with making America healthier and most brands now have a low sugar, low fat, lite, low sodium, or fat free option.

Here are some "tips to enforce good health" for your kids as they start the new school year:

• Encourage them to expand their horizons by offering incentives for trying new foods

• Try to fix a new meal at home that is appealing to kids like homemade baked chicken tenders instead of frozen or fried options

• Start reading the back of labels for how much sugar, sodium, and fat is in what you are feeding your children

• Eat healthier yourself -- Monkey see, monkey do!

• Take your child grocery shopping with you and let them pick out one of their favorite things to pack in their lunches

• Have your child bring home their school lunch calendar and go over it with them as to what options would be the best for each day

• Make a list of your child’s favorite foods and think of what healhtier options may be comparable

Educating your child from an early age on what healthy foods can do for you and what unhealthy foods will do to you should be a fundamental lesson from home. Whether your child chooses to buy lunch at school or brown bag it, having your child know what healthy options consist of is just as important as getting their homework done.

If you’d like to learn more about childhood obesity, please visit our Franciscan Physicians Hospital Health Library by clicking HERE.

Franciscan Physicians Hospital

701 Superior Avenue, Munster, IN 46321

(219) 922-4200

(866) 614-1777

Traveling With Children

Traveling with children presents special challenges. It disrupts familiar routines and imposes new demands. Planning ahead—and involving children in the planning—may lessen the stress of travel.

Before you leave, check with your physician. Children often have special medical concerns. The doctor can also advise you about medicines you might need if your child becomes ill.

Know your child’s dosage of common medicines for colds, allergic reactions, or flu. If your child has a chronic illness, consider bringing a copy of recent medical reports and a list of all medications your child is taking.

PLANES, TRAINS, BUSES
Bring snacks and familiar foods along. This helps when travel delays meals or when the available meals don’t suit the child’s needs. Small crackers, unsugared cereals, and string cheese make good snacks. Some children can eat fruit without problems. Cookies and sugared cereals make for sticky children.

When flying with babies and infants:

• If you’re not breast-feeding, bring powdered formula and buy water after you get through security. You cannot take premixed formula through airport security.
  
• Small jars of baby food travel well. They make little waste and you can dispose of them easily.

Air travel tends to dehydrate (dry out) people. Drink plenty of water. Women who are nursing need to drink more fluids.

FLYING AND YOUR CHILD’S EARS
Children often have trouble with pressure changes at takeoff and landing. The pain and pressure will almost always go away in a few minutes. If your child has a cold or ear infection, the discomfort may be greater.

Your doctor may suggest not flying if your child has an ear infection or a lot of fluid behind the eardrum.  Children who have had ear tubes placed should do fine.

Some tips to prevent or treat ear pain:

• Have your child chew sugar-free gum or suck on hard candy when taking off and landing. It helps with ear pressure. Most children can learn to do this at about age 3.
  
• Bottles (for infants), breast-feeding, or sucking on pacifiers can also help prevent ear pain.
  
• Give your child plenty of fluids during the flight to help unclog the ears.
  
• Avoid letting your child sleep during takeoff or landing. Children swallow more often when they are awake. Also, waking up with ear pain can be frightening for the child.
  
• Give your child acetaminophen or ibuprofen about 30 minutes before takeoff or landing.
  
• Use nasal spray or drops before takeoff or landing.

Ask your doctor about using cold medicines that contain antihistamines or decongestants.

EATING OUT
Try to maintain your normal meal and sleep schedule. Ask that your child be served first (you can also bring something for your child to munch on). If you call ahead, some airlines may be able to prepare special kid’s meals.

• Encourage children to eat normally, but realize that a “poor” diet won’t hurt for a few days.
  
• Check food for safety.

ADDITIONAL HELP
Many travel clubs and agencies offer suggestions for traveling with children. Check with them. Remember to ask airlines, train, or bus companies and hotels for guidance and assistance.

For foreign travel, check with embassies or consulate offices. Many guide books list organizations that help travelers.

Source: A.D.A.M. Health Library.