Giggle Magazine April/May 2013

PUBLISHER ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER

ART DIRECTOR

DIRECTOR OF PR & MARKETING

GRAPHIC DESIGNER

COPY EDITOR

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Nicole Irving

Alison Walker

Leslie Vega

Allen Haynes

Leslie Vega

Dana Kamp

Carly Asse, Selena Garrison, Kelly Goede, Dan Griffin, Tara Griffin, Allen Haynes, Wendy Eckhardt, Dana Kamp, Helen Kornblum, Kelsey Meany, Brooke Newell, Bradley Osburn, Samantha Simon, Jackie Smith

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

INTERNS

ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES

Shandon Smith with Lifeprints Photography, Patricia Bishop Photography, Verve Studio

Kelsey Meany, Molly Seebol, Samantha Simon, Jenny Wilkinson

Rob Lentz, Brian Pitts

Mission Statement

Giggle Magazine is a modern and refreshing magazine for the families and communities of Alachua County, Florida. With our sole purpose of keeping families and communities connected, Giggle Magazine will keep readers intrigued, informed and inspired, with up to date information and heartwarming stories.

Irving Publications, LLC reserves the right to edit and/or reject any advertising. Irving Publications, LLC is not responsible for the validity of any claims made by its advertisers. Nothing that appears in Giggle Magazine may be reproduced in any way, without written permission. Opinions expressed by Giggle Magazine writers are their own and do not necessarily reflect the publisher’s opinion. Giggle Magazine will consider all never before published outside editorial submissions. Irving Publications, LLC reserves the right to edit and/ or reject all outside editorial submissions and makes no guarantees regarding publication dates.

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Giggle Magazine is a registered trademark property of Irving Publications, LLC. All rights reserved. Giggle Magazine is published by Irving Publications, LLC. © 2013

from the publisher

A letter to all mommies ...

I remember the day I came home from work and told my husband, “I want to have a baby… like now.” My internal clock started ticking and did not stop until my third son was born (okay, who am I kidding, it is still ticking, but on “snooze” right now).

I had all three of my bundles of joy in 3.5 years and I truly did not realize what I was getting myself into. A new world full of diapers, puke, tears, bottles, drool, potty training, sleepless nights, laundry overload, pacifiers, tiny toes, Kodak moments, sweet touches, cooing and the delicious baby smell that you can’t wash away.

Becoming a mother changes you in a way nothing else can. You have this new responsibility, the weight of the world on your shoulders to take care of your heart that is now beating outside of your body. A responsibility that you welcome with open arms and a loving heart and all the fear in the world. How can I show them I love them every day? How can I protect them from danger every minute? How can I make their pain go away? How can I be the best mom I can while on empty, running through the motions of life without stopping for a breather? (Breath inserted here) To be honest, I am not sure. I wish I had the magic answer.

Here is what I do know. Hug, kiss and wrap your arms around them. Listen, don’t judge. Be the best you can be. Eat together, read together and laugh together. Celebrate the small moments, watch movies and eat ice cream for dinner occasionally. Let them curl up in bed with you every now and then; bad dreams really do go away when Mommy is there. Shield them from the bad, teach them morals and hold hands with them until you can’t any longer. Praise them, guide them and nourish them. Show them you care, show them who rules the roost and always be proud of them.

My mother ruled our roost. She taught me how to make meatloaf and that a balanced dinner could consist of yogurt, cheese and grapes! She taught me that it is okay to cry and take a “moment” alone and that she is always there for me. She showed me what unconditional love looked like. She showed me that being a mom is hard but yet so rewarding. If I can be half the mom she is…I will be lucky.

So, to all you moms who are reading this in between feedings, tantrums, diapers and school pickups, know that you are not alone and that you are the heartbeat that keeps things alive and going! Welcome to the most real job you will ever have! I salute all of you!

My Mommy’s Day gift to you is our wonderful new layout! Everything you have always loved about Giggle Magazine PLUS some added fun!

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Visit pinterest.com/ gigglemagazine and follow our pins. Get to know our staff and get DIY activity ideas for your family. Our boards include: Cool Crafts, Gifting Ideas, Products We Love and many more.

"@gigglemagazine Just read your article, "Mom I'm Bored," by Allen Haynes! Great suggestions, but we have another: Get kids active in sports!"

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Join the discussion @GiggleMagazine

 Head to the Giggle Talk Blog at gigglemag.com to find weekly inspiration for the home including kids activities, recipes and tips that just make life easier. You can also find important news you need to know before the magazine hits stands, in addition to funny stories and musings of the Giggle Magazine team.

Behind The SceneS

With Carol Muschamp

 For our Mother's Day issue, we had the pleasure of being invited to take a peek into the life of Carol Muschamp, mommy of two extremely well-mannered boys and wife of our very own Gator head football coach, Will Muschamp.

In her Giggle-exclusive interview, Carol shares her insights on being a Gainesville mom, her favorite family recipe and her mommy mantra.

Thank you, Carol, for opening your life and home to our readers for our special Mother's Day issue.

Photos by Patricia Bishop Photography

Photo by Patricia Bishop Photography

life

LIFESAVERS

 Cartoons Without the "Parent Guilt"

BY DANA KAMP

We know our children should have limited time in front of the TV. But every mommy needs 20 minutes every now and then to shower, pay bills or actually have a meal. So when we do allow them to watch a children’s cartoon, it should at least be educational and interactive, right? Let’s put aside the mommy guilt and agree that these are some of the best choices on the tube, for those times when everyone needs a short break.

 WordWorld—PBS—Each episode is a fun, colorful adventure, led by a group of WordFriend animals, of building words by sounding them out and putting the letters together to see them come alive and transform into the actual thing they are spelling.

 Little Einsteins—Disney Junior—

A group of four young friends embarks on a mission with their magic rocket in a beautiful introduction to famous artwork, landmarks and classical music pieces.

 Super Why!—PBS—Using his “power to read,” this mini super hero helps his friends, and your children, solve an everyday problem by jumping into a book, reading and understanding the story’s main focus and showing how to use it to help their situation.

 Go, Diego, Go!/Dora the Explorer—Nick Junior—Whether on a wildlife rescue adventure with Diego or a confidence-boosting, interactive journey with Dora and her monkey friend, Boots, children will be introduced to Spanish vocabulary, social skills, math and science.

 Stanley—Disney Junior—A curious, imaginative 6-year-old uses his magical zoology book, the “Great Big Book of Everything,” to observe

 Take TV Watching Control Back

When you feel like the TV has taken over your home, follow these simple rules to get your control back.

1. Take the TVs out of the kids' rooms. This will encourage more creative thinking, reading time and restful sleep. That includes all iPads/iTouches with TV show access!

2. No TV during dinner time. Use dinner time to encourage family time and conversations.

3. Use the kitchen timer. Set a timer to monitor and limit their TV time.

4. No TV during the week! When school is in session, turn off the TV! This will help keep them on track with their studies.

and interact with animals in order to find out the answer to an intriguing, but sometimes hard-to-understand everyday concept.

 Ni Hao, Kai-lan—Nick Junior— Introduce your children to Mandarin Chinese vocabulary and phrases while little Kai-lan and her friends help each other recognize and deal with their changing emotions.

 Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Disney Junior—Your children are invited to be a part of the adventure with the beloved Mickey Mouse and his pals as they sing, dance, search and count on their way through a colorful, entertaining challenge.

 Sid the Science Kid—PBS— Energetic and inquisitive Sid brings your children into his preschool classroom and home as he questions, investigates, observes and measures to answer science-related questions a young child may ponder. 

WHAT SHOULD YOU DO WHEN YOU SEE YOUR FRIEND'S CHILDREN MISBEHAVING? DO YOU TELL THEIR PARENTS? DISCIPLINE THE CHILDREN YOURSELF? OR, IGNORE THE BEHAVIOR?

BY WENDY ECKHARDT

It happens every day. Although we all have done our very best to raise our children to show respect to their elders and their friends, share, use their manners and treat others the way they would like to be treated, they are going to have an “off” day. They are going to misbehave. They are going to make a bad choice. So, what if they make that bad choice and you are not around? Would you want someone else to discipline them? Would you discipline your friend’s children and tell them how you expect them to behave?

HERE IS WHAT OUR READERS HAD TO SAY:

I have done all three, depending on the situation and how well I know the parent. I find I mostly ignore the behavior in hopes the parent will step in and discipline her own child. I usually do this thing where I say, "oh no sweetie" and then my voice trails off and I look at the parent in hopes she will take over. I follow the other parent's queue and if she doesn't seem to care then I ignore the bad behavior and hope my child doesn't pick up those bad choices. If the other child is causing harm to one of my own children then I would certainly ask him to stop. It's a tough call because I do not want to offend anyone. I am a rule follower all the way and unrealistically expect the same from other people. Usually I find I am disappointed at the lack of discipline from other parents. I have found there seems to be this tendency by parents to not discipline in front of other parents. Instead they hope

What the experts suggest!

Advice for this situation varies widely. Most often, it depends on how well you know the parent and what the offense was that caused your reaction to the child in the first place. It is suggested that you tread lightly when it comes to disciplining your friend’s children. If you value your friendship, you may want to ignore the behavior and allow your friend the opportunity to discipline on her own.

if they say their child's name 10 times in a stern voice the bad behavior will stop.

--Michelle S.

Well, it would depend on how close of a friend she is. If it was a child of one of my closest friends, I would feel comfortable talking to or disciplining the child directly. At the very least, I would tell my friend so she could handle the situation. I also would want to know if my child was misbehaving, so I could address the situation.

--Allyson M.

If the behavior would immediately endanger a child, I would intervene. If the misbehavior was mild and the child was under my supervision (but the parent was not there), I would gently redirect the child. When the parent is present, I believe she should intervene, correct or discipline her own children.

--Karen

H.

However, the level of offense also leads experts to fluctuate their suggestions. If the offense is severe, you need to speak up. Suggestions range from calling the parent immediately to ending the activity you are sharing with the child. It all depends on your level of comfort with the relationship you have with your friend. If you feel comfortable enough to talk with your friend, share your frustrations and devise a plan on how to deal with each other’s children when they misbehave. If you value your friendship too much and do not want to cause a rift between you, you should try to plan activities together when your children are not around.

Remember, telling someone how to raise his or her child is one thing. But, disciplining a child for something they have done wrong is another. Use your best judgment and remember to send more love than judgment to your friends. We all know our kids cannot be perfect all of the time!

iRewardChart

iRewardChart is a motivational tool for your iPhone, iPod Touch, or iPad. You can create a star chart or token board to help reinforce positive behaviors using visual rewards. Use of motivational charts is not limited to any one group. We all benefit from motivation to achieve our goals! This type of praise or approval will help parents of typically developing children, children with autism, developmental delays, ADHD, and anxiety disorders. We've updated the app to support multiple users and added more customizable options.

What would you do if...

[Your teenager came home with a tattoo?]

As long as they were 18, I wouldn't mind. If they weren't, I would probably ground them until they were 18.

Shae C.

My son has told me that once he is 18, he is going to get one. Bottom line, discussion and consequences as any other breach of appropriate behavior and expectations.

Louise L.

I don't have a problem, per se, with tattoos or piercings. I remember having my belly button done in college, and I'm pretty sure I didn't ask. I would want to know the reason behind it- was it in remembrance of a person or event? Was it something that was important to him? Now, if he just did it because "everyone else was doing it," I'd be disappointed.

Debbie S.

Photos by iRewardChart

life

The Sorgi Family: Living In Gainesville

team and Faith likes horseback riding and karate.

• Favorite sports to watch: We like all of them--we watched a lot of the Olympics when they were on.

• Pets: Buddy (golden retriever), Sasha (spitz), Jeffrey (gecko), and Stella and Bella (guinea pigs).

• Favorite vacation: Crystal River. We go once or twice every summer so I can do the triathlon, and spend the weekend kayaking and fishing. It’s heaven.

• What makes my kids laugh: Each other. We try not to take ourselves too seriously.

• Occupation(s): Jason--Owns a karate school, Katsu Dojo. Debbie--Membership Director at Haile Plantation Golf & Country Club. Scotty--Excels at annoying his sister and making funny faces. Faith--Proficient in telling on her brother for making said faces.

• Favorite meal: We’re a hot mess when it comes to eating. Jason is gluten free, I don’t eat meat, Scotty eats everything and anything, and Faith survives on hummus and goldfish. Jason, Scotty and Faith love steak, though, and I’m a huge fan of Chef Rolf’s (from the Club) Orzo salad. It’s amazing!

• Favorite date spot: If we’re going out, I would say Embers, hands down. We also love to have people over to our house, and I’ll make a big meal and open a bottle of wine. We entertain a lot, and try to keep it casual.

• Movie in our DVD player right now: None. We’re big fans of Netflix. Jason likes action and sci-fi, and I’m a huge fan of documentaries and thrillers. Scotty likes everything, and Faith watches anything with horses, princesses and/or fairies.

• Our family is most like: “I Love Lucy.” (Although we don’t sleep in different beds!)

• Our child's favorite books: Scotty loves sports books; Faith is a fan of “Pout Pout Fish” and “Skippy Jon Jones.”

• Mommy and Daddy’s favorite TV shows: Jason loves “Supernatural” and “Dr. Who.” I’m embarrassed to admit I love any of “The Real Housewives” series. It’s like watching a train wreck. I also love the Food Network.

• Websites we love: I love the Pioneer Woman, Annie’s Eats, and Bakerella. I also love CookingLight.com. Jason likes a lot of the political sites--I won’t name which ones.

• Favorite sports to play: I love running, triathlons and competitive shopping. Jason likes karate and kettle bells, and runs stadiums with his students. Scotty plays on a travel lacrosse

• Something that we would want our children to have that we didn’t have growing up: We both had great childhoods. I wouldn’t change a thing. However, I would love for my children to have the freedom we did--to be able to stay out until the streetlights went on. We lived in a very safe neighborhood, and could stay out all day without checking in. I just don’t think kids these days

Jason, Debbie, Scotty (14) and Faith (7).

Photos by Lifeprints Photography

We are happy to put our roots down here.

know what that feels like, and I’m sad that they aren’t able to live in that kind of world.

• Favorite day trip: The beach--Crescent or St. Augustine.

• First word you think of when we say “family”: I can’t think of one word, but I love this quote from Bill Cosby, “Even though your kids will consistently do the exact opposite of what you're telling them to do, you have to keep loving them just as much.” This one is also a gem, “Always end the name of your child with a vowel, so that when you yell the name will carry.”

• Must-have item: Patience. And coffee.

• Favorite family activity: Weekends by the river.

• Three words that describe our family: Loud, rowdy and rambunctious. We love and laugh big and you always know when we’re around.

• Why we love living in Gainesville: Jason and I both went to UF, and I tell people we’ve just moved from one side of the city to another. I love the small town feeling, and I love the “Mom and Pop” stores that I’ve been going to for years. We are close to some of the bigger cities, and have phenomenal sporting and cultural events to go to. We were happy to put our roots down here. 

Cultivating a relationship in this crazy season we call parenthood

Keeping your love alive!

"Dialogue daily, date weekly, depart monthly, dream annually."

BY BROOKE NEWELL

These are words of wisdom eloquently spoken and lived by Dr. Gary Crawford, author of “In Celebration of Love, Sex, and Marriage.” Often, we are too busy in our lives to slow down and spend time with our spouses. Work, children, extra-curricular activities and social activities take up so much of our time. This phrase is a helpful reminder and guide to effectively designate time with your spouse. Also, for the guys reading this, a helpful checklist to work off of as well.

 Dialogue daily: This is simply taking time each day, such as around the table at dinner or breakfast, and talking with each other. You are not finding out just facts, but feelings. Asking questions like "What’s on your mind?" or "What issue are you facing this week?" can go a long way in deepening your relationship.

 Date weekly: The beauty of this is it keeps you intentionally thinking of each other throughout the week as you think about your plans. A great way to set up weekly dates is to swap babysitting duties with friends. You’ll save money on a babysitter and not feel guilty about getting out of the house. Many places around town offer live music

throughout the week, which is always fun and relaxing. Also, check out the specials at local restaurants and try to eat at a different restaurant each time. This will allow you to learn more about the beauty of Gainesville and all it has to offer.

 Depart monthly: Taking a whole Saturday to spend with each other will create memories you'll never forget. A great idea is to have a no-technology day and spend the day in the many beautiful parks and trails here in town. Kanapaha Botanical Gardens is a fantastic place to enjoy a romantic picnic together. Driving to St. Augustine and walking around the historic areas and visiting the beach are fun, low-cost ways to spend time together.

The key is to take the time to plan these trips three-six

months in advance so you have it in the calendar. If you do not plan these dates, all of your other activities will quickly fill up your time, and you will easily forget about spending this special time with the one who means the most to you. A favorite activity for many couples is planning themed date nights. This can easily be done once your children fall asleep for the evening. For example, for a “Mexican Night,” you can make tacos and homemade guacamole, enjoy a margarita, and watch “The Mexican” with Brad Pitt.

 Dream annually: This is a week-long trip (or longer) done on an annual basis. Dialogue is a must in preparation for this because you want to have a trip that you both will enjoy. Whatever you do, make sure there is ample time to be with each other and build memories together. 

Enjoy a little morning date with these cute mugs, perfect for a morning boost together! stay connected!

Avocado is an app that can be used for everything from "hugging" your sweetie who is far away to making a grocery list easy. The app is couple exclusive, complete with a password, and allows couples to virtually hug, kiss, send messages or photos, keep a calendar just for the two of you or share lists that notify you when your partner makes a change. Users can also create a shared media gallery and chronicle their relationship together to make sure nothing is forgotten. Avocado is available for iOS, Android and allows users to log in on the web.

Avocado photo provided by Avocado, Couple photo by Patricia Bishop Photography, Mug photo by Molly Seebol

A Summer IN CHINA

AN UNFORGETTABLE SIX-WEEK ADVENTURE FOR TWO

BY KELLY GOEDE

China is a land of paradox-stark contrasts between beauty and ruin, wealth and poverty, ancient and modern. Farmers plow their rice paddies with oxen in the shadows of high rises and BMWs. It is a nation filled to the brim with people--a sea of humanity in every public place. In the summer of 2011, my husband Todd and I traveled to China for six weeks to teach Chinese English teachers improved methodology, as well as share American culture-something their students crave and desire to emulate. We left our four children in the loving care of their grandparents and traveled from Tampa to Phoenix to San Francisco to Hong Kong and finally to Beijing, for training.

Arriving in China, the culture shock was like plunging into a freezing cold pool. Our minds were too jet-lagged to fully process standing on The Great Wall or walking through The Forbidden City. After training, we flew to Changsha, in the Hunan Province--known as a furnace city for their hot weather and even hotter food. When ordering my food I learned right away to give the instructions “bu la,” meaning “not spicy!” If I didn’t, my lips would be numb for hours after eating. We settled into our university, my husband and I sharing a dorm room. Each day started with a Skype call to our kids, who were soaking up grandparent love. Our team would eat breakfast together--noodles, hard boiled eggs, maybe watermelon (xigua), and a yogurt drink. And always, at every meal, a steaming pot of tea, with the leaves floating freely inside.

We each taught our own class of about 15 students, helping them practice speaking

and listening and letting them hear a native English speaker talk. Most of our students possessed a working knowledge of English grammar that far exceeded our own, but would only teach their English classes using Chinese because they lacked proficiency and confidence in speaking and using English in a conversational setting. As we conversed in English, we learned about their lives and we shared about ours in return. A hot topic for them was our four children--and they would all tell us about the one-child policy in China. Our students loved Disney, “The Sound of Music,” and John Denver. I sang “Country Roads” more times than I could count. The cultural exchange for all parties involved was like drinking from a fire hydrant! Each night, after six or more hours of teaching and lecture, we would return to our dorm and place another Skype call to our children, who were just waking up. Every day we had a new experience to share with them.

In our downtime, our students accompanied us to historical sites, museums, shopping malls and the grocery store (my favorite place). Our outings allowed us to bond with our students and talk about our lives in America. We compared Chinese and

American weddings, birthday celebrations, holidays and daily rituals. Todd celebrated his birthday while in China and his birthday cake was decorated with cherry tomatoes and grapes. We were even able to attend church in Beijing and Changsha.

As our summer wound down, we found ourselves longing for our children and our home, and yet our sadness over leaving our students was palpable. We came to China to develop friendships with the people and serve them simply by speaking English. In the process of sharing our lives and living out our calling, we developed deep friendships and our departure would be bittersweet. Over forty hours of travel brought us home and into the arms of our children, a reunion like nothing I have ever experienced. I returned to my role as mother with fresh perspective. The ease of American life, the great personal freedom we experience, clean water straight from the tap (without having to boil it first), air conditioning, and the First Amendment-none of these were lost on me. And my children now have a much broader view of the world...and they are learning to use chopsticks. 

Photos provided by Goede family

Save The Planet One Light bulb At A Time

BY SELENA GARRISON

Everyone wants to save money and go easy on the environment, but sometimes we can take eco savings to the extreme!

Here are some guidelines for what to do and what not to do when it comes to making household savings decisions.

 Do

Change out your regular light bulbs for CFL light bulbs. CFL bulbs last 10 times longer and use 75 percent less energy than traditional bulbs.

Unplug appliances and electronics when not in use. 75 percent of the energy used by electronics is consumed when they are turned off!

Clean or replace air conditioning filters regularly. This allows the air to flow freely without putting unnecessary pressure on the system.

Open the dishwasher door to air

Making Cents of Eco Savings

• By turning down the thermostat on your water heater from 140 degrees to 120 degrees, you can save $30 or more per year on energy costs.

dry dishes instead of using the drying cycle. Air drying will save energy and money!

Wash only full loads of dishes and clothes. This will utilize energy and water efficiently.

 Don’t

Close air vents in unused rooms to save energy. This just causes the air to be redirected to other locations and puts more pressure on the air conditioning fan, causing it to work harder and use more energy!

Crank the thermostat up or down to heat or cool your house faster. Thermostats are pretty simple devices. They direct the cooling (or heating)

• By installing a water filter on your sink at home, you can save about $360 a year on purified water.

• While CFL light bulbs cost more than traditional light bulbs, the reduced energy use and extended life span will save you

unit to turn on until a set temperature is reached and then turn off. By turning the air way up or way down, you are just going to make the system stay on longer and burn more energy, with the risk of making your house really cold or really hot.

 Reuse sandwich bags, trash bags, etc. These are disposable for a reason! Bacteria can grow in them and cause illness. Instead, buy containers that are meant to be reused.

Buy food in bulk and then throw half of it away. While buying in bulk can really save money on nonperishables, be careful when buying fruits, vegetables and other items that may go bad before you use them. 

about $30 per bulb over their lifetime.

• Using a smart power strip or unplugging appliances and electronics when not in use can save you up to 15 percent on your entire electric bill!

life

Spring Days

The days are longer and the weather is a touch warmer. Do you know what that means? Spring is here and it’s time for outdoor fun! Whether you stay at home or visit nearby parks, the spring air welcomes an array of family fun.

 Go on a treasure hunt. Did you know that Hoggetown Creek off 34th Street is a secret hiding place for long lost shark teeth? Take buckets and sifters and you will find a plethora of shark teeth waiting for you.

 Catch some Gator baseball. Take the family out for a fun family night (or afternoon) to the Alfred A. McKethan Stadium on the UF campus to cheer on the Gator baseball team. Check gatorzone.com for the schedule.

 Get cultured. Take advantage of our great museums.

 Have tea for two. Tea parties with your little one can be so much fun out in the backyard during spring. Play dress-up and use your “fine” china.

 Throw a block party. Springtime is the perfect opportunity to meet your neighbors and have a block party. Keep it safe and simple.

 Visit a Farmers Market. Fresh local fruits and veggies are all the rage at your local farmers market. Keep the schedules and your grocery list on your fridge to make shopping easy.

Visit the museums.

Gainesville has two of Florida's best museums in the Harn Museum of Art and the Florida Museum of Natural History. The best part is they're right next to each other. Spend a Saturday in the Museum of Natural History's Discovery Room. This ever-changing room of science and curiosity is great for a family learning experience. Some of the room's highlights include a wind tunnel and salt water aquarium, among many other fascinating discoveries.

After you're done discovering, head across the parking lot to the Harn Museum of Art and see the Printmaking in the Age of Rembrandt exhibit which includes more than 100 prints by 30 artists and even features nine of Rembrandt's own etchings.

April 6

don't miss these!

Viva 2013! havenhospice.org/viva

April 6

Orange & Blue Game

April 14

Little Red Riding Hood Performing Arts Center at PK Younge dance@suncountrysports.com

April 20

The Great Cloth Diaper Change

April 21

Alachua Spring Festival

April 22 Earth Day

May 5

O2B A Kid Again 2013 acpsf.org

May 10

Chick-Fil-A Leadercast

May 11

Tioga Car Show

Benefiting The Sebastian Ferrero Foundation

May 12

Mother's Day!

Visit Giggle Magazine's full community events calendar on gigglemag.com

Inspiring

WORKING MOTHERS

JENNY HIGHLANDER

Husband: Josh Highlander

Married 5 years

Children: Colton (3) and Teague (1)

Career: Manager of Corporate Communications for RTI Biologics

Who do you have in your life for support? My husband is the only person who really can relate to what I go through so he’s definitely my rock. He doesn’t tolerate whining so when I start in he helps me focus on all the blessings in our life and is great at helping our family find direction. Of course, my mommy friends – both working moms and stay-at-home moms – are always there to cheer me up, give great advice and listen to me whine when my husband won’t!

How do you relieve stress? Checking stuff off of my to-do list. I don’t truly relax until I know that my major projects at work are under control and my home and personal life are in order. When I feel overwhelmed I just have to throw myself into the work that needs to be accomplished. In my pre-family days I relieved stress by running and reading. I’m hoping to make both of those a focus this year now that the boys are getting a little older.

at the start of each day."

local working moms that inspire us with their strength and devotion

"My absolute favorite thing is seeing theirSmiling faces

Photos by Verve Studio

 What is your favorite day of week/time of day and why? My favorite day is a toss-up between Saturday and Sunday but my favorite time of day is the same all week. My absolute favorite thing is seeing their smiling faces at the start of each day. There is something about those sleepy little eyes and the first smile of the day. We start every day with cuddles and quiet time, no matter whether it’s a work day or a weekend.

What is your best mommy survival skill? Survival really is the right word, especially during the early years of baby and toddlerhood. Honestly, my best mommy survival skill is prayer. Sometimes I pray for patience, sometimes for sleep and sometimes for guidance and direction. I have the extra diaper bag in the car and the pre-bagged snacks but prayer is definitely what has helped me survive.

What is your favorite weekday go-to meal? Homemade pizza. It’s so easy to customize for everyone’s tastes.

What is the best thing about working and being a mommy? There are a million best things about being a mommy. I think the best thing about working outside of the home, for me, is the opportunity to pursue something I’m passionate about and develop as an individual. I interact with so many amazing people and I bring that experience home to help develop and grow my boys. I love my job but if I didn’t feel like it was the best thing for my boys and my family, I wouldn’t be able to find the energy to do it all!

MISTY EMERSON

Husband: Ryan Emerson

Married 16 years

Children: Colton (20) and Cary (15)

Career: Independent Director with Thirty-One Gifts, Front End Specialist at Turning Heads Salon

Who do you have in your life for support? My faith and hope are the roots that keep me grounded. When life gets crazy and all else fails, you just have to smile and think, “He is up to something good.” I have been beyond blessed, for the last 16 years, with a husband that rivals Superman at times. Also, no day would be complete in our household without a

kind, encouraging word or giant act of love from our parents, grandparents, sisters, brothers, aunts, uncles and friends.

How do you relieve stress? I love photography, so taking a walk in search of inspiration always lightens my load. Another one of my favorite things to do to relieve stress is invite good friends and close family over, build a fire in our backyard fire pit, break out the guitars and enjoy some time under the stars.

What is your favorite day of week/time of day and why?

I love Saturday mornings. We are usually either enjoying a lazy morning recharging and reconnecting, or heading to the court, as a family, to watch my daughter Cary play volleyball.

"I have been beyond blessed with a Husband

that rivals Superman at times."

What is your best mommy survival skill? Faith, prayer and multitasking! Also, not taking myself too seriously.

What is your favorite weekday go-to meal? We just had this last night for dinner: chicken and black bean burritos, pan-seared sweet corn with garlic, salad with fresh veggies from the farmers market and a little something sweet if we have time.

What is the best thing about working and being a mommy? The best thing about being a working mommy is the plethora of life lesson opportunities it has provided. My children have seen me work hard to provide for them and have witnessed triumphant and character-building moments. I hope through this they have learned that we can’t always control our circumstances, but we can always trust in The One who does.

oh the joys!

MELISSA JONES

Husband: Herb Jones

Married 10 years

Children: Hannah (5), Natalie (3), Emma (21 months) and Caitlin (21 months)

Career: Microbiologist

Who do you have in your life for support? My amazing husband, wonderful parents and friends.

How do you relieve stress? Prayer, Crossfit, running, and spending time with the people I love.

What is your favorite day of week/time of day, and why? 4:30 a.m. on Monday morning. The house is quiet, I'm

and that's okay."

refreshed from the weekend and I get to spend time being quiet and looking forward to a new week.

What is your best mommy survival skill? Accepting the truth that I will mess up, that things will not be perfect and that's okay. Imperfection is real life and demonstrating how I live and act in light of that is better for my kids than life always being perfect.

What is your favorite weekday go-to meal? One pot spaghetti and meatballs.

What is the best thing about working and being a mommy? Appreciating the time I have with my kids since I don't get to see them a lot during the day.

"Things will not be Perfect

day off

JOHNELLY GREEN

Husband: Matt Green

Married 8 years

Children: Elena Hope (6) and Sophia Leslie (3)

Career: Registered Nurse, Shands Rehab Hospital

Who do you have in your life for support? My biggest support is my husband, who is always willing to lend a hand with housework, while encouraging me to be the best employee for my job that I can be. He is my biggest advocate; he recognizes when I am doing well with the work/home load, and also when I am desperately in need of some “me” time! I think

one of the best things that has happened to us as parents is the fact that since I work many weekends and holidays, he is home with the children by himself a lot. He understands what it is like to be at home with children all day long and he knows what it is like to constantly shift gears from home to work, and that compels him to help out at home.

How do you relieve stress? I have a great circle of girlfriends that I get together with on occasion, and we sit around and talk for hours over dessert/wine/ coffee. It helps me forget about all the day's events and responsibilities, and makes me feel like the young chick that I forget I still am!

is ever taken for granted."

"No

What is your favorite day of the week/time of day, and why? I am blessed that I work three-four days a week, so I usually take one of my days off, (while Elena is at school and I pay for an extra day of daycare for Sophia), and designate it as my “me” day. That is when I make my hair/nail/facial appointments, go grocery shopping (alone!), eat lunch with my husband (our weekly "date"), and sit in front of the TV with a nice warm cup of coffee. No laundry that day! It's never the same day of the week, because my schedule always changes, but I look forward to this day every week!

What is your best mommy survival skill? COFFEE!! And my “me” day.

What is your favorite weekday go-to meal? Anything in the crockpot. I use it two-three times a week. It makes the evening 100 times easier because dinner is ready when we get home!

What is the best thing about working and being a mommy? It makes me value the time that I do have with my kids. Any weekend or holiday that I don't work is automatically more special, because I get to be with my family. No day off is ever taken for granted, and even things as small as going for a walk together makes me thankful that I'm able to be there and enjoy it with them. When you're constantly bouncing around from work to housework to errands to school activities, just being together is huge! It makes you appreciate the little things.

REGINA JACKSON

Husband: Quintilin Jackson

Married 3 years

Children: David DeAndre (3), Aniyah

Queen Esther & Jeremiah Isaiah (2 months)

Career: Family, youth and community services/Christian ministry

Who do you have in your life for support? I have an awesome husband who has always been a great support through everything, the best family, great friends and a church family who I can always depend on.

How do you relieve stress? Going to the gym or watching TV/movies at night.

What is your favorite day of week/time of day, and why? I would say Sunday is my favorite day because it’s the day I get to see and catch up with my church family as well as it’s usually the day I get to chill and enjoy my own family. It’s pretty much our Sabbath.

What is your best mommy survival skill? A family member once told me during my pregnancy with my first child that with children you have to have patience, and for me patience is definitely the

key! Learning how to not let every little thing get to you and to go with the flow, especially with kids, because as we all know things can be so unpredictable at times!

What is your favorite weekday go-to meal? Quaker instant grits and shredded cheese.

What is the best thing about working and being a mommy? Getting to love on and encourage others while also doing the same at home and seeing the fruits of it. 

"For me Patience is definitely the key."

THE WORKING MOM'S SURVIVAL GUIDE

goodies!

"Be

Paperweight Keep a little inspiration at your fingertips. uncommongoods.com

Face Mug

Keep your favorite snack handy with your coffee on your desk. uncommongoods.com

BEST MOM APPS

 Grocery Gadget Shopping List-Create lists that save time and money at home and at the grocery store.

 iSlick for the online shopperFor the shopping mommy! Amazing deals on electronics, clothes and more.

 Mint.com Personal FinanceAll your accounts in one place.

 Feeding Your KidsEncourages healthy eating tips.

 Nike Training ClubYour own personal trainer.

 Stylish Girl - browse photos of the outfits in your closet before you make it home for your date with the hubby.

 Intuition: Mom's Personal Assistant - location assistance feature finds out if you are near any places where you can complete your errands.

 Find My iPhone - Locate your missing phone as it plays music for you.

 Dragon Dictation - On the go? Dictate your emails and texts.

17 Month Agenda

This classic and bright agenda is perfect for the mom on-the-go. lillypulitzer.com

Classic Balance Ball Chair

Long hours at the office can be hard on the body. The Gaiam’s Classic Balance Chair can help keep you cozy and comfy during work hours. gaiam.com

speckproducts.com

TO CHECK THAT EMAIL OR NOT! AVOID THE

guilt trip

Go easy on yourself. From being okay with not being "Sally Homemaker" to knowing when to check that email and when to give yourself permission to stop and just be Mom, follow these easy tips for a guilt-free working and parenting life!

• Think ahead. If you know that email will tie you down for the next 30 minutes, give yourself permission to ignore it until you're back at your desk or send a quick response confirming you'll get to it in the morning.

• Hide your phone. Give yourself phone boundaries when at home. Place your phone in a safe place until the kids are fast asleep. Take it out after your kids have had your full attention for the evening and it's now mommy time.

• Ask for help. Don't hesitate to ask a friend to help with school pick-up on that long day of work or have your neighbor keep an eye on the kids while you finish dinner. A little help goes a long way and you would be surprised how much your mommy friends would appreciate the same!

• Don't compare. Do it the way that works for you. Your friend who works once a week can probably help her little one prepare those impressive Pinterest birthday invites, but snatch a free printable online that's just as cute and do yours in no time. Your birthday girl will be just as happy!

• Use a lunch break. If you work fairly close to your kindergartner's school, use your lunch break to sneak in lunch time with your child. Even if it's small spurts of time, giving them any time boosts your connection and makes for a happy child.

• Date nights with the kids. This is a great opportunity to spend oneon-one quality time with the kids and catch up. 

From the office to home, use these tips and goodies to make it through your busy working mommy week.

the Change"

iGuy Kid-friendly iPad holder.

of a working giggle mommy

6:00 a.m. Clock by bed makes noise insisting I get out of bed. Reprimand clock by hitting snooze button.

6:25 a.m. Clock by bed repeats noises for a second time. Its argument seems valid now. Get out of bed.

6:30 a.m. Coffee brewing. Tell boys it’s time to get up and get ready for school. Hear grumbling from their beds.

6:35 a.m. Repeat telling boys it’s time to get up. Hear, “ok Mom” in unison, but no other signs of life come from beds.

6:40 a.m. Boys still in bed. Physically wake them up.

6:45 a.m. BOYS AWAKE!

6:50 a.m. Make boys lunch. Cup of coffee #1. Ask Tyler to take out dog. Nicholas takes apart lunch, and remakes. Joshua searches for iPad.

7:30 a.m. Send boys out the door with Daddy to school. Kiss Kiss!

8:15 a.m. Dressed, array of bags packed, computer and 2nd cup of coffee in tow and on way to work.

8:30 a.m. First meeting of day with Allen, who clearly has not been awake very long. Pot of “productivity juice” A.K.A. coffee brewing in office. Have 3rd and 4th cups of coffee discussing day’s itinerary,

deadlines and whether or not Publix should deliver.

9:00 a.m. Full day of editing, writing, and responding to emails

Noon Lunch time! Should it be pizza or should we juice? JUICE WINS!

2:30 p.m. Leave to pick up boys. Work remotely via iPhone.

2:45 p.m. Boys loaded up. On way to drop Nicholas off at gymnastics practice. Check voicemail/email in parking lot. Call office to check in. Allen says, “You left?! I’ve been yelling down the hall for an hour. I thought you were ignoring me.”

3:30 p.m. Take Tyler and Joshua home. Snack time. Tyler starts homework. Turn on computer and start working at table. Josh watches TV and plays on iPad.

5:30 p.m. Leave to get Nicholas from gymnastics with boys in tow.

6:30 p.m. Home. Homework time for Tyler and Nicholas.

7:00 p.m. Dinner time. Grilled cheese?

7:30 p.m. Baths!

8:00 p.m. Bedtime for boys. Night night!

8:05 p.m. Joshua and Nicholas need water. Back to bed.

8:15 p.m. Tyler wants to talk about his weekend's plans. Back to bed.

8:20 p.m. Joshua needs more water. With ice this time! BACK TO BED!!!

8:45 p.m. Back to work. Emails, writing, editing oh my!

12:00 a.m. Bed for Mommy!

6:15 a.m. Alarm goes off! Snooze...

6:40 a.m. "Mama, Mama," shouts the 1-year-old.

7:00 a.m. Turn Mickey Mouse on for baby, pick the cheerios up off the floor to a more civilized spot for baby to munch.

7:25 a.m. Help Daddy load the kids up in car for school and daycare drop-offs.

7:30 a.m. Mommy’s quiet time, then some alone time to get dressed for work.

8:30 a.m. One last peek at early morning emails.

8:40 a.m. Out the door with coffee and breakfast in hand--if I was lucky that morning to get those all prepared!

9:00 a.m. Arrive at office. And so begins my daylong date with hubby #2: the iMac.

10:00 a.m. I’m a snacker. Snack #1.

Noon Lunch.

1:32 p.m. Snack #2.

2:30 p.m. Snack #3 (yes, I really did).

3:20 p.m. Off to pick up the kiddos.

3:45 p.m. Red light. Facebook.

4:00 p.m. Explain during the whole drive why we can't have a sleepover on a school night.

4:30 p.m. Finally pull in from the pick-up trek around town.

5:00 p.m. Dinner time for the kiddos.

5:20 p.m. Kindergarten homework somewhere in between.

5:30 p.m. Play time outside.

5:45 p.m. Daddy's home! Yay for extra hands.

6:00 p.m. Mommy and Daddy steal some dinner time together at the table.

6:01 p.m. 1-year-old insists on joining us at the table to grab a few more bites from our plates.

6:20 p.m. Bath time routines begin.

Baby bath first, big girl shower second, or bubble bath for both for a little fun!

7:00 p.m. Bed time for the kids.

7:10 p.m. Catch up on side design business work.

8:15 p.m. Catch a zumba class if the day and energy allows.

10:00 p.m. Mommy and Daddy couch/TV/relax time. Read, Pin, Facebook, fall asleep...

11:00 p.m. Bedtime for Mommy and Daddy, to start all over again

6:05 a.m. Phone alarm blasts!

6:05:01 a.m. Hit snooze.

Dana Alison

6:10 a.m. Roll over to find all four kiddos in bed.

6:15 a.m. Roll out of bed and hope that no one wakes up so I can enjoy a few moments of silence.

6:16 a.m. Minute of silence ends when the kids wake up and place breakfast orders!

6:20 a.m. Make four breakfasts, make four lunches, iron five sets of clothes, look for four pairs of matching socks and shoes, check and respond to emails… all at the same time.

7:00 a.m. Get kiddos dressed and put on shoes…for the first time.

7:45 a.m. Grab a Diet Coke and saltines for breakfast and head out…we are going to be late again!

7:59 a.m. First drop off complete!

8:15 a.m. Arrive at second drop off…put shoes on again because the three babies have decided barefoot is better and re-do Brooke’s hair because she is so proud that she has taken it down all by herself!

8:30 a.m. Starbucks run for the office!

8:50 a.m. Arrive at office for a full day of writing, editing, research, brainstorming and emails.

Noon Lunch! I am game for anything that isn’t chicken tenders, mac ‘n’ cheese or pizza!

3:30 p.m. Finally home…kids head straight outside to play and Mommy squeezes in a few more emails.

5:30 p.m. Babysitter arrives! Yippee! Backup for Mommy!

6:00 p.m. Head out to activities, meetings, or the rare date night with Daddy!

8:00 p.m. Boys head to bed…Brooke always wants a little extra snuggle time while I check emails…again. Realize that I may or may not have actually eaten dinner…snacking off the kids’ plates doesn’t count!

10:00 p.m. Finish writing email that I started at 9:30 a.m. 12:00 a.m. Shut down the computer and think about how lucky I am to do what I do, with the people I get to do it with, and smile because I get to do it again tomorrow! Yay!

6:05 a.m. Look at clock...nope.

6:30 a.m. Alarm goes off. Here we go!

6:35 a.m. Make lunches while Daddy makes breakfast for the boys.

6:45 a.m. Get big boys fed, dressed, their teeth brushed, hair combed, backpacks on and cheeks kissed by 7:20 a.m.

7:20 a.m. Push boys out the door and into the car with Daddy.

7:25 a.m. Change Sawyer's diaper and clean up breakfast table.

7:45 a.m. Either volunteer at boys’ school, attempt a yoga dvd while Sawyer hangs from my limbs, or shower while he is banging on the shower door with blocks/shoes/makeup brushes/Thomas the Tank Engine.

9:00 a.m. Mickey Mouse Clubhouse for Sawyer, breakfast/check email for me.

9:30 a.m. Snack and clean up table (and floor where most of the snack landed).

10:00 a.m. Nap time for Sawyer/ Work time for me. Noon Lunch, errands, laundry, appointments, etc.

1:30 p.m. Open and sort mail, check Facebook, and return phone messages while waiting in parent pick-up line.

2:00 p.m. Diaper change, snack and clean up table.

2:30 p.m. Homework begins...

2:45 p.m. Sawyer throws a cup of milk because no one is paying attention to him. Pause homework to clean milk off walls.

3:30 p.m. Outside play time!

4:30 p.m. Diaper change, get Miles and Carson ready for sports/activity.

5:00 p.m. Attend boys’ activity, follow Sawyer around ballfield as he runs from mud puddle to mud puddle.

7:00 p.m. Dinner for boys, put aside two plates’ worth for hubby and me to eat later.

7:30 p.m. Baths for boys...remind each a minimum of three times to please use soap.

8:00 p.m. Books in bed. Night Night for boys!

8:30 p.m. Clean kitchen, lay out school clothes for the next day, check backpacks.

9:00 p.m. Hubby is home! Dinner for us!

9:30 p.m. Editing/writing or Thirty-One orders.

11:30 p.m. Try to go to bed, instead start cleaning house and making to-do lists.

12:30 a.m. Collapse in bed.

forks & spoons

BY NICOLE IRVING

It’s waiting for you…staring you down, empty and hungry for contents. It’s the lunch box!

As you do every morning, you stumble through the kitchen, open the pantry, holding coffee in one hand you grab the peanut butter jar with the other, sigh and think to yourself “another sandwich…another granola bar…another apple.” I am bored just thinking about it. Think about those kids!

In today’s world, with candy, soda and sweets around every corner, parents work so hard to implement good eating habits. We try to sneak “this” into “that” to create a healthier option. The lunch box can be a great opportunity to place the right items in front of them where they have no choice but to eat it. And, as my dad keeps telling me as they fight my food options, “If they are hungry enough, they will eat it.”

So, here are some great tips on how to pack that great lunch so you won’t dread packing it every morning. Hey, you may even pack one for yourself!

Tips:

• Have your children help you grocery shop so you know they will eat what they are given.

• Do not let them snack on lunch box items when home or on the weekends, so these items won’t become mundane.

• Do not send them with money to buy snacks or treats at school unless necessary.

• Keep lunch items cold or hot as needed and make sure it won’t get mushy!

• Pack as much as you can the night before.

The night before:

• Lay out all the lunch boxes on the counter.

• Make sure they are clean and put all frozen packs in the freezer.

• Divide dry goods into reusable containers and put in lunch box.

• Cut up all fruit, portion out, and put in fridge for easy access. (Avoid as much pre-packaged food as possible. It saves on money and is healthier!)

• Add napkins and all silverware needed.

• Put any items in freezer that will need to defrost during the day to be ready for lunchtime, such as water bottles or yogurt.

The morning wrap-up:

• Add freezer packs and frozen items, if any.

• Pack up any cold items, make sandwiches, and add water bottles and fruit.

• Drop in a cute little note and you are ready to go!

 Some of our Gigglers share what they pack in their kiddos’ lunch boxes:

Elaine Almond: Peanut butter and jelly sandwich, a piece of fruit, a cheese stick, milk, something sweet (like a cookie), and something salty (like goldfish).

April Tisher: Reusable water bottles and a milk box, an apple or pear, pretzels, baby carrots and something sweet.

Carrie Groves: Peanut butter and jelly sandwich, flavored water, fruit, a crunchy snack and a sweet treat.

Samantha Rogers: Pepperoni and salami sandwich, a Granny Smith apple, granola bar, pudding cup and water.

Leslie Potter: Nutella sandwich, two Clementine oranges, water, a cheese stick and goldfish crackers.

These reusable, FDA food safe bags are PVC, BPA, phthalate, latex and lead free. Cleaning made easy with angled corners. Comes in many fun patterns!! planetwiseinc.com

forks & spoons

Here's your cheat sheet, Dad!

Mother’s

Day Breakfast-inBed Made

Easy for Dad and the Kids

BY SAMANTHA SIMON

Here are a few quick and simple breakfast recipes that Mom is sure to love. Don’t forget the coffee and orange juice

Open-Faced Breakfast Sandwich

Ingredients:

2 slices whole grain bread

2 large eggs

2 slices cheddar cheese

2 slices tomato

½ avocado

Salt and pepper

Nonstick cooking spray

Spray a small skillet with nonstick cooking spray and cook eggs (omeletstyle or scrambled, whatever Mom prefers!) until set. While eggs are cooking, toast slices of bread and then place avocado (slices or mashed, it’s up to you) onto each slice, followed by a slice of tomato.

When eggs are almost done, add cheddar cheese and let cook for another minute. Then add eggs to each half of the sandwich along with salt and pepper for additional flavor.

*This healthy spin on the traditional breakfast sandwich is sure to be a hit and provide plenty of energy for Mom to begin her day!

Easy Banana Pancakes –From Scratch!

Ingredients:

1 cup flour

1 ½ tablespoons sugar

2 teaspoons baking powder

¼ teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 egg (beaten)

1 cup milk

2 tablespoons vegetable oil

2 ripe bananas, mashed

Combine flour, sugar, baking powder and salt in a medium bowl. Mix remaining ingredients in a separate bowl. Combine both mixtures and stir thoroughly to create a smooth (but still slightly lumpy) batter.

Lightly grease griddle and set heat to medium-high. Pour batter onto griddle in amounts of ¼ cup per pancake. Once the batter starts to bubble, flip pancakes and cook through until they are golden-brown on each side.

*For an added touch, throw some chocolate chips into the mix and top off with maple syrup, butter or whipped cream. You’re sure to impress with this homemade delight.

Draw

forks & spoons

Keeping It Fresh

FOOD

STORAGE TIPS

BY SAMANTHA SIMON

We all dread opening the fridge and finding products that have seen better days, to say the least. Here are some tips for keeping your food fresh and delicious for as long as possible.

Leftovers:

Refrigerate leftovers within two hours of being cooked to prevent bacteria from multiplying and contaminating the meal. To avoid leaks, store the food in shallow, airtight containers. Tightly wrap cooked fish, meat and poultry in cling wrap or aluminum foil.

Eggs: Eggs should be kept in their original carton near the top of the fridge. They should not be placed in the egg tray found on the inside of the refrigerator door, as this area gets too warm when the door is opened.

Packaged

Food:

Tightly wrap perishable items, such as hard cheeses, in cling wrap or aluminum foil after opening to prevent the food from spoiling, drying out or releasing an odor.

Fruits and Vegetables: Do not wash produce before refrigerating, as dampness can result in mold. Store produce in the warmest part of the fridge, usually the bottom drawers. Fruits and veggies release different gases that can cause each other to deteriorate, so keep similar produce together. Items that tend to dry out should be stored in perforated or unsealed plastic bags to allow air to circulate.

Raw Food:

Raw meat, fish and poultry should be kept in their original packaging and stored on the bottom shelf. To prevent leaking, place the package in a plastic bag.

For more storage guidelines, visit the Food Safety and Inspection Service’s website at www.fsis.usda.gov.

IN THE FRIDGE

Have you ever wondered just how long is too long to keep certain foods refrigerated?

Follow these storage time limit guidelines to ensure that your food is still fresh and safe to eat.

Eggs: 3 to 5 weeks

Deli Sliced Lunch Meat: 3 to 5 days

Ground Meat: 1 to 2 days

Fresh Steaks, Chops and Roasts: 3 to 5 days

Fresh Poultry: 1 to 2 days

Seafood: 1 to 2 days

Soups/Stews: 3 to 4 days

Salads (egg, tuna, pasta): 3 to 5 days

Leftovers: 3 to 4 days

The Goal

There are many different reasons people decide to start going to the gym or using a personal trainer. Some want a better butt, some want a bigger chest, some want less flabby arms, and some want to lose body fat. While all these goals are good, they don’t often lead to long term success. Having been a personal trainer for over 10 years now, I have heard the many different goals people set and there is only one goal that most often leads to success. It almost always leads to success actually: good health. When someone says, “I just want to get healthy again.” I know she is going to have long term success. Good health leads to the best looking body that each

The fitness goal that always leads to success

BY CARLY ASSE

person is capable of having, to looking and to feeling her best. She is willing to do whatever it takes, which is adding weight training, cardiovascular training, and making the right changes in her diet.

Why other goals fall short

Most people select short term goals like, “I want to lose 15 pounds before beach season” or “I want to look good for my wedding.” While she may reach her goal of looking good when she walks down the aisle, it is not long until she returns to old habits and loses all the gains she made, and often gains even more weight than where she was

Carly Asse is the owner/ founder of Zen Fitness and has been helping people reach their fitness goals for the past 10 years. thezenfitness.com

before she started. The reason is because we often feel we “deserve a break” and reward ourselves by eating more unhealthy food and exercising less. Sound familiar? We have all seen it or experienced it ourselves at some point. This is only human nature. Once the short term goal is reached and the event comes you think, “Now I can relax. I’ll get back on it in a few days.” But because the short term goal has already been reached it is almost impossible to return to your old short term goal. And so begins the downward spiral to not feeling or looking our best.

I can’t tell you how often I see people wait until a major health problem occurs until they decide to achieve good health. While many health problems can be overcome with exercise and diet, some cannot be overcome so easily. So why wait? We all have family, children and loved ones who want us to be around and to be able to enjoy life to its full capacity! We all want to be able to play outside with our kids and look and feel our best. Now is the time to make healthy changes in your life.

So pick the goal that will always lead to success: good health! 

 Make that change NOW

Because life is difficult to enjoy without your health.

Adding Chia Seeds to Your Life

BY DANA KAMP

You may occasionally sprinkle sesame seeds on your stir fry and sunflower seeds on your salad. You may have even ground flax seeds to blend into your oatmeal. But what about chia seeds? Have you heard about this incredibly beneficial seed that dates back to the ancient Aztecs?

Chia seeds are rich in omega-3s, protein, magnesium, fiber, antioxidants, iron and calcium. They are an excellent natural source of energy and they slow the body’s conversion of carbohydrates into sugar, helping you to feel fuller for a longer period of time. The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, formerly the American Dietetic Association, recommends 20 to 35 grams of fiber each day, and with nearly 11 grams of fiber per ounce, chia seeds deliver 42 percent of your recommended daily value of fiber in a single serving. Chia seeds can improve digestion, are muscle and tissue builders, and can improve the health of your skin, hair and nails.

With all of these benefits, the downside has to be incorporating them into your diet, right? Actually, these tiny seeds can be eaten raw and unprocessed. You can choose to sprinkle them on top of foods, blend them into what you are preparing, or simply add them to water to create a gel, which can be eaten alone or blended into your foods. In addition, you do not need to use a lot to give your body the incredible nutrition of the seeds. Chia seeds can absorb up to twelve times their weight, so even a serving of 2 tablespoons daily can help hydrate your body, keep your tummy full and fuel your system with powerful antioxidants.

Chia seeds are easy to add to your regular diet because they don’t have a strong flavor of their own. They won’t change the flavor of your favorite foods; they will only add more healthy benefits to what you’re eating.

Add chia seeds to these everyday foods to give yourself, and your family, the nutrition of this amazing superfood!

• Oatmeal and cereal

• Smoothies and milkshakes

• Pudding and yogurt

• Muffins, cake and bread

• Pancake or waffle batter

• Salad dressings, gravies & sauces

• Sautéed or grilled vegetables

• Beef, turkey & tofu burgers

• Juice, water or milk for a fun gel treat

Dry chia seeds can be stored in a sealed container at room temperature for up to two years.

KNOW?

Chia seeds are no longer just part of a 1980s infomercial gag gift. Check out getchia.com and mychiaseeds.com for more information about these super seeds and how to buy them raw or already blended into snacks and drinks.

WEIGHT LOSS CHALLENGE BiG 2013 Update!

To further help the girls understand the diet side of this journey, Dan took the BWLC girls on a Publix shopping trip to learn how to properly shop the aisles and retrain their shopping, nutrition and cooking styles.

DENISE

What I Gave Up

Coke Zero and Arby's fries

What I Love Now

Old fashioned oatmeal with blueberries

TARYN

What I Gave Up

The sweets! Cake, cookies, brownies and Coke Zero

What I Love Now

Bananas, milk and almonds

MELANIE

What I Gave Up

Pizza and ice cream

What I Love Now

Steel cut oats with dried fruit and nuts

JENNIFER

What I Gave Up Cheese

What I Love Now

Almond milk, peanut butter, banana and kale smoothies

KIMBERLY

What I Gave Up

Cheese and french fries

What I Love Now

Pears with walnuts and cinnamon, and hummus and carrots

AMANDA

What I Gave Up

Fried food and fast food

What I Love Now

Sweet potatoes and asparagus

We are four WeekS inTo The BWLc 3 and iT iS going greaT!

Our six ladies have come a long way in a short amount of time. They have been challenged physically and mentally and have been educated on proper exercise form, intensity and progression. They have changed the way they shop for, prepare and eat food. Most importantly, they have made health, longevity and wellbeing a priority in their lives, the lives of their families, and in the lives of those around them. And we are only four weeks in!

A large part of their current and continued success revolves around proper nutrition. In fact, nutrition is 70 percent of this process. I know that sounds like a lot, but it is the truth. We have a saying in the BWLC 3 that “you cannot out train an awful diet.” So, how have these ladies changed their nutrition and eating habits? Simply by following some straight forward guidelines and employing a philosophy that eating is no longer about quickly shoveling down the most convenient and easyto-find foods. Instead, it is about giving their bodies the nutrients they need to grow, repair, replenish and operate optimally. Menus are now being made in advance and meals are prepared the night before. Vegetables, fruits, lean meats, whole grains, water and healthy fats have replaced cereals, processed/fried foods, sodas and nutritionally void foods. They all feel great, have more energy and are sleeping better.

a noTe from dan

Dan Griffin, owner of Sweat Life Fitness and the BWLC girls' trainer, has a mantra...

"You can'T ouT Train an aWfuL

HERE ARE THE GUIDELINES THEY ARE FOLLOWING:

• Shop the perimeter of the grocery store.

• Make a shopping list and a menu – stick to it.

• Buy enough to prepare at least two meals.

• Eat foods as close to their natural source as possible (not processed).

• Use five or less ingredients.

• Don’t use anything that would not have been in your great grandmother’s pantry.

• Avoid “The White Devils” – white rice, white sugar, white bread, white flour and white pasta.

• The 5-Second Rule – if it takes more than five seconds to figure out where the food came from, do not eat it!

• Will it rot? Real food is supposed to spoil.

• Eat your colors.

• No artificial sweeteners.

• 90/10 Rule – do perfect 90 percent of the time.

• Eat at home as often as possible (eat meals that you have prepared).

• Prepare your snacks/meals the night before.

• Drink water – consume half of your body weight in ounces of water each day.

• Limit caffeine and avoid alcohol.

• Eat every three hours.

• Eat A LOT of vegetables, fruit and lean proteins. Eat SOME nuts, extra virgin olive oil, avocado and dairy (skim). Eat a FEW grains – quinoa, oats, barley, Ezekiel bread, brown rice.

SummarY in 9 WordS:

Vegetables, Fruits, Lean Meats, Healthy Fats, Water, No Crap!

Photos by Lifeprints Photography

Skin Care for all AGES

BY DANA KAMP

Teens TWEENS

, we are introduced to so many changes, including our need for new skincare products as our skin ages. It craves different nutrients, vitamins and moisturizing ingredients as our bodies, our lives and our hormones change. Embrace these new variations and try some of the fabulous products below to help move you beautifully along in your skincare journey.

ERNO LASZLO BETA WASH

MEANINGFUL BEAUTY ANTIOXIDANT DAY CRÈME SPF

20 UVA/UVB

Fortified with the exclusive Microencapsulated Melon Complex and dual-action vitamin C, this cocktail of powerful antioxidants combats free radical damage. The bearberry extract and sunscreens help brighten the complexion and smooth out the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles to diminish the visible signs of premature aging.

 Price: $45

Sold separately at 1-877-383-1212 or available at MeaningfulBeauty.com as part of the 5-piece New Advanced System ($39.95 plus s/h for 30-day supply).

PROACTIV 3-STEP SYSTEM

Three daily steps can transform acneprone skin. The Renewing Cleanser has benzoyl peroxide to kill acne-causing bacteria and chamomile extract to help keep skin balanced and hydrated. The Revitalizing Toner removes dead skin cells while soothing and hydrating to help achieve an even-toned complexion. The Repairing Treatment is a medicated lotion that absorbs deep into pores to continue to treat the skin.

 Price: $19.95

Available at proactiv.com.

Remove excess oil and treat blemished skin with a calming, antiseptic gel wash. The oil-free cleanser penetrates pores to deeply cleanse, dislodge impurities and stop the acne production cycle.

 Price: $40 Available at ErnoLaszlo.com.

ALBA BOTANICAS NATURAL ACNEDOTE LINE OF CLEAN ‘N TREAT TOWELETTES, Invisible

Treatment Gel and Deep Pore Wash

These products are free of parabens, phthalates, sodium lauryl/laureth sulfate and sodium myreth sulfate. These natural, powerfully effective products will cleanse and treat acne-prone skin without drying or irritating.

 Price: $5.99-$9.95

Available at natural food stores and albabotanica.com.

AHAVA TIME TO TREAT COMFORTING CREAM

Combining AHAVA’s exclusive Osmoter™, Phyto Dermud™ Complexes and skinsoothing, moisturizing and antiinflammatory ingredients such as tomato fruit extract, green tea extract and vitamin E, skin is given instant comfort, soothing relief, intense hydration and powerful antioxidant protection. It has been clinically proven to reduce symptoms of sensitive skin and increase protection against future sensitivity in four days.

 Price: $45 Available at AHAVAUS.com.

As we move into new chapters of our lives

40s 50s Winme!

PROACTIV CLARIFYING NIGHT CREAM

Clear skin and prevent wrinkles at the same time. Over time, your complexion will feel smoother and appear brighter and more even-toned. Ingredients include chamomile, kukui nut oil and other soothing botanicals..

 Price: $27

Available at discoverproactiv.com.

MEANINGFUL BEAUTY CRÈME DE SERUM

Using highly advanced technology, the active ingredients found in the Crème de Serum are suspended separately until the moment they are released. The orange swirl provides protection with a superoxide dismutase (SOD) from rare French melon, the white swirl contains antiaging peptides to minimize the appearance of fine lines and the clear gel features hyaluronic acid to hydrate and plump the skin. Together, these ingredients work to deliver fresh, dewy skin desired by women of all ages.

 Price: $90

Sold separately at 1-877-383-1212 or available at MeaningfulBeauty. com as part of the 5-piece New Advanced System ($39.95 plus s/h for 30-day supply).

AVALON ORGANICS LAVENDER LUMINOSITY REVITALIZING EYE GEL

Free of parabens, phthalates, sodium lauryl/laureth sulfate and sodium myreth sulfate, this soothing eye gel immediately hydrates and brightens the eye area. While shadows and puffiness are targeted, antioxidantrich grape seed polyphenols and other organic extracts such as arnica, calendula and chamomile soothe, nourish and fortify the eye area.

 Price: $21.99

Available at natural food stores and at avalonorganics.com.

ELEMIS PROINTENSE LIFT EFFECT

This amazing treatment contains a high-tech biocomplex of Lupin and Papilactyl D™ with active plant stem cells from Edelweiss and Tiger grass, and delivers long-term, clinically proven results.

 Price: $130 Available at timetospa.com.

JÃSÖN BALANCING WILD YAM CRÈME

This luxurious, superhydrating crème is specifically designed to comfort and balance menopausal skin. The cooling blend of licorice, ginseng and wild yam works harmoniously to help increase moisture retention and boost skin’s elasticity, clarity and radiance.

 Price: $15.29

Available at natural food stores and at jason-natural.com.

MEANINGFUL BEAUTY® SKIN BRIGHTENING DÉCOLLETÉ AND NECK TREATMENT SPF 15

This formula, created to firm, smooth and revitalize the neck and chest area, includes a skin brightening complex designed to diminish the appearance of age spots and SPF 15 to help protect the skin.

 Price: $62

Sold separately at 1-877-383-1212 or available at MeaningfulBeauty.com as part of the 5-piece New Advanced System ($39.95 plus s/h for 30 day supply).

giggle stamp

Karma Kream

This soothing hand and body lotion is handmade with fresh ingredients and placed in a 100% recycled pot. Lush does not engage in animal testing! lushusa.com

Check

A

Apple & B

Eco Shopping Bag

This Apple & B tote is made from eco-friendly summer jute and has a biodegradable lining to keep food fresh while shopping! Appleandbeeusa.com

Recycle... Reuse and

Wool Dryer Balls

Unscented or Scented

These money-saver and ecosavvy dryer balls are free of chemicals and pesticides. A must-have for cloth diapers! Comes in a variety of colors. etsy.com/shop/CleanSypria

Coffee Cup Cozy

Keep this cozy handy when picking up your favorite latte. Eco-friendly and keeps drinks hot and toasty. Comes in a variety of patterns. etsy.com/shop/thecozyproject

Tritan Water Bottles

These sports bottles from Zak! Designers are BPA-free, recyclable, stain resistant and lead safe. Perfect for the onthe-go parent! Available in a variety of patterns. planet-zak.com

Photos by Jenny Wilkinson and Molly Seebol

happy home

Dispose of Household Hazardous Waste Properly

BY JACKIE SMITH

While products like rechargeable batteries, pharmaceuticals and household cleaners can make our lives a lot easier, many contain materials that are potentially toxic to people and the environment if not disposed of correctly.

Deemed “household hazardous waste,” or HHW, these dangerous materials should be turned over to trained professionals to limit the possibility of groundwater or surface water contamination, advises Kurt Seaburg, the hazardous waste coordinator for the Alachua County Environmental Protection Department. Disposing of one household’s hazardous waste in regular trash cans or down drains may seem like an easier option, but with 1.5 million pounds of HHW processed annually in Alachua County alone, it can quickly add up to a devastating environmental impact.

“You want to keep those materials out of the landfill and away from anywhere they can potentially breach and poison people, animals or the environment,” Seaburg said.

Although the government

MAKE IT. FIX IT. CLEAN IT.

Do Your Part

diy

& decor

does not regulate hazardous wastes on a residential level, most communities have established local collection centers to aid in the storage, disposal or recycling of HHW. In Alachua County, residents and qualified small businesses can drop off HHW free of charge at the main Alachua County Hazardous Waste Collection Center or one of the five Rural Collection Centers.

As much as 95 percent of the materials collected in Alachua County are recycled in one form or another, which has both environmental and economic benefits, according to Seaburg. The plastics, metals and other useful components of HHW can be reused.

“What we’re doing is

important. It’s really good that we have such a vibrant, green community,” said Seaburg.

The biggest reason to properly store and dispose of HHW, however, is to ensure it is kept out of the hands of children, Seaburg said. Young children are the most at risk for accidental poisoning from HHW around the home. According to the Florida Poison Information Center, children five and under accounted for 44.5 percent of poison exposure calls from July 2011 to June 2012. The three items most cited for exposure were pharmaceuticals, cosmetics/ personal care products and household cleaning substances.

“It’s so important to keep children safe from these things,” Seaburg said. 

 Easy DIY Jewelry Stand

Total Cost: $5

What You Need:

• 1 large dinner plate

• 1 small salad or dessert plate (teacup plates work too!)

• 1 candlestick holder

• Gorilla Glue

 Search your local antique shops and thrift stores for your plates and candlestick holder. Try fun colored plates or mix and match patterns!

 Apply Gorilla Glue to the bottom stem of the candlestick holder and position it on the center of the large dinner plate. Wait until it dries.

 Apply Gorilla Glue to the top rim of the candlestick holder and place the small plate centered on top. Place something slightly heavy on the small plate to apply pressure while the glue dries.

That's it! Place all your accessories on your new jewelry stand! Earrings and rings usually fit best on top. Place larger jewelry such as watches and necklaces on the bottom plate.

Kelly Boudreau owns a lifestyle blog called "Hello Boudreau" where she finds inspiration and shares ideas, new design finds and her DIY projects. Visit http://helloboudreau. blogspot.com for more!

Email: hello.kellyboudreau@gmail.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/helloboudreau

happy home

Organizing on a dime

ORGANIZED CHAOS

 Of course you will need a trip to the dollar store after a while. Discount stores honor your budget with colorful specialty organizers:

 Plastic fishing tackle boxes are useful for cosmetics, jewelry and crafts. Plastic tote caddies hold cleaning supplies, or can be used for necessities in the car.

 Hanging shoe bags take overflow bathroom supplies, children’s toys, small accessories and hobby items.

 Pop-up hampers might be just the thing for fabric scraps, stuffed animals or large toys.

 Plastic shoeboxes aren’t just for shoes. They can work wonders for floppy items in a pantry or as a file for holiday cards.

BY HELEN KORNBLUM

Most of us have plenty of organizing materials in the house, but it takes an imaginative eye to repurpose them to suit our needs. Let’s take a tour to identify some small wonders.

 Empty tissue boxes, plastic and foam produce containers (think mushrooms) and cardboard cereal boxes make excellent desk and kitchen drawer organizers. This unlikely family of recyclables makes excellent desk and kitchen drawer organizers. They can be cut to the correct depth so they give maximum fit to the contents of the drawer or section. Empty checkbook boxes can be placed at the back of a deep drawer to keep contents up front from sliding back. Small cardboard boxes in general have great versatility for inside jobs.

 Dishpans, litter pans and aluminum foil pans are useful in cabinets. A dishpan under the sink is a terrific “drawer” to hold cleansers upright. These items often work well on wire shelving where items might otherwise tip over because of the unstable base.

 Ice cube storage bins are stable containers for items that need vertical storage. Ditto for large coffee cans, to corral hobby/craft supplies.

 Pretty flower pots add a gracious touch for storage, depending on where they are placed. Colorful mugs make great pencil/pen holders.

 Plastic boxes from hand or diaper wipes hold game pieces, crayons or bits of household hardware.

 Helen Kornblum is a professional coach and organizer in Gainesville, FL. She owns naturalorderorganizing.com. Her specialty is coaching teens and young adults who have ADHD or ADD

 Colorful beach totes can transport barbeque gear, playground toys and items for errands in the car.

 Medicine cabinet organizers are great in a medicine cabinet but also work in kitchen cabinets where many families keep first aid items, lip balms, and sunscreen for that final application before leaving the house.

 Turntables, always a favorite, help make medicines or spices more visible in the front of a cabinet or keep a category of foods accessible in the refrigerator.

 Baskets—plastic, canvas, wicker— capture magazines, family room electronics, or anything else that needs a larger storage space.

 Paper covered boxes in striking designs come in many sizes to store memorabilia or to pretty up a counter in the kitchen or den.

>>Be creative with low cost storage solutions throughout the house. You will enjoy the benefits of repurposing and recycling as you prepare for spring. 

The first step in getting organized is not a dash to a specialty store to buy expensive containers. The first step is figuring out what you want to keep and where you want to keep it. Then you can envision possibilities for how to keep it, and that’s where the fun comes in.

Save up to $1,700 with GRU Rebates and up to $300 in Federal Tax Credits

New Federal Tax credits make improving your home even more economical. Save money on upgrades by applying for GRU Rebates and Federal Tax credits.

Available GRU Rebates and Tax Credits:

• Install a new high-efficiency air conditioning system now and you may be eligible to receive an instant double rebate up to $1,700 and a Federal Tax Credit of $300

• Replace old, leaky windows with ENERGY STAR windows to be eligible to receive $1.25 per square foot up to $300 from GRU and up to $200 in Federal Tax Credits

• Further insulate your home to be eligible to receive a GRU Rebate worth $0.125 per square foot up to $375 and a Federal Tax Credit up to $500

• Switch to a Heat Pump Water Heater and be eligible to receive a $200 GRU Rebate and a $300 Federal Tax Credit

Some restrictions apply. Visit www.gru.com for more rebate and tax credit information

happy home

OUR SPACE

If you have an inspiring room that is a must-see, please send to: giggle@irvingpublications.com.

TO KICK OFF OUR "OUR SPACE" SECTION that will feature the most inspiring rooms in the homes of our readers, we start with our very own publisher's home away from home.

Nicole's office home away from home

With countless hours spent behind a desk and at the computer, our publisher's office has to be inspiring, creative and a home away from home. Taking cues from Nicole's favorite designer, Jonathan Adler, her creative team surprised her with a head-to-toe office makeover this January, complete with new curtains, fresh paint and perfectly placed shelves to display her photos and the things that inspire her.

Photo by Verve Studio

Over 30 Years of K-5 Preparatory Programs

Learn. Grow. Find Success.

•  A minimum of two degreed, full-time educators per class.

•  Average class size of twenty four students.

•  Specialty teachers in science, spanish, technology, art appreciation, logic, poetry, music and physical education.

Gainesville Country Day School is an independent, coeducational, integrated, nonsectarian school providing a unique blend of educational programs for children of preschool age through fifth grade.

We are dedicated to helping children learn, grow, and find success in coming to school.

 5 FCAT Superfoods

BY NICOLE IRVING

Get those #2 pencils ready!

The FCAT is right around the corner. So, how do you prepare your child so he is bright-eyed and bushy-tailed and rearing to go with good concentration and a positive attitude? With the FCAT Superfood Diet!

The week before they begin testing, start training your child to begin and end the day with a yummy, healthy and superfoodrich meal. Pairing nuts, berries and fruit with oatmeal, toast or waffles can make a big difference. Encourage lots of water and limit caffeine drinks

and sugary treats. Create lunches full of protein, fruits and veggies. Dinners should be the same--protein, good carbohydrates and plenty of fruits and veggies. Stay away from fast food, packaged snacks and soda.

Kids are smart, they know when you are changing things up…so make it fun and creative. A healthy superfood diet will only benefit them in the long run.

Kiddo taste budfriendly superfoods

Blueberries: Full of antioxidants and minerals, these little blue treats are perfect for snacking. Try

best way to reach me?

I like to say hearing from a parent is like getting a note in my lunch box from my mom. There are no bad notes; I get excited every time I get one. Personally, I don’t make much time for social media, even my friends have a hard time getting a hold of me that way, but email I can check more frequently during the day. Before and after school is when I have the most time to respond, so patience is key. Emails can slip by or I read it without time to respond. If you feel like it has been a long time a courtesy reminder email is always welcome.

freezing them for a cold treat or blending with other fruits and non-fat yogurt, another superfood! Add to a morning smoothie or on top of pancakes or waffles.

Sweet Potatoes: Loaded with vitamins B, C and E, potassium and iron, sweet potatoes can be sliced and baked into fries and crispy chips.

Walnuts: A quick and easy treat and so yummy on yogurt or in a salad. (Make sure your child does not have any nut allergies first!)

Oats: This is a great go-to breakfast treat. Avoid the high sugary packets, but try the natural version and add fresh fruit and cinnamon,

another yummy superfood!

Dark Chocolate: Shown to improve memory, dark chocolate can be a special treat! Add to fresh pancake mix or shave some onto yogurt. 

Remember! April 15-26: Alachua County FCAT testing

"The best way to reach a teacher about your student is not by social media but by email."

- Local Alachua County Teacher

iKid: Learning With Tablets & Smartphones

BY BRADLEY OSBURN

It’s hard to sit down in a restaurant these days and not be surrounded by parents keeping their kids busy with smartphones or iPads. Mobile devices are not only ubiquitous, but increasingly necessary in a world that thrives on being connected at all times.

While there are innumerable advantages to these technologies, they can often feel overwhelming; especially when it’s time to decide if our children are old enough to start using them. Because let’s face it, within one generation we’ve gone from 10-year-olds playing “Oregon Trail” on Apple 2s to preschoolers having the entire world at their fingertips on devices that are more powerful than the computers that sent the Apollo missions to the moon-while fitting in our pockets.

According to a survey by PBS in May 2011, more than 70 percent of parents are not only letting their kids have access to their iPads, but also downloading apps specifically for them. And more than 40 percent of those children were allowed to use an iPad at least once a day.

Whether it’s something we want to happen or not, children are rapidly adapting to an increasingly digital world and,

as with every technological advancement of the past century, will quickly outpace their parents in skill and flexibility to the big changes coming down the pipe.

So what’s a poor parent to do when faced with an industry that gets more advanced by the day? First, take a deep breath. Thankfully, tablets and smartphones are easier to use than people like to think. It simply takes patience and a free afternoon to get really familiar with a new gadget, thanks to how simple these companies have made their devices to use and the never-ending wonder of the Google search.

Second, you, as the parent, are the master of the device. You decide when and if your child can use it. Many of them also have parental controls built right in, just waiting to be activated. So, having said all that, let’s look at some educational beginner apps for kids.

EDUCATIONAL BEGINNER APPS FOR KIDS

Super Why! By PBS Kids, $2.99 on Google Play

A highly rated, fun reading app where kids can play as one of the four main characters from the TV show and learn to rhyme, fill in the blank, identify letters by sound and the basics of the alphabet.

Sid’s Science Fair. By PBS Kids, $2.99 on Google Play

Scout’s 123 Carnival. By Leap Frog, $0.99 on Apple App Store Learn the numbers one through 20 with jolly green puppy Scout in simple games designed to introduce children to the world of math.

Try this on for size. The Big Grips iPad frame and stand keeps your iPad secure and safe. Non-toxic and lead and latex free, the Big Grips comes in many colors and allows for easy access to all switches and buttons while safely stowed. biggrips.com

Let your kids hop into this app to learn the basic building blocks of science, such as observation, documentation and sequence of events.

NASA App. By NASA Ames Research Center, FREE on Apple App Store Take a trip around the universe with this beautiful app full of images and descriptions. We could use a new generation of astronauts and this app might just inspire the next Buzz Aldrin.

Have a family iPad ® that gets passed around like a hot potato?

“We drive our kids from Steinhatchee everyday to send them to The Rock School because I want them in a safe place, protected from the scary things in this world. I’m confident they’re in the best environment and I don’t have to worry about what they’re learning and what they will come home saying. When I drop them off, I feel good about it... and that makes it worth the drive!”

learn

BY TARA GRIFFIN

HOMESCHOOL CORNER

If you ask my kids what their mother’s biggest pet peeve is, they’ll say “Waste.” Time. Space. Money. Energy. Vegetables. Yep. All of it. When asking some of my favorite homeschoolers for earth-friendly homeschool suggestions, I came to the conclusion that I’m not alone. Out of necessity, desire, or overall craftiness, many moms have developed low-waste practices. We all know to reduce, reuse, recycle (thanks, for the most part, to the vocal stylings of Jack Johnson on the Curious George soundtrack), but how do we put it into action?

Every Day is Earth Day!

Aside from reading (and re-reading) “The Lorax” for Earth Day, here are some fresh ideas to try:

 Family De-clutter Party! Running an efficient household saves time, money, space, energy (and your sanity).To get the kids in on the action, make a point system. And when they reach, say 25 points, stop and play a game or something. Don’t have time for the whole house? Pick a room, a closet or a drawer. You’ll thank yourself later. Upcycle some old jars or shoeboxes, and you’ll really feel proud of your eco-self.

 Become One with Mother Earth! Take a hike or just a nature walk around your neighborhood. Observe something new, or something really old, or something really purple. Make a sketch, make some notes, and do more research when you get home. When everyone gets antsy, it’s a winner every time.

 Farmers Market Field Trip! Visit (and then frequent) one of our awesome local farmers markets. It makes the effort to buy local, and reduce packaging waste, pretty easy. The produce is super fresh. And you get to expand the lesson, check out new varieties and ask the farmers interesting questions.

 Save the Leftovers! Some kid didn’t finish his apples? You bought too much zucchini? Pre-make “Fruit” and “Vegetable” storage containers (or bags) in your freezer. Chop up extras, throw in leftovers, and add to a future smoothie or stir-fry.

 Alt Art! If you have a tiny artistin-residence (like I do), who could go through a pack of computer paper in a week, churning out masterpieces by the minute, you need to find some artistic alternatives. A few of my favorites: sidewalk chalk on the fence (the rain washes it away), junk mail collages (recycle them later), and digital photographs of erasable white board drawings or nature sculptures (so it’s preserved for all eternity, but you still can get rid of it).

 Get Dirty! Stop talking about it and actually start a garden and/ or get a compost bin. The kids love helping with this. There are also several local community gardens and homeschool groups that meet to plant, tend and harvest.

 Buy Used and Share! Seems obvious, but I always try to borrow or buy used first. Before I make purchases, I check eBay, Craigslist, the public library, and the local moms’ FSOT (For Sale or Trade) pages on Facebook. With growing

explore OUTSIDE

kids, I regularly buy, sell, share and donate used furniture, kids’ clothes, shoes, novels and textbooks. And when I buy new, I buy based on quality, for the sake of future re-use.

Still feeling uninspired? Search “Upcycle” on Pinterest. That should get your eco-juices flowing.

And if all else fails, before you throw something away, give it to a 6-year-old. They can turn anything into an art project.

Easy to Repurpose:

Glass Jars Shoe Boxes

Old Shirts Wine Corks

Egg Cartons Cereal Boxes

FOR EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW TO BEGIN HOMESCHOOLING IN ALACHUA COUNTY, VISIT: sbac.edu

Taking a closer look at Florida's natural landscape.

Photo by mikifoto

Photo provided by Tara Griffin

CAROL MUSCHAMP In Gainesville LIFE AS A MOM

BY NICOLE IRVING

BEING THE WIFE TO THE UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA HEAD FOOTBALL COACH

is a decent conversation starter in this town, but instead of finding out how we'll beat that 'team out west,' we learned more about Gainesville mom, Carol. Take a look at our Q&A with the mother of two wonderful boys, Jackson, 11, and Whit, 7.

Photos by Patricia Bishop Photography

On a beautiful Thursday afternoon, in between school, homework, taking children to practice and packing for the family’s spring break trip, Carol Muschamp welcomes us into her home to give us a peek into her busy family life, and share what she loves to do with her family in Gainesville and what advice her mother gave her.

Q. What is your typical day like?

A: Wake up the boys, do breakfast, make lunches, out the door by 7:30 to take boys to school, exercise (tennis), errands for the day, then do whatever needs to be done around the house or for Will’s job or for the boys’ school. I am my youngest son’s homeroom mom and I enjoy that. Then its time to pick up the boys from school, give them a snack and help with homework, take them to practice, do dinner and then bedtime by 9 p.m.

Q. What kind of meals do you like to cook?

A. We have Taco Tuesdays and they like my poppy seed chicken. We enjoy going out too. Our favorite place in Gainesville is Dragonfly!

Q. Is football a natural choice for the boys?

A. The youngest is into basketball, baseball and football. The oldest is on two football teams. I would rather they play golf myself, but it is in their blood. They love football!

Q. What are your favorite things to do with your family here in Gainesville?

A. We love going to the Gator sporting events, especially football, basketball and baseball.

Adapt, Adjust and Overcome

Ryaphotos

Muschamp family photo

Muschamp family photo

Muschamp family photos

Q. What is the best advice your mom gave you?

A. To treat people as you would want to be treated.

Q. What is in your DVD/iTunes player right now?

A. Probably some Gator football footage. If Will isn’t home, it would be a classic movie like “Steel Magnolias.” On my Pandora is Nora Jones, but it depends on what mood I am in.

Q. Have you ever found yourself saying something your mom said?

A. She always sighed. So I find myself doing it and the boys always catch me.

Q. Twenty years from now, what would you hope your boys would say about you?

A. I would hope they would say that I instilled good morals in them and gave them a happy childhood.

Q. What is your Mommy Mantra?

A. Adapt, Adjust and Overcome.

Q. What advice would you give to young mothers?

A. I’d tell them to try to enjoy every moment and try to spend as much time as you can with your kids, and that this too shall pass.

CAROL'S FAVORITE

POPPY SEED CHICKEN

Ingredients

8 -10 deboned chicken breasts cooked and chopped

2 cans cream of chicken soup

1 8-ounce container of sour cream

Salt and pepper to taste

2 sleeves of Townhouse crackers, crushed

2 sticks of melted butter

3 tablespoons poppy seeds

Directions

Mix crumbled crackers, poppy seeds and melted butter together. Line a 9x13 glass pan with 1/3 of the cracker mixture. Mix chicken, soup, sour cream and salt and pepper together and spread over crumbs. Spread remaining crumbs on top of chicken. Bake at 350 degrees for one hour.

Serves 10 -12.

CAROL'S MOMMY

» Favorite Starbucks Drink: Iced Caramel Macchiato

» Favorite Book: "The Alchemist" by Paulo Coelho

» Favorite Movie: "Steel Magnolias"

» Favorite Date Night Spot: Dragonfly

Elevation Imaging

Muschamp family photo

Wolf/Muschamp family photo

conception2college

 EXPECTING

The Delivery Room: Who Stays, Who Goes

 INFANT | 0-3

Spring Fever

 EARLY YEARS | 3-7 Keep Your Hands To Yourself

 TWEENS | 8-12

Sleepovers: One Parent's Strategy

 TEENS | 13-18

Decode Your Teen's Weekend Request

Photo by Patricia Bishop Photography

The Delivery Room...Who Stays and Who Goes

BY DANA KAMP

The moments leading up to the birth of your baby are some of the most treasured moments in your life. Before this amazing day arrives, you’ll need to think about who else you would like to be there to share in this intimate experience. This decision can be made quickly if you and your partner know you want it to be just the two of you in the room. If there is a question about siblings or mothers or friends being invited as well, you’ll need to have a discussion or two prior to your delivery day.

Each hospital and birthing center has its own policies about the number of people in the room, but generally it is up to the expecting mom to have those she wants with her during this special time. Talk with your doctor or midwife about who will automatically be in the room, so you are not surprised. Depending on where you give birth, some or all of the following people may be there as well.

• Doctor and /or midwife (and not necessarily your doctor if he is not on call at that time),

• Several nurses, such as the labor nurse (who may change if your labor continues through the shift change) and the nursery nurse to check on the baby once he arrives,

• OB tech to assist the doctor during the actual birth,

• Your spouse or partner,

• Anesthesiologist (if you choose to have an epidural), and

• Medical students.

Whether you extend the invitation beyond your partner and the medical personnel is up to you. Ronnie Jo Stringer, a certified nurse midwife with Gainesville OBGYN, has been in the delivery room with many moms, in many different birthing situations, and feels that a woman’s comfort is what is most important on this day. Thinking about who is going to be the most supportive and helpful to the mom, as well as who she truly wants to share this very personal time with, can lead to an easier decision.

“Some of my best experiences were when the baby's siblings were present. It seems to be extra special when the whole family is there sharing in this precious moment,” Stringer said.

Each woman’s delivery day wishes are different, so be open with your spouse,

doctor or midwife and allow them to help in your decision. They will need to be aware of what you want so they can assist you in having the best possible scenario for the birth of your little one. If you’d like to have a doula or photographer with you, or if your best friend is the only one who knows how to calm your nerves, or you can’t imagine going through something so monumental without your own mom present, share your feelings so everyone is on the same page. Stringer encourages thinking about what is going to be best for you, as you progress through labor and the powerful stages of birth.

“As a midwife, I cherish and honor a woman and her family’s desires for their baby’s birth. Therefore, deciding who is present for the birth sometimes takes serious consideration. For me, I just want the woman to be comfortable.” 

Have a frank conversation, sooner rather than later, with your family members about who will be in the room during the birth. You may choose to have visitors during your labor and then just a few members of your family present during the birth, whatever is comfortable.

Follow up with your desires as your due date approaches so feelings aren’t hurt and everyone clearly knows where they should be.

How to Survive

the Recovery Room

FROM A SEASONED MOM!

Congratulations! You did it. Your bundle of joy is here and now you are in a pure state of exhaustion and ecstasy. Take these wise words into account on how to plan for a comfortable few hours or days in the "recovery" room!

• Do not text or call people after you just had a baby and are on medication. Let the happy new dad or grandparents do this for you and avoid any “loopy” conversations.

• Plan for baby’s siblings to visit and have things for them to do. If they will stay awhile, bring booster seats and pack and plays for “confinement.”

• Have other people in charge of taking photos. Enough said!

• It is okay to speak up! Don’t let people hold the baby if you don’t want them to. Make them wash their hands, and if they are sick, tell them to stay out.

• Listen to your body. Stay an extra night if insurance and means allow it and you feel you need it and this is okay with your doctor. OR go home a day early if you feel you're up to it. Let your body and baby do the talking.

• Take advantage of the nurses and get some rest when you can. Baby is in safe hands. Happy rested momma=happy baby!

infant|toddler

Spring Fever

BY DR. ANA MOROS-HANLEY, M.D., FAAP

As parents we hate to see our little ones suffer in any way. We wish we could keep them healthy and safe at all times. So when they have a fever some parents may panic. What should we do? When do we call the doctor? Which thermometer should we use? Let’s talk about it and hopefully fight the “fever phobia.”

Fever is a normal immune response that actually helps us fight infection. Overall, fevers are harmless. We should always worry more about how the child looks than about what the thermometer says.

What is a fever? A temperature over 100 degrees is considered a fever. There are normal body temperature fluctuations throughout the day and there are also reasons for a child to have a temperature of 100 degrees that may not be due to illness. For example, the baby is bundled up and the room is very warm, the toddler just woke up from the best nap ever (yes, wet hair and all) or the child just came in from playing outside. In those cases we usually recommend taking the covers off, waiting a few minutes and rechecking the temperature.

When should I worry?

When to Worry and When to Chill

At any age, look at the child and not so much at the number on the thermometer. What this means is it doesn’t matter what the thermometer says, if the child looks very sick, they should be seen, but if they are happy and playful you can wait.

For a child under 3 months of age: The doctor’s office should be called if the rectal temperature is over 100.4 degrees. If the baby was just vaccinated, the doctor may recommend a dose of acetaminophen and observation but don’t hesitate in calling. She will ask you questions about how the baby is behaving and maybe even ask you to bring your child in to check him out. We don’t worry so much about the temperature but need to determine the cause of the fever in a small child. Usually fevers post vaccinations are less than 101 degrees.

For a child over 3 months-toddlers: Children in this age group, especially when attending daycare, have frequent viral infections (up to 10-12 in a year). Again, worry if the child is lethargic, not playing or refusing to drink. A good test is to give the child a lukewarm water bath or a dose of acetaminophen or ibuprofen and see how he acts once the fever improves. They usually bounce right back and start running around. Please don’t wait until the doctor or practitioner sees them to treat, especially if they don’t feel well. We believe you when you tell us they had a fever! Always call if a fever persists for more than three days.

Is it teething? This could cause a very low grade temperature (usually under 100.5 degrees) but at this age children also put everything in their mouths, so they get frequent viral infections.

For school-age children:

Again, worry about how they look, not the number on the thermometer. Especially in older children, we can wait and observe. If they have a low grade fever of less than 101 degrees, hydrate them well and make them comfortable. Viral infections can cause fever for two to three days, so if the fever is lasting more than three days, call your doctor.

But what if it’s the flu? Don’t we have to treat it in the first 24 hours? Yes, that’s right, but usually children with the flu feel pretty bad, are lethargic, vomiting, have the chills, etc.

When in doubt call the doctor’s or practitioner’s office, so they can tell you if the child needs to be seen.

What about seizures and brain damage?

The biggest fear I hear from parents is the possibility of a febrile seizure or brain damage from the high temperature. Only about 4 percent of children have febrile seizures. They are actually not caused by the high temperature but how rapidly it changes (up or down). So if a child has the “propensity” for febrile seizures this can happen with a fever less than 101 degrees. Febrile seizures are harmless and usually very short in duration. These seizures last less than five minutes and do not cause permanent damage. Febrile seizures usually don’t happen in children over 6 years of age. A child who has had a febrile seizure for the first time should be seen by his doctor or practitioner. If a seizure lasts more than 10 minutes or only part of the body is affected he should be seen immediately.

So many thermometers out there, which one is the best?

This also depends on the child’s age.

BIRTH TO 3 MONTHS: Every time you call your doctor/practitioner’s office about a fever they will ask you for a rectal temperature. This is the most accurate for this age.

Digital multiuse thermometer: They are inexpensive, easy to use and reliable. The only con I see is that they take a minute or so to give you the result (which is an eternity when you have a sick, crying child and it is 3 a.m.).

3 MONTHS AND OLDER: Digital multiuse thermometer: The AAP recommends rectal temperatures up to 3 years of age. As a mom I know how difficult it is even changing a diaper of a 1-year-old, so if the child is over 6 months old usually an axillary (and add a degree) or a digital pacifier thermometer should be sufficient. Again, you are looking at how the child is acting and not so much the numbers!

SCHOOL-AGE CHILDREN: Oral temperature is fine; just make sure he hasn’t had anything cold to drink 15 minutes before putting the thermometer in his mouth.

• Temporal artery thermometer: This reads the child’s heat waves released by the temporal artery, which runs across the forehead. They are more expensive but give you a much faster reading and are pretty reliable. Some studies show they are even accurate for newborns and infants.

• Tympanic thermometer: This reads infrared heat waves released by the ear drum. It is not useful in children under 6 months old since their ear canals are so small. It needs to be placed correctly in the child’s ear canal to give you an accurate temperature. When in doubt, check both ears.

•The Mommy thermometer: Moms know best. When we see our child with red cheeks, just quiet and laying on the couch, we kiss his forehead and there it is! FEVER. Just don’t panic next time. Get your thermometer (just because the doctor is going to ask for a number), give plenty of fluids and snuggle up. It’ll be okay. 

Do not use alcohol or ice baths!

The temperature should be brought down in a gradual manner, 1-2 degrees in 15-30 minutes.

Please consult your physician with any questions or concerns immediately.

AGES 3-7

Keep Your Hands To Yourself!

WHY KIDS HAVE TROUBLE WITH PERSONAL SPACE

BY KELLY GOEDE

Often I watch as my four children lovingly hug each other one minute, and push or grab a toy from each other a moment later. They cannot seem to keep their hands to themselves! Although this behavior is frustrating and draining, it is also very normal.

By 18 months of age, children develop an understanding of themselves--they recognize that they are separate from their parents. Their sometimes difficult behavior reflects this as they enter the “terrible twos.” From the time they are 3 until around age 7, children are on a journey to grasp the concept of empathy, realizing that their actions and words have an impact on others. During this time, our role as parents becomes critical in teaching them skills to help them navigate through life using self-control.

So when it’s your child who is invading another’s personal space, what should you do? First, call attention to your child’s misbehavior and instruct him to stop. You know your child best--use a tone that will not scare him or seem harsh, but will make him uncomfortable. The discomfort he feels creates disequilibrium, which helps your child to learn, according to Alicia Pfahler, a licensed mental health counselor in Gainesville. After you’ve gotten your child’s attention, engage your child in reflective dialogue. Pfahler suggests using questions to guide your child to think of the feelings of the

other person involved. Asking “How do you think that made her feel when you took her toy away?” or “How would you feel if he did that to you?” may help your child understand the other child’s position.

After reflecting, begin the repair process with your child. This step is critical as it teaches your child to “make it right.” Younger children can apologize, give a hug or draw a picture. Older children can write a letter or help to replace a broken object using allowance. The key is to involve your child in the process of repairing what was broken when he did not keep his hands to himself. Pfahler also suggests teaching your child to use “self-talk,” which you can model when not in the heat of battle. Expressing when you feel frustrated, but you know you need to control yourself, will show your child that emotions are healthy and that selfcontrol is possible. As children begin to believe that their own emotions will not overwhelm them, they will control not only their words, but eventually their hands. 

Some helpful books for your kids

Hands are Not for Hitting By: Martine Agassi Amazon.com

Feet are Not for Kicking By: Elizabeth Verdick Amazon.com

are not for Hurting By: Nora Gaydos Barnes and Noble

"How do you think that made him feel?"

Hands

Sleepovers: One Parent's Strategy

GIGGLE STAFF WRITER

How one mom lays down the law on sleepovers while avoiding the "Mean Mom" label

Let's face it. Our world is very different than the one in which our parents raised their children. While ours is filled with life-made-easy technology and creature comforts galore, it also comes with more red flags and concerns that our parents never would have imagined could stain our world.

So when my tween asks to sleep over at her friend's this weekend, I have to admit my world stops and every newscast I saw this week sends me into a fear-filled frenzy of what can happen to my little princess when she's not under my watchful eye.

So I've found a few ways to survive the sleepover request without becoming the mom that always carries a stash of "nos" in her pocket.

 Instead of Saying No

Before my children came along, I always vowed to let my future kids enjoy life to the fullest, to give more "yeses" than "nos" and to be the most approachable parent on the block.

Now I'm a parent, and I see the world through different eyes--cautious eyes that make me think twice about every request my child brings to the table. Will it enrich her or will it hurt her? Will she be safe? Do I know who she's really with and how she's being treated?

Perhaps there's a happy medium here. While being cautious is crucial, there are ways to work around your doubts that won't build a wall between you and your tween in this vital season of growth and parent-to-child relationship building.

So when the sleepover request comes and you're unsure of how much you

might really know this friend and her parents, why not start with these options before an instant "No."

• "I think a sleepover is a great idea! Why not try it here at home and make it the best sleepover your friends have ever been to?" Be excited with her, but bring the slumber party to your home instead.

• "Invite your friend to join us." Have her invite a friend to your place instead and start getting to know this friend. Spark up a chat with the parents when they drop her off to build trust for future sleepover requests.

• "Let's think about it together." Be honest and open with your tween about why you have your concerns. She might understand and be open to doing it in your home instead. Listen to her thoughts so the lines of communication are healthy.

Keep them near and keep them happy with these entertaining tips that are sure to make your home the spot to slumber!

 Tween girls will go coo coo for fun desserts, makeovers, twinkle light indoor tents, and personalizing crafts like decorating pillow cases and bedazzling old pairs of jeans.

 Feed them. Tweens are drawn to food. Offer their favorites and they're sure to stick around for the next sleepover!

 Sleepover for boys?

Engage the boys with sports challenges, camping and treasure hunts in the dark!

What Your Teen Really Means:

DECODING THE WEEKEND REQUEST

BY KELSEY MEANY

Teenage years often involve lying. It’s the fibs that keep Mom from detailed inquiries about new friends. It’s the fib about a trip to Starbucks instead of the newest crush’s house. They aren’t a big deal, but they’re there. So how do you stop it? Here are some tips so you know when your teen is telling the truth and when it’s a bunch of bologna.

1Beware of wordplay. “Going to Alex’s house” has multiple meanings. First of all, Alex can be a girl or a boy. This dual-gendered name can have your teen feeling like he didn’t actually lie, but rather used convenient wordplay to his advantage. Your teen may request to go to the library on a Friday night. You’re thinking, “I should get a parenting award!” but in reality he is going to a local club called “The Library.”

2Figure out your teen’s signature phrase. Every teen has her preapproved activity that will not illicit parental questioning. I was always “going to Starbucks to study for an econ test.” My mom must have thought I had an incredible amount of economics tests. Every teen has one, so if you’re noticing there are a lot of algebra tests in a month, it’s okay to get suspicious.

3

Ask what the movie was about. This is the worst question a parent can ask. I remember an incident where I made up a very creative plot for the third “Lord of the Rings” movie, which conveniently pushed three hours in length. It had something to do with an elf revolution and the rise of the Third Reich of elves. I thought it was an Oscar-winning screenplay, but after some research my parents called me out.

4

Be aware of the “homesick” conspiracy. There is a scheme out there where teenagers will come home in the middle of the night, after telling you they’re secure at a sleepover, because they want to “sleep in their own bed.” Ring any bells? It’s been used by teenagers for years to get extra hours out of the

You can have “code” with your teen too. Whenever I wanted my mom to pick me up because the “cool kids” weren’t as cool as I once thought, I would call and ask my mom how my grandma was doing. Moments later, she would be wherever I was, ready to make up some crazy story about how my grandma’s birthday party was that night and we all forgot about it.

Teens may always be hiding behind some false sense of confidence, but it’s also times like these when they actually do need you for back-up.

BUT HERE'S THE GOOD NEWS

"My mom must have thought I had an incredible amount of economics tests."

A fairytale

PROM SEASON

BY ASHLEY POSER WIPKE

Once upon a time, there was a beautiful princess and her only dream was to go to her high school prom. But her mean stepmother tried to keep her from this dream, and the only way she was able to go was with a wish from her fairy godmother. Now snap back to reality. There may not be actual princesses (besides Princess Kate) or the evil stepmother, but the expense of prom these days has many girls wishing for a fairy godmother to help them afford a beautiful prom dress. This is where the Gainesville Prom Closet steps in to help out. For the past seven years, Gainesville Prom Closet has provided gently used prom dresses for local young Gainesville women in need of a little help to make their dreams come true.

Gainesville Prom Closet

is a chapter of the national non-profit organization, Becca’s Closet (beccascloset. org). They reach out to the community every year to ask for donations of gently used formal dresses so other young women can benefit from the gorgeous dresses usually worn no more than once. This year on Saturday, April 6, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at the NW Boys and Girls Club, the Gainesville Prom Closet will set up racks of dresses in all shapes, sizes and colors and open the doors to the public. Women from Gainesville and surrounding areas are welcome to come and pick out a dress for free! We ask that, if you can, please bring a past prom dress when you pick out a new one to help another young woman.

Every princess needs afairy godmother!

Please contact gvillepromcloset@gmail.com for more information. Donations accepted at the NW Boys and Girls Club and the GHFC main center.

Photos provided by Gainesville Prom Closet

GETTING PAST SUMMER CAMP HOMESICKNESS

This summer, millions of children will get their first taste of independence at a summer resident camp. For many, it will also be their first experience with homesickness. But parents don't have to feel helpless when homesickness strikes. The prescription for camper homesickness is a simple solution of preparation and patience.

Phillips Exeter Academy psychologist Dr. Christopher Thurber studied homesickness in 329 boys between the ages of 8 and 16 at resident camp. According to his results, homesickness is the norm rather than the exception. A whopping 83 percent of the campers studied reported homesickness on at least one day of camp.

Thurber and the American Camp Association (ACA) suggest the following tips for parents to help their child deal with homesickness at camp:

1Encourage your child's independence throughout the year. Practice separations, such as sleepovers at a friend's house, can simulate the camp environment.

2Involve your child in the process of choosing a camp. The more that the child owns the decision, the more comfortable the child will feel being at camp.

3Discuss what camp will be like before your child leaves. Consider role-playing anticipated situations, such as using a flashlight to find the bathroom.

4Reach an agreement ahead of time on calling each other. If your child's camp has a no-phone-calls policy, honor it.

5Send a note or care package ahead of time to arrive the first day of camp. Acknowledge, in a positive way, that you will miss your child. For example, you can say "I am going to miss you, but I know that you will have a good time at camp."

6Don't bribe. Linking a successful stay at camp to a material object sends the wrong message. The reward should be your child's new found confidence and independence.

7Pack a personal item from home, such as a stuffed animal.

8When a "rescue call" comes from the child, offer calm reassurance and put the time frame into perspective. Avoid the temptation to take the child home early.

9Talk candidly with the camp director to obtain his/her perspective on your child's adjustment.

10

Don't feel guilty about encouraging your child to stay at camp. For many children, camp is a first step toward independence and plays an important role in their growth and development.

11

Trust your instincts. While most incidents of homesickness will pass in a day or two, Thurber's research shows that approximately 7 percent of the cases are severe. If your child is not eating or sleeping because of anxiety or depression, it is time to go home. However, don't make your child feel like a failure if their stay at camp is cut short. Focus on the positive and encourage your child to try camp again next year.

New Thinking Needed on Helping Kids

Avoid or Cope with Homesickness

The Secret Ingredients of Summer

Camp Success by Dr. Christopher Thurber

This DVD is every new camper family's roadmap to less homesickness and more fun.

Reprinted from www.CampParents.org by permission of the American Camp Association; copyright 2013 by the American Camping Association, Inc.

Santa Fe Ford

for a Dystonia Cure

SUMMER CAMPING TIPS

BY ALLEN HAYNES

The weather is warming up and you want to break the tents out and go camping. Great! Camping can be one of the most exhilarating and fun outdoor experiences in Florida, but if you don’t prepare properly, it can become equally dangerous. Here are a few tips to add to your summer camping preparation list.

Choosing Your Location There are several things you should keep in mind when choosing where to camp, but here are the top three things to look for at a campsite.

 Bathrooms. Those new to camping can sometimes take bathrooms for granted. Not all campgrounds have nice bathrooms. In fact not all campgrounds have bathrooms at all, and if they do have them, they are usually pretty gross.