The Reality of Alcohol Use During Pregnancy

Photo courtesy NOFAS

September 9 was Fetal Alcohol Awareness Day in South Dakota. Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) is life altering condition that I deal with on a daily basis as it affects the lives of many of my students. FASD is a term that includes both Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) and Alcohol Related Neurodevelopmental Disorder (ARND). Studies indicate that FASD is one of the leading causes of brain damage to babies during pregnancy. (Teratology 1997 Nov; 56[5]:317-26) Many of the children I work with were exposed to drugs and/or alcohol prenatally. Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) receive a lot of media attention. Everyone is talking about the Autism monster. The Fetal Alcohol monster is just as nasty, yet no one talks about it.


• FASD is as prevalent as ASD occurring in 1 out of every 100 live births and up to 40,000 births per year in the United States.

• While experts try to pinpoint the causes of Autism, we know that FASD is 100% preventable. There is no amount of alcohol that is safe to drink during pregnancy nor is there a timeframe where alcohol use is safe.

• If a woman knows she is pregnant, she absolutely should not drink yet 22.1% of pregnant women in South Dakota admit to consuming alcohol. When a woman drinks, the alcohol passes right through the placenta. It is unknown how much alcohol contributes to a child being born with FASD with can result in physical, mental, emotional, behavioral, and learning disabilities including mental retardation.

• Children who grow up with visibly detectable FAS features or invisible ARND are at high risk of serious secondary problems, such as dropping out of school or getting expelled; getting into trouble with the law; abuse of alcohol and other drugs; inappropriate or risky sexual behavior; inability to maintain employment; and mental health issues such as clinical depression. (The Challenge of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome: Overcoming Secondary Disabilities, Ann Streissguth and Jonathan Kanter, 1997, University of Washington Press.)

• An individual with FASD can cost the U.S. taxpayer an average of $1.4 million across his/her lifetime.

• Both Native American and African-American women have higher rates of FAS than white women.

• The Invisible Children and Families of FASD video clips:

o Part 1

o Part 2

o Part 3

o Part 4

o Part 5

o Part 6



To learn more, visit National Organization of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome  or University of South Dakota Center for Disabilities. 

Give your baby a healthy start. Don't drink alcohol while you are pregnant. No amount is safe. Doesn't your baby deserve to start life as healthy as possible?

SD State Fair: An Annual Tradition

Our family has visited the SD State Fair for most of the last 15 years. It's become a family tradition. While my husband opted out this year, my sons, their friend, Emmalee, and myself faced the rainy, windy, and downright cold weather without hesitation.

First, there was a visit through the rabbit barn. We saw all colors and sizes.

There was a visit to the swine barn. Bacon, sausage, and ham were everywhere! This piggy was lying down when I noticed him. As I approached his pen, he stood up and seemed to want attention. He lovingly oinked at me for a couple minutes (is that common piggy behavior?). When I walked away, he squealed as if to say, "Hey, come back here lady. Talk to me!"

courtesy Google Images

I spent quite a lot of time at the AQHA show not only because it's the only horse show I'm able to attend from year to year, but it was also dry in the hippodrome. I wasn't able to get any decent pictures, though.

While I watched horses go 'round and 'round the arena, the kids were enjoying the carnival rides in between rain showers. They had a great time despite less than stellar weather conditions.

The kids enjoyed two, yes, two funnel cakes. Those puppies aren't cheap, but it's a once-a-year indulgence so I guess it was okay.

Quinn ended his trip to the fair with a visit to the exotic animal exhibit. He fed some cheerios to the wallaby, a kangaroo, and an enid antelope.

courtesy Google Images

The four of us left a little bit cold and wet with very sore feet, but we had a great time. No doubt we'll go back next year. We love the SD State Fair!

Memories of Small Town SD: Labor Day in Newell

I grew up in a small, western South Dakota town named Newell. There is a centennial celebration there this weekend so I’m thinking about the annual Labor Day activities that I’m missing. I’m a people watcher. Therefore, I’d really like to be at the all-school reunion to see folks I haven’t seen in years. I don’t just mean classmates.  I’m interested in everyone; how they look, if they married or not, had kids, where they live, and what they do. I’m fascinated by people. There will be a parade, too, complete with candy, the high school marching band, horses, antique cars, politicians, rodeo queens, and drunks on class floats.  There’s bingo in the park and games for kids. And, finally, there’s the Labor Day rodeo where I once competed for the rodeo queen title. I finished as first runner-up. The politics left a bad taste in my mouth. I never did another rodeo queen contest.

When I was a kid, I would go to the parade and flower show with my family or friends. Beginning in junior high, I marched in the band or rode my horse through waving to the spectators along the street. Between the parade and rodeo, we would grab some lunch at the NVN Senior Citizens Center or Blue Line Drive-In. The rodeo was usually super hot and dusty, but so much fun anyway.

My wish for everyone in Newell (Nisland and Vale, too) this weekend is that they reconnect with old friends, make some new friends, and treasure the memories. Real Americans come from small towns where faith, family, and the flag reign supreme.

Here’s a recipe that will be a hit at your Labor Day picnic or wherever you choose to share it:

Special K Bars

• 1 cup sugar
• 1 cup light corn syrup
• 1 cup peanut butter (I prefer creamy)
• 6 cups of Special K cereal
• 6 oz. of butterscotch chips
• 6 oz. of chocolate chips

Bring sugar and corn syrup to a boil. Boil for approximately one minute until the mixture becomes clear. Add peanut butter and mix. Add cereal and mix well. Pour into a greased 9x13 pan and spread evenly. Cool. Melt all chips together and spread over bars. Cool and enjoy.

Sun Valley Escapades

My family of four along with my in-laws and husband’s brother’s family of five flew to Sun Valley, Idaho. We were there partly for business and partly for pleasure as guest of Sinclair Oil Corp. and Sun Valley Resort.  Mr. Earl Holding and his wife, Carol, graciously invite us to beautiful Sun Valley for a few days every couple of years at their expense. The men of the family attend business sessions two mornings during our visit. During the rest of the trip, our family has the opportunity to trap shoot, ice skate, golf, trail ride (we pass on this one since we have five horses at home), bike ride, hike, shop, bowl, take a gondola ride, and swim. Tired, yet? There are so many activities; no one should ever say they are bored.

Then, there’s the food. Most of our meals were eaten at Gretchen’s. There was an amazing buffet prior to the Sun Valley Ice Show featuring Brian Boitano. The buffet featured wonderful salads and entrees including fresh raspberries and blackberries, caprese salad, couscous with potato salad, antipasto, smoked trout, salmon, prime rib, and roast turkey. The desserts were amazing; cheesecake, blueberry trifle, triple chocolate cake, and others I couldn’t identify by name. Coltan enjoyed the lunch-time lamb burgers so much, he had two (not at the same meal). Quinn had been looking forward to Bald Mountain Pizza for weeks, so we had a date there. Their breadsticks were killer! I wish I knew their secret. My boys did a lot of bike riding and bowling. Quinn tried ice skating for the first time. Our whole family enjoyed a gondola/chair life ride up Mount Baldy.

I’m a people watcher. As I waited for my breakfast in Gretchen’s one morning, an elderly couple was seated at a table near me. Both were dressed to the nines. The lady wore a lovely suit and her hair and make-up were meticulously done. The gentleman was smartly dressed in trousers and a gray sweater. He pulled out her chair. They were genuinely engaged in each other. They smiled and chatted and totally blocked out everyone around them. I wondered what their story was. How long had they been in love? What sort of life did they live? What brought them to Sun Valley (they weren’t with Sinclair)?  It was so refreshing to see two people so taken with each other and especially lovely to see such affection in an older couple. Amazing.

This may have been our last visit to Sun Valley for awhile. We’ve been told the next Sinclair Oil trip in 2012 will take us to San Diego for a stay at the Westgate Hotel. We are looking forward to visiting Disneyland, Sea World, the San Diego Zoo, and the beach.

We would like to sincerely thank Mr. and Mrs. Earl Holding, Sinclair Oil, and Sun Valley Co. for another amazing trip. Kudos to you!

The following recipe was inspired by a strawberry tart Jeff and I enjoyed at Gretchen’s back in 2007:

photo courtesy Google Images

Strawberry Tart

Tart Shell:

1 cup flour        
2 tablespoons sugar        
¼ teaspoon salt

1 egg yolk        
2 tablespoons ice water

6 tablespoons of butter (room temperature)

Filling:

2 (3 ounce) packages of softened cream cheese

1/3 cup of sour cream or yogurt

2 tablespoons sugar

1 quart of fresh strawberries, washed, hulled, & dried

Glaze:

1 (10 ounce) package of frozen raspberries & syrup, thawed

¼ cup sugar

1 tablespoon corn starch

Combine flour, sugar and salt; cut in butter until crumbly. Combine egg yolk and water; stir into flour until dough forms a ball. Press dough onto bottom and up sides of a 9” tart or pie pan. Prick bottom and sides. Bake at 400 degrees for 12-15 minutes until light brown. Cool and set aside. Beat filling ingredients until fluffy. Spread over bottom of cooled shell Arrange strawberries, tip up, over cheese. Puree raspberries, remove seeds if so desired. Use one cup of puree. In small saucepan, combine sugar and corn starch. Gradually stir in puree. Cook until thick and clear. Cool slightly; pour over strawberries. Chill at least an hour. 6-8 servings

Let's Support The Little Light House

I was recently told about an amazing school in Tulsa. In celebration of Kohl's Cares 10th Anniversary, Kohl's will be giving $5oo,ooo to 20 schools. Please watch the Little Light House video  then go to www.littlelighthouse.org to vote. Your vote can make the difference for a special child. Voting ends Sept. 3 (TODAY) at midnight. 

Courtesy Kohls and Little Light House