January 2013

Surely you’ve seen gluten-free foods at the grocery store. The words are on shelf signs and food labels, not to mention on the menus at many of your favorite restaurants. Is all this talk about gluten in the same category as eating vegan, organic, or any of the other new…

On fields and courts and in pools across the country, millions of kids dream of scoring big scholarships to college – and moving on to fame and fortune after that. They see dollar signs and the big contracts in their heads,” said Bob Foley, a Richmond-area basketball coach who runs…

Aidyn was all set to start big kid school. He could identify his ABCs and counting to thirty was a piece of cake. Kindergarten registration and open house had gone off without a hitch. There was only one tiny problem for Aidyn – and the people who loved him. He…

Every parent of all girls or all boys has all kinds of ideas about why their particular arrangement is preferable to the other. That’s just what we do. As the mother of three daughters, or a girl-maker as I have referred to myself in the past, I can reel off…

As an elementary school teacher, my classroom was always described as organized. Friends who came over and happened to see my pantry couldn’t believe how food was in labeled containers. If a family member or friend needed help getting an organizational system in place, they asked for my help. As…

Today I would like to introduce Maggie Mollie Mostly Muppet Mighty-Mop Moore. You may call her Maggie. Maggie is sixteen weeks old. Maggie is a labradoodle. A labradoodle, is, obviously, a dog breed created in a lab. Maggie traces her ancestry back to the Stanford University genetics department, when, after…

It was touch and go for a while there, but by the time the big day arrived, we had done it all. We shopped and wrapped and sang carols and baked (Or did we? Check out the poll results on page 8 to find out!) And visited those awesomely-decorated houses…

We all know a good marriage takes work. It’s also based on realistic expectations. The same principles apply to finances. Though it takes some effort, a couple’s expectations and communication skills usually need some adjusting after they say, “I do!” Words like “I” and “you” should be replaced by words…

A severe winter storm could knock out power to your home for days. Are you prepared? Extended power outages are more than inconvenient. During very cold weather, your family’s safety could be at risk. If possible, stay in a place that has power – a friend’s house, hotel, or local…

One Pot Harvest Soup In a large saucepan, melt 1 stick of unsalted butter. Add 1 cup chopped onion, 2 peeled garlic cloves, 1 peeled, cored, and diced Gala apple, 1 cup each: peeled and sliced parsnip, peeled and sliced carrots, peeled and chopped butternut squash, peeled and diced sweet…

Marbling is the process of floating paint on the surface of treated (or sized) water. Very popular in Europe in the nineteenth century, marbled fabric and paper were commonly used as a decorative materials for book covers, and for lining drawers, trunks, and bookshelves What you need: • Squares of…

Many people are surprised to learn that Hugs and Kisses, Virginia’s principle child sexual abuse prevention program, is implemented by Theatre IV, the touring arm of Richmond-based Virginia Repertory Theatre. But Theatre IV, the nonprofit company that produces this groundbreaking and award-winning musical for children, is no ordinary troupe. Founded…

Q: My husband died suddenly a month ago and we are reeling from his death. How can i help my kids, ages 4 and 6, cope with the loss of their father? A: Although it seems unimaginable, it is best for kids to return to the natural rhythm of their…

I’m a dog-lover and have been my whole life. Most stories from my youth include, at least in a supporting role, my beloved childhood dog, Button. My dad always referred to her as “sweet breath,” which she definitely didn’t have, but I didn’t care. When I was very young, Button…

Charlotte Steele put in a call to a repairman recently when she heard an odd clicking sound coming from her electric stove. She had purchased the stove three years ago and had never heard that noise before. When the repairman came out, he told her the noise was completely normal;…

When many of us think of cosmetic surgery, we might picture a flashy celeb having “work” done, like a facelift or liposuction. Cosmetic surgery, however, isn’t limited to these types of procedures, but is defined as any surgery that improves the appearance of a physical feature, irregularity, or defect. When…

Pediatric urologists treat children of all ages – newborns through adolescents – for problems with the urinary tract. This includes the kidneys, ureters (the tubes carrying urine from the kidneys), bladder and urethra (the tube which drains the urine from the bladder). Problems involving the external genitalia are treated as…

If your spouse says the dog is more welcome in bed than you are, it might be time to do something about your snoring. Or at least talk about it. About 45 percent of adults snore (most of them are men over 50). People may joke about shaking the walls…

This time of year, many of us are keeping our eyes on our New Year’s resolutions. I can’t help you with that one (sorry!), but I do know a thing or two about eyes. Working alongside doctors, medical experts, and other nurses for nearly thirty years at a facility that…

After a year of unprecedented warmth, the Farmers’ Almanac reports Virginia is in for a colder than normal winter that will include lots of mixed snow, sleet, and rain. In fact, these experts predict most eastern states – as far south as the Gulf Coast – will experience chillier temps…

Women visit my office and ask many of the same questions: Why can’t I wear high heels? Why do my feet hurt? And one of the most difficult to discuss: Why are my toes so ugly? The typical story unfolds. She may have pictured that little black dress with high-heeled…