against abuse

story by | sheri kleinsasser stockmoe

Our kids are growing up in a very different time due to technology; always available and able to connect. From cell phones, to the internet to social networking sites, accessibility is literally 24-7. That accessibility can be wonderful when your teen gets a flat tire on the way home, but can be terribly troublesome when it is used as a form of control, manipulation or intimidation.

Liz Claiborne’s Love Is Not Abuse program released a new app [compatible with the iPad, iPhone and iPod touch] this past August. Its goal is to educate parents about the realities of digital abusive behavior in teen relationships.

This FREE app, provides resources and tips to help you talk to your teen about dating abuse. Even your teen can be a victim, bystander and/or abuser. Did you know: iPhone users can actually experience a real life demo of digital dating abuse. You can receive text messages, emails and phone calls from a virtual boyfriend or girlfriend. The messages range from threaten to delete friends on social networks to pressuring you to send provocative pictures. Videos teach you about boyfriends and girlfriends invading the privacy of their partners by reading call and text message logs and using passwords to access social network accounts and pose as their partners, write cruel things, communicate with their friends and delete friends and photos.

• One in three teens report sexual abuse, physical abuse or threats of physical abuse.

• Nearly one in two teens in relationships report being controlled, threatened and pressured to do things they did not want to do.

• Nearly one in four teens have been victimized by abusers through technology.

The Love Is Not Abuse app reminds us that abuse doesn’t always leave cuts and bruises. Insults, put downs, threats and possessive, controlling behaviors are abuse. Equip yourself to talk to your teen, educate them about healthy relationships and step in when you suspect abuse. Go to iTunes now, search LINA and download this valuable app!

For Sara Watson [37], chef and owner of Mosaic Foods Catering, growing up on the family farm near Glyndon, Minnesota meant learning the love of food and the production process at an early age Following her high school graduation, Sara attended the University of Minnesota Twin Cities where she earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Art History She loved her “Art” career, but also worked in restaurants to make ends meet and quickly realized restaurant life was where she needed to be full-time Sara made the move west to study Culinary Arts at the Colorado Mountain Culinary Institute in Summit County, Colorado It turned out to be a great life decision in many ways Not only was she reacquainted with her roots and found her true passion, but she also met husband and fellow chef, Eric Today the couple and their four kids, Miles [12], Olivia [8], Keena [5] and Sophie [2], make their home in Moorhead, Minnesota where the simplicity and appreciation of gardening and growing is still present Sara dreams of owning a farm one day, but for now the entire family gets involved in their cottage style garden where they grow vegetables, herbs, flowers, grapevines and an assortment of berries, asparagus and more Like the saying goes, a girl may leave the farm, but the farm never leaves the girl how long have you been in business? where did the name Mosaic come from? how many employees do you have?

Eric and I started Mosaic Foods Catering in 2004 after returning to the Midwest from Colorado.

We chose the name Mosaic as a Mosaic is the art of creating images or items with many other small objects. Mosaic Foods does not create only one type of cuisine, we are a mixture of many cuisines and food styles that suits all palates.