4 Friday, February 26, 2021 brooklintowncrier.com Our Brooklin Kids By Leanne Brown Why are kids scared of the basement? My daughter doesn't like to go into our basement alone. To be fair, it's only partially finished though there's a comfy couch, air hockey table and other kid cave items. The floor is carpeted and the junk is hidden behind a curtain. In my opinion, it's pretty good for now and at some point we'll finish it. But this doesn't matter. She will not go down there unless someone's with her. She claims she isn't scared, yet something makes her uneasy, so we don't force the issue. I used to be wiggy in basements as a child myself, especially in the dark, secluded parts. I don't know what I thought was scary about them and I can't explain it; it was just a feeling. I knew nothing was there. Yet I can relate to the scene in the movie "Home Alone" when the boy, Kevin, is terrified by the basement furnace. Sounds? I wonder if it's about sound. When you're upstairs, you can hear outside noises. You know what's happening around you. But with basements, sound is muffled and even sound proof. Now add those basement and creaky house sounds and other noises stand out more. For a child, they can seem almost ghostly. There's also the fact that basements can be cooler and damper than the rest of the house. You can get goosebumps or shiver down there, both of which can be unnerving. Even a basement's musty smell will add to the unpleasantness. Basements with poor lighting create shadows and dark spaces that can heighten a child's imagination. A chair covered by a blanket suddenly becomes a phantom. I remember as a child not wanting to be alone down there. I'd go if I really had to, but I'd be quick about it. I wonder if it was like being locked in a basement, which could be terrifying. At least in an upstairs room, you can signal for help out a window, but not necessarily from a basement. Minimize fear If your basement isn't kid friendly, there are a few things you can do to minimize the fear. First, get rid of the junk in corners that create shadows. Then improve the lighting to make shadows disappear. Even if it's not a completely finished space, fix it up enough so it's a nice place to hang out in. Try playing together as a family in the basement to create fun memories and good vibes about the space. Most kids outgrow the fear. They may even rent a basement during college years. In the meantime, just remember that the furnace isn't really trying to eat you...no really it isn't...is it? Plant-Based Eating by Sheree Nicholson Colour your way to winter energy Vegetables are nature's vitamins. They come in a wide range of colours and it's common knowledge they're good for us. Winter is a kind of blah time of the year. By February, people experience low energy and reach for comfort foods that don't contain high amounts of micronutrients. So it's important to eat "colourful." According to Web MD, feeling cold triggers a self-preservation mode that sends the body a message to heat up fast. That message is often played out as a craving for carbohydrate-rich foods containing sugars and starches that provide the instant "heat" boost your body longs for. The problem with this is that, while micronutrients contribute to your energy, some carbs leave you feeling even more tired. Eating vegetables has many benefits. They're nutrient-dense, lower in calories, and versatile. Steam or roast veggies for side dishes, salads or Buddha bowls. Leafy greens are by far the healthiest. Look for ways to add spinach, kale and other greens to your diet. Brightly coloured vegetables and fruits offer numerous health benefits. Most are antioxidants, and contain a long list of vitamins and minerals. If you want to eat healthy and cover all your nutritional bases, think about eating a rainbow or a wide variety and colours of fruits and veggies. You can save money by buying frozen vegetables that are out of season. While the taste is different, they pack the same nutrient punch. Tips for eating your daily rainbow: 1. Breakfast smoothies are marvelous. You can add kale, spinach and berries to them. 2. Oatmeal also makes for a fine breakfast. I top mine with frozen wild blueberries, fresh strawberries, and seeds such as hemp, chia or ground flax. 3. At lunch, eat your greens. Try super salads that start with a base of Romaine lettuce, add some baby kale or spinach, then toss in your favourite vegetables and chickpeas. 4. Don't eat the same vegetables all the time. Diversifying your veggies ensures you are getting a wider variety of nutrients. 5. Stir fries are another great way to get vegetables in your meals. Double the recipe and have leftovers for lunch. 6. Fresh fruit is your anytime snack. To prevent blood sugar highs and lows, pair fruit with a handful of nuts. 7. Make a homemade vegetable-based soup. 8. Marinate vegetables for use in pasta, pizzas, sandwiches and more. Here's my favourite marinade recipe from the "Oh She Glows" blog. In the winter, I roast them in the oven for about 20 minutes at 3750. The Basic Recipe 2 portobello mushrooms (or use peppers, zucchini or eggplant.) 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice 1 tsp lemon zest (optional) 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil 1 cloves garlic minced 1 teaspoon dried oregano 1 teaspoon dried basil Pinch of dried red pepper flakes In a large bowl, whisk together the vinegar, lemon juice, lemon zest, oil, garlic, oregano, basil, salt, red pepper flakes and ground salt and pepper. Add the cleaned mushrooms. Marinate the mushrooms for at least 60 minutes, rotating them every once in a while. You can also marinate them overnight. Sheree's Hack: Double or triple the recipe and amount of vegetables to ensure you have leftovers for other uses.