2011 Summer Issue

4 GoodLiving / Volume II, Issue 3

8 & 9 Good News

10 - 12 Good ProductsFor summer safety and summer fun

14 & 15 Good PeopleTh e Heart of the Hurricane

16 & 17 Good AdventuresHot Weather, Cool Water!

24 & 25 Good EatingReinventing the Picnic Classics

The Good Stuff

Features Addicted to Saving 21

Liza Ford, founder of this ultra-savings website has tips

for getting started with coupons.

Festive 4th of July Crafts 22 & 23Jessica Sykes goes red, white and blue for

festive celebrations.

26Ask the Dietician

Staying Hydrated Without All the Sugar

Prescription Drug Abuse Alert 27

Good Gardening with Jai 28 & 29Master Organic Gardener Jai Hambly on butterfl y gardening

Ten Brain Builders 30 & 31for Summer Fun

Creative home games for stimulating brains and breaking

boredom during the summer break by therapist Amy Perry

Financial Tips for the Graduate 33Be The Change 34 & 35

Prevent or Reverse Type 2 DiabetesWith diabetes on the rise, natural medicine expert

Mark Kaylor has sound advice

My Story 36by Jonathan Scheinman

My Story 38by Julianna Zobrist

About the CoverAs featured in “My Story,” Christi an songwriter and singer, Julianna Zobrist and her husband Ben Zobrist of the Tampa Bay Rays. Photo was shot on a recent road trip. Photo by Eva Lempert Photography of Santa Ana, CA.

Join Us Online!Join Us Online!

TM

Be sure to visit our website oftento see what’s going on with:

Hot TopicsGood EventsGood Causes

Good Eating… and more

Like us on Facebook for good stuff updatesand new contests.

Sign up for the E-GoodNewsletter.Contact us with your story ideas or event information.

TampaBayGoodLiving.com

5GoodLiving /Volume II, Issue 3

Th ings are hot outside and hot with GoodLiving magazine as we continue to grow and make a positive impact on our readers and the community. Our summer issue digs into healthy living with an eye-opening article by Mark Kaylor on avoiding or reversing Type 2 Diabetes, an American epidemic because of our lifestyle. Th is time of year also means hurricane season, so we have a look at some agencies that work behind the scenes all year. Th ese agencies need volunteers ahead of time to be trained. We encourage you to think how you would want to help during an emergency and get connected to the agency that does that job.

We have fun with festive crafts and cool water adventures. Th erapist and momAmy Perry shares simple games parents can play with children to build their brains, especially when school is on break. Don’t miss our two “My Story” essays this month; they are quite special. Many thanks to Christian musician Julianna Zobrist for her willingness to share an encouraging word, daring others to live fully.

If you’re not with us on Facebook yet, fi nd us and like us. We have some very exciting things coming up and you won’t want to miss it. Have a good summer y’all!

PublisherLight Shine Media Group, LLC

Editor-in-ChiefPamela Sett le

Contributi ng WritersRoberto FernandezLiza FordJai HambleyMark KaylorAmy PerryJonathan ScheinmanJessica SykesJulianna Zobrist

Associate Publisherfor Sales and Marketi ngJennifer Harvey

Design and LayoutMarcie Frieling

Cover ArtGreg Harvey

WebsiteWP by Design

GoodLiving™ Magazine &TampaBayGoodLiving.comP.O. Box 1795Oldsmar, Florida 34677(727) [email protected]

FOR ADVERTISING INFORMATIONadverti [email protected]

GoodLiving™ magazine is a publicati on of Light Shine Media Group, LLC and is distributed to readers at no charge to targeted locati ons in Pinellas, Hillsborough and southern Pasco Counti es. It is available as a digital publicati on at TampaBay-GooodLiving.com. All photographs, artwork, design and editorial are the sole property of GoodLiving™ magazine and Light Shine Media Group, LLC. No porti on of this magazine may be reproduced in any form without writt en permission.

GoodLiving™ magazine and Light Shine Media Group, LLC are not responsible for statements made by adverti sers and writers for any consequences arising from omissions or errors. Readers should verify the adverti sing informati on of the adverti sers and all specials are valid to the expirati on date set by the adverti ser. GoodLiving™ magazine and Light Shine Media Group, LLC reserve the right to refuse any adverti sing for any reason. The views expressed in the publicati on are not necessarily those of the publisher. All rights reserved.

...from the Editor

Pamela Settle

She’s a grand ol’ fl ag and long may she wave.Happy 4th of July and God Bless America!

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT

Th is summer, two lucky teenage girls will win a fabulous makeover!

Th e reveal will take place at the:

Back-to-School Style Boot Camp for GirlsSponsored by GoodLiving magazine and stylist Wendi Braswell

Makeover winners will spend the day with Wendi to get new hair, make-up,

clothes, jewelry, spa treatments, style advice and fi tness and nutrition coaching.

Girls ages 12 to 17 are eligible to win and must have parental permission.

Watch TampaBayGoodLiving.com and WendiBraswell.comfor contest and event details.


news

JWB HonorsBarry Greer for Keeping FamiliesSafe and Together

Th e JWB Children’s Services Council awarded a Cooperman-

Bogue KidsFirst Award to Barry Greer, Family Specialist with

PEMHS (Personal Enrichment through Mental Health Services).

Greer is part of the Emergency Response and Family Reunifi cation

Team and his duties are centered on ensuring the safety and well-

being of children who are at risk of abuse and neglect. Nominated

by supervisor, Greer was described as a true domestic violence

advocate who stands as a positive male role model to mothers and

their children who have been impacted by domestic violence.

Four winners will be selected this year and in the Spring of 2012,

the annual winner will be announced. Th e award is named for

Leonard Cooperman and Judge Lincoln C. Bogue – two men

who were instrumental in empowering Pinellas County voters

to create the Juvenile Welfare Board. Th e award recognizes

outstanding human services professionals for their work with

Pinellas County children and families. To learn more, visit

jwbpinellas.org/kidsfi rst-awards.

Kitchen Makeover Helps Center ShineStaff from IKEA Tampa performed a $10,000 kitchen makeover

for the childcare center at Dimples Playland (pictured left), from

demolition to done. Along with fresh paint, there are new coun-

tertops, stainless steel appliances and cabinets.

Dimples Playland provides quality, aff ordable childcare services

to children ages six weeks to 12 years old, Monday through

Friday, year round. Th e center is made possible through the Child

Abuse Council; a countywide nonprofi t that focuses on building

stronger families in the Tampa Bay region though family educa-

tion and child abuse prevention classes.

2011 Healthiest Employers AwardsWho doesn’t want to work for a company that values health?

Th e good guys in the business world will be recognized by

Th e Tampa Bay Business Journal. Th ey are holding their 2011

Healthiest Employers Awards for local companies that make

wellness a reality for their employees and bottom lines.

Categories for small, medium and large companies in Hillsbor-

ough, Pinellas, Polk, Pasco, Hernando and Manatee and

Sarasota Counties. Do you work for a company that deserves to

be nominated? Submit nominations via online application by

July 8, 2011 at healthiestemployers.com/events/tampa. Call Alyssa

Rhoads at 813-342-2491 for additional information.Working Women of Tampa BayCelebrates AnniversaryIn just two short years, founder Jessica Rivelli has taken her

vision and created the fastest growing networking organization

in the Tampa Bay area. June marks the second anniversary for

Working Women of Tampa Bay (WWTB) and its 550 women

professionals and female entrepreneurs.

Rivelli, a former television news producer, became an entrepre-

neur herself in 2009 when WWTB became offi cial. Since then

she has planned and executed more than 200 events and used her

media savvy to harness the social media phenomenon to grow

a fan base of over 6,000 local women on Facebook and 4,000

followers on Twitter.

Her goal is to inspire and motivate women to follow their dreams.

Along the way, she will continue to make a positive diff erence

in the community. WWTB has raised thousands of dollars for

Tampa Bay charities, including PACE Center for Girls, Eckerd

Youth Alternative and Girls Inc. Th ey host bi-monthly classes for

small business owners to learn new strategies on how to market

and grow their business. If you’d like to learn more about the

organization, visit workingwomenoftampabay.com.

BEFORE AFTER


news

Share your good news.Send stories to [email protected]

Dunedin Committee on AgingHonors SeniorsTh e City of Dunedin Senior Hall of Fame announced its

inductees for 2011.

Tom and Alice Anderson were honored for their years of

public and volunteer service. Mr. Anderson served as Mayor of

Dunedin, and as a Florida State Representative. Additionally, he

has made many signifi cant contributions to the senior community.

Mrs. Anderson served on the Mease Hospital Auxiliary and

their board of directors for 14 years and as a volunteer committee

chair for the City of Dunedin.

Inductee John Wylde has been deeply involved in the life of the

city through volunteer service, logging more than 13,700 hours

of volunteer service with Dunedin Mease Hospital, the city

board of fi nance, Dunedin North Rotary and the Rotary Inter-

national Foundation.

Each year the City of Dunedin’s Committee on Aging

recognizes Dunedin residents, 75 or older, for signifi cant

community contributions. Th eir hope is to celebrate the art

of aging successfully.


products

Sea SquirtsTh e second-leading cause of unintentional death for children

is drowning. When it’s from a boat accident, 90% of the

victims were not wearing a life jacket. Keep your child safe

with protection that is comfortable to wear, fun for the

child and easy for you to grab a fi n and pull her to safety.

Choose from shark, clownfi sh, dolphin or “killa” whale in

either a life jacket ($69.95) or the swim assist vest ($59.95)

to help with learning to swim. Opacove.com

Blood StopSummer scrapes and cuts have a new option. BloodSTOP

gauze stops bleeding in less than one minute by adhering

to the skin’s surface and creating pressure to seal and

protect the wound. Painless to remove with water. It looks

and feels like ordinary cotton gauze when dry but trans-

forms into a gel once it comes in contact with blood.

Available in drug stores or online. Lifescienceplus.com.

BabiatorsBe stylin’ and safe with these aviator-style rubber sunglasses

for babies and young children that are extremely durable

and off er 100% UVA and UVB protection to protect young

eyes. Safe to gnaw on (because they will) Babiators are made

without BPA, phthalates and heavy metals. Off ered in Black

Ops Black, Rockstar Red, Blue Angels Blue and Princess

Pink. $19.99 at Babiators.com

Burn Jel and UnburnTwo products to add to your fi rst aid supplies to help with

summer burns. Unburn is a Vitamin E-enriched, water-

based gel with 2.5% Lidocaine that works quickly to relieve

the pain of sunburn, cool and soothe the skin and prevent

peeling. $4.99 at waterjel.com.

Burn Jel Plus is the leading emergency treatment for minor

burns. Th e thick gel cools and soothes the pain of minor burn

injuries. Contains Vitamin E, Tea Tree Oil and 2.5% Lidocaine

to treat burns immediately and eff ectively. $9.99 at CVS.

SUMMER SAFETYSUMMER SAFETYSSSSSS YYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYTYTYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS YTTYYYYYYYYYYYSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS


Go-CaddyKeeping your water close by on a hot day is

easy with the Go Caddy. Just the right size

to hold a bottle of water, keys, cell phone

and ID. Ideal for a day at a theme park,

a walk with the kids, a trip to the gym or

anywhere you go. Hangs easily by your side

for hands free, no-fuss toting. Black, brown,

red or pink. Durable and well made. Makes

a great gift too. $19.99 at BVTProducts.com

Earplugs

Ears often get overlooked when planning for safety, but

summer is full of loud sounds from boats, lawn mowers,

fi reworks, concerts, motorcycles and other recreational

machines. Children and adults need to protect their

hearing because once it’s gone it doesn’t come back.

A local entrepreneur, Michael Reali, founded a company

called dBPlugz™ that off ers a wide range of custom-fi t

products for ear protection. Th ey use the ear as the actual

mold to generate a superior fi t using medical grade silicone

that is engineered to dampen loud sounds while still

permitting conversation.

Ideal for for anyone who is around noise for recreation or

their work. Th ey off er standard hearing protection, fl oatable

swim Plugz, audio feed Plugz and snore Plugz.

dBPlugz™ holds fi tting events at local raceways and they

have a process for mail order. For more information call

(813) 335-5601 or visit dbplugz.com.

Eco LipsIf you’re going to put sun protection on your lips and

face, you’ll want to make sure it’s safe. Eco Lips products

are USDA Certifi ed Organic and petroleum, cruelty and

paraben free. Th ey contain healing organic herbs and mois-

turizing organic vegetable oils. Th eir lip balms come in SPF

15 or 30. Th e Facestick off ers SPF 30 that moisturizes too.

Purchase locally at Vitamin World locations or at ecolips.com

SunbowTh is sunscreen just for kids goes on pink, yellow or blue so

moms can be sure to cover all the skin before it dries clear.

Sunbow is free of Oxybenzone and Octinoxate. It applies

with pump but doesn’t use aerosol so kids aren’t inhaling

fumes. Sponge Bob, Dora or Diego adorn packaging.

SPF 30. $9.99 at Sunbowsunscreen.com.

Filtrete Water StationStaying hydrated in the summer heat is important for all

ages. Cheaper than bottled water and more eco-friendly,

this water station takes water from your tap and fi lters it

into four, BPA-free reusable water bottles. Great for

vacations, camping or at work when fi ltered water may be

hard to fi nd. Includes a three-month fi lter change indicator.

Retails for $42.99

products

SUMMER SAFETYSUMMER SAFETYMMMMMMMMMMMMMMSSSSSSSS MMMMMMMMMMMMMUUUUUUMUUUUMMSSSSSSUUMM YYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYFFFFEETTETTEEEEFFFFRRRREERRR SREEEEEERR SSSSSSSAAAAAAAAFEAAAAFSSAAAFAFEETYYTYYYYYYTTTTYYTTYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYRRRRRRRRRR SSMMMMM RRRRMMMMMMMM EEEEMMMUUMMMMEERRMMMMMEEEEEMMEEMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMUUMMMMMMMMMMMMMMUUUUMM AAAAAAAAAAAFFSSSSEEEERRRREERRRRRRRRRRRRMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMEEEEEMMEEMMMMMM RRMMMMMMUMMMMMUUUUUUUUMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMUMUUUUUUUUMMUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUSSUUSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSUUUUUUSSUUUUSSSSUUUUUUSSSSUUUUUUSSUUUUUUUUUU RRRRRRRRRRR SSSSMMMMMM AAA YAAAASAASSSSAA EEEEAAAA EEEEEAAFFFFFFAAFFSSAAAFFEE YTTTTYYYYYYYYTTYYRRRRREEEEEEMMEERR SSRRRRRRMMMMMMMMMM RRRRRRR SSSSSSSSSSRRRRRR ASS EEEEFFFFFFEEAAAMMUUMUUMMMMUUUUUSSUUMM AAAAMEEEEMMU MMMMMMMMEMMMMUUMMMMMMUUUUSUUMSSSS MMMMSSUUMMMMEEMMMMMMUUUUUUSSSSSSSSSSUSSUUUUMMUUMMUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUMMSSUUMM


products

Dolphin Bag and GlassesSturdy yet lightweight, these brightly-

colored totes can go everywhere this

summer. Choose from a crab, alligator

and shark for little boys and a dolphin,

ladybug, and butterfl y for little girls.

Totes are designed to withstand water

and easily remove sand. Match the tote

to sunglasses and a bucket hat. $19.99

for bag and sand toys and $7.99 for

glasses at StephenJosephGifts.com

Second Base®

Demi CamisolesSummer tops can reveal more than you

want, so stay covered up, stay smooth

and stay cool with the Second Base®

demi cami. Unlike tank tops, they

eliminate the bulk and wrinkles that

come from layering. Th ey are designed

to be worn on top of the bra and under

wrap dresses, low-cut tops, tank tops and

shirts for extra coverage or to enhance

the look. Made in the USA and available

in a range of styles and colors. Comes in

XS-XL with select styles in 1X to 3X.

$38.00 at Neiman Marcus in Tampa.

Wrap-emsTh e mother of this invention is a

local woman who wanted a top

that would be comfortable and

nice looking, while at the same

time disguising imperfections.

Th e result is her design for

Wrap-ems and now she’s an

entrepreneur. Perfect for casual

wear, cruise attire, or as a cover up.

Flatters every body. $34.99 at

Wrapembym.com

The Unwinder HammockPerfect for relaxing under a

shady tree. Nicaraguan artisans

hand knot these hammocks that

are an essential component of

Nicaraguan life. At the smallest

huts or the most elaborate

homes, neighbors will sit and visit

from their hammock swing on

the porch. A cotton carrying bag

is included. Th e chair measures

60 inches long by 39 inches wide.

$88 at tenthousandvillages.com

Talking Autograph Baseball®What’s more American than baseball and summer memories?

You can capture both with the original Talking Autograph

Baseball® which is a real Rawlings® baseball that records voices.

Fans and teammates can use them to record and save personal

messages. Get a favorite player to wish a happy birthday or have

a grandparent record a special message for his all star. Opposite

the recording mechanism is a photo holder to display a picture.

$24.95 at Talkingautographbaseballs.com.

Isoki Diaper BagsChoose from several contemporary designs for “parenting

bags” that are more stylish than the typical diaper bag.

Ideal for travel as well as everyday use. Versatile in that

they are several bags in one and reversible, too. Coordi-

nating changing pad, cooler for bottles and smaller satchel

for quick trips are inside. Nice enough you’ll use it beyond

the baby years. Bag shown is $189 at Isokidiaperbags.com


people

The Heart of the HurricaneEvery year, the news media and local governments urge us to be

prepared for hurricane season and every year, the majority of coastal

residents do very little to heed the call. Th is distresses emergency

managers because they know exactly what kind of death and

damage will occur when, not if, a hurricane hits the Tampa Bay

area. Behind the scenes, throughout the year, organizations are

working with the latest information, technology and tools to make

sure citizens are 1) educated about preparation, 2) can shelter or

evacuate as effi ciently as possible, 3) informed about impending

weather, 4) surviving the storm and 5) able to recover from damage

as quickly as possible. Together, the dedicated professionals and

selfl ess volunteers form the heart of the hurricane, and we are so

fortunate that this community has such a big heart.

Hurricane Katrina and the recent tornadoes are still fresh in our

minds. Can you imagine that kind of destruction here? Do you

really know what you would do? Our shrinking local governments

will only be able to do so much, so citizens need become a part of

the solution. We’ve seen news coverage of good people rescuing

children, comforting the elderly or reuniting pets with owners.

Don’t wait. Connect today with any of these volunteer agencies

and faith organizations and ask how you can get involved.

Locally we have a COAD group (Community Organizations

Active in Disasters) that has numerous agencies actively involved

in preparing for disasters. Each organization has its own role and

its own need for volunteers. Th e following is a partial list and the

tip of the iceberg when it comes to the breadth of work being

done year round.

The Red CrossManages shelter sites, provides mobile and mass feeding, short-

term assistance or case management to those aff ected.

CERT

(Community Emergency Response Teams)Th e most grassroots way to help your community avoid chaos.

Join your local CERT and get trained by professionals to be a

leader in your neighborhood.

CERF

(Christian Emergency Response Team)Th e growing Christian Emergency Response Force is home-

based out of Grace Family Church in Tampa. All members of

CERF become CERT certifi ed, but CERF’s mission is to equip

the church body for acts of service in extreme conditions. Th e

key is coordination and everyone being uniformly trained, so that

volunteers in any part of the world can work with one another.

Salvation Army Th ey mobilize mini armies of volunteers to do mobile feeding

canteens at disaster sites, along with case management and

hygiene units for showers.

Rotary InternationalTh e Tampa area will benefi t from the fact that Rotary’s Shelter in a Box warehouse is a short drive away. In the event houses are

uninhabitable, boxes containing a tent and supplies are delivered

so a family can stay on their property.

Bay Area DART

(Disaster Animal Response Team)is a team of volunteers that works with emergency responders,

humane associations/shelters, and other disaster volunteers

during a hurricane event. In addition to ongoing education, they

staff pet-friendly shelters during storms.

Christian Contractors Association in Brooksville brings

together building professionals who want to volunteer their skills.

Florida Crisis Consortium trains mental health professionals

in post-event counseling.

EDITOR’S NOTE:For this issue, we did something diff erent. Instead of featuring the individual stories of Good People, we are featuring groups that may someday save your life, or at the very least, give you a drink of water when you really need one.


peopleMedical Reserve Corps will take volunteers from nearly all

health and medical fi elds to provide assistance when hospitals are

overloaded.

Young Lawyers Bureau provides legal help in a long-term

recovery situation with applications and insurance claims.

Ham Radio Operators are key to communication when

everything else is inoperable. Tampa Bay has a highly active

organization of trained volunteers ready to help spread the word.

Disaster Recovery Leadership Network coordinated by

United Way of Tampa Bay created a comprehensive plan for area

non-profi ts to communicate with one another after a storm so

they can get services up and running as quickly as possible.

Faith organizations are widely known for their loving care of

communities, but most people wouldn’t guess that behind the

scenes they are highly trained and organized when it comes to

disaster relief. Th ey not only serve as some of the fi rst volunteers

on a scene, but they are cumulatively the largest supporter of

long-term recovery eff orts.

Southern Baptist ConventionMember churches recruit volunteers who become trained in

specialty areas for quick response including mobile feeding and

crews to work on clearing roads and debris and more. Teams are

ready to move before a storm even hits.

Presbyterian ChurchTh ey have a network ready to transport and set up volunteer

villages and temporary housing sites.

7th Day AdventistSkilled in warehouse operations to move large quantities of

supplies in and out of an aff ected area. Like forklifts and pallets?

Th is is your group.

Church of the BrethrenTaking care of children after a storm is important business for

emergency workers and volunteers. Th is group specializes in the

training, credentialing and support of child care workers.

Church of the Latter Day SaintsLocally they have warehouses, equipment and volunteers for

food banking.

Info about our local COAD for Pinellas, Hillsborough and Pasco Counti es go to phpcoad.org. You can contact them to fi nd out about programs, learn how you can volunteer or discover how your organizati on can get involved.

Business owners have a role in getting our communities back

to normal after a storm. Th e Tampa Bay Regional Plan-

ning Commission has a tool for helping businesses develop

continuity plans at FLDisaterKit.com. Saving your business

starts with the good plan and it takes more than plywood on

the windows.

Pinellas County residents have Tom Iovino to bring them

the latest information from Pinellas County Government

and the world of emergency management. His monthly

Hurricane and Safety News E-Lert is free by signing up on

at PinellasCounty.org/emergency.

Also at PinellasCounty.org is information about a program

called Host Homes. Everything you need to start this volun-

teer program is there except you. Th e goal is to match people

who need to evacuate (especially those in mobile homes)

with people who will shelter in their own home because they

are in a non-evacuation zone. Th is works best for members

within the same faith organization and is a caring way to

provide comfortable shelter to elderly members so they

needn’t sleep on a crowded gym fl oor. Anyone from any

county or organization can utilize the materials to start a

Host Home program.

Local media has online resources to help you with fi nding a

checklist, knowing how to prepare your home and keeping

up with breaking news when storms approach.

Check out:

- BayNews9.com for safety tips and links to your

emergency operations center

- ABCActionNews.com Hurricane Center for

comprehensive resources

- TBO.com for click and print articles

- TampaBay.com for their hurricane guide


adventures

City of TampaTampa’s parks are the place to go for water fun with eight pools

and fi ve spray parks! We like the Cyrus Greene Pool that has

handicap access, six swim lanes, splash pad with three water

drops, fl oor sprays, two rain arches and a tube slide.

Th ere is no charge to use any of the pools for people with a

current rec card during open swim time. For youth without a

rec card it’s only $2 a visit. Go to TampaGov.net to fi nd more

information about the pools and aquatic programs in Tampa.

Th e heat is on and kids will be looking for ways to cool

off . City parks close to you will have pools and family

passes available to keep cool water aff ordable, so grab a

group of friends and have an outing that’s sure to be big

fun. If you want to venture from your own neighborhood

to explore a new and diff erent park, here are some pools

and sprays parks that are worth the drive.

Kiwanis Sprayground in DunedinIf you haven’t been to this sprayground yet, you’re missing a

colorful, action-packed play area that is ADA accessible and

loads of laughs for kids. Within it’s 3000 sq. ft. non-skid

area, kids can spray. gush, dump and pour water; dodge

a crocodile that shoots water out of its mouth; circle the

tumble buckets and dance in and out of the mushroom

water shower cascading at the end of the park. “Nessie,”

Dunedin’s own version of the Loch Ness Monster, is the

center attraction with multiple sprays and a slide. Shade

structures and benches within the fenced area. Nestled in a

shaded park perfect for picnics. Free. Located in Highlander

Park at 1937 Ed Eckert Drive in Dunedin.

Flick-n-Float Family Movies are every Friday night

from June 24-July 29 at Largo’s Southwest Pool at 13120

Vonn Road in Largo. From 7:30 – 11: 30 p.m., your family

and friends will enjoy free hot dogs, prize giveaways, and

food from a featured restaurant sponsor, all while watching a

popular movie on the big screen. Games and activities begin

at 7:30 and all movies will begin at dusk (approximately 9

p.m.). Wristbands for Southwest Pool’s new 115 foot long

infl atable water slide will be on sale for $5. Even admission is

$4 per person with a Largo recreation card, $5 without. For

more information call Southwest Pool at (727) 518-3126.

Photo courtesy of City of Dunedin


Splash Island Water Parkat the TradeWinds ResortEveryone’s favorite St. Petersburg beach hotel now has its

own 20,000 sq. ft. water park and playground fl oating in the

Gulf of Mexico, just 60 feet off the resort’s sandy shoreline.

If you loved the three-story High Tide Slide on the beach,

you will fl ip over the new water features. Safety is a priority

so certifi ed lifeguards are on duty and all guests will be

required to wear life jackets.

Kids and adults can spend the entire day playing on the:

- Summit Express: Includes a slide, climbing side and a

bounce cave

- Free Fall: Slightly smaller than the Summit, with a large

enclosed splash zone for playing or relaxing

- Super Tramp & Th e Rebound: Two large trampolines for

bouncing and launching in the Gulf waters

- Jungle Joey: Climbing fun, complete with mini-slide,

climbing apex and ladder log

- Rockit: Huge, infl atable island, with seating for four and

room for more to rock and roll on the water

- Revolution: In slide mode, guests climb to the top using three

diff erent routes; in rocker mode, it becomes a giant see-saw for

up to 10 people

- Island Rafts: Located in the free swim area, oversized rafts

that can accommodate up to four for kicking back and

relaxing in the Florida sun

If you’re spending the day, don’t forget you also get the sandy

white beach and restaurants on site at the TradeWinds for

lunch. While the water park is open to the public, parking

at hotel is only for registered guests. Open daily, weather

permitting. Rates begins at $16 for hotel guests and $25 for

non-guests. JustLetGo.com/Waterpark

Highland Family Aquatic Center is a family friendly

mini-waterpark providing a wide variety of fun play experiences

for all ages. Check out what they have:

- 214 foot corkscrew water slide

(48 inch height restriction enforced)

- 3-story speed slide

(48 inch height restriction enforced)

- Zero depth area with play structure and sprays

- Double slide suitable for all ages

(Must be able to swim without a life jacket)

- Splashes Snack Bar (food and drinks are not allowed

in except during parties with rental contracts)

- Water basketball and volleyball

- Largo umbrellas and shade structures

- Bath houses and a family changing area

Now that’s a lot of cool water activity for energetic and bored

kids! And for a price more aff ordable than commercial water

parks. 400 Highland Ave. in Largo. Go to Largo.com to get

details on summer hours and fees.

Summer Movie ScheduleJune 24- Water Horse with an Adventure Theme/Scavenger Hunt

July 1- Jaws with a Beach/Luau Theme

July 8- Despicable Me with a Science/Lab Theme

July 15- How to Train Your Dragon with a Medieval Theme

July 22- Nanny McPhee Returns with a Family Carnival Theme

July 29- The Karate Kid with a Marti al Arts Theme


Addicted to Savingby LIZA FORD

Have you ever gone to the grocery store needing just

a few things and ended up walking out of the store

with three bags and $100 receipt? Th at was me two

years ago, and I knew something had to change.

With careful research, some crash and burns and

a lot of practice, I learned how to save at least

80% or more each time I do my grocery shop-

ping. Little did I know this would turn into my

full time job – helping other people save money

– as I show thousands of readers each day to do

exactly what I do at addictedtosaving.com.

So how do you get started? Here are a couple easy

tips that can get you headed in the right direction:

Print online coupons. Online coupons are awesome because

you can pick and choose which coupons you want to print.

Each day on my website, addictedtosaving.com, I highlight high-

value printables that will help you get those amazing deals like

free Heinz ketchup or 10-cent Ronzoni pasta.

Common Question-

Can I make photocopies? NO! Most often you can

print two of each coupon but if you go to print a third

coupon it will tell you your print limit has been reached.

Photocopying coupons is fraudulent and may be punish-

able by hefty fi nes, so play by the rules so we all can

continue to enjoy great deals.

Save your Sunday paper inserts. You never know

when your coupon will be able to score you with dirt-cheap

or even free items. By purchasing at least two papers, you can

often maximize savings by using two coupons with one Buy

One Get One (BOGO) deal. Even if you think you won’t

purchase a particular brand or item, you will regret throwing

away your coupons when fabric softener or yogurt goes on

sale and you can get them for free! So, save coupons until

they expire. (You can send your expired coupons to Addicted

to Saving and I will mail them to a military base in Italy

where the families can use them at their commissary.)

Common Objection

If I don’t normally buy an item, why should I

save the coupon for it? When you save all of your

coupons, you can try new products and also take advantage

of sales you might not have normally taken advantage of.

And, if you purchase a product that you don’t like or use,

you can always donate or give the item away.

Match a Sale with a Coupon. I say in my Addicted

to Saving 101 seminars that “a sale is not a sale unless you

have a coupon to go along with it and a coupon is not good

unless the item is on sale.” How do you know what coupons

to use with a sale? I do the work. Each week I give you the

weekly ad AND coupon matchups for stores like Publix,

Winn Dixie, Target, Sweetbay, CVS, and Walgreens. I do

the hard work for you. All you need to do is fi nd the sales

you want to take advantage of and I tell you what corre-

sponding coupons to use. You can even click on the items

you wish to purchase and print your grocery list if you want.

It’s that simple!

Th ese are the fi rst few steps for getting started. Once you

get your feet wet with couponing and experiencing the thrill

of getting great deals, you will become addicted! Check out

addictedtosaving.com or “like” Addicted to Saving on Face-

book for up to the minute deals.


Festive

4th of July Crafts

I confess that the 4th of July brings out the red, white, and blue

in me. Yes, I consider myself very patriotic but there is just

something about making an entire day all about these three

colors that speaks to the organized, decorating junkie in me. A

day devoted to a color scheme? I am so in.

Nostalgia also plays a role as I remember childhood summers

with backyard cookouts. Where I grew up in Maryland we would

get bushels of crabs and eat them outside on the back porch.

Casual fun with a whole lot of festive thrown in for some good

memory making.

With that in mind, I created these festive ideas to off er both

a casual simplicity not limited to just the 4th of July. Th ey are

perfect for that family reunion, a summer party or just a simple

get together.

by JESSICA SYKES

Mason Jar “Sippy Cups”I love the idea of off ering reusable mason jars at parties. It is both

eco friendly and sweetly nostalgic of a time gone by. Th e simplest

way to makes these reusable for one purpose is to drill a hole in

the lid and reuse them. But I tend to use mason jars for various

food purposes so I came up with an idea to make them temporary

drinking glasses.

You will need:8 oz Ball mason jars

Patriotic themed scrapbook paper

Scissors

Pencil

X-acto/Craft knife

1. Trace the fl at lid on your scrapbook paper and cut out using

several diff erent papers with the same color scheme.

2. Insert the paper inside the screw on lid which replaces the fl at

insert. Tighten the screw-on lid with the paper insert which will

make the paper become taught within the lid.

3. Using your knife, make a tiny “X” where you want your straw

to be and then insert your straw. You may need to cut your straw

shorter to fi t the smaller sized jar.

4. I would have some extra paper circles on hand for the little ones

but these cute drinks are fun for the adults too!


Red, White and Blue BandanasI love the idea of using red, white, and blue bandanas for a July

4th celebration! Use them as napkins to wrap the silverware or to

package favors or treats.

Use one as a handy carry caddy tied around a very American apple

pie. Just slip a server in between the knot with a cute chalkboard

label tied with twine.

Or how about embellishing your favorite fl ip fl ops with a fl ower

for mom (right) and simple tied strips for the kids (left) to make?

Use the fl ower as a fun pin too! Th e sky is the limit and all you

need are simple bandanas which happen to cost me $1 each!

DIY Sparkler Cupcake PicksTh ese adorable cupcake picks are so easy to make and they

shout “Happy 4th of July!” Pop these cuties in a cupcake

and you will be guaranteed a smile!

You will need:4 inch bamboo skewers

Scissors

Silver Crochet Th read (by Red Heart found at Walmart)

1. Take your metallic thread and wrap it around

three fi ngers 40-50 times to create a loop.

2. Carefully slip it off your fi ngers and tie an extra piece

of the thread over the middle of the loop and tie tightly

a few times.

3. Using your scissors, cut the loops. Fluff it until you

have what looks like a sparkler.

4, Insert your skewer through the middle after

adding some hot glue and pop it in your cupcake!

Jessica is happily married and mom of two ridiculously cute daughters. A writer, versati le craft er, and amateur sewer, she writes a fun blog over at TwoShadesofPink.com sharing about her family, creati vity, and her faith.


eating

Summer picnics, especially for the 4th of July, inspire grilled hot dogs,

burgers, salads, chips and soft drinks. Th e problem is that when we eat

those classic picnic foods, we are fi lling ourselves up with stuff that’s not

so good for us. Th e solution to that problem is fairly easy. Change where

you buy the food, get products that have either reduced or eliminated the

bad stuff and re-invent your recipes. Visit Earth Origins Markets in

St. Petersburg or Palm Harbor to purchase these products and many

more healthy alternatives.

Hot DogsWho doesn’t love a delicious hot dog right off the grill

before settling in to watch the fi reworks show? You’ve played

all day and some protein is a good idea. Pop an Applegate

Organic Hotdog into your bun. Th ey have no antibiotics, no

fi llers, no nitrites are made with grass-fed beef.

Many people are seeing the benefi ts to reducing gluten

in their everyday diets, even if they don’t have an allergy.

But that doesn’t mean your hot dog needs to go without a

wrapper; fi nd multi-grain gluten free buns.

Dress you dog with organic condiments from Woodstock

Farms. Th ey have mustard, ketchup and relish.

Reinventing the Picnic Classics


eatingBurgersIf you’re not quite up to veggie burgers, you can still healthy up your

burger fi x with ground Chicken sliders in one of Rudi’s Organic

Potato Slider Buns. Or purchase grass-fed ground beef patties.

ChipsA picnic isn’t a picnic without chips and there a number of healthy

choices. Kettle brand makes several fl avors of all-natural chips or if

you’re doing salsa, pick Garden of Eatin’ tortilla chips.

DessertStonyfi eld Organic has nonfat frozen yogurt bar on a stick. Dark

chocolate frozen yogurt dipped in organic dark chocolate would

make a nice treat on a hot day.

Refreshing DrinksSteaz brand teas come in white, green or black teas with various

fl avors. Individually packaged for convenient travel.

SaladPasta salads are a familiar dish on the picnic table. Make with gluten-

free pasta choices and add beans for protein for a healthier version.

Multi Bean & Pasta Summer Salad

Ingredients1 box uncooked Deboles Penne Pasta 1 can (4-1/2 ounces) sliced ripe olives, drained2 celery ribs, sliced1 cup grape tomatoes, sliced1 can Westbrae Red beans1 can Westbrae Pinto beans1 can Westbrae Salad beans1/2 cup Spectrum Mayonnaise1/2 cup cubed Monterey Jack cheese1/2 cup cubed Colby-Monterey Jack cheese1/4 cup Italian salad dressing2 tablespoons Spectrum white wine vinegar2 teaspoons Hain sea salt1/4 teaspoon pepper

Directi onsCook penne according to package directi ons. Meanwhile, in a large bowl, combine the remaining ingredients. Drain pasta and rinse in cold water. Add to bean mixture and toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate for 1-2 hours. Serve with a slott ed spoon. Yield: 10 servings


...ASK THE DIETICIANWith Sarah Krieger, MPH, RD, LD/N

Now that summer is in full swing, we need to make sure that ourselves, our children and our parents are staying hydrated. Aside from water, most of our options are packed with high fructose corn syrup, sugar, caff eine or artifi cial sweeteners. Let’s fi nd out what we should we avoid and how we can make better choices.

Q: Let’s start with boxes and pouches aimed at children because we like their convenience. What do we need to know about them, which ones are better and how do we get kids to drink more water?

Th e best choices for the boxes are either 100% juice or low-fat

milk (regular or fl avored). Both contain vital nutrients that kids

need for growing and maintaining health (vitamin C, D, calcium,

protein, antioxidants, phytochemicals). Even though they both

contain calories, if the juice is consumed once a day and whole

fruit eaten the rest of the day and 2-3 servings of milk or other

dairy (or soy) is appropriate. Any other box or pouch contains

added sugar or artifi cial sweeteners. Water also comes in 8 ounce

or larger disposable containers, but kids seem to like the stainless

steel refi llable bottles for water as long as the bottle has a cool

design. Th is is good news because they drink more water and

keep the bottle with them at camps or out on the town!

Q: Moving to the older kids: sports drinks, caff eine drinks and sodas are very popular. Why are these not good choices and how can we motivate them toward healthier choices?

Sports drinks, sodas and those with caff eine usually do not

provide any positive source of nutrition. Added sugars are

common and even if the drink is “diet” with zero calories, it still

can contain caff eine. Caff eine for kids is just another reason they

may not be getting the sleep they need. Sleep-deprived kids are

more likely to be overweight and are more likely to skip break-

fast. And for kids who are not overweight, but drink more than

one sugary drink a day are not getting any nutrition and are

creating a habit of drinking the sweetened drinks that will most

likely become a life-long issue (future weight gain) if they don’t

cut back or stop drinking them at a younger age.

If the family at home is drinking these beverages, then of course

it is easier for the kids to drink them too. So if everyone in the

family switches to water, nonfat milk and unsweetened tea most

of the time, then it is easier for the kids to do also.

Q: Avoiding sugar and calories, adults turn to sugar-free sodas, juices and fl avored powders, but those pose some serious health risks for those who consume these “diet” drinks exclusively. How much water do they need instead and what are some other refreshing options for calorie-counting adults?

Because we are in the summer season, we are more likely to lose

fl uids from our bodies. Th e ideal way to see if we are hydrated

enough is to check the color of the urine: if it is a pale or almost

clear color, hydration is adequate. We need more water on days

we are outside or exercising heavily. So for this reason, some

people do need more than 64 ounces a day. All fl uids count

towards our fl uid needs, but the less calories, the better from

beverages. Cold, fi ltered water can taste great on its own or with

a sprig of fresh mint (my favorite). Some people like a slice of

lemon, but lime, orange or grapefruit can be a nice change. Also,

making a batch of iced tea from herbal tea bags really hits the

spot when we are over heated and need extra fl uids.

Sarah Krieger is a Registered Dieti ti an and Spokesperson for the American Dieteti c Associati on from St Petersburg, FL. She is a momto three children and a professional nutriti onal consultant.Visit her website at SarahKrieger.com.

Prescription Drug Abuse AlertStudies show that more teens start using drugs

during the summer months, while unsupervised and

with more free time.

- Th ey are unsupervised, bored and have more free time,

especially in the distressed economy when jobs are hard

to come by.

- 70% of teens who abuse Rx drugs get them from family

and friends.

- 68% of households do not properly secure their Rx medications.

- Studies show that unmonitored kids are four times more likely

to engage in substance abuse.

- Rx drug abuse is the fastest growing substance abuse for ages

12 to 17.

Tips for parents: Safeguard all medicines by monitoring quantities and controlling

access. Remove drugs from your medicine cabinet and lock them up.

Even if you don’t have children, protect other visitors to your home.

Warn your youngsters that prescription drugs can be just as

dangerous, addictive, and lethal as street drugs. Studies show that

teens dangerously view prescription drugs as “safer” to abuse than

illicit drugs.

Properly dispose of old or expired medicines in the trash. Hide

or mix them with cat litter or coff ee grounds before throwing

them away.

Be aware of local trends. Do you know kids are having pill

parties where pills are dumped in a bowl and kids swallow a

hand full of whatever they get? Do you know they are snorting

bath salts for a high?

For more information or to get involved,

go to pinellascoalition.com

Go to TampaBayGoodLiving.com to get the link to the

Lock Your Meds information kit.

These are the most common butt erfl ies in our area, but they aren’t the only ones. There are actually hundreds of butt erfl ies that call our area home.


By Jai Hambley

Invite Butterfl ies Into Your Yard!Summer time is a great time to attract

butterfl ies and other winged insects to add

delightful colors, motions and sounds to

your garden. Th ey will also pollinate your

fruit trees and vegetable plants. Note,

you cannot get fruits and vegetables like

papayas, squash, tomatoes, peppers, etc.,

without insects to pollinate them.

Here in Florida we have over 180 types of

butterfl ies that we can enjoy. Butterfl ies have

4 diff erent life stages: egg; larva or caterpillar;

pupa, chrysalis or cocoon; and adult.

In order to attract butterfl ies you need to

plant two diff erent types of plants. First,

host plants that are plants the butterfl y

will lay her eggs on and that the caterpil-

lars will eat. Second, nectar plants which

have fl owers with sweet liquid in them to

feed the butterfl ies.

When the caterpillars are growing and

eating the plants you can watch them

get larger and larger and then they spin a

cocoon where they turn from a caterpillar

into a butterfl y. Th is is a fascinating cycle

to watch and a great science project for

you and the kids.

Good Gardeningwith Jai

It’s actually easy to att ract butt erfl ies to your garden.Here is a list of some butt erfl ies and their host plants. Add some of these to your garden and you can have a yard full of beauti ful butt erfl ies to enjoy.

MonarchThe monarch butt erfl y is one of the most common butt erfl ies in our area. The host plant for these butt erfl ies is milkweed, so make sure that you include it in your butt erfl y garden.

SwallowtailThere are lots of diff erent swallowtail butt erfl ies, including the black swallowtail which lays its eggs on the herbs dill, fennel, rue and parsley, the pipevine and polydamus swallowtails which use Dutchman’s pipevine to lay their eggs and the giant swallowtail which lays its eggs on citrus. These butt erfl ies come in many diff erent mixes of black and yellow and are beauti ful.

Sulphurs These fast-fl ying yellow butt erfl ies range from pale yellow to yellow with beauti ful orange colors in their wings. They lay their eggs on plants in the senna and cassia family. These large shrubs or small trees can be used as a centerpiece for a butt erfl y garden.

Zebra LongwingThe state butt erfl y of Florida, this butt erfl y hangs out in shady areas under trees or large shrubs. It lays its eggs on passionvine planted in the shade.

Gulf Friti llaryA butt erfl y that is orange with white speckling that fl utt ers fast and high in sunny areas and lays its eggs on passion vine planted in the sun.


Tips For Designing Your Butt erfl y Garden

Choose a mix of sun and shade with both

nectar plants and host plants. Butterfl y

bushes are great for attracting butterfl ies

and they look and smell similar to lilacs

and bloom most of the year. Plant one in

the middle of an area at least 4 feet wide

and plant three penta (which also bloom

most of the year) and three milkweed

around it about 1 - 2 feet away from the

bush. Add some fennel, dill, rue and/or

parsley. Butterfl ies will love this combina-

tion.

You want to pick plants that bloom for

long periods of time to ensure you have

nectar as much of the year as possible for

the butterfl ies. Otherwise, you can plant

many diff erent types of fl owers as long as

there is always something blooming to

feed your friends. Plant them in clusters

for more color.

Th ere are many nectar plants: including

daisies, Porterweed, Coral Honeysuckle,

Tropical Sage, Butterfl y Bush, Mexican

Heather, Firecracker Plant, Mexican

Petunia, and Plumbago. Th ey will also

attract bees which will help pollinate your

other plants.

Enjoy watching the butterfl ies!

NOTE: Do not use pesticides in or near

your butterfl y garden as they kill all insects

including the good guys! For more informati on, go to OrganicLivingForAll.com. I invite you to come tour our gardens and att end one of our workshops. We will teach you everything you need to know to grow your food. You can be eati ng fresh food within months if you begin now.What are you waiti ng for?

COME AND SEE BEAUTIFUL EDIBLE GARDENS! Back in the early part of the century many people grew their own food.

During the wars people had victory gardens. In the 60’s life became easier

and people started buying prepared foods. Many people now are so far

removed from the farms that many young people don’t even know where

food really comes from.

Fortunately, more people are now choosing to grow their own organic edible

gardens and it looks like this trend is here to stay.

Jai welcomes everyone to come to her organic edible gardens for a tour. You

will be served organic iced tea made with fresh garden herbs. As you walk

through the gardens, you will see and learn about many unusual fruit trees

such as the Strawberry Tree, Moringa, Brazilian Cherry, Jack Fruit, Paw

Paw, Barbados Cherry and Cherry of the Rio Grand.

You will smell and taste various fruits as well as many diff erent herbs such as

fennel, stevia, lemon balm, Mexican Cilantro, Texas Tarragon, sorrel and more.

Th e tour emphasizes several plants that thrive in the hot summer heat like

True Hibiscus, False Hibiscus, Melokia, African Spinach, Florida Cranberry

as well as many herbs, eggplant, peppers and pineapples.

Whether you need inspiration or instruction, we welcome you to come for a

garden tour on Saturdays from 10 - 2 and during the week by appointment.


1. A house scavenger hunt

Ten Brain-Building Games for Summer FunBy AMY PERRY

When I reminisce about childhood, I remember having fun with

my next door neighbor named Mimi. Climbing trees, exploring

the brook and falling in the mud are pieces of my summer

adventures. Today, life is diff erent. Our kids are bombarded by

the latest Wii game and life in general is just more compli-

cated than it used to be. So with summer break upon us, I have

compiled ten ideas for brain-building games that parents can do

during the summer break that fall within my favorite philosophy

as a mom, Keep It Super Simple, a.k.a., K.I.S.S.

As a therapist and owner of a pediatric clinic, you’d think my

kids would have the coolest toys at home. Th e truth, according

to my children, is that all the other kids have better toys. So over

time, I’ve learned that simply buying more toys doesn’t keep kids

busy and learning. It does, however, create the need for a larger

bag for donations to Goodwill.

Th ese activities require very little in terms of supplies. Th ey are

fun and will work to improve your children’s developmental skills

over the summer months. Make these ideas your own. Let your

creativity run wild!

4. Guess the animalCreate obstacles around the room and have

fun moving over, around, through, under and

between the obstacles as an animal of choice:

bear, crab, snake, kangaroo, frog, lizard, lion,

giraff e, monkey or opossum. Make noises or

not; you make the rules. Work on positions

while building strength as you maintain

the posture of the animal. Have the

kids imitate the animal or follow

the leader around the room.

Come up with a list of items from your house. You know what’s

in your house. In my house, we collect Matchbox cars, Lego’s,

dress-up clothes, and balls. I have the kids fi nd a specifi c color

Matchbox car, fi ve green Lego’s, dress-up as a community helper,

and get the largest ball you can fi nd in the house. Th is improves

categorizing, counting, colors, dressing skills and size relationship.

2. Create artwork to improve the lungs

Get a straw, paper plate and food coloring. Put a dab of

food coloring on a plate and blow through the straw. Put

several colors down and watch the colors mix together.

Th is improves lung capacity. Also, eyes converge as you

blow through the straw, so now you are improving atten-

tion span and vision strength.

3. Pseudo-soccerUse a ping pong ball or craft puff ball on the fl oor. Set-up “goals”

using any two objects on each side of the room. Get on the

ground and commando crawl or move as a snake toward the ball.

Blow the ball to the goal without using hands. Long, extended

breaths provide the best control and will improve lung

capacity. Also, moving on your hands, forearms and

belly will help build core, scapular and neck strength

needed for reading, writing, and visual motor activities.


5. Flashlight fort gamesA fl ashlight is one of my favorite toys to give as a present for a

preschooler. I giggle when I buy an industrial fl ashlight in the

hardware department, only to wrap it in Elmo wrapping paper

for a four-year old’s birthday party. Usually within the month, the

child’s mother tells me the fl ashlight was the favorite gift! Again,

the K.I.S.S. philosophy! Back to the game. Make a fort in the

house using sheets or beach towels. Drape the linen of choice

over a table or several chairs and take fl ashlights into your secret

fort. Use the light beam to draw letters, numbers or shapes on the

fort walls. Spell words or learn your phone number and address.

Take turns drawing with the light and have the child guess the

drawing. Take a break and generate laughter by playing fl ashlight

tag with the lights.

6. VolcanoFill a bucket with soap and water. For blowing bubbles, a straw

will do, but I prefer using a long, clear tube from Home Depot

that I get in several widths. Wash them fi rst in the dishwasher.

Let kids pick their tube of choice and have fun blowing through

the tube to make the bubbles rise. Long, deep breaths are needed

for optimal results. Before long, the volcano will erupt over the

side. Everyone can take those bubbles in the palm of their hands

to blow them into the air. (Th is is messy so you may want to do

this outside or on a patio.) See how many times you can blow the

bubbles in the air between two people. Breath control and deep

breathing techniques are important calming strategies for test

taking or calming a child down at bedtime.

7. Fast naming gameCollect ten items around the room and put them

in a line on the fl oor. March, clap, jump or bounce

while sitting on an exercise ball to a consistent

beat. While moving, kids name each item in order

on the fl oor. Change the order. Add clapping to

the syllables. If your child messes up the name or

beat, just keep going. Repeat the activity without

correcting your child. Th e brain is an instrument that

usually will self correct when given the opportunity.

8. Multi-tasking ball gamesUse a ball to kick, bounce or throw back and forth. When you get the

ball, say an item in a sequence, such as the alphabet, numbers from

one to 50, months of the year, days of the week or colors of the

rainbow. If you master that activity, have one person count

while another says the alphabet. Switch positions and do it

again. It is important to do the activity to a beat. Th e goal

is be successful with multi-tasking. You can add activities

to challenge balance and coordination to further stimulate

brain development. Don’t get frustrated because is meant to

be a brain teasing activity.

9. Playdo gamesYou can use store bought, but I like to

make homemade Kool-Aid playdo and

let the kids pick their fl avor. It smells

good and we keep it in the fridge so it’s

nice and cold to “wake up” fi ngers and hands

and improve body awareness. Although the

Kool-Aid playdo smells delicious, the strong salty taste is less

desirable. Keep one playdo as is but then give others texture

by adding sand and rice for new feelings to explore. It also

adds resistance for your hands which will improve fi ne motor

strength and dexterity. You can also add items such as coins,

plastic animals and pegs and have the child fi nd the hidden

toys. Increase the challenge by blindfolding your child with a

bandana while he searches for the missing treasures. Th is activity

improves fi ne motor skills for writing, cutting, buttoning and

opening containers. WARNING: items placed in the playdo can

be a choking hazard and sand is not a good thing to eat.

10. Shaving cream funGet a cheap can of shaving cream. Find a mirror or bathtub wall that

needs cleaning. Have your child sit in front of it, and you sit behind

your child. Squirt the shaving cream onto wall choice. Use your fi nger

to draw a shape, number, or letter on your child’s back and then have

the child draw what he feels on the back. Th e child must draw and

identify the choice shape, letter or number. Switch places and you

draw in the shaving cream. Points are tallied by correctly identifying

the drawing. Th is improves fi ne motor and visual motor skills. At

the end of the game, use a paper towel or small rag in each hand and

move across the surface: up, down and right to left (reading direction)

to clean up. Do fi gure eights or play race cars, but the arm must move

against the resistance as it cleans up the shaving cream to improve

arm strength while learning spatial relations and following directions.

Amy Perry is a wife and mother of three, energeti c boys in Clearwater, FL. She owns Foundati ons Therapy, a pediatric occupati onal, physical, and speech-language therapy clinic in Countryside. At the clinic, she works as a pediatric occupati onal therapist specializing in Sensory Processing Disorder. Her hobbies are park hopping with the family, swimming in the pool, and fi nding hidden treasures at garage sales.

Financial Tipsfor the Graduate

By Roberto FernandezAcademic Chair, College of Business

St. Petersburg College

Many high schools do not provide their students with

instruction or guidance in money management and

personal fi nance. As a student headed to college and

looking ahead to the journey of life, it is important to

learn some basic fi nancial strategies that will help you

have a more successful college experience and life in general.

Good Financial Habits:

- Question your important purchases.

Buy only what you need and wait for what you want.

- Set limits on entertainment.

- Start saving. Th e younger you start the better.

Use the magic of compound interest in your favor.

Manage your Credit Wisely

- Learn about credit worthiness and credit scores.

- Pay your bills on time and credit cards before the due

date to avoid interest charges.

- Get a credit card only when you are confi dent you can

manage your credit.

- Use your credit cards only when you absolutely need

them. Learn to manage your money with cash fi rst.

Buying a Car

- Th e best choice here is to delay the purchase of one as

much as you can.

- Carpooling is a great and inexpensive practice.

- Use the Internet to fi nd the best car deals. Shop for

the best car insurance. Let companies compete for

your business.

- Do your numbers before heading to buy. Know what you

can aff ord and stick to it.

In College

- Try to avoid buying new books at all cost. Rent them or

buy used. Check E-bay, Amazon or Chegg for great deals.

- Take advantage of college activities, free movie

festivals and events. Make good use of your student ID

for discounts.

- Study hard. If you fail a class that is required for your

degree, you will pay for it again, wasting time and money.

- Don’t go overboard with student loans. Make sure

your planned career pays enough for you to aff ord your

monthly debt payments. Plan ahead and be realistic

before you borrow. Know that student loans cannot be

discharged in bankruptcy, so be wise!


Be the ChangePrevent or Reverse Type 2 DiabetesBy MARK KAYLOR

Somewhere back in my college days, I remember a professor

saying that some anthropologists had theorized that each culture

develops diseases that are particular to that community. I don’t

know if this is actually true or not, but if you look at the rela-

tionship between diabetes, and its related conditions, and our

modern culture it certainly seems to be a perfect example of this

theory. Clearly, diabetes is very much a sign, or symptom, of our

times and the way we live.

On top of this diabetic epidemic we have an even greater range

of disorders and imbalances, from cardiovascular disease to

cancer, and even aging, that arise out of a related condition

known as insulin resistance. Simply put, insulin resistance occurs

when cells throughout the body lose their sensitivity to insulin

primarily due to the constant bombardment that results from

our incessant consumption of refi ned sugars and carbohydrates.

Th is results in chronic high blood sugar that in turn causes the

pancreas to produce more insulin, thereby further decreasing the

cell’s responsiveness to insulin. Th us a cycle is created where an

imbalance creates another imbalance creating another imbalance

and round and round. When there is a chronic high blood sugar

level and insuffi cient insulin production this is called type-2

diabetes; when high blood sugar exists with chronic high insulin

levels, this is called metabolic syndrome.

Th e good news is that it doesn’t have to be this way. In a study

comparing benefi ts of diabetic drugs to lifestyle modifi cations in

pre-diabetic patients, the lifestyle group, after almost three years,

showed almost twice the benefi ts of the drug group.

It’s All About the FoodTh e most diffi cult element to swallow (pun intended) about

diabetes is that, for the vast majority, it is very preventable and

often readily treatable with the appropriate changes to our

lifestyle and diet. An unhealthy diabetic diet is simply too much

of the wrong foods with not enough of the right foods and

nutrients. Did you know that if you eat the Standard American

Diet (aptly referred to as SAD) you are almost 50% more likely

to be either pre-diabetic or full-blown diabetic? Th is deserves

repeating one more time, 50% more likely!

So what is a healthy diet? Th e two most important points are:

one, eat whole foods, especially vegetables; and two, eliminate

processed sugars and refi ned carbohydrates. I am convinced

that if we all followed these two simple guidelines, then the

incidences of most chronic diseases, including diabetes, would

dramatically decrease. Some dietary no-no’s include: elimi-

nating the soda (even diet), high fructose corn syrup and fried

foods; limit Omega 6 consumption while increasing Omega

3’s; and avoid MSG.

Other dietary suggestions include: eat regular meals, consume

some proteins at every meal; if you eat red meat, make sure

it is grass fed; and take time to enjoy your meals. Some foods

of particular value for diabetics to include in their diet are

legumes, berries (in reasonable amounts), nuts, olives, onions,

garlic and both kinds of artichokes. And if you are a “numbers”

person try to eat low on the Glycemic Load scale. (You can

fi nd many GL food listings on the Internet.)

Th e other side of the coin to restricting carbohydrates/sugars is

eating a high fi ber diet. When it comes to blood sugar issues,

enough cannot be said about fi ber consumption; the benefi ts

include slowing blood sugar rise, cardiovascular benefi ts,

reducing appetite and helping remove excess by iron that could

damage pancreatic cells.

Stress & ExerciseTh e advice no one wants to hear is that exercise is an essen-

tial element in maintaining or re-establishing healthy blood

sugar and insulin levels. Physical activity directly impacts

sugar metabolism, increases insulin sensitivity and contributes

to cardiovascular health all of which have been confi rmed in

numerous studies.


Stress is a major player in virtually every chronic disease and

the same goes for diabetes. Several reports have shown that it

is much more diffi cult to balance sugar and insulin levels when

under higher levels of stress. Further evidence also suggests that

chronically high stress levels are linked to an increased risk of

type-2 diabetes. We also know that the stress hormone, cortisol,

raises blood sugar levels and when blood sugar is too low the

body secretes more cortisol in order to raise blood sugar levels.

Two of my favorite anti-stress remedies are exercise and a tonic

herb from India called Ashwaganda. Th is remedy is known as an

adaptogen, so named because it helps the body to adapt, espe-

cially to stressful situations. Ashwaganda may help balance blood

sugar, increase energy and boost immune functioning as well.

Supplemental HelpWhile dietary and lifestyle changes are the most important and

eff ective elements in preventing and reversing diabetes there are

several supplements that may assist in this process. Make sure you

are getting enough of these in your diet and/or through supple-

mentation. Th e number one supplement is probably chromium:

it improves insulin receptor function, facilitates sugars uptake

into cells, and plays a major role in insulin’s action. In addition,

magnesium, zinc, vitamin B complex, manganese, and omega-3

fats with high DHA and added GLA are vital nutrients to

maintaining healthy balance, nursing and protecting the body,

reducing diabetic related disorders, and helping the body operate

at its optimal level. Several critical antioxidants, alpha lipoic acid,

resveratrol, Turmeric and Green tea, have an array of benefi ts

going beyond protecting the body from the free radicals arising

from high blood sugar and helping to curb insulin resistance.

A new kid on the block in helping to reduce blood sugar and

insulin levels is a recently discovered component of the Maitake

mushroom called SX fraction. Laboratory and clinical studies

confi rm the effi cacy of SX fraction’s use with diabetics. Evidence

that SX fraction is helping to overcome insulin resistance is seen

in its cardiovascular benefi ts: lowering total cholesterol, LDL,

triglycerides, blood pressure, HbA1c, and raising HDL with

moderate weight loss.

Please remember, supplements are just that, supplements. Th ey

are not meant to take the place of dietary and lifestyle changes,

nor are they here to allow us to “cheat” more. Th ese supplements

are best used to enhance and complement the changes.

Be the ChangeIronically, even though type 2 diabetes is very treatable, this

epidemic shows no sign of letting up. One in three Americans

born in the year 2000 will develop diabetes in their lifetime. Fat

may also soon become the norm, and sooner than you think. A

report out of John Hopkins University predicts by 2015, 75% of

US adults will be overweight and 41% will be obese. And “adult-

onset diabetes,” as type-2 was once known, is now occurring in

younger and younger adolescents. Th is is not the legacy that our

children and our grandchildren deserve. Interestingly, the diet,

lifestyle and supplement suggestions for preventing or reversing

diabetes are, in general, great guidelines for maximizing our own

health and vitality regardless of whether or not we have diabetic

issues. So what if we decided, each and every one of us, to make

the changes and live the lifestyle and diet, making ourselves a

positive example of radiant health? Don’t we owe it to our chil-

dren? Don’t we owe it to ourselves?

Mark J. Kaylor is a holisti c health practi ti oner and lecturer who integrates herbs, nutriti on,

naturopathy and various traditi onal healing modaliti es in his practi ce.

One in three Americans born in the year 2000 will develop diabetes in their lifetime .


My Storyby JONATHAN SCHEINMAN

I once thought the role of a father meant

raising your kids to be the best they can

be, to give them all the opportunities

to succeed in life and to support your

family in whatever way necessary. What

I discovered when my twin daughters

were born is that the responsibilities of

a father are so much more. Hailey was

born fi rst and was perfectly healthy.

Olivia arrived an hour later, and soon

after, began having seizures.

After several turbulent years, Olivia’s

diagnosis was determined to be multi-

focal, partial epilepsy caused by a

general brain malformation. She has

been through a multitude of hospital stays including two

for major brain surgeries. Both put extreme emotional and

physical stress on our family and my relationship with my wife

Allison, causing me to frequently ask the question, “Would

my life be better with or without Olivia?” An odd question

to consider regarding your own child, but as a father with a

daughter who has numerous disabilities, it was unavoidable.

Our idea of normal had been twisted and completely turned

upside down.

Now at six-and-a-half years old, Olivia still takes four

medications each day in order to control her seizures. She is

globally developmentally delayed both physically and mentally.

She has an arduous feeding and medication regimen and

numerous doctors and physical therapy appointments.

So to answer the question, if my life would be better with or

without Olivia, I need only walk into her room each morning to

see that glowing, brilliant smile. I cannot imagine my life without

her pure and transcendent inner beauty. She has transformed

my idea of what it means to be a father. Our family has grown

stronger, and through our faith, we have overcome seemingly

insurmountable challenges.

Th rough all the turmoil, our daughter Hailey has grown into an

amazing, caring and intelligent little girl. Her empathy for and

understanding of her sister and other children with disabilities is

remarkable. It is a true gift we could not otherwise have given to

her. Despite the diffi culties in communicating, Hailey and Olivia

have an extraordinarily powerful bond that many twins share. As

one of Olivia’s biggest supporters, Hailey asked Allison how she

could help raise money for her sister’s expensive intensive therapy

sessions. Since Hailey has a passion for art, Allison suggested

she sell her paintings and jewelry. Hailey immediately set out to

create some masterpieces which they auctioned on eBay and “Art

by Hailey” was born.

As a father, I could not be more proud of my daughters. Th ey

inspire me to never back down in the face of fear but to forge

ahead with courage and determination. It would have been easy

to have given up and fade into the background like so many

fathers of disabled children do. But I chose, using a sports

analogy, to stay in the game. Th is is my team and I contribute

each and every day. No one person should have to craft the

winning strategy from which the entire family will benefi t. Will

Olivia ever play a sport? Probably not. But in the sport of life,

Olivia consistently gives her best. She is a true winner as is each

and every child fi ghting against unthinkable odds. I will be there

every step of the way for all of her victories, no matter how big

or small they are.

For more informati on about Olivia’s inspirati onal story or “Art by Hailey,” please visit LivysHope.com.


One of the most common questions I receive as the wife of a

professional baseball player, recording artist/performer, mother

of a two year old and now a six-month pregnant woman is,

“How do you balance everything in your life?” My typical

response with a smile and a short laugh, is “Let me know if

you fi gure out what that means!”

Balance is not a word frequently used in our household. Our

schedule is constantly changing, we know Southwest fl ight

attendants by name and our son, Zion, often says, “We’re

home!” when we pull up to a hotel.

Growing up in a family of eight where my father was a pastor

and my mom cooked every meal, I was used to the comfort of

routine and consistency. So the crazy lifestyle Ben and I have

is a big change for me. We live in Tennessee for four months

out of the year during the baseball off -season; Port Charlotte,

Florida for a month and a half during spring training; and

then in Tampa Bay for the regular season. Out of the six base-

ball months, we are on the road for half of them.

On top of the baseball world, I am a musician. I write all of

my own music, fl y to Nashville to record, and often perform at

festivals, churches and schools throughout the year.

Needless to say, there aren’t very many home-cooked meals

coming from this mama! At fi rst, the ugly little monster of

“comparison” kept me from just letting go and loving our

life. I was always trying to fi t us into what I thought was the

good, American, even “Christian” way of living. But the more I

compared, the more bitter and discontent I became.

Dareto Live Fully

I soon found out that I can spend these years trying to obtain

“balance” to have a very normal, predictable life with one home,

no traveling and home-cooked meals every night, or I can spend

these years not only being content, but loving the life God has

entrusted our family with and enjoying it! Th e truth is that for

many, a life of routine works beautifully and I am sometimes

jealous of that! But that wasn’t the life God handed my family.

So instead of trying to make it into what I thought it should be,

I dared myself to live fully right where I am!

I recently attended a funeral, and as heartbreaking as it is to lose

someone you love, I think God uses those moments to graciously

give us a dose of perspective. One day this life will be over…what did I spend it doing? What kind of legacy will I leave with my family and friends and people that I randomly meet at a baseball game or one of my shows?

I pray that my children aren’t left only being able to say that their

Mom loved them and provided for them. But that they saw that

God so radically permeated me that I lived this life fearlessly and

was not a slave to what others said was the way to live. I want

to live a life that loves the Gospel of Christ, a life that teaches my

children how to be bold. I want to live a life where I don’t expect me

to be perfect, but one that holds onto the Grace and Forgiveness and

Redemption given to me. I want to

live a life that shows my daughter

how to love her husband like they

are newlyweds forever and a life

that seizes the crazy moments and

makes them fun. I want to live a life

that shows my children and others

watching, how to live fully…not

simply how to be balanced.

By JULIANNA ZOBRIST

Documents

2011 Summer Issue