~Herman Melville

“Peace cannot be kept by force; it can only be achieved by understanding.”
~Albert Einstein

“You’re going to come across people in your life who will say all the right words at all the right times. But in the end, it’s always their actions you should judge them by. It’s actions, not words, that matter.”

~Nicholas Sparks

“Success is liking yourself, liking what you do, and liking how you do it.” ~ Maya Angelou

“It’s the possibility of having a dream come true that makes life interesting.”
~Paulo Coelho

“Happiness does not come from without, it comes from within”
~ Helen Keller

Professor Owl would like to wish you a happy, healthy 2012, full of fun and possibility. To start the year we have our Heroes of the Month, interesting articles, a new contest as well as our usual Professor Owl’s book recommendations, puzzles, recipes and crafts!

Also, take Professor Owl’s reading challenge – write and let us know what books you are enjoying and win prizes. **Remember though you must let your parents know that you are writing to us…**

Eating Healthier in 2012.

January is the month many of us proclaim that we are going to start our diet or eat healthy, only to find it lasts just a few days; for some families, due to a heath diagnosis, they are always following prescribed diets, sometimes for more than one family member.

When you or a member of your family has an illness where a dietary need is required or special needs due to a treatment, your doctor or registered dietitian may prescribe a special diet. They also may suggest a commercial product to help you meet your nutritional needs.

There are several special diets used during cancer treatment. There are also products that can boost nutrition. We will list the links at the bottom of the page, which will give you information that you may need. Remember that special diets and products to improve nutrition should be used only as recommended by your doctor or registered dietitian.

Special diets are an important tool for correcting nutritional problems that occur during cancer treatment. For example, a soft diet may be best if your mouth, throat, esophagus, or stomach is sore. Alternatively, if your treatment makes it difficult for you to digest dairy products, you may need to follow a low-lactose diet. Some diets are well balanced and can be followed for long periods. However, some special diets should be followed for only a few days because they may not provide enough nutrients for the long term.

Only your doctor or registered dietitian should decide whether you need a special diet and for how long. If you are already following a special diet for another health problem, such as diabetes or high cholesterol, you and your doctor and registered dietitian should work together to develop your new plan.

The organizations shown at the end of this article will also be able to assist you. For each illness, they will advise the diet, you or your loved one require; they will give you a brief explanation of when the diet usually is recommended, the major foods it includes, and suggested meal plans. This information will help you follow the diet recommended by your doctor or registered dietician.

To start your family on a healthy diet that will stick, for a lifetime can only improve your child’s chances of having a healthy life. It is no more expensive to buy healthy food and just by following the main food groups, will protect them if the unexpected does happen, as eating healthy helps promote a healthy immune system. Helping them overcome accidents and illnesses quicker and before they become too serious. One can even eat some fast foods in moderation. However, a healthy diet will make a difference also in your medical bills.

The first three Government websites below do have information to help choose the right food for you and your family. Try it you may be pleasantly surprised.

“Picture of suggested food groups children diets in Canada USA for 2012

http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/fn-an/food-guide-aliment/basics-base/index-eng.php

http://fnic.nal.usda.gov/nal_display/index.php?info_center=4&tax_level=2&tax_subject=256&topic_id=1348

http://www.choosemyplate.gov/

http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/06/02/us-usa-food-usda-idUSTRE7514AC20110602

http://www.caringforkids.cps.ca/index.htm

http://www.amazon.com/Special-Diets-Kids-Lisa-Lewis/dp/1885477449#reader

http://www.clicsargent.org.uk/Aboutchildhoodcancer/Forparents/Food/Specialdiets

Written by Sylvia McGrath, April 2009 Updated January 1, 2012.

Puzzle Corner

Click here to download a full size, high quality pdf version:2012_number_search

Courtesy of http://www.activityvillage.co.uk

Professor Owl’s Book Corner

Professor Owl’s Reading Challenge

Welcome, my name is Professor Owl.

On my face, there is never a scowl,

For you see I am a happy bird,

I can make a difference word by word.

I will teach you how to love to read,

And for today that’s my good deed.

In my corner, you will find,

Books and news of every kind.

I challenge you to read five pages a day,

And then you can go out play.

By Sylvia McGrath

Book of the Month

What is Happening to Grandpa

By Maria Shriver and Sandra Speidel

As a family that has been touched by Alzheimer’s we can appreciate it is very hard for an adult to understand what it all means when a loved one is stricken with Alzheimer’s, let alone a child.

This is well written with warmth; Maria Shriver does an outstanding job of helping grandchildren understand-what even some adults may not fully know- about the battlefield of the aged minds. Maria has done a marvelous job of explaining it all in terms that will help your children, as well as yourself, understand, accept and cope with one of the hardest times a family can face.

It is also good to have a book to read to children that will help them cope with a grandparent with Alzheimer’s! We especially liked the expression of the many feelings that the book characters had. It made talking about feelings that we have easier. We will be reading this book from time, to time during the course of this disease, to keep in touch with each other and cope on how it relates to our family.

via amazon.ca

Price CDN$ 19.99

I Want My Hat Back [Hardcover], Jon Klassen (Author, Illustrator) 

Price CDN 18.99

The Heroes of Olympus, Book Two: The Son of Neptune [Hardcover], Rick Riordan (Author)

Price CDN 21.99

War Horse [Hardcover],Michael Morpurgo (Author)

Price CDN $ 18.32

CONTEST

To get your very own copy of our Book-Of-The-Month

What is Happening to Grandpa

By Maria Shriver and Sandra Speidel

Write to us about your grandparents, or an older relative who is important to you!

If writing isn’t your thing draw us a picture. Contest deadline is March 1st, 2012

presents Pizza Nova Rising Star Award Recipients

Michelle Tovizi – Flames Swimmer – 12 years old

Michelle came to our pool deck mid way through last season. She walked out nervous and apprehensive. I do not think she knew quite what to expect. However, within a few short weeks I could see Michelle beginning to come out of her shell. She became an integral part of our Flames Team.

Her confidence grew as she learned to swim freestyle, backstroke and breastbone. She even learned to swim an almost perfect butterfly. While Michelle did not participate in competitions last season, she is more than prepared to be introduced to competitions now. In a few short years’s she will be an old pro! We cannot wait to see her qualify for her first national competition and rule the Paralympics circuit!

http://www.varietyontario.ca/

Stuart (Stu) is a 7-year-old true blue Toronto Maple Leafs fan. His wish was to see the Leafs play on home ice and meet some of his favourite players. Thanks to the generosity of the Princiotta Group, Make-A-Wish® Eastern Ontario was able to send Stu and his family to Toronto in November 2006 for a memorable Leafs weekend.

Stu was very fortunate to have a wish grantor from the Toronto Chapter of Make-A-Wish guide him through his wish. “The concierge at the Hyatt was kind enough to let me into the room before the family arrived”, explains Kelly, Stu’s Toronto wish grantor. “I laid out a gift basket for Stu with his favourite chocolates and some other edible goodies, and tons of Maple Leaf paraphernalia! I also included a foil balloon of batman and I laid out his personalized jersey. Then I was off to meet the family at the train station. Stu and his brother came running over when they saw me standing there with the sign that said: “Welcome to Toronto Stuart!! Go Leafs Go!” …and my gosh, they talked a mile a minute! They were very excited about the weekend adventures to come.”

On Saturday, Stu headed off to the Air Canada Center (ACC) and the boys loved the subway ride. Tanya from the Leafs Foundation gave the family a tour of the ACC and then it was time for the practice skate. The family was seated beside the player’s bench. Stu sat at the very end of the row because the players were continually passing by. Several of them stopped to say hi and Stuart was thrilled! One of the players retrieved two hockey pucks from practice to give to Stu and his brother.

When practice was over, the boys were taken into the dressing room to meet the players. Stu came out with his jersey signed, tons of autographed photos, and a big smile on his face! Afterwards the family spent the afternoon at the Hockey Hall of Fame. That evening was game time. Stu had his foam fingers and Leafs flag waving in the air as he cheered like crazy! Although the Leafs didn’t claim a victory it was an exciting game.

The family had planned a leisurely day for Sunday which included breakfast in bed, the Santa Claus parade and a ride on the streetcar. “We said our goodbyes after the game,” explains Kelly “and the family gave me a thank you card and a Christmas tree ornament with my name on it. It was such a sweet gift. I had put together a photo album for Stu of the weekend festivities…so I gave it to him after the game. I thought it would be a nice way for the family to pass time on the train and reminisce about Stu special weekend.” “Thank you to everyone for making my wish come true” said Stu. “It was not only good for me but wonderful for my whole family.” http://www.makeawish.ca

March Of Dimes Canada

Happy New Year! We hope you had a fantastic holiday season. We are already back at it and our volunteers are braving this cold weather to canvass as part of our Door-to-Door Campaign. It is not too late to volunteer online, or canvass your neighbours, please visit www.mymod.ca/doortodoor for more info. Thank you!

March of Dimes Door-to-Door Campaign – March of Dimes’ Door-to-Door Fundraising Campaign 2011/2012

marchofdimes.akaraisin.com

When Daniela and Oliver Sonnenfeld were given the news that their little girl Lilly (shown above) has cerebral palsy, it was devastating. They were full of questions for Lilly’s future, would she walk, lead a happy and fulfilled life, achieve her dreams?

Lilly is a bright, beautiful and playful little girl, the apple of her parent’s eye. However, she was over two and half years old, and had yet to take her first step. Daniela was going through letters at her work when she saw one about March of Dimes’ Conductive Education® (CE) program. It was a letter that would change her and Lilly’s life.

Lilly takes CE five days a week and is continuing to make progress. None of her incredible progress would be possible without the support of our good friends like you. In addition, Lilly’s mom, Daniela is so grateful.

“She definitely learned how to manage normal tasks like eating independently, sitting on a
chair, counting, recognizing shapes and so
much more …”

Join our Online Campaign today and with your generous support, and with your help we can continue to offer this very important program to other children like Lilly.

http://www.marchofdimes.ca

To find out more, please contact them at:

March of Dimes Canada
10 Overlea Blvd.
Toronto , Ontario
M4H 1A4
Telephone: 416-425-3463
Fax: 416-425-1920
Toll Free: 1-800-263-3463
E-mail: ce@marchofdimes.ca

Colouring Page

Click here to download a full size, high quality pdf version:happy_new_year_city_2012_colouring_page

Courtesy of http://www.activityvillage.co.uk

Craft Corner

Clay Photo Frames

These clay photo frames make a great gift for other but you could make them for any occasion, or even use them to decorate your locker or desk at school! We have added magnets to ours but you could add a stand and use them for table-top display instead.

You will need:

coloured air-hardening clay
Gems
Photo (passport size)
Card
Magnet
Double sided sticky tape
Glue

Instructions:

Roll out your clay and cut out the shape of frame you would like. We used a ruler to help with the square frame. We cut out the round frame with the rim of a large cup and made the hole with a biscuit cutter. Don’t forget to make the hole in the centre.

With an old pen, write your name at the bottom of the frame. Press the gems into the clay to decorate.

Courtesy of http://www.activityvillage.co.uk

Professor Owl’s Kitchen

prep time

10 min

total time

25 min

makes

4 servings, 1-1/2 cups (375 mL) each

“Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak; courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen.”

~ Winston S. Churchill

“Petting, scratching, and
cuddling a dog could
be as soothing to the
mind and heart as
deep meditation and
almost as good for the
soul as prayer.”
~ Dean Koontz

Wishing you and yours all the love and joy the season has to offer.

We will be offline for a few days to enjoy some quality time with those we love!