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News06/26/2017: 2017 Independence Day Celebrations in the Princeton Area
July 4th Independence Day celebrations are never a one-day affair. You can very easily keep the party going on for over a week, between family BBQs and local fireworks displays. If you're staying local in the Mercer County, NJ area over the holiday, below is a list of events happening by date. June 29 Lawrence Township June 30 July 1 Ewing July 2 Flemington (Rain date July 5) Trenton:
July 4th Jubilee July 5
11/13/2016: Scenes from Arts Council of Princeton's Dining By Design: Eye Candy On Saturday, November 12, 2016, The Arts Council of Princeton hosted their biggest fundraiser of the year, Dining By Design: Eye Candy. The gala raises money for ACP's community education programs for ask-risk populations. As an event sponsor, Princeton Online attended the cocktail hour which was held in the West Gallery's Rattle exhbit, hence the name Eye Candy. Artist Paul Henry Ramirez transformed the gallery into a fantasy world, or rather a candy land, of whimscial colors, shapes and paint drips creating "playful motion and dynamic dimension." The exhibit is on display until January 8, 2017, and I highly recommend bring the kids.
During the event, guests were treated to live performance art by acclaimed dance theater company Pilobolus.
Dining By Design was split into two components: Party Boards during the cocktail hour and a Live Auction at dinner. The Party Boards featured opportunities like a private tour of the Princeton University Art Museum followed by a dinner at Mediterra, a private tour of Grounds for Sculpture, and a custom sculpture by local artist Mira DiMartino.
The gallery filled up quickly, as did the party boards, with loyal ACP supporters, local profressionals and art enthusiasts. And with hip music pumping from a DJ turntable, the Arts Council of Princeton achieved a cool factor that only they can produce.
Jacqui Arce-Quinton and husband Jeff Quinton
ACP Executive Director Jeff Nathanson with Ted Deutsch, Board of Trustee President
Jane Hynes, Princeton Online's Content Director, and husband Ed Hynes
To learn more about the Arts Council of Princeton's efforts to bring art to the surrounding community, visit http://artscouncilofprinceton.org/community/. 11/05/2016: Give Back 2016: Thanksgiving and Holiday Drives in the Princeton Area Hunger and need is not just an issue that afflicts families in other countries. In New Jersey alone, more than 1 million people don't always know where their next meal will come from. This includes almost 340,000 children (1 in 5 kids). (Source) It's so easy to get caught up in all the exitement that comes with the holidays: shopping, decorating, pumpkin spice, peppermint, juicy turkeys and tree lighting ceremonies. While we can often feel overwhelmed by all the holiday preparation, think of the families who don't kow if they'll be able to have a holiday this year. It doesn't take much to donate money or goods to ensure a local family can enjoy the holidays. Below is a list of events and drives going on that you can contribute to. Tuesday, November 29: The Lebensfeld Foundation has agreed to match Annual Fund or unrestricted gifts made to the Princeton HealthCare System Foundation up to $5,000. This means, a gift of $100 will be recognized as a gift of $200, while a gift of $10,000 will be recognized as $15,000 after the $5,000 matching gift is applied. We are excited to offer this opportunity to our community. www.princetonhcs.org/giving Saturday, December 3: The Arts Council of Princeton’s Ceramics Community – students, instructors, & local ceramic artists – are creating 250 handmade bowls to feed the hungry in anticipation of the first Soul-Filled Bowls event to be held at in the ACP’s Paul Robeson Center for the Arts from 11:30-3:30. The public is invited to come purchase a beautiful handmade ceramics bowl for $20, enjoy soup donated by Blawenburg Cafe and a piece of bread. All proceeds will benefit Trenton Area Soup Kitchen and Mercer Street Friends. For more information, please contact Kathleen 609.924.8777. Friday, December 9 - Sunday, December 11: The Arts Council of Princeton announces the annual Sauce for the Goose Holiday Art Sale at the Paul Robeson Center for the Arts, 102 Witherspoon Street, Princeton NJ. Sauce for the Goose features a mix of fine art and functional crafts from more than 30 area artists, including paintings, drawings, functional and decorative ceramics, art glass, holiday ornaments, greeting cards, photography, jewelry, hand-knit fashions, felted work, and more. The sale provides important income for local artists during the holiday season, while also raising funds to support the Arts Council’s programs. For more information regarding Sauce for the Goose, visit artscouncilofprinceton.org or call 609.924.8777. Children’s Home Society Drive http://princetonol.com/announcements/announce/the-childrens-home-society-of-new-jerseys-thanksgiving-food-drive Montgomery Twp/ShopRite Turkey Donation Program http://princetonol.com/announcements/announce/montgomery-twpshoprite-turkey-donation-program JM Group Holiday Meal Drive http://www.jmgroupprinceton.com/holiday_meal_drive Toys For Tots collection at Captain Paul’s: Donate new and unwarpped toys for kids at their Lawrenceville location. Bank of Princeton and MoreBank Food Drives https://thebankofprinceton.com/contact-us/upcoming-events Adopt at family at HomeFront. Learn who to make a Christmas Wish come true. http://www.homefrontnj.org/campaigns-and-events/ For a general list of organizations that hold collections for those in need, visit the Community and Regional Affairs at Princeton page: https://community.princeton.edu/serving-our-community/faculty-staff-outreach/holiday-outreach PEAC Health & Fitness will be a collection site for the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots program. Toys will be collected from November 28th through December 11th. Anyone is welcome to drop off new, unwrapped toys, which will be distributed at Christmas to local, underprivileged children. PEAC’s collection is in conjunction with Battery G 3rd Battalion 14th Marines, located in Ft. Dix, NJ. For more information about PEAC’s collection, please contact Christine Salmon at PEAC Health and Fitness at 609-883-2000, csalmon@peachealthfitness.com, or visit www.peachealthfitness.com. PEAC is located at 1440 Lower Ferry Road, Ewing, NJ. Mercer County Veteran Services is conducting its annual donation drive to help veterans and their families enjoy the comforts of a hot meal on each holiday. Mercer County Executive Brian M. Hughes said a donation of any amount would be greatly appreciated. If you wish to donate, make your check payable to Mercer County Trust Fund. Please mail your donation to the Mercer County Division of Veteran Services, 2280 Hamilton Ave., Hamilton, NJ 08619. For additional information on making a donation, please call (609) 989-6120. Click here to learn more.
10/05/2016: Halloween Happenings in the Princeton Area Plan your haunted month with the best Princeton area Halloween Events in October 2016 - all ages, all fright levels, all good!
Theatre Productions Oct 8,9,15,16 - It's the Great Pumpkin in the Park, Washington Crossing Open Air Theater, 455 Washington Crossing-Pennington Road, Titusville, 267-885-9857
Oct 14 and 15 - A Night of the Macabre, Open Arts PAC, 146 Route 130, Bordentown, 609-424-3058 Weekends through 10/16 - Jekyll & Hyde, Washington Crossing Open Air Theater http://www.dpacatoat.com/home/ Oct 21 – 30 - The Rocky Horror Show, Bucks County Playhouse - http://bcptheater.org/shows-events/the-rocky-horror-show-3/
Oct 21 - Sleepyhead, West Windsor Library, 333 North Post Road, West Windsor, 609-275-8901
Oct 22 - 30 - Roxy Ballet Presents FRANKENSTEIN - http://www.roxeyballet.org/frankenstein
Oct 23 - Raconteur Radio, Princeton Public Library, 65 Witherspoon Street, Princeton, 609-924-9529 Oct 28 & 29 - Halloween, ACME Screening Room, 25 South Union Street, Lambertville, 609-397-0275 Demon, ACME Screening Room, 25 South Union Street, Lambertville, 609-397-0275
Oct 31 - Fright Fest Film Festival, Ewing Library, 61 Scotch Road, Ewing, 609-882-3130, 1 p.m., Screening of "The Green Room" at 1 p.m., "The Conjuring" 2 at 3 p.m., and "The Invitation" at 6 p.m. For ages 18 and up., www.mcl.org
Oct 31 - Princeton Garden Theater, 7:30 PM, John Carpenter's Hallowen. To purchase tickets: http://princetongardentheatre.org/films/halloween
Haunted Houses – Fright Fests Haunted House and Haunted Hayride, The 4-H Teen Council - every Friday and Saturday evening in October from 7 to 11 p.m. at the Middlesex County 4-H Center, on the corner of Cranbury and Fern Roads in East Brunswick. There is a $4 admission fee for each event, the proceeds of which go to fund 4-H’s next big event, Project GIFT. http://www.middlesexcountynj.gov/News/Pages/County-4-H-Plans-Fun-Events-For-Halloween.aspx Field of Terror, East Windsor - http://www.fieldofterror.com/index.html Scare Farm at Norz Hill Farm, Hillsborough - http://www.scarefarm.com Oasis Island of Terror, Robbinsville - http://www.oasisislandofterror.com/ HorrorFest at Shady Brook Farm - http://shadybrookfarm.com/horrorfest/ Terror Behind the Walls at Eastern State Penitentuary- https://www.easternstate.org/halloween Haunted Halloween Train, New Hope Ivy Railraod - https://www.newhoperailroad.com/halloween-train/
Family Fun Trick or Treat Train – New Hope Ivy Railroad - https://www.newhoperailroad.com/trick-or-treat/ Oct 7-10 and Oct 14-16 - The aMAZing Pumpkin Carve, Howell Living History Farm, 17 Valley Road, Hopewell. Artists transform 50 giant pumpkins for a walk-through exhibit., www.hvartscouncil.org/amazing-pumpkin-carve October 15 - Historic Haunts of Central Jersey, Wyckoff-Garretson House, 215 South Middlebush Road, Somerset, 732-748-7657, 2 p.m., Gordon Thomas Ward discusses the investigation of ghostly phenomena. $10.
October 15 - Ghostly Farm Tour, Cherry Grove Farm, 3200 Route 206 North, Lawrenceville, 609-219-0053
Oct 22 - Finding the Great Pumpkin - 2pm. Event held at Princeton Shopping Center – Free. http://artscouncilofprinceton.org/events/finding-the-great-pumpkin/?view_year=2016&view_month=10&view_day=22
Oct 22 - Laser Halloween, New Jersey State Museum, 205 West State Street, Trenton
Oct 22 - Spooky Skies, Raritan Valley Community College, 118 Lamington Road, Branchburg, 908-231-8805
Oct 22 – New School for Music Study - 5-7pm. Spooky Sounds: Musical Masquerades and Haunted Hunts at NSMS. Come to NSMS for two hours of spooky sounds! There will be musical masquerades featuring student performances, a scavenger haunted hunt with games, and of course, candy! Students are encouraged to wear costumes. Please join us this Halloween season! 4543 Rt 27, Kingston, NJ
Oct 22 - Ghosts at the Trent House, The 1719 William Trent House Museum, 15 Market Street, Trenton, 609-989-3027, 6:30 p.m., Actors will inhabit the museum rooms as the people who have died at the Trent House. Tour the museum and speak to them to learn about their lives and deaths at the Trent House. $5 includes pizza party and games for young children., www.williamtrenthouse.org
Oct 22 - Ghost Hunting Information, Equipment and Stories, Kuser Farm Mansion, 390 Newkirk Avenue, Hamilton, 609-890-3630, 7:30 p.m., Matt Cook and his team from Old City Paranormal demonstrate ghost hunting techniques and equipment. Refreshments served. Register., www.hamiltonnj.com
Oct 23 - Lawrence Hopewell Trail's 2nd Annual Trail and Treat Family Ride - 3-5pm., www.lhtrail.org
Oct 25 - Halloween Drop-In Craft Week, Pennington Public Library, 30 North Main Street, Pennington, 609-737-0404, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Through October 31, make a holiday-themed craft., www.penningtonlibrary.org
Oct 28 - Annual Hometown Halloween Parade, 5pm – Free. Starts at Palmer Square and ends at the Princeton Family YMCA. http://artscouncilofprinceton.org/events/annual-hometown-halloween-parade-2/?view_year=2016&view_month=10&view_day=28?
Oct 28 - Halloween at the Princeton Family YMCA - 6pm - Hey boys and ghouls, it's time for Halloween at the Y! A Spook-tacular event including Trunk 0r Treat (dangerously fun parking lot trick-or-treating), Spooky Trail (Beware! Keep Out! Danger! Caution!) and Carnival Games and bounce Houses (Happy Haunting!).
Oct 28 - Goosebumps, Princeton Public Library, 65 Witherspoon Street, Princeton, 609-924-9529 Oct 29 - The Zombie Mud Run, Field of Terror, East Windsor. The gates open at 7:30 AM. Wave times are every ½ hour starting at 9:30 and end at 11:30. Please arrive at least two hours prior to your start time. thezombiemudrun.com
Oct 29 - Pennington Quality Market's Annual Halloween Kid's Club Event - PQM will host it's Annual Halloween Kid's Club Event. Bring the kids in costume Saturday, October 29th from 11AM-3PM and get their photo taken for our Costume Contest. Prizes will be awarded in multiple age categories. Costumed characters are also invited to "trick-or treat" throughout the store, and collect goodies along the way! Come celebrate Halloween with us and have a frightfully good time! For more information about this and other PQM events, please visit www.pqmonline.com Oct 29 - Trunk or Treat is a fun, safe, Halloween Event where kids trick or treat from car-to-car for goodies. Costume Contest, Music, Dennis the Magician, Face Painting, Pumpkin Patch. A FREE family event hosted by Princeton Presbyterian Church and West Windsor Recreation. Saturday, Oct. 29, 4 PM 545 Meadow Road, Princeton, NJ 08540 Oct 29 – Halloween Hike at The Watershed – 4-5:30 for 4-6years and 7-9pm for 7-12years. Don’t miss our annual family-friendly night hike on the Watershed Reserve! Join the Education Staff to explore the ecology of night and magic of Halloween. Early sessions are for families with younger children; once the sun goes down, a little more spook-tacular fun is included for older children. Includes campfire in the woods with stories and roasted marshmallows. Guided hikes begin every 20 minutes; last hike begins at 8:00PM. Space is limited in each hike; pre-registration and pre-payment are required.
Oct 29 - Haunted Tonight Event, Plainsboro Recreation and Cultural Center, 641 Plainsboro Road, 609-799-0909, Ext. 1702. 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., Costume parade followed by a stroll through the "Haunted Village" to collect treats. Additional activities include pumpkin picking, games, crafts, movies, a mad science Halloween show, haunted hay rides, and refreshments. Free.
Oct 29 - Halloween Singles Free-Style, Central Jersey Dance Society, Suzanne Patterson Center, 45 Stockton Street, Princeton, 609-945-1883, 7 p.m., Beginner hustle lesson followed by open dancing from 8 to 11:30 p.m. Music by DJ Lou Becerra. No partner needed. $15.
Oct 29 - Rum & Onions XXXVII, Princeton Country Dancers, Pond Road Middle School, 150 Pond Road, Robbinsville, 7 p.m. to 11 p.m., 37th annual Halloween celebration features potluck supper followed by dance basics workshop and costume parade. $13 to $25., www.princetoncountrydancers.org
Oct 29 &30 - Trenton Punk Rock Flea Market - Halloween Edition! 10-5pm., Roebling Machine Shop, 675 South Clinton Ave., Trenton
Oct 30 — Hopewell Fire Department Halloween Parade, 1 PM, Hopewell Train Station. hopewellboro-nj.us
Oct 30 - Come out and enjoy "Music that Bumps in the Afternoon!" featuring the 67 cast bell Princeton carillon. Selections to include music from Harry Potter, Boellman's famous Toccata from Suite Gothique, and other fun favorites! 1:00 PM. Grover Cleveland Tower, 88 West College Ave. Free, held rain or shine
Nov 5 - Day of the Dead Celebration, 3 PM - 5 PM. Join the Arts Council of Princeton in the Courtyard of the Princeton Shopping Center to celebrate Mexico’s Day of the Dead with family-friendly crafts and activities, Mariachi music, live dance performances, and sugar skull decorating! This event is free and open to the public. artscouncilprinceton.org. 09/22/2016: EPIC list of Mercer County area fall festivals happening this weekend Happy First Day of Fall! It might not feel like it out there, but 'tis the season for apple picking, pumpkin carving, cider drinks, hay rides and more! And this weekend, the Mercer County area is jam-packed with fall festivals that are perfect for the whole family. These will take care of the question of what to do for lunch and dinner.
Fall Fest Weekend Weekend! Saturday, Sept 24
Sunday, September 25
04/01/2016: 8 Tips for Improving Your Nutritional Health So how did that New Year’s Resolution go for you? Are you fulfilling your goal to eat better and make better choices? On the first day of spring, did you feel anxiety about getting ready for shorts weather? Well guess what: you’re not alone AND we can help you set good intentions for the rest of the year.
Q. I’ve heard that you should start the day with animal protein because it boosts the natural serotonin levels in our brains and sets us up to have a good mood for the day. Is this true and can you give an example of what that could mean for breakfast? And what could someone eat if they can’t do eggs? A. Nutrients from digested proteins are essential to maintain adequate hormone levels, muscle mass, and critical functions in the body. When people don’t consume enough protein, they experience feelings of hunger, discomfort, and imbalance. Egg whites are the perfect animal sourced protein. Wild fishes are a smart protein choice, for those who can't eat eggs. Many plant-based protein sources, such as organic tofu, top quality vegan protein powders, and lentils (pulse seeds), also boost the nutrient value of breakfast in delicious ways. The healthy effect of consistently making smart food choices is experienced as a flow of good energy and well-being.
Q. We hear a lot about incorporating probiotics into our diet (I take one daily). What exactly do probiotics do/what are the benefits, and what are some good food sources?
Q. For those who sit for long hours a day at work, what would you recommend for snacks? I’ve been told in the past to save starchy carbs for when you’re active, and instead eat some like fruit & nuts if you’re going to be sitting. And what are some nut-free snack alternatives?
Q. What’s the beef over red meat? Is it okay to eat every week or should we limit to once a month?
Q. For people who workout regularly, should they be eating a pre and post workout snack? And what should that be?
Q. Is there a time of day that we shouldn’t eat past to not gain weight? I hear don’t eat past 8pm, 9pm? And then I hear it doesn’t matter as long as you eat something light.
Q. I’ve learned that healthy living is all about an 80-20 ratio: it’s 80% about the food and 20% about the fitness. Is that correct and can you explain how that is?
Q. Finally - What is a typical day of eating like for you? What do you eat for breakfast, lunch and dinner, and what are some things that you would never eat.
If you’re ready to take the next steps in time for summer, learn more about Bea’s approach at thriveprinceton.com. You’ll receive a nutrition and wellness plan that’s designed specifically to work for you. About V Bea Snowdon, MS ACN CHC * Bea Snowdon is Princeton Online client and part of our Princeton, NJ Health Care Guide. Learn more at princetonwellbeing.com. 01/13/2016: Black is the New Green What is your New Year’s Resolution? If it’s taking good care of yourself, read on because I’ve got some good advice for you. (And there’s a recipe, too.) Because so many of us try to eat better this time of the year, I asked my friend Csilla Bischoff to write about winter wellness. When you look at Csilla, a holistic nutrition counselor, the words that come to mind are “shining health.” She walks the walk of living a wholesome, balanced life, and it shows. No wonder her business name is, appropriately, Shining Health.
I expected Csilla to write about winter detox and juicing, but Csilla surprised me with Black Foods. It turns out that the chinese medicine approach to winter is eating Black Food. Here is what Csilla has to say about it, and my recipe follows. How to Nourish the Main Organs of the Winter Season By Csilla Bischoff, Holistic Nutrition Counselor, Shining Health. According to ancient Chinese Medicine, you achieve health when you live in balance with nature and the seasons. Winter is the time to slow down, to reflect, and to conserve your energy. It is also time to pay a particular attention to the kidneys, the bladder, and the adrenal glands. This time of the year they are most active and accessible. They are also most receptive to nurturing and are quickly restored. On the flip side, this is the time when they can easily be depleted. According to Chinese Medicine, kidney energy is incredibly important to our health. The kidneys govern our vital life-force energy. They hold the fire of life, our vitality. In a way, they are like batteries. Batteries that cannot be recharged. Our body and mind pull from this reservoir whenever we are under stress. Whenever we eat inferior quality foods or whenever we make less-than-ideal lifestyle choices, every action we take draws on this source of power. So it’s your choice - exhaust it, or nurture it with the right foods and actions. What can you do now to nourish your kidneys?
Black Rice and Black Lentils Mujaddara
I adopted this recipe from the Jewish Food From Minsk to Marrakesh, a book I co-wrote with Janna Gur. You can also make it with brown rice and green lentils. The onions are optional, but they upgrade the dish from good to addictive. (serves 6-8) 2 cups brown lentils Garnish:
08/20/2014: Mesothelioma 08/13/2014: Decoding Dyslexia 08/11/2014: When A Turtle Swims Against The Flow Thank you for visiting my BLOG My thoughts for you now are: The other day I was walking by the canal and I noticed the water was swirling unusually much, almost like crazy. I took a closer look and I noticed that there was a really small turtle in the water. Maybe she was the size of my palm. What happened was that after swimming in one direction, she decided to turn around and swim in the other way –against the flow.. The result was not satisfying at all, and she didn’t get it for a long while. Her tiny legs were paddling like crazy, but she hadn’t moved an inch. Then she stopped for a second and the flow started to take her … Realizing the force against hers, she started to swim still in the same direction, against the flow, with even less success, because she started to move backwards though she intended to get forward. Then I noticed the proportion of the turtle and the canal. How huge, gigantic the canal is comparing to this tiny, determined, strong willed turtle… Then it hit me. How similar we are to this turtle. The universe is huge, operating by its own laws and forces. We are tiny comparing to the universe. We have our strong (small) will, especially when we set a goal. We go, swim, we do whatever it takes, we stress out and have anxiety… and we don’t notice that we are actually going against Thy will. If we could stop for a moment, we would be able to see that dinner may even swim by and that the flow can turn us gently around and take us to a safe place: to the shore, to a swimming log or anything that can make our life easier. Swimming against to flow will definitely makes us stronger but it will not take us anywhere. Next time when you realize that life is too challenging again; when you see that one obstacle comes up after the other; take a moment and see yourself as this tiny turtle. Take a deep breath and set your intention that today, only today, you will go with the flow, and you will not judge, criticize anything or anybody, you will mostly say "yes" to any request comes to you (if it make sense) (Watch the movie: Yes Man by Jim Carrey) and see your circumstances as an outsider as well as an adventurer rather than a victim. Have fun by swimming with the flow, till next time, Be miracle minded and live Passionately! To learn more about my work, please visit: www.heni.us 08/05/2014: Most Wanted Men I must confess -- I am not a lover of the summer blockbuster. Yes, I did see Jaws one summer of adolescence (at the beach no less) as well as Star Wars in high school. But today's big budget flicks don't quite do it for me -- perhaps it's my age, gender, or that I didn't read the Marvel comics (or look at them). A raccoon with a machine gun is not my idea of movie fodder (even though Bradley Cooper is the voice behind it). So I was relieved to discover A Most Wanted Man in the cool quiet corner of AMC Hamilton theaters. Philip Seymour Hoffman is a key reason to see this chilly thriller this summer, but there are more...supporting cast members Robin Wright (the anti-Claire with dark limp hair, bad navy suits and powdery makeup), Willem Dafoe and Rachel McAdams, plus standouts are Homayoun Esrhadi (Zero Dark Thirty, Kite Runner), Nina Hoss and the central "terrorist" protagonist played by Grigoriy Dobrygin. PSH's last leading performance (he is also coming up in the next Hunger Games) captures what Hoffman plays best (and perhaps knew best) - on one hand, a kind, passionate, brilliant, supportive man, and on the other, tortured, lonely, insecure, occasionally bumbling. Seeing this performance brought to mind the excellent Lumet production When the Devil Knows You're Dead. So close to home, so close to the flame. If you opt to stay in the cool of your own A/C (as I did last night) and appreciate quirky Wes Anderson flicks, take in "The Grand Budapest Hotel." Seing the passing parade of familar Wes-faces (Norton, Brody, Lewis, Murray, Schwartzman, Swinton, Balaban, Dafoe, Keitel) with a few handsome new mugs in center stage (Fiennes and Law) you may feel deja vu if you've seen almost every other Anderson oeurvre like I have. However the Grand Budapest Hotel experience is totally original. Fiennes is drily hilarious as a seemingly by-the-book, refined concierge with a split personality, spewing profanity in the midst of perfume and affairs with octogenarian dowagers. It's also great to see F. Murray Abraham on the screen again (last time I saw him was perhaps Amadeus). As in other Anderson works, there is young love, loss, familial dysfunction, and a bit more violence than the usual. Along with zany scenes that seem to pay homage to The Shining and Shawshank Redemption. Who knew Wes was a Stephen King fan?
02/10/2013: Consolidated Princeton Website 11/27/2012: Crying and Colic
All infants will cry, some more than others. In fact, infants will cry more during the first three months of their lives than at any other time. It is normal for crying to total nearly 2 hours a day in the first six weeks and to slowly decrease to approximately 70 minutes a day by twelve weeks. Most crying is distressing for families, and even more so when the crying is felt to be excessive or due to colic.
Colic has many definitions and is often used to describe a baby’s fussy period when the level of crying escalates and the baby cannot be comforted. Colic has come to be a diagnosis of exclusion and should used when other more serious causes of excessive or prolonged crying have been ruled out.
Colicky behaviors generally begin around the third week of life and resolve around 3 to 4 months. Approximately one fifth of all infants will be diagnosed with colic. It will occur equally in boys and girls, breast and bottle-fed infants, full term and preterm babies, and first and second children.
Although there is no strict definition for colic, many health care providers define it with a “rule of three;” the crying lasts for more than three hours a day, occurs more than three days in a week, and lasts for more than three weeks. The colicky episodes often have an identifiable beginning and end, typically between 6 and 10pm. The crying of a colicky infant is often different from a normal crying episode, as it is usually louder and higher in pitch. The infants often become flushed and tense. They can either pull their legs up towards their belly or straighten them out with arching of the back. The belly may be full and the baby may pass gas. In general, a colicky baby will be either difficult or impossible to console, no matter what a parent or other caregiver does.
When attempting to treat colic, it is important to remember that no single treatment will work for every infant.
Changing the baby’s diet and method of feeding is one calming technique. If the baby is bottle fed, feeding in an upright position with a curved bottle or bottle with a drop-in may be helpful. Some colicky babies will improve when they are switched to a soy or hypoallergenic formula. If an infant is breast fed, mothers can try a hypoallergenic diet for themselves, eliminating milk, eggs, nuts, and wheat. There is also some evidence to say that allowing the baby to fully drain one breast rather than feeding from both breasts may alleviate symptoms.
Changing the baby’s environment and limiting external stimulation may also help to soothe. Offering a pacifier, riding in the car, using a swing or vibrating seat, warm baths, and belly massages have all been shown to reduce colic symptoms. Using some type of white noise can also provide comfort. This can be done with a white noise machine, a fan, a simulated heartbeat, or by placing the infant in a car seat near a running clothes dryer. There may also be some benefit when the baby is carried in the parents’ arms, a sling, or carrier. Swaddling can help those infants that seem hypersensitive to body stimulation and touch, especially if they are younger than two months old.
Two well-done medical studies have shown the probiotic Lactobacillus reuteri to be helpful in the treatment of colic, mainly with a decrease in the total amount of crying in the day. Herbal remedies such as chamomile, fennel, and balm-mint may also provide some relief from colic. Gripe water, which often contains dill, may also be helpful. Always consult a physician before starting any herbal remedy, as some of these preparations have been found to contain dangerous ingredients including alcohol.
Remember that babies cry and an inconsolable infant can be extremely anxiety provoking. It is normal to feel tired, angry, sad, and stressed out. When you feel this way, it is important to take a break, even for a short time. Ask a friend or family member to watch after the baby. If you are alone, put the baby in a safe place like the crib. Crying for a short time without you there will not harm the baby, as long as he or she is safe. Always reach out to your pediatrician if you feel overwhelmed or if you are concerned about the health of your baby.
11/02/2012: Resilience! The past few days have been quite an eye opener for this Snow Belt girl. It’s ironic that I grew up in the snow and cold capital of the world: Syracuse, NY and never remember my life being significantly altered due to any kind of weather event, ever! I lived in Florida for seven years and never experienced a hurricane and St. Louis for nine years and heard the tornado sirens twice. I moved to New Jersey and I have experienced an earthquake, two hurricanes, and a freaky early winter storm! What the *?<*&$#? I am continually reminded of the resilience we as a humans beings possess. We have the ability to make order out of chaos on lemonade out of lemons. We will rebuild our homes and our lives and we will help those around us rebuild theirs, it’s what we do, we can’t help ourselves. Take care of those around you and take care of yourselves the storm is over but there is still cause for caution: unattended candles, downed power lines, spilled gas cans, exhausted drivers, and cold. Rest assured there are people who care. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Also, continue to patronize the many stores, coffee shops, and business that stayed open on limited, overworked staff and minimal supplies! 07/27/2012: Swimming Safety With a summer as hot as this one, it is natural to want to be in the water as much as possible. While swimming can be a fun experience and good exercise, it is important to be aware of some basic water and pool safety.
Always keep in mind that children require constant supervision around water, whether in a bathtub or in the ocean. Nearly 1,000 children die each year from drowning, and a child can drown in less than 2 inches of water. It is important that children learn to swim. The American Academy of Pediatrics supports swimming lessons for most children over the age of 4. In the appropriate setting, children between the ages of 1 and 4 can be given lessons as well.
All children should always be supervised while swimming, and younger ones should be taught to follow the “touch supervision” rule, which means that an adult is in the water and within arm’s reach at all times. If a child is older and not in the water with an adult, that adult should limit all outside distractions such as phones and should never be drinking alcohol.
It is important to teach children basic safety when around the pool. They should never run around pool deck or push and shove others. They should always check how deep the water is by entering feet first. They should know to dive only in designated areas, and only when well supervised. Children should know to get out of the pool immediately if bad weather approaches. You should remember to remove all toys from the area after everyone is out of the pool. Children may be tempted to retrieve the toys later and are then at risk of drowning. The pool itself should also be secured when all swimmers are out.
If you have a pool at your home, it is important to keep the area safe. There should always be a fence that fully surrounds the pool or spa. The fence should be at least 4 feet high and climb-resistant, without any footholds or handles that can be grabbed. Chain link fences are not recommended. The gate should be self-closing and self-latching, which the latch placed well out of a child’s reach, at least 54 inches from the bottom. Ladders for above ground pools should be locked or removed so they cannot be accessed. Other items such as automatic pool covers, door alarms, window guards, and pool alarms will add protection, but should not replace an appropriate fence.
When swimming at a lake or pond, many of the same pool safety rules apply. Keep in mind that because the uncertain surfaces at the bottom of these bodies of water children should always wear aqua socks or water shoes. If children or teenagers are on a boat, they should wear a proper fitting Coast Guard approved life vest. For children under 5, the vest should have a strap between the legs as well as head support. Inflatable vests and water wings are not equivalent to these approved devices.
At the beach, remind children that they should only swim when a lifeguard is on duty and if the conditions are safe. They should not swim close to piers or pilings. They should not stand with their backs to the water as this increases their risk of being knocked over. If they are caught in an undertow, they should call for a lifeguard and swim parallel to the shore.
When thinking about pool safety you should also keep water-borne illnesses in mind. Recreational water sources such as pools and water parks can be contaminated and infection can be spread by swallowing, inhaling, or coming into contact with the water. Most infections are diarrhea related, and often a result of the parasite Cryptosporidium. In order to prevent this and other similar illnesses, remember that children with diarrhea should not swim during the illness or for 2 weeks afterward. Swim diapers should be used if children are not toilet trained. Diapers should be changed frequently and when possible, not poolside. Also teach children to avoid swallowing water.
Be mindful of the proper conditions under which to go swimming. Swimming in bad weather should always be avoided. The temperature of the water is important as well. Children should always enter the water slowly to make sure it is comfortable. Recommended temperatures vary depending on age and the amount of activity to be done. A temperature below 70°F is considered cold for most people. An ideal temperature is between 82°F and 86°F. Shivering, muscle cramps, and blue coloring to the lips may be signs of hypothermia. In these situations, children should immediately be removed from the water, dried, and kept wrapped in a towel.
Swimming and water play are enjoyable summertime activities. Parents are caregivers can make the time safe for everyone involved by being mindful of basic precautions. 06/12/2012: Top National Parks for Families (ARA) - Each year, hundreds of millions of people visit the 397 destinations that comprise the country's National Park System. Summer is the ideal time to explore many of these parks, as the kids are out of school and activities in the parks are in full swing. Here are four national parks that are worth putting on your family's life list. 03/09/2012: Getting Ready to Rumble So a couple of weeks ago I had this “brilliant” idea to sign up for the South Philly Rumble Crossfit Team Competition. And since then, I have seen last year’s video clip of the Rumble…I’m officially scared but aside from that it’s time to get serious and embrace this challenge. This week I began a nine day nutritional cleanse with the goal being to remove toxins from my body that have a tendency to accumulate over time. Cleansing gives the body the chance to rest, regenerate and assist in its natural ability to remove toxins and impurities to promote long-term wellness. Every couple months I try to cleanse. I feel cleansing helps to jump start my system and afterwards I feel great. I typically experience an increase in energy, focus, mental clarity, and experience a more restful sleep. I figure this is a great way to get my body nutritionally in-tune for the upcoming competition as well as gaining a greater sense of well-being and to help to get the most out of my future workouts. If you have any questions please feel free to contact me at PSSM Newtown or schedule a consultation 215-504-2223. 02/22/2012: THE SPRING SPORTS SEASON! Transitioning from Indoor to Outdoor Venues As the Philadelphia Phillies report to spring training in Clearwater, FL the level of anticipation for the be spring sports season begins to rise. One of my favorite spring time activities is meeting up with friends and family at the ball park on a warm, sunny day. Nothing beats hearing the crack of the bat, the “smack” of the ball as it hits the catcher’s mit, the smell of fresh cut grass and concessions, and joining in the cheers of 40,000+ fans. I also begin to look forward to driving along the roads the Newtown and Yardley on a sunny Saturday afternoon. Athletes of all ages pack the local fields playing the game they love. Whether it is softball players at the Edgewood Road Softball Complex in Yardley, the baseball players at the Northampton Athletic Complex and/or the soccer players at the Yardley Makefield Complex on River Road, I get excited to know thousands of young athletes are blessed to have the opportunity to participate in some of the best athletic organizations in the area. As a healthcare provider, I also develop a sense of concern as the area transitions from winter to spring sports. As a Certified Athletic Trainer, I have seen firsthand how the elements (i.e. weather and field conditions) of Pennsylvania can negatively affect young athletes. Unlike the Philadelphia Phillies, many local athletes do not have the privilege of traveling to sunny Florida weeks in advance of the season. They don’t have as much opportunity to train in an environment similar to which they will be playing in during the season. Rather, athletes in Newtown and Yardley are often forced to train in indoor venues (i.e. school gyms, indoor turf fields) because the fields are not game ready. Therefore, players train on the hard indoor surfaces in a 70° climate and then play a high intensity game in 40° weather on a soft, muddy field. What does this increase the risk of? You guessed it – injury. Unfortunately, there is no easy way around this for athletes in Pennsylvania. So, instead of worrying about what I cannot control, I thought I’d share some ideas of what I can control. Below is a list of suggestions to help athletes adjust and prepare for the transition from indoor to outside venues. 1. Make sure your cleats are “broken in.” Every opportunity you have, begin to wear your cleats outside on the field surface which you will be playing. Ensure they fit well and feel comfortable on the playing surface. 2. Arrive to the field early on game day. Give yourself time to adjust to the temperature. If possible, walk the field to assess for “soft spots,” uneven spots, etc. Since you haven’t had much opportunity to practice on the field, take time to learn the “lay of the land.” This will also give you a chance to anticipate the speed of the game/ball. 3. Wear adequate clothing while warming up. Keep your muscles as warm as possible as long as possible. If allowed, wear gear (i.e. Under Armour) underneath your uniform during the game. 4. STRETCH!!! If you usually hold your stretches for 10 seconds. Hold them for 30 seconds! If you usually do a 10 yard dynamic warm-up, do it for 20 yards. 5. Stay loose. If you are not starting, do not just sit on the bench. Stand on the side lines, in the dugout etc, stretch and keep moving as much as possible. Do not let you muscles cool down! The start of the spring sports season is exciting. Do everything you can to stay healthy and on the field! Performance Spine and Sports Medicine of Newtown, is always here to provide additional tips on injury prevention and to help you stay on the field! We wish you the best of luck in your upcoming season and Go Phils! |
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