Kid’s Craic: Are You Feeling Blue?

Kid’s Craic: Are You Feeling Blue?
By Megan Lardie

Now that all the holidays are over, do you find yourself feeling a little down?

Do you find it harder and harder to wake up on cold, dark mornings? Do you feel like staying curled up in your bed all day?

It is called the Winter Blues and you are not alone. The more technical name is Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). It is normal and it happens to a lot of people when the seasons change. It affects people especially in the winter because it is cold, the days are shorter, and there is less sunlight.

How to Beat the Winter Blues

There are tons of great ways to beat the Winter Blues. The biggest way is to make sure to spend at least twenty minutes outside every day. The fresh air and the sunlight, even though it is limited, will help you feel better.

Another way to feel better is to make healthy food choices. Try fruits and vegetables that are in season during the winter months that are not always available in the summer. Apples, oranges, and grapes are so easy to eat any time of day.

I love the little clementine oranges this time of year. It’s like a slice of sunshine in every bite! Brussel sprouts, broccoli, kale, and spinach are some great vegetables to eat during the winter. Look up a new recipe and spend some time in the kitchen (with an adult’s help).

Exercise is another great way to help your mood. When you exercise, your brain releases endorphins, which make your brain happy! Some other things to try during the winter to keep you happy might be to volunteer, learn a new skill, or grow some indoor plants. Whatever you do, it is best to stay active and stay positive.

Literature Corner

Owl Moon

by Jane Yolen
When you go owling you don’t need words or warm or anything but hope.  Owl Moon is a sweet, poetic story about a girl and her father who go out on a winter night to look for owls. The reader learns about the close relationship between the girl and her father as well as the relationship between the human world and nature. This would be a delightful bedtime story!  Thirty-two pages. Ages 2-7.

Snow Treasure

by Marie McSwigan
If you like reading historical fiction, you will love this story. In the middle of World War II, no thought the Nazi’s would ever be defeated. Read how four children risked their lives to slip past the Nazi guards with nine million dollars hidden on their sleds and then returned the treasure to America. For ages 8-12; 196 pages.

Kids in the Kitchen

Easy Apple, Spinach, and Cranberry Salad

Ingredients:
For the Salad:

• 5 c spinach
• 1 Granny Smith apple, thinly sliced
• 1 Gala apple, thinly sliced
• 1/4 c dried cranberries (no preservatives or sugars)
• 1/2 c raw walnuts, roughly chopped

For the dressing:

• 1/4 c olive oil
• 2 tbsp. raw apple cider vinegar
• 1 tbsp. freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 1/4 tsp. garlic powder
• sea salt and black pepper, to taste

Instructions:

For the Salad

1. Add all the ingredients into a large salad bowl and toss gently to combine.
2. Set aside while you prepare the dressing.

For the Dressing

1. In a small bowl, whisk all the ingredients until thoroughly combined.
2. Pour your desired amount of dressing over the salad bowl and toss to ensure that all the ingredients are coated.
3. Serve in separate bowls and enjoy.

Lardie’s Laughs

1. What can you catch in winter even with your eyes closed?
2. A cold!
3. What did the snowman order at the Mexican restaurant?
4. ..itos!

Gab in Gaelic

It is cold today! =  Tá sé fuar go leor inniu! (pron. taw shay foor guh lore inn-u).