Northland Family - January 2016

Book Buzz: Wacky Winter Winners

January 2016 LIBERTY TRIBUNE THE KEARNEY COURIER GLADSTONE DISPATCH THE SMITHVILLE HERALD

Family spreads joy to honor grandmother

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Set goals, resolutions as a family for 2016

By Kellie Houx

Whether an individual or family decides on New Year’s resolutions or hopes, the time to make those is now. While some people look at New Year’s Eve or New Year’s Day to make these resolutions, others see the month of January and these early few weeks of the year as an opportunity to ponder and reflect.

So whether one calls them resolutions or goals, how about a family conversation to kick off 2016?

Jim Stites, youth pastor at Liberty Christian Fellowship, works with middle and high schoolers. He offered some thoughts about goal setting and being kind.

In planning out the new year, sit down as a family and reflect on the past year, celebrating the accomplishments and big wins, Stites said. Each family member gets a turn sharing something they are proud of and something they want to improve. It may help for parents to go first, to give children a model. “It’s awesome to do that,� he said. “There’s the perfect chance to look at what traditions have been established and what the family wants to keep or strategize about how to

change those. What changes are realistic and what will make the family happy?�

If families are so inclined, hang up a list of the accomplishments and goals on a family bulletin board or on the refrigerator.

When goals are set, be time-oriented and sensitive. Often times, families seek out quantity rather than quality. “The top quality to parenting is caring for the family’s heart. This is the heart of your children and spouse,� he said. “In moving from the abstract to the practical, ask loving and probing questions. Talk about struggles and joys. Instead of serving as police or lawyers all the time, be a parent who is loving, caring and serving. Sure we want to

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see the right behavior, but everyone slips up, so keep pursuing the heart and things will be far more positive.”

Stites said while most resolutions are not followed after a few weeks, they can be part of a larger picture in reflecting the steps that people want to take.

“So often we think about what will bring value and meaning to our lives,” he said. “It’s the lose 20 pounds, achieve success at work … it’s somewhat stereotypical, but it reveals much in our lives and our family’s lives. How would we rewrite this as parents? As a pastor, faith has lasting satisfaction. Perhaps it’s eating healthy as a family, spending more time together … just don’t idolize these.”

Stites said people — parents and children — do falter.

“The trick is to teach love and understanding,” he said. “Put everything into perspective for yourself and then for your kids. Parenting is difficult, but top parents know what is important in life.”

Try setting time to seek out some age-appropriate community service.

Remember to play games. Go lowtech and try a board game or if video games are more the family’s strength, play games that require multiple players.

Above all, don’t punish anyone for not keeping goals or resolutions. If the family slips, find time to reassess and have a conversation again. No matter what, just keep talking and being a family.

Liberty Editor Kellie Houx can be reached at 389-6630 or kellie.houx@ libertytribune.com.

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Family spreads JOY to honor grandmother

By Andy Meyer

For the past four years, one Smithville family has been making dreams come true for those in need throughout the Northland.

Lara Stanze and her family started the Spread a Little Joy Foundation to honor the memory of Stanze’s mother, and the nonprofit organization has been fulfilling the dreams of adults facing life-threatening illnesses ever since.

The foundation has helped dozens of local families, providing them with tailored experiences that create long-lasting memories for everyone involved.

Stanze said none of it would be possible without the support from her husband, John, and her three children — Josh, Maddie and Jessica Marquez — and believes the organization has drawn the tight-knit family even closer together.

“When you go to one of those events and just see it happen, I don’t think you can describe it when you share it with your family,” John Stanze said.

The idea for Spread a Little Joy goes to back to 2009, when Lara Stanze’s mom — Joy Holmes Brown — was diagnosed with terminal cancer. In the following year, the Stanzes made it their mission to provide some incredible experiences for Brown, including going on a cruise, taking

her swimming with dolphins and appearing on “The Oprah Winfrey Show.”

Those moments made a huge difference in Brown’s outlook and motivation, and John Stanze sees the similarities in every family the foundation helps.

“When we did this deal and gave her something to look forward to, the change in her was unbelievable,” he said. “As we do these, (we see) that in these other people almost every time it happens.”

But even after Brown lost her battle with cancer, her memory lives on through the work of the foundation that bears her name.

Spread a Little Joy made its first dream come through when it supplied an entire Thanksgiving meal in 2011 and just recently sent a Platte City family to a performance of “The Nutcracker” after a night out on the Country Club Plaza in Kansas City.

For every family they help, the Stanzes band together to ensure everything falls into place. Lara is the driving force behind the operation, but every single family member plays a crucial role to ensure everything runs smoothly.

“Everybody has this thing they bring to the table that we didn’t know that’s how it was going to work out,” Lara Stanze said.

The foundation has benefited more

than three dozen families, many of which are impacted by cancer, a heart condition or other malady. But Spread a Little Joy is focused keeping a personal touch with each of them.

The Stanzes stay in contact with all of their “dreamers,” as they call them and want to treat every one of them like an extension of their own family when they take on a dream.

“You can’t make 1,000 people a family at once, but you can make one person at a time feel like that,” Josh Stanze said.

Later this month, the group will celebrate its second annual Spread a Little Joy Day in an effort to raise awareness for their cause, which offers hope and support to those facing life-threatening illness and brings everyone involved closer together.

“It’s nice because the dreams we

When: Wednesday, Jan. 27 What: Participants are encouraged to donate $1 and wear a color of hope in support or memory of someone they know affected by cancer.

Website: www.spreadalittlejoy.org do aren’t just for the person that’s ill,” Lara Stanze said. “They’re for everybody involved in it.”

Smithville Sports Editor Andy Meyer can be reached at 532-4444 or andy. meyer@smithvilleherald.com.

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Winter items needed at thrift shops

By Corey Edwards As winter continues to bring frigid weather to the Northland, some families are in need of warmth, according to Goodwill Liberty team leader Brenda Trapani.

“For the winter months, we need a lot of sweaters, jeans, shoes and especially coats, for children too,” she said. “I am always getting asked by customers if we have any children’s coats or adult coats. I have to tell them, ‘Sorry, those are hard to come by.’”

Trapani added that there are other items that Goodwill and similar stores need, including some that people often don’t think about when donating.

“I would say gloves and hats are the hardest things, and snow boots during the winter,” she said.“We do get a lot of scarves, but they are more light scarves, not heavy scarves.”

A team leader for a Northland Goodwill said the store is in need of heavy coats of all sizes — child and adult — in the winter months.

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Trapani said while working at the Goodwill in Leavenworth, Kansas, she would see an increase in donations during the holiday months.

“When I was there, I remember it was more right after Christmas when we would get donations because people have gone out and got new stuff at Christmas and then after Christmas they go through their closest and throw out what they don’t want anymore,”Trapani said, adding that the demand for winter items increases exponentially during the holiday months.

“A lot of people do come in when it gets closer to the colder months.They end up looking directly for gloves, hats and coats. Some times they get them, but some times they don’t. It depends on what comes through the store,” she said.

Trapani said through donations, Goodwill can make a difference for families in the Northland.

“It is important to donate items because there is always someone out there that is in need,” she said.“Like our mission, we strengthen individuals and communities through the power of work and try to help the disabled and the veterans when they are in need.”

Staff Writer Corey Edwards can be reached at 628-6010 or corey.edwards@kearneycourier.com.

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What to do?

Is it the flu?

Is it a cold or the flu? That’s the question on many parents’ minds when trying to determine if they should take their sick child to the doctor.

“The cold and the flu are both respiratory illnesses caused by different viruses,” said Jennifer Busby, a nurse practitioner at The Liberty Clinic. “While both illnesses can cause fever, body aches, runny or stuffy nose, and cough, these symptoms tend to be more severe with the flu.”

Busby recommends asking yourself the following questions if you suspect your child may have the flu: ◆ Did my child have contact with someone who has the flu? ◆ Has he/she had the flu vaccine? ◆ Is my child’s fever greater than 103 degrees?

“If you suspect it is the flu, then it is best to be seen by your doctor within 48 hours of symptom onset to be tested,” Busby said. “If the test is positive for influenza, then an antiviral medication may be given if it is within 48 hours of symptom onset. This medication does not kill the flu virus, but it can shorten the duration of the illness.”

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If your child has a fever, there are varying points at which to take your child to the doctor. Children under 3 months old should see a physician for any degree of fever, and any child with a fever greater than 101 degrees for more than three days should see a doctor.

Busby added that if your child is having difficulty breathing, you should call your physician.

“These are very loose guidelines,” Busby said. “If you are not sure if your child needs to be seen, please call your provider for further instructions.”

Treating a fever depends on the child’s age.

“In general, a fever is the body’s natural response to fight infection,” Busby said. “If your child has a fever

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Any child with a fever greater than 101 degrees for more than three days should see a doctor, advises Nurse Practitioner Jennifer Busby.

and appears fine, you do not need to treat the fever. If your child has a fever and does not feel well, it is OK to give a weight-appropriate dose of acetaminophen or ibuprofen. For nasal congestion, it is always safe to use saline nasal spray and suction, if needed.”

Keeping the cold or flu from spreading can be challenging, especially among young children.

“The best way to help prevent the spread of any virus is to cover your cough and wash your hands,” Busby said.

She also recommends getting flu shots.

“The vaccine will take approximately

two weeks to build immunity,” she said. “We have not seen significant flu activity in our area yet, so it is best to get it now if you have not because the flu will hit our area soon.”

With either a cold or the flu, keep children hydrated, treat symptoms and wait it out. Most viruses run their course in five to seven days; although some symptoms may persist for up to 10 days.

“As long as they are not getting worse, they most likely do not need go to the doctor, but if in doubt, you should always contact your provider for further instructions,” Busby said.

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How do I pick a

PERSONAL TRAINER?

By Amanda Lubinski

Winter is here, bringing the holiday season and a tendency to overindulge in food and drink, leading to weight gain. For many, this means a New Year’s resolution to lose the added weight and get in shape. With so many options available for personal trainers out there, it can be daunting knowing where to start. To make the choice less stressful, Northland fitness experts provided the following tips:

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Be realistic

Knowing your body’s limitations is key, said Lu McMillen, who manages Curves in Liberty.

“You should be realistic about your goals. If you have a bad hip or something like that, you don’t want to set a goal for something you could do when you were 16. That would be an unattainable goal,” she said.

Do research

Making sure the trainer is qualified for the type of fitness program you want is also important.

“Look at their credentials, what they have done and what education they have, which will be a degree or certifications,” Tyler Wingebach, master trainer at Faithful Fitness KC on Roanridge Road in Kansas City, said.

“Look at how long they have been doing the job. If they haven’t been doing it for enough time, they could be having to take time to get organized and put things together — as far as the workout — during the time. If they spend too much time organizing, there may be a problem with time management, and you aren’t going to get enough out of it,” he said.

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Meeting the trainer is helpful, Wingebach said.

“Check and make sure you like their personality and attitude. A trainer could be super experienced and know all the proper techniques, but if the client doesn’t like the personality of the trainer, then it won’t work,” he said.

Checking schedules also will gauge potential matches for trainers, the fitness experts contend.

“Make sure your schedule meshes with the trainer’s so they have enough time to train you to where you get the results you desire,” Wingebach said.

“You also want to make sure the trainer isn’t distracted. That really depends on the size of the gym. ... You want to make sure the trainer can focus on you.”

“You need to look at your schedule. You need to see how much time you can devote to your fitness program, again, being realistic,” McMillen added.

Check costs

“It needs to be affordable. Make sure there is room in your budget for your fitness program,” McMillen said.

Kearney Editor Amanda Lubinski can be reached at 628-6010 or amanda.lubinski@kearneycourier.com.

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Fitness experts Lu McMillen and Tyler Wingebach say a person should check a trainer’s resume, personality, schedule and costs before hiring the trainer.

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By Katherine de Leon-Lantto

The pathway to fitness leads to more benefits than one would realize. (Or we just simply forget.) With increased physical activity, one can lower the risk of heart disease and diabetes. It can lower high blood pressure. It’s great for bones and joints. It can strengthen the heart and muscles. It can decrease stress and lower the incidence of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. It burns fat and revs up the metabolism. So, the more

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Thrift shops and garage sales might have fitness equipment treasures that won’t break the bank, says personal trainer Katherine de Leon-Lantto. Simply walking is a no-cost activity with myriad health benefits.

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So the question is do you have to spend a lot of money to get fit?

The simple answer: No, absolutely not!

But before you start any exercise program, consult your physician first.

Now that you’ve made the decision to get fit or at least become more active, you might not know where to start. It’s not complicated, just start walking. It doesn’t have to be far.You can always build up distance and duration as you progress. Just by moving, you improve circulation, increase bone density and strengthen muscles including your heart.

A brisk 30-minute walk can burn up to 200 calories.

Walking and running are primarily cardiovascular exercises. A wellrounded fitness program will include strength or resistance and flexibility

exercises. Body weight exercise like calisthenics and yoga are great for most of the population.

These exercises burn fat, create better balance and build core strength. They can help with injury prevention and also decrease bone loss.

Body weight exercises create a solid foundation for most functional movements such as squatting, pushing and pulling. But one of my favorite attributes of body weight exercise is the ability to quickly combine strength with cardio movements to cut down on time spent on exercise and maximize calorie burn.

But say you’re on a budget and would like to build a home gym. You

can do that and not break the bank. Be a savvy shopper. Check out your local thrift shop. Swing by the neighborhood garage sales or stalk the online auctions.

You can find treasures like dumbbells or other free weights, stability balls, resistance tubing or jump ropes.

Keep in mind, you don’t have to use traditional free weights. You can save money just using household goods like soup cans or water filled jugs.

No matter what you do to get fit and be well, you’ll find most success when you set a goal and make the time. Your body will love you for it!

Katherine “Kat” Leon-Latto is an ACEcertified personal trainer and AFAAcertified group exercise instructor.

Based out of Liberty, she teaches and trains at Liberty Community Center and CrossFit Establish. She holds a bachelor’s degree art studio from the University of California at Santa Barbara, and she teaches a variety of formats, including but limited to aquatic fitness, boot camp, high-intensity training, metabolic conditioning and yoga. She is a former Navy fitness coordinator and swim coach. These days you can find her chasing around her two kids, swinging kettlebells and slamming barbells.

Follow her on social media or email katherinelantto@gmail.com.

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Tis the season for

INCLEMENT WEATHER

By Ryne Dittmer

Although local school districts made it through the first semester without any cancellations for bad weather (minus the “blue snow day” for the Royals World Series parade in November) the chance for winterinduced closures remains.

Deciding when and if school should be canceled because of inclement weather continues to be a

top concern for school administrators during the winter months and depends on several factors.

“It’s definitely a collaboration of efforts with our transportation department and facilities crew as we assess weather conditions and forecasts,” said Liberty Public Schools Superintendent Jeremy Tucker. “We are watching forecasts and working in coordination with the National Weather Service and other school

Cancellation information Liberty Public Schools @LIBERTYSCHOOLS www.liberty.k12.mo.us

As Tucker added, districts try to make the decision to cancel earlier rather than later, if possible, to notify staff and patrons in a timely manner.

The Liberty, Kearney, Smithville and North Kansas City school districts all announce school closings via their websites, messaging systems and social media pages. The Liberty Tribune, Gladstone Dispatch, The Smithville Herald and The Kearney Courier all relay cancellation information via their websites and social media accounts as well.

districts.”

Bill Nicely, the superintendent for the Kearney R-1 School District, said the primary factor in closing schools is transportation safety.

“It focuses mainly on our efforts to transport kids to and from school and doing it in a safe way,” Nicely said.

“If the current weather conditions prevent safe travel of our students, mostly on buses, then that becomes a consideration for calling off school.

We also look at the forecast, too, to determine if during the school day the weather could become problematic, which would ultimately cause safety issues for students and staff going home.”

County and Education Editor Ryne Dittmer can be reached at 389-6606 or ryne.dittmer@npgco.com.

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In your community newspaper The Liberty Tribune, Gladstone Dispatch, The Kearney Courier and The Smithville Herald also publish school and community cancellations on their respective websites and social media accounts as they happen.

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A BEAUTIFUL SIGHT,

we’re

HAPPY tonight

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OAK POINTE OF KEARNEY

An eagle takes flight over Smithville Lake.

Soaring over Smithville Lake

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Smithville Editor Mark Johnson can be reached at 532-4444 or mark.johnson@ smithvilleherald.com.

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Sightings are already occurring.

Potential viewing areas are being scouted. And educational exhibits will soon be ready for transport as Smithville Lake is preparing for the 21st annual Eagle Days, scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, Jan. 9 and 10.

Derek Dorsey, park manager for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at Smithville Lake, is looking forward to the event.

“It’s neat to see people spot eagles for the first time,” he said. “It can be amazing how many people have never seen one before. We take it for granted.”

Knowledge of the eagles is also something that can be taken for granted.

There will be programs presented

by Operation Wildlife both days of the event at the Paradise Pointe Golf Complex at Smithville Lake. In addition to the programs there will be exhibits for all ages, vendors and crafts for children.

The program times on Jan. 9 will

be 9:30 a.m., 11 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 2 p.m. Program times on Jan. 10 are scheduled for 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Each program will have seating for up to 175 people.

Tickets are not required.

After the program, visitors can go to a viewing area where there will be spotting scopes available for the public to use. They also can bring their own spotting scopes, binoculars and cameras, complete with telephoto lenses.

Assisting the visitors in their quest to spot an eagle in the wild will be personnel from the Missouri Department of Conservation, Clay County Parks and Recreation and Corp of Engineers.

As for why the eagles can be found at Smithville Lake each winter, Dorsey said they follow the food supply, including snow geese and fish.

For more information about Eagle Days, call the Corps of Engineers at 532-0174.

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Book Buzz: Wacky Winter Winners If your brain is on ice, generate some positive energy with a string of belly laughs.

Break open one of Newsbee’s “Wacky Winter Winners,” and you’ll crack up faster than you can spell frozen. Reading warms the cockles of your hearts — let those cockles roar! These wacky books are guaranteed to have you agog with giggles. Enjoy!

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They’ve got the corner on creativity in a book that nearly defies description.

It begins on a Monday with two fellas named Sam and Dave ready to dig a hole to “find something spectacular.” Their trusty hound accompanies them. They dig and keep going deeper and deeper, the “spectacular” eluding them — but not their pooch. He does everything but point

Libraries offer Winter Reading Challenge Whether readers are stepping through the looking glass or having a cup of tea with an old friend, blending the classic novels with new ideas allows readers to see an old book from a new perspective. It’s even better when readers mix up well-known fantasyland through someone else’s eyes. This year, Mid-Continent Public Library invites adult readers to take a new trip with some classic characters in the 2016 Winter Reading Challenge. From “Hamlet” to “Peter Pan,” be altered when exploring new thoughts with an old classic.

The Winter Reading Challenge is an opportunity to celebrate leisure reading by providing rewarding reading experiences and incentives (like the limited-edition 2016 Winter Reading Challenge mug) for those who complete the challenge of reading five books in two months.

How do readers participate? Join online or at any Mid-Continent Public Library location beginning — signups began Jan. 1. Read any five books from the list or others of the reader’s choosing between Jan. 15 and March 15. List those five books on the online reading log. Visit Reading Challenge mug after March 15. All participants completing five or more books will be entered in a prize drawing.

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any branch library in order to receive a limited edition 2016 Winter

the way to gems that lurk in the dirt, but to no avail.

Tired and dirty, Sam and Dave take a break, and discuss changing their strategy — perhaps “we should dig in another direction,” Dave suggests. They try that, as well as other ploys, but nothing is effective until their dog takes charge and the bottom drops out.

This book will upend you, and provide massive mirth, that’s for sure.

Once Upon an Alphabet, Short Stories for All the Letters From A to Z and back again, there’s plenty to please in “Once Upon an Alphabet, Short Stories for All the Letters,”

L I B E RTY T R I BU N E, T H E K EA RNEY CO URI ER, GLAD STO NE D I SPAT CH, T HE SM IT HVILLE HE R A LD

Ja nua ry 2016

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find Jed they

by upbeat original by Oliver Jeffers, one of Newsbee’s favorite author/illustrators.

This oversized volume dressed in red weds tale to letter, from A to Z. You’ll “B” intrigued by the story of a man who burns his bridge, only to realize he doesn’t have any way to get back to the other side of the chasm after he sets the structure on fire.

“C” what happens when a cup meets her untimely fate on a slab of concrete, and be entertained to a “T” by the tale of a terrified typist whose end turns tragic.

Every character has its red-letter day in this clever book that introduces a letter and then follows up with a story using words that start with that letter.

“Ingenious” serves “I” well, relating the tale of “… an ingenious inventor who invented many ingenious things … like “iguanas in their natural habitat … incognito.”

No one writes quirky better than Jeffers.

set off on a journey fraught with danger and delights.

Meanwhile Jed has his own set of challenges — deciphering the language of red squirrels who provide him with a temporary home, dealing with predators craving the very meat on his bones, and formulating a plan

Nuts to You Fantasy and fable take to the trees in “Nuts to You,” by Lynne Rae Perkins, the adorable tale of a grove full of gray squirrels determined to change their fate, or go belly-up trying.

The book begins with a near disaster for Jed, an unsuspecting rodent ripped off by a gliding hawk. As he’s squirreled away in the hawk’s clutches, his buddies TsTs and Chai watch horror struck. Determined to

to stop the blades of progress that are creating a real ruckus for all in the forest.

Clever footnotes and dandy dialect will delight in this rollicking adventure that will have you appreciating your furry squirrel friends as never before.

— Reprinted with permission, Missourian Publishing Company. Copyright 2015.

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LIB E R T Y T R IBUN E , T HE KE A R N E Y COU RI ER, G L A D S TO NE D I S PATC H, THE S MI THV I L L E HERA L D

Breakfast tips to kick-start your year As you look to the new year with plans for healthier habits, there’s no better place to start than the beginning — the beginning of each day, that is. Countless studies have shown the benefits of a nutritious breakfast as part of a healthy eating plan, and there are plenty of options to make a good-for-you breakfast that tastes great, too.

Experts agree that there are numerous health benefits to breakfast. For example, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics credits breakfast with helping brain function and memory as well as preventing tiredness and overeating as the day wears on. Mayo Clinic staff adds that adults who eat breakfast are likely to consume more vitamins and minerals, and less fats and cholesterol.

Wake up your morning routine with these tips: Plan a well-rounded meal.

Incorporate whole grains like sorghum, lean protein, low-fat dairy, and fruits and

vegetables for a nutrient-rich meal that will keep you fueled and feeling full.

Experiment with new flavors. Avoid boredom by trying new foods. For example, substitute your typical grain with sorghum, an American-grown cereal grain. In addition to its delicious flavor, sorghum is a highly versatile ingredient that is naturally high in fiber, iron and protein and can be used in a wide range of preparations.

Eliminate obstacles. If hectic mornings are preventing you from getting a healthy breakfast, find solutions that work for you and your family. Prepare make-ahead foods that you can heat in minutes or look for options that are easy to eat on the go, such as this Triple Sorghum Granola, which can be made ahead and stored in an airtight container to maintain its crunchy texture.

Find more ideas for incorporating sorghum into your healthy new year at

Facebook.com/TasteSorghum.To find whole grain sorghum for this recipe and other great tasting sorghum products, visit Nu Life Market or Wonder Grain.

Triple Sorghum Granola Recipe developed by Pam Correll, Brockport, Pennsylvania

1 cup cooked sorghum (cooked according to package directions) ½ cup dry whole oats ½ cup pepitas (pumpkin seeds) 1 cup slivered almonds 2 tablespoons sorghum syrup 2 tablespoons coconut oil ½ cup dried cranberries ½ cup unsweetened coconut chips ½ cup popped sorghum (popped according to package directions)

on jelly roll pan. Place in oven 1 hour, turning every 15 minutes. Remove from oven and transfer to large mixing bowl. Stir in oats, pepitas and almonds.

Raise oven temperature to 300 F. In 1-quart sauce pan, heat sorghum syrup and coconut oil until oil melts.

Blend well. Pour liquid mixture over dry ingredients; stir to blend well. Spread evenly on jelly roll pan. Bake 30 minutes, turning every 10 minutes.

Remove from oven and stir in cranberries, coconut chips and popped sorghum. Allow to cool. Break apart. Store in airtight container.

Heat oven to 200 F. Spread sorghum

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