CONTACT: Tim Shanteau OCR 4 Bifida founder (513) 833-0151
Find Us On!
www.ocr4bifida.com
Who is OCR 4 Bifida?
OCR 4 Bifida is a charity to support Spina Bifida families to offset the constant costs of having the Spina Bifida disability. There are constant struggles of having no insurance, low income or not having the opportunities to have a normal life. I have seen and been part of this struggle. My niece and cousin have the Spina Bifida disability. First hand I have witnessed what my family has went through getting the right medical care, equipment, housing modifications and pre-existing conditions talk the insurance companies impose on claims. Spina Bifida individuals didn’t ask for this but it is now
their way of life. This is a birth to death disability that is a constant challenge for these families. For these reasons I want to raise awareness of spina bifida and help the engineering of new technology to aid individuals in their everyday tasks, provide home modifications, get rid of pre-existing medical condition talk and create a whole new way of giving. Obstacle Course Racing is a way for us all to show support for those who can’t run, jump, climb and enjoy the sights you see during the grueling time on the course. My goal is to create a non-profit group that shows where every dollar for donations is distributed and what that donation did to help others. OCR 4 Bifida, “Do it for those who can’t”. OCR 4 Bifida stands for, Obstacle Course Racing 4 Spina Bifida. I want to promote 5k-10k races throughout cities in America. These obstacles built of natural wilderness terrain, will be setup in the streets of Americas biggest cities. Create an environment of fun, fitness and gathering of people for a cause, that will never go away or be cured, but help those who have Spina Bifida to be able to live a little better life without the hassle of more physical and financial burden. March -- May May 2014 2014 March
Tim Shanteau
OCR 4 Bifida founder
Florida Creative Creative Living Living | | For For AllAll Ages! Ages! Florida
33
Upcoming Events JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA
Catty Shack Ranch Wildlife Sanctuary! Mar 9, 2014 - May 31, 2014
Night Time Feedings: Come early to enjoy seeing all the residents (Siberian tigers, lions, cougars, spotted and black leopards, bobcats, coatimundis and arctic foxes) before we begin to feed them! At 7:30 PM, you will get to watch over 450 pounds of meat distributed throughout the sanctuary! Get ready to see their “wild” side – there’s sure to be plenty of roaring! No reservations required. Admission: Adults: $15, Children (3-11): $10 Hours: 6:00-8:00 PM/8:30 PM 2 & Under: Free Feeding begins at 7:30 PM See more at: www.cattyshack.org
TAMPA, FLORIDA
WALK LIKE MADD March 21, 2014 Fri 4:00pm - 9:00pm
Celebrating Mother’s Against Drunk Driving 30th anniversary and walking for everyone who has ever been and will be affected by a drunk driving crash or underage drinking. This is a 100% preventable crime. This event helps us raise both awareness and funds to stop drunk driving and underage drinking, and provide support to victims and survivors. With every step taken and each dollar raised, walkers are supporting MADD’s life-saving mission to keep our families and communities safe. See more at:
http://youtu.be/WVRP7iSwKrU
http://support.madd.org/site/TR/WalkLikeMADDWalkLikeMADDwlm_?pg=entry&fr_id=3392
4
For All Ages! |
www.FloridaCreativeLiving.com
TAMPA, FLORIDA
WALK LIKE MADD Mar 22, 2014 Sat 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Attend the Macdill Air Force Base AirFest 2014 featuring the Air Force Thunderbirds! Make sure to come to this FREE, public event, to see the tops pilots in the Air Force doing amazing aerial tricks in the Thunderbirds! There will be plenty of food and games to play before the air show starts, so make sure to get there early! For all the current AirFest info please visit the “MacDill AFB� Facebook page, www.MacDill.af.mil, or call (813) 828-SHOW.
MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA
MUSIC CONFERENCE Mar 21 2014 - Mar 30 2014
One of the most acclaimed music industry gatherings in the US, with more than 200 artists, DJ and record company receptions and parties, panel discussions, new product premieres, technology demonstrations, and the premier international awards show for the dance music industry.
See more at:
www.wintermusicconference.com
March - May 2014
Florida Creative Living
|| For For All All Ages! Ages!
5
Creative Living Sections Florida
March - May 2014
14th ISSUE
9
23
26
56
Hot Topics
In Every Issue
I Choose, Book Author Suzin Carr Community Spotlight | pg 9
What Bugs You? pg 11
Get Ready For The Boomers Ageless Generation | pg 23
Business Directory pgs 46-47
Gender Roles Can Gender Roles Stop People From Growing? | pgs 26-27 The Draft The memories of yesterday | pgs 48-49
6
For All Ages! |
www.FloridaCreativeLiving.com
Crossword & Sudoku Fun pgs 40-41 Chef’s Delight pg 50 Community Spotlight Technology pg 51 Va Memoirs pgs 48-49
pg 9
March - May 2014
Florida Creative Living
| For All Ages!
7
Creative Living Adult Living Florida
March - May 2014
18
News
14th ISSUE
34
20
Photographer Judith Horn Featured Artist | pgs 18-19 Our Attitude Toward Life Determines Life’s Attitude Towards Us! | pgs 20-21
Home & Health
42
Tips For Starting Your Garden With Seeds | pgs 28-29 Fixed Rate Mortgages vs. Adjustable Rate Mortgages | pgs 30-31 Tips For A Healthful Lifestyle In 90 Days | pgs 34-35
Business
Inspiring Customer Confidence In Your Small Business 12 ways | pgs 36-38 8
For All Ages! |
www.FloridaCreativeLiving.com
Fashion
Shine by Dressing for Success Making an image for yourself pgs 42-44
Adult Living | COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT
“Most Community-minded Business”
Best in Biz Awards 2013
Book Author Suzin Carr I Choose, I Choose Too!, and Yo Elijo
Up Coming Events Below are some events where Suzin Carr will be Speaking:
Saturday, April 5, 2014
Storybook Forest 11am to 2pm www.phelc.org/storybookforest.php
Saturday, April 26, 2014
3rd Annual Afterschool Conference 8am to 5pm www.pasco.k12.fl.us/place/aac/
Suzin H. Carr is the author of I Choose, I Choose Too!, and Yo Elijo, the wife of James, and the mother of Chandler. She lives in Lutz, Florida where she juggles the life she chooses and is grateful for countless blessings and immeasurable joy. *She is available to speak to your local school, club, or Scout Troop. Topics include the book printing process, following your dream as an artist or writer, and the message that “We choose what comes out of our mouth, what stays in our head, and what lives in our heart.” Did you have a comment or question? Contact: Suzin Carr
Email: suzin@illuminatedpublishing.com Website: www.illuminatedpublishing.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/illuminatedpublishing March - May 2014
Florida Creative Living
| For All Ages!
9
Creative Living Kids & Teens Florida
March - May 2014
14th ISSUE
53 54 56 58 Featured Artist
Spring Fun | pg 53
News
Senses Experiment: Brian Box | pg 57
Making Loom Bracelets With Less Stress and Frustration | pgs 54-55
Staying Safe
Healthy Habits
Doodle Corner
Fabulous Food The 5-Second Rule | pg 56 10
Science & Techno
For All Ages! |
www.FloridaCreativeLiving.com
Playing it Safe Around the House Gun Safety | pgs 58-60 Crossword Puzzle Activity Center | pg 61
WHAT
BUGS
YOU?
Is there something in your life that bugs you? Maybe it's a construction project that never seems to end, a pothole everyone swerves to avoid, or an unaddressed safety concern. It could just be something such as a coworker chewing with their mouth wide open at lunch time. We want to hear about it! To share your concern, please fill out our form at floridacreativeliving.wufoo.com/forms/what-bugs-you/
W P
hen I step on crumbs with my bare feet. Viki T. - Tampa, FL
eople that complain about life being rough too much. I think one a day is more than enough.
L
ong waits in exam or waiting rooms.
P
eople who ride your butt or don’t use turn signals.
Helen S. - Clearwater, FL
Nancy C. - Vero, FL
John W. - Tampa, FL
P
eople who don’t clean up after their dog. Sara J. - Miami, FL
March - May 2014
Florida Creative Living
| For All Ages!
11
Creative Living Florida
New Beginnings: The Gift Of Starting Over
I
recently watched the 2004 movie, “50 First Dates” starring Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore. Even though, I have seen this movie many times before I couldn’t imagine being “Lucy” (Barrymore) where she virtually has no short-term memory due to a car accident. She remembers everything up until the point of the accident, but retains no new memories of anything that has happened since. I’m sure you can imagine the challenges of such a condition! Anyone she meets, she forgets. Holding a job is nearly impossible since she can’t remember the previous day’s events. Relationships present another challenge. When Henry (Sandler) meets Lucy, there is instant attraction between them, but each day she forgets she met him the day before. It seems impossible to have a long-term relationship with Lucy, since she can’t even remember him! Finally, Henry gets the bright idea to make a video that she can watch each morning, detailing her life since the accident and her budding romance with him. Lucy also begins to keep a written journal, so she can skim through the previous entries and read about her life from her own perspective. Though the situation is difficult to say the least, this movie contains a beautiful metaphor for new beginnings. How much baggage do we bring to each new day in our own lives? How many grudges do we hold? How many disappointments do we cling to, and let them color today? Though we can’t fully forget like Lucy, we can certainly make a decision to wipe the slate clean each morning and start over again! It is often our own refusal to let go and move on that causes the most pain. Each day can be a new beginning if we choose to make it so. Each night before bed we can choose what we want to keep and what we want to release. We can become someone new, purely by the power of our thoughts and intentions. The toughest part is deciding exactly who we want to become, and having the courage to see it through! I am currently doing this in my own life. I’m pulling out the old, dust-caked parts of myself that I deemed unacceptable years ago, and giving them another look. And I’m discovering they aren’t so bad. What about you? Are you ready for a new beginning? Are you afraid of starting over? There really isn’t anything to fear but fear itself. Once you actually begin the process, it becomes wildly exciting! Maybe you’re happy with yourself already. If so, that’s wonderful! No need to fix it if it ain’t broken. But if you’re living in a vacuum of dissatisfaction and boredom, it might be time to write the next chapter of your life. Or even a whole new book. You are the author. What do you want the story line of your life to say?
At Florida Creative Living we wish our readers a safe and wonderful Spring!
Susan Gulash | susan@floridacreativeliving.com
12
For All Ages! |
www.FloridaCreativeLiving.com
NATIONAL HOLIDAYS Mar 8 Mar 17 Mar 20 Apr 20 May 11 May 26
TEAM Susan Gulash | Publisher & Founder
Women’s Day Saint Patrick’s Day Spring Begins Easter Sunday Mother’s Day Memorial Day
For ad space and to have your business heard on our radio show email susan@floridacreativeliving.com Chuck Johnson | Staff Writer VA Memoir, Entertainment, & Community Spotlight Sections
To see a list of our advertisers calendar of events, please visit:
chuck@floridacreativeliving.com
floridacreativeliving.com/wordpress/event-calendar
Brian Gulash | Radio Host
DEADLINES
Tune in every Thursday at 11am on iheart.com or W4CY.com brian@floridacreativeliving.com
Issues Deadline June-August May 1, 2014 September-November Aug 1, 2014 December-February Nov 1,2014 March-May Feb 1, 201
FCL JOB LISTINGS Advertising Sales Motivated. Goal-oriented. Driven to win. Relentless. Does this sound like you? Florida Living Creative Magazine is looking for highly energetic people who are passionate about landing and closing advertising sales opportunities. Work at home no traveling required. Salary is percentage based commission. For further information or to apply for this job, please visit link below.
https://floridacreativeliving.wufoo.com/forms/q1mxv4tj1puvuuh/
Florida Creative Living is a full-size, full-color, quarterly, online interactive magazine published four times a year by Gulash Graphics. It is distributed free of charge and no content is allowed to be reproduced in whole or part without written permission from Florida Creative Living. This publication is not responsible for statements made by advertisers or writers and is not necessarily the opinion of Florida Creative Living. Typographical errors, and the accuracy of information supplied by advertisers, or the action of the advertisers are not the publication and its publisher responsibility. Editorial submissions are welcome. Publisher reserves the right to reject or edit for length and clarity all submissions.
Florida Creative Living
PO Box 2735, Lutz, FL 33548
O: 813.994.5110 C: 813.458.1098 F: 813.200.1002
susan@FloridaCreativeLiving.com
March - May 2014
Florida Creative Living
| For All Ages!
13
14
For All Ages! |
www.FloridaCreativeLiving.com
16
For All Ages! |
www.FloridaCreativeLiving.com
March - May 2014
For All All Ages! Ages! Florida Creative Living || For
17
Adult Living | FEATURED ARTIST
18
For All Ages! |
www.FloridaCreativeLiving.com
Winner of our FREE TWO-Page Spread Contest
y passion for ‘shooting’ started when I moved from Indiana to Myrtle Beach, S.C. I loved the ocean and buying a camera was my way of sharing all the beauty I was absorbing. I have placed my work in stores in South Carolina, made a video approved by the state parks in South Carolina, and exhibited in the Surfside Library. After moving to Florida, I started entering in juried shows and to my amazement in this wonderful art community, I have received some awards along the way. In July 2013, my exhibition at the SARASOTA ARTS AND CULTURE ALLIANCE was a true success. Some of my work has been in the following places: • Longboat Center for the Arts • Sarasota Art Center • Art Uptown • Creative Framing on Beneva • Sarasota Arts and Culture Alliance • Water Festival (LBK)
Contact Judith Horn Phone (941) 351-2692
Email METALPHOTOGRAPHY@YAHOO.COM Website www.metalphotography.wix.com/Judith-e Facebook www.facebook.com/jblackhorn
March - May 2014
Florida Creative Living
| For All Ages!
19
Adult Living | NEWS
Our Attitude Toward Life Determines
Life’s Attitude
20
For All Ages! |
www.FloridaCreativeLiving.com
T
here’s a well-known quote that goes “Our attitude toward life determines life’s attitude towards us”. Attitudes do make a difference. Salesmen using the ideal attitude beat their sales quotas; students using the proper attitudes make A’s. Suitable attitudes pave the way to a truly happy married life.
Towards Us! By David H Evans
Correct attitudes make you powerful in coping with other people to ensure that it is possible to be effective as a leader. Among the very first qualities men and women notice when they meet you is what you attitude is towards whatever you’re responsible for. If your attitudes are negative, then you might want to undergo an “attitude tune-up”.
1
Fully grasp the importance of attitude.
Your attitude impacts every little thing you do, feel and say. If you wish to turn your attitude about and get into action towards your destiny, you might want to have the ability to resist negative or pessimistic thoughts that creep into your consciousness. Surround your self with positive men and women, and maintain in mind your ultimate objective of achieving the, respect, good results and wealth which you deserve.
2
Opt to remain positive.
Power to choose is God given. You are going to encounter some hurdles and encounter some failures in life; but is really crucial that you simply manage how you respond to whatever takes place, and maintain your positive attitude , whilst working towards your objectives. The bible says “I have set before of you blessings and curses, life and death. So choose life” What will likely be your choice? Program” your attitude by training your self to remain upbeat. Identify negative attitudes that continually set you back. CONTINUE TO NEXT PAGE
March - May 2014
Florida Creative Living
| For All Ages!
21
3
Assess your present day attitude and identify aspects of which could be stopping you from becoming prosperous.
4
life with purpose and passion.
5
Create a method for sustaining the proper attitude.
What are the underlying causes of one’s Prepare your self to deal with any negative attitudes? Remind your self that you difficult scenarios that may well simply are far better than you believe. Take threaten your attitudes and throw a walk if you are frustrated. Just look at life you off course. You ought to create as you walk until the disappointment is out of some self-motivation tactics like affirmations, your system. visualization, positive talk, enthusiasm and heightened expectations Read books and articles on these subjects and build understanding and Determine to live your abilities to boost your attitude. Reassess exactly where you wish your life to go and all which you would like to accomplish. Get a clear vision, to ensure that you’ve got some thing to reach for. When you have got your objectives firmly established, then you’ll be able to turn your new positive attitudes into action.
22
For All Ages! |
www.FloridaCreativeLiving.com
Follow the five steps outlined above, and create attitudes which will transform your life and assure that you get the success you deserve.
Adult Living | NEWS
r o F y d a Get Re
s r e m o o B e Th
I
n 2011 the first wave of the Baby Boomer population turned 65 and began its further impact on society in ways that have never before been experienced. The power of this generation is in its numbers. The effects it has had, and will continue to have, not only in America but around the world, are astronomical.
By some accounts, Baby Boomers, those born between the years of 1946 to 1964 are 78 million strong. Apparently, the phrase was coined after World War II ended in 1945. It is believed by many historians that in 1946 people were so happy that the war was ended that over 3 million babies were born that year, which was 20% more births than in 1945. Between 1946 and 1964, when the boom began to taper off, it is estimated that over 78 million babies were born in the United States alone. This is the first generation where members married later, began having children later and spent generously on themselves. Women of this demographic were the first to eventually be accepted into the corporate world of men. Although in the beginning they encountered the proverbial ‘Glass Ceiling’; they managed to excel above it. Gone were the role models of ‘Ozzie and Harriet’, ‘Leave it to Beaver’ and ‘I Love Lucy’!
By Delores Holmes
This demographic is passionate and accustomed to addressing challenges headon. For example, Boomers were the first generation in history to stimulate a social upheaval with their rise against oppression in the 1960s. They were an essential element in the Civil Rights movement and instrumental in ending the Vietnam War. Some reports suggest that Boomers think of themselves as the ‘Ageless Generation’ and will reinvent themselves in order to continue to matter. Future trends for Baby Boomers propose that this generation will remain active even during their retirement years. Members of the Baby Boomer Generation recognize and acknowledge the need to be more independent and develop ways to capitalize on their talents, abilities, and creativity. Otherwise they run the risk of entering retirement and becoming bored because there is too much time with very little or no purpose. Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics reflects that older Americans have fueled a wave of entrepreneurship because of a frustrating job market and the falling cost of starting a business. According to the Census Bureau, by 2030 those 65 and older are projected to account for almost 20% of the total population. Surveys project that 14% of boomers intend to work primarily from home after retirement. Can you imagine the impact this demographic will have on the economy.
March - May 2014
Florida Creative Living
| For All Ages!
23
24
For All Ages! |
www.FloridaCreativeLiving.com
March - May 2014
Florida Creative Living
| For All Ages!
25
Gender Roles: Can Gender Roles Stop People From Growing?
By Oliver J R Cooper
F
or many years, men were seen as being one way and women as being another way. And as time has passed, these differences are no longer as extreme as they used to be. But while some things have changed, in regards to what men and women are like, there is still work to be done.
This is understandable, as change doesn’t happen over night; especially when men and have women have been defined and have defined themselves in certain ways for so long. There is going to be resistance, even when these roles are no longer helping men and women.
Empowerment
For so long, women were suppressed and unable to experience their own sense of empowerment. And while it would be naive to say that this has now come to an end, it is clear that a lot has changed for women in the western world. 26
For All Ages! |
www.FloridaCreativeLiving.com
It is no longer a surprise to see a woman who is in her power and displaying characteristics that have been associated with what it means to be a man for so long. They can be assertive, strong, driven and confident, as well as have moments where they display more feminine traits.
Disempowerment
So while women have gradually been finding their power, in some cases, men have gradually been losing theirs. There is going to be different factors involved here and one of those factors is due to women taking on the roles that are more masculine in nature. And if women are displaying a behavior that is usually seen in men, it is only natural that an identity crisis is going to arise. Men could end up behaving how women have behaved for so long and yet, this is unlikely to make them feel empowered.
Some men will go along with this and behave in ways are passive and submissive, and not only can this feel wrong to them, the women who they come into contact with can also feel that something is not right.
Conditioning
This is only natural, because these roles have been ingrained into people for many, many years and are not just going to change in a matter of years. The mind can be ready, but the body can take longer to get on board with these new ways of behaving. And as women are being given the chance to embrace their masculine nature, men are being given the chance to embrace their feminine nature. The ideal is for both genders to integrate both sides and then to utilise the side that is appropriate or serves them best in any given moment.
Change
Change is rarely something that happens smoothly and it often happens through some kind of destruction occurring. And as a result of the gender roles changing, it is has created confusion, amongst other things. While women may be happy to embrace a new role in certain environments, it doesn’t mean that all women are completely comfortable doing so.
Adult Living | NEWS Emotional Expression When it comes to emotions, it is generally acceptable for women to express them and for men to repress them. While this may be normal, it doesn’t mean that it is healthy. There will also be examples where the opposite takes place and women repress them and men express them. And in some cases, women are going to be no more emotionally developed then men are. To deny how one feels is not going to be healthy and yet expressing how one feels and having no emotional control is not much better.
Expectation
But as men are women are generally not expected to be any different, there is no reason for change to take place. And so the emotional development of both men and women ends up being stunted.
Women can be emotionally out of control, without ever coming to the conclusion that they need to take responsibility for how they feel. And men can repress their emotions, Just as some men are going to be happy to embrace without ever considering that they need to different roles; it doesn’t mean that all men are face how they feel. going to be. At times, it might be important to show resistance and for one to stand their ground. Social Change
Growth
Doing so will be in ones best interests and be an expression of their individuality. However, at other times, it will inhibit their growth as human beings. For example, it will be important for men and women to be assertive during certain times of their life.
As social awareness increases and the pressure to conform to certain roles decreases, men and women will be able to express themselves in ways that are empowering and healthy. The need to play a role because of one’s gender will gradually disappear and what will appear is ones true self.
And it doesn’t matter what is or is not socially acceptable or how one has come to define themselves; as it will benefit them to do something different.
And each and every one of us has a part to play and a voice that deserves to be heard.
March - May 2014
Florida Creative Living
| For All Ages!
27
Tips For Starting Your
Adult Living | HOME & HEALTH
Garden With Seeds
M
By Jamie Highland
any gardeners want to get started from the earliest stage of the process. This involves planting flowers and vegetables from seeds. Starting a garden from scratch is possible, as long as you follow all the basics.
Flowers and the majority of garden plants are divided into three groups: annual, biennial and perennial. These are started from seeds. The seeds would grow into seedlings, which can be planted in the garden.
Preconditions To get plants started from seeds, you will have to consider several factors. The first thing to plan is the type of soil. You may want to plant the seeds in pots and then to move the seedlings to the garden. Go to a garden store, where you will be advised about the best type of soil for the needs of the specific plant.
The water that you use for the plants should Many gardeners want to get started from the earli- contain no chlorine or salts. Fill a container est stage of the process. This involves planting and let it stay overnight before watering the plants. flowers and vegetables from seeds. Starting a garden from scratch is possible, as long as you follow all the basics.
Flowers and the majority of garden plants are divided into three groups: annual, biennial and perennial. These are started from seeds. The seeds would grow into seedlings, which can be planted in the garden. Preconditions To get plants started from seeds, you will have to consider several factors. The first thing to plan is the type of soil. You may want to plant the seeds in pots and then to move the seedlings to the garden. Go to a garden store, where you will be advised about the best type of soil for the needs of the specific plant. 28 For All Ages! | www.FloridaCreativeLiving.com
When it comes to light, you will have to be Moving the Seedlings to the more careful. Some seeds need darkness to germinate. These seeds should be covered Garden by soil. Others need sunlight and have to be placed on the surface of the soil (petunias, for In order to get the plants naturalized, you should start taking the pots outside one or two example).
The optimum temperature for the germination Plants That Can be Started of the majority of seeds is 15 to 18 degrees from Seeds Celsius during the night and 21 to 23 degrees Celsius during the day. Which types of plants can be started from seeds?
Planting the Seeds
For best results, you will have to plant seeds into pots before moving them in the garden. Fill a pot with soil and get it wet. Press the soil slightly with your hands so that it becomes more compact.
You can give various flowers and vegetables from seed. These are easy to take care of and grow.
Try some of the plants which are best for beginners. You can try more difficult tasks once you gain some experience and get acquainted Put the seeds on the surface of the soil and to more complicated planting procedures. use some more soil to cover them. Sprinkle water over the seeds. Place the pot on an even Some of the flowers that you can grow from surface and cover the pot with plastic foil, which seeds include marigold, convolvulus, dahlia, should not touch the soil. petunia, nasturtium, cyclamen, primrose, mimosa and aster. Maintain the soil wet until the seeds germinate. Once the young plants sprout, the amount of Other plants that are easy to start from seeds moisture can decrease. The surface of the soil include hibiscus, mountain ash, juniper, should be dry before you water the plants once chestnut and sycamore. again.
Fertilizing Seedlings
To grow, the plants use the nutrients and energy stored in the seeds. You will have to start fertilizing the plants only after several leaves get formed. Fertilize the plants once a week. Choose a proper water-soluble fertilizer. You can also choose an organic fertilizer, in case you are planting vegetables and you want to keep the plant production ecological. If the seedlings grow to be too tall before you plant them in the garden, you can cut off the top. Always cut the area above a leaf or above the place where a branch has formed.
March March -- May May 2014 2014
Florida Florida Creative Creative Living Living | | For For AllAll Ages! Ages!
29 29
Fixed Rate Mortgages vs.
Adjustable Rate Mortgages
By John Park
30
For All Ages! |
www.FloridaCreativeLiving.com
S
o you have the ability to decide on what kind of mortgage you would like to obtain or switch to because you are refinancing. You have heard that either one can be beneficial but you are not sure which one is right for you. Well, good thing you found this article because we will break down what each one consists of; as an online mortgage broker firm, we deal with both of these mortgages a lot. As the two primary types of mortgages for homes in America, both of these kinds of mortgages have the ability to work for you, if your circumstances call for one or the other; if they do not match up, then you can end up in a bad situation. We will start with the fixed rate mortgage. A fixed rate charges an interest rate that does not change throughout the life of the home loan, hence, the name fixed rate. You receive an approved rate from the lender and that is your rate from the moment you close on the loan until you pay it off; the only way to change the rate for a fixed is to mortgage refinance your rate and try to get a lower one when the rates dip. The only thing that changes each month for a fixed is the amount of principal and interest that you are paying each month; as you pay the mortgage, the amount of interest on each payment is lower because the amount of principal is reduced as well. A major perk from having a fixed is that you will have an easier time budgeting for this one since you can depend on the payments being stable; you are protected from having your rate jump high and thus causing the payment to be higher and having a payment you cannot afford. So what is an Adjustable Rate Mortgage? Well, for starters, they are often simply called ARMs. When you have an ARM, you find that your ARM’s mortgage rate will vary over time. For an specified initial period of time for an ARM features a fixed rate that is often set below the average rates, however, once that period of time is over, your rate will adjust depending on a pre-approved and agreed upon schedule that will dictate when the rate changes and by how much. The periods of time when the rate changes are known as adjustment frequencies; caps are how high or low the rate can go for each adjustment.
March - May 2014
Florida Creative Living
| For All Ages!
31
32
For All Ages! |
www.FloridaCreativeLiving.com
March - May 2014
Florida Creative Living
| For All Ages!
33
Adult Living | HOME & HEALTH
Tips for a Healthful Lifestyle in 90 Days By M.Khalid
E
ach week, follow these simple tips for a healthy lifestyle and create new healthy habits to reduce the risk of getting sick from some chronic diseases and also start to live healthier and more fun life. Plus, learn how some small changes can help you to lose your belly fats. Remember, you do not need to stop doing some things, simply you have to replace them!
90 Days Plan for a Healthier Life Practical tips to change some things in your lifestyle to start a healthier living: • Instead of using elevator, use the stairs. • At lunch break, instead one large meal, eat 1 small and balanced meal, and from time to time eat some healthy snacks. • Replace sweets with some healthy desserts like fruit salad, fruits in black chocolate, dates fruit, fruit yogurt etc… • When you are on picnic, instead of sitting all day on the blanket, throw a Frisbee or play some game with a ball.
34
For All Ages! |
www.FloridaCreativeLiving.com
How to start? Specify the date when you will start with your 8-week plan. Write the date and stick to it. Set yourself short term and long term goals. Instead to set an unclear goal, for example, “I will be healthy”, try to set a specify goal, for example, “On my way home from work, instead to use public transportation to my home, I will get out one stop / station earlier from home, and will walk the rest of the way.” When you’ll reach some goal, reward yourself. Not with food, but reward with a new piece of clothing, a massage, or something else that you like it.
Short-term goals include: • Instead of parking the car in the parking that is near to your workplace, park the car further away and walk 10 minutes to your workplace three days a week. • Instead of a sweet snack in the afternoon, eat a handful of not salted nuts, hazelnuts, almonds, dried fruit or berries with seeds.
What you would immediately change to start with healthy eating? • For example, can you replace soft drinks with water or juices. • Replace the toasted muesli with not toasted natural muesli. • Replace fat dairy products with low fat dairy products. • Replace French fries with a baked potato and salad.
Good habits include: • Instead of eating unnecessary snacks, drink a cup of tea. • Instead of “starvation diet”, think of “healthy diet”. • Instead of white bread, eat rye bread which is much healthier. • Instead to shop unplanned food grocery, before shopping make a list with healthy foods grocery, then go and buy it.
Do not give up before you notice an improvement Be patient and persistent! If you can create a habit, it will be easier. Also, tell your friends and Instead of driving to work, walk or replace your family that you are making some changes the car with bike. that lead you to a healthy life and ask them to Instead of cooking fatty foods, try to cook support you. and eat some healthy foods like fish (sushi, salmon etc..), chicken, rice, pasta, Plan activities: potatoes vegetables. Check the local newspaper or library for that which activities are available in the • Keep a record of your daily movement in this plan for activities. You should have a goal to community, for example, groups for walking be physically active with moderate intensity. in the park or for riding bike,running, • Do at least 30 minutes of physical activity playing tennis for fun or dance classes. every day. If you have enough free time, you Try something new! should regularly dealt with physical activity Think about your eating habits. to be in better condition and also to be more healthy. • Remember that you can be physically active for 30 minutes (or more) throughout the day by combining with a few shorter physical sessions that will last about 10 to 15 minutes. • Write down whenever you use the stairs instead of the elevator or when you use a bicycle instead of a car.
Long-term goals may include: • • •
•
Record your progress to see how far you have come to having a healthy lifestyle. March - May 2014
Florida Creative Living
| For All Ages!
35
Adult Living | BUSINESS
Inspiring Customer Confidence In Your
Small Business 13 Ways
36
For All Ages! |
www.FloridaCreativeLiving.com
S
hould you operate a small business venture the very last thing you would want to do is appear small. Even though you may be the sales division, strategist, secretary, chief operating officer and distribution clerk if that’s the image that you choose to convey you are going to lose sales.
first examples of the sort of work that your firm does that folks see. If your card is well developed, makes excellent use of color, is printed on a good material, the subconscious message it’s going to send out is one of sustainability, substance and special care about detail.
4
Employ a virtual office: Should So, how will you appear sizeable if you aren’t? you be conducting a good deal of How could you inspire consumer confidence business in a different city you might that your company is big enough to provide high wish to set up an “office” in that city. quality products or services on time and at the An answering service plus a fax and best price? e-mail address is about all you’ll need your stationary and business cards will list the Here are some ideas that will help. other office. In the event you really need to meet somebody whenever you are in the Use several surnames as your other city meet at their office, a restaurant company name: The resulting extended or in case you need to meet at an office rent name makes your small business appear a boardroom for the day? You could wish substantial. Simply make up a name that to use an answering service at your house consists of your last name and those of when you are out and about a good deal. some family members who are employed in the business every once in awhile. For example Hersh, Williams and Harrison and Associates. Disguise your actual address The associates may very well be providers that by having your mail delivered to are outsourced. The lengthy name will disguise an alternative location: If you’re the reality that the company might be home working from your house have your based. company mails sent to a post box or perhaps a mail receiving service.
1
2
Constantly make use of the editorial “we” in sales letters and conversations: Generally use we or
5 6
Get significant with an 800 number for incoming sales calls: The long distance telephone
us e.g. “We can set up your program,” makes your organization seem bigger providers supply 800 service and far more stable. Than saying “I can set up numbers for residential phones at your program” which right away positions you as 10cents an incoming call. Use the 800 line a one person outfit? only for taking orders and keep the calls short.
3
Give your self a really impressive title: Avoid employing an occupational
7
Use
beautifully
designed
title like bookkeeper or chemist that will company stationary: Your ensure that prospects instantly see you customer’s impression of one’s as a one man show. Give your self a title professionalism and reliability is for example president or director. For those who frequently influenced positively or have to have two sets of business cards designed. negatively by the style and feel You might perhaps call yourself president in of your stationary. Use color printing as addition to consultant and you’re simply going opposed to black for your fliers, brochures to utilize the appropriate one for whatever level and newsletters. of communication is being conducted. Make sure that your business card leaves the most effective impression: The style and feel of one’s CONTINUE TO NEXT PAGE card says as much about your enterprise as the words printed on it. The card may be the very March - May 2014
Florida Creative Living
| For All Ages!
37
Adult Living | BUSINESS
Set yourself up to
impressive your customers by following these tips.
8 9 10
Establish a distinctive Image: Should you have some
design skill you could utilize your laptop or desktop computer to formulate your own distinctive logo and by-line.
Get a separate fax number:
If you give somebody the same number for fax and telephone you right away seem like a really humble business.
Bind reports, proposals and capability statements: Staples and
paperclips are acceptable for holding together documents which you keep in the office but whenever you are looking to wow a business prospect they just do not cut it. Probably the most generally utilized are Velum binding, plastic or metal bindings and loose leaf binders.
11 12
Packaging merchandise:
your
How you package your merchandise will impact the way in which consumers perceive its value as well as on the professionalism in your business.
Dress for good results:
Whether or not you might be a high priced economic consultant or operate a carpet cleaning service how you and your workers dress when you connect with clients is vital. Dress isn’t a substitute for ability obviously. But inappropriate dress can make clients question capability.
13 38
For All Ages! |
www.FloridaCreativeLiving.com
Be ready to respond to inquiries and requests for literature: Send me
some thing. These four words could possibly be the beginning of a worthwhile relationship for those who essentially are prepared to send something to prospect on the day that he or she makes the request.
March - May 2014
Florida Creative Living
| For All Ages!
39
Adult Living | CROSSWORD & SUDOKU FUN
Across
Crossword Puzzle
1. Set of rules, principles or laws 5. Concentrate 10. Money 14. Overt 15. Entertain 16. Having the capacity to do something 17. Baseball glove 18. First public appearance 19. Juicy fruit 20. Unable to move or resist motion 22. Orderly 23. Receive something given 24. Breakfast food 26. Plant with pea or bean seedpod 28. Smell 31. Sense organ 32. Immense 35. Having a sharp biting taste 37. Fatigued 41. In the past 42. Crane framework 44. Owed and payable immediately 45. Taut 47. Dark shade of blue 48. Bard 49. Flow back 51. Property rental contract 53. Bowl-shaped depression 56. Approximately average 60. Melt 61. Untamed 64. Snapshot 65. Sharpen 66. Separate 68. Affirm 69. Impulse 70. Happen again 71. Coniferous tree 72. Something done 73. Foe 74. Oracle
Down
1. Standup comedian 2. Speak up without fear or hesitation 3. Dissuade 4. Beseech 5. Craze 6. Portent 7. Raise to the third power 8. Common 9. A small sofa 10. Removal of an opponent’s piece in chess 11. At right angles to the length of a ship 12. Quench 13. In this place
21. Seafarer 25. Fail to win 27. Look with amazement 29. Between dawn and noon 30. Pertaining to hearing or the ear 32. Large open vessel for storing liquids 33. Historic period 34. Male offspring 36. Rend 38. Fuss 39. Regret 40. Up to the present time 42. Amount owed
43. Bluish shade of green 46. Wrack 48. Maybe 50. Be cautious about 52. Soak through 53. Disagreeable task 54. Scope 55. Mature 57. Motion picture 58. Expiate 59. Depress 60. Heavy dull sound 62. Delicate woven fabric 63. Percussion instrument 67. Attempt
View our next issue for the correct answers to this Crossword puzzle. 40
For All Ages! |
www.FloridaCreativeLiving.com
Adult Living | CROSSWORD & SUDOKU FUN
Sudoku
A sudoku puzzle is a logic puzzle which is solved using logic and reasoning. Though the number of squares in the grid may vary, a standard Sudoku puzzle is a 9x9 grid divided into nine 3x3 blocks in which some of the numbers are given. The object of the puzzle is to fill in the rest of the grid using only the numbers 1 through 9 so that no number repeats in any block, row or column. The difficulty is determined by how many and which numbers are given and where they are placed in the grid and can range from very easy to extremely challenging. Though sudoku puzzles generally use numbers as symbols, no mathematical skills are required to solve the puzzle. View our next issue for the correct answers to this Sudoku puzzle.
Answer Guide
Crossword Puzzle
Dec. - Feb. Issue
Sudoku
March - May 2014
Florida Creative Living
| For All Ages!
41
Adult Living | FASHION
42
For All Ages! |
www.FloridaCreativeLiving.com
Shine by
Dressing for
D
Success By Sue Currie
ress for Success. Is that irrelevant in today’s business world? How much importance do we place on “dressing up”’ for work? Well I think in some instances - not enough.
What message does your image send? Do you feel confident in the way you present visually through what you wear? It seems that there is still a lot of confusion in the work place about how we should dress. I read a posting recently on small business website Flying Solo which detailed one guy’s dilemma about what to wear to a client interview and possible photo shoot. To wear a tie or not to? Well the reaction from the comments posted were varied, from “I wear a funny bowtie to break the ice”’ to “my best suit”’ to “who cares?”’ How well do you understand the image you put across? Image is created by a lot of different ingredients acting together. Physical appearance, dress, voice, manner, the views you express or the fact you don’t express any and the way you react to the people around you. These impressions are made instantly. Images are so powerful because however little you may like it they do say something true about your personality. It’s no accident that you dress, talk and behave the way you do. So what is your visual appearance like? Do you grab the first thing you see in the morning or put some thought into what is the most appropriate outfit for that day? Having an extensive wardrobe of all the latest fashions isn’t really necessary. Establishing your own image and a strong sense of individual personality and style is the key. You may only need a few quality, signature pieces that reflect your individual style and that you can mix and match. You don’t have to look different every day, you just need to look good and look professional. Let’s look at the scenario of work from home. Get up and get dressed! Ditch the pj’s and put on something smart and comfortable. I’ve often read that it helps to have a separate work place in your home, a dedicated office phone line. Well it’s the same with your personal brand. To be making calls, sending emails and acting in a professional way to run your business, means dressing in a professional way too. Now I don’t March - May 2014
CONTINUE TO NEXT PAGE
Florida Creative Living
| For All Ages!
43
Adult Living | FASHION mean you need a shirt and tie or a corporate outfit but choose clothes that make you feel like you’re working. You must look smart not only in the eyes of the people you’re around but your own as well. Going out to meet a client? Dress appropriately for the occasion. Do your research. You wouldn’t go to a client meeting without knowing something about the company. Find out how the boss dresses, that’s a start, or the code of dress in that organization and take it up a notch. After all you’re there to win the client’s business and that won’t happen if you dress inappropriately or look like a slob. Think about what they’re looking for. If you’re in finance, law or other professional services they want you to look like a credible, successful business person. You might be in IT or a creative service. Your potential client wouldn’t expect to see you in a 3 piece suit. However does that mean you need to wear jeans and scruffy sneakers? Think about it, plan it out. You are part of the package that you’re presenting to the client. People shouldn’t judge us by our outward appearances, but of course they do. I know a number of professional speakers, it’s the industry I’m in. Let me share an example of two men, both $10,000 speakers. One works mostly with creative’s yet has invested time and money into developing his image, finding the right cut to suit his body shape, wearing flattering colors, and choosing smart casual outfits. He looks like a $10,000 speaker. Another with a great reputation for the work he does with leading entrepreneurs still chooses to wear the tried (or maybe tired) and trusted jeans and black jacket. Mmmmm. This scenario should be considered also by those that work in a slightly more casual workplace environment or have to endure casual work days. Jeans just don’t cut it. They are what you wear when you are out and about at weekends or going out with 44
For All Ages! |
www.FloridaCreativeLiving.com
friends at night. Your appearance does label you; therefore it is crucial to get the right label! If your appearance shows that you care, people will recognise this. If you look like a slob, they begin to question your professionalism. It’s not trivial to concentrate on your outward appearance. When you carefully select your wardrobe and create your look and personal style, you propel yourself forward by having a unique self brand. Let’s take a look at the corporate workplace. Each workplace usually sets its own standards. However in the corporate environment there is an underlying code of dressing which is smart and professional. Suits have been the most acceptable form of dress in most industries with a trend today toward more casual wear particularly in IT and advertising and similar industries. Men have it easier than women in the matter of image. They at least have an example to follow. If everyone in the office wears suits there’s no question they will do the same. I think if you have one good working outfit for every day of the week that is all you really need. The idea is to mix and match and choose good, quality pieces. You can update with shirts, ties and accessories. What your clients or bosses want is someone who looks speaks and acts like they think someone in that position should speak or act. I think a woman or man who dresses smartly, elegantly and looks neat has a clear image of his or herself and what they are presenting to the outside world.
March - May 2014
Florida Creative Living
| For All Ages!
45
Adult Living | BUSINESS DIRECTORY
OCR 4 BIFIDA
Gulash Graphics
Lutz, FL Design Firm
O: 813.994.5110 C: 813.458.1098
OHIO Non-profit
O: 513.833.0151 OCR4Bifida.com facebook.com/ocr4bifida
www.gulashgraphics.com facebook.com/gulashgraphics twitter.com/GulashGraphics
Illuminated Publishing Lutz , FL Book Publishing suzin@illuminatedpublishing.com www.illuminatedpublishing.com
facebook.com/ illuminatedpublishing
46
For All Ages! |
MJ Real Estate Lutz, FL Real Estate Agency
O: 813.948.6814 C: 813.376.8646
gatica6@hotmail.com facebook.com/ maryjohnsonrealestate
www.FloridaCreativeLiving.com
Lutz, FL
Tampa’s Arlington Road Band
Musician/Band
O: 813.376.8256 facebook.com/ tampasarlingtonroad
Talk 4 Media Wellington, FL Internet Radio
O: 561.506.4031 www.talk4media.com facebook.com/talk4media twitter.com/talk4media
SPRING Spring Spring Spring is almost here Spring Spring Spring is the time to cheer But when the rain comes everyone won’t be glum Spring Spring Spring is almost here
MARCH 20, 2014 IS THE FIRST DAY OF SPRING
Spring Spring Spring the sky will be so clear Taylor Hurttgam
March- -May May2014 2014 March
FloridaCreative CreativeLiving Living| Florida
| ForAllAllAges! Ages! For
47 47
Adult Living | VA MEMOIRS
The
Draft By Chuck Johnson Retired MSG of the United States Army
R
emember it? For some it was a dreaded notice that came in the mail and notified you to report to the local draft board or other location for induction into the military.
For more then 50 years the nations Selective Service served as a backup program to insure that we had adequate manpower in the event of an emergency situation and the country went to war. 48
For All Ages! |
www.FloridaCreativeLiving.com
While it started way back in 1917 it really gained momentum in 1940 when President Franklin Roosevelt signed the Selective Training and Service Act and it created a system where you were lawfully required to register and await your call. Many who read this will remember those times. If you appeared for your medical examination and did not pass you were classified ‘4F’. Selection was simple. 366 blue plastic containers which contained birth dates were
placed in a container and drawn out by hand to assign order of call to those young men ages 18-26. I recall the reported choices they had in those times. Get drafted for two years and get assigned to whatever duty the military elected for you, sign up three years and hopefully get the job you wanted. And there were those with an ‘RFA’ designation who were released after a short time however had to serve in the reserves for a number of years. In today’s society should you mention the word ‘draft’ it brings out the fear in most everyone. Mothers do not want their sons being placed on deployment to some hostile country, wives would like their husbands to be a home for dinner and sisters would rather have their brothers around to actually argue with. Going off to war in this day and age perhaps does not have the drive it did in years past. Perhaps we are tired of war. But the draft did have it’s good points. First you took a young man and placed them in a very structured environment. Very structured. You were taught discipline, you were taught to think on your feet, be respectful,excel and be motivated. At the end of your service you returned home with training to begin your civilian life with and a lot of memories. Some good and some bad.
successfully towards your degree. That has changed. Now it is only till the end of the semester. High school seniors only have till the end of the school year. Can a draft happen again? Well never say never. If a crisis should occur and we all hope it will not, the Congress can pass a bill for the President to sign and the draft could reappear. Will this happen in an atmosphere that exists in Washington today? I would not hold your breath however when we reduce the military force to the lowest number since WW II I think it sends the message to other countries that we are not in a position to be respected. Recently in speaking with a young man he was quick to remind me the draft was an outdated way of thinking and with drones and new technology the military now in possession of, perhaps we do not need as many ‘boots on the ground’. I respect everyone’s opinion however I have not yet seen a war or conflict that did not require a large tough and dedicated group of Military personnel of all branches to go in and solve the problem. Like they say..’Freedom is not free’. To those who were drafted and did your time, my hats off to you.
The draft was necessary. It provided us with the manpower required to meet the threat at the time. During my years in the Army I served with many who were drafted and can say each one did their part for the country and more. Now I say this while many will only remember the long hours in the mess hall on ‘KP’, guard duty, little time off and the only contact with your family was at ‘Mail Call’ if you were lucky enough to get mail. The draft was suspended in 1975 but resumed again in 1980 by President Jimmy Carter in response to the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan. It has also changed a bit. We all recall certain people who were exempt from military draft for various reasons mostly educational It used to be you could get a deferment if you were in college working
Young men Registering for the military in New York City, June 5, 1917.
March - May 2014
Florida Creative Living
| For All Ages!
49
Adult Living | CHEF’S DELIGHT
4 1/2 Stars
Slow-Cooker Corned Beef and Cabbage Ingredients 4 large carrots, peeled and cut into matchstick pieces 10 baby red potatoes, quartered 1 onion, peeled and cut into bite-sized pieces 4 cups water 1 (4 pound) corned beef brisket with spice packet 6 ounces beer 1/2 head cabbage, coarsely chopped
Directions 1. Place the carrots, potatoes, and onion into the bottom of a slow cooker, pour in the water, and place the brisket on top of the vegetables. Pour the beer over the brisket. Sprinkle on the spices from the packet, cover, and set the cooker on High. 2. Cook the brisket for about 8 hours. An hour before serving, stir in the cabbage and cook for 1 more hour. 50
For All Ages! |
www.FloridaCreativeLiving.com
PREP
15 mins COOK
9 hrs READY IN Makes 8 servings
Adult Living | TECHNOLOGY
The Technology Of TOMORROW A Desk Jobs’ Would Approve Of
From the maker of the Slate Mobile AirDesk (we’re obsessed with it) comes a big brother version called the SlatePro. It fits any size computer or laptop and has multiple display docks for all your phone or tablet devices too! The air vents provide constant cooling for your laptop and other tech products. Plus, it has a heavy duty mousepad that sits flush against the surface. There’s even a recessed cup holder to avoid any water damage to your devices! Designer: Nathan Mummert Read more at YankoDesigns.com
Hand-Built in the USA! March - May 2014
To view the movie of this product please view link below http://kck.st/1f36xmi. Florida Creative Living
| For All Ages!
51
Kids & Teens Section
52 52
For For AllAll Ages! Ages! | | www.FloridaCreativeLiving.com www.FloridaCreativeLiving.com
Kids & Teens |FEATURED ARTIST
Spring Fun!
Age 6
March March -- May May 2014 2014
Florida Florida Creative Creative Living Living | | For For All All Ages! Ages!
53 53
Kids & Teens |NEWS
Making
Loom Bracelets With Less Stress and Frustration
D
Reviewed by: Wendy Harron, BS, OTR/L
o you love to loom? This crafty hobby has exploded and kids are looming all over the place, even at school. But making bracelets, keychains, and other stuff from tiny rubber bands can be difficult, especially at first.
Are you already frustrated? If so, relax. It takes a little time to develop the skills needed to make loom bracelets. Or maybe you know a few simple stitches and you want to challenge yourself by learning more complicated ones. Using some stitches, like the hexafish, means it can take as long as an hour to complete just one bracelet!
So here are some tips for getting started — or challenging yourself: 1. Make sure you have everything. For most stitches, you’ll need a loom, a hook, rubber bands, and little plastic clips called C clips or S clips. The clips hold the ends of the bracelet together. Kids who don’t have a loom
54
For All Ages! |
www.FloridaCreativeLiving.com
can make a bracelet using a paperclip.
2. Test your hook. If you have trouble, it might be that your hook is not strong enough. It shouldn’t bend too much and the curved end should easily grab a rubber band. You can find replacement hooks in the crochet section of a craft store. It might help if your hook has a rubber gripper on the end so it’s easier to hold.
3. Organize your supplies. It can be
easier to do a craft project if your materials are in order. If you don’t have a craft box, you can store your rubber bands in small plastic bags and put them in a shoebox.
4. Choose a clean, quiet place to work. You will need to concentrate, so pick a spot where you can focus. Turn off the TV and avoid other distractions.
5. Start with the easiest stitches. They are the single stitch, the triple single, the fishtail, and the inverted fishtail. Read (or watch) the directions all the way through
before you start, so then you’ll know what’s coming.
6. Try different ways of learning. Some
kids learn loom stitches by watching videos of other people doing them. Some turn off the sound and just watch, or close their eyes and just listen. Depending on how you learn best, one of these might work best for you. Or, instead of a video, you might want sit with someone who’s making a loom bracelet. Then, that person can watch you try it and give you advice along the way.
7. Practice, practice. Some kids will learn
after a few tries, but others might need more time. Once you’re sure you’re doing the stitch correctly, just keep doing it.
8. Be kind to yourself while you’re learning. It matters what you say to yourself out loud or just in your head. Instead of saying “I’ll never get this,” say “If I keep working on this, I’ll learn how to do it.”
9. Give yourself a break. Practicing this
new skill can be pretty intense, so know when you need to take a rest. Put the loom aside for at least 30 minutes and do something else.
10. Celebrate when you succeed. Wear your first bracelet with pride because you did it!
skills will help you get better at copying other things, like assignments your teacher writes on the board at school. Your loom helps you learn how to make both hands work together. This is called bilateral coordination. You use bilateral coordination for other things like baseball, cutting with scissors, or playing an instrument. Each of the little movements you make as you put bands onto your loom improves your fine motor skills. You use these small, precise movements when you tie your shoes, button your shirt, or zip your backpack. It will come as no surprise that you have to focus and pay attention when you are working on your loom. You have to put the bands on the correct way, and then link them together in the right order. When you practice focusing and paying attention, you’ll get better at doing it in other situations, like studying for a test or memorizing your spelling words. Finally, and maybe most fun of all, you can show your creativity when you work with your loom. Choosing color combinations and making up new designs lets you express yourself and helps you develop problemsolving skills. So what are you waiting for? Happy looming!
Skills You Can Use!
Did you know that when you learn to make loom bracelets you are working on other important skills? Let’s start with handwriting. When you hold your hook in your hand it’s very similar to how you hold your pencil. So when you use your hook to make bracelets or when you stretch out the bands onto the pegs, you are strengthening the muscles you use to write. When your writing muscles are stronger, you can write more neatly and for longer periods of time. Using your loom also helps you learn how to copy what you see. When you follow the directions in a book or a video, you have to figure out how it is in the picture and then do it exactly the same way on your loom. Being careful with copying makes your new bracelet a success. Working on your copying
March - May 2014
©1995-20134. The Nemours Foundation/KidsHealth®. Reprinted with permission
Florida Creative Living
| For All Ages!
55
Kids & Teens |HEALTHY HABITS
Fabulous Food
The 5-Second Rule
A
Reviewed by: Steven Dowshen, MD
lmost everyone has dropped some food on the floor and still wanted to eat it. If someone saw you drop it, he or she might have yelled, “5-second rule!” This so-called rule says food is OK to eat if you pick it up in 5 seconds or less.
Believe it or not, scientists have tested the rule. We’re sorry to report it’s not necessarily true. Bacteria can attach itself to your food even if you pick it up super-fast. But will your dropped food contain enough bacteria to make you sick? It’s possible — and that’s why you shouldn’t eat food that has hit the floor.
spends on the floor. So food left there for 5 seconds or less will probably collect fewer bacteria than food sitting there for a longer time.
3. Fast may not be fast enough.
Bacteria can attach to your food as soon as it hits the floor. That means food left on the floor for an instant can get contaminated if conditions are right. And foods with wet surfaces, like an apple slice, can pick up bacteria easily.
Here’s what you need to know about the 5-second rule: 4. When in doubt, toss it out. Some bacteria are not harmful. But 1. A clean-looking floor isn’t necessarily clean. others can give you awful stuff, like A floor that looks dirty is usually worse, but even dry floors diarrhea. You can’t see the bacteria that look clean can contain bacteria. Why? Some germs and, even if you could, it doesn’t take can survive on the floor for a long time. And unless you much to make you sick. So what are have a powerful microscope, you can’t check to see how you to do with that delicious piece of many germs are there. So chances are, some bacteria whatever that just slipped from your are probably living on your kitchen floor and the cafeteria grip? The safest choice is to throw floor at school. it out. Or give it to your brother. Just kidding!
2. Faster is better.
A piece of food will pick up more bacteria the longer it
56
For All Ages! |
www.FloridaCreativeLiving.com
©1995-20134. The Nemours Foundation/KidsHealth®. Reprinted with permission
Kids & Teens |Science & TECHNO
WHAT THIS EXPERIMENT SHOWS:
That it may be tough to identify objects based only on your sense of touch. Touch combined with sight, hearing, and smell is much more effective. It's even tougher to identify objects if you don't have your full sense of touch, like if you have a sock or glove on your hand.
WHAT YOU NEED: • • • • •
A few friends A medium-sized cardboard box or a pillowcase Scissors One long gym sock Items to fill the box or pillowcase (for example, cup, spoon, ball, block, fruit, sponge, rock, a small bell, cotton ball, pine cone, feather, wood letters or numbers)
WHAT TO DO:
1. If using the pillowcase, put all objects in the case. 2. If using the box, get a grown-up to help you cut two holes in two different sides. It should be big enough for your hand to fit into. 3. Over one hole, use strong tape to attach a long gym sock over the hole, so you can put your hand in the sock and reach into the box. Leave the other hole open. 4. Add items to the box. 5. Have friends reach into the pillowcase or box and try to identify objects. If using the pillowcase, players can wear a sock on their hand. 6. See how many items your friends can identify with the sock on their hand. See if they are more successful if they reach directly into the box through the open hole. 7. Let them see what was inside the box. See how easy it is now when all senses are restored! March - May 2014
Florida Creative Living
| For All Ages!
57
Kids & Teens |HEALTHY HABITS
Playing It Safe Around the
Gun Safety Reviewed by: Yamini Durani, MD
58
For All Ages! |
www.FloridaCreativeLiving.com
B
y now, you probably know what guns are and what can happen if they fall into the wrong hands. Even though guns are featured in many television shows, video games, computer games, and movies, it’s important to know that real guns are dangerous. Guns are so dangerous that they can hurt or even kill someone you know — including other kids. Being safe can keep kids, teens, and even adults from getting hurt. Many times, guns are fired by accident. All kids should know what to do if they find a gun or if they are with someone who finds a gun. Read on to learn what to do if you come into contact with a gun. Because whether you live in a big city, in the suburbs, a small town, or on a farm, it could happen.
Why Guns Aren’t Fun Even though you’ve seen cartoon characters get up and walk around after being shot by a gun, it’s important to remember that this could only happen on TV, in movies, or video games. A real gun is never a toy, and life is not a video game. Real guns use bullets that hit actual targets. If that target is an animal or a person, the bullet can rip through skin, muscles, bones, and organs, doing a lot of damage. A gunshot can permanently injure or even kill someone. That’s why you must never play with a real gun. Even if you think you’re safe, anything can happen once you put your finger on the trigger. Most kids in gun accidents later say they didn’t fire the gun intending to hurt anyone, yet someone got badly hurt. So never show a gun to a friend and never, ever point a gun at anyone — including yourself — even as a joke. You or your friend could end up in the hospital or worse. It’s also never funny to say you have a gun or threaten to shoot someone. These words are taken seriously and the police may be called. These pranks don’t end up being fun for anyone involved.
Gun Safety at Home Most gunshot injuries happen after kids discover loaded guns at home. In the United States, there is great debate over gun control. No one seems to agree on who should be allowed to own guns and under what conditions. But experts on all sides believe that keeping a gun in the house is a serious decision, and the gun must be kept locked up where kids can’t get to it. You can tell your parents that Project ChildSafe (www. projectchildsafe.org) provides free gun locks at special fairs and they also can be picked up at your local police department. Experts say that the best way to prevent gunrelated injuries and deaths is to remove guns from homes. However, the decision to own a gun is up to each family. Your family may have decided to keep guns in the house. Your dad may hunt, for example, or your mom may be a police officer or work in another profession where guns are required. Some families use guns for protection. But any gun can be dangerous if a kid tries to play with it. If you come across a gun at home, you may be tempted to check it out — but DON’T! Instead, follow these important safety rules: • • Stop what you’re doing. • Don’t touch the gun. • Leave the area where the gun is. • Tell an adult right away. Not touching the gun is very important, but don’t forget to also leave the area and tell an adult. By leaving the area, you can keep yourself safe in case someone else decides to touch the gun before an adult can remove it. Remember, a baby sister or brother may be strong enough to pull a trigger!
At a Friend’s or Neighbor’s House Most people don’t advertise the fact that they own guns. Before you visit your friend, make sure your parents check with your friend’s parents to see if they own a gun. You may already be playing at a friend’s house when you learn that a gun is nearby. If your friend wants to show you the gun, say “no” and leave right
March - May 2014
CONTINUE TO NEXT PAGE
Florida Creative Living
| For All Ages!
59
Kids & Teens |HEALTHY HABITS away if you are close to home. Or call your parent for a ride and talk about what happened as soon as you’re picked up. Don’t worry about getting your friend into trouble — you will be helping to keep him or her safe.
At School Sometimes what you hear on the news can be scary, especially if you hear about kids getting hurt at school. Once in a great while, a kid who has access to guns may use one to express anger. When that happens, no one feels safe. One thing to remember about gun violence at school is that it doesn’t happen very often. School is actually one of the safest places for you to be. Most schools never experience serious violence. But if someone at your school threatens you or talks about bringing a gun to school, speak up! Tell an adult like a teacher, a guidance counselor, or the principal as soon as possible. If you feel awkward doing this in front of other students, ask your teacher for private time or go to the school office to talk to the principal or counselor. And tell your mom or dad. They can get in touch with the right person at your school. Don’t feel that you’re being a tattletale if you tell an adult that someone is threatening you. You will not get into trouble for reporting that you don’t feel safe or that another kid is doing or saying something that scares you. You may even be a hero and prevent a tragedy from happening. ©1995-20134. The Nemours Foundation/KidsHealth®. Reprinted with permission
60
For All Ages! |
www.FloridaCreativeLiving.com
Kids & Teens | DOODLE CORNER
March - May 2014
Florida Creative Living
| For All Ages!
61