What Makes Your Family
Smile? At Smileology you will enjoy gentle, advanced cosmetic, implant and family dental care from our caring staff in a comfortable environment.
With Smileology, people will notice your smile- not your dental work.
COSMETIC & IMPLANT DENTAL PROFESSIONALS Bluewater Bay | Miramar Beach
$99
Olivier Broutin DMD, MAGD
$169 Children’s Dental Exam a $70 SAVINGS!
Offer valid only for new patients towards 2 films bitewing xrays (D0272), child prophy exam (D1120), oral evaluation (D0150), oral hygiene instruction (D1330) and topical fluoride (D1206). The patient and any person responsible for payment has a right to refuse to pay, cancel payment, or be reimbursed for any other service, exam or treatment that is performed as a result and within 72 hours of responding to the advertisement for the free, discounted fee or reduced fee service, examination, or treatment. Must mention ad when scheduling. Expires 2/29/16. Valid only at Miramar Beach and Bluewater Bay locations. Not valid with any other offers.
Call 850.724.7667
CONTENTS
JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2016
VOLUME 13 NUMBER 1
24
14 8 30
5 6
8
Publisher’s Page Contributor's Page
The fantastic writers who make this magazine a reality!
Are you in the top 8%? Planning is key to success.
12 Reconnecting With You!
It's easy to lose ourselves after having kids.
14 The Gift of Essential Oils
Their place in your wellness plan.
20 Your Worst Enemy
It could be you!
34 24 Everyone Knows a Pageant Girl!
But did you know...
29 Making A Difference
Lauren's Kids Destin Desserts
30 Tech Talk
When Google won't do.
Life skills beyond the dance itself.
34 Give Dance A Chance 40 Paging All Readers .
Alexandra Brown shares this issues treasures!
42 Events Tell them you saw it in ON THE COAST Magazine • 3
PUBLISHER/EDITOR NANCY BABIN PHOTO EDITOR / CREATIVE DIRECTOR SHANE BABIN CONTRIBUTING EDITORS NANCY BABIN, ALEXANDRA BROWN, DENISE GATES, PAUL HUNTER, LISA JIMENEZ, CHRISTINA KATZ COURTNEY OWENS, MEAGAN RUFFING, ERIKA SCANNELL, CRYSTAL TINGLE, TIFFANY TOLER PHOTOGRAPHY COASTALSTYLE.COM ART DIRECTOR NANCY BABIN GRAPHIC DESIGN TEAGUE SOLUTIONS & TRINITY GRAPHICS & DESIGN
SALES (850) 642-5439
FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/ONTHECOASTMAGAZINE www.OnTheCoastMag.com
ON THE COAST is published six times a year and is available free of charge at more than 200 strategically placed locations. ON THE COAST encourages your comments, suggestions and submissions, and we reserve the right to edit for tone, grammar, style or length. The Magazine will not be held responsible for unsolicited manuscripts, artwork or photography. Editorials articulated in this publication do not necessarily reflect that of ON THE COAST MAGAZINE. Please write us at: ON THE COAST MAGAZINE 4421 Commons Drive East #110 Destin, FL 32541-3847 (850) 642-5439 E-mail OTC@OntheCoastMag.com ON THE COAST is a division of KIDZ ON THE COAST ® Publishing, INC. All materials are copyrighted and may not be reproduced in any manner without written permission from the publisher. Kidz on the coast Publishing Inc., does not knowingly accept false or misleading advertising or editorial content, nor Kidz on the Coast Publishing Inc., or its staff assume responsibility should such advertising or editorial content appear in any publication.
4 • Tell them you saw it in ON THE COAST Magazine
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! Whether your birthday is today or later this year, we will each turn a year older at some point in 2016. And what a year we have ahead of us… In a word… WOW!!! For starters, in 2016 the world will get an extra day! Yes, it’s a LEAP year and that means we get an extra day added to our calendar the end of February. February 29th, 2016 a Leap Day is added to account for variations in the complicated rotational forces and pathway around the sun that our small planet tracks. In other words, an extra day for you and me while the brilliant astrophysicists study the “whys” and “hows.” What are you going to do with an extra day this year? According to the Chinese calendar, Monday, February 8, 2016 starts the “Year of the Monkey.” The monkey ranks ninth of the 12 animals in the Chinese zodiac. Each year is related to an animal sign according to the 12-year-cycle. Fellow Monkey years include 1920, 1932, 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004 and 2028 in our future. Monkeys like to have fun, swing from tree to tree and search for the next great adventure. That kind of attitude would make for an amazing 2016, don’t you think? From August 5th through the 21st the world will have their eyes on Rio De Janeiro for the 31st Olympiad – the 28th Summer Olympics. The difference in number is due to suspended games during WWI and WWII. This summer’s olympics will be the first ever games hosted in South America! There will be approximately 10,500 athletes, from 205 different countries participating in 306 competitions in 42 different sports. In addition, Golf is returning to the games after 112 years, and Rugby is returning after 92 years. If you can make it, there are 7.5 million tickets available for purchase now!
On November 8, 2016, Americans of legal age and registered voters will get the chance to participate in a national milestone – the 2016 Presidential Election. Many historical scholars and analysts believe the great United States of America is at a tipping point. Which way the pendulum swings is up to us! I normally think change is good, even if its uncomfortable at times. Change pushes us to grow. Without the changing seasons, we would have no crops. All eyes will be on the polling updates on this day in history in 2016. Some other fun facts to know about 2016 include what I am coining as the “Monday Factors”. 04/04/2016 is a Monday. 06/06/2016 is a Monday. 08/08/2016 is a Monday. 10/10/2016 is a Monday. And 12/12/2016 is also a Monday!!! If you are not a Monday person, maybe the fun numerology behind 2016 will bring you around? Or perhaps, if 1994 was a stellar year for you, you will be glad to know that 2016 is one and the same, calendar wise!!! Thanks to our leap day, the dates and days are the exact same, even many festivals are the same!!! There is so much potential for 2016 to be your best year yet! Its starts now. You have everything in you to make a change – whether big or small, you and your resolve are all you need to do something new. But don’t change just because a new year is beginning, change for your own personal growth no matter what resolutions you make. Step out. Live for your own standards, no one elses’. Vote, no matter what everyone else may say. Have fun. Be adventurous. Live each day as if it were your birthday. Let 2016 be a year of change, but change for you alone. One of Great Britain’s most well-known poets, Alfred Lord Tennyson wrote, “Hope smiles from the threshold of the year to come, whispering, ‘It will be happier’…”. I pray this new year blesses you, my Dear Readers, and you find yourself happier in 2016.
2004 Gold ADDY Award
2008 Silver ADDY Award
Tell them you saw it in ON THE COAST Magazine • 5
Contributors Cortney Owens Cortney Owens, wife of 15 years and mother of two children, ages 10 and 8. She has a bachelors degree in marketing and management information systems with the University of West Florida and works fulltime at Nemours Children's Clinic in Pensacola Florida as a Sr. Operations Manager. In her spare time, she likes to do graphic design and write.
Paul Hunter Denise Gates Denise is a freelance writer and editor, the stay-at-home mother of two teenage boys, and a military wife whose husband’s career takes her all over the country but whose heart remains in Destin, FL. As any writer knows, a second set of eyes is essential before submitting an article for publication. Denise is often asked to be that second set of eyes for us – to read over articles and make sure the Is are dotted and the Ts are crossed. Denise reviews articles and restructures them as necessary to make sure the writer’s message shines through. Writers put their passion down on paper, but we run it by Denise first.
Paul Hunter, B.S., C.S.C.S, lives On the Coast with his wife and three teenagers infusing science with his playful style yielding astonishing results at Grayton Beach Fitness, voted Best Place to Work Out on 30-A.
Tiffany Toler Tiffany recently relocated with her newly wed husband and their dog from Eglin AFB to McGuire AFB in NJ. She enjoys contributing to On the Coast magazine doing research for all things including the event calendar, web editorial and newsletters.
Crystal, along with her husband of 19 years and 3 boys, has been living in the Destin area since 2005. She is Founder of TheFitandHealthyLife.com which is a resource website created to teach and empower women to become the best version of themselves at any age through healthy food and fitness. Her passion to help women grew from her own transformation from frumpy mom to fit mom when she finally learned to stop comparing herself to others and focus on being the best that she could be…competing only with herself and all of this happened after 40!
Meagan Ruffing Meagan Ruffing is a freelance parenting writer dreaming about her next trip to Florida. She continues to find new ways each day to get to know her former self while raising her three young children.
Lisa Jimenez
Erika Scannell Erika Scannell has been married to Kip for nearly 10 years and has enjoyed living in this area for the past 13. Mother to 5 incredible children and active in her church and community as a volunteer MOPS Coordinator, SW Football Secretary and speaker. Enjoys running, reading and writing and plans to publish her first book this year.
Crystal Tingle
Alexandra Brown Alexandra lives in Destin and is married to Jerry Brown and has 2 daughters, Ellen (14) and Clara (12). She has loved reading since the age of 3 and also loves snow skiing, hiking and mountain biking.
6 • Tell them you saw it in ON THE COAST Magazine
Lisa Jimenez helps people break through fear and selflimiting beliefs to get into ACTION and achieve their goals. As an author, international speaker and business coach, she teaches people how to retrain the brain and create the mindset they need to build a successful business and life.
Christina Katz Christina Katz loves everything Florida—long stretches of beach, plump oranges and grapefruits, and one big sunshiny reason to frequently reapply her sunscreen. Her latest book is Permission Granted, 45 Reasons to Micropublish.
F
I
T
N
E
S
S
2016
THE
BIGGER REASON By Paul Hunter
It’s that time of year when many people have already decided their goals for 2016. Some call them goals, others “New Year’s Resolutions.” Whatever you call them, about 45% of Americans usually make some and only 8% are on record for successfully achieving them. According to the Harvard study on goal setting, only 3% of the class wrote down their goals and a plan to achieve them. When rechecked 10 years later, those 3% were earning 10 times as much as the other 97% combined! Evidently, writing your goals and an action plan to achieve your goal is vital for success. Something that is rarely mentioned in regard to resolution/ goal setting is what do you do when you slip? What happens when you fall short or dare I say, fail? What do you do when you fail to do what you set out to do? Do you stop everything or do as Hernán Cortés did and “burn the boats?” So often, we allow setbacks and failure to stop us in our tracks. Some will say it’s because we weren’t committed enough in the first place. Some will say it is due to a lack of planning - planning and being prepared for what to do when failure or setbacks occur. Frequently, when I ask my clients what their goals are, my next question is “Why?” Why do they have that goal? 8 • Tell them you saw it in ON THE COAST Magazine
It goes something like this: Me:
“What do you want to accomplish?”
Client: “I want to get in shape.” Me:
“Why do you want to get in shape?”
Client: “Because I need more energy.” Me:
“Good.
Why do you need more
energy?” Client: “So I can keep up with my kids.” Me:
“So you want to be actively
involved with your kids, and more energy will help?” Client: “YES!” Me:
“Excellent. So when you complain
that something is too difficult and do not want to go on, I can remind you of this conversation?” Client: “Uh, you got me.” Being healthy and in shape is typically a means to an end, not the final result in and of itself. Thus, I search for the deeper reason. It gives each session, repetition,
increase
in
resistance,
incline and exercise a meaning instead of just going through the motions. So, what On is your reason? Continued Page 10
Why do
Tell them you saw it in ON THE COAST Magazine • 9
So, what is your reason? Why do you want
It was a decision that should have backfired,
to eat healthy, get in shape, lose weight, get
for if Cortés and his men were on the brink of
stronger, etc., etc., etc.? Why, why, why? Get
defeat, there wasn’t an exit strategy in place
to the bottom of it and you may just find a deep-
Continued From Page 9
to save their lives.
Remarkably though, the
seated reason as to why you can’t give up on
command to burn the boats had an opposite
your goals. What will keep you going when you
effect on his men because now they were left
just don’t want to?
with only two choices — die, or ensure victory. And fight they did.
Let’s get back to Hernán Cortés. Remember him?
We know today how Cortés’ decision to burn his boats panned out. Hernán Cortés became the first man in 600 years to
In 1519, Hernán Cortés, with some 600 Spaniards,
successfully conquer Mexico.
16 or so horses and 11 boats, landed on a vast inland plateau called Mexico. These guys were
Though historians still dispute the veracity of Hernán Cortés
about to embark on a conquest of an empire that
burning his boats, it’s doubtless that Cortés did destroy his
hoarded some of the world’s greatest treasure.
boats.
Gold, silver and precious Aztec jewels were just some of what this treasure had to offer to anyone
Allow your goals, dreams and resolutions to be bigger than
who succeeded in their quest to obtain it.
anything that may come in the way. Prepare for these setbacks.
Instead of charging through cities and forcing his men into immediate battle, Hernán Cortés stayed on the beach and awoke the souls of his men with melodious cadences in the form of emblazoned speeches urging the spirit of adventure and invoking the thirst of lifetimes of fortune amongst his troops. But ironically, it would only just be three words that Cortés’ murmured that would change the history of the New World. As they marched inland to face their enemies, Cortés ordered, “Burn the boats.”
10 • Tell them you saw it in ON THE COAST Magazine
䔀䰀䔀䌀吀刀䤀䌀 圀䄀䰀䬀䤀一䜀 吀刀䔀䄀䐀䴀䤀䰀䰀 䈀䤀䬀䔀 圀䠀夀 䨀唀匀吀 圀䄀䰀䬀⸀⸀⸀ 圀䠀䔀一 夀伀唀 䌀䄀一 圀䄀䰀䬀 ☀ 刀伀䰀䰀℀
䠀愀瘀攀 儀甀攀猀琀椀漀渀猀㼀 圀愀渀琀 愀 吀攀猀琀 刀椀搀攀㼀
∠ 䜀爀攀愀琀 䰀漀眀 䤀洀瀀愀挀琀 䔀砀攀爀挀椀猀攀 ∠ 䔀挀漀 䘀爀椀攀渀搀氀礀 吀爀愀渀猀瀀漀爀琀愀琀椀漀渀 ∠ 伀瘀攀爀 㘀 䴀椀氀攀猀 漀渀 伀渀攀 䌀栀愀爀最攀 ∠ 唀瀀 琀漀 㔀 䴀倀䠀 ∠ 匀栀椀洀愀渀漀 䈀椀欀攀 䌀漀洀瀀漀渀攀渀琀猀 ∠ ㈀ 夀攀愀爀 眀愀爀爀愀渀琀礀 ∠ 䘀甀渀 愀渀搀 ∠ 䘀甀渀 愀渀搀 猀愀昀攀 昀漀爀 愀氀氀 愀最攀猀 㔀⬀ꀀꀀ
䤀渀琀爀漀搀甀挀琀漀爀礀 倀爀椀挀椀渀最 䄀瘀愀椀氀愀戀氀攀 昀漀爀 愀 䰀椀洀椀琀攀搀 吀椀洀攀
䘀䤀一䄀 䄀嘀䄀䤀䰀一䄀䌀䈀䤀一䜀 䰀䔀℀
匀琀攀瘀攀 䐀爀甀洀洀漀渀搀 簀 㠀㐀㐀ⴀ唀ⴀ䰀伀倀䤀䘀䤀吀 眀眀眀⸀氀漀瀀椀ǻ琀唀匀⸀挀漀洀
䴀漀瘀攀 匀琀爀漀渀最 䐀攀猀琀椀渀 椀猀 琀栀攀 栀漀洀攀 漀昀 琀栀攀 㘀 眀攀攀欀 琀爀愀渀猀昀漀爀洀愀琀椀漀渀⸀ 圀攀 最甀愀爀愀渀琀攀攀 眀攀椀最栀琀 氀漀猀猀 愀琀 漀甀爀 昀愀挀椀氀椀琀礀⸀
圀攀 愀爀攀 琀栀攀 漀渀氀礀 最礀洀 椀渀 琀栀攀 愀爀攀愀 琀栀愀琀 眀椀氀氀 最椀瘀攀 礀漀甀 礀漀甀爀 洀漀渀攀礀 戀愀挀欀 椀昀 礀漀甀 氀漀猀攀 ㈀ 氀戀猀⸀ 漀爀 洀漀爀攀 搀甀爀椀渀最 礀漀甀爀 㘀 眀攀攀欀 琀爀愀渀猀昀漀爀洀愀琀椀漀渀⸀
䨀䰀䰀䬀
䐀伀一ᤠ吀 䰀䔀吀 䰀䤀䘀䔀 䠀伀䰀䐀 夀伀唀 䈀䄀䌀䬀 䄀一夀 䰀伀一䜀䔀刀℀
㠀㔀 ⴀ㘀㠀㜀ⴀ㐀㘀㠀
䨀䰀䰀䬀
眀眀眀⸀洀漀瘀攀猀琀爀漀渀最搀攀猀琀椀渀⸀挀漀洀
䨀䰀䰀䰀䰀䰀䰀䰀䰀䰀䬀 㔀 倀伀唀一䐀匀 䐀伀圀一 ☀ 㔀─ 䈀伀䐀夀 䘀䄀吀 䰀伀匀吀
䨀愀猀漀渀 䬀甀栀渀 椀猀 琀栀攀 昀愀琀 洀攀氀琀椀渀最 攀砀瀀攀爀琀℀ 䠀攀 栀愀猀 戀攀攀渀 椀渀 琀栀攀 戀甀猀椀渀攀猀猀 昀漀爀 漀瘀攀爀 礀攀愀爀猀 愀渀搀 栀愀猀 琀栀椀猀 瀀爀漀最爀愀洀 搀漀眀渀 琀漀 愀 猀挀椀攀渀挀攀⸀ 圀攀 愀爀攀 愀 昀椀琀渀攀猀猀 昀愀洀椀氀礀 愀渀搀 眀攀 攀渀挀漀甀爀愀最攀 攀愀挀栀 漀琀栀攀爀 琀漀 昀愀挀攀 礀漀甀爀 昀攀愀爀猀 愀渀搀 猀琀爀甀最最氀攀猀 栀攀愀搀 漀渀⸀ 䨀伀䤀一 唀匀℀ Tell them you saw it in ON THE COAST Magazine • 11
L I F E S T Y L E
There are several ways you can reclaim your pre-mom self. With a little prodding and much delight, you will be amazed at how wonderful it feels to get back to you.
1.
Music has a way of taking you back to a moment in
time that may have been stored away to make room for those precious firsts with your child. A sure-fire way to steal back a piece of what used to blast within the confines of your car is to find those old CDs from high school and college and enjoy the fact that you can still sing your favorites word-for-word.
JLLLK ME Getting Back To
By Meagan Ruffing
It’s easy to lose ourselves after having kids. The dreams we once had are long forgotten and the inner drive to be our personal best gets put on the back burner as priorities change. The question, “Who am I?” becomes a life-long quest for personal happiness
and what used to make us happy no longer does.
However our lives change when kids
enter the scene, our core is still the
same. We are still those same people who like to scrapbook, go for a run and
eat ice cream. Starting a family doesn’t have to be the end all be all of your
identity; it just takes a little time to get it back.
12 • Tell them you saw it in ON THE COAST Magazine
2.
Working out isn’t necessarily something that everyone
enjoys to do but, maybe you did a marathon back in your
glory days? Or maybe you used to enjoy taking yoga and then taking a relaxing bath to cleanse away the day? Look into the
programs at your local gym and consider reemerging into the
healthy ways you used to take care of yourself. An hour of
mindfulness is wonderful after a long day at home with your children.
3.
Reconnecting with old friends can fill a hole in our
hearts that we had forgotten all about. If there is someone from your past, pre-marriage, pre-kids, pre-adult life that you
miss and would consider reaching out to, go for it. Surrounding yourself with people who lift you up, love you and want the best for you can remind you that there is only one you and you have a lot to offer. Maybe there’s an apology you need to give to make amends or maybe you’re the one holding onto a life-long grudge. Whatever the situation, rid yourself of any negativity and reconnect with someone you want in your life.
4.
Make a bucket list. This is by far one of the best pieces of advice someone can give you. If you don’t have one, make one. If you made one a long time ago (life before kids), look back at the things you used to want to accomplish, cross off any that you have finished and add a few new things that you would like to see happen. This is such a fun and tangible way to get back to you.
5.
Hobbies can be a thing of the past when you have kids. Who has time for anything other than wiping runny noses and potty-training? Those early days with little ones can feel like a never-ending series of one. long. day. All of those times you stayed up to care for your baby and tuck your toddler in just one more time will soon be a thing of the past. As your kids
start to get older, carve out small chunks of time when you can and start taking up hobbies you used to enjoy or try a new one. It’s okay to enjoy doing the things you used to like to do before starting a family. It can be fun to uncover the layers of the person you used to be and probably, have always been. Motherhood is exhausting, amazing, but exhausting. Take one moment for yourself and turn that into two moments and three and so on. It will make you a better mom, a better friend and a better person all-around, and who doesn’t want that?
JLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLK
Tell them you saw it in ON THE COAST Magazine • 13
C RYSTAL
CLEAR
Essentials for life By Crystal Tingle
It is hard to believe that another year has come and gone.
just hear me out. Events from this year have really altered
I don’t know about you, but I must admit that 2015 was
the way I view healthy living. I have realized that it must
full of busy, packed with crazy
go well beyond what I have always
and overflowing with all kinds of
known
and
been
so
passionate
changes for me. Some of it was
“Wellness is a state of optimal well-being that
about…it is also understanding the
good and anticipated while other
is oriented toward maximizing an individual’s
role “wellness” plays in it all. I love
changes presented a bit of a challenge, a brain stretch of sort - learning to think differently about
potential. This is a life-long process of moving towards enhancing your physical, intellectual,
the things I already knew, such
emotional, social, spiritual, and environmental
as the way I had always viewed
well-being.”
the way McKinley Health Center defines wellness: “Wellness is a state of optimal well-being that is oriented toward maximizing an individual’s potential. This is a life-long process
health and fitness. I know that a
of moving towards enhancing your
fit body on the outside must start
physical,
from a healthy body on the inside.
social, spiritual, and environmental
I know that what you put into your
well-being.” In other words, you can’t
mouth plays a more important role
eat great, exercise 3-4 times a week
intellectual,
emotional,
in many ways toward your external transformation than any
and hold your claim on healthy. The beyond is also looking
exercise you do. I also know
at how much rest you get at night, learning to manage
it takes both to achieve the
stress and anxiety that life creates, and realizing how
b e s t
environmental and traditional practices of western living
you, but
impacts our overall well-being. This is just as important as the food you eat and your weekday workouts. Admittedly, evaluating the beyond for me was a bit daunting until I gave myself permission to take it slowly. It first meant acknowledging that to achieve an optimal state of wellness for not only me but my family as well, I had to open up and empty more cabinets. Knowing that our skin is actually the largest organ in our body and designed to absorb as well as secrete, I really began to dig deeper to look for more natural alternatives to the everyday things we use that contain potentially harmful synthetic and chemical compounds. It also became clear and essential that I not only open up the cleaning cabinet but the medicine cabinet as well. As I began my research, one common thread kept surfacing Continued On Page 16
14 • Tell them you saw it in ON THE COAST Magazine
Tell them you saw it in ON THE COAST Magazine • 15
Continued From Page 14
essential oils! I have dabbled with a few in the past but I was honestly somewhat skeptical and thus never put a lot of energy into the research, but after putting in the long pushed aside time, what I found, I liked. What I read made sense! And what I tried, I loved! Now I am certainly not claiming to be the expert yet but I will say I have been quite impressed and ready to learn more. These oils have so many useful applications that I cannot even begin to cover them all, but the reach extends from household cleaners to the shower and straight into the medicine cabinet. With each day, I am that much closer to “cleaning house” and it’s a good feeling. It’s a healthy feeling. But it is a process…and here are a few questions I had in the beginning of my process that hopefully helps you in yours!
“What are essential oils and what’s so great about them?” Essential oils (EOs) are derived from the plant in its entirety. It’s an extraction of a highly concentrated pure liquid using the stems, flower, leaves, bark, roots, etc., using a distilling process usually by steam or water. For example, it takes about 75 lemons to extract enough oil for a 15 ml bottle. Or, look at it this way: one drop of peppermint EO is equal to about 28 cups of peppermint tea. That’s pretty concentrated! The molecules within the oil are very small, making it easily absorbed by the skin. Depending on the oil used, it may work within our bodies to enhance our immune system, stimulate cell growth, aid in eliminating toxins, kill bacteria and viruses, and more. Because the FDA does not regulate EOs, few studies exist, but more and more are being released. EOs have been used medicinally for thousands of years. You’re familiar with the most famous historical story use of oils, right? The wise men’s gift of frankincense and myrrh.
My next question was, “Where do I start?” EOs are not regulated nor are they created equal. Continued On Page 18
16 • Tell them you saw it in ON THE COAST Magazine
The molecules within the oil are very small, making it easily absorbed by the skin. Depending on the oil used, it may work within our bodies to enhance our immune system, stimulate cell growth, aid in eliminating toxins, kill bacteria and viruses, and more. Because the FDA does not regulate EOs, few studies exist, but more and more are being released. EOs have been used medicinally for thousands of years. You’re familiar with the most famous historical story use of oils, right? The wise men’s gift of frankincense and myrrh.
Continued From Page 16
Because this industry lacks standardization, this is one area where you want to make sure you are buying therapeutic grade
r e d n e v a L
EOs. Many companies, however, will make this claim, so go with a trusted source and buy from one that uses: • Indigenously grown plants free of chemicals and pesticides. • Plants harvested at the right time for peak properties. • Proper extraction to preserve the molecules in the oil. • Third party testers to ensure quality and integrity.
“How do I use them?”
EOs can be used aromatically, topically or internally. Make sure you read up on the oils you decide to try. Some can be used all three ways while others are only meant to be used topically and may require dilution. Still others should not be used on children or pregnant women. Read! Read! Read! If you are uncertain, I can refer you to people I consider experts in EOs to answer your questions and help you.
And finally, “Which ones should I buy first?”
Fr
e s n e c n aki
This part can be overwhelming since there are hundreds of EOs and blends available. So if you are just starting out, I would recommend these five:
Lemon
Since this oil has antibacterial properties and a great fresh smell, I dilute it and use it as a household cleaner and disinfectant. Lemon also has antihistamine and antiviral properties as well as being a great natural detox, which benefits our digestive track and can aid in reducing inflammation in our bodies. It’s a must! Additional uses: breath freshener, add to shampoo for dandruff, anxiety.
n o m Le
18 • Tell them you saw it in ON THE COAST Magazine
Lavender
This is my favorite. Lavender is most known for its calming and relaxing properties. As much as my mind is aware of the need for adequate sleep, my body does not always comply. I have often had to use OTC methods to help me shut down and get rest. However, since I began using this oil, I have not had the need for Continued On Page 46
䰀伀䌀䄀吀䔀䐀 䤀一 吀䠀䔀 吀䄀刀䜀䔀吀 匀䠀伀倀倀䤀一䜀 䌀䔀一吀䔀刀 㠀㌀㌀ 䠀䄀刀䈀伀刀 䈀䰀嘀䐀 唀一䤀吀 㤀 䐀䔀匀吀䤀一 㠀㔀 ⴀ㐀㘀 ⴀ㠀㐀㐀㠀
䬀䤀匀匀䈀䄀䬀䔀刀夀⸀堀伀䀀䜀䴀䄀䤀䰀⸀䌀伀䴀
HOT O SPOTS
匀䬀䄀吀䔀 一伀圀 唀一吀䤀䰀 䨀䄀一 ㌀
㠀㔀 ⸀㜀㐀⸀㜀㘀㐀 戀愀礀琀漀眀渀攀眀栀愀爀昀⸀挀漀洀
䘀䔀䄀吀唀刀䤀一䜀 倀刀伀䐀唀䌀吀匀 䄀匀 匀䔀䔀一 伀一
匀栀愀爀欀 吀愀渀欀℀
一伀圀 䤀一 吀䠀䔀 䐀䔀匀吀䤀一 䌀伀䴀䴀伀一匀 猀栀愀爀欀猀栀漀瀀猀⸀挀漀洀 簀 㠀㔀 ⸀㘀㘀㔀⸀㠀 㐀㤀
昀愀挀攀戀漀漀欀⸀挀漀洀⼀猀栀愀爀欀猀栀漀瀀猀
㠀㔀 ⸀㐀㈀㐀⸀㔀㜀 㜀 簀 瀀椀渀欀渀戀氀甀攀愀瘀攀渀甀攀⸀渀攀琀
Tell them you saw it in ON THE COAST Magazine • 19
L I F E S T Y L E
u o Y e g Ar
n i g a t o ? s b s ce Sa c u S r u Yo a Jime By Lis
20 • Tell them you saw it in ON THE COAST Magazine
nez M
.Ed.
“Enough! I am so over this!” I
What about you?
yelled out in the silence of the
Have you set your goals, and yet...something is getting in
morning. It had been nearly
or someone seems to be holding you back? You can see
your way? Do you know what you want, and yet...something
five years since I went through
this happening, but you haven’t quite pinpointed the culprit.
the financial pain of losing
Let’s get right to it. The culprit that holds you back is You.
my homes to foreclosure and short sales. It had been almost a decade since the dissolution of my eighteen-year marriage. And yet, I was still living the
You have been sabotaging your own success, though you may not realize it. Self-sabotage is a game of the subconscious. It occurs in hidden parts of your mind and most of the time you are not even aware you are sabotaging yourself. Who would ever deliberately undermine or attack their own dreams?
pain of those experiences every
The answer is no one would ever undermine their own
day. I had taken on an identity
subconsciously...until they become aware of their sabotage
of failure, and it was affecting
desires consciously. But everyone, to some extent, does it patterns and slay them!
everything I did—or didn’t do.
Self-sabotage happens when you have a core belief that
In other words, self-sabotage
This is what self-sabotage looked like for me:
was running my life!
interferes or is not in harmony with your goals and dreams.
After the foreclosures, I continued to run my businesses, except I was so risk-adverse, the projects I took on were way below my usual standard. After the divorce, I continued to enjoy my personal life, but I was riddled with fear of loss. I questioned—deeply questioned—my desire for the material and even considered becoming a minimalist (that’s actually funny, given how much I love to live well), and I renounced the material and the desires of my heart. I decided those things brought too much pain and it was better to not want them. (Unless you are truly called to be a minimalist, this is where all of you underachievers cheer for my enlightenment and together we celebrate how spiritual we are!) Obviously, I now believe that decision was just one of the ways I was sabotaging and keeping myself small. For me, small meant safe; and after being beat up in life, feeling safe was all I wanted. Have you allowed negative circumstances to keep you from really living? Like me, did you let failure and setbacks keep you from enjoying a greater level of success? Continued On Page 22
Tell them you saw it in ON THE COAST Magazine • 21
The breakthrough for me came when I was asked the following question...
Paris. It didn’t matter how many challenges I Continued From Page 21
experienced or how deeply I was hurt; LIFE WAS CALLING and I chose to answer!
Imagine a BIG production company came to you with a huge budget and a line-up of the
What about you?
biggest names in Hollywood to make a movie
What do you make negative circumstances
of your life. Tell me, would anyone want to
mean in your life? Is the movie of your life
go see it?
too boring because you hide behind failure and set-backs?
And if they did, would it be pegged as a great adventure; filled with outrageous risk and
Don’t collapse what happened to you with
incredible quests?
what’s possible for you!
Would it be a suspense movie; peppered with dramatic failures
Today is a new day! The
where you turned victim into
challenges you have do not
victory?
define you. They are gifts that
Would it be an empowering
help you wake up to what you
love story – a heart-warming
really want. They are the fuel
example
who
you need to take off in a new
knows how to put themselves
direction. Will you give yourself
out there and really risk in love
permission to launch?
of
a
person
and life even if they’ve been hurt before?
I just returned from Scotland
In other words…
where I launched my third
Do you allow set-backs to stop
book, Slay the Dragon. I spent
you or fuel you?
2 weeks sharing that message and watching the incredible
This question was like a jolt
break
of
throughs
of
people
truth
that
unlocked
the
overcoming sabotage, taking
shackles
and
rocketed
my
back their lives and giving
next level of living. I realized
themselves
permission
to
that my life was supposed to
believe in their dreams again.
have failure, heartache, and disappointment. In fact, it’s the negative
circumstances
that
gave me opportunity to make a change, expand, and grow. That was the moment I gave myself permission to embrace all of those pesky setbacks and change my perspective of them! Within weeks of that breakthrough I rented out my Florida home and moved to Europe for 3 months! I wrote in sidewalk cafes all over Florence, Prague, Stockholm, and 22 • Tell them you saw it in ON THE COAST Magazine
Obviously, I now believe that decision was just one of the ways I was sabotaging and keeping myself small. For me, small meant safe; and after being beat up in life, feeling safe was all I wanted.
Are you one of those people? If
that
production
company
asked to follow you around and make a movie of your life, would you give yourself permission to live the most epic adventure? This is your birthright and a gift you give yourself and others. Lights... Camera... Action!
Your MEGA MILLIONS is her big chance to attend college. ®
E V E RY
P L AY
I S
F O R
E D U C A T I O N.
When you play your favorite Florida Lottery games, a portion of ticket sales goes to support education in our state. In fact, you’ve helped us raise over $28 billion for Florida education – money that helps support K-12 programs and funds Bright Futures scholarships, which have allowed more than 700,000 students to realize their college dreams. So keep playing, because Florida students are winning.
flalottery.com
Must be 18 or older to play. Play responsibly. © 2015 Florida Lottery
WITH A PURPOSE BY CORTNEY OWENS
Beauty pageants of long ago were about competition among young ladies centered on their outer beauty. We’ve seen the television shows that focus on glitz, glamour and artificial beauty, but there is much more to beauty than what you see on the outside. Many of our very own local pageant systems On the Coast are focusing on the very aspects that make up inner beauty: self-confidence, achievement and self-respect.
These pageants have a
purpose which is to have these ladies help better the community as well as themselves through charitable work and contributions such as collecting for food for local food pantries, helping raise awareness for cancer research, assisting families with sick children, and so much more.
24 • Tell them you saw it in ON THE COAST Magazine
65 Roses Events, founded by Tanya Rivera in Crestview, FL, was created to raise money for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. All the proceeds from these events go towards helping individuals with Cystic Fibrosis (or “sixty-five roses” as many young children with the disease pronounce it), a genetic disorder that affects mostly the lungs. In 2014, the events - which included two pageants - raised over $5,000. “My goal that I hold with every pageant is to see every girl on stage feel good about herself while creating memories, making friends and raising awareness,” says Tanya. More information can be found on their facebook page www.facebook. com/65rosesevents. C.H.I.C., Community Hope in Crowns, was founded by Krista Harrelson from Pace, FL. Some of their pageants include Miss Escambia County, Miss Santa Rosa County, Miss Florida Independence, and many more! All the proceeds from the pageants go to local charities and non-profit organizations in the area such as Florida Baptist Children’s Home, Gulf Coast Kids House, Santa Rosa Kids House, Vision of Hope and others. "Our pageants benefit the community through crowning young ladies to help build self-confidence and integrity and bring out their inner beauty. Our system is about giving back to the community while watching the contestants shine bright on stage. We give all thanks to Jesus for giving us the opportunity to host these events that help ladies of all ages find new friends and have the time of their life," says Krista. Miss Northwest Florida was formed in 2008 and had their first pageant in 2009 with approximately 15 girls. Miss Northwest Florida 2016 had 75 girls competing for the four titles of Little, Junior, Teen and Miss. Although the directors changed in 2012, the concept has stayed the same; build self esteem, confidence and friendships while learning selflessness and the value of giving back to the community. Some of the charitable organizations in which the Miss Northwest Florida Pageant has worked with in the past includes Susan G. Komen for the Cure, Chipola Area Healthy Start, Ryan Flowers Foundation, Warrior Beach Retreat, and this year, Ronald McDonald House of Northwest Florida. The preliminary pageant queens, who advance to compete at Miss Northwest Florida November, cooked numerous meals, had ice cream socials for the residents, gathered supplies for their pantry and sold chances to win a Yeti Cooler. “The girls, through their volunteer work have bonded and experienced the joy of helping others,” says Pageant Director Robin Mount. Miss Northwest Florida will continue to work for the Ronald McDonald House through the next year. More information can be found on this pageant system by visiting www.missnwfl.com. Continued On Page 26
Tell them you saw it in ON THE COAST Magazine • 25
Continued From Page 25
The Miss Emerald Coast pageant is a charity event that supports the mission of a local nonprofit, Connecting Kids.
In its inaugural year, the
pageant reflects the heart of Connecting Kids by bridging the social gap among disabled children and their peers. The Shining Star division, a noncompetitive division, allows girls with physical or cognitive impairments to shine onstage alongside their peers in the Main Division, affording all girls the opportunity to build their confidence, poise and self-esteem. Main Division contestants ages 3-21 will be competing for one of the six Miss Emerald Coast titles on February 20. The Main Division queens will serve as mentors and buddies to children with disabilities, as well as give back to the community through various charitable organizations. Pageant director and Connecting Kids’ founder Elizabeth Medlock says, “This pageant is one-of-a-kind. It will simultaneously serve as a fundraiser for our mission and a vehicle for fostering compassion and understanding of differences. We are so excited to combine a special needs division with typical pageant competition and hope that lasting friendships are made. ” Inspired by her daughter Logan to lead Connecting Kids and the Shining Stars division, Elizabeth is most looking forward to seeing her little girl and many others shining brightly onstage, despite their challenges.
All proceeds from the event will go
towards Connecting Kids’ Impact Goals for 2016 which include purchasing four pieces of inclusive playground equipment, sponsoring wheelchair costumes for children at Halloween, and purchasing and adapting Power Wheels for children with disabilities in partnership with Go Baby Go! and the University of Delaware. More information about the pageant can be found at www.missemeraldcoast.com. There are other pageants with a purpose in our area and these are just a few, but as an added note, these particular pageants are also “natural” pageants which concentrate on the natural beauty of the ladies as well as interviewing and on-stage questions which works on self-confidence and speech articulation. Most importantly, some of the best things that come out of these pageants are the friendships that are built for life!
26 • Tell them you saw it in ON THE COAST Magazine
䘀漀爀琀 眀愀氀琀漀渀 戀攀愀挀栀ᤠ猀 倀爀攀洀椀攀爀 䜀礀洀渀愀猀琀椀挀猀 䘀愀挀椀氀椀琀礀 匀椀渀挀攀 㤀㤀㈀
䔀䴀䔀刀䄀䰀䐀 䌀䤀吀夀 䜀夀䴀一䄀匀吀䤀䌀匀 倀刀伀䜀刀䄀䴀匀 倀爀攀猀挀栀漀漀氀 䜀礀洀渀愀猀琀椀挀猀 ⠀眀愀氀欀椀渀最 ⴀ 愀最攀 㔀⤀ 刀攀挀爀攀愀琀椀漀渀愀氀 䜀礀洀渀愀猀琀椀挀猀 䈀漀礀猀 䜀礀洀渀愀猀琀椀挀猀 䌀栀攀攀爀ᤠ渀愀猀琀椀挀猀 ⠀䌀栀攀攀爀 ☀ 吀甀洀戀氀椀渀最⤀ 倀爀攀ⴀ䌀漀洀瀀攀琀椀琀椀瘀攀 ☀ 䌀漀洀瀀攀琀椀琀椀瘀攀 䜀礀洀渀愀猀琀椀挀猀
圀攀 漀昀昀攀爀 䄀搀甀氀琀 䜀礀䴀渀愀猀琀椀挀猀 ☀ 夀漀最愀 倀甀渀挀栀 挀愀爀搀猀 愀瘀愀椀氀愀戀氀攀 昀漀爀 愀氀氀 愀搀甀氀琀 挀氀愀猀猀攀猀℀
䨀愀渀 㘀琀栀 ☀ 䘀攀戀 ㌀琀栀 簀 ㈀ ⴀ 㨀㌀ 瀀洀
䈀䄀䌀䬀 䠀䄀一䐀匀倀刀䤀一䜀 䌀䰀䤀一䤀䌀匀
伀倀䔀一 䜀夀䴀匀 ᰠ䈀椀最 䬀椀搀ᴠ 伀瀀攀渀 䜀礀洀 ⠀愀最攀猀 㘀 愀渀搀 甀瀀⤀ 䘀爀椀搀愀礀猀 㜀㨀㌀ ⴀ 㤀瀀洀Ⰰ ␀ 倀爀攀ⴀ匀挀栀漀漀氀 伀瀀攀渀 䜀礀洀 䴀漀渀Ⰰ 圀攀搀 ☀ 䘀爀椀 㤀㨀㌀ ⴀ 愀洀Ⰰ ␀㔀
㌀㐀 䔀最氀椀渀 倀欀眀礀 簀 䘀琀 圀愀氀琀漀渀 䈀攀愀挀栀 簀 ⠀㠀㔀 ⤀ 㠀㘀㌀ⴀ㌀㤀㤀 簀 攀洀攀爀愀氀搀挀椀琀礀䀀攀愀爀琀栀氀椀渀欀⸀渀攀琀 簀 眀眀眀⸀攀洀攀爀愀氀搀挀椀琀礀最礀洀渀愀猀琀椀挀猀⸀挀漀洀 Tell them you saw it in ON THE COAST Magazine • 27
Visit Professor
Green at the Emerald Coast Science Center!
Learn all about natural gas and its delivery system to homes and businesses The static-visual display located at the Emerald Coast Science Center in Fort Walton Beach includes fun, bold graphics, a high pressure distribution set, pipeline markers, an underground natural gas service line and a real natural gas meter. Take a walk down the sidewalk and learn “What’s Below” as you travel to visit Professor Green at his state of the art natural gas home. For more information or to book a field trip, visit the Emerald Coast Science Center’s website: www.ecscience.org
www.OkaloosaGas.com
MAKING A DIFFERENCE Lauren's Kids Specialty License Plate If you are looking for a special and beautiful way to help Florida’s children stay safe from harm, you may want to consider ordering the Lauren’s Kids ‘Love & Healing’ specialty license plate. Lauren’s Kids’ mission is to prevent sexual abuse through education and awareness, and to help survivors heal with guidance and support – and $25 from each specialty plate sold goes directly toward the Foundation’s work to prevent abuse and protect childhood. Lauren Book, Founder and CEO of Lauren’s Kids, knows that while it shouldn’t hurt to be a child…all too often, it does. Lauren herself was a victim of six years of physical, sexual and emotional abuse as a child, which she suffered at the hands of a trusted caretaker. Armed with the knowledge that 95 percent of sexual abuse is preventable through education and awareness, Lauren has worked tirelessly to turn her horrific personal experience into a vehicle to prevent others from suffering the way she did, and to empower survivors with the message that “It’s OK to Tell” – the title of her memoir – and it’s OK to heal. Since the Foundation’s inception in 2007, Lauren has advocated for the passage of nearly two dozen laws to help protect Florida’s children and families, walked 7,500 miles across the state of Florida to raise awareness, and developed a personal safety curriculum currently being used in 45,000 classrooms in Florida alone. Now, Florida drivers can join Lauren and show support in raising awareness and funds in the fight to prevent child sexual abuse. The Lauren’s Kids ‘Love & Healing’ Specialty License Plate – designed by internationally acclaimed, Miami-based pop artist Romero Britto – is now available for purchase through your local tax collector’s office or on the website by visiting LaurensKids.org/Plates. “We know that 1 in 3 girls and 1 in 5 boys will become a victim of child sexual abuse before the age of 18…but that we can also prevent these things from happening – and empower kids to tell sooner if they do happen,” says Lauren Book. “I am so grateful to the State of Florida, and to each and every driver who chooses to put our plate on their car. You are truly making a difference for children.” Lauren is one of 42 million survivors of child sexual abuse living in the U.S. today. For more information, please visit LaurensKids.org.
Destin Desserts Looking for an event designed to tempt your taste buds? Look no further! Destin Desserts showcases the talents of local chefs featuring Girl Scout cookies as the main ingredient. Now in its fifth year, six local chefs, representing area businesses, will create delectable desserts and compete for the title of Destin Desserts Champion on January 22, 2016 at The Palms of Destin Resort & Conference Center. This year's competing chefs include: Chef Nikhil Abuvala of Roux 30a, Chef Chris Rookis of Aegean Restaurant, Sous Chef Katrina Prebula of Lulu’s, Chef Ruston Johnson of Ruth’s Chris Steak House, Pastry Chef Angie Malabet of Bijoux and Chef Brian Murray of DIG. Doors open at 6 pm with the program beginning promptly at 7 pm. All attending the event have the opportunity to vote for their favorite dessert. Guests can also bid on unique products and services from the area on display through donations from individuals and businesses contributing to the silent auction. Live entertainment will be provided by Shades of Blue. Guests will also enjoy heavy hors d’oeuvres and cocktails. Attire is business/business casual. Proceeds from Destin Desserts solely benefits the Girl Scouts’ Camp Kolomoki, located just west of DeFuniak Springs in Walton County. The camp, which had fallen into disrepair because of heavy rains and inclement weather a few years back is currently not able to be utilized by the Girl Scouts. The funds raised from this event will go towards completion of the repairs and aide in re-opening Camp Kolomoki. To purchase a ticket, make a donation, or commit to an event sponsorship, visit the Girl Scouts of the Florida Panhandle online at www.gscfp.org. Tickets are $35 each and are also available for purchase at three area locations: Shear Twist in Niceville, The Center for Cosmetic & Family Dentistry in Destin, and Frillseekers in Destin. On the Coast Magazine is a proud media sponsor of local charitable events. For sponsorship information, e-mail OTC@OntheCoastMag.com
Tech Talk
When Google Won't Do... By Carolyn Jabs
Searching is a basic skill that every adult—and child—
who use SEO are skilled with keywords, metatags and
-and some things that are pretty dubious—can be found
the millions of websites will be most relevant to you after a
needs to master.
Everything you might want to know-
online, but you have to be able to locate what you need
when you need it. Google, of course, dominates the field
so completely that googling is synonymous with searching. That dominance worries some people, including the FTC, whose staffers prepared an internal report about how Google
search favors Google services over services provided by competitors.
Google also depends upon a proprietary
algorithm-- set of rules about searching.
Google shares
some of what it is doing behind the scenes on its own website. (Search for “how search works” on
other identifiers that Google uses to decide which of all specific search.
Finally, Google customizes search results based on what
you’ve searched for in the past. That means there’s nothing “objective” about Google results. You and your neighbor can search for the same term but come up with different
results if previous searches show that you have different opinions and preferences.
None of this means that families should abandon Google
or the many websites where search is powered by Google.
At the same time, it’s good to be aware of
the Google website.) Still, critics point out
alternatives that may be preferable under
that there are inevitably assumptions and
specific circumstances.
biases into the search process.
When children are young.
Some of these assumptions work to the
Elementary age children who are just
advantage of parents. You really don’t want
beginning to search are likely to be
adult material to show up even if your child
confused and overwhelmed by what they
searches for an innocent word that has a
double meaning. On the other hand, Google
also makes assumptions about what information is reliable based in part on how often other sites link to it. This can make popular sites seem more reputable than they really are.
find on Google.
librarians.
Kidclicks.org produces
a limited number of results, vetted by
Each item is ranked by reading level, so it’s
easier to pinpoint the material that will be useful to a child who is trying to master the intricacies of tornados or dinosaurs.
Google is also vulnerable to Search Engine
When you want a simple answer.
trying to get material from clients to show up
you need to know about Ask.com. The search
Optimization, an entire industry built around on the first page of a Google search. People
If you have a child who asks a lot of questions, engine was designed to respond to “natural Continued On Page 32
30 • Tell them you saw it in ON THE COAST Magazine
enroll now NO REGISTRATION FEE EARLY LANGUAGE AND LITERACY FOCUS READING, WRITING AND SOCIAL SKILLS
PREPARES CHILDREN FOR KINDERGARTEN
Tell them you saw it in ON THE COAST Magazine • 31
language”, so you can type
been providing family-friendly health
Continued From Page 30
in a question like “Why is the
information for over 20 years.
sky blue?” and you’ll get quick, authoritative answers.
When you want context.
When you want a different spin.
Yippy.com collects information
The Bing.com search engine, designed
from a variety of other search
by Microsoft, uses its own proprietary
engines and quickly files what it finds into folders that
algorithms so the results are a little
different. Comparing the harvest on Bing and Google
can be illuminating, especially for controversial topics. Bing also sweetens the pot with a rewards program that allows users to earn points that can be redeemed on websites like Amazon and Fandango.
When you want the human touch.
DMOZ.org is a directory of the Web, developed and It
reviewed
it’s database includes information from
zero in on the information you need.
won’t return millions of results, but each site has been
Google keeps track of searches, so everything
seeing sub-categories for your topic makes it easier to
maintained by an enormous network of volunteers.
When you want privacy.
about
appear on the left hand side of the screen. Sometimes
by a person
your
instead of a
health issues to your purchasing
robot.
preferences. If you’d rather keep
your search history private, you can
No matter what search engine you or your kids use,
com.
Put words that go together in quotes.
use duckduckgo.com or ixquick.
you’ll get better results if you follow a few simple rules:
Both websites promise that
they won’t record anything about you or your searches.
indexes
to indicate words that are crucial to your search and a minus sign (-) to rule out words that aren’t relevant.
When you want just the facts. Wolframalpha.com
Link words that
are equally important with AND. Use a plus sign (+)
nothing
Most of all, teach your kids that what they find online is but
verifiable
information about math, science, history and other topics. This makes it an especially good source for students who are trying to get their facts straight.
When you want to do good.
Goodsearch.org is powered by Yahoo which is now
owned by Bing, so it won’t return different results. It will, however, donate a penny to the cause of your choice every time you or your kids use it.
When you want reliable health information.
Looking for health information on Google can be
contradictory and even scary. For the kind of researchbased information you’d get from your family physician,
turn to curated medical sites like Medline Plus (nlm.nih. gov/medlineplus) which is managed by the National
Library of Medicine or Kidshealth.org which has 32 • Tell them you saw it in ON THE COAST Magazine
only as good as its source. Kids who can think critically as they search will have a huge advantage in a world awash in information.
Tell them you saw it in ON THE COAST Magazine • 33
G I V E A
C H A N C E
21 REASONS TO
TRY CONSISTENT CLASSES BY CHRISTINA KATZ
Don't be fooled by glittery costumes and false eyelashes - competitive dancers are athletes, who deserve to be taken just as seriously as members of any other team such as soccer, swimming, or track. Dance has multiple benefits-often more than other sports. And yes, dance performed regularly and intensively is both a sport and a multi-sensory art form that may raise your child's self-esteem. Continued On Page 36
Tell them you saw it in ON THE COAST Magazine • 35
According to the National Registry of Dance Educators, dance provides physical, intellectual, artistic, social and individual benefits that can enrich any dancer's life. If you are considering dance as an activity for your child, you may want to review the benefits, before you balk at the price tag of consistent classes. Unlike many sports which are often seasonal, dance practice typically runs all school year or even year-round. Many kids take a variety of sports throughout the year, but dancers tend to take foundational dance classes first and then learn new forms of dance as their skills grow. Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Lyrical, Acrobatics, and Hip Hop are the most common forms of dance you will find offered at your local dance studio. When we think of dance, we may think of diva ballerinas or overly meddlesome mothers, but dancers learn many helpful, practical skills that carry over naturally into everyday life. If you visit a few local studios in your area, you will likely find a vibe and set of values that are a good match for your child and family. Here are some of the many benefits of taking consistent dance classes:
sensory skill, so there are many ways to learn and watching closely is an important part of the process, especially for more visual learners. Continued From Page 34
1. Listening better. In order to learn, dancers have to hear and absorb verbal instructions from their teachers, often on the fly. In the practice room, instruction is offered in a variety of ways, which helps children learn to pay attention before, during, and after learning something new. 2. Observing closely. Another way dancers learn is bywatching demonstrations. Dancing is a multi-
3. Expanding social circles. Dancers can make new friends in dance class and expand their social circles beyond the neighborhood and the classroom. Friendships tend to deepen over time and kids who spend a lot of time working on new skills together are likely to form tighter friendships. 4. Growing more fit. We often think of dancers as dainty and delicate but dancers are stronger than you might think. Regular dancing increases cardiovascular health, builds muscles, and, over time, increases physical endurance.
LOCAL DANCE STUDIOS DESTIN Destin School of Music and Dance Rise Dance BLUEWATER Ballet Conservatory FORT WALTON BEACH Brite Starz Katharine's Studio One CRESTVIEW Katharine's Studio One
5. Gaining musicality and rhythm. If you want your child to become more musical, even without practicing an instrument, dance is a good choice. The measured movements kids learn in dance help them intuitively understand and adapt to other kinds of rhythms in life. 6. Building strength. In my daughter's 5th grade classroom, a petite veteran competitive dancer routinely beat the football players at arm wrestling. Dancers must be strong no matter what their size because they need core strength as well as individual muscle strength to leap, turn and twist without injury.
7. Becoming more flexible. Don't worry if your child is not necessarily flexible or agile before beginning dance. Flexibility is something that is approached incrementally as a dancer learns and grows. After a few years of stretching and flexing, any dancer can become more limber. 8. Focusing on following through. If your child has trouble concentrating for periods of time, dance might be a good way to build this skill. Because dance is kinesthetic as well as musical and rhythmic, children who have trouble sitting still in school can concentrate more easily while learning a complete dance movement, which takes Continued On Page 38
36 • Tell them you saw it in ON THE COAST Magazine
䄀一䤀䴀䄀䰀 䔀一䌀伀唀一吀䔀刀匀
倀愀刀琀夀 䄀一䤀䴀䄀䰀匀 䘀伀刀 䠀䤀刀䔀℀ 渀漀渀椀攀猀愀爀欀⸀挀漀洀 ∠ ⠀㠀㔀 ⤀㠀㘀㈀ⴀ㤀㔀㠀㠀
Tell them you saw it in ON THE COAST Magazine • 37
The Well-stocked Dance Bag Stock your child's bag with the basics at the start of a busy dance season. Then check your child's bag seasonally for wear and tear and to determine when items are becoming outgrown. Restock and replace as needed. Quality counts. You are better off purchasing quality rather than purchasing cheap or imitation products. Put your child's name in or on all dance gear in permanent marker.
• Dance shoes (tap, jazz, ballet, lyrical all require different shoes) • A couple of leotards • Tights (in pink for ballet and nude for other performances) • A couple of pairs of dance shorts • Athletic bras • Non-binding underwear • Thick elastic hair bands • Hairnets for buns • Bobby pins (small and large, u-shape and regular) • A sturdy dance bag with pockets • A water bottle
Continued From Page 36
things to the best of our ability. By teaching mastery of a routine through practice, dancers learn how to aim for a goal and reach it. Repeated over time, this ability to get things accomplished can be applied to any task or healthy habit. 12. Finding opportunities for selfexpression. Although dance is rarely verbal and routines are often choreographed, dancers express themselves artistically through movement, agility, showmanship, poise, and by letting their personalities shine through. Some dances offer a variety of roles and dancers may either be cast in a role or offered a solo based on ability and personality. 13. Test-driving commitment. Dancers earn dividends on what they invest. When your dancer commits consistently and fully, the payoff is great. Half-hearted or lax engagement typically yields poorer results. 14. Increasing confidence. Confidence comes from doing. It's one thing to watch a dance recital. It's quite another to perform in one. Dance is multi-sensory, so don't be surprised if it boosts your child's confidence in ways you may not anticipate.
considerable concentration, focus and practice. 9. Responding to feedback. Dancers receive ongoing feedback from instructors. The onus is on them to received feedback as graciously as they can and apply it to their routines so they can improve. This teaches responsiveness and collaboration instead of defensiveness and oversensitivity. 10. Practicing poise. Even if your child often trips or bumps into things, dance can cure the curse of klutziness. Poise in the practice room will eventually translate into increased body awareness and better motor control outside the studio, as well. 11. Inspiring self-discipline. So many situations in life require us to be able to train ourselves to do 38 • Tell them you saw it in ON THE COAST Magazine
15. Acquiring excellent posture. Body language experts have proven that by changing our posture, we can change our attitude and our feelings. Dancers practice excellent posture, which has both short and longterm benefits physiologically and emotionally. 16. Improving body awareness. Dancers' bodies come in all shapes and sizes and dancers learn that an active, healthy body helps you accomplish your objectives with greater ease no matter what size you are. Dancers learn first-hand the benefits of eating healthy and fueling their bodies. 17. Teaching teamwork. Dancers often literally depend on each other to lift each other up, to hold each other up, and to work in unison to make a whole. By working hard together and learning to trust each other, dancers learn to trust themselves in a group.
18. Emphasizing a positive attitude. When you smile, the whole world smiles with you, so the saying goes. Like posture, tests have shown that smiling makes you feel better whether you want to feel better or not. The dance studio is a place where your child is reminded to put a best face forward. 19. Reducing stress. Life gets bumpy sometimes, even for kids. Dancers who are experiencing stress in life outside the studio, may find that the consistency, focus, and health benefits of dance counterbalance negative effects of any stress in their personal lives. Children experiencing stress typically benefit from expressive outlets for their considerable energy. 20. Respecting instructors. Parents do not typically coach or volunteer in dance classes. Most instructors are trained and studios expect kids to be respectful towards their teachers. Dancers who treat instructors with admiration tend to get more out of the process than dancers who behave in a disrespectful manner or act out in class, just like in real life. 21. Joining an extended community. Dancers are not just part of a class, they are part of an extended community. A studio is composed of the owner, the instructors, the students, and the parents and families of the students. Dancers learn that they can be a significant part of the whole and still shine as individuals. They can look to others for good examples and also set a good example. They learn, most importantly to work hard, do their best and still have fun.
Contact us about our
Summer Camp Programs
“Where kids have fun with science!”
Come discover the difference a hands on encounter with science can make. 31 SW Memorial Parkway, Fort Walton Beach | 850.664.1261 | www.ECScience.org
Tell them you saw it in ON THE COAST Magazine • 39
R E A D I N G
PAGING ALL
READERS By Alexandra Brown
Happy New Year to everyone. A new year is a new resolution for
fun rollicking adventure that both boys and girls ages 12 and up
reading! I also suggest that parents resolve to read along with
will love. Parents will too!
your kids and rigorously teach your kids to be discerning about what they read. Finding books to include in this article has been
Another book I recommend is one that has been out for a few
challenging in the past and seems to be getting more difficult.
years, and I am not sure how I missed this wonderful story. It
The reason for the difficulty is that it seems publishers are more
is “Wringer” by Jerry Spinelli. The main character, Palmer, lives
interested in marketing books that
in a town where boys are required to
push social agenda and themes on
become “wringers” when they turn 10
our kids than they are interested in
years old. A wringer is responsible for
selling quality literature.
ending the lives of pigeons that are wounded in the annual town event.
There are some diamonds in the
The problem is that Palmer loves
rough, but it takes a lot of time and
the pigeons and hates seeing them
effort to find them. I hope that I have
killed. He is even hiding one in his
found some diamonds that work for
room. This is a powerful story about
your family.
dealing with bullies and fighting for change. Both boys and girls ages 8
My first recommendation is “The Thing
and up will enjoy this book.
About Jellyfish” by Ali Benjamin. This is a precious story about the grieving
Finally I include a book for teens.
process that children go through when
“Six of Crows” by Leigh Bardugo is
they lose someone close to them.
the story of a group of six teens who
Suzy is the main character and her
have been engaged to pull off the
best friend, Franny, dies in a drowning
heist of the ages – to crack a prisoner
accident. Suzy decides to investigate
out of the most secure prison in the
the incident as Franny was a strong
world. Each of the teens is a genius
swimmer. Through her investigation
in a different area needed to pull it
we see Suzy dealing with issues of
off and they have been put together
grief, guilt and puberty. While the subject seems dark, the book
just for this purpose by a criminal mastermind. That is if they
is written in such a way that it doesn’t feel depressing and you
don’t kill each other first. The story is intelligent and exciting
empathize with Suzy. I highly recommend this book for girls ages
and your teen will not be able to put it down! I recommend this
10 and up.
for any teen ages 13 and up.
Next I recommend “Skink” by Carl Hiaasen. I am sure many
I hope you find something in this article that your child will enjoy.
of you are familiar with Mr. Hiaasen’s excellent writing and this
If you have found a great book that I have not mentioned, I would
newest book is no exception. What do you do when someone you
appreciate the heads up. All recommendations or comments
love goes missing without a trace? When 14 year old Richard’s
can be forwarded to kidzonthecoast@aol.com. Happy reading!
cousin disappears there was only one thing to do. He called the only man for the job – Skink – a half-crazed, half-feral, one-eyed ex-governor. Together these two go on a chase across Florida dealing with snakes, alligators, storms and flying bullets. It is a 40 • Tell them you saw it in ON THE COAST Magazine
January 22 Destin Palms Destin Desserts Girl Scouts of Panhandle 6pm $35 850-434-1333 January 1- 31 Destin HarborWalk Bart Rockett Magic Show 7:30 & 9:30pm 850-424-0600 Sandestin Baytowne Wharf Baytowne on Ice 11-10pm $13 (1.5 hrs inc skate rental) 850-714-7614 January 7 Niceville Helen Back Intro to Essential Oils 6pm FREE 850-496-1790 January 7, 21 SRB Stinky’s Fish Camp Running of the Bulls 9-11pm 850-267-3053 January 7, 14, 21, 28 SRB Topsail Hill St Pk Americana Under the Stars 6:30 FREE 850-267-8330 January 8 Valpariso Heritage Museum History Mystery of NWFL Noon 850-678-2615 January 9 PCB Camp Helen State Park Americana Music 6:30pm FREE 850-233-5059 PCB Marina Civic Center Live from Nashville 7:30 850-763-4696 Seaside REP with Nicolas Collett & Gavin Robertson Escape to Create 7:30pm 850-468-0901 January 9, 16, 23, 30 Gulf Place Live Music Saturdays 6:30pm FREE 850-267-8458
Sandestin Grand Boulevard Farmers Market 9-1pm 850-837-3099 January 10, 17, 24, 31 Destin Harborwalk Village Winter Guest Concert Series 2-4pm FREE 850-424-0600 Rosemary Beach & Watercolor Farmers Market 9-1pm January 12, 19, 26 Mary Ester Santa Rosa Mall Family Night FREE carousel rides 850- 244-7111 January 12 Cretsiview Library Poetry & Music Jam 6-7:45pm FREE 850-682-4432 January 13 Niceville MK Arts Center Live From Nashville $35 850-729-6000
January 15 Okaloosa Island Conv Ctr Winter Guest Fest 8-Noon $1 850-244-8191 Pensacola Saenger Theatre The Capitol Steps Comedy 7:30pm $43 800-745-3000 January 15-17 Watercolor 30A Songwriters Fest Various Venues in South Walton 850-622-5970 January 16 Okaloosa Island Mardi Gras Parade 1pm 850-474-2787 PCB Conservation Park Arbor Day Celebrations 10am FREE 850-233-5045 PCB Harley Davidson Classic Car Cruise-In 11-3pm FREE 888-547-2905
PCB Boardwalk Bch Resort Winter Resident Homecoming Dance & Social PCB Lyndell Center 4-9pm Beach Boogie Dance & 850-230-4610 Silent Auction 6-10pm Seaside REP with Sandra 850-233-5065 Jackson & Caitlin Horsmon Escape to Create January 17 7:30pm Okaloosa Island Conv Ctr 850-468-0901 Gulf Coast Bridal Faire 1-5pm January 13-16 $10 Adults Pensacola, Nola, Biloxi, Mobile 850-651-7131 Coastal Fashion Week Wed: 7-10pm Nola Santa Rosa Beach Thurs: 7-10pm Biloxi Christ the King Episcopal Fri: 7-10pm Mobile Church Sat: 7-10pm Pensacola Sopranos Supreme $40 & up 3-4pm 251-421-2259 FREE 850-267-3332
42 • Tell them you saw it in ON THE COAST Magazine
Niceville MK Arts Center Seussical Childrens Series 9:45 & 11:30am $6 850-729-6000 Seaside REP with Ryan Heinlein Escape to Create 7:30pm 850-468-0901 January 22-24 Okaloosa Island EC Conv Ctr Emerald Coast Boat Show FREE 941-780-0538 January 23 Destin Bayou, Bay & Beach 5K & 10K Half marathon 7:30 & 8:30am 850-837-6241 Niceville MK Arts Center Dukes of Dixieland 7:30pm $37 850-729-6000 PCB Camp Helen State Park Americana Music 6:30pm FREE 850-233-5059 PC Science & Discovery Ctr Star Wars Day Military Appreciation 850-769-6128 January 24 Shalimar Twisted Grape Wine Tasting benefit OAA 2-4pm 850-499-8335 January 26 Mary Ester Saints Markella Demetrios Orthodox Church Bunko 9-Noon $20 850-244-0822 January 27 Seaside REP with Adam Kraar Escape to Create 7:30pm 850-468-0901 Continued OnPage 44
Benefitting the Girl Scouts of the Florida Panhandle
Celebrating our 5th Anniversary Friday, January 22, 2016 The Palms of Destin Resort and Conference Center
Doors open at 6 p.m.
$35 per person
Social Hour, Hors d' oeuvres, Dessert Tasting and Voting, Awards, Silent Auction and Entertainment by Shades of Blue All attending can vote for their favorite dessert.
Check out your local Girl Scout Office for tickets! www.gscfp.org
(850) 434-1333
January 12 - 16, 2016 January 12 - Kids Premier Mobile, Al January 13 - New Orleans, LA January 14 - Biloxi, MS January 15 - Mobile, Al January 16 - Pensacola, FL Tickets can be purchased online
www.coastalfashionweek.com Tell them you saw it in ON THE COAST Magazine • 43
Continued From Page 42
January 28 Crestview Public Library Bear Hunt in your PJ's Ages 3 & up 6:30-7:15pm 850-682-4432
February 4-7 Rosemary Beach Town Hall Girls Getaway $185 850-231-7382
February 9 Crestview Libaray Poerty & Music Jam 6-7:45pm 850-682-4432
February 6 Destin HarborWalk Villlage Marde Gras Parade FREE 2-4pm 850-424-0600
Sandestin Baytowne Wharf Fat Tuesday Bash Parade 5-6pm FREE 850-267-8000
Niceville Helen Back Intro to Essential Oils 6pm FREE 850-496-1790
Seaside REP with Swartz and Souder Escape to Create 7:30pm 850-468-0901
Niceville MK Arts Center MADCO Dance $20 850-729-6000
February 5 Ft Walton Civic Auditorium Branson Show Camp 2pm & 7pm $18 Seniors/ $20 Adults 850-243-3809
January 29 Seaside Rep Harpeth Rising 7:30pm 850-468-0901 January 29-30 Coastal Assault TBS Comics Miniature, Board Game Invasion $10 and up 850-244-5441 January 30 Pensacola Saenger Theatre Girls Night: Musical 8pm $39 & $49 800-745-3000 February 1-14 Destin HarborWalk Bart Rockett Magic Show 7:30 & 9:30pm 850-424-0600 February 1 Crestview Library Ukulele Jam Club 6-8pm FREE 850-682-4432 February 2 Niceville MK Arts Center Glen Miller Orchestra 7:30pm $25 850-729-6000 February 2, 9, 16, 23 Mary Ester Santa Rosa Mall Family Night FREE carousel rides 850-244-2172 February 4 Niceville Helen Back Again Intro to Essential Oils 6pm FREE 850-496-1790
FWB Saint Mary’s Life Ctr Brite Stars Gala $65 850-243-8913 February 5-6 PCB Pier Park Mardi Gras & Music Fest All Hours FREE 850- 236-9974
February 11 Niceville MK Arts Center Opera AIDA 850-729-6000 $45 February 12 Niceville MK Arts Center Ms. Nelson is Missing Childrens series 9:45am & 11:30am $6 850-729-6065 Sandestin Baytowne Wharf Gumbo Festival Seafood Boil 4-6pm $5 850-267-8000 Seaside REP with Caniato Escape to Create 7:30pm 850-468-0901
February 6 Okaloosa Island Conv Ctr Diamond Cheer & Dance Gulf Coast Competition All Day 850-609-3800
February 13 Okaloosa Island Conv Ctr Island Dance Party 6pm to Midnight $10 850-243-2266
PCB Camp Helen State Park Americana Music 6:30pm FREE 850-233-5059
Sandestin Baytowne Wharf Gumbo Festval & Tasting Noon-4pm 850-267-8000
February 6, 13, 20, 27 Gulf Place Live Music Saturdays 6:30pm FREE 850-336-4853 Sandestin Grand Boulevard Farmers Market 9-1pm 850-837-3099 February 7 Niceville MK Arts Center Snowbirds Concert 2pm $10 850-729-6000 Sandestin Baytowne Wharf Mardi Gras Dog Parade 2-6pm 850-267-8000
44 • Tell them you saw it in ON THE COAST Magazine
February 14 Santa Rosa Beach Christ King Episcopal Church Philharmonic Orchestra & Chorus 3-4pm FREE 850-267-3332 February 16 Niceville MK Arts Ctr Annie 7:30pm $45 850-729-6000 February 19-20 Destin Community Center Spring Craft Fair 11-4pm Friday 9-3pm Saturday Admission FREE 80-654-5184
February 20 Mary Ester Santa Rosa Mall Chili Cook Off Competition 850-243-0315 PCB Camp Helen State Park Americana Music 6:30pm FREE 850-233-5059 February 21 Niceville MK Arts Ctr Symphony of Taste, Food & Wine Festival 1-4pm $40 850-729-6000 February 22 Pensacola Saenger Theater The Sleeping Beauty Russian National Ballet 7:30pm $40-$50 800-745-3000 February 23 Pensacola Saenger Theatre Stomp 7:30pm $48 - $68 800-745-3000 February 25 Seaside REP with Jeff Black LIVE Escape to Create 7:30pm 850-468-0901 February 26 Seaside Lyceum Taste of the Race 7-9pm $99 http://runseasidefl.com February 27 Niceville MK Arts Ctr Tribute to Michael Jackson $35 850-729-6000 Okaloosa Island Ramada Bch Rsrt Girls Night Out 6-10pm $50 850-664-1261 Seaside Lyceum Silent Auction Noon - 6pm http://runseasidefl.com February 27-28 Okaloosa Island Conv Ctr BIA Home Show 850-651-7131 February 28 Seaside Post Office Seaside Half Marathon http://runseasidefl.com
吀䠀䔀 䘀䄀䴀䤀䰀夀 刀䔀匀伀唀刀䌀䔀 䴀䄀䜀䄀娀䤀一䔀 匀攀爀瘀椀渀最 䘀愀洀椀氀椀攀猀 䰀椀瘀椀渀最 ☀ 嘀椀猀椀琀椀渀最 漀甀爀 䔀洀攀爀愀氀搀 䌀漀愀猀琀 昀漀爀 伀瘀攀爀 ㌀ 夀攀愀爀猀℀ 圀椀渀渀攀爀 漀昀 ㈀㌀ 一愀琀椀漀渀愀氀 䄀眀愀爀搀猀 愀渀搀 ㈀ 䄀搀搀礀猀
䤀渀 倀爀椀渀琀Ⰰ 伀渀氀椀渀攀 愀渀搀 伀渀 吀栀攀 䜀漀℀
Tell them you saw it in ON THE COAST Magazine • 45
s u t p y l a c u E
Continued From Page 18
relaxing properties. As much as my mind is aware of the need
for adequate sleep, my body does not always comply. I have often had to use OTC methods to help me shut down and get rest. However, since I began using this oil, I have not had the
need for sleep aids. My children even come to me for their nightly dose as it stays right near my bed. I apply it topically
Eucalyptus
This oil is a great addition to the family wellness stash especially
as well as dilute and spritz it over my pillow and bedding.
in the colder months when colds, sinus infections and asthma
Lavender also smells amazing and is known to aid in easing
attacks seem to be at an all-time high. Eucalyptus is used
muscle tension and stress. So add some to your diffuser and
to support respiratory health including chest congestion and
let it work throughout your house.
asthma attacks and clears breathing. It also has antibacterial properties so it can be used as a spray or cleaner for germs
Additional uses: skin rashes and acne, insect bites, minor
and odors.
burns and cuts, laundry freshener (a drop or two in the washer).
Now you have it…my fabulous five to help get you started. I know that EOs are not a fix for everything but they have
Frankincense
Every morning I put a drop of this oil under my tongue.
certainly been a very welcome and useful addition to my home in ways I can’t even count! The very idea that I am using something so natural is refreshing.
It doesn’t have the best taste but its medicinal value is undisputed. Because it promotes cellular health throughout
So when you sit down this month and begin to set your New
our body, it supports and helps to maintain a healthy immune
Year’s resolutions for 2016 that will most certainly include
system. This is an important catalyst in overall wellness.
being healthier in some way, the bottom line is essentially this: Reach beyond what you have always thought healthy
Peppermint
I have been a long-time believer of peppermint in moments
living to be and consider including a well-balanced approach to optimal wellness, which as we have read by now…is essential for life!
of nausea or upset stomach or other digestive issues. In the past it has been chewing a piece of gum or sucking on a piece of candy. Since I have started using EOs, my peppermint oil is a favorite second only to my lavender! This is not only for the reasons above but also for alertness, which I have used
t n i m r e p p e P
on many occasions. I simply apply it topically to my temples or put a drop in my mouth and it’s invigorating! It’s a great breath freshener as well.
46 • Tell them you saw it in ON THE COAST Magazine
IF YOU are Interested in learning more about essential oils and what they can do for you, Attend a FREE class in Niceville at Helen Back Again! January 7, JANUARY 28 and February 4 6pm Call 850-496-1790 FOR MORE INFO