About Erika Gruszewski
Posts by Erika Gruszewski
Warm Autumn Oatmeal
When the weather starts to cool down, I love having a breakfast that is warm, comforting, and filling. This recipe for warm autumn oatmeal hits all those marks. The first time I made this recipe, I loved it so much that I ate it every day for about a year (cold weather or not!). It’s…Read More »
Finding Undetected Vision Issues in Kids
“Mark,” a preschooler, always seemed to be getting in trouble, acting out and having a hard time learning. Turns out, there was good reason. He had double vision. Until the McGraw Lions Club screened him as a part of their “see” program, his condition had gone undetected. “At that age, he was still not verbal…Read More »
Pumpkin Pancake Recipe
Confession: I’ve never been a big pancake fan. But then, I made this pumpkin pancake recipe. These pancakes are so fluffy and full of the comforting flavors we love in the fall. I’ve officially become a pancake lover (as long as it is these pancakes). Print Recipe Pumpkin Pancakes Prep Time 20 minutes Servings pancakes…Read More »
Is Diet Soda Healthier than Regular Soda?
I’ve been there. Worried about too many calories or too much sugar, I ordered a diet soda, feeling a little bit better about my healthier choice. I’ve heard that regularly drinking soda (or “pop” as I’ve learned it’s called in Western NY) has health risks like increasing the risk for type 2 diabetes, heart disease,…Read More »
Arc of Onondaga: Life Comes Full Circle
It’s funny how life can come full circle. Matt Mersfelder of Syracuse has experienced it firsthand. His first “real” job as an adult was with Arc of Onondaga. The nonprofit organization assists individuals who have developmental disabilities achieve their fullest potential. In fact, Matt credits the traits he learned at Arc of Onondaga — patience…Read More »
Hidden Gem: The Westminster Staircase
Referred to by some as the “Stairway to Heaven,” the Westminster Staircase in Syracuse holds special meaning for those of us who use it. Starting on Euclid Avenue and leading to a small circular park at the dead end of Westminster Avenue, the stairs are a startlingly serene departure from the hustle and bustle of…Read More »
Too Many Garden Tomatoes? Get Saucy!
I remember watching in horror as my grandmother ate freshly picked tomatoes as if they were apples, gripping them in the palm of her hand, and devouring them one bite at a time. See, I’ve never understood the world’s fondness with these bitter, seedy vegetables (call them fruits if you’d like). I’ll choke down tomatoes…Read More »
Homemade Tomato Sauce
Your Back-To-College Health Checklist
I’ve never been as sick as I was my first year at college. I was barely sleeping and living off ramen noodles and coffee. No wonder I caught mono! Unfortunately, my mono went without diagnosis for eight months! The cure for mono is rest and more rest. But when I did suffer a cold or…Read More »
Something You Don’t Do for Your Health
A co-worker recently faced the reality that she had to floss. Cavities were likely on the horizon if she didn’t, her dentist said. She later discovered that she hated flossing because she “always had the cheap stuff around.” My colleague started using Oral-B Glide floss and loved it. “It’s so gentle on my gums that…Read More »