stlmomsworld.com - Kay Quinn

Kay

Sunday, October 14, 2007

A Love of Broccoli

I have never understood the charm or attraction of cheese pizza. To me, it's like someone forgot the toppings. My pizza has to have at least pepperoni, and preferably mushrooms too. I've also been known to order a ham and pineapple pizza from time to time.
Until recently, my six-year-old was an adventurous eater. He loves sushi, and Chinese food. But in the past few months, the list of foods he dislikes has grown a lot longer than the list of those he likes.
Take steak, for example. It used to be one of his favorite foods. But now he doesn't like it. Same goes for pork chops. When he sees the plate coming, he'll say he doesn't like any meat. Then I remind him he still likes chicken. No response.
Pasta is one of his favorite foods, but now that has to be served plain. Even suggest a touch of red sauce, and he shoots you a look of dislike.
He still likes broccoli and cauliflower, though. He'll eat almost any fruit, and loves yogurt and cheese. So I guess I'll just count my blessings and hope this picky phase passes soon.
One of my favorite dishes as a kid was beef stroganoff. But when I tell my son that, his eyes glaze over. It has a sauce, so chances are, he'd never consider letting a bite past his lips.
We eat fast food very sparingly at our house. But my son loves a Happy Meal, or a trip to Burger King. I found out recently that what he really enjoys is the toy.
And he will still eat pizza with pepperoni on it. Just don't order it with mushrooms.

¶ 8:50 PM 4 comments

Thursday, October 4, 2007

Early Birds

I love the shorter days of fall. Sunrise is now close to seven a.m., and if you have a child who's an early riser, you know why I'm happy.
During the summer, my five-year-old son is up with the sun. If it's daylight at 5:30 a.m., then he thinks it must be time to start the day. He'll call out from his bedroom or get out of bed, usually at 6:00 or 6:15 a.m. But it could be as early as 5:45!
Don't feel bad for me. One of my friends has a child of the same age who gets up at 5:30 without fail.
I remember being an early riser as a child. I'd have a tremendous burst of energy six a.m.! The problem was, no one else in the house wanted to be up to share it with me.
So, I try not to be grumpy when sleeping late means 6:20 a.m. (If I'm lucky!)
In fact, now that fall has arrived, the sun's rising later, and so is my son. He slept until almost seven this morning! Too bad it was a Monday. And a school day!

¶ 9:17 PM 2 comments

Name: Kay Quinn

Location: St. Louis, MO

ABOUT ME

Health and medical issues make up one of the most exciting beats in the newsroom. Few other areas of news touch each and every one of us so closely and so often.

Whether you're a senior worried about paying for prescription drugs, a parent concerned about the health of a child or waging your own fight against cancer or heart disease, you can usually find health news that applies to you in my daily reports.

I always tell St. Louisans they are so fortunate when it comes to health care. Our city is home to two research hospitals.

Doctors and scientists at Washington University School of Medicine and St. Louis University School of Medicine are involved in some of the most critical research underway in medicine today.

Work is bring done right at this moment, right in our area, that could lead to a vaccine for bird flu or better ways to diagnose and treat Alzheimer's disease.

I enjoy staying on top of those stories, as well as bringing you health and medical news you can use.

Along with the latest medical breakthroughs, you'll frequently find information on low-cost exercise programs right around the corner from where you live, or details on where to get this year's flu shot.

Many viewers want to know whether I have a medical background. I don't, but my mother was a nurse and I know her health background made a big impression on me as a child.

It's the lifelong curiosity and interest I have in health issues that serves me well in my work as health reporter.

Staying on top of what you need to know to stay fit and healthy is a job I love.