September is just around the corner and I want to take this opportunity to remind you that the coming month is "Hunger Action Month" and September third is "Hunger Action Day". Started by "Feeding America" in 2008, "Hunger Action Month" is not only an awareness campaign to remind everyone that hunger does indeed exist in the U.S.-- and right here in Central Florida-- but it's also a call to action for everyone to get involved in our community to do whatever possible to eliminate hunger here.
One of the easiest and quickest ways to help eliminate hunger is to stop wasting food. Did you know Americans waste 40% of the food we produce. That's an astounding number so here are some tips on how you and your family can start to put the brakes on food waste:
-Pay attention to expiration dates but realize the "sell by" date is for stores and is different from the expiration date.
-Buy imperfect produce-- just because some fruits and vegetables are a little bruised doesn't mean they're bad or bad tasting.
-Learn and practice efficient ways to freeze and store foods so that they last longer.
You can get involved in the fight to end hunger right here in Central Florida through several organizations including Second Harvest Food Bank and Catholic Charities.
For more tips on how to prevent food waste, check out these sites:
http://www.nrdc.org/food/wasted-food.asp
http://www.foodrecoverynetwork.org/#about
http://www.feedingamerica.org/
Tuesday, August 25, 2015
Wednesday, August 12, 2015
To Volunteer is to Care!
One very easy way to teach your children about giving, sharing and selflessness is to encourage them to volunteer. While the rewards may not be financial-- the benefits can last a lifetime. Start out by setting a good example and volunteer yourself-- but your toddlers, teenagers, and young adults can all get in on the action too. Whether it's visiting the sick or elderly, taking part in a community clean-up or just helping out at school or church-- there's something for everyone.
Our state, and Central Florida in particular, have amazing volunteer programs-- kids included. In fact, there's even a website designed to match your children with a volunteer program that's perfect.
Check out these sites:
http://www.parents.com/parenting/better-parenting/teaching-tolerance/childrens-volunteering-resource-guide/
http://www.volunteermatch.org/search/?l=FL&v=false&categories=22
http://www.handsonbroward.org/
Our state, and Central Florida in particular, have amazing volunteer programs-- kids included. In fact, there's even a website designed to match your children with a volunteer program that's perfect.
Check out these sites:
http://www.parents.com/parenting/better-parenting/teaching-tolerance/childrens-volunteering-resource-guide/
http://www.volunteermatch.org/search/?l=FL&v=false&categories=22
http://www.handsonbroward.org/
Friday, July 24, 2015
Should Your Kids Ride the Social Media Merry-go-round?
Let's face it-- social media networking sites play a huge role in how we communicate today. Our kids are so tech-savvy that it only makes sense that they want in on the internet action too. In fact, 60% of kids aged 13 to 17 have at least one profile on-line and spend about two hours a day on social media, while 59% of kids are social networking by age 10.
The minimum age required by many sites is 13 but there are no procedures in place to verify age and there's growing concern that more and more children, some as young as 5, are creating accounts-- and while there are specific sites designed for younger children the concern is that young kids are getting on sites meant for adults. Why worry? Well because as much as social media can foster your children's self-expression through sharing photos, art, and opinions and keep them connected to friends-- there are also many dangers involved with communicating on-line. Cyber bullying is a major concern-- but your kids can also make themselves vulnerable to adult predators, spend too much time away from physical activity and shy away from developing in-person, personal relationships.
So what's the bottom line? Rules! You know your children so you should determine the age they are allowed to join a social media network-- and just like you teach your children not to talk to or open the door for strangers and give them curfews and watch who their friends are-- you should also monitor their on-line interactions and limit computer time.
For helpful tips on teaching your kids safe, on-line etiquette check out these sites:
http://www.aacap.org/AACAP/Families_and_Youth/Facts_for_Families/Facts_for_Families_Pages/Children_Online_59.aspx
http://www.webmd.com/parenting/features/social-media-and-tweens-teens
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/02/19/style/letting-your-kids-play-in-the-social-media-sandbox.html?_r=0
The minimum age required by many sites is 13 but there are no procedures in place to verify age and there's growing concern that more and more children, some as young as 5, are creating accounts-- and while there are specific sites designed for younger children the concern is that young kids are getting on sites meant for adults. Why worry? Well because as much as social media can foster your children's self-expression through sharing photos, art, and opinions and keep them connected to friends-- there are also many dangers involved with communicating on-line. Cyber bullying is a major concern-- but your kids can also make themselves vulnerable to adult predators, spend too much time away from physical activity and shy away from developing in-person, personal relationships.
So what's the bottom line? Rules! You know your children so you should determine the age they are allowed to join a social media network-- and just like you teach your children not to talk to or open the door for strangers and give them curfews and watch who their friends are-- you should also monitor their on-line interactions and limit computer time.
For helpful tips on teaching your kids safe, on-line etiquette check out these sites:
http://www.aacap.org/AACAP/Families_and_Youth/Facts_for_Families/Facts_for_Families_Pages/Children_Online_59.aspx
http://www.webmd.com/parenting/features/social-media-and-tweens-teens
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/02/19/style/letting-your-kids-play-in-the-social-media-sandbox.html?_r=0
Friday, July 3, 2015
Rebirth of Independence!
With the recent Supreme Court decisions on gay marriage and the removal of the Confederate flag from state institutions as well as the preservation of the Affordable Care Act-- our nation is experiencing a renaissance of a government for, by and of the people.
As we celebrate this Fourth of July let us be thankful for the checks and balances our government provides that allow us to continue to pursue life, liberty and happiness.
But also remember to take personal time for you and your family. Use the Fourth of July to kick-off the last half of 2015. Recommit to be better mothers and fathers, brothers and sisters, neighbors and friends. Be a better you!!!
Happy Independence day!
As we celebrate this Fourth of July let us be thankful for the checks and balances our government provides that allow us to continue to pursue life, liberty and happiness.
But also remember to take personal time for you and your family. Use the Fourth of July to kick-off the last half of 2015. Recommit to be better mothers and fathers, brothers and sisters, neighbors and friends. Be a better you!!!
Happy Independence day!
Friday, June 19, 2015
Dad's Big Day!
In this country, the third Sunday of every June is the day we dedicate to celebrating our fathers and the father figures in our lives. Like Mother's Day, it's hard to pinpoint exactly when the very first Father's Day was celebrated. The belief is that a memorial was held in 1908 to commemorate a 1907 mining accident that claimed the lives of a large group of men, many of them fathers, in West Virginia. Then the nation's first statewide Father's Day was celebrated in 1910, in the State of Washington, and the holiday spread from there. It wasn't until 1972 that Father's Day became a National Holiday.
Regardless of it's origins, Father's Day is a day we set apart to celebrate the contributions dads make to their families and society as a whole. Whether you celebrate with a church service, cookout, or sporting event, whether you give dad a gift for grilling or an electronic gadget, just get out there and spend some quality time with the man who makes a difference to you. Be sure to let your father, adopted father, step-father, father-in-law, grandfather or that all-around good guy in your life-- know that he is loved and cherished.
Happy Father's Day!!!
Regardless of it's origins, Father's Day is a day we set apart to celebrate the contributions dads make to their families and society as a whole. Whether you celebrate with a church service, cookout, or sporting event, whether you give dad a gift for grilling or an electronic gadget, just get out there and spend some quality time with the man who makes a difference to you. Be sure to let your father, adopted father, step-father, father-in-law, grandfather or that all-around good guy in your life-- know that he is loved and cherished.
Happy Father's Day!!!
Wednesday, June 10, 2015
Sunscreen: Don't Leave Home Without It!
If you're like me, there's almost nothing better than getting out and enjoying all that life in the great outdoors has to offer-- but be sure you protect your family's fun in the sun by making sure everyone always wears sunscreen.
Harmful ultraviolet rays can not only cause painful sunburn, but too much exposure to the sun can lead to skin cancer. Sunscreen helps protect you and your kids from both, while also keeping skin from discoloring, wrinkling and all-around premature aging. And don't forget, sun damage is cumulative and skin cancer can result from repeated exposure to the sun from the time we're young-- so teach your kids to start applying and reapplying sunscreen every time they go outdoors. And the earlier they start, the better-- many experts say you should start applying sunscreen to a baby at six months-- before that make sure your baby wears protective clothes, a hat and sunglasses. As the kids get older and can put on sunscreen themselves it should become a habit, like brushing their hair or washing their hands. An SPF (Sun Protection Factor) of 15 or greater is recommended-- but the higher the number the better the protection, so choose wisely. It's better to play it safe than be sorry, so slather on that sunscreen and get out there and enjoy!
For more information on sunscreen check out these links:
http://www.skincancer.org/prevention/sun-protection/prevention-guidelines/year-round-sun-protection
http://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/healthy_living/hic_An_Overview_ofYour_Skin/hic_protecting_yourself_from_sun_damage
http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/infant-and-toddler-health/expert-answers/baby-sunscreen/faq-20058159
http://www.skincancer.org/prevention/sun-protection/prevention-guidelines/preventing-skin-cancer
Harmful ultraviolet rays can not only cause painful sunburn, but too much exposure to the sun can lead to skin cancer. Sunscreen helps protect you and your kids from both, while also keeping skin from discoloring, wrinkling and all-around premature aging. And don't forget, sun damage is cumulative and skin cancer can result from repeated exposure to the sun from the time we're young-- so teach your kids to start applying and reapplying sunscreen every time they go outdoors. And the earlier they start, the better-- many experts say you should start applying sunscreen to a baby at six months-- before that make sure your baby wears protective clothes, a hat and sunglasses. As the kids get older and can put on sunscreen themselves it should become a habit, like brushing their hair or washing their hands. An SPF (Sun Protection Factor) of 15 or greater is recommended-- but the higher the number the better the protection, so choose wisely. It's better to play it safe than be sorry, so slather on that sunscreen and get out there and enjoy!
For more information on sunscreen check out these links:
http://www.skincancer.org/prevention/sun-protection/prevention-guidelines/year-round-sun-protection
http://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/healthy_living/hic_An_Overview_ofYour_Skin/hic_protecting_yourself_from_sun_damage
http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/infant-and-toddler-health/expert-answers/baby-sunscreen/faq-20058159
http://www.skincancer.org/prevention/sun-protection/prevention-guidelines/preventing-skin-cancer
Monday, June 1, 2015
Summer Break Doesn't Mean Breaking Ties
With the last day of school fast approaching, I wanted to remind you that just because your kids are on break doesn't mean the wonderful social relations they've established over the school year need to stop.
Here are some easy ways to make sure your children stay in touch with their friends. Even though the younger set is tech-savvy, not everyone has their own phone so why not help your youngsters and their friends put together hand written phone books with numbers where they can easily be reached. It's a great project for the last few days of school and the end result is shared phone numbers to stay in touch.
Other ways to maintain strong friendship bonds over the break include scheduling Summer play dates before school ends, as well as being sure to invite your kid's friends to birthdays, barbecues and other events that happen while school is out.
For older children, staying in touch can be all about phone calls, group messaging, Skype and basically anything involving social media. Just don't let them forget that nothing beats face to face interaction so be sure to encourage in-person gatherings to keep relationships going.
For more tips on staying in touch check out these ideas:
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/248049891946740022/
http://redtri.com/fun-ideas-for-keeping-in-touch-this-summer/
Here are some easy ways to make sure your children stay in touch with their friends. Even though the younger set is tech-savvy, not everyone has their own phone so why not help your youngsters and their friends put together hand written phone books with numbers where they can easily be reached. It's a great project for the last few days of school and the end result is shared phone numbers to stay in touch.
Other ways to maintain strong friendship bonds over the break include scheduling Summer play dates before school ends, as well as being sure to invite your kid's friends to birthdays, barbecues and other events that happen while school is out.
For older children, staying in touch can be all about phone calls, group messaging, Skype and basically anything involving social media. Just don't let them forget that nothing beats face to face interaction so be sure to encourage in-person gatherings to keep relationships going.
For more tips on staying in touch check out these ideas:
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/248049891946740022/
http://redtri.com/fun-ideas-for-keeping-in-touch-this-summer/
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