2012 back to school issue
DESCRIPTION
ÂTRANSCRIPT
8 - 11 Good News
12 - 13 Good Products
The Good Stuff
Features
18 - 19At Home Spa Day
by Noelle Katai
23Every Child an Athlete for Life
by Pamela Settle
29Quality Early Learning
is Key to Success in School by Benjamin J. Kirby
30A Letter to Pinellas County
by David Lawrence
33 Make Your Fitness Goals SMART
by Christie Bruner
36 - 37Leading Our Schools to Greatness: Part 2
by Pamela Settle
38My Story
by Rennie Curran
About the CoverRennie Curran, #45 with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers contacted GoodLiving magazine because he likes our positi ve content. He is a huge supporter of kids, so we asked him to help us with our message that as a community we all need to come together to lift our kids up for success. Thank you to Calvary Christi an High School for the use of your fi eld and to Corey Conroy Photography for the gorgeous photo.See more at CoreyConroyPhotography.com
TBWOA.com
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15 - 17 Good People
26 - 27 Good Eating
A few days ago, my son, entering fi rst grade this year, started asking why he had to go to
school. “To learn,” I replied. To which he retorted, “Why do I need to learn?”
Well, that’s a really good question and I had stop myself from fl ippantly saying things like
“because I said so,” “because it’s the law,” or “to get a good job someday.”
Yes, education is a path to obtaining a good job so you can buy things like food.
Yes, the government has laws saying you must go to school until you’re old enough to
drop out.
And yes, parents need their kids in school so they can work to buy things like food.
Th ose reasons, however, don’t really get to the core of why we pursue learning as humans
and so I decided to make it a teachable moment about the value of school.
My answer to him was this, “Son. Learning is a most precious gift. God gave us the ability
to think, to create, to build, to question, to explore and to experience the mystery and
beauty of this Earth, its creatures and other people. It’s our duty and responsibility to use
our brains to the best of our abilities and that means going to school to learn how to use
that brain.”
When he’s older, I’ll elaborate more on how important it is to soak in literature, music, art,
nature, science and history for the purpose of bringing joy and meaning to his life.
Later, we’ll talk about how without deeper life goals, education can become a repetitive
series of tests, report cards and annual attendance calendars. Sort of like climbing stairs in a
crowd without really paying attention to where you are going.
I’ll want him to understand that he has an inner desire to be on the stairs in the fi rst place;
that he can connect spiritually to his drive to learn. To realize that knowledge is not just the
means to an end, but a way to fi ll his heart, his soul and his mind.
As a parent I realize that inspiring his inner desire to learn is only half the battle. Th e other
half is being involved in the school system that is in control of a big part of the journey
called education. Federal and state law makers, school boards, district staff , unions, text-
book companies and research entities are making important, life-altering decisions that
impact our children.
Are you there? Do you know what they are doing? Are you engaged? Are you a member
of PTA or do you attend school board meetings? Are you registered to vote and are you
identifying the candidates who support education?
Our kids get one life, and one shot at their developmental years. Th is is about as important
as it gets for their future, and the cumulative futures of all our children.
Th roughout this Back-to School issue, you will read about people working to improve our
community for kids from 0 – 18. Agencies and programs are in place to advocate for our
children’s future. Whether you are a parent or not, you are needed to get in the game and be
a part of lifting our children up for success!
Until next time, be good!
Letter from the Editor
Pamela Settle
Here’s to a healthy and happy school year for teachers, students and parents!
PublisherLight Shine Media Group, LLC
Editor-in-ChiefPamela Sett le
Contributi ng WritersChristi e BrunerRennie CurranNoelle KataiBenjamin J. KirbyDavid Lawrence
Design and LayoutMarcie Kelliher
Account ManagerTory Perfetti
Data ManagerTom Eckert
WebsiteWP by Design
GoodLiving™ Magazine &GoodLivingMagazine.comP.O. Box 1795Oldsmar, Florida 34677(727) [email protected]
FOR ADVERTISING INFORMATIONadverti [email protected]
GoodLiving™ magazine is a publicati on of Light Shine Media Group, LLC and and is available to readers by a paid annual subscripti on available at www.tampabaygoodliving.com. Promoti onal copies are distributed through establishments as a courtesy to their customers and clients. Additi onal copies are donated to local schools as a community service. To request copies, contact [email protected]. All photographs, artwork, design and editorial are the sole property of GoodLiving™ magazine and Light Shine Media Group, LLC. No porti on of this magazine may be reproduced in any form without writt en permission.
GoodLiving™ magazine and Light Shine Media Group, LLC are not responsible for statements made by adverti sers and writers for any consequences arising from omissions or errors. Readers should verify the adverti sing informati on of the adverti sers and all specials are valid to the expirati on date set by the adverti ser. GoodLiving™ magazine and Light Shine Media Group, LLC reserve the right to refuse any adverti sing for any reason. The views expressed in the publicati on are not necessarily those of the publisher. All rights reserved.
FALL 2012 back to school
TM
GoodLiving back to school8
news
Box Car RallyAchieva Credit Union is celebrating old-fashioned fun
at their annual Box Car Rally, October 6th in downtown
Clearwater’s Cleveland Street District. Proceeds benefi t
Pinellas County Classrooms. Th e event is free to attend.
Th ere will be food, drinks, balloons, music, kid’s events,
50/50 raffl es, local merchant tables and more.
If you ever wanted to build and race a box car, here is your
chance! Entries are only $50 per team. Get registration
information, rules and links to fi nd box car kits at
AchievaCU.com. Search Box Car Rally.
Photos by Lynzie Hiers Photography
Dames Gone WildTwo women from Pinellas County are on an adventure of a life-
time. After being let go from her mortgage job in January 2012,
Carol Hasbrouck came to the realization that after 23 years of
earning a paycheck to get a two-week vacation, it was time for
her to let go. To really let go and stretch beyond where she was
to see what else life could hold. With her friend, Joyce Clafl in,
the 12-month journey across the United States has begun. Th eir
mission: to learn about themselves by doing service work for free
at a variety of diff erent non-profi t organizations. Th eir itinerary
is posted on their website, but more important are the blog posts
of their experiences. It’s really quite inspiring and a good read for
anyone looking for ways to add depth and meaning to their lives.
Th ey stay with host families and rely on their GPS to help them
“recalculate” when plans change.
Carol and Joyce are unoffi cial ambassadors to the country from
St. Petersburg, appearing in local media and making a stir in the
communities where they serve. Th ey are inspiring people who have
lost jobs from coast to coast with a story that says “We are not our
jobs; we have more to give.” Th ey are currently learning how to
receive from others as their funds have run low and they need to
ask for donations to help them continue their journey. Follow them
at DamesGoneWild.com and fi nd them on Facebook, too.
Flip Flops for HeroesA Clearwater woman heard that wounded soldiers were entering the
military hospital in Kandahar, Afghanistan, often times with their
boots cut off , leaving them with no shoes. A veteran herself, Cristine
Kreplick, answered this very specifi c call for help by asking members
of the community to donate fl ip fl ops through a page on Facebook.
“I have a past colleague who works at this hospital and in addition to
prayers, she said she needed fl ip fl ops for the patients,” says Cristine.
Th e eff ort worked and they now have more fl ip fl ops than they
need for the short term. What they need now are plain t-shirts,
shorts, sweatpants, shoes and toiletries.
Donations can be sent directly to the hospital in Kandahar,
Afghanistan by using this military address: USN LT Danielle
Jarvis, NATO Role 3 MMU, APO AE, 09355
Keep up with the eff ort on the Flip Flops for Heroes Facebook page.
9GoodLiving back to school
news
Helping a Friend in NeedFor anyone who has tried to arrange meals for a friend who is sick,
had a baby or experienced a death in the family, the process can be
a little challenging.
A website has come along to make it more manageable. Th eir basic
service is free, so it’s a great option for anyone. MealTrain.comincludes a real-time meal calendar that has the ability to customize
dates, times and meal preferences. Invitations can be sent via e-mail
or Facebook. It even sends reminders.
Reading PalsTh anks to a generous contribution from the owners of Publix,
United Way of Florida and Th e Children’s Movement of Florida are
launching a new program called Reading Pals.
Locally, the program will match volunteer mentor readers with
PreK to 3rd grade students in Pinellas County who need help
right now with reading. Approximately 40% of children who enter
Kindergarten are not ready to read. If they stay behind through 3rd
grade, they run a greater risk of eventually dropping out of school.
Early intervention can reverse the situation, and that’s where
volunteers come to play. Reading Pals needs 200 volunteers by
October 1 to donate one hour per week for the rest of the school
year. Volunteers will receive training and the program is approved
for Bright Futures volunteer hours.
Research shows that children who get extra help before third grade
can get and stay caught up, so this volunteer time can measurably
change a child’s life for the better. And cumulatively, it can improve
an entire community. To fi nd out more on how to volunteer, go to
unitedwaysuncoast.org/readingpals.
For Families with Special Needs ChildrenFamily Network on Disabilities is hosting the 6th Annual Heart
and Hope Statewide Family Conference at Dunedin Highland
Middle School on August 25, 2012.
Th e event is free and is designed to bring together families who
have children with disabilities and subject matter professionals
who can help them learn their options and rights in regards to
the school system and beyond. Free lunch and childcare will be
provided. Th e keynote speaker will be Monica Verra-Tirado,
Ed.D., the new Bureau Chief for Florida’s ESE Division.
Additional presentations include RTI, Restraint and Seclusion,
Self-Determination, Learning Styles, Understanding the Health
Care System, Welcome to ESE, IEP, IDEA, and much more.
Visit fndusa.org/heartandhope to register.
Recognizing RecoverySeptember 2012 is the 23rd Annual National Recovery Month
sponsored by Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services
Administration. It is a celebration of people who have or are now
seeking recovery from addictions and the treatment professionals
who dedicate their careers to the cause.
In recognition of this month, LiveFree! in partnership with
Nar-Anon and Operation PAR will host a Day of Serenity for
Friends and Family in Recovery on Saturday, September 8, 2012
from 12pm – 4pm. Th e event will be at Operation PAR’s Beverly
and CW Bill Young Center for Research and Recovery at 13800
66th St. N. in Largo. Th e Day of Serenity will include a special
Newcomers Meeting at 1pm. Nar-Anon is a 12-step program for
those aff ected by another’s addiction. For more information on
Nar-Anon, please visit www.naranonfl .org or call (888)947-8885.
For more information on the day of Serenity, contact livefree@
operpar.org. For more information on Recovery Month, please
visit www.samhsa.gov.
Share your good news.Send stories to [email protected]
Good Works Pinellas
comes to GoodLivingMagazine .com!
The GiversYou’re sitting with some friends, neighbors or your family and the
conversation comes up that you want to give some time and volunteer to
do something good for someone. Maybe you have a free Saturday coming
up or perhaps your group wants to do something on a regular basis.
Maybe you have material goods instead of time. Th ere is furniture to
donate or your company is willing to collect blankets, food or toiletries.
How do you fi nd who needs help?
The Needs Every day local charities and ministries have needs that range from
small one-person jobs to large-scale events. Some are long term and
others pop up as a need arises. Th ey also have needs for donated goods
on a regular basis and some charities have urgent needs.
Th ese organizations rely upon people in the community to help them.
Beyond their usual volunteers, how do they connect on a regular basis
to the community at large?
The LinkTh e key to linking hundreds of thousands of potential givers to
the multitude of needs in Pinellas County is a common database.
A Tampa organization called Meet the Need has developed
database software that can do this job and more. Th e vision of
its founder and president, Jim Morgan, was to mobilize entire
communities by sharing up-to-date information on a common
platform accessed by an unlimited number of organizations. It
took nearly ten years to develop, but the Meet the Need software
product has taken off quickly and is being used by churches and
ministries in over 100 cities nationwide. Any church or ministry
can be a part of the network.
To join, go to MeetTh eNeed.org.
In 2012, a commercial version of the software is being released
so that non-profi t organizations and corporations can join the
network and expand the reach of the community. Th is software
product is called ServingLynk. For more information, send an
email to [email protected].
news
What is Good Works Pinellas?Good Works Pinellas at GoodLivingMagazine.com will serve
as the hub of activity for Pinellas County.
Individuals and groups who do not belong to a church or an
organization utilizing Meet the Need software can access the
database at GoodLivingMagazine.com. Searchers can narrow
the fi elds to meet their specifi c desires. If you are looking for
something on a particular date, search by date. If you prefer
to volunteer to help a senior citizen or serve at a food bank,
search by type of organization.
Th e database is fl exible and easy to use. No long-term
commitments are required. By being able to see the full range
of needs in the county, it will open the door for people to have
multiple giving experiences – something that is benefi cial for
teaching kids to have compassion for diff erent situations.
Th e real beauty of this database is that it empowers YOU
to be your own leader. You are no longer dependent on
someone else to tell you what is planned. Th e information
comes to you as fast as you can click your mouse.
Good Works Pinellas will help you fi nd the right project. Any
day. Any time. So You Can Be Empowered to Lead the Way!
newsClick on this graphic at GoodLivingMagazine.com
How to use GoodWorks Pinellas1. Access the Good Works Page through GoodLivingMagazine.com
2. Search the local database for opportuniti es to serve or donate material goods
3. Select where you want to help
4. Register to be a volunteer
5. Fulfi ll your service in the community
6. Repeat!
Schoolbags for Kids With their One Here. One Th ere™ mission,
two entrepreneurs who used to market luxury
products in New York City started their
own company to make a diff erence around
the world. While on a journey, one of the
founders was passing out pencils to children
in Tanzania when he had a vision to give
children the tools necessary for learning.
Th at moment led to a company called
Schoolbags for Kids that sells high-quality,
fi tted backpacks for students. With every
sale, they send a backpack of supplies to
schools and orphanages in several countries.
Th eir inspiring story is on their website, as
are pictures of their well-designed backpacks
for big and little kids. Backpacks have a
horizontal design to make things easier to
fi nd, plus they have external pockets, padded
shoulder straps and a chest strap to keep the
bag in place. Th e large size can carry a 13”
laptop and the small size can fi t a sweater or
a blanket. Find eight diff erent colors/designs
plus three Fuzzy Flyers that come with detach-
able wings. Price range $49 to $59. You can also
purchase backpacks to be donated for $10 each.
Schoolbagsforkids.com
This company is a Certi fi ed B Corporati on, a new type of corporati on rati ng that certi fi es a company meets comprehensive and transparent social and environmental performance standards; meets higher legal accountability standards; and builds business consti tuencies for public policies that support sustainable business.
GoodLiving back to school12
products
Sparx candyTh ese little candies come in a convenient cylinder pack, just the
right size for a backpack. Th ey are a sweet treat actually for oral
health. Sparx candies are made with Xylitol, a white crystalline
substance that looks and tastes like sugar. It is a naturally occurring
5-carbon sugar alcohol found in many fruits and vegetables. It has
the same sweetness as sugar (sucrose) but with 40% fewer calories
and none of the negative tooth decay or insulin release eff ects of
sugar. Xylitol also has a low glycemic index (7) and has little eff ect
on blood sugar levels. Xylitol is recommended by dentists world-
wide as a sweetener for anyone concerned with dental health, upper
respiratory health, and sugar consumption, in general. Sparx candies
can be found at health food stores and online.
Just for girls When sports practice, marching band rehearsals or gym
class take their toll, girls can freshen up with these
convenient wipes that don’t contain any fragrances or
harmful chemicals like parabens or sulfates. Moms can
help their daughters protect delicate skin with healthy
hoohoo® products, a gentle line formulated to balance
pH, freshen and gently cleanse. Convenient packaging stores easily
in backpacks or gym bags.
Th e inspiration for the product came when founder Stacy Lyons studied the
dangers of parabens after a friend’s breast cancer tumor biopsy came back with
an alarmingly high concentration of the harsh preservative. “I believe that less is
more and that harsh chemicals belong nowhere near a woman’s sensitive areas,”
states Stacy.
Pick your favorite: Gentle Feminine Wash ($12.99), feminine wipes (single .95/10-pack $4.79) or Gentle Feminine Foaming Cleanser ($13.99). Buy online at drugstore.com and healthyhoohoo.com
Early Lingo DVDsKids can learn the basics of a new foreign language or keep
their existing language skills sharp during the school year. Th e
award-winning Early Lingo DVD Series gives children ages 6
months to 9 years a solid foundation in a second language through an
animated and live-action adventure series. Great gift idea, too! DVDs
are sold individually for $19.99 or in a pack of six for $99.99. Choose
from English, French, Spanish, Italian, Mandarin and German.
Learn more at Earlylingo.com
for Kids sion,
purchase backpacks t
Schoolbagsforkids.com
ThisB Coof cocerticom
transpenvironmental performahigher legal
13GoodLiving back to school
products
Good BellyStart each morning with a shot of Good Belly to gain digestive
health, which can improve immunity during the upcoming cold
and fl u season. Peel the plastic liner off the top to reveal a smiley
face that will wish you a good morning before drinking your shot
of certifi ed organic, dairy- and soy-free probiotic juice. Each
serving of Good Belly contains 20 billion live and active cultures
of Lp299v for maintaining a healthy balance of good bacteria.
GoodBelly comes in a wide selection of fruit juice fl avors like
Mango, Tropical Orange, Pomegranate Blackberry, Blueberry
Acai, and Strawberry, and they make a delicious, healthy swap for
a traditional glass of juice for breakfast! Buy them in packs of four
for under $4 at Earth Origins. Like them on Facebook, too. Th ey
have great posts!
Goodbelly.com
Flings® Pop-Up Recycle BinsWhen entertaining indoors or out, you can now help
guests recycle cans and bottles with the effi cient and
innovative Flings® Pop-Up Recycle Bins.
No more fl opped-over trash bags or cans stacked on
tables. Th ese portable containers open accordion style to
form a stable, decorative bin for up to 60 cans or bottles at
a time. Use several of them around your party and reuse
them by dumping contents into a larger recycling tote.
Find 13 gallon bins for under $4 at iParty in Clearwater.
Flingsbins.com
Soap Time®Back to school means exposure to more
germs. Keep your kids healthy and save
your sick days by encouraging proper
hand washing. A fun new product called
Soap Time® is a patented hand washing
system that plays music and teaches
facts for at least 20 seconds (the time period recommended by the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention). A child pushes the
dispenser and activates the battery-powered base to start its show
based on the theme: Learning ABCs, Nature or Wild Kingdom.
A set sells for $16.97 and the base lasts for over 2,500 wash cycles.
Soap refi lls available.
MySoapTime.com
Power Brain KidsPower Brain Kids: 12 Easy Lessons to Ignite Your Child’s Potential is an easy-to-use book that can help parents
access and support the rich potential in their children.
Author Ilchi Lee created a child-appropriate guide
for developing concentration, improving memory
skills and instilling self-discipline. Each chapter
focuses on a particular aspect of mental ability,
including concentration, creativity, memory and emotional control.
Parents and children can follow lessons, exercises and games with
colorful design and photography. For ages 6 – 12.
$16.95 at Amazon.com
Emergency ID JeweleryA former jewelry designer, Shelly Hope Fisher, set out to design
emergency jewelry that kids, teens and adults would want to wear.
Th e result is her company, Medical ID Marketplace, and now
wearing the emergency medical symbol to alert others of a medical
condition has never looked cooler or more fashionable. Practical
too as hikers and kayakers will appreciate the I.C.E. (In Case of
Emergency) silicone bracelets. A Text ID program stores additional
information and has an annual fee.
Bracelets run the gamut from ultra hip to elegant, using rubber, leather,
braided rope, nylon, beads, crystals, stainless steel mesh, titanium and
even recycled aluminum. Th ere are also gold necklaces, key fobs,
sticker tattoos, backpack/luggage tags and traditional dog tags in a
variety of styles. Prices vary and many are aff ordable for the quality.
Th e STATKids line for kids with allergies feature red rubber Mediband
bracelets that can be written on to personalize
for only $9.95. Also fi nd food allergy stickers
and a red lunch bag with warning.
Hopepaige.com
SafetyTat™SafetyTat™ specializes in temporary custom or write-on tattoos
that are worn by children while they are on fi eld trips, at the beach
or at a theme park – anywhere they can be separated from their
parent, teacher or caregiver. SafetyTat uses medical-grade, hypo-
allergenic, latex-free adhesive on all products and can last for days
with proper care. Founder Michele Welsh, mom of three, is proud
to be called a “Mompreneur” and has personally designed, patented
and marketed this line of super convenient child safety products.
Get a set of six for $9.99 at Safetytat.com
15GoodLiving back to school
Larry Ahern & Tom Spencer
Despite a busy schedule, Larry Ahern makes times to be a mentor.
“I knew it was the right thing to do. And I knew there was a real
need for more men to be Big Brothers and to serve as mentors in
our community.”
If that name sounds familiar, it’s because Larry Ahern is a long-time
business owner in the St. Petersburg area and since 2010, the
elected state representative for District 51, serving his neighbors
from Largo to South Pasadena.
In 2009, he answered the call to be a mentor and began providing
leadership and friendship to a seventh-grader named Quinton.
Together, they exercise at the YMCA, check out books at the public
library and enjoy ice cream at the local Dairy Queen. Th is positive
male attention is critical to the success of boys who lack stable male
role models at home. “It’s important for men – and women – to
answer this call to service. Th ese Big/Little relationships can have a
direct and measurable impact on children’s lives.”
Indeed they do. Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) research shows
that 46 percent of youth who are mentored are less likely to begin
using illegal drugs; 27 percent less likely to begin using alcohol;
and 52 percent less likely to skip school. Th at’s a measurable way to
change the world we live in.
Mr. Ahern says he encourages other men to volunteer their time
and become Big Brothers so they too can make a diff erence in
someone else’s life.
Th eir research also shows that “littles” believe their “big” gave them
hope and motivation to pursue their dreams.
people
Big Brother Rep. Larry Ahern and his Litt le Brother Quinton Tisdale at the Memorial Day service at Bay Pines V.A. Medical Center in May
Some of those dreams are big, as was the case with Tyshawn Taylor
who at age 7, told his new Big Brother in 1999 that he wanted to
play professional basketball. His Big Brother, Tom Spencer, told him
to hold on to his dream but realize that the odds were against him.
He encouraged him to have a backup plan which included getting
his college degree and fi nding a good job, but he also signed him
up to play basketball in the Clearwater for Youth League. For years,
Tyshawn played basketball at Tom’s house while continuing to play
in youth leagues. Th roughout this time, Tom instilled in Tyshawn the
importance of fi nishing school and attaining good grades.
And fi nish he did. Tyshawn went on to graduate from the University
of Kansas and is now an NBA player with the Brooklyn Nets.
Tyshawn has achieved his dream of playing for the NBA, a dream
that was fi rst set into motion at the age of 9 when his Big Brother
began mentoring him. “My proudest day was May 13th of this year
when Tyshawn graduated from the University of Kansas. My wife
and I went to his graduation. On June 28th, Tyshawn fulfi lled his
dream and was drafted into the NBA as the 41st overall pick. I am
so proud of him for all the hard work and dedication he invested in
overcoming many obstacles to achieve his dream.”
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Pinellas County believe that inherent in every child is the ability to succeed and thrive in life. They invite other men like Larry and Tom to sign up to be Big Brothers as part of their “100 Men in 100 Days” campaign. There are hundreds of boys hoping for mentors in Pinellas County. bbbspc.org
Tom and Tyshawn celebrate his graduati on
GoodLiving back to school16
Dawn Lambert gave birth to her eldest
son on August 9, 2005. Th is article is being
written exactly seven years later. Today Gavin
is at Disneyworld celebrating his seventh birthday,
and he will have a memorable day, as most seven year olds do. His
mom, however, knows in the back of her mind that while walking
through a theme park is diffi cult for her son today, someday soon it
may be impossible.
Dawn and her husband Kevin noticed around age two that Gavin
was constantly falling. At fi rst teachers and doctors thought perhaps
it was that he walked too early or due to chronic ear infections.
Gavin underwent countless tests for nearly three years. Th ey found
nothing. It took a seizure in November 2010 to get Gavin admitted
for a full battery of tests including very expensive genetic testing. Th e
seizure was from a high fever. But the inherited genetic condition that
was eventually found was shocking because neither parent knew
they were carriers.
“Th e geneticist gave us three options and for six weeks we did lots
of Google searches. When it came time for the results to come in,
we were pretty sure we knew what it was going to be.”
Th e confi rmation that Gavin has Friedreich’s Ataxia, or FA, left Dawn
in a state of emotion for two months. “I couldn’t concentrate on
anything and to make matters worse, we had a six-month old baby.”
Th e description for FA is complex, but according to the Friedreich’s
Ataxia Research Alliance (FARA) website, FA is a genetic disorder
that causes patients to have gene mutations that limit the production
of a protein called frataxin. Frataxin is known to be an important
protein that functions in the mitochondria.
What this means for Gavin is that progressive damage to his
nervous system will impact his arms and legs. Chances exist that
he will develop scoliosis, diabetes, heart disorders and a decrease
in speech and hearing abilities. He will need a wheelchair. His life
expectancy is shortened.
peopleDawn Lambert
Th at is what Dawn and Kevin saw and read on the Internet while
they got ready for Christmas that year. Shortly after the New Year,
they met with the geneticist. At the conclusion of that appointment,
the doctor handed them a fl yer about what to expect and sent them
on their way. In January 2011 they had no hope for their son.
Th at changed weeks later when their own version of “six degrees
of separation” connected them with Paul Avery, the former COO
of OSI Restaurant Partners, LLC (Outback Steakhouse, Carraba’s
Italian Grill and Bonefi sh Grill).
“Paul and his wife Suzanne chair the FARA Energy Ball every year
and raise millions of dollars for research,” said Dawn. “Th ey are
so full of hope. As a board member with FARA, Paul is meeting
with researchers around the world and is personally committed to
fi nding treatments and a cure.”
Th e news she heard from those on the inside of FARA sparked a
hope that only a mother can truly comprehend. And so her journey
to be a part of fi nding a treatment that could delay symptoms, or
perhaps a cure, began.
She calls her eff ort Kickin’ FA. It started with a golf tournament
in the spring of 2011 that raised $10,000. Th en a Bingo night that
raised $2,500. Also in that year’s time she held a TCBY night,
a hair extension night, a kids walk and was one of four charities
involved in GetFit4Charity in June 2011 where athletes assembled
to break world records in the name of charity.
All in all, Dawn Lambert, a regular mom, has raised more than $22,000
on her own for FARA in the 18 months following Gavin’s diagnosis.
“I’m not a scientist, a doctor or a millionaire. But I can do this to help
my child. And one day when there’s a cure I can know that I was a
part of it and that I didn’t sit home just waiting for it to happen.”
Sitting at home would not describe Dawn at all. When she’s not
working, being a wife and caring for the routine needs of her two
boys, she is driving Gavin 40 minutes to his therapy sessions four
times every week. “Th e therapists at Foundation’s Th erapy are
worth the drive,” she says.
Right now he fatigues easily and loses his balance frequently.
Th at has caused his classmates to tease him, so Dawn spoke to
his Kindergarten classmates in person to explain that Gavin has a
medical condition that aff ects his muscles. She hopes that kind of
communication will keep kids from being mean to him.
17GoodLiving back to school
people
Butterfl ies in Pinellas CountyThe butterfl y effect is a theory that the fl apping of a butterfl y’s wings
could set into motion a chain of events that will alter a large-scale event in the future.
On July 26th, Figueroa-Rivera Family moved into their new home, a large-scale event that was most defi nitely set into motion by a lot of
butterfl ies right here in Pinellas County!
The family who had hit hard times, recently graduated from the Homeless Emergency Project (HEP) to be helped by Habitat for Humanity Pinellas. This is the fi rst time these two agencies have partnered like this, and we are proud to say that both organizations
are Community Partners with Lokey Charities.
Because of this natural connection, Lokey Charities sponsored this home and were blessed to be there
when this beautiful family got their keys.
Our work doesn’t end there. We continue to meet good people who serve the Tampa Bay community and we encourage you to support their upcoming events. You just never know what will
happen when you fl ap your wings!
September 22nd “Mat’s Cup Charity Golf Tournament”in St. Petersburg recognizing
National Childhood Cancer Awareness Monthwww.PaulsProject.org
September 29thFashion Show benefi ting First Touch Mission & Hope House
in Clearwater; for tickets or information, email bastepfl @aol.com
October 6thFamily Abilities Information Rally
(a free disabilities awareness event) in Tampa www.thefair.info
October 12thSammy Sullivan Memorial Golf Tournament
(with Kids Charity of Tampa Bay to provide a safe haven for children)www.sammysullivancharities.org
A serious medical condition like this puts some major stress on a
family. “Kevin and I have always had a very strong relationship and
we support each other. If he’s having a bad day, I can pick him up.
If I’m having a bad day, he can pick me up. So far we’ve never had
bad days on the same day.”
Th eir friends at FARA are there for them too. Dawn and Kevin
will be active participants in the upcoming Research Symposium on
September 6th at the USF Health Center for Advanced Medical
Learning and Simulation in Tampa. Th is annual symposium gathers
the medical, scientifi c, advocacy and patient communities from
around the world to share insights into energizing the cure for FA.
Two nights later Dawn will dress in a formal gown to volunteer at
the FARA Energy Ball, a glamorous fundraising event that generates
over a million dollars for FA research. “It’s a fun event. Th ere’s live
music and the auction items are really interesting. Last year, they
auctioned off a week at Jimmy Buff et’s house.”
Gavin’s pediatrician’s offi ce couldn’t attend this year, so they bought a
table for Gavin’s entire family to go and have a good time. Th ey will
enjoy all the glitz and glamour, auction prizes and entertainment.
However for this family, they will have only one thing on their
minds: hope for Gavin’s future.
For more informati on about the FARA Energy Ball, go to CureFA.org. To contact Dawn about helping her with local fundraising eff orts, go to KickinFA.com
Are you a Woman of Action?
Find out more atTampaBayWomenofAction.com
GoodLiving back to school18
Back to school. Th ree words that signal growth, change, a new
phase and…shopping!
Th e ritual plays out every August as moms and their daughters hit
the stores for school supplies, but more importantly, new, trendy
clothes. Girls always want to look their best starting a new year in
school, whether it is middle or high school or college. School shop-
ping gives moms an opportunity to bond with their daughters, and
casually talk about the upcoming year and what she sees for herself
next.
While trips to the mall can be quality time together, and result in
a new outfi t, perhaps a new back-to-school ritual to start would
be an “At Home Spa Day,” complete with a homemade face mask.
Since girls want to look their best, but may not have the budget
for the spa, a natural face mask you can make in the kitchen is a
perfect option no matter what your skin type. Many women are
surprised to know just how eff ective face masks made from mostly
food ingredients and aromatherapy can be. Nature provides “prod-
ucts” that are powerful, potent and much more aff ordable. Adding a
few drops of essential oil to the blend makes it just like a treatment
at the spa.
Set a date with your daughter and put on your robes and slippers,
wrap your hair in a towel, brew some lovely tea, light some candles
and you are good to go. You can make the aromatherapeutic face
mask a day ahead if you wish, but since it is natural, it won’t keep
longer than that in the refrigerator.
If face masks aren’t a part of your normal skin regimen, consider
adding it in. Masks cleanse and detox the skin, remove dead skin,
and improve the texture and coloring. Essential oils help to treat
problem skin, balance and restore tone and maintain normal skin.
Th is recipe is one of my favorites, and uses bananas as the base.
Using fruit as a base for a mask will also help maintain the natural
acid balance of the skin, and bananas are nourishing and gentle and
Spa At Home – A New Back to School Ritual
By Noelle C. Katai
contain a high concentration of magnesium, potassium, iron, zinc,
iodine and Vitamins A, B (folic acid) E and F.
Eggs contain lecithin and cholesterol in the yolks, which is great
for your skin as it serves as a moisturizer and helps to regenerate
and rebuild cell tissue. Th e egg whites provide a fi rming action to
the pores, and will shrink them and tighten the skin.
Honey is one of those miracles of nature as it is highly nutritive
and amazing for skin care preparations. Plus, it is a humectant – a
substance that helps attract and retain moisture. It is best to use
only naturally pure, unheated honey to get the highest benefi t from
the nutrients.
Used for centuries for cosmetic use, clay clears the skin, stimulates
circulation and is anti-infl ammatory. Th ere are many types of clay
and each has the ability to absorb toxins from the skin, but they
diff er in their levels of absorption, so a particular clay may be better
for your skin type.
Dead Sea clay is good for all skin types except the most sensitive.
Green and red clays are primarily suited for oily and combination
skin. White and Pink clays are the most gentle, and are suitable for
normal and sensitive skin.
Heavy cream contains lactic acid, a natural acid that gently exfoli-
ates as well as being very nourishing to the skin due to the fat
content.
For the essential oils in this blend, there are many options to
choose based on your skin type:
For normal skin: Lavender, Geranium
For dry and/or sensitive skin: Lavender, Neroli (Bitter Orange
Blossom), Rose, Roman Chamomile
For combination skin: Lavender, Palmarosa, Eucalyptus
For troubled skin, including acne: Lavender, Tea Tree, Cedarwood
As you can see, you can’t go wrong with Lavender. So if it is the
fi rst time making a mask like this, you can just make it simple and
use Lavender.
AT HOME SPA DAYfor Mothers and Daughters by NOELLE KATAI
19GoodLiving back to school
Noelle’s Easy, Nourishing Face Mask Makes enough for two masks – you can split the recipe in two
so you can customize it.
2 ripe bananas
1 egg, beaten
2 Tb honey (best to use raw honey)
Dead sea clay, or other cosmetic clay
A splash of heavy cream
10 drops total essential oil, choose for skin type
DirectionsMixing the mask:In a non-metallic mixing bowl or food processor, blend all
ingredients except the essential oils.
You can divide the mixture into 2 non-metallic bowls at this
point if you want diff erent blends.
Add the essential oils (10 drops for full recipe, or 5 drops for ½
recipe) into the bowl(s), and gently mix.
Applying the mask:First, make sure your face and neck are clean and dry. Apply
the mask with your fi ngertips – it can go on thick, and that is
ok. Have fun with it and slather it on!
Put your feet up with your tea and relax for about 15-20
minutes.
Rinse the mask off with luke warm water and fi nish with a
cool splash. Take a look at your refreshed face, and feel your
dewy soft skin.
Complete the treatment with your favorite toner (or try apple
cider vinegar) and moisturizer.
Top Ten Tween TalksBy DANNAH GRESHAuthor of Six Ways To Keep The Litt le In Your Girl
There are ten really essential conversations that you need to start having as your daughter approaches middle school. Asking her these questions might get the ball rolling for the next, well, ten years or so.
10. What would you do if you felt attacked
by a mean girl?
9. Are you ready for your body to turn from
girl to woman?
8. Do you know that even models on the covers
of magazines don’t actually look like that?
7. How will you stay off the boy-crazy train?
6. When do you think a girl is old enough to date?
5. Is being a size 0 healthy?
4. You know it’s ok to take your time to
grow up, right?
3. What kinds of friends do you think are
worth having?
2. Do you know that sex is great and worth the wait?
1. Who is God to you?
Dannah Gresh is the author of many best-selling books and the creator and lead teacher of Pure Freedom, a touring event which brings moms and teen daughters together to talk about modesty, true beauty, and purity. Using interacti ve games, worship, and deep Bible teaching you and your daughter will grow closer in just a couple of hours. Pure Freedom will be in Clearwater on November 3rd at Countryside Christi an Church. Call (727)799-1618 for ti ckets.
Noelle Katai is the host of “Everybody Nose” a series seen on Veria Living TV (Channel 162 on Verizon Fios). Her shows feature aromatherapy and essenti al oils for health and well being. Noelle is a certi fi ed aromatherapist from the Pacifi c Insti tute of Aromatherapy, a member of the Nati onal Associati on of Holisti c Aromatherapy and has been practi cing for over 15 years. She lives in San Diego.
CONVENIENT NORTH COUNTYLOCATION IN DUNEDIN
OPEN FROM 10 AM TO 5 PM
MARK YOUR CALENDAR TO ATTENDJoin us Saturday, September 22nd for a day where we celebrate you, and all that is good about raising healthy and happy families in Pinellas County. (Dads and grandparents welcome, too.)
Admission is
FREE
TM
magazine’s
HEALTHYHEALTHY
FAMILY2012
HAPPY
AT THE HEALTHY HAPPY FAMILY EXPO YOU WILL: Discover our Community’s Best Local ResourcesMeet and Talk to Local Experts Visit Exhibitor Tables and Gain Valuable InformationHear Guest Speakers that Will Motivate and Inspire YouParticipate in Fitness Demos to Meet Local TrainersTake Home Giveaways and Win Prizes
Admission is free with a food donation for the RCS Food Bank or a children’s clothing donation for Clothes to Kids.
A SPECIAL NOTE TO PARENTS FROM THE PUBLISHER:In today’s busy world, we are all running from here to there trying to do the best with what we have. In all honesty, we have good seasons and not-so-good seasons as we progress through our time as parents. There are issues out there that threaten our kids and we need to stay informed. We have personal circumstances that challenge the balance of our families and we need support. We have a general need to know the local experts and resources for families. We want to know how we can be engaged and involved in our community. And sometimes we just need to know we are appreci-ated and not alone.
In this craziness we call modern life in Pinellas County, there are people who truly care about you and your well being. They also care about your role as a parent, your kids and the well being of your entire family.
GoodLiving magazine has assembled a group of these caring individuals, companies and organizations to spend a day celebrating all that is good about raising a healthy and happy family. They are coming to share their infor-mation with you. To see how they can help you with nutrition, fitness, health, finances, education, child develop-ment and more.
We invite you to take a few hours out of your day and join us for a positive, uplifting and informative event. Wear your athletic shoes to join in some fitness demos. You might just meet a trainer who can inspire you! Bring your friends because we’ll have something for just about everyone.
In particular I want to mention that we will have experts on hand to talk with you about some serious issues that demand our attention: the drug abuse epidemic, eating disorders, learning challenges, teenage suicide, depression and risky behaviors.
On the flip side, we will also have opportunities for you and your kids to get involved in a variety of activities that can enrich your lives and get you more connected.
The event is free. Please consider bringing a donation so we can use this event to help others as well. Thank you and we really hope to see you there!
Pamela SettlePublisher
YOU ARE NOT ALONE! We believe it takes a village to raise a healthy and happy family. The Healthy Happy Family Expo brings together businesses, organizations and experts who can help you along your personal and parenting journeys.
AMONG THE MANY TOPICS AT THE EXPO, FIND INFORMATION ABOUT: • Natural health options for you and your family • Where to eat healthy and find nutritional food • A wide variety of local fitness options • Local ways for your kids to be physically active • How to lose weight of any amount • Mom’s clubs and support services • Counseling services and support groups • Medical and dental practices • Educational resources and schools • Enrichment opportunities for kids • Professional services for home and finance • Work from home opportunities
• Edu• Enrichmen• Professional serv• Work from home oppo
1:00 Hear from Jenny Hodges, the woman who inspired this expo with her weight loss story that ran in the last issue. No drugs, no surgeries. Just sheer determination to lose more than 200 pounds in two years. By doing so, she changed her life and the life of her family forever. Learn how she changed her mindset, made her own health her number one priority, and then successfully arranged her husband, three kids and full-time job around her fitness routine. Today she is training for a 100-mile race. Her message is that any woman can change her life. Don’t miss it and bring your friends who need some encouragement!
2:00 Be more than motivated by Forbes Riley, National Fitness Hall of Fame inductee, award-winning TV host, author, motivational keynote speaker, and life coach to celebrities and CEOs. She has helped millions take positive action in their own lives by sharing her story and philosophies. At the expo, she will bring her very special brand of motivation to women of all ages and stages of fitness. After her presentation, she will host a fitness demo of the Spin Gym®, a product she invented and sells on HSN. Check healthyhappyfamilyexpo.com for more speakers and announcements.
23GoodLiving back to school 23
Th e training program has 12 Fundamental Movement Skills.
Children spend their workout time on mastering these skills as part
of their games, which according to Blevins is preferred physical
activity over picking one sport at the age of six. “If a child picks
one sport too early, they will over develop the muscles used for
the sport and leave other muscles weak and prone to injury.” For
instance, if a child spends time playing only golf, his muscles for
rotation will be strong. Muscles, ligaments and tendons needed
for jumping, like in basketball, will be weak. Combine360 training
trains the whole body and gets it ready to play multiple sports as a
high school athlete.
Th e second age group takes those movement skills and applies them
to specifi c sports. Th is is called the base phase. For example, a child
will take striking skills learned in the movement phase and start
learning how to strike a tennis ball or strike a hockey puck in the
base phase.
Th e high school group then moves into a training phase. Each
client has a specially designed program based on the sport or sports
he or she is pursuing.
Coach Blevins adds that children who develop into athletes in this
way are less prone to burn out, as is seen frequently with kids who
focus to heavily on just one sport. With the “athlete for life” mindset,
a child will continue to pursue multiple activities when the football
or baseball career ends with high school or college graduation.
“We all have an athletic engine. Some have four cylinders and some
have 12. So no matter who you are you should see yourself as an
athlete. Moms chasing a toddler or unloading groceries up a fl ight
of stairs are doing athletic movements. Th ey need to train to prevent
injury and maintain fl exibility. It’s what will keep them young.”
And so you don’t mistake Coach Blevins as just a trainer for your
children, he has a training partner, Coach Tuck, who has a program
called the Beast Revolution. He can work you out before or after
your kids do their training time.
To learn more about their BEAST360 approach to athletic
development, weight loss and training, visit Vivalafi t.net.
Coach Adrian “AC” Blevins is a former United States Marine, NASM-CPT, IYCA High School Strength and Conditi oning Specialist, Certi fi ed Combine360 Level 3 Trainer, and an acti ve FHSAA basketball offi cial. He has over 15 years of experience coaching and working with youth sports in Pinellas County. Coach AC brings passion, energy, Marine moti vati on, and professionalism to every training session. He believes we should always strive to be our best, and he believes in leadership by example.
Adrian Blevins believes every child can develop into an athlete for
life. It starts at a young age and consists of physical training that is
fun, comprehensive and progressive. It also involves generating a
mind set that is about “being an athlete” and not revolving around
a set of skills needed for one particular sport.
Blevins is the only trainer in Pinellas County certifi ed in
Combine360 who is using the Athlete Development Model for
kids ages 6 to 18. Combine360 is the training program developed
and used at the elite IMG Academies in Bradenton.
He calls his gym Viva la Fit and his training program BEAST360.
Located in Clearwater, Coach Blevins trains three diff erent age
groups: 6 to 9, 10 to 13 and high school. Th eir age isn’t as important
as their abilities. Each child undergoes a physical assessment to test
strength, speed, agility, fl exibility, balance and coordination and is
assigned a level. Similar to martial arts, children are given rubber
bracelets based on a color system from white to black. Th ey test to
ascend levels based on abilities.
“We start the younger age group in the fundamental movement
skills where they work to master skills,” said Coach Blevins. “What
we do is have fun, so it’s not like exercise. You’ll see kids making
up their rules and playing games.” His belief is that activity for any
age should be fun, and it starts with a solid foundation that is built
during the development years.
Meet Coach Blevins at the Healthy Happy Expo on September 22nd!
EVERY CHILD AN EVERY CHILD AN ATHLETE FOR LIFEATHLETE FOR LIFEby PAMELA SETTLE
25GoodLiving back to school
More today than ever before, many patients face health issues that
are a mix of oral disease and disease in general. Th at is why in our
practice we address our patient’s total health. We know gum disease
and cavities aff ect cardiovascular disease, some cancers, obesity,
diabetes, arthritis and other infl ammatory diseases. Likewise, we
know those diseases and medications aff ect gum disease and cavities.
With that said, we think it makes perfect sense to treat our patients
with a holistic approach to attain optimal health.
In fact, that’s the key to our practice because we take value in the
fact that each patient is a unique divine creation with diff erent
needs and situations. To the best of our ability, we consider
anything that leads to your health and success.
As a dental practitioner, my natural inclination is to treat disease
as holistic and natural as possible. My interests have expanded to
explore other “wellness” modalities that can impact the root cause
of disease. While some have been around for thousands of years,
others are more recent. I’m looking for what works because our
overall health outlook is frightening. Th erefore it is imperative that
each of us be responsible and accountable to the very current trends
regarding the human condition, many of which are not good.
Obesity is pandemic. It is the single greatest threat to human beings
world wide and unfortunately, we are leading the world! Th e real
causes of obesity are known to the industries which profi t, but not
the common public. It is not primarily excessive caloric intake... how
about that? It is not the lack of discipline... how about that? And it
is not the fault of your deceased fat ancestor... how about that? Ask
about my free community health seminars schedule to learn more.
Dental Healthand Infl ammatory
Diseaseby DR. ANTHONY J. ADAMS
We are not winning the battle against obesity, but we could.
Cardiovascular disease is way too common. Cancer is everywhere.
Our life expectancy is decreasing to the point that our grandchildren
are not expected to live as long as ourselves. Diabetes is increasing
13.8% per year. Th e cost of diabetes on the current trend could
bankrupt this country on its own in just a few years.
Compared to other countries, we do not experience as much life
threatening infectious disease. Instead, we suff er and die from
uncontrolled infl ammatory disease. As much as 70% of Americans
experience periodontal disease, much of it silently and undiagnosed.
It is known to worsen heart disease and diabetes. Similarly,
arthritis, osteoporosis and some cancers are all implicated in
infl ammatory disease. Oral health is implicated in them all and
so we must consider those diseases when we see symptoms of the
infl ammatory disease process.
Th at is why health care providers must communicate and coordinate
collectively on your behalf to be eff ective. It is more work, but I
think it is right.
My wonderful staff and I are dedicated to educating and helping
people before their well is dry. In the early 1980’s, insulin resistance
was 10% in the adult population. Today it is 80%. Insulin resistance
increases as we are closer to a diagnosis of diabetes. My passion
is defeating diabetes and its eff ect on health in general as well as
in the mouth. Obesity leads to diabetes. Help me turn the trend
around so our grandchildren can have long healthy lives.
My duty is to help you obtain optimum health. Th is applies to your
dental health, too. It is just a matter of taking that fi rst step.
I hope you know how divine and blessed you truly are.
Anthony J. Adams, D.D.S.
A word about our practi ceAllow me to share with you the story of me and my wonderful staff . We are incredibly grateful to be able to do what we do and love doing it. We are very blessed to have had so many people trust us with their health over the years. As dental professionals, we are good at restoring the oral health, well being, and confi dence of our pati ents, regardless how they are when we initi ally see them. If you seek dental care with us, we will off er you a plan that leads to a healthy and beauti ful smile that you can maintain and aff ord.
ADVERTORIAL
eating
Bars: Bars can be breakfast replacements or healthy high-energy snacks. Th ey can also be high calorie if you’re not careful so be sure to read the labels.
Corozonas makes delicious whole-grain Oatmeal Squares that
are infused with plant sterols, which the company says are proven
to lower bad cholesterol and fi ght heart disease. Oatmeal Squares
are available in fl avors like Chocolate Chip, Blueberry, Peanut
Butter and Banana Walnut. Corazonas.com
Rickland Orchard Greek Yogurt Bars are the fi rst shelf-stable
Greek yogurt product, combining all-natural granola, fruit, nuts and
Greek yogurt. Th ese bars got big thumbs up from the testers for their
taste. Available fl avors are Blueberry Acai, Apples & Honey, Toasted
Coconut, Orchard Peach, Cranberry Almond and Cherry Almond. Th ey
contain probiotics, 5g of fi ber and 7g of protein. RicklandOrchards.com
CLIF® Kit’s Organic™ snack bars are made with 100 percent organic
fruit and nuts. Th ey are gluten-, soy- and dairy-free and each bar is just
under 200 calories. Like all food from Clif Bar & Company, they are
free of trans fats, partially hydrogenated oils, high fructose corn syrup,
artifi cial sweeteners, artifi cial fl avors, preservatives and ingredients
sourced from GMOs. Th e fl avor was fresh and the texture was just
right. Enjoy Berry Almond, Cashew, Chocolate Almond Coconut and
Peanut Butter. Kit’s Organic is available nationwide at natural food
stores and in the natural aisle of select grocery store.
Rise Bars are a new line of Breakfast, Energy and Protein nutrition
bars that are 100% all-natural, vegetarian, kosher, and free of gluten,
GMOs, preservatives, peanuts and soy. Each Rise Bar is made with
10 whole-food ingredients or less, and blends naturally-sweet fruit
and superfruits with hearty nuts and seeds to deliver an all-natural
energy boost any time of day. A wide variety of fl avors are available
and each of them scored high points for taste and texture. Find at
Earth Origins or at Risebar.com
WELCOME TO THE NEW SCHOOL YEAR. The time of year when parents face the reality that they will be packing lunches for 180 days. Will that be 180 PB & J sandwiches? Or will this year be different? Will you join the bento box craze and spend an hour cutting vegetables into cartoon characters? Or are you looking for as much as convenience as possible?
If speed and convenience are critical to the success of your mornings, then unfortunately most of the packaged drop-in-the-lunch box foods at the grocery stores are high-fat, high-sugar and highly processed.
There just has to be a better way, so this summer, we set out on a taste-test adventure to fi nd some healthier alternatives to convenience-- that taste good, too. Some can be found at local stores and some need to be ordered online. It may be a little extra effort and even a little more money, but the long-term benefi ts are worth it!
Crunch Snacks: Th e chip habit may be hard to break, but these healthier alternatives will satisfy the need to crunch something during lunch.
Corazonas Tortilla Chips are lighter and healthier than your typical
chip, and they are simply delicious. Th ey also contain the plant sterols
which help lower cholesterol. Great for dipping in a healthy bean dip
or fresh salsa. Th ey come in Lightly Salted, Squeeze of Lime and Black
Bean & Cheese. Corazonas.com
Plentils are lentil-based chips with 40% less fat than the leading
potato chip. Plentils are vegan, gluten-free, and free of the eight
common allergens (also Kosher and Halal-certifi ed). Th ey come in four
dairy-free fl avors: Sea Salt, Sour Cream & Dill, Margherita Pizza, and
Garlic & Parmesan. Th ey also come with the benefi t of the fi ber and
protein found in legumes. Th eir texture is light and airy with a crisp
crunch. Some of the fl avors were fairly strong, so the Sea Salt may
appeal more to little kids. plentils.com
Pretzel Crisps are fl at-baked pretzel crackers perfect for the lunch
box and after school snacks. Th ey only have 110 calories per serving (11
crisps), 0-2g of fat (depending on the fl avor) and are made without any
trans fat, saturated fat or cholesterol. A terrifi c partner with cheese, deli
meats, hummus and fruit. Found in the deli section of grocery stores.
Our Favorites
27GoodLiving back to school
eatingFruit Snacks: Fresh fruit is an ideal snack, but not always possible or practical. But beware. If you reach for some little bags called fruit snacks, you may be getting candy masquerading as fruit. Th ese fruit snacks on the other hand, are closer to the real deal.
Peeled Snacks are small bags of gently dried organic fruit pieces
with no sugar or preservatives added. Th ey are a nourishing, natural
source of vitamins and full of healthy fi ber. We like the size of the
pieces and that they came in small 1.23 ounce bags, just right for
a child’s lunch. A little on the pricy side, but a good quality choice
for when fresh fruit isn’t available. PeeledSnacks.com
Convenience to go: Th ese food items are clever solutions for packing lunches or eating breakfast on the run.
Plum Kids Organics Morning Mashups are a whole-grain
way to start off the day when a fresh breakfast isn’t happening.
Served in ready-to-eat, BPA-free pouches and require no spoon, no
stirring and no heat. Kids get 100% whole grains including Quinoa
for an extra boost of protein that is combined with fruit to make a
blended cereal. Th e taste is fruity and the smooth texture isn’t gritty
or grainy. Raspberry Swirl, Maple Banana and Oatmeal Raisin.
Sold as a box of four for $4.99 at Target.
Plum Kids All Greek Yogurt Mashups are a new sweet n’
tangy pouched food combining the natural sweet of organic fruits
with creamy nutrition of Greek yogurt in fl avors Cherry Vanilla,
Orange Cream, and Strawberry Lemonade. Sold in boxes of four
single-serving pouches for $4.99 at Target.
Jif To Go makes it easy to carry high-protein peanut butter that
can be eaten with crackers, celery, apple slices or rice cakes. Sold
in 8-packs and ready to drop in a lunch box. New Jif Hazelnut
spreads also come in convenient sizing and taste great for lunch or
snack. Look for them at your grocery store.
Crispy Greens freeze-dried fruit snacks totally rock. Th e fl avors
are intense and they are simply a lot of fun to eat. Choose from
pineapple, pear, cantaloupe, apple or banana. Th eir other product
called FruitziO adds a little cane sugar, and you can get peaches,
kiwi and strawberries. Th ey use 100% real fruit with no preserva-
tives (including sulfi des). Crispy Fruit comes in single-serving bags
for $1.49 each. FruitziO is packaged in travel-friendly, resealable
pouches for $3.49. Find them at Fresh Market in Clearwater.
crispygreen.com
Sharkies brand has organic fruit chews that contain no artifi -
cial dyes, fl avors or high fructose corn syrup. Th ey do have 100%
Vitamin C and come in little packs just right for lunch boxes.
Th ey also have Omega 3 Smart Twists which are made from 100%
real fruit and contain 20 mg of Omega 3 EPA/DHA for healthy
brains. Look for them at Sports Authority and Earth Origins.
SharkiesInc.com
Sabra-to-go Hummus Packs pack protein into a convenient-
sized lunch option. Th eir popular hummus fl avors are available in
single serving cups with dipping pretzels individually sealed for
freshness. Look for them at your grocery store.
Power Ranger by Genesis Today are a 100% all-natural drink
box with nine essential vitamins and minerals, only 5 grams of
sugar and 30 calories – more than 75% less sugar than your average
juice box. Th ey have 250% of the daily value of Vitamin B12, 150%
of the daily value of Vitamin C, plus six other essential vitamins
and nutrients like DHA omega fatty acids for brain power. Can be
found at Walmart.
Bitsy Brain Food wins the “WOW” award for surprisingly good
taste. Th ese healthy cookies are made with organic ingredients and
all-natural fruits and vegetables. Moms will love that each bite-
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29GoodLiving back to school
Quality Early Learningis Key to Success in SchoolBy BENJAMIN J. KIRBY
Every year, more than 2,000 Pinellas County children enter
kindergarten classrooms not ready to learn. At fi ve years old, they
are already signifi cantly behind their peers – and odds are, they
will stay that way throughout their school career. A key reason
for this is that many of these children come from child care
environments which simply do not prepare them for success in the
classroom – which means they are unprepared for success later in life.
Research tells us that providing high quality early learning experiences
for children has the ability to change the trajectory of their education
and beyond. Th e gains – or defi cits – of the fi rst fi ve years reverberate
through a child’s academic career, aff ecting everything from reading
profi ciency to high school graduation.
What questions should parents be asking about early child care for
their children? At JWB, we start with the Eight Components of Quality Early Learning:
1. Are you a facility that has been licensed by the Pinellas County License Board?
2. Do you have national accreditation from the National Association for Education of Young Children, Gold Seal or other nationally recognized accrediting body?
3. What are your staff qualifi cations? Is each classroom or group of children led by a Bachelor’s Degree level staff person and supported by assistants who hold a Child Development Associate (CDA) or equivalent certifi cation? Both lead teacher and assistants should have specifi c coursework in
child development and/or emerging literacy.
4. What are your staff to children ratios and group sizes? Th e following
are recommendations for children through the age of four from the
National Association for the Education of Young Children:
Infants 1:3 rati o • max. group size of 6Toddlers 1:4 rati o • max. group size of 82-year-olds 1:5 rati o • max. group size of 103-year-olds 1:8 • max. group size of 164-year-olds 1:9 • max. group size of 18
5. How do you engage the families to build a positive working relationship between parents and staff ? Research studies have
indicated when parents become eff ective partners in their child’s
education, performance in school improves.
6. Do you utilize evidence-based curriculum? Quality programs
implement an evidence-based curriculum that is thoughtfully
planned, challenging, engaging, developmentally appropriate,
comprehensive and likely to promote positive outcomes for chil-
dren and youth.
7. How do you provide a quality environment? An eff ectively
designed classroom and/or setting (including an outside learning
environment) has the potential to positively infl uence all areas of
child development: physical, social/emotional and cognitive. Th e
environment can support the development of behaviors that are
valued in our society, such as cooperation and persistence.
8. Is your staff trained in cultural competence? Look for facilities that
use the basic principles of self-awareness, respect for diversity and
sensitivity in communication as a premise for cultural competency.
Th is past July, JWB began working on a Quality Early Learning
Initiative to raise the bar for Pinellas County’s children. Th e overall
initiative will serve children from birth to age fi ve throughout
Pinellas County.
Early education is more than just the right thing to do for our
children – it makes good economic sense, too. For every dollar we
invest in Pre-K, the estimated return is $7.16. Investing in a child’s
early education turns out to be smart policy and smart money.
To read more about the initi ati ve,go to our website at jwbqualityearlylearning.org
Benjamin J. Kirby is the Communicati ons Manager for the Juvenile Welfare Board.
Important Facts to Know About Early LearningResearch shows that by age fi ve, 90% of a child’s brain structure has developed.
Florida ranks 34th among 38 states in per pupil fundingfor Pre-K.
In Florida, the annual expenditure per prisoner is $19,375. The annual expenditure per public school pupil is $7,812.
Currently, the allocati on for Pre-K is $2,383 for the school year. The nati onal average for Pre-K is $4,831 per child.
If 100 children at the end of fi rst grade are poor readers, then 88 of those children remain poor readers by the end of fourth grade.
For every dollar the state invests into Pre-K the esti mated return is $7.16. Investment in early educati on nati onally could yield returns of up to $13 per every $1 spent.
For more facts and to see data sources, go to jwbqualityearlylearning.org/facts-about-early-learning
GoodLiving back to school30
A Lett er toPinellas CountyBy DAVID LAWRENCE JR.Chair of The Children’s Movement of Florida
Pinellas County is close to my heart. It’s where two of my fi ve
children were born. It’s where my wife and I began our now
48-year marriage. It’s where I started my 35 years in the newspaper
business as a reporter, then news editor, for the St. Petersburg (now
Tampa Bay) Times.
Yours is a community that understands and values its children.
You were the fi rst in Florida to vote to create a dedicated funding
source for children – the Juvenile Welfare Board – and now seven
other similar children’s services councils exist across Florida.
When we launched Th e Children’s Movement more than a year
and a half ago, more than 1,200 people of Pinellas County packed
into a local church to show their support for real change in how
decisions are made in Tallahassee. While I have no doubt that all of
the folks in my county, Miami-Dade, and yours “love” children, we
are still a state where more than a half-million children are living
without even basic health insurance; more than half of our public
school 10th graders cannot read at grade level; and one in four
children lives in the full federal defi nition of poverty.
So, what does such “love” really mean? If we really loved children,
everyone’s child in God’s world, we would do so much better and
so much more. Do not tell me to wait… that times are tough…
that children will have their turn. I don’t believe it. Children were
never enough of a priority in even fl ush times.
Do not tell me we cannot aff ord to do right by children. How
shortsighted. How foolish for the future of America. Do not tell
me that we don’t have the money. To quote the New York Times
columnist David Brooks: “Th e problem is not that America lacks
resources. Th e problem is that they are misallocated.”
To do better, we must build a real movement for children – a
movement defi ned as being about everyone’s child. We must build
the parental awareness so parents know what their children need to
reach their highest potential. We must build the parent, public and
political will. Today, I’m proud to tell you that we now have more
than 325,000 followers from every corner of Florida (more than
20,000 in Pinellas County alone).
Our aim: To build something enduring and sustainable – and
create real political power for all children. In a state of wisdom,
in a country of wisdom, children would be the highest priority of
elected leaders – higher than roads, higher than prisons, higher than
anything. Why should we settle for anything less than aff ordable,
high-quality basics for all children (the same quality basics any
of us would want for our own children and grandchildren)? Why
would we not want this for all children?
Th is is simply the “American dream.” Are we not good enough to
make sure every child has the quality basics? So, how, for example,
can it possibly make sense that we get just $2,383 for a slot in the
state’s pre-kindergarten program… yet pay upwards of $51,000 to
incarcerate a juvenile?
So, how can you become involved in Pinellas County?
Join The Movement Insist that children, all children, become our state’s fi rst and highest
priority. You can learn more about Th e Children’s Movement of
Florida by visiting our website at childrensmovementfl orida.org.
Sign up for our weekly email, and learn more about the regional
leadership in your own community.
Th rough your voice we can help to give every child the chance to
succeed in school and in life.
Become an early literacy volunteer in our
ReadingPals program
Th e Children’s Movement, in conjunction with numerous local and
statewide partners and the generous and public-spirited Carol and
Barney Barnett, is in the process of launching a three-year initiative
focused on engaging, training and deploying volunteer “reading
pals” in 10 Florida communities to increase the number of students
who are reading at grade level by the end of third grade.
In your community we are working closely with United Way
Suncoast, the local school district, Early Learning Coalition and
the Juvenile Welfare Board. Our focus: to work with students (in
VPK through grade three) in the lower-performing schools to
encourage and enhance early literacy.
We are asking for volunteers to give an hour each week for 25
weeks to read with a child – ages 4 to 8 – in their community.
To learn even more about the program or to sign up, please visit
childrensmovementfl orida.org/action/literacy.
I hope you will join us as we seek to make a diff erence in the lives
of all of Florida’s children.
Get involved! Childrensmovementfl orida.org
TM
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33GoodLiving back to school
parenting
Isn’t it amazing how much a child can change in six months? Th e
younger they are the more changes and developments that occur in
a six-month period. A newborn will go from being totally unaware
of their surroundings to recognizing mom and dad, reaching for
objects, eating new foods and starting movement patterns. Even a
grade school child will see marked improvements in reading, writing,
cognition and motor skill development in six months.
But how about the parents? If parents aren’t setting their own
personal development goals, six months will turn into a year, a year
will turn into two years and before you know it, you have a ten-year
old. And if you’ve neglected fi tness goals for yourself, you may have
really packed on the pounds.
I am not a huge proponent of setting so-called “New Years
Resolutions” but it is important to be consistently setting goals
and looking back to see if results have been acquired. Statistics
show that by this time of the year, resolutions are basically out the
window, especially fi tness goals. Back-to-school time is a good time
to renew your fi tness goals and spend a little eff ort on you.
Even new moms, or parents of young children in general, should
stop to evaluate where they want to be in six months. It is easy to
lose track of yourself, your life and your goals as day-to-day events
start to revolve around the children. Weight loss and body image
are huge obstacles to overcome, but they can be cut down to size
by setting the correct type of goals.
Goals should be S.M.A.R.T.S = specifi cM = measurableA = att ainableR = reasonableT = ti mely
Trying to lose baby weight? First of all, don’t worry about the past!
If you did not accomplish what you wanted, do not chastise yourself
for this. A major obstacle in goal setting is refl ecting on failures.
Th e resulting loss in self-esteem can make it hard to move forward.
Remember each day is a new day and spend some time thinking
about some of your accomplishments, even the small ones. Th at will
get you ready to set new SMART goals for your fi tness.
First, the goal has to be very specifi c. Answer who, what, where, when and why at the beginning. Th is will help you stick to your
plan. Second, to be measurable, establish concrete criteria to
track your progress in increments. Next, make sure you can actually
attain your goal by keeping it realistic to your individual needs and
abilities. Th is is where the goal becomes very personal- you must
feel comfortable with the parameters of the goal to be successful.
Also, you must be at a point in your life where you are both willing
and able to work towards the goal. Setting unrealistic goals that are
vague will only set you up for failure. Th e last principle, timely, is
imperative to create urgency and set the plan in motion. Also, make
your timeline short so you can celebrate successes along the way and
feel pride in your accomplishments. Th at’s the time reevaluate the
parameters to create even more success the next time.
An example of a SMART goal My goal in the next two months is to jog around my neighborhood or
do a strength workout at my home for 45 minutes a day for at least
six days a week. When I workout, my Rate of Perceived Exertion
should be at least between heavy and very heavy.
So, before you start wallowing in despair about lost time and found
pounds, make the back-to-school time of year the time of year you
start your fi rst SMART fi tness goal.
Christi e Bruner is the Nati onal Director of Fitness Programming for Baby Boot Camp and operates her own franchise in St. Petersburg. She has more than 10 years of experience with sports and fi tness for children and adults. As mom to two young girls, Christi e is thrilled to combine parenti ng with her passion for moti vati ng and educati ng others. Her Baby Boot Camp classes are off ered at several locati ons throughout St. Petersburg including Vinoy Park and Sunken Gardens. She has a B.S. in Exercise Science and is an AFAA certi fi ed personal trainer. Email her at christi [email protected].
...from GoodLiving’s featured local blogger
Christie BrunerMake Your FitnessGoals SMART
GoodLiving back to school36
Leading our Schools to GreatnessBy PAMELA SETTLE
Th ere was a clear sense of urgency and determination around the table at the Pinellas Education Foundation (PEF) as I sat with their CEO Terry Boehm, board president Craig Sher, CEO of Th e Sembler Company and incoming board president James Myers, President and COO of Crown Automotive Group. A separate interview was conducted with board member Gary Regoli,President and CEO of Achieva Credit Union. Th is is Part II of a very candid and honest discussion about education in Pinellas County. Since then, Mr. Myers has assumed the role of board president.
One of the key themes in the conversati on was how community leaders, as part of the PEF, could help to create a culture at the school district that incorporated more business principles. They agreed that any organizati on with a budget of $1.3 Billion and four ti mes as many employees as any other business in the county should be accountable to its customers. So who are the customers of the school district and school board? Not the students; they are the benefi ciaries. The customers are the taxpayers, the people who pay for this organizati on to provide a quality educati on to its young people.
Academies of Pinellas
Among the customers/taxpayers are the businesses in Pinellas County. Business that need to hire qualifi ed employees in order to keep going. Business that hold a huge stake in how others judge the quality of our educati on system because it has a direct impact on whether or not a new company will locate here to bring high-wage jobs or whether or not qualifi ed employees will be willing to move here and raise their families.
“Career educati on will be the focus of my ti me on the board,” said Myers who parents were both career educators here in Pinellas County. “We are failing our kids. We are falling behind in our county because school has lost relevance.”
“In order to thrive as a county, we need a skilled and educated workforce and we need to grow them here,” added Boehm.
He went on to say that 80% of the fasti ng growing job markets require some kind of industry certi fi cati on and only half of those need actual college degrees. So in order to prepare for those jobs, students need specialized training for their certi fi cates, which is something traditi onal high school doesn’t provide. They believe that career academies are the way of the future.
In 2011, Pinellas County received a presti gious $200,000 planning grant from the Ford Motor Company Fund aimed at advancing career academy learning throughout Pinellas County schools. They call the initi ati ve, Academies of Pinellas.
part two
Pinellas was chosen in part because of its existi ng network of Centers of Excellence; its strong district experience in developing quality career academies; its goal of expanding the percentage of students enrolling in academies from 17% to 50%; and the fact that the Pinellas Educati on Foundati on is ready to engage the larger community in support of this expansion.
One such Center of Excellence is the Northeast High School Academy of Finance in St. Petersburg. Students are introduced to the fi nancial services industry with college-preparatory course work in computers, economics, fi nance, accounti ng, banking and fi nancial planning. Students also work with mentors in job-shadowing and internships. Real-world experience is gained by working in the on-campus Viking Branch, a real credit union sponsored by Achieva Credit Union.
“This center has been recognized nati onally for its excellence, so the program is working,” said Regoli. “Our 4th Street branch assistant manager started at the Northeast High Finance Academy. That is relevance in educati on.”
The planning grant is for a fi ve-year term, during which the foundati on will conti nue to work on shaping and building Academies of Pinellas for the near future. They urge businesses to get involved now because all businesses have a vested interest in the quality of the workforce.
Parents4Pinellas Students
Parents whose children are the benefi ciaries of the educati on system represent a major part of the taxpayer/customer consti tuency. Does this group feel they are a part of the decision-making process? According to a March 2012 survey, 35% of the respondents say they have no voice with the district and 45% say they somewhat have a voice.
“There is a level of urgency here. The educati on foundati on and the PTA have joined forces to do surveys that can speak for parents,” said Myers.
business
Pictured L to R: James Myers, Terry Boehm and Craig Sher.
“We needed a vehicle for parents to proacti vely speak their minds,” added Boehm. The resulti ng eff ort is called Parents 4 Pinellas Students or P4PS. To date, two surveys have gone out by email and the results show strong opinions.
March 2012 • 76% plan to vote yes on the November referendum to renew the additi onal property for schools • 76% agreed their child att ends a school with high academic expectati ons • 77% agreed that the schools value parents as partners in educati on
July 2012 • 56% of respondents want to abolish early release Wednesday • 65% want to decrease money spent on non-classroom operati ons to increase teacher salaries • 61% say the district is not doing enough to remove underperforming teachers • 79% think parents should pay for transportati on when they elect a school out of their zoned area • 78% want the school board to receive a lett er grade (A-F) for their performance
The surveys are part of an eff ort to engage parents as partners to improve public educati on, starti ng with giving them a voice. The P4PS committ ee will conti nue to send out surveys at least once a semester and share the results with the community, the superintendent and the school board.
“Parental involvement is a key indicator to success for the student and the schools,” said Boehm.
A hopeful byproduct of the surveys is that more parents will join their PTA because they’ll see their parti cipati on working and advocati ng for them and their children. Only about one fi ft h of the county’s students have a parent parti cipati ng in PTA.
PTA membership is not required to take the surveys and every resident of Pinellas County is urged to sign up for the emailed surveys. Do it easily at VoiceofP4PS.org.
The acti ons of the Pinellas Educati on Foundati on and their partners at PCCPTA are based on the belief that major decisions made in Pinellas County public educati on should include the voices of parents and taxpayers.
Learn more about how to get involved at PinellasEducati on.org.
business
GoodLiving back to school38
Q: What is your personal
philosophy about life?If you work hard, have the right attitude, and
make the most of your opportunities you will
be successful. You must also be persistent in
whatever it is that you hope to achieve or
accomplish. I was born the son of Liberian
immigrants who showed me from a young
age the importance of a hard work ethic and
remembering where you come from.
Also, I believe that the achievements we
accomplish are a result of our environment
and the people that help us along the way.
Th ere is not one person in this world who is
self-made and didn’t have someone give them
a chance or opportunity, whether big or small.
My philosophies or outlooks on life have
shaped me into the man I am today. I am
looking to make the best of my time and
I’m always looking for ways to improve
myself and those around me. Because of the
examples shown by my parents I try to be
as smart and as frugal as I can be with my
money. I love being able to reward myself
for my hard work, but at the same time I try
to live well within my means.
Q: How do your philosophies
and football mix together?Because of my faith and my upbringing, I
never let my status as an NFL player get
to my head and cause me to see myself as
better than anyone. I realize that my athletic
abilities are a privilege and can be taken
away at any second.
It’s important to me to use my platform as
a tool for good, helping nonprofi ts with my
time or money in order to help their cause.
Some of these nonprofi ts include Th e Boys
and Girls Clubs, UNICEF, MAPP, Big
Brothers and Big Sisters, Young Life, Th e
American Cancer Society, and Face Africa to
name a few. I have a strong passion for public
speaking and love to encourage youth by
using my story as an example of how to live
your dreams and be persistent in whatever
it is that you want to accomplish. And once
you achieve your goal, it’s about using your
platform to infl uence others in a positive way.
Once you do that, you transcend your title or
position and become much more powerful
because you’re involved in something that’s
bigger than just yourself.
Q: It’s time for school to start again.
What do you say to kids headed
back to class?I was like many young kids growing up, full
of hope, dreams and aspirations.
Among my many dreams was to one day
become a football star and I can say without a
doubt that I would not have been able to make
it a reality without having a strong education.
I had to work just as hard on the football
fi eld as I did in the classroom even though
I didn’t always enjoy being in school. As I
grew older and worked a few jobs, I realized
the importance of having an education.
From those real life experiences I began to
take school a lot more seriously.
One of the biggest lessons I had to learn
early on my path to reaching my dreams
was how to manage my time. Everyone is
given the same amount of time in a day,
but not everyone makes the most of each
day. I had to learn to prioritize my time
and not procrastinate. Also, I really had to
learn to sacrifi ce and sometimes do things I
didn’t feel like doing in order to get future
rewards. Now that I’m older these lessons
still continue to help me today as a profes-
sional athlete.
Having an education can be the diff erence
between being able to provide for your family
and struggling to provide for your family.
You must invest in yourself today so that
you will be given future returns on your
investment.
Rennie Curran, #45 for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, was signed early in 2012. He took ti me just before training camp to share his thoughts about life and success, in hopes of inspiring young people to achieve their goals and do well in school.
MyMyStoryStoryby Rennie Curran