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National Purple Heart Day
Purple Heart Day on August 7th is the kind of day created to give back. It’s a day for Americans to remember and honor the men and women who bravely represented their country and were wounded or killed whilst serving. These people are decorated with a Purple Heart in the name of the President, and this day is for remembering them and their sacrifice. Some states, counties, and cities pause in recognition, as do some sports and entertainment entities. Military and veteran organizations also hold meetings for remembrance. Please join us as we honor those that have been given a Purple Heart. George Washington awarded the original Purple Heart, designated as a Badge of Merit, in 1782. There was a lack of funds in the Continental Army at the time so the award was a way to honor enlisted and deserving people. The honor is presented to soldiers for “any singularly meritorious action.” It was designed with a piece of silk bound through it with a thin edge of silver. Washington only gave out three of the badges himself, and instead authorized subordinates to issue the badges as they saw fit. The Badge of Merit faded from use but was revived and launched in 1932, this time as the Purple Heart. As well as honoring those wounded in combat, this iteration of the Purple Heart recognized commendable action. It was in 1944 that the policy was tweaked slightly and the Purple Heart was given the purpose we know it for today, specifically to honor those who have been wounded or died. The first service member to be given the modern Purple Heart was General Douglas MacArthur for his service in the Pacific theater during World War II. In total there have been 1.8 million Purple Hearts awarded over the years. Purple Heart Day was first observed in 2014 and has been observed every year since. It’s a chance to reflect on the bravery of those who have fought for the U.S. and to ensure that their courage is never forgotten.
Staying Hydrated in Sports
Whether it is during an actual game or during practice, staying hydrated is very important. It does not matter if you are younger or older, your body depends on water for survival. Did you know that water makes up more than half of your body weight? Every cell, tissue and organ in your body needs water to function correctly. For example, your body uses water to maintain its temperature, remove waste and lubricate joints. Water is essential for good health. You lose water each day when you go to the bathroom, sweat, and even when you breathe. You lose water even faster when the weather is hot, when you exercise, or if you have a fever. Vomiting and diarrhea can also lead to rapid fluid loss. If you don’t replace the water you lose, you can become dehydrated. Symptoms of dehydration include Little or no urine, or urine that is darker than usual, dry mouth, sleepiness or fatigue, extreme thirst, headache, confusion, feeling dizzy or lightheaded and no tears when crying. Don’t wait until you notice symptoms of dehydration to act. It can be hard to recognize when you’re dehydrated, especially as you age. Actively prevent dehydration by drinking plenty of water. There are different recommendations for water intake each day. Most people have been told they should be drinking 6 to 8 8-ounce glasses of water each day, which is a reasonable goal. However, different people need different amounts of water to stay hydrated. Most healthy people can stay well hydrated by drinking water and other fluids whenever they feel thirsty. For some people, fewer than 8 glasses may be enough. Other people may need more than 8 glasses each day. Some people are at higher risk of dehydration, including those who get a lot of exercise, have certain medical conditions, are sick, or are not able to get enough fluids during the day. Older adults are also at higher risk. As you age, your brain may be unable to sense dehydration and send the signals for thirst. If you are concerned that you may not be drinking enough water, check your urine. If your urine is consistently colorless or light yellow, you are most likely staying well hydrated. Water is the best option for staying hydrated. There are other drinks and foods that can help provide the water you need, but some may add extra calories from sugar to your diet. Drinks like fruit and vegetable juices, milk and herbal teas can contribute to the amount of water you should get each day. Even caffeinated drinks, such as coffee, tea, and soda, count toward your daily water intake – up to a point. But it’s best to limit these since caffeine may cause some people to urinate more frequently or feel anxious or jittery. A moderate amount of caffeine, 200 to 300 milligrams (about the amount in 2 to 4 8-ounce cups of coffee), is not harmful for most people. If you have any questions about the amount of water you should take in, please follow up with your physician. Sports are fun but staying safe is very important too!
On Your Mark, Get Set….RUN!
On Your Mark, Get Set….RUN!
Doing a 5K run can add a new level of challenge and interest to your exercise program. A 5K run is 3.1 miles. Don't be daunted by the distance. A 5K run is a great distance for a beginner. You can prepare for a 5K run in just two months. Consider using this seven-week 5K run training schedule as your guide. This 5K run training schedule was created by Olympian Jeff Galloway. It's tailored for beginners or anyone who wants to complete a 5K race. You don't have to use this training schedule only for a 5K run. You can also adapt it for a 5K walk. This 5K training schedule incorporates a mix of running, walking and resting. This combination helps reduce the risk of injury, stress and fatigue while boosting your enjoyment of physical activity. Remember, you can run or walk slowly to help your body adjust to this 5K training schedule. Under this 5K run schedule, you'll spend a portion of your training walking. For instance, during week one on run/walk days, you'll run for 15 seconds and then walk for 45 seconds, repeating that cycle for 30 minutes. As the weeks progress, you'll gradually increase the amount of time running and reduce the amount of time walking. If you're adapting the training for a 5K walk, then you always walk, even on run/walk days. One day a week, which is Friday on this 5K schedule, is a day of rest from exercise, giving your muscles time to recover. On Sunday, you can either take a second day of rest, or you can enjoy a walk at your choice of distance. On this 5K run training schedule, race day falls on Saturday of your seventh week. I personally have never ran a 5K but did use to speed walk them and enjoyed it very much. With speed walking, the walk is faster than a normal walk but not running. I truly enjoyed it. For this information and more on preparing for a 5K, please visit the mayoclinic.org website for all the information you will need and good luck on preparing and running your 5K.
Break For Breakfast
Sleep Schedules are Important for School Time
On Your Mark, Get Set….RUN!
Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. It provides important daily nutrients such as protein, fiber, calcium and carbohydrates. You wouldn’t expect your car to run without fuel, so you shouldn’t expect a child to function all day without the fuel of a nutritious breakfast. Eating breakfast regularly offers physical, mental and academic benefits to students. Eating breakfast can improve cognitive performance, test scores and achievement scores in students, especially in younger children. According to a study published in the journal “Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine," students who increased their participation in school breakfast programs had significantly higher math scores than students who skipped or rarely ate breakfast. As an added benefit, the group of students who increased breakfast participation also had decreased rates of tardiness and absences. Eating breakfast regularly may also help students maintain a healthy weight. According to a study published in “Public Health Nutrition," children who skipped breakfast in the morning were more likely to overeat and have a lower overall diet quality than children who ate breakfast every day. This led to increased body mass index (BMI) measurements. Breakfast provides energy for morning activities and helps to prevent mid-morning slump. But what type of breakfast is best? Any breakfast is better than no breakfast, but try not to have doughnuts or pastries all the time. They are high in calories, sugar, and fat. A doughnut for breakfast won’t keep you feeling full. Try to eat a variety of foods, including fruit, vegetables, grains (make at least half your grains whole grains), protein (meat, poultry, fish, eggs, dry beans, nuts, and seeds), and dairy products.
Sleep Schedules are Important for School Time
Sleep Schedules are Important for School Time
Sleep Schedules are Important for School Time
Children between the ages of five to twelve need 10-11 hours of sleep a night. At the same time, there is an increasing demand on their time from school with doing homework, sports, and other extracurricular and social activities. In addition, school aged children become more interested in TV, computers, the media, and Internet as well as caffeine products – all of which can lead to difficulty falling asleep, nightmares and disruptions to their sleep. In particular, watching TV close to bedtime has been associated with bedtime resistance, difficulty falling asleep, anxiety around sleep and sleeping fewer hours. Sleep problems and disorders are prevalent at this age. Poor or inadequate sleep can lead to mood swings, behavioral problems such as hyperactivity and cognitive problems that impact on their ability to learn in school. It’s important to have these great sleep tips for school-aged children. Teach school-aged children about healthy sleep habits. Continue to emphasize the need for a regular and consistent sleep schedule and bedtime routine. Make a child's bedroom conducive to sleep – dark, cool, and quiet. Keep TV and computers out of the bedroom. Avoid caffeine. Preschoolers are a little different. They typically sleep 11-13 hours each night and most do not nap after five years of age. As with toddlers, difficulty falling asleep and waking up during the night are common. With further development of imagination, preschoolers commonly experience nighttime fears and nightmares. In addition, sleepwalking and sleep terrors peak during preschool years. Be sure with preschoolers that you use these sleep tips. Maintain a regular and consistent sleep schedule. Have a relaxing bedtime routine that ends in the room where the child sleeps. Child should sleep in the same sleeping environment every night, in a room that is cool, quiet and dark – and without a TV. These are just a few helpful tips from sleepforkids.org that will help with those long school days and nights.
Bring On The S’mores
Sleep Schedules are Important for School Time
Sleep Schedules are Important for School Time
August is National S’mores Month. A s'more is a simple campfire dessert which consists of a marshmallow (either roasted or not roasted) and a piece of milk chocolate bar sandwiched between two pieces of graham cracker. S'mores have been around since the 1920s. The exact origin of the word “s'more” is unclear, though it seems to be a contraction of the phrase “some more”, as in “give me some more”. If you are feeling really creative in National S’mores Month, try a different variation of the traditional s'more, like s’mores pizza. Lightly grease a pizza pan. Spread one (16 1/2 ounce) package of chocolate chip cookie dough into the pan and the flatten dough to the edges. Bake at 350 °F until slightly brown (about 10 minutes). Remove from the oven. Sprinkle the top with 2 cups chocolate chips, 2 cups miniature marshmallows, and 2 cups graham crackers, broken into pieces. Return to the oven for another 5-8 minutes. Remove from the oven when marshmallows and chocolate chips are melted and the crust is brown. Drizzle with chocolate syrup before serving.
Vaccines: They’re Not Just for Kids
Vaccines: They’re Not Just for Kids
Vaccines: They’re Not Just for Kids
August is National Immunization Awareness Month. This includes immunizations for adults. The need for vaccination does not end in childhood. All adults should get vaccines to protect their health. Every year, thousands of adults in the U.S. suffer needlessly, are hospitalized, and even die from diseases that could be prevented by vaccines. Immunizations are especially important for older adults and adults with chronic conditions such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), diabetes or heart disease. Additionally, immunizations are crucial for anyone who is in close contact with the very young, the very old, people with weakened immune systems, or those who cannot be vaccinated. All adults should get the influenza (flu) vaccine each year to protect against seasonal flu. According to data from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), only 42% of adults 18 years or older received the flu vaccine during the 2013-2014 flu season. Adults should also get the Tdap vaccine to protect against pertussis (whooping cough) and then a Td (tetanus, diphtheria) booster shot every 10 years. In addition, it is also recommended that women get the Tdap vaccine each time they are pregnant, preferably between 27 and 36 weeks of pregnancy. CDC data also revealed that only 17% of adults 19 years or older received the Tdap vaccine in 2013. Depending on one’s age, occupation, travel, health status, vaccination history, and other risk factors, adults may need other vaccines such as shingles, pneumococcal, Hepatitis, and HPV. Some of these vaccines can help prevent cancer. Hepatitis B vaccine can prevent liver cancer that can occur after developing chronic hepatitis B. The HPV vaccine can prevent cancers caused by HPV infection, including cervical, vaginal, vulvar and anal cancer. Vaccination is important because it not only protects the person receiving the vaccine, but also helps prevent the spread of disease to others. Vaccines are thoroughly tested before licensing and carefully monitored after they are licensed to ensure they are safe. Side effects from vaccines are usually mild and temporary. The most common side effects are soreness, redness or swelling where the shot was given. Some people may have allergic reactions to certain vaccines, but serious and long-term side effects are rare. Even people taking prescription medications can be vaccinated. However, if you are pregnant, or have a weakened immune system, talk with your health care professional before being vaccinated, as some vaccines may not be recommended for you. For more information about immunizations, visit www.cdc.gov.
Protecting Their Eyesight
Vaccines: They’re Not Just for Kids
Vaccines: They’re Not Just for Kids
Annual Eye Exams is the best way to make sure your child’s eyes are allowing them to do their best in school. August has arrived and that means that many parents are preparing their children for another school year. August has been declared Children’s Eye Health and Safety Month by Prevent Blindness America. When 80% of learning occurs through the eyes, healthy vision is essential to a child’s success in the classroom. Having a child’s vision tested by an eye-care professional can lead to greater success in the classroom because much of a child’s learning occurs visually. Studies have shown that some students where learning disabilities have been diagnosed actually have undiagnosed vision problems instead. Although an eye exam is the ideal way for parents to know whether their children have vision problems, there are some signs and behaviors parents can watch for that may indicate a child is struggling with his or her vision. Do you know what your child’s eyes look like? Eyes don’t line up, one eye may appear to cross or look inwards or outwards, Eyes are red, crusty or swollen, Eyes seem to be red or watery and Eye rubbing can be a sign that your child is having eye problems. How your child acts matters as well. Does your child rub their eyes frequently? Close or cover an eye? Thrust head forward, hold in an unusual position or tilt their head especially when reading or looking at small objects far away? Has any trouble or delays in reading, trouble doing close work, or pulling objects very close to see? Avoids up close work? Blinks more than usual? Tends to squint or frown? Get headaches? Feel sick or nauseous? Listening to your child is very important too. Does your child ever make comments like My eyes are blurry?, My eyes feel scratchy? My eyes are burning? I can’t see very well? Things look double? If you notice these symptoms, make sure you schedule an appointment with an eye care professional. Amblyopia, strabismus, color blindness and refractive errors are the most common conditions that affect children’s vision. Eye safety is also another important part of your child’s eye health. Each year thousands of kids sustain some form of eye injury. Taking proper precautions such as wearing protective eyewear can prevent about 90% of those injuries. From sports to toys and fireworks, eye injuries can happen any time anywhere. Of course accidents do happen, so if your child does experience an eye injury, make sure they do not rub or touch their eye and seek medical attention from a trusted eye care professional as soon as possible.
Positive Parenting Tips: Infants
Vaccines: They’re Not Just for Kids
Positive Parenting Tips: Infants
During the first year of life, babies learn to focus their vision, reach out, explore, and learn about the things that are around them. Cognitive development means the learning process of memory, language, thinking, and reasoning. Learning language is more than just making sounds or saying "ma-ma" and "da-da". Listening, understanding, and knowing the names of people and things are all a part of language development. During this stage, babies also are developing bonds of love and trust with their parents and others as part of social and emotional development. The way you cuddle, hold, and play with your baby will set the stage for how he will interact with you and others. Following are some things you, as a parent, can do to help your baby during this time: Talk to your baby. She will find your voice calming. Answer when your baby makes sounds by repeating the sounds and adding words. This will help him learn to use language. Read to your baby. This will help her develop and understand language and sounds. Sing to your baby and play music. This will help your baby develop a love for music and will help his brain development. Praise your baby and give her lots of loving attention. Spend time cuddling and holding your baby. This will help him feel cared for and secure. Play with your baby when she’s alert and relaxed. Watch your baby closely for signs of being tired or fussy so that she can take a break from playing. Distract your baby with toys and move him to safe areas when he starts moving and touching things that he shouldn’t touch. Take care of yourself physically, mentally, and emotionally. It is easier to enjoy your new baby and be a positive, loving parent when you are feeling good yourself. Parenting can be hard but rewarding work! For more information on child development, visit www.cdc.gov.
Second Hand Wardrobes
How Much Are Teeth Worth?
Positive Parenting Tips: Infants
How many times have you bought an item of clothing, only to wear it once or twice and throw it away after years of collecting dust in the back of the closet? According to National Today, sadly the answer is too many times. Thankfully, there’s a movement taking place in America that could help save us from our wasteful selves: National Second Hand Wardrobe Day on August 25th. Buying clothes second hand and donating your used clothing creates a positive cycle that is crucial for cutting back our waste. Unfortunately, there’s a stigma surrounding second hand clothing stores, or thrift shops, but it’s time to bring this to light and talk about why it’s so flawed. Secondhand shopping saves you money, has a positive impact on the environment, and if done correctly, can certainly lead to a closet of some cool new duds. So on August 25, head to your favorite thrift store and get some new, old threads!
How Much Are Teeth Worth?
How Much Are Teeth Worth?
How Much Are Teeth Worth?
National tooth fairy day is August 22nd! How much did the tooth fairy leave for you when you were younger? When I was a child losing teeth, I received some change or a dollar. I thought I was banking! When I had a child, I gave out five dollars. He thought he was banking for sure! What does the tooth fairy leave at your house?
Do You Have A Dog?
How Much Are Teeth Worth?
How Much Are Teeth Worth?
Friday, August 26th is National Dog Day. Have you had or do you have a dog? I don’t have a dog anymore however I did have a dog when I was a little girl. I loved her so much. Her name was Brandy, and she was a Keeshond. She was such a beautiful, sweet girl. She loved tennis balls. Mother and Daddy had an open garage where she and I would play every day. I would throw the ball against the garage wall, and she would catch it. She loved to play that game every day. My son wants a dog so bad, but we cannot have one where we live. Seeing pictures of Keeshonds made me want one again, however mother and daddy didn’t have to pay for her, but I see where they run around $1200 now. WHOA! They are such loving dogs though and Brandy was spoiled rotten. What kind of dog do you have? What are their names and how did you come up with them? Does their name have a special meaning?
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