F E B R U A R Y
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O R E G O N F A M I LY. C O M
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FOR HOME AND HEART
EXPLORING EARTH’S BIODIVERSITY
THE POWER OF TOUCH
WHY TIME APART WORKS
Charting the course for a healthy childhood, we are with you every step of the way.
LoRanée Braun, M.D., F.A.A.P., enjoys sharing her own experience as a parent and pediatrician, helping other moms and dads navigate parenting and the many successes and challenges along the way. “Every child deserves a safe and healthy life, so they can reach their full potential,” says Dr. Braun.
To schedule an appointment, call 541-HUG-KIDS. 995 Willagillespie Road, Suite 100 • 541-484-5437 • www.EugenePeds.com
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FEBRUARY 2022
Eat Smart,
Waste Less
Tip #1
Shop with meals in mind “Shop at home” first! Be sure to check your fridge, freezer and cupboards for any ingredients you already have before you go shopping.
For more information, visit
www.eatsmartwasteless.tips
HEARTBAKER PIZZA $
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EARTHTALK Windfarms and Wildlife Does building them offshore help?
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FAMILY HEALTH Strides for Social Justice FAMILY HEALTH Why Time Apart Might Be The Perfect Marriage Elixir DAD’S EYE VIEW Another Swain-Free Valentine’s Day MOVIE REVIEWS Kids: Rumble Parents: Tick-Tick Boom
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DISCOVERY BOX We’re All Connected Understanding Earth’s Biodiversity
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SPECIAL FEATURE Valentines 2022 Home and Heart Gift Ideas VALENTINE RECIPES Puff Pastry Berry Hearts Valentine Charcuterie Board PARENTING NOW! The Power of Touch RESCUE SPOTLIGHT Pupper: Ruben Kitties: Sarge & Mustang Sally
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Valentines GIFT GUIDE
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FEBRUARY 2022
Has anyone figured out how to build wind farms that don’t negatively impact birds, bats and other wildlife? Does building them off-shore help?
Earthtalk
DEAR EARTHTALK
— MARY B, HYANNIS, MA
FEBRUARY 2022
In response, some wind farm developments are incorporating new technology that can recognize eagles, hawks and
an interdisciplinary approach that will analyze migratory movements, mating and feeding behaviors to determine if they
PHOTO: SOUMIT, FLICKRCC.
S THE U.S. TACKLES the issues of climate change, the Biden administration is investing in wind power as a key strategy for sustainably meeting the country’s energy needs. Federal officials estimate that the U.S. coastline could host 30,000 megawatts of wind energy by 2030, which would be enough energy to power as many as 10 million American homes. Wind power is a necessary tool for fighting climate change, but it can be a threat to birds. A 2013 study by the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute found wind turbines to be responsible for killing up to 328,000 birds annually in the U.S. alone. Bats, another species playing a vital role in ecosystems, are also seeing negative impacts by wind farms. Research has shown that larger, migratory bats are at the greatest risk. In response to these problems, the federal government has allocated $13.5 million specifically earmarked to addressing the impact of windfarms on birds, bats and marine species. Scientists are focusing their efforts on site analysis, species monitoring and wildlife deterrents. Large birds of prey are the bird species most at risk.
Generating clean, renewable wind power is all well and good except for the killing of birds and bats — but new technologies to mitigate wildlife strikes are giving hope to clean power advocates. other raptors as they approach in enough time to pause any turbines in the flight path. This tool, called IdentiFlight, can detect 5.62 times more bird flights than human observers alone, and with an accuracy rate of 94 percent. Developing the best strategies for protecting bats is a bit more of a challenge, but the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) is investigating migratory bat behavior with
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can find patterns that play a role in turbine collisions. Locating wind farms offshore has been identified as a potential solution to species loss caused by on-land wind turbines. But as with any man-made structure, it is important to subject this potential solution to environmental impact assessments to have a clear understanding of the risks and possible benefits. One study in the United Kingdom found
evidence that offshore wind farms could actually increase biodiversity if siting and timing of construction are chosen carefully. The study describes the structures acting as artificial reefs, mimicking natural habitat that can then be colonized by a diverse set of species. Indeed, as we move towards utilizing more renewable energy, efforts to mitigate impacts on wildlife and surrounding ecosystems will take on increased importance to optimize the overall benefit to humanity and the environment we depend up on to sustain us. ✦
CONTACTS: Bat Conservation International, batcon.org; “Is it possible to build wildlife-friendly windfarms?” bbc.com/future/article/20200302how-do-wind-farms-affect-bats-birdsand-other-wildlife • “White House Announces Plans for Massive Expansion Of Offshore Wind Farms,” huffpost. com/entry/white-house-offshore-windfarms_n_6167846fe4b0f26084f0178b; • The Habit-Creation Potential Of Offshore Windfarms, onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/ epdf/10.1002/we.324; “Bat Fatalities at Wind Turbines—Investigating the Causes and Consequences,” usgs.gov/centers/ fort-collins-science-center/science/ bat-fatalities-wind-turbines-investigating-causes-and. EarthTalk® is produced by Roddy Scheer & Doug Moss for the 501(c)3 nonprofit EarthTalk. See more at https://emagazine. com. To donate, visit https//earthtalk.org. Send questions to: question@earthtalk.org.
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Our Contributors 1
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Oregon Family Magazine is distributed monthly, year-round via direct mail in the greater Lane County area, and at over 150 high-traffic commercial locations. For information regarding Every Door Direct Mail, please visit www.dmachoice.org or www.optoutprescreen.com.
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PUBLISHER Pacific Parents Publishing EDITOR Sandy Kauten GRAPHIC DESIGN/LAYOUT Springer Design & Illustration ADVERTISING Sandy Kauten • 541.683.7452 sandy@oregonfamily.com
1. ROBYN ANDERSON Robyn Anderson is the education coordinator at the Museum of Natural and Cultural History. Learn more at mnch.uoregon.edu 2. RICK EPSTEIN A Dad’s Eye View contributor, also awardwinning columnist, and journalist. Author of Rookie Dad (Hyperion) and The Right Number of Kids (McKenna Publishing Group). His wife and three daughters run a living laboratory in which he is constantly tested, analyzed, and experimented upon. It’s as if a guinea pig could write. 3. BONNIE HARRIS Bonnie is Oregon Family Magazine’s resident Movie Review Master Extraordinaire. She enjoys watching movies of all kinds, and has been doing movie reviews for over 9 years and counting. She lives in Eugene with her family, enjoys gardening and cooking.
has to do it. When not compiling the best of the best to share with readers, she teaches public relations at the University of Oregon. Kelli lives and works in Eugene with her two boys and her high school sweetheart. 5. PAM MOORE Pam Moore is an author, body positive health coach, occupational therapist, and certified personal trainer who helps women push through fear to become their best selves. She’s also the host of the podcast Real Fit. To get her free guide to crushing Impostor Syndrome visit pam-moore.com. 6. RODDY SCHEER Journalist and photographer specializing in environmental issues, the outdoors and travel. When he is not out in the field taking pictures, Roddy runs EarthTalk, the non-profit Publisher of the syndicated EarthTalk Q&A column and the EarthTalk.org and Emagazine.
Christi Kessler • 541.484.0434 christi@oregonfamily.com OREGON FAMILY MAGAZINE P.O. Box 21732 • Eugene, OR 97402 541.683.7452 Email: info@oregonfamily.com Web: www.oregonfamily.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/OregonFamily
FAMILY OWNED AND OPERATED SINCE 1993 Opinions expressed by contributors or advertisers are not necessarily the opinions of, nor an endorsement by this publication. © 2022 Pacific Parents Publishing. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be copied or reproduced without prior expressed written permission from Pacific Parents Publishing.
4. KELLI MATTHEWS Kelli Matthews is our gift guide reviewer extraordinaire. Sampling lotions, testing toys and sipping bubbly is hard work, but someone
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O R E G O N F A M I LY . C O M
FEBRUARY 2022
Family Health
STRIDES FOR
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Social Justice
URING THIS COVID-19 PANDEMIC, it can be a challenge to find safe, engaging ways to exercise and socialize as a family. Strides for Social Justice, a program developed by PeaceHealth in partnership with Eugene Marathon, is a great option. It provides a way for kids and adults to learn about local Black history while getting outside and exploring the neighborhoods of Eugene. The centerpiece of Strides for Social Justice is a free, downloadable app that offers self-guided tours to various landmarks that highlight the contributions and milestones of Eugene’s Black residents, while bringing to light the hardships and injustices many have faced. In February, during Black History Month, two new routes on the University of Oregon
FEBRUARY 2022
campus will be launched – bringing the total number of routes available to seven. The other tours cover parts of downtown Eugene, Skinner Butte, south Eugene, Westmoreland Park and west Eugene. The idea for Strides for Social Justice arose when the pandemic forced the cancellation of the April 2020 Eugene Marathon events, including the 5K and kids’ run.
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PeaceHealth and Eugene Marathon began brainstorming ways to enhance our community’s physical and mental health while contributing to a more socially just and unified Eugene-Springfield. The result was Strides for Social Justice. A diverse steering committee of local educators, lawmakers and other community leaders helped shape the program and decide which stories to tell. Take a moment to download the Strides for Social Justice app, available on iOS and Android app stores, and begin your journey. More information is available online at stridesforsocialjustice.org.
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WHY
Time Apart
MIGHT BE THE PERFECT MARRIAGE ELIXIR BY PAM MOORE
I was
PREGNANT WITH OUR FIRST child when my husband and I attended a friend’s 40th birthday party. Over thumping music and margaritas (a Shirley Temple for me), we wished the guest of honor a happy birthday. “How does 40 feel?” My husband asked. “It’s good,” he said. “But I’m tired.” He and his wife had two young kids at the time. “I don’t remember the last time I slept through the night.” Our friend turned his gaze to his wife. Beaming in her direction, he told us how excited he was to spend the night at the swanky hotel down the street that night. “So fun!” I exclaimed. “The kids are with their grandparents overnight?” Our friend and his wife laughed, shaking their heads. “No,” she explained. “I’m staying with the kids so my husband can have the entire night to himself and wake up whenever he wants, in silence, totally alone.” “Too bad you couldn’t find a sitter so you could stay at the hotel together,” I replied. “No, this is actually the perfect birthday treat,” our friend insisted. I sipped my Shirley Temple and tried to make my face look as if I understood. Six years, two kids of my own, and countless sleepless nights later, I understand. As I’ve come to learn, taking time for yourself once you become a parent is not a luxury, but a necessity. Though it seems counterintuitive, one of the best things you can do for your marriage is to step away from it, regularly and intentionally. I talked to experts to find out why couples—particularly those with kids—are so much better together when they spend time apart.
BECAUSE, KIDS Our kids absorb an incredible amount of our time and energy. Ironically, this is exactly why parents need to take time for themselves. Alex Hedger, therapist, and clinical director of Dynamic You Therapy Clinics, encourages parents to take breaks from the demands of both their children and their partner, in order to “prevent cracks appearing in either partner’s well-being—or the relationship.” Tiya CunninghamSumter, a certified life and relationship coach, describes those potential cracks as “regret and resentment toward your partner… You’ll find
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yourself giving your partner the angry side-eye and it’s all because you didn’t make time for you.” While experts agree that downtime is crucial for both parents, David Ezell, therapist and clinical director of Darien Wellness, argues it’s particularly important for women. He describes a client who mistakenly believes she should never be apart from her kids, a mindset that tends to be unique to mothers. “Not only is it horrible for the children—they need to learn mom can leave and come back—but it’s also likely to turn this highly educated, accomplished woman’s brain into mush. Children are wonderful but we all need a break from being asked why the sky is blue (for the 400th time).”
YOU’RE STILL FASCINATING (EVEN IF YOU ANSWER TO MOM OR DAD) Before you were someone’s mom, dad, husband, wife, or partner, you were just you. Peel off all the labels and you’re still there, even if you’re buried under laundry and birthday party invitations. And you still matter. Vikki Ziegler, the author and divorce attorney best known for her starring role in Bravo TV’s Untying the Knot, calls prioritizing your own interests a chance to “nourish your soul.” Dating coach Corrine Dobbas calls it a time to “rejuvenate and foster [your] sense of self.” Whatever you call it, it is vital to stay in touch with what makes you uniquely you—the person your partner fell in love with in the first place. Hedger uses the analogy of a sports team to illustrate the importance of each half of a couple bringing their best self to the relationship. Just as a team functions optimally when each player brings his unique strengths to the game, “having time apart allows you to be true to yourself in a way that allows you to uniquely contribute when being part of the Relationship Team.” Dobbas agrees, only when you stay in touch with yourself “can [you] show up in the relationship more present, confident, and less stressed.” Not only do you bring greater energy to the relationship when you’ve had time to recharge, you also become a more interesting person to your partner. Marriage counselor and author Patricia Bubash says when each partner carves out time for their own interests, not only does it give them something to talk about, it also gives partners a chance to see each other “as interesting individuals, not just a wife [or] husband.”
Though it seems counterintuitive, one of the best things you can do for your marriage is to step away from it, regularly and intentionally.
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Jenni Skyler, certified sex therapist and director of The Intimacy Institute, encourages couples to be creative with the limited time they have. She says it is especially important for new moms to have what she calls “restorative, regenerative time” in order to show up to the relationship sexually. “For a lot of women, the ability to be aroused comes from having space for arousal to emerge.” She says because most women can’t just switch from “mom” to “lover” in the blink of an eye, having time alone is essential, even if it’s just 20 minutes to soak in the tub. Cunningham-Sumter says even carving out a few minutes for chores like folding laundry or doing dishes by yourself, “can be your time to turn on your music and just be with yourself. While any time away from your partner can be helpful, research suggests time spent in solitude may be especially valuable. Relationship expert David Bennett points to a recent study in which alone time was found to promote relaxation and reduce stress. My husband gives me time to work out because he knows the more I sweat, the more pleasant I am to be around. Though he doesn’t necessarily care to hear about the way my leggings chafed or how my GPS lost its signal during my run, he does care that I’m still the athlete I was when we met. And I rarely deny his occasional request to take himself and his fantasy novel out for a beer and a burger; He always returns in a better mood than when he left. Because sometimes time alone is exactly what we need to come together. ✦
As I’ve come to learn, taking time for yourself once you become a parent is not a luxury, but a necessity.
ABSENCE MAKES A HEART GROW FONDER Whether you take an hour for a kickboxing class, an evening with friends, or a weekend to go on a yoga retreat, taking time apart gives you and your partner a chance to miss one another. Amy Bailey, a Colorado mom of three who has been married 16 years, says that while date nights are key, so is time apart. Says Bailey, “There’s nothing that makes me miss home and my husband like not having him around, and we take that time to send each other texts we wouldn’t want our kids to read, and by the time we see each other again—well...we’re ready to see each other again.” While it’s not always possible to get away for long stretches of time,
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FEBRUARY 2022
A Dad’s Eye View
Another Swain-Free Valentine’s Day BY RICK EPSTEIN
A
NOTHER VALENTINE’S DAY, AND the only heartshaped box of chocolates that’ll be coming into this house will be the one I buy for my wife. With three lovely daughters (ages 3, 6 and 10), I can’t help but wonder how long our luck will hold. It all starts so much sooner than it ought to. When our oldest was 7, a tall boy named Alexander used to bewilder Marie by picking flowers for her. He confided
FEBRUARY 2022
to my wife, “I like Marie. A lot!” But he moved away, and we’ve been swain-free ever since. Now love is in the air once more. The oldest kid in our neighborhood, Billy, is 12. And Sally, our 6-year-old, keeps me up to date on Billy’s early dealings with members of the opposing sex, including the seventh-grade girl who sometimes babysits our kids after school. “Billy was going with Rachel,” reports Sally, “But then Rachel dumped him.” “You know, it sounds like you’re talking about a load of garbage and not a human being,” I said, speaking as one who’s been discarded more times than I’d care to enumerate. “Why did Rachel break up with him?” “Heather talked her into it, so Rachel would hang around with her instead of Billy,” Sally said. Heather’s part in it was no surprise. She is a fifth-grader who lives on our street. She is full of intrigues and counts it a day wasted when she hasn’t added to world’s sum of misery – and Billy’s unhappiness is her special joy. Sally went on to say that heartbroken Billy had gone out onto his porch roof and threatened to jump. “And did he jump?” I asked. “Sure,” she said, “But he didn’t get hurt. He does it all the time, but usually it’s for fun and not for love.” “Does all this
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go on while Rachel is supposed to be babysitting you?” I asked. “Sure,” she said. What more could a seventh-grader want? Ten bucks an hour, unlimited Diet Coke, plus the Lover’s Leap Thrill Show. Sally further alleged that Heather has a boyfriend, but is looking to dump him and upgrade. Apparently, from 3 to 6 p.m. on weekdays, when these kids should’ve been indoors playing violent video games or plagiarizing Wikipedia, they are out on the street reveling in some kind of hormonal happy hour in which they hack away at each other’s emotions like drunks with meat-axes until they’re called in to supper. I’m forced to remember my first love. I was a fourth-grader in love with a fifth-grade enchantress named Jeanette Scott. Although she was extremely uninterested, I’d walk her home from the bus stop every day. Jeanette’s main after-school activity was jumping-rope, so I joined in to be with her. Sure, prizefighters jump rope, but they don’t do it with two girls turning it for them and chanting, “C my name is Clara, and my husband’s name is Clyde. We live in Cleveland and we sell cookie cutters.” My campaign was not advanced. According to Greek legend, sirens were sea nymphs whose seductive song would lure sailors to their deaths on coastal rocks. Whenever we’d drive past the Scotts’ house, my dad would put his hand to his ear and say, “I can hear the siren song.”
(Dad had more ways to warn of treachery and disaster than Crayola has crayons.) One day on the school bus, Jeanette’s brother turned around and spat copiously in my eye. We’d been friends, and the oyster seemed to come out of a clear sky. He made no explanation, but I took it as a sign of brotherly disapproval. A week later, at the rollerskating rink, Jeanette laid bare her feelings for me. I had skated to the sidelines to chat with her, when, without preamble, she coolly poured a cup of well-iced Dr. Pepper over my head. Her friends laughed. The soda-pop, flavored with melted hair product, was bitter in my mouth as I skated away, a tragic figure, vowing henceforth I would love more carefully or not at all. It’s an ugly business, this boy-girl stuff, and the longer it can be postponed, the better for everyone. A few weeks ago, fourth-grade Marie made a remark I didn’t like: “Y’know, Dad, some of the boys in my class are starting to act like human beings.” “Don’t be fooled,” I said. “They’re just evolving into another kind of animal – the kind that wants to follow you home.” I hoped to sound a note of warning, but I’m afraid it won’t be long before the skies around here will be fairly black with heartbroken suitors flinging themselves off low roofs. ✦ Rick can be reached at rickepstein@yahoo.com.
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Family Movie Night
It’s Monster Showtime! BY BONNIE L. HARRIS
P
LENTY OF HIGHPROFILE, ANIMATED features hit the screens over the holidays, but a wonderful outlier that you might have missed is Rumble, a funny and heartfelt spoof on the zany sport of WWE. Writer-director Hamish Grieve creates a new world order where humans and monsters coexist,
RUMBLE Paramount Animation Rated: PG Streaming on Amazon
Training is tougher than it looks. and all are enthusiastic fans of the (WMW) World Monster Wrestling championship. In general, Rumble targets the younger audience, but there are enough comedic Easter eggs to keep parents laughing at the many pop culture references. Add to that a terrific soundtrack, solid characters, and a genuinely sincere story, and you have a first-rate family film. But a family in the small town of Stoker has known tragedy when their monster hero, Rayburn, and his coach, Jimbo are lost at sea. Fast-forward nine years and Jimbo’s teenage daughter,
Winnie, suddenly finds herself the town savior when a megacompany decides to tear down their WMW stadium. Wanting to save her father’s legacy, Winnie goes on the hunt for a monster wrestling champ and ends up with Steve, aka Rayburn Jr. Only problem is, Steve neither wants to be a champ nor does he want to live in his father’s shadow. Both Winnie and Steve learn to overcome their fears and find their true selves when faced with the enormous task of defeating the reigning
WMW heavyweight contender, Tentacular. He’s mean, mostly green, and out for revenge! In the last earth-shattering match, Steve finally reclaims his name, Rayburn Jr, to the thrill of the crowds, and Winnie realizes she’s a talented coach who knows how to motivate her monster. Together they reinvent wrestling and re-energize Stoker, not to mention, giving Tentacular the one-two KO for the win. Be sure to watch the credits for some fun animated outtakes, and pass the popcorn. ✦
FOR the PARENTS
Racing the Clock
TICK, TICK . . . BOOM! Imagine Entertainment, Rated: PG-13 Streaming on Netflix
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N UNUSUAL TITLE for a one-of-a-kind theatrical experience, Tick, Tick . . . Boom! takes us on a young man’s journey down the impossibly hard road leading to New York’s Great White Way. Based on the life of Jonathan Larson, the film layers his one-man performance of selected songs, over the development of his first rock opera, over the trials and tribulations of his complicated personal life. Each layer reveals Larson’s heartbreaking determination to fulfill his passion and succeed as a musical theatre writer set against Broadway’s harsh criticism and the AIDS crisis. The film’s music and choreography are nothing short of phenomenal, the characters riveting, and the story is one of deepest commitment to an ever unreachable dream. Knowing that Larson will eventually write the hit musical RENT, you can’t help but cheer him on at each financial setback, at every rejection, and while he struggles
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Struggling for the perfect song. to write the perfect song for his rock opera. Cameos abound with dozens of Broadway stars in minor roles, which makes for a stunning Easter egg hunt. And even more thrilling to know that Stephen Sondheim really did see Larson’s workshop incognito and was a long-time mentor of his work. See it soon before the clock goes Tick, Tick and Boom! time runs out.
O R E G O N F A M I LY . C O M
FEBRUARY 2022
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Discovery Box
We’re All Connected BY ROBYN ANDERSON • MUSEUM OF NATURAL AND CULTURAL HISTORY
T
HE WORLD IS FULL of amazing animals, from enormous elephants to tiny termites. There are roughly 8.7 million species of animals found on Earth. It’s our planet’s biodiversity and the connections between all living things that make Earth a unique, wonderful place to live!
WHAT IS BIODIVERSITY?
Biodiversity is the variety of living species—including plants, bacteria, animals, and humans—found in a specific place, such as a region or ecosystem, or in the world.
WHY IS BIODIVERSITY IMPORTANT? Top: A federally threatened koala, Phascolarctos cinereus, with her babies at the Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital. Above: An endangered baby Bornean orangutan, Pongo pygmaeus, named Aurora, with her adoptive mother, Cheyenne, a Bornean/Sumatran cross, Pongo pygmaeus x abelii, at the Houston Zoo. Photos by Joel Sartore/National Geographic Photo Ark
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Our world depends on insects that pollinate, plants that provide oxygen, and shellfish that filter pollution. These are just a few of the many, many interactions between living things and their environments that keep the planet healthy for us all. Everything is interconnected. Removing just one species can affect all the others, including humans. While Earth’s biodiversity is so abundant that many species have yet to be discovered, many other species are being threatened with extinction due to human activities like pollution, over-hunting, and environmental changes. When species go extinct, it puts Earth’s amazing biodiversity at risk. More than 40,000 plants and animals are currently threatened with extinction. But not all hope is lost. Habitat preservation and other protections are helping some species survive.
O R E G O N F A M I LY . C O M
FEBRUARY 2022
PHOTO: ADOBESTOCK BY KOPOPHOTO
Download the NEW WasteWise Lane County App or, visit www.lanecountyor.gov/wastewise
Answers to your Recycling Questions are just a click away
BALD EAGLES—A SUCCESS STORY The bald eagle became our national symbol in 1782. At the time, there were over 100,000 bald eagles in the United States. By 1963, less than 1,000 eagles remained due to human actions, such as the use of harmful chemicals and destruction of their natural habitat. Bald eagles were in danger of extinction. But people found ways to protect them. We:
ise
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LANE CO
• Created the Endangered Species Act in 1973 and declared the bald eagle an endangered animal.
find out, or
If in doubt,. leave it out
• Passed laws to protect eagles from hunting or habitat loss. • Banned the use of harmful chemical pesticides. Because of these actions, bald eagles have enjoyed a remarkable recovery and been removed from the list of endangered species. Today, there are almost 70,000 bald eagles in North America! Interested in learning more? Starting March 5, 2022, visit the Museum of Natural and Cultural History to see our latest exhibit, Photo Ark—Photography by Joel Sartore. This bilingual English-Spanish exhibit features powerful images, interactive stations, and compelling video that inspire us to care about these incredible, vanishing species. Join us during grand opening week for additional indoor and outdoor activities for all ages. Photo Ark is developed and traveled by the National Geographic Society. ✦
Free App Available in English and Spanish on Android and Apple devices.
PHOTOARK PHOTOGRAPHS BY JOEL SARTORE
The Museum of Natural and Cultural History is open to the public Wednesday through Sunday, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and until 8:00 p.m. on Thursdays. Stay tuned to our website (mnch.uoregon.edu) and follow us on social media for the latest on our new lineup of online and in-person programs.
FEBRUARY 2022
O R E G O N F A M I LY . C O M
Come face to face with some of the world’s most charismatic animals. This exhibit is bilingual English-Spanish.
ON VIEW BEGINNING MARCH 5 1680 East 15th Avenue, Eugene, OR 541-346-3024 mnch.uoregon.edu © Photo by Joel Sartore/National Geographic Photo Ark Photo Ark is developed and traveled by the National Geographic Society.
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Gift Ideas for
Home & Heart VALENTINE’S DAY 2022 Valentine’s Day isn’t just for giggly teens or smoochie young couples but is a perfect opportunity to celebrate family warmth and love. Maybe you say it through art, or sweets or just thoughtful messages that say “gosh, I sure love you.” Whatever your mode, Oregon Family found some great ideas to make sure the love is loud and clear.
Home is Where the Heart Is POSITIVE PRINTS
Even if your significant other isn’t terribly romantic, the idea that you can see what the stars or moon looked like on your wedding day, or your first date or the birth of your child is pretty awe-inspiring. Input your date and Positive Prints will generate a unique-to-you image and send a gorgeous printed poster ready to frame. https://positiveprints.com/
PORTRAITS BY KELSEY & CJ
A family portrait doesn’t have to mean wrangling kids and kin into coordinating outfits posed under and tree. Portraits by Kelsey & CJ creates digital portraits in a fun, illustrated style. We sent a few photos of each individual family member and Kelsey and CJ sent back our portrait in just a couple of days as a highresolution file that we can have printed at any size. https://www.etsy.com/shop/kelseyandcj/
3D SUCCULENT PILLOW
Complement your new personalized artwork with a 3D succulent pillow from Green Philosophy. These super soft throw pillows will warm up your space. They’re are inspired by a specific plant and a creative way to bring a little greenery in. https://www.greenphilosophy.co/
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What is Valentine’s Day Without Chocolate? CHOCOLATE HEART PIZZA
Unsurprisingly, this Chocolate Heart Pizza from Sugar Plum was a huge hit - with the whole family. It’s delicious! Made from solid milk chocolate and topped with chocolate candies and a white chocolate drizzle. It also comes with a wooden mallet to break this heart into bite-sized bits. https://www.sugar-plum.com/
ASKANYA CHOCOLATES
Askanya Chocolates are a premium bean-to-bar Haitian chocolate that not only tastes good but does good. Ingredients like cacao, lime, orange, artisanal cane sugar, are directly sourced from a network of 3,000 Haitian farmers. And as a Black womanowned company, Askanya Chocolates is proud that their cocoa beans are handcrafted into bars by women in Haiti. https://askanya.ht/
COCOA TRUFFLE BARS
GOALZ CHOCOLATES
My favorite discovery for this guide is Honey Mama’s cocoa truffle bars. This Portland-based company makes its bars from a base of raw honey and cocoa. Free from refined sugar, soy, dairy, eggs, and grain, and are packed with superfood ingredients, these bars will satisfy a sweet tooth but also make you feel like you’re doing something good for yourself. My 9-year-old loved the Oregon Mint and the Tahini Orange was my favorite. https://honeymamas.com/
I love that you can find chocolate for anyone and it can even be healthy! Goalz Chocolates is premium dark chocolate that’s Keto-friendly, low-carb, diabetic and vegan. It’s made fresh in California and arrives in unique high-end packaging (I think there’s a spring in it!) and zero-carb sugar. https://www.thegoalz.com/
FEBRUARY 2022
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Mom & Dad Need a Little Extra Love CHEMISTRY PINOT NOIR/ROSÉ
ISABELLE GRACE JEWELRY
Oregon Family Magazine favorite Isabelle Grace Jewelry has two pieces that will make mom swoon. Between My Heart Initial Necklace celebrates love everyday day with shimmery mother of pearl initials hand-wired between a heart charm. Pair with the lightweight, versatile Heart Hoop Earrings, perfect for everyday wear. https://www.isabellegracejewelry.com/
Add a little bubbly to your celebration of life and love with Chemistry NV Pinot Noir Rosé Bubbles. We loved this rose! It felt celebratory and fun. Chemistry is the first collaborative project between our winemakers at Stoller Family Estate and Chehalem Winery. These bubbles are perfect for indulging in the romance of Valentine’s Day without breaking the bank. https:// www.chemistrywine.com/
JERKY BOUQUET & MEATHEARTS
LOVE BRACELET
The “Love” Kantha bracelet from World Finds comes in rich shades of burgundy and has a beautiful message “Handmade from repurposed Sari textiles, this Love Bracelet allows us to open our hearts to those in need. With love, we can work selflessly towards creating a better world. Each piece is made from repurposed Sari and Kantha textiles (covering a wood base). https:// www.worldfinds.com/
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“Manly” is right there in the title, but I promise Mom and kids will enjoy the Manly Man Co. Jerky Bouquet or MeatHearts just as much. The bouquet and MeatHeart’s arrival included a lot of exclamations of surprise and bemusement, quickly followed by “oh, that’s really good.” Not only is it a great conversation starter and clever gift, but it’s darn good jerky! https://manlymanco.com/
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FEBRUARY 2022
Sharing a Moment with Your Kids SENNA CASE RAYNE PULLOVER
MONSTERBASS SUBSCRIPTION BOX
The MonsterBass subscription box is a perfect “I love you, let’s go fishing!” gift that keeps giving. And what’s better than spending time together at the river or on the lake? The box delivers monthly lures and tackle that are hand-selected by local experts for where you live and fish. https://monsterbass.com/
The idea of matching outfits with my kids was never really a thing - even when we went to Disneyland, but there is something about the Senna Case Rayne pullover that had me picturing my teen and me in matching styles. This gender-inclusive apparel is soft, comfortable and cut to be stylish, not sloppy. You’ll find matching styles for kids and adults. And yes, I did get my teen to pose with me in our matchy-matchy sweatshirts. https://sennacase.com/
ZOX WRISTBANDS
I love a good positive message and Zox wristbands are perfect. The bands are made from recycled water bottles and are reversible and comfortable with beautiful art on one side and a positive message on the other. My 9-year-old and I say “I love you to the moon and back” nearly every day. When his Zox arrived with that message, he just lit up – “Mom! This is what we say!” Pretty special. https://zox.la/
Valentine’s Day Recipes
PUFF PASTRY BERRY HEARTS
VALENTINE’S DAY SNACK BOARD
Prep Time: 5 minutes Cook Time: 10 minutes Makes: about 18 hearts (depending on the size of the cookie cutter)
This Valentine’s Day Snack Board is filled with red, pink, and white treats that are all natural and dye-free! Its perfect for a Valentine’s Day party.
INGREDIENTS: 1 cup whipping cream 1 teaspoon powdered sugar 1 package frozen puff pastry, defrosted ½ cup fresh raspberries (or mixed berries)
DETAILS: • Strawberry Rice Crispy Treats • Wholesome Sweets Gummies • Smashmallow Marshmallows • Trader Joe’s Freeze Dried Strawberries + Raspberries • Trader Joe’s Red Licorice • Trader Joe’s Peppermint Balls • Trader Joe’s Chocolate Sunflower Seed Drops • Trader Joe’s Gummy Xs and Os • Trader Joe’s Mini Heart Cookies • Yum Earth Lollipops • Valley Lahvosh Cracker Hearts
HOW TO MAKE: 1. Preheat oven to 400°F. 2. Unfold the puff pastry and cut into hearts using heart-shaped cookie cutters. 3. Place the puff pastry hearts on a baking sheet and bake for 10-12 minutes, or until golden brown. 4. In the bowl of a standing mixer, or with an electric mixer whip the cream on medium- high speed for 2-3 minutes. Add the powdered sugar and beat on high for 30 more seconds or until thick and fluffy. 5. Remove hearts from the oven and allow to cool completely. Slice hearts in half. Top the bottom half with whipped cream and berries, and place the other half on top to form a sandwich.
FEBRUARY 2022
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The Power of Touch BY PARENTING NOW
A
CLOSE, NURTURING, AND RESPONSIVE relationship is the single most important factor affecting our children’s well-being. Nurturing touch is a part of that. Through your gentle stroke on their cheek or a warm embrace, your child learns about comfort, safety, security, and love. All babies need touch to survive and thrive, and the use of infant massage or gentle touch is a wonderful way to sooth your baby and nurture your bond. Research has found that infant massage and gentle touch can: • Improve baby’s blood flow • Relax tense muscles • Stimulate brain development • Improve baby’s sleep (and yours!) • Lower baby’s stress hormones
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Best of all, it encourages a connection between you and your baby!
HOW TO GIVE BABY A MASSAGE Infant massage can help soothe and relax your baby, giving them a sense of comfort and security. When and how often you want to massage your baby is up to you. Parenting Now Program Manager Meredith Tufts suggests building a massage into your family’s routine and rituals. You could add a massage before bedtime or when you reconnect with your baby at the end of the work day—this can be especially nice when a parent goes back to work or has another change that shifts how much they are able to spend connecting with their infant, says Tufts. Find a quiet, calm, and warm massage area. Lay your baby on her back, in front of you or on your lap. You can start by putting oil or lotion on your hands, and holding them up in front of your baby. After a few times of doing this, your baby will learn what comes next, and they can give consent by smiling or wiggling in anticipation, or decline consent
for touch by looking away, fussing, or crying. For an infant massage, you’ll want to use a slow and controlled gentle touch. You could start by rubbing your baby’s belly in a circular motion, then move onto the legs and arms. If baby is still content, move them onto their belly and lightly massage their back, neck, and shoulders. Be receptive to your baby’s physical and emotional cues, and be ready to adapt to them if needed. If your baby turns away or seems unhappy, try again another time. A massage is only one form of gentle, loving touch. Your baby benefits enormously from holding, patting, and gentle stroking, too. ”The power of gentle touch to help a child relax promotes healthy attachment, which is so important for development,” says Tufts. “Touch helps parents as well! When we connect with our babies, we support the co-regulation that helps us feel calm, safe, and emotionally well, too.” ✦
O R E G O N F A M I LY . C O M
FEBRUARY 2022
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Rescue Spotlight
M
eet handsome 6-year-old RUBEN! This sweet boy has a medical condition where he doesn’t grow hair but it’s okay because he loves to show off his fashion sense with his sweaters! Aside from his dapper good looks, he has a very goofy way of sitting, showing off a mini jump and planking on the floor before. This silly pup may be mature in age but still has lots of energy (especially when he knows he’s about to go on a walk)! He is looking for a family to accompany him outdoors and offer him lots of playtime. He walks well on leash and loves to catch treats in the air. Ruben has experience with kitties in his previous home so he could be a great new sibling for a cat. To start out, he would be best as the only pooch in the home. He enjoys the company of kids as long as they respect his space. He would also be great for a household looking for a hypoallergenic pet! He weighs between 75-80 lbs. Ruben is a fun, loveable guy ready to find his forever home! Greenhill Humane Society open seven days a week, 11 am – 6 pm at 88530 Green Hill Rd in Eugene. Cat adoptions are on a first come limited capacity basis. Dogs and specialized species adoptions are by appointment. For more information call (541) 689.1503 or visit www.green-hill.org.
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he Cat Rescue & Adoption Network presents MUSTANG SALLY (pink collar) & SARGE, a wonderful pair of black panthers. Sarge is an affectionate and confident 6-year-old boy kitty, and Sally is his 2-year-old twin “sister” who has a sweet and gentle presence. They are both playful and talkative, really love humans of all ages, and will make great companions for their forever family. They would love to be adopted together, but can be adopted separately. Sally & Sarge are in excellent health, altered, vaccinated, microchipped, and negative for FeLV & FIV. To meet this pair, please call 541-225-4955 option 1, or visit our website at CatRescues.org
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FEBRUARY 2022
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Strides for Social Justice BEGIN YOUR JOURNEY TODAY. You’re invited to participate in this free, inclusive, family-friendly program that will guide you to various landmarks for a view into local Black history and the powerful influence of Black residents within our community. Strides for Social Justice will educate, engage and encourage physical activity for people of all abilities, while generating financial resources in support of the NAACP and other organizations. Only by looking back can we move forward. Learn more at stridesforsocialjustice.org.
History
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