Bunchland

Cookie maven Eden Hertzog shares recipes she enjoys with her family

I’m amazed that I have something to share with you this week. It happened: our first bout of stomach flu. For a while there I thought my breastmilk was made of kryptonite because Cedar hadn’t been sick yet. But no, it happened. He got it, and I got it, and together we were a motley crew.

Needless to say, there wasn’t much eating going on – let alone any cooking. My little wondrous foodie of a boy had no interest in anything except for bread. I tried shoving myriad things in his face, to no avail. I’m glad no one was shoving pureed broccoli in my face; that stomach bug thing is terrible! All I wanted were cupcakes (yes, I had one).  Read more...

What we’re reading today:

1. The Giver, one of the best young adult novels ever, might finally be put on the big screen. Jeff Bridges originally acquired the film rights to it thinking that his dad, Lloyd Bridges could play the titular role, but now that he’s in his 60s, it’s just right for him. Did anyone else read The Giver and picture Shel Silverstein?

2. Last day of school! Hurray! Kids heading off to camp soon? Here’s how to get them prepared.

3. Babies under six months are too young to get vaccines, which puts them at risks for flu and such, but pregnant women who get the vaccine reduce their babies chances of catching anything.

4. Chocolate Milk: Is it a healthy option and delicious way to get calcium, or with all that sugar is it simply “soda in drag”? Schools in Los Angeles are going with the latter.  Read more...

Beth Blenz-Clucas blogs about kid tracks grownups will love and grown-up tracks kids will love

They’re dropping like flies. Only it’s not from the flies, it’s the flu. Already, two people I know have suffered through pneumonia, and we’re only just finishing off November.

Having kids means working your way through dozens of sick days. Just remember what our hippie pediatrician in California always told us: Don’t fear the fever! It means the immune system is working! Yeah, right. Tell that to your moaning child next time you’re cooling her down at 2 a.m.

What might help you through flu season is a little humor and a little singing. Trout Fishing in America, the zany duo who created such memorable kid songs as “My Hair Had a Party Last Night” and “Eighteen Wheels on a Big Rig,” also wrote a song that defines the moment when you realize that your immune response is truly working. It’s called, simply, “Alien in My Nose.”  Read more...