Indianapolis Recorder, Indianapolis, Marion County, 1 September 2000 — Page 26

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 1,2000 ■ PAGE C6

From the Desk of Jodo Parenting Tips

How to improve your child's Eye-Q (NAPS) — Here’s a fact that may open a few eyes. While most parents wouldn't think of sending children back to school without pencils and lunch money, about 80 percent of children will return to school without an eye exam. * This is even more alarming when you consider that one out of every four children has a vision problem. “Problems with vision and eye health often go unnoticed by a child. If left untreated, some conditions '—strch-as amblyopia or ‘lazy eye’ can result in permanent loss of vision,” said Florian Safner, OD from LensCrafters in New York. “An exam can help detect and treat vision and eye health problems.” Many parents confuse eye screenings witheyeexams. Screenings are often limited to one tool, such as reading an eye chart. A screening alone cannot detect or diagnose eye health problems, or more involved vision problems such as depth perception or muscle control. Prevent Blindness America recommends an eye exam every other year, or more frequently if your eye doctor recommends it. A thorough eye exam involves checking vision, farsightedness, nearsightedness, astigmatism, the ability to focus and measures depth perception, color vision and muscle con-trol-the use of both eyes together. The inside of the eye is also inspected, including the retina, optic nerve, and the eye’s internal pressure. Indications of problems parents can look for include: • Squinting. • One eye turning in or out, up or down. • Complaints of frequent headaches. • An inability to copy notes from the blackboard. • Reversals of words or letters. • Complaints of pain in the eyes. • Disinterest in “close work” such as coloring or reading books. Thanks to increasing choices in frame styles, shapes and colors, the stigma of wearing glasses has decreased. Children can complement their individual style with eyewear featuring bright solids, funky paisley, fun patterns or designer frames. Parents may want to consider polycarbonate lenses, which are more lightweight, scratch-resistant and shatter-resistant. Solid-frame construction and a flexible springhinge are best for glasses taken on and off frequently. For a child active in sports, consider a plastic frame and sports cord. At places such as LensCrafters, which offers a 30-day satisfaction guarantee, if a child does not like the sty le, glasses can be exchanged for new ones.

Thanks to a wider choice of frame styles, shapes and colors, the stigma of wearing glasses has decreased for children.

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^SAWY fttw T ? 1 SAUFA! Who would have guessed that salsa, once considered an ethnic food, would not only become one of America’s favorite condiments but also would be considered an essential ingredient in quick, flavorful, family meals? Salsa is low in calories and high in flavor. Today’s busy cook knows that the complex blend of flavors in chunky salsa can provide most of the seasoning needed for a

delicious family main dish.

Salsa Prima, from the Ortega Kitchen, provides an even greater selection of flavors with the addition of ingredients like roasted garlic, crunchy red, yellow and green bell peppers, whole kernel com, beans and other vegetables. These premium quality, vegetable-filled salsas are the perfect additions to meatloaf, soups, skillet dinners or chili. They add texture, taste and crunch that

the whole family will enjoy.

For time-pressed cooks, these recipes are simple to prepare and require a minimum of ingredients. Most are ready in 30 minutes or less. Instant rice, crusty bread, a simple potato dish, pasta salad, green salad or fresh-cut

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fruit could complement the meal.

From loft: Easy Maxican Calzones, Southwestern Burger and Prima Chili

Cheesy Skillet Dinner (Makes 4 to 6 servings) 1 lb. ground beef 1 small onion, chopped 1 can (4 oz.) sliced mushrooms, drained (optional) 1 jar (16 oz.) Ortega Salsa Prima-Homestyle Mild 1 can (4 oz.) Ortega Diced Green Chiles 2 cups (8 oz.) shredded 4 cheese Mexican blend or Cheddar cheese, divided 1 cup crumbled tortilla chips Cook beef, onion and.mushrooms in large skillet until beef is browned; drain. Sdr in salsa and chiles; bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low; cook, stirring occasionally, for 2 to 3 minutes. Sprinkle with 1 1/2 cups cheese and tortilla chips, then top with remaining cheese. Cover; cook for an additional 2 to 3 minutes or until cheese melts. Meatloaf Mexicana (Makes 6 servings) 1 lb. ground pork 3/4 lb. ground beaf 11/4 cups (5 oz.) shredded Monterey Jack cheese, divided 1 cup unseasoned dried bread crumbs 1 cup Ortega Salsa Prima-Homestyle Mild, divided 2 large eggs, lightly beaten 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley 2 teaspoons Ortega Diced Jalapeftos 1 teaspoon salt Preheat oven to 350° F. Lightly grease 9 x 5-inch loaf pan. Combine pork, beef, 1 cup cheese, bread crumbs, 1/2 cup salsa, eggs, parsley, jalapefios and salt in large bowl. Place meat mixture into prepared loaf pan. Bake for 55 to 60 minutes or until no longer pink in center. Remove from oven; drain. Cool in pan on wire rack for 10 minutes; remove from pan. Top with remaining cheese and salsa before serving. Mexican-Style Tomato Bean Soup (Makes 6 to 8 servings) 3 cups tomato juice 1 can (16 or) Ortega Refried Beans 1 jar (16 or) Ortega Salsa Prima-Homestyle Mild 1 cup water

1 pkg. (1.25 or) Ortega Taco Seasoning Mix 2 cups (8 or) shredded 4 cheese Mexican blend, divided Garnish suggestions: tortilla strips, croutons, sour cream, cooked crumbled bacon Combine juice, beans, salsa, water and seasoning mix in large saucepan. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low; cook, stirring occasionally, for 10 to 15 minutes. Remove from heat; stir in 1/2 cup cheese. Top with garnish and add remaining cheese, if desired-^ ' . ‘ .’ ‘ ’ _ . . . . ' , • : J • *»« • 4 ir>. tt**! *i y* * Easy Mexican Calzones (Makes 4 servings) 1 pkg. (15 or) refrigerated pie crusts, at room temperature 1 lb. ground beef 1 can (4 or) Ortega Diced Green Chiles 1/4 cup water 1 pkg. (1.25 oz.) Ortega Taco Seasoning Mix 1 cup (4 or) shredded Cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese, divided Garnish suggestions: Ortega Salsa Prima, shredded lettuce, sour cream, diced tomatoes, sliced green onions Preheat oven to 425° F.

Brown beef in large skillet; drain. Add chiles, water \ and seasoning mix; mix well. J Place unwrapped pie crusts on cutting board; unfold. ; Cut each crust in half, making 4 half circles. Place 1/2, ; cup beef filling on half of each half circle. Place 1/4 cqp; cheese jon top of each. Dampen edge of crast with water.; Fold sides over filling; crimp edges with tines of fork!, ; Place on ungreased baking sheet. ; Bake for 10 to 15 minutes or until golden brown. Cpoj pn baking sheet for 5 minutes. Garnish as desired.

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11 • «* It ir'v *»■•«»f • Southwestern Burgers (Makes 8 burgers) 2 lbs. lean ground beef 1 pkg. (1.25 oz.) Ortega Taco Seasoning Mix 1/2 cup (2 oz.) shredded 4 cheese Mexican blend,

divided

8 hamburger buns

1 jar (16 oz.) Ortega Salsa Prima Combine beef and seasoning mix in large bowl. Shape imo 8 balls. Make a well in center of each; place 2 ' ; tablespoons cheese in each well. Enclose the well and

flatten into patties.

Grill or broil for 4 to 5 minutes on each side or until no longer pink in center. Serve on buns with salsa.

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Maxlcan-Style Tomato Bean Soup

Prima Chili (Makes 6 servings) 1 lb. ground beef 1 small onion, chopped 2 jars (16 oz. each) Ortega Salsa Prlma-Mexican-Style !. 1 can (15 oz.) kidney, pinto or black beans J 1 cup water 1 can (4 oz.) Ortega Diced Green Chiles 1 pkg. (1.25 oz.) Ortega Taco Seasoning Mix Garnish suggestions: Ortega Diced Jalapeftos, shredded cheese, diced tomatoes, sliced ripe ollvps, sliced green onions, sour cream, chopped onion f* , Cook beef and onion in large saucepan until beef \fr browned; drain. Stir in salsa, beans, water, chiles and seasoning mix. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low; .J* cover. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 20 to 25 minuteSt Garnish as desired.

10 natural ways to cure a headache By MARILYN J. KGNDWANI Homeopathy: Remedies in- ginger’s antihistamine and anti-in-

The next time your head begins to pound, Healthy Living on Women.com suggests that you try these 10 natural remedies before reaching for the aspirin. Acupuncture: For headache relief, the key points are the head, neck, hands and feet. Seek out a licensed acupuncturist through your doctor or local health center. Acupressure: Using an ancient Chinese therapeutic technique, press a point in the web of skin between your thumb and forefinger for 20 seconds; stop for 10. Repeat four times. Hydrotherapy: Press an ice pack (or a bag of frozen vegetables) on your forehead or the top of your head. For heat treatment, place a heating pad or a moist, hot towel on the back of your neck.

elude nux vomica for a migraine or a hangover, bryonia for a headache compounded with nausea and belladonna for a violent, throbbing pain that comes on suddenly. Diet: Avoid the “trigger” foods, which include smoked meats, many cheeses, bananas, chocolate, nuts. Watch out for Chinese food and packaged seasonings, which may contain monosodium glutamate (MSG), and hot dogs, bacon and pepperoni, which may contain nitrates. Beware of caffeine. Vitamins: Take a B-complex vitamin supplement to prevent de-ficiency-linked headaches. Better yet, eat foods rich in B: broccoli, spinach, green peas, whole-grain cereals, orange juice and brewer's yeast Ginger: National Headache Foundation research indicates that

flammatory qualities could fight migraines. Try ground ginger in water at the first sign of pain; it’s also available in tablets or liquid. Aromatherapy: Since lavender has sedative properties, mb its essential oils around your temples, the base of your skull and your hairline. Also helpful: drops of lavender oil in your bath. Herbal medicine: Feverfew (you can chew its leaves as well as take capsules or tablets) eases headaches, as does tincture of meadowsweet. Also try chamomile, lime-blossom or peppermint teas. Massage: Massage eases tension headaches by redistributing blood flow. Rub your forehead, neck and scalp as if you were washing your hair. A vigorous hair brashing can also bring you relief.

Lt. Col. Pettis to retire \ Lt. Col. Cheater A. Pettis Is retiring from the U.S. Army on Sept. 30. His service extends over 25 years. The Indianapolis native graduated from Arsenal Technical High School, end finished Webster University In 1982 with a metier of arte degree In management and human relations. He currently works aa the director of the executive software eyetems directorate for the U.S. Army Information Systems Software Center/! Lt. Col. Pettla' awards Include the Army Meritorious Service Award, Joint Sendee Commendation Medal and Amy Achievement MedsL He resides M Woodbffcfctt Vfc, wfHtMS SNe, Connie, and three cVtSdronu >