Now Accepting BCBS & Humana Health Exchange Insurance Plans

Stepping Stone Pediatrics in Kennesaw, Georgia, is excited to announce that it is now accepting Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) and Humana Health Exchange Insurance Plans. Please call our office at 770-515-9000 to learn more.

Testimonials

Love Dr. Kim! One of the most genuine and thorough doctors I know. I have absolute trust in him when it comes to my children's health.
- Elizabeth Q.

The entire staff is just awesome, kind, honest, helpful. It is always a great experience even with sick kiddos!
- Marlo M.

Wonderful practice, wonderful providers, wonderful office staff! Knowledgeable, loving, and kind!
- Vanessa M.

Dr. Kim’s Time on Password Plus

Some of you may already know that Dr. Kim was on “Password Plus” when he was (much) younger and we thought you might enjoy a glimpse of what that looked like.   Some behind-the-scenes info from Dr. Kim:

  • This clip tends to show up on YouTube periodically because of the unusual swapping of the host with the guest celebrity, in this case Tom Kennedy and Jack Narz. In fact, Tom and Jack were brothers and Jack was also a game show host so it wasn’t that hard a transition for them to make.
  • The show was about to be cancelled—as a matter of fact, this was the next to last week it would be aired. This is probably why they felt the freedom to make the switch in the first place.
  • I really wanted to win so I could get to the last week of the show because the guests were Tom Poston and Audrey Landers. (Hey, I was a single twenty-something year old guy.)
  • The set was actually constructed with really intensely vivid colors—it took a while to get used to when you first walked in. The whole studio was dark except for the gaudy intense colors on the set which was brightly lit.  I guess that’s what they had to do for TV back then.
  • The main set was covered with shag carpeting, and you can occasionally see me wiping my hands on the table surface because I was pretty nervous.
  • Like almost all game shows, Password Plus taped a week’s worth of shows (5 episodes) in one day to reduce the time commitment of the celebrities. If you won on a “Friday” episode, you’d go home and come back 3 – 4 weeks later to tape the next “week” with a new pair of stars.  This was tough for those contestants who lived out of town (Fran lived in Chicago) but not for me because I lived only about 20 mins away!
  • The stars change clothes between each show. The contestants don’t, so with any given pair of celebrities, I’m always wearing the same clothes.  Thank goodness this clip doesn’t show the horrendous sweater I wore the previous “week”!  (If you find it on YouTube, I plead insanity—on the part of the person who bought it for me!)
  • I was on the show for almost three weeks and got to play with:
    • The aforementioned Jack Narz–easygoing guy, very engaging, made you feel extremely comfortable—guess that’s a good quality for a game show host to have!
    • Betty White—was as pleasant and upbeat as her reputation. She really enjoys the game and is very good at it!
    • Lynn Redgrave—was there primarily to promote her new sitcom and didn’t know the game very well, but was extremely nice and down to earth. Her lack of knowledge about American pop culture, especially sports, became a running gag (“Is it the ‘Boston Steelers’?”).
    • Steven Ford—son of then-President Ford’s son and an actor on a soap opera (“The Young and the Restless”?). He seemed to feel a little out of his element, but was very good natured about it.
    • Dick Martin—energetic and you could tell he was comfortable with the entire staff. It was almost like he was the regular star for the show because I guess he had been there so often everybody knew him.  He kept teasing me about how young I was (“You don’t know what ‘gams’ are?!”)
    • Regis Philbin—Mama taught me that if you can’t say something nice about someone, then don’t say anything at all, so……..Regis Philbin.
  • My friends and pretty much everyone I knew thought I was a total idiot for bringing up the fact that someone in the audience had blurted out the answer. Basically, they felt there was “no harm, no foul” since I already knew the answer was “Fish and Chips.”  It ultimately cost me the game and the chance at the “big money” (Alphabetics), but at least my Mom was proud of me!

Click here to see a clip from the show

Slow Cooker Whole Chicken

100 Days of Real Food by Lisa Leakeslow cooker chicken

Ingredients
1 tsp paprika
1 tsp salt
1 tsp onion powder
1 tsp dried thyme
½ tsp garlic powder
¼ tsp cayenne pepper
¼ tsp ground black pepper
1 onion, peeled and cut into large pieces
2 sprigs of fresh rosemary
1 lemon, quartered
4 cloves garlic
1 large whole chicken (4 pounds)

*Combine the first 7 ingredients and set aside. Place the onion pieces in the bottom of the slow cooker. Remove the giblets from the chicken, wash well, and stuff it with rosemary, garlic, and lemon wedges (feel free to add whatever herbs you like). Rub the outside of the chicken with the spice mixture. Place the chicken on top of the onion pieces, with the breast-side down. Do not add any liquid. Cook on high for 4 hours or on low for 7 hours, or until the chicken is tender and falling off the bone.

* Serve with steamed veggies, a baked sweet potato and fresh fruit for dessert.

Slow Cooker Whole Chicken Lunchbox Wraps

From Strong4life

Ingredients
10-inch whole grain flour tortillas
¼ cup plain Greek yogurt
1 tsp cream cheese
Zest and juice from 1 lime
1 tsp finely chopped fresh cilantro
2 ounces slow cooker whole chicken – shredded
Spinach
Tomato
Avocado
1 tsp grated mozzarella cheese

tortilla wraps with chicken  and fresh vegetables

*Combine Greek yogurt, cream cheese, lime zest & juice, and cilantro until smooth and creamy. Lay tortilla on flat surface and spread a thin layer of yogurt spread. Add chicken, spinach, tomato, and avocado and wrap up.

*Include a fruit, ¼ cup of almonds, an oatmeal cookie, and water. You have just created a masterpiece! Slice the wrap into pinwheels and skewer with a fancy toothpick for even more lunch box fun!

The Healthy Lunchbox

Summer is over and school is in full swing. Moms know what that means ….. PACKING LUNCH BOXES ….. UGHHHHH! This throws many of us into a state of panic. The combination of early mornings, a lack of time, AND the desire to pack a lunch that is interesting, tasty, nutritious, and not going to come back home unwrapped and untouched can be just too much to contemplate five days a week. Multiply that by the number of kids you have and you have just exponentially created a crisis large enough to call in the National Guard for back-up assistance! Because of this, mothers easily slip into a hopeless rut when filling lunchboxes. However; with a little forward planning you can be inspired to effortlessly create and pack a delicious, nutritious lunch!

We all know that lunch is important for everyone, but particularly for children, because they have high energy requirements for their size. It is so important for them to receive nutrient-dense foods in small, but regular amounts in order to keep their little bodies and minds working at their best. There is a plethora of academic and medical evidence that suggests a correlation between a child’s diet and academic performance. The evidence shows that kids with a poor diet are more likely to have problems with concentration, memory recall, and irritability. Additionally, it has been widely documented and known in the medical community that poor diets increase ANY individual’s susceptibility to colds and other illnesses. By contrast, children who have consistently healthy diets have more energy, improved learning and a lower obesity rate.

So, let’s start with a basic rule: When you’re preparing a big meal (like an evening dinner), make extra to send in lunch boxes. Left-over meats make for great wraps and also go well over a fresh salad! It give kids a break from the “everyday sandwich” that they see staring back at them lunch, after lunch. See the following dinner recipe and how you can use left-overs for lunchboxes. Then stay tuned for part 2: Strategies for planning ahead and offering variety. Happy lunchbox packing!

Keep Your Kids Healthy During Fall Sports

Fall is an exciting time for sports. From football and soccer to cheerleading and swimming, your kids are probably getting ready to get back in the game with weekday practices and fresh uniforms. Help your kids get physically prepared for fall sports with these simple health tips from the kid experts at Stepping Stone Pediatrics in Atlanta, Ga.

Plan Healthy Meals

One of the best things you can do for your star athlete is to plan healthy meals throughout the week. Fit in a lot of lean protein sources, fruits, and vegetables. The healthier they eat, the easier it will be to give it their all during practice and games. Starchy or sugary foods may give immediate energy, but will cause a ‘sugar crash’ later on, leaving them feeling sluggish and lethargic.

Don’t Forget About Water

Dehydration happens more often than you realize, especially in this Georgia heat. To protect your child from heat exhaustion or dehydration, always ensure they have a full water bottle. For your easily distracted kiddos, a gentle reminder to take a few sips may be a good idea, especially during practice and games.

Keep Kids Active During the Off-Season

Keeping your kids active, even when they’re not on the field, can help make the transition into fall sports an easier process. If they’ve spent the summer as a comfy couch potato, getting back into the swing of weekday practices and games may get off to a rough start. Encourage your kids to play outside (with sunscreen and bug spray) during the summer or enroll them in a fun sports camp to keep them active.

Wear the Right Safety Equipment

The right sports gear is crucial for your child’s safety. If their equipment isn’t brand new, inspect it for any cracks or wear and tear. Cracked helmets, poor fitting padding, or shoes with a lot of wear and tear should be replaced. Check with your coach or league to figure out what equipment is needed.

Recognize Injuries and Respond Accordingly

From sprains to concussions, it’s important to recognize the signs of a sports injury. When you go in for a sports physical at the beginning of the season, ask your child’s pediatrician what typical signs of concussion and injury are. If you see any of these signs or symptoms, seek the appropriate medical care, whether that includes emergency care or a visit to your pediatrician.

Contact Stepping Stone Pediatrics for Fall Sports Care and Physicals

Get your child ready for the fall sports season with a fall physical at Stepping Stone Pediatrics in Cobb County. From nutrition counseling to well checkups, we’ll help make sure your kid is ready to get in the game. Contact us today at 770-515-9000 to schedule an appointment.

Sending Your Child to School with Asthma

If your child has asthma, sending them to school doesn’t have to be scary. With the proper precautions, teaching, and planning, you and your child will be well-equipped for asthma attacks and triggers. Stepping Stone Pediatrics is lucky to have Meg Graves, one of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners, who has subspecialty experience caring for patients for the Pediatric Pulmonology division at Maimonides Health Center in New York City.  Meg coordinates care for our asthma patients, helping them avoid exacerbations and unnecessary asthma complications.

Help Your Child Identify Their Triggers

Asthma triggers are different for every child. While many of the triggers are allergies like pollen, dust, pet dander, and mold, triggers can also be in the form of food allergies, emotional distress, smoke, exercise, weather changes, and even some smells. Discover exactly what your child’s triggers are and teach them to try and avoid these triggers as much as possible.

As they grow older, they’ll be better able to know when to slow down while exercising, what foods may contain their allergy, or how to calm their emotions in a stressful situation. The more you work with them to understand their triggers and work around them, the safer school will be.

Notify Appropriate School Staff and Personnel

Asthma attacks can happen at any time, without much warning. For school staff and personnel, it’s important that they know what your child is going through so that they can respond appropriately in the event of an attack. At the beginning of the school year, let your child’s teachers, coaches, school nurses, principals, lunch aids, and bus drivers know about their asthma and what an appropriate plan of action is in case of an attack.

It may help to let them know what your child’s triggers are and what your child is capable of doing for their own care. If you have a young child, the school staff person may have to help distribute their medicine.

Ensure Medications are Easily Accessible

One of the best ways to control your child’s asthma is to have inhalers and necessary medication available in their trigger areas. While school regulations may limit where you can keep medication, check with your school principal to see if they can keep their medication nearby. If they can keep an inhaler in the cafeteria, gym, in their backpack, and in their classroom, they may have a better chance of preventing a full-blown asthma attack.

Create an Asthma Action Plan

A great way to keep your child safe at school is to create an asthma action plan. This is a written plan you can hand out to school personnel with all the information they might need in the event of an asthma attack. It should have all necessary contact information including: your name and phone numbers, emergency contact name and number if you cannot be reached, your pediatrician’s name and number, and the name and number of the closest hospital. It should also include your child’s medications, dosages, and usage instructions, a list of your child’s triggers, and your child’s best peak flow meter reading.

Your asthma action plan should also include a green, yellow, red zone guide explaining how to know when your child needs assistance. The green zone is when your child is happy, healthy, and breathing fine. The yellow zone occurs when there are worrisome signs including coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, or difficulty doing normal activities. During this zone, have a plan of action to treat the symptoms like an aerosol inhaler, rest, and slow, deep breathing. The red zone occurs when breathing is hard and fast, talking is difficult, ribs are visible, and they may have trouble walking. During this stage, rescue medications are vital and emergency medical services may be necessary.

Find Expert Asthma Care at Stepping Stone Pediatrics

Avoid asthma complications with expert care from Meg Graves and the healthcare team at Stepping Stone Pediatrics in Kennesaw. Our center offers well-child visits, same day appointments, a Healthy Lifestyles clinic, extended adolescent care checkups, prenatal consultations, and more. Call us at 770-515-9000 to schedule an appointment.

Healthy Summer Snacking: Healthy Trail Mix from Strong 4 Life

Ingredients:

• 3 cups whole wheat oat squares cereal
• 2 cups Cheerios
• 1 cup dry roasted cashews/almonds/walnuts
• ½ cup raisins
• ½ cup cranberries
• 2 cups pretzel
• Dry ranch dressing to taste

Instructions:

• Combine all ingredients. Sprinkle with dry ranch dressing to taste.

Healthy Summer Snacking : Avocado, Corn, Bean Salad

Ingredients:

  • 4 cups salad greens
  • 2 avocados
  • 1 can corn, drained and rinsed
  • 1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes
  • ½ cup cilantro
  • ¼ cup olive oil
  • Juice of 1 lime

Instructions:

  1. Peel and chop the avocado.
  2. Combine salad greens, avocado, corn, black beans, and cherry tomatoes in a large bowl. Toss and set aside.
  3. Chop cilantro and combine with olive oil and lime juice. Whisk together.
  4. Pour oil mixture over top of salad greens and toss well.

What’s the Scoop on Zika?

(Updated August 2, 2016)

Zika virus has been in the news with some regularity over the past few months.  This is a relatively new public health threat so we are still learning about what it is, how it affects us and what to do about it.  This is our best effort at providing you with accurate and timely information, but please keep in mind that this is an evolving picture.  If and when this article gets updated, we will adjust the dateline above and try to put any new information in boldface to make it easier to find.  We’ll also try to keep this limited to practical information rather than a lot of microbiological background. (“Zika is a positive RNA virus belonging to the Flavivirus group ….. <snore>”)

The most dramatic and terrifying aspect of Zika is its potential to cause severe brain damage to unborn children—a condition called microcephaly where the brain is severely underdeveloped.  This can occur when pregnant women get infected and the virus spreads to the fetus in the womb.  The chances of this happening are still unknown, largely because 80% of people who get infected have no symptoms.   (To get a handle on the risk, you have to know how many pregnant women are infected and then determine how many of their babies have complications.  However, it’s hard to know how many pregnant women have been infected if the vast majority of them don’t have any symptoms!)

Luckily, there has been NO transmission of the disease by mosquitoes in the USA to date.  (Update:  Officials in Florida are now investigating four cases of “locally transmitted”—i.e., mosquito borne—Zika infection, two in Miami-Dade County and two in Broward County.  It is important to note that these have not yet been confirmed as mosquito transmitted infection, but if confirmed would represent the first cases in the U.S. that are not travel related)  The only confirmed U.S. cases are either from sexual activity or from patients who contracted the disease in another country.  We can only hope it stays this way, but the climate in the southeastern United States is acceptable for the species of mosquito that transmit the disease to survive, so we will have to wait and see(Update:  Well, we knew this was coming.  Officials have now confirmed 14 cases of mosquito-borne Zika infection near Miami, Florida as of this writing and we can expect that there will be more.  The CDC has now issued a travel advisory for pregnant women and their partners to avoid travelling to the area— Continue to practice mosquito-discouraging measures such as those outlined below.) 

What if you and/or your family are travelling to an endemic area (Olympics, anyone)?   The best thing to do is try to prevent getting infected in the first place:

  • First and foremost, pregnant women should strongly consider whether a trip to an endemic area is truly necessary.
  • Use insect repellent—DEET is the most effective and the CDC recommends that you use 30% concentration. It lasts longer and is more effective than the lower concentrations.   What about reports that DEET can be neurotoxic in high concentrations?  Those experiments were done on animals or cells isolated in culture—not on humans.   In addition, in such studies, DEET was applied more directly, akin to ingesting it rather than just spreading it on the skin.  In adults DEET has been used by literally billions of people, and if applied as directed is considered safe to use.  We tend to be more conservative about use in children, but there actually is no evidence that 15% is any safer than 30%, so in light of recent increases in mosquito borne diseases, the AAP (American Academy of Pediatrics) recommendations have been liberalized to allow the use of 30% concentration on children down to the age of 2 months.  Kim generally feels more comfortable with the older (to be fair, some would say “outdated”) recommendations of a 15% ceiling on children 6 months of age or older, and the use of screened tents for younger infants.
  • If you are travelling to an endemic area, consider wearing clothing treated with permethrin, an insecticide. You can purchase clothes that are pretreated or treat them yourself, although you must follow the instructions carefully if you choose to treat your own clothes.  Do NOT apply permethrin directly to your skin.
  • Wear long sleeved shirts, long pants, socks and, ideally, a hat. Tuck shirts into pants and pant legs into socks.
  • Stay/sleep in an air-conditioned room with the windows closed. Failing that, make sure that you have adequate mosquito netting around wherever you will be sleeping.
  • Remove mosquito breeding sites to the extent possible in nearby premises. This largely means trying to get rid of standing water—discard old tires/debris, empty water out of lawn ornaments/birdbaths/trash cans, etc.
  • Finally, men who return from an endemic area who have no symptoms are advised to practice abstinence for 8 weeks, while those who have symptoms are suggested to refrain from sex for 6 months (there are case reports of symptomatic males transmitting the virus to partners 6 weeks after symptoms developed!). These recommendations, however, are subject to change as we are currently not entirely sure about how long the virus remains viable in semen.  These guidelines are designed to provide an abundance of caution.  (Update:  A case of female-to-male transmission has now been reported in New York.)

There is extensive intense work being done to develop a vaccine for Zika.  Considering that there is no treatment and mothers could walk around with the infection without even knowing they have it or that it could affect their baby, this is very welcome news.  We will try to keep you abreast of developments on this front.

While there is no treatment for Zika, remember that 80% of people who get infected have no symptoms.  For the one out of five people who do develop symptoms, they are usually mild and limited to less than a week of fever, an itchy rash that spreads from the head down the body, red eyes (without discharge) and fatigue.  Other symptoms can include headaches, body aches, gastrointestinal upset and a little swelling.  While more serious consequences are possible, they are generally quite rare.   (By the way, if you are unlucky enough to develop these symptoms, do NOT take any aspirin until the diagnosis is confirmed.  Zika illness can mimic certain other diseases that can cause bleeding problems that aspirin would make worse.)

Bottom line, currently in our neck of the woods, Zika is still highly unlikely to result from a mosquito bite.  Major concerns about contracting the disease would be almost exclusively for people who travel to endemic areas or have intercourse with travelers to endemic areas.  Finally, remember that knowledge is progressing rapidly in this area, so it is quite possible that some of the above information may need to be revised as we learn more.