Help Us Make a Kid-Friendly Cookbook

Dear friends,

The ECFE PTA is hoping to gather together a collection of recipes that are child-friendly, either those that children like to help cook or those they really like to eat. Quick and easy recipes are also a good bet. Please consider submitting more than one recipe. Our book will include the following sections:

Appetizers and Beverages
Soups and Salads
Side Dishes
Main Dishes
Breads
Desserts
What to Pack for Lunch
Kid-Friendly Cleaning Tips
Craft Recipes
This and That (a catch-all for recipes that don’t fit elsewhere)

The finished book will also include ECFE children’s artwork and will be available for purchase in the early spring.

Please turn in your recipes by Friday, December 14. You can submit recipes and make suggestions by e-mailing Jill Krase jillkrase ~at~ charter . net. (Replace the "~at~ with the
ppropriate keyboard symbol and remove spaces from her address, of course.) You may also pick up recipe forms at the ECFE office at Goodview School.

All recipes should include a title, the name of the person who submitted it, an ingredients list (be sure to include container sizes, e.g., a 16 oz can), and clear directions.

Thanks for contributing to this effort!

Sleep May Affect Postpartem Weight Loss

A new study finds that sleep, as elusive as it may be, may play an important role in helping women lose weight after the birth of a baby, according to MedPage Today:

OAKLAND, Calif., Nov. 21 -- Women deprived of only a couple hours of sleep a night after the birth of a child may find it more difficult even a year later to lose weight gained during pregnancy.

New mothers who slept five hours or less per day when their babies were six months old were three times more likely to have retained at least 11 pounds at one year than those who slept seven hours per day, showed results of a large cohort study published in the November issue of the American Journal of Epidemiology.

The story cautions that "the study was not designed to show whether increasing sleep duration after the birth of a child would help women lose weight." Read the whole story at MedPage Today.

Winona Health Fantasy of Trees

The sixth annual Winona Health Auxiliary Fantasy of Trees will be held on Friday, November 16, from 3 p.m. until 7 p.m. and on Saturday, November 17, from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. at Watkins Manor Great Hall, 175 East Wabasha Street.

The Fantasy of Trees will feature beautifully decorated holiday trees, which will be available for purchase by sealed bids. The themed trees have been donated and designed by various businesses, organizations and individuals. At the end of the silent auction, the highest bids will be accepted and the winners will be notified by phone. Also available for sale will be holiday centerpieces, wreaths and decorations individually priced and sold from display. See's Candy will also be available for purchase

On Friday, entertainment will include Jean Smith on the Watkins Great Hall organ from 3 p.m. until 5 p.m. and Emily Brom playing the flute from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m.

On Saturday, entertainment will include harpists Jonelle Moore, Kathy Geiger, Vickie Kunz and Barb Manahan from 1 p.m. until 2 p.m., Taff Roberts reading a Child's Christmas in Wales at 2 p.m.., and Jean Smith on the Watkins Great Hall organ and Emily Brom playing flute throughout the day. Also on Saturday, Santa will visit from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. Parents bring your cameras for a photo with Santa.

Raffle tickets to win a sleigh centerpiece, grapevine tree or a floral reindeer will be available for one dollar per ticket on both days. Proceeds from the sale will be used for Auxiliary projects including healthcare scholarships and a patient lift system. For more information please call the Winona Health Volunteer Services Office at 507.474.3328.

Photos from Flippin' for Books

About 300 kids and 250 adults attended the 2nd Annual Flippin' for Books Literacy and Wellness Fair on Saturday, Nov. 10 at the Senior High.
Thanks to our many sponsors!

Eating pancakes, sausage, and fruit is even more fun when it's free!

Every child received a free book to take home and read.

Creating with Wikki Stix

Face painting, courtesy of the MN Marine Art Museum

Many local organizations offered kid-friendly information and activities.

Early Childhood Family Education's booth--looks great Stephanie & Ann!

Storytime with guest reader, Ms. Michael Nelson

Winona County Public Health nurses provided a car seat clinic
with support from ECFE PTA. Approximately 30 carseats were checked

& properly re-installed.

The smile says it all.

Minnesota Marine Art Museum Family Programs

Toddler Tuesday is November 13th!

10:30am- Noon

Come and Go as You Please!

FREE!

Attention all Toddlers (not yet in kindergarten)! Grab your favorite grownup(s) and head over to the Museum for a kid-friendly discovery day in the galleries! Expect to do some activities, exploring, snacking and more! This busy morning will engage you in a variety of ways, and even give you and your grown up something fun to think about the next time you visit! Sponsored by Target.