Worried about vaccine safety? Don’t be
Q: With all the conflicting stuff I hear about the COVID-19 vaccines (which I got), I am wondering if it’s really safe to get my young kids vaccinated — when they are available. What do you think? — Jaylee J., Pine Plains, New York
A: Since the crisis hit and we had to scramble to learn about the disease and develop vaccines, the guidelines have changed frequently. The good news is that what we know about the disease and the vaccines has evolved.
Rare side effects of the COVID-19 vaccine are just that, rare. Realize, finding out about side effects doesn’t make the vaccines riskier; it makes them safer.
If you’re also asking about vaccines in general that are administered to newborns, infants, children and adults, the answer is “yes, they’re safe.”
Q: I want to provide my family with healthy meals that we can sit down and eat together, but it seems impossible. One kid won’t eat meat, another only likes spicy food, my husband is a meat-and-potatoes guy, and I’m a lonely fish lover. — Gini W., Portland, Oregon
A: We are so used to eating out and ordering exactly what we want that we’ve forgotten how to go along and get along at a family dinner table. Our advice: Don’t be afraid to set some rules for your table: No red meat — skinless poultry and fish are your go-to animal proteins; no highly-processed foods; no sugar bombs. Fortunately, that leaves you with a world of tasty foods to prepare; you just need to get a little creative and kinda sneaky.
Cook big batches, freeze in individual portions and serve as needed. Make a delicious chicken, carrot, onion, mushroom and garlic stew to serve over rice or whole wheat pasta. Give that to meat eaters. Make up vegetable lasagna, a Thai veggie curry or a bean and peppers mixture for tacos and freeze in individual portions for your vegetarian and others. Keep frozen salmon burgers on hand for you. Also make up some flavorful condiments with kick — say, pesto with red peppers (freeze individual cubes in an ice tray). When your routine is thaw, heat and serve individually, it becomes pretty easy.
Also, make each family member responsible for one dinner a week. And don’t give up — your children’s success at school (there’s a correlation between diet and grades), your ability to avoid weight gain and your husband’s heart health all depend on having healthy, home-cooked meals.