2013: A Year of Ups and Downs, from Superheroes to Gangnam Style

We can either allow them to hold us back or we can use them as momentum to follow our dreams.

2012 was a bad good year. There were many things that happened that I loved and just as many that I hated. The things I hated were mostly of a national aspect but a few were personal, such as: Some on my list were humorous blips on our cultural map and others were game changers. Newtown shocked us to our core and started a spirited debate on how we move on. The word rape coming up way too many times by men that have no idea when to shut up, changed entire political races in our country.   A reality family that should be reported was instead given a TV show and blew up the ratings. The ever-growing fiscal cliff that threatens to derail our economy is how we end this year.    For me personally, the loss of two loved ones that were near and …

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Finding a Comfort Level with Comfort Foods

Make your family's comfort foods a bit healthier this holiday season.

Over the course of this week, many traditional or “comfort” foods probably graced your table and since these foods might only appear once a year the inclination is to enjoy them as much as you want. While this is fine, you can find a midpoint that allows for enjoyment and some degree of healthy eating. Enjoying the special foods of the season is part of what makes the season special but if recipes still retain the more traditional high fat, high sugar, high calorie bent it might be time to make some modifications. Recipe changes that are easy to make include the following: In addition to recipe changes, you can maintain the comfort of traditional foods by choosing smaller portions, by eating more slowly to savor the flavor and by focusing …

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Battling the Bulge in 2012

Lifestyle change, not a diet, will help keep the weight off.

Every year, people make a New Year's resolution to lose weight. It's no wonder, considering statistics show that more than half of all Americans are considered overweight or obese. Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows Missourians are collectively getting fatter each year. The facts The voice of experience St. Louis County resident Sandy York said she lost 50 pounds over two years, going from 198 to 146.  “I know it sounds trite, but I just exercised and watched what I ate,” York said. “I found out after the fact that stairs are not only good cardio, but will also help stabilize your core, leading to a flatter stomach.” York said she occasionally does push-ups and sit-ups on a stability ball, and she tries to…

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2011 in Review: A Look Back at the Year in O’Fallon

O'Fallon Patch takes a look back at 2011 projects, laws, elections and more.

With the new year approaching, O'Fallon Patch takes a look at some of the most popular stories from 2011.  Government: Laws, Leaders and Elections City Council Kicks Off 2011 with Changes to Two Laws Census 2010: O'Fallon Sees 71.8 Percent Growth O'Fallon Hires New Assistant City Administrator Election Update: O'Fallon Voters Approve Smoking Ban, Prop 1 and Prop HOPE O'Fallon Voters Re-elect Five City Council Members, One Newcomer O’Fallon Smoking Ban Begins  O'Fallon Council Rejects Plain English Law, Embraces Policy O'Fallon City Council Approves Water, Sewer Rate Changes Council Approves Law Against Illegal Immigration Perkins Resigns City Council Seat Effective Dec. 31 O'Fallon Plans to Look For Ways to Improve, Not Sell Environmental …

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Real Mom of O'Fallon

Mom Shares New Goals for New Year

O'Fallon Patch's mom columnist talks resolutions for 2011 and invites other local parents to share theirs.

Welcome to the first installment of the O'Fallon Patch Mom column. I'm a stay-at-home mom of two wonderful boys, Joey, 8,  and Andrew, 6.  My husband Chris and I have been married for 10 years and have been proud O'Fallon residents for all 10 of those years. O'Fallon is a great community for raising a family.  We have some of the best parks and schools in the country.  My goal is to share some of the best of what O'Fallon has to offer families, while also giving you a glimpse into my journey through motherhood.  Let's face it, no matter if you work at home or outside of the home, being a mom is tough!  For me, being a mom is one of the best and most rewarding jobs I've ever had, but at times it is hard and challenging.  I really look …

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O'Fallon Family Welcomes New Year Baby

"Baby Knight" was the first baby delivered at MoBAP in 2011.

An O'Fallon family is celebrating the new year with the birth of their son, "Baby Knight."  "Baby Knight" was the first baby delivered at Missouri Baptist Medical Center (MoBAP) in 2011.  The parents thought they had four additional weeks to name the baby, but with his early arrival, they have not decided on a name yet. "Baby Knight" was born at 1:56 a.m. on Sat., Jan. 1. He was welcomed by his mother Amber Fleming, father, David Knight and his four-year-old brother Riley Fleming. 

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