2010 Fall Issue

1GoodLiving / SEPT•OCT 2010

3GoodLiving / FALL 2010


8 & 9 Good News

11 – 13 Good Products

14 Good Giveaways

18 & 19 Good PeopleCheryl Jackson, founder of the Suncoast Kids PlaceDave and Ronni Krieger, bringing safety education to kids and parents

22 & 23 Good EatingHealthy Treats not Artifi cial Tricks just in time for party season

24 & 25 Good AdventuresMorean Arts Center, Titanic the Experience, Omni Orlando Resort at Champions Gate and the Kennedy Space Center Visitor’s Complex

29 Good Events

The Good Stuff

Features Proactive Prevention Saves Lives 16

Dr. M. Catherine Lee of Moffi tt Cancer center reminds women to care for their breasts in com-

memoration of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Teens of Summer 20 – 21Celebrating teens who spent their summers

helping others here and around the world

Joy and Happiness 26 – 27Are they the Same Thing?

Author Sheryl Young from Tampa discusses the differences between spurts of happiness and the

pursuit of lasting joy.

Healthy Kitchens 31 – 34Editor Pamela Ray explores how to reduce the number of toxic substances and products that

live in our kitchens

My Story by Sharon Blair 36The inspiring story of a mother who lost her

daughter to drug abuse and her commitment to save other parents the same tragedy

inform inspire encourage celebrate

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TampaBayGoodLiving.com


Welcome to the premier issue of GoodLiving™ magazine, a publication with a purpose to inform, inspire, encourage and celebrate healthy and happy living in the Tampa Bay area.

The people behind the scenes at GoodLiving™ love the Tampa Bay area. We live here. We raise our families here. We work and play here. We have much to be proud of and thankful for, but the voices that carry this news often can’t be heard above the dull roar of negativity and bad news that permeates most of our media. We are here to give those voices a place to shout.

As editor, my goal is to bring good things together for the greater good. You’ll fi nd stories of good news, people, events, causes, adventures and information. Tips and recommendations for good products, eating, deals and ways to get involved will be regularly featured in print and online at TampaBayGoodLiving.com.

Whether Temple Terrace or Tarpon Springs or Port Richey or Pinellas Park, we are a community full of people who want to enjoy better physical, mental and emotion-al health and well being; who want to take care of their families, homes and environ-ment; who want deeper and more meaningful relationships and experiences; who want to live with a sense of joy and fulfi llment and who want their lives to matter.

These are the truly good things that can be accomplished in any economy. So come along on the journey with us. Sign up for the newsletter, send us your good news and last but not least, have a healthy and happy day!

PublisherLight Shine Media Group, LLC

Editor-in-ChiefPamela Ray

Contribu ng WritersSheryl YoungM. Catherine Lee, M.D.J.C. WeirJudy Weyand

Sales and Marke ngJennifer Harvey

Design and LayoutMarcie Frieling

Branding and Interac veGreg Harvey

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

FOR ADVERTISING INFORMATIONadver [email protected] (727) 373-8486

GoodLiving™ Magazine is a publica on of Light Shine Media Group, LLC and is distributed to readers at no charge at targeted loca ons in Pinellas, Hillsborough and southern Pasco Coun es. It is also available as a digital publica on at TampaBayGooodLiving.com. All photo-graphs, artwork, design and editorial are the sole property of GoodLiving™ Magazine and Light Shine Media Group, LLC. No por on of this magazine may be reproduced in any form without wri en permission.

GoodLiving™ Magazine and Light Shine Media Group, LLC are not responsible for statements made by adver sers and writers for any consequences arising from omissions or errors. Readers should verify the adver sing informa on of the adver sers and all specials are valid to the expira on date set by the adver ser. GoodLiving™ Magazine and Light Shine Media Group, LLC reserve the right to refuse any adver sing for any reason. The views expressed in the publica on are not necessarily those of the publisher.

All rights reserved

...from the Editor

Pamela Ray

TM

I love fall. Every year we drive out of the city to get a dose of the country life at Hunsader Farms. Their fall fes val is a blast: hay rides, games, cra s and of course,

pumpkins.


news

Nissan LeafThe Tampa Bay area is an ideal place to live if you’re interested in driving an electric vehicle. So get on the road to progress by order-ing your own all electric sedan, the new Leaf by Nissan. Dealer-ships are taking orders now for December deliveries. Can you imagine a totally gas-free driving experience with minimal noise?

Mayor’sYouth CorpsApplications for the Class of 2011 will be in participat-ing schools on September 13th and due back by October 19. The Mayor’s Youth Corps is an infl uential organization of 9th, 10th and 11th grade students selected from City of Tampa schools who have a voice to Mayor Pam Iorio, opportunities for community service and leadership development, as well as a monthly, youth-oriented television show.More information is at TampaGov.net.

Electric MarinaFour-wheeled vehicles are not the only mode of transportation going electric. Boats are getting in the act to provide a clean, quiet and more affordable option for cruising on the water. Rent a 21’ or 24’ boat at Electric Marina Boat Rentals by The Pier in St. Petersburg for an hour or the day. An excellent choice for anyone with respiratory sensitivities to fumes or for those who would relish an easy day on the water without engine noise or sails. Look to the horizon for more good news from Nancy Frainetti at ElectricMarina.com

It is very good news that as Americans we have the right to vote for our leaders. Learn the issues. Learn the people. Make an informed decision and VOTE on November 2. If you s ll need to register,

do it by October 4. Learn more at votepinellas.com, votehillsborough.org or pascovotes.com.

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


newsCan you help?Casey’s Cookies is a new local organization with the goal to promote the welfare of mentally disabled adults through training and employment. Under the supervision of specially trained volunteers, participants bake cookies from scratch, then package and sell their gourmet and specialty cookies to individuals and local businesses.

Donations and volunteers are needed, as well as companies and organizations that want to buy cookies! Call Casey’s Cookies at (727) 388-4150 or send an email to [email protected].

Bucs New Star Wants Others to SucceedFirst round draft pick Gerald McCoy, defensive tackle, has a long resume of athletic achievements on the football fi eld. His leadership doesn’t stop at the edge of the grass. Although new to Tampa, Gerald was already a guest speaker for this year’s Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) kick off party where he encouraged high school football players to be happy with what God gave them and not turn to performance enhancing drugs. He also talked about having an accountability partner to help keep life on the right track, especially when other forces are pulling in another direction. Former Buccaneer players Leroy Selmon and Rob Taylor spoke to the youth as well. Learn about FCA’s events throughout the year at FCATampaBay.org.

Fall Lawn and Garden ClassesPinellas County Extension Services, based in Largo, is a helpful resource for people wanting to learn about landscaping and gardening specifi c to this part of Florida. Attend upcoming workshops for Compost-ing (Sept. 11), Rain Harvesting (Sept. 25) and Fall Lawn & Garden Care (Oct. 2). Or catch a free 30-minute webinar on Fall Veg-etable Gardening (Sept. 15) and Fall Lawn & Garden Care (Sept. 29).

Also visit the Florida Botanical Gardens and the weekly farmer’s market, Market in the Park, on Saturdays.Pinellascounty.org/extension


productsFresh WaveThe unscented Fresh Wave® products are created for odor elimi-nation where other air fresheners simply mask odors with chemicals that irritate noses and lungs. The Fresh Wave spray passed the cat urine smell test with fl ying (odor killing) colors that made no one sneeze. $9.99 for 8 oz. Check out their other products at Freshwave.com and buy them local Bed, Bath & Beyond stores.

Vaska Laundry ProductsIn one week, residents of Tampa use approximately 20 million gallons of water just doing laundry. Keep that water free of harmful phosphates, petroleum and chlorine by using Vaska’s collection of award-winning, EPA-approved laundry care product that out perform major brand name detergents. A reasonable $9.99 for 32 loads of clothes – and water. Find them at local Albertson’s stores and at Amazon.com. The lavender Herbatergent takes good care of fabrics and skin.Love it!

Goat Milk Soap at Two Palm SoapsIf you have never tried handmade goat milk soap with oatmeal, you are missing out on a simple luxury. Good news is that it’s an affordable luxury and available locally at Two Palm Soaps at 1359 Main St., in Dunedin. All products are expertly made by the store’s founder and owner Shirley Crawford. Her pas-sion for truly clean living can be seen in each product she makes and sells. If you want to learn, she will gladly educate you about her very special art of making soaps and lotions.

Her line of handmade soap is gentle, richly lathered and loaded with natu-rally occurring glycerin that attracts

and holds moisture to the skin. They clean without drying, leaving even sen-sitive and allergy-prone skins feeling wonderfully moisturized, luxuriously soft, and gently fragrant. She hand picks and uses only edible grade oils and pure water. Compared to store bought soaps which are mostly detergents, her soaps

are a mix of olive oil for soften-ing, coconut oil for superb

lather, a bit of palm oil for hardening, gener-ous dollops of shea, cocoa or mango but-ters, plus other en-riching oils (depend-

ing on soap variety) like jojoba, avocado and

apricot kernel to add yet more skin softening properties.

Two Palm Soaps offers much more than soap for bathing. A soap with tea tree oil is excellent for oily skin. You can also fi nd diaper rash cream, shampoo, salts and scrubs, linen spray, men’s shaving soap and camping soap to repel bugs.

Many products can be customized with preferred scents. It’s like a full-service station for personal care products. And if shopping just isn’t enough, there are classes that teach the art of using nature’s oils to care for skin the healthy way.

Eat Cleaner Spray and WipesGrabbing a healthy fruit snack on the run is a good habit, but how do you clean it? Carry these handy, all-natural wipes for fresh pro-duce from Eat Cleaner™ that cleans bacteria, surface contaminants, pesticide residue and wax. Individually wrapped 30-count package for $10. They offer a wide selection of food cleaners at Eatcleaner.com.


products

Clean Well All-Natural Hand SanitizerGerms will soon be the talk of the town as cold and fl u season ramps up. Are you looking to fi ght those germs, but don’t want to slather chemicals all over your hands and your kids’ hands – you know the ones that go in the mouth? Then take heart that protection can be had the all-natural way as Clean Well soaps and hand sanitizers kill germs without using alcohol, Benzalkonium Chloride, Triclosan or other toxic chemicals. Antibacterial soaps and sanitizing hand spray, wipes and foams are made with ingredients from renewable plants, primarily thyme. Clean Well’s unique formulation meets FDA stan-dards for 99.99% germ killing effi cacy. Safe for diaper bags as they have no alcohol which can accidentally cause poisoning of small children. A 6 oz. spray retails for $6.50. CleanWell’s products are Whole Foods Market, select Target stores,Vitamin Shoppe, GNC and Amazon.com.

4Survival to Go72-Hr. Survival KitParents sending a child off to college aren’t thinking about natural disasters, but stu-dents living away from home need to be prepared for the unexpected. A compact and well packed 72-hour survival kit can be ordered from 4survivaltogo.com for only $99. Inside fi nd: 2,400 calories of emer-gency food, 3-pack of Aqua Blox, pre-paid phone card, cell phone charger, whistle, disposable camera, waterproof matches, rain poncho, survival sleeping bag, fi rst aid kit and much more.

Rosemary Repel Products repel liceLice. Yuk. Unfortunately a fact of life for kids in school. Products from Fairy Tales Hair Care can act as a barrier to keep those little buggers from setting up camp on your child’s scalp. The Rosemary Repel products are infused with the pure oils of rosemary, citronella, cinnamon, rose extracts, tea tree, lavender and geranium.

The Rosemary Repel Leave-in Conditioning Spray is a lightweight formula that detangles as well as puts a nice layer of product on the hair. The Rosemary Repel Spray & Shield puts a fi nal “seal” on the hair to protect the hair from lice attaching. A clean hair shaft makes it easy for the bug to grab onto– that’s why they always say lice like clean hair and recommend not washing every day. Paraben and SLS free. $9.95 for 8 oz. at fairytaleshaircare.com


productsHealthy Back BagCarrying school gear around campus can weigh heavy on the backs and shoulders of students from middle school to college. An alternative to the traditional backpack is the Healthy Back Bag, one of the few bags created with the human body in mind. Its ergonomic shape contours to the natu-ral curve of your spine, making it an extremely comfortable bag that is also a great organizer.Shop a wide variety of styles, materials and sizes at Ameribag.com.

Outdoor Harmony Organic Insect Repellent and Organic Bug Bite Relief from Brittanie’s Thyme. These Outdoor Harmony products are safe, ef-fective and smell great. They do not con-tain citronella, which made this organic product stand out. The best part about the repellent – it worked without feeling coated with nasty chemicals. The Organic Bug Bite Relief can be used for minor cuts, burns and bruises as well as insect bites. Buy the Organic Insect Repellent for $8.50 and Organic Bug Bite Relief for $5.50. All products are USDA cer fi ed organic. Shop at Bri aniesthyme.com

Wholesome Junk Food CookbookInspired by her mother and grandmother, Dr. Laura Trice shares her love of good food and nutritional expertise in The Wholesome Junk Food Cookbook. It is packed full of 100 healthy recipes for desserts and treats and not one of them contains processed sugar. Learn alternative ways to prepare cookies, pies, muffi ns, cakes, frostings, smoothies and shakes that are delicious. So if you’re looking to sweeten up your healthy meals with a healthy sweet treat, then this book is a must have for you. Learn more about the cookbook and Dr. Laura’s food products at Lauraswholesomejunkfood.com 

Lifefactory Kids BottlesLifefactory, an eco-brand, has just launched a glass (no plastic here!) drinking bottle for children that is great for home and on the road. Dish-washer safe. Neutral tasting glass, no toxins or BPA’s. Slicone sleeve protects the glass and mom can still see what’s there. The 9 oz. retails for $12.99. Baby bottles and 22 oz bottles are also available at Lifefactory.com or Nordstrom in Tampa.


For an awesome weekend of friendship and fellowship, enter to win a pair of passes to the Women of Faith Conference, October 15 and 16 at the St. Pete Times Forum. Go to WomenofFaith.com for more information about the conference.

giveaways

Lisa Whelchel, child actress from the 80’s hit TV show, Facts of Life, is now an author and motivational speaker who

encourages women. Win a copy of her latest book, Friendship for Grown-Ups: What I missed & Learned Along the Way along with

a copy of the Women of Faith Worship DVD. Lisa knows fi rst hand that female friendships are key to a more fulfi lling

life, yet many women don’t make the time for this valuable relationship. More information about Lisa’s work is at her

website LisaWhelchel.com.

Looking for a great mother-daughter day out? Interested in help-ing your daughter (age 7 – 12) learn how to value herself? Then enter to win a pair of passes to the Pure in Heart Conference, November 13 at the Van Dyke Church in Lutz. More information is at PureinHeartconference.com

YogaKids DVDs: 1, 2 and 3 by Marsha Wenig. These DVDs delight and encourage children through simple, creative and playful exercises. Includes 20 simple yoga poses and fi ve original songs that enhance respect for nature, increase strength and fl exibility and challenge imagination. For ages 3-6. More information is yogakids.com

Join GoodLiving™ magazine on Facebook and learn how you can winone of these great prizes.

Baseball fans ages 8 to adults will enjoy winning The Finger Baseball tabletop game by Zelosport. For more information about their popular games, go to zelosport.com.


Proactive Prevention Saves Lives

phot

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edit:

Moffi

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ance

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ter

Women should be familiar with their breasts and what’s “normal” for them on a self-breast exam, including a visual inspection.

Women in their 20s and 30s should have a clinical breast exam by a health care pro-vider at least once every three years. After 40, women should have a clinical breast exam annually.

Women over 40 should consider having a screening mammogram every year.

Contact your doctor if you notice unusual swelling of all or part of the breast; skin irritation or dimpling; a nipple turning inward; redness, scaliness or thickening of the nipple or breast skin; a persistent lump; or nipple discharge other than breast milk.

Discuss the risks and benefi ts of post-menopausal hormonal therapy with your doctor.

In women at a higher risk of breast cancer, their personal and family history should be reviewed with their physician or a specialist.

Women with a higher risk of breast can-cer should talk with their doctor about the best screening regimen for their own particular situation.

Preventive surgeries to reduce breast or ovarian cancer risk are an unusual but effective approach for a very small group of women. Have a thorough discussion of the pros and cons of these operations with one or several experts before proceeding with any preventive surgery.

M. Catherine Lee, M.D. is on staff at Moffi Cancer Center, where the mission is to contrib-ute to the preven on and cure of cancer. At their Center for Women’s Oncology, board-cer- fi ed physicians like Dr. Lee deliver world-class

treatment for breast, ovarian and cervical cancers in an elegant surrounding designed just for women. For more informa on, call 1-888-MOFFITT or visit www.insidemoffi .com.

By Dr. M. CATHERINE LEE

I became a surgeon because I am a problem-solver and breast cancer

is a problem that threatens all women. I decided to make it my career focus when I had a close friend diagnosed with breast cancer at a young age. Because of her, I am particularly passionate about breast cancer in young women. In some ways, my career is a tribute to my friend and all the other women who have struggled with this disease. I am continually im-pressed by the poise and strength of my patients – they are the reason that I love my profession, as diffi cult and heart-breaking as it may be at times.

Join me in the recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October and encourage women you know to get a mammogram.

Here are some important ps on how to op mize breast health: • Limit alcohol consump on to less than fi ve drinks a week. • Exercise regularly and wear suppor ve, well-fi ed undergarments. • Maintain a healthy weight. • Monitor and reduce caff eine intake, especially to help with breast pain and cyst symptoms. • Breast feed, if possible.

Have you had your mammogram?

18GoodLiving /SEPT•OCT 2010

places u n c o a s t

Loving Care for the GrievingCheryl Jackson’s life has been about caring for others and so she never gave it much thought when she decided that Tampa Bay needed a way to care for grieving children. Some people are designed to see a need and fi ll it. Cheryl is one of those people. A social worker by trade and member of the Van Dyke Church in Lutz, she orchestrated the creation of the Suncoast Kid’s Place – patterned after the renowned Dougy Center in Portland. In two short but full years, the program has grown from serving 20 to serving 400 children and families who are dealing with the grief of losing a beloved family member.

“Grief touches the whole family. It’s hard to be open and cry when everyone is hurting, so our center gives children and adults a separate place to open up and grieve,” she says They offer peer support, play therapy and a safe place to cry.

Now under Cheryl’s passionate leadership, this one-of-a-kind program is now expanding by bringing a mobile unit to both University Community Center in Tampa and Bell Shoals Church in Brandon.

Her vision isn’t stopping there either. Cheryl is an active part of a suicide prevention task force that is planning youth presentations to discuss depression. She’s also created a new support group that starts September 15th at the Van Dyke Church. “Healing from Suicide Loss” will be the fi rst and third Wednesdays from 7 to 8:30 p.m.

people

Cheryl Jackson

Dave & Ronni Krieger

“There just weren’t any programs out there for adults who’ve lost a child, spouse or other family member to suicide.” So Cheryl made it happen.

The support group is free and so is the child care. In fact, all the services at Suncoast Kid’s Place are free to the community because it is a supported program by the members of Van Dyke Church and others within the community. Financial contribu-tions, food donations and caring volunteers are always needed.To learn more, go to suncoastkidsplace.org

one person can make a big diff erence


Teaching Kids to be SafeDave and Ronni Krieger dedicated their fi rst careers to the community; Dave retired from the Clearwater Police Department after 32 years and Ronni retired from teaching 2nd grade after 36 years.

Phase two of the journey to serve the community contin-ues on, but this time together, as they bring their passion for kids and safety to groups in three counties.

Dave shows up dressed as McGruff the crime dog while Ronni teaches kids about personal safety. The fi rst part of the presentation includes DVD programs and follow up lessons for No! Not Me, Not Ever! (abduction prevention), McGruff and Faux Paux (internet safety), and McGruff®’s Bully Alert. For PreK there is All About Strangers.

The second part of the presentation is the McGruff® Fingerprint and Identifi cationprogram where they use an all digital system to create forensic quality fi ngerprint cardsand ID cards with photos. “Parents need tobe prepared to help law enforcement fi nd missing children and just as important, chil-dren need to learn about how they can stay safe,” says Dave. “It’s unfortunate thatwe need to do this, but we do.”For informa on on bringing this licensed program to a school, church or community group in Hillsborough, Pasco or Hernando coun es, go to Suncoastkidssafety.mcgruff - d.com or call (727) 365-7866. For Pinellas County, contact Cathy Nalven at (727) 235-4936.


Teens of Summer

by J.C. Weir

Celebrating Youth Mission Trips for 2010Each summer, high school and college students on break from school spend their time helping others while growing in spirit, skills and relationship building. Teams of young people combine their resources to feed the hungry or do yard work right here in Florida, while some bring love and exuberance to international destinations like Haiti and the Ukraine.

They work through the year to raise the money they need to do this service, so there is a long-term commitment that goes along with the long-term results. This story represents a small sampling of the youth mission trips that originated out of Tampa Bay this past summer. The total impact of local teens was much, much larger! GoodLiving™ magazine congratulates these groups and all the others who gave of themselves to help others.

Revolution Youth in HaitiIn August, 18 young people from the Coed Revolution Life Group at Calvary Baptist Church, Clearwater, Florida, boarded an airplane for Haiti to share the love of Christ with over 200 orphans. The team spent 4 days navigating the streets of Port-Au-Prince distributing food and volunteering at medical clinics in nearby

tent cities. They witnessed fi rst hand the continuing tragedy – children dying of malnutrition, malaria, and typhoid from the destruction caused by the January earthquake. The team stayed at New Life Children’s Home, a home where orphans live, attend school, receive medical care and attend religious services. While at New Life, the team taught Bible stories, worship songs, and swapped life stories with the or-phans. They most importantly shared hugs, laughter, smiles and joy in the midst of sadness and poverty. They need more help, so please learn how at newlife4kids.org.

R.I.O.T! Reaching Inside Out TampaDuring the summer, more than 250 youth from Van Dyke Church in Lutz rioted through the Tampa area, making a difference wherever they could right here at home.

They picked up and then deposited over 25 tons of debris from yards they cleaned throughout the bay area. Local community service agencies helped them fi nd people in the most need of help and a little company.

Teams held day camps for young children at Metropolitan Ministries, and a fun-fi lled week for the teens, complete with fi eld trips to the movies, MOSI and ice skating. While there, they pitched in to lay pavers, build shelves, trim trees and build a deck.

The youth of T.R.A.K., teens doing random acts of kindness, fed the homeless at Amazing Love Ministries, Trinity Café, and to the hungry in the street. They visited multiple nursing homes to bring some fun to the residents. They played bingo, polished fi ngernails and brought in dogs for residents to pet. On the street they gave hundreds of roses to random people.

Sherrie Leatherwood, director of the middle school ministry at Van Dyke Church says, “This camp is an enormous project, but it exposes teenagers to something beyond themselves. It helps to grow their hearts as they chart the course for their future and we see this because many of them continue their service activities after the camp.”


Generations Helping OthersYouth from Generations Church in Trin-ity racked up the miles this summer. On a mission trip to Haiti, they fed people in tent camps, held programs for children in the surrounding villages and cleaned and painted a medical facility. Another group went to China and held a Vacation Bible School event at a registered church, which is unusual because of the approval needed by the government. They also visited migrant families and had the opportunity to connect with and encourage Chinese Christians.

The youth group also partnered with CIY Know Sweat in Kissimmee to help fi x up the Osceola Council on Aging and interact with their elderly clients. At home, they worked with Habitat for Humanity, a homeless shelter and did various projects for local schools.

These Youth Rock!This summer high school students from First Baptist Indian Rocks took their annual summer mission trip to Orlando. They served others at the House of Hope, Orlando Children’s Church and Orlando Rescue Mission, just to name a few. Students worked sorting clothes, cleaning, painting, planting fl owers and organizing food pantries. Several students also performed at each stop as part of the Solid Rock Company. These kids use their talents to minister to others through performances of drama, dance, music and Karate. To get involved with the youth here, go to IndianRocks.org

A Mission to Guatemala Teens from Idlewild Baptist Church

headed to Guatemala this summer. They partnered with a local church

and Feed the Children. While there, they helped to build a feeding station in one of the rural mountain commu-nities, painted a day care and volun-teered at a local children’s hospital.

Everyday, they participated in feeding people in rural communities that do

not have access to basic food and necessities.

DRIVE Student MinistryAlso at Calvary Baptist Church, the stu-dents involved in DRIVE took mission trips this summer to Mobile, AL, Birmingham, AL, and the Ukraine to work with minis-tries serving the poor. During the year they can be seen around the community doing mission projects at area nursing homes, schools, prisons and homeless shelters.

Open Water in OzonaThe Open Water Church in Ozona took 18 students and fi ve leaders to New Orleans where they worked with Mis-sionLab (www.missionlab.com), an organization that is part of the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. During their stay in the Big Easy, part of the group worked with Excite Allstars, an inner-city ministry that serves elemen-tary students. The other group put paint brushes to work at a local church where they spruced up a home where missionar-ies live. They also spent three days paint-ing a football stadium that is part of the New Orleans Recreation Department to make it nicer for the neighborhood kids.


eating

Natural Treats not Artifi cial Tricks If you think sugar is the main problem with Halloween candies, read the labels and try not to be surprised at what lurks in a child’s trick-or-treat bag.

“Most Halloween candies are full of artifi cial dyes that are made from petroleum,” said Jane Hersey, National Director of the non-profi t Feingold Association.

Studies have linked both artifi cial food additives and dyes with hyperactivity and other behavior problems in children. “That’s why many teachers and parents consider the day after Halloween to be the worst day of the year,” said Hersey. “I call this phenom-enon ‘Halloween Hangover.’”

GoodLiving Picks

Protect Your Kids From Too Much CandyFeed them a healthy meal before going trick or treating and limit how much candy they can eat along the way.

At home trade collected candy for natural treats, money for a special toy or a trip to a favorite activity.

Opt for an old-fashioned Halloween or fall-themed party where children are given homemade and natural treats.

Shop to fi nd candy treats that don’t use artifi cial fl avors or colors and encourage others to do the same.

Ask teachers and club leaders to forego candy at parties and in-stead provide healthy snacks.

Some treats to consider from the Feingold Associa on:Sunspire SundropsGhirardelli Chocolate Squares Surf Sweets Gummi CandiesMary Jane Peanut Bu er KissesFlorida’s Natural Au’some Fruit Juice NuggetsPearson’s Chocolate Covered Mint Pa esGreat Value (Walmart) Peanut Bu er CupsYummy Earth Lollipops

Natural Treats

Don’t forget the grown ups. Treat them to Panda All Natural Licorice, the fi rst all-natural licorice brand of candies, available in chews and bars. Black lico-rice, cherry and raspberry. No preserva- ves and no ar fi cial colors and fl avors.

Fat-free, guilt-free and yumm-y. Find at natural food stores or worldfi ner.com.

Give kids Glee Gum, an all-natural, glu-ten-free chewing gum with no ar fi cial coloring, fl avoring, sweeteners or pre-serva ves. Glee Gum is the only gum in North America made the old-fashioned way, with chicle. Say no to other gums that are nearly all synthe c. Find at nat-ural food stores or gleegum.com.

A delicious and fes ve treat from Straw-berry Hill Confec onery are Whirl-E-Pops, made with ingredients like or-ganic honey and organic maple syrup. Choose from the maple leaf, Jack-O-Lantern, ghosts or bats in honey-cran-berry, honey-orange, honey-lemon, honey-ginger, orange and more. All Natural and Organic, Peanut Free, Gluten Free, GMOs Free, Soy Free, Dairy Free, Corn Free. StrawberryHillConfec onery.com.


Ranger CookiesA healthier alterna ve for all the seasons’ par es

Ingredients1 cup (2 sticks) butter1 cup Sucanat with honey, or brown sugar1 cup Sucanat, or white sugar2 eggs1 teaspoon vanilla2 ½ cups soft wheat fl our1 teaspoon baking soda½ teaspoon baking powder½ teaspoon salt2 ½ cups roller oats½ cup shredded coconut½ cup chopped nuts½ cup of ground fl ax seed (optional)1 ½ cups of chocolate chips

DirectionsPreheat oven to 350 degrees. Cream butter, sucanat with honey and sucanat. Add eggs and vanilla. Beat well. Combine fl our, baking soda, baking powder and salt. Add to butter mixture and mix well. Stir in rolled oats, cocnut, fl ax seed, chocolate chips and nuts. Mix well. Drop heaping table-spoons of dough on a cooking sheet and bake 10 to 12 minutes or until light golden brown.

What is Sucanat? Sucanat is used as a healthier alterna ve to refi ned sugar. It is made from sugar cane juice which is dehydrated and gets is name from SUgar CAne NATural. Check the brands out there for organic, whole sugar cane sucanat.Sucanat with honey, or granulated honey, can be subs tuted for sugar in recipes and is especially good for baking. Honey is sweeter and healthier than sugar, and can be replaced 1:1 in recipes without changing the texture. Refi ned white sugar gives you empty calories in your diet while sucanat retains some nutri onal value with its calories. Ask your favorite health food store for help in shopping for their best sugar alterna ves. If they off er these products in bulk, you’ll save money.

recipe


adventures

Just for FunFloating Down the Lazy RiverOne without alligators! Grab the furnished inner-tubes and spend the entire day relaxing as you fl oat the Lazy River at the Omni Orlando Resort at Champions Gate. This adventure destination can fi ll the entire weekend without leaving the resort, for a great short trip away from home. Kids who love to play in water will love the zero entry family pool with the 125-ft corkscrew waterslide and water tower. They too can fl oat the river to dodge the water cannons and waterfall.

The Omni works hard to make this a fun place for kids. Upon check in each child receives a special backpack fi lled with coloring books, games, toys and a refi llable canteen good at their restaurants. Poolside activities such as painting sand dollars or making sail boats provides good clean fun. A kid’s only area has video games, popcorn and more take-home crafts.

The food on site is satisfying and delicious, seasoned with organic herbs from their very own organic herb garden. Get a glimpse of the chef snipping herbs for the day’s meals or become intoxicated over the lavender. Among their offerings are Zen, food with a Chinese fl air; casual poolside dining at Croc’s and an awesome breakfast buffet at Trevi’s.

A restful adventure awaits you at the Omni Orlando Champions Gate – just a hop, skip and jump from the Tampa area.Omnihotels.com

Art sMorean Heats Things UpThe Morean Center brought more than the hot Chihuly Exhibit to St. Petersburg, they’re heating up their classes too. Since the must-see trip through the exhibit is likely to ignite the inner glass artist in you, the center is now offering opportunities to try your hand (and mouth) at this ancient art form. New Parent Child Side-by-Side art classes are scheduled for the fall, which can be a wonderful bonding experience created through learning art together at the same time.

Or, you can bond with your signifi cant other during their Hot Date in the Hot Shop on select Friday nights this fall to have some hands-on fun with hot glass art. To keep the kids busy while you rekindle the fl ame, you can drop them off at their Kids Night Out program.

Their fall catalog is now available online and their offerings are worth a look. They have classes for age 3 and up in a wide variety of subjects. So have a good adventure this year and introduce yourself and your kids to a new activity. Or, make plans to create original art for holiday gifts and give your loved ones something special and hand made.More informa on at MoreanArtsCenter.org

Omni Orlando Resort at Chamions Gate, Orlando

Chihuly Exhibit, Morean Center, St. Petersburg

Photo courtesy of the Morean Center


adventuresScienceKennedy Space Center Shakes Things UpA great day trip for space and science lovers is the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. The complex is truly modern and full of indoor and outdoor exhibits, many of them interactive and suitable for children. Meet a real astronaut at Astronaut Encounter, take in an IMAX movie and stroll through the Early Space Exploration building and sit in a moon vehicle, touch a real capsule and experience the history of the space program. Seeing the inside of a real Space Shuttle and Robot Scouts are great for kids, as is the Children’s Play Dome.

But the true highlight of the visit is a simulated Space Shuttle launch at Shuttle Launch Experience. An entertaining pre-ride video takes the audience through what the astronauts do just prior to a shuttle launch. Then the audience is led into a simula-tor where after the countdown, the seats shake and rumble as riders rocket into the peace and solitude of outer space.

For the extreme NASA fan, there are tours to the launch pad, the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame and much more.To plan your trip and get cket informa on and hours,go to KennedySpaceCenter.com

TheaterA Trip Back in TimeExperienced character actors guide visitors back to 1912, from the exciting time that preceded the fateful launch of the Titanic all the way through to the end. Upon entry, each person is given their own character card, representing an actual pas-senger. Along the way, the guide describes how your character may have traveled and at the end you learn the fate of your character.

The 90-minute tour winds through rooms with exhibits and artifacts, all while the guide describes the sites and timeline in historical detail. The highlight is a replica of the Grand Staircase. The sinking is handled with care, not too graphic for children, but defi nitely stirs up tears of compassion. The entire experience is designed with respect and does not exploit the tragedy for the sake of it. The creator of this exhibit is G. Michael Harris, whose 2000 diving expedition is credited for the largest retrieval of artifacts from Titanic.

New to the exhibit this year are weekend dinner shows. The exhibit is transformed into a dining room where as part of the tour, guests get to help Captain E.J. Smith celebrate his retire-ment. A cast of character actors brings this unique event to life for the audience while combining living history with food and entertainment. One of the more meaningful theme shows you’ll experience, and the best new dinner show in Orlando!For ckets and tour informa on, www. tanicdinnerevent.comand www. tanictheexperience.com


“We just got engaged. We’re going to be so happy!”

“I just want my children to be happy and healthy.”

“I think this is the job that could make me happy.”

We’ve all heard or even said things like this at some point in our lives. Of course, we want to be happy, and we want our loved ones to be happy. Who wouldn’t?

On the other hand, how often do we hear about something called joy? Let’s see…mostly around the winter holidays, when we get the cards full of “Peace, love and joy.”

So, are happiness and joy the same thing?

Happiness often comes along as a mo-mentary emotion when something good happens. It lasts a while, and then fades with the next bump in the road.

If we set someone up as the object of our happiness, we’re putting a tremendous burden on them to keep us happy. Trying to be the entire source of making someone else happy is a grueling and exhausting task, too. No husband, wife, parent or child can be expected to make each other happy a hundred percent of the time.

As for material things, many are the stories of how fi nally keeping up with the Joneses wasn’t what it started out to be. A house, car or career can make us relatively happy, unless we get wrapped up in them to the exclusion of having time for family and friends. And an award will eventually only gather dust on a shelf.

What if we look at joy as more of an inner thing, a spiritual thing? A way to determine that no matter what comes our way, it’s good to be alive. That inner joy is something that could last through the downs as well as the ups of life.

Joy and Happiness are they the same thing?by Sheryl Young


What if joy could overcome fear, regret and disappointment?

Kat Heckenbach is a wife, homeschooling mom, and freelance writer in the Brandon area. She’s also a cancer survivor. She describes how that trial helped her identify her own source of true joy.

“During my cancer, the joy came from being forced to focus on the essentials. I couldn’t worry about things like a nice house or car because I was struggling to survive the treatment. I took joy in every moment that I felt good. And I turned to God because He was the only true place of comfort I had. It taught me that all the other stuff really just doesn’t matter.

Since then, joy has come when I’m able to let go of my desires for the things I don’t have, or the discontent with what I do have. That doesn’t always happen, and I get discouraged. But I look back at when I had only the thin string tying me to this life and how strong my relationship with God was at that time, and I’m able to refocus on Him. When it’s all stripped away I still have God, and He is entirely enough.”

Tina Yeager, a licensed mental health counselor here in the Tampa area, provides general individual counseling and intensive outpatient after-school groups for teens with substance abuse issues. She’s discovered what can heal the chasm between elusive happiness and inner joy, both for herself and the people whom she helps through life’s issues:

“Many of my clients have gone to desperate lengths in pursuit of happiness only to fi nd that their journey has drained them of joy. Happiness rises and crashes with the conditions around us. Rather than chasing the waves of happiness, I advise clients to choose joy—an internal state of serenity. Joy must be cultivated. Deliberate focus on joy allows us to retain peace and hope regard-less of our circumstances. I encourage clients to seek joy through a spiritual focus toward God and others, and thankfulness through journaling and prayer. Serving the needy also acts as powerful medicine against joy-starvation.”

Do these ladies have the key to joy you’ve been searching for - or you haven’t tapped into for a while? Is there really an “empty place” some people talk about that can only be fi lled by a divine presence?

Sales of books like The Purpose Driven Life and the Left Behind series wouldn’t go through the roof if people weren’t searching for a spiritual center. Doctors say their religious patients are health-ier. Even Good Housekeeping magazine has cited research stating that spiritually centered people experience less depression, anxiety and may even live longer.1

True inner joy can help us overcome illness, depression, even addictions. Here are some more tips to fi nding joy:

Elevate your relationships to the most intimate level possible. Like, keeping a regular date night with your husband, or eating dinner with the whole family and actually talking! Phrase ques-tions that demand more than a “yes” or “no” answer.

Join organizations like MOPS (Mothers-of-Preschoolers) or other groups of people that are in the same situation as yourself.

Single? Sometimes, our married friends tend to exclude us. Don’t dwell on that. Find a creative interest, and join activities in groups of other singles with similar hobbies.

Surround yourself with people who seem genuinely joyful. Be curious. Ask their secret!

Seek out a church. Don’t fret over things people say about organized “religion.” Ask for guidance in fi nding the secret to heartfelt faith instead.

Take some “me” time for prayer and exercise. We also men-tioned journaling. While doing so daily, make a list of every-thing positive in your life.

Check out resources like the ones listed below.

Here’s to your peace, love and joy!

Suggested Resources:- Local Counselor Tina Yeager can be reached at Rehab After Work/Rehab After School, http://www.dancosby.com/ Rehab_After_Work.html or (813) 262-0471.- “The Joyful Journey,” Clairmont, Johnson, Meberg & Swindoll, Zondervan Publishing.- “Taking Care of the Me in Mommy: Becoming a Better Mom: Spirit, Body & Soul,” Lisa Welchel, Thomas Nelson.- “Say Goodbye to Regret: Living Beyond the Would-Haves, Could-Haves and Should-Haves,” Robert Jeffress, Multnomah. - “In Pursuit of Peace: 21 Ways to Conquer Anxiety, Fear and Discontentment,” Joyce Meyer, Warner Faith.

Footnote:1 “Six ways to live longer and healthier,” Peg Rosen, Good Housekeeping magazine, June 2002, pp. 53-54, citing a Duke University Med Center study.

Sheryl Young lives in Tampa and is a freelance writer for newspapers and magazines covering poli cal and religious issues and author of What Every Chris an Should Know About the Jewish People published by Pleasant Word.


World Animal Day with Nat Geo &

Tamani’s 5th Birthday Party!Saturday, October 2 from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Lowry Park ZooJoin National Geographic Kids for a day of fun that includes a birthday celebra-tion for Tamani, an African elephant calf. Party with music and games from Radio Disney, arts and crafts, and special family photography workshops for kids 3+ led by Dr. Mireya Mayor, a two-time Emmy Award-nominated fi eld correspondent for the National Geographic Channel and host of the new series Wild Nights on the Nat Geo WILD network.

The St. Petersburg Times

Festival of ReadingOctober 23 from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.USF St. Petersburg This popular free family event brings readers face-to-face with authors and booksellers. Festivalofreading.com

events

Fisher-Price Play Weekend September 18-19 from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Lowry Park ZooAges 5 and under will delight in a giant play area fi lled with the coolest toys from Fisher-Price, including a chance to drive Power Wheels® vehicles around a track. Special character appearances by Diego from Nick Jr.’s™ “Go, Diego, Go!” on Saturday and other Fisher-Price friends on Sunday. Play activities are free with Zoo admission.

8th Annual Summer Fun Fest

Health & Wellness FairSeptember 23 from 9 a.m. – 4. p.m.Largo Cultural CenterHosted by the Retired and Senior Vol-unteer Program of Pinellas County. Free screenings, demonstrations, exhibits, lunch and prizes for seniors over 55. Largo Community Center. Must register by call-ing (727) 518-3131 by Sept. 17.

Coastal Cleanup with Keep

Hillsborough County BeautifulSaturday, September 25, from 8 a.m. to noonVarious Locations in Hillsborough CountyThousands of volunteers are needed to pick up trash along coastlines, rivers and lakes during the 25th Anniversary of the International Coastal Cleanup. We don’t have oil, but we have trash and it kills marine animals, too. A list of locations along with a registration form can be found at www.khcbonline.org or by calling (813) 960-5121.

Walks and Runs Alzheimer’s Associa on Memory Walkalz.orgSeptember 25 in St. PetersburgNovember 6 in Tampa

Susan G. Komen Race for the CureKomensuncoast.orgOctober 2St. Petersburg

Mayor Iorio’s Fitness Walktampagov.netOctober 2Rowle Park, Tampa

Buddy WalkDownSyndromeNetworkofPinellas.comOctober 9Largo Central Park

ASPCA 3K Pet Walk3Kpetwalk.orgSaturday, October 16Straub Park, St. Petersburg

American Cancer Society’sMaking Strides Against Breast Cancer makingstrides.acsevents.orgOctober 23St. Petersburg and Pasco County

Susan G. Komen 3-day WalkThe3day.orgOctober 29 to 31

The American Heart Associa onHeart WalkNovember 6Tampa (see ad page 15)

Leukemia & Lymphoma SocietyLight the Night WalkLigh henight.orgNovember 6 in ClearwaterNovember 13 in Tampa

See more good events or send us info about your event:TampaBayGoodLiving.com

2nd Annual NOPE

Candlelight Vigil

Thursday, October 28th, 7 p.m.Largo Central [email protected]

The vigil is being held in memory of those hundreds that have been lost to alcohol and drug addiction in our com-munity. They also will bring recognition to those still suffering from the disease of addiction here in the Tampa Bay Area.


A healthier kitchen is not only about the food. It’s also about how you cook it, store it, serve it and clean around it. A number of toxic chemicals reside in most kitchens, yet most families don’t even know their names. Learning the dangers that lurk in your home and making changes in the products you buy can reduce your family’s exposure to dangerous chemicals and help save the earth at the same.

Today’s modern environment exposes chil-dren to more than 80,000 chemicals, most of which did not exist fi fty years ago and are registered for use in commerce in the United States. These chemicals are used in a variety of daily items like plastics, house-hold cleaners and personal care products. Federal law does not require pre-market safety testing for products that contain many of these chemicals. And of the 15,000 most commonly used chemicals, more than 80% have not been tested for potential health effects on children and none have been tested for health effects when they interact with one another. Because of this lack of testing, the health effects on chil-dren are not really known.

Child health activists point to the increase of childhood diseases. The incidence of cancer in children jumped 26% between 1975 and 1998 and is the second-leading killer of Amer-ican children, after injuries. The percentage of children with asthma has risen more than 200% from 1980 to today and that rate is ris-ing more rapidly in pre-school-aged children than in any age group. Allergic dermatitis (itchy rash) has increased over 300% from the 1960s to the 1990s. Hay fever is now believed to affect up to 40% of children. Diagnoses for ADHD and autism have jumped almost 400% in the last twenty years. Autism now affl icts one of every 150 American children.

Hazardous chemical ingredients in household products fall into these major categories:

Carcinogens that cause cancer and/or pro-mote cancer’s growth

Endocrine disruptors that mimic human hormones and are linked to reduced fer-tility, premature puberty, miscarriage, menstrual problems, challenged immune systems, abnormal prostate size, ADHD, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and certain cancers.

Neurotoxins alter neurons, affecting brain activity, causing a range of problems from headaches to loss of intellect.

Busy parents don’t always have the time or know where to go to fi nd important informa-tion about the products they use. And if they do, much of that information is diffi cult to interpret. A breakdown of chemicals is listed in the side-bar to this article, “Know Their Names.”

HealthierKitchens

by Pamela Ray

Plastic is everywhere and so who would think this pervasive modern inven-tion could be dangerous to our health? Unfortunately for plastic lovers, re-searchers have found that some plas-tics leach harmful chemical into foods and drinks, especially when it comes in contact with oily or fatty foods, during heating and microwaving, as a result of harsh cleaners and when exposed to excessive moisture.

More than 100 studies have found un-healthy issues with Bisphenol A or BPA, but not enough for the EPA to make a ruling. So EPA or not, many families are wising up about BPA and its other dangerous partners, polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and phthalate. Many plastic items contain these chemicals, including baby bottles, plastic bowls and take-out food containers.

Retire old plastic containers that are heavily worn or scratched as they tend to leach increasing amounts of toxins as they age.

Be careful serving and storing hot foods or foods made with fats or oils in plastic containers. These foods more readily fa-cilitate the transfer of plastic toxins.

Never microwave foods in plastic con-tainers. “Microwave safe” means the con-tainer won’t melt or warp, but doesn’t mean it won’t leach. Heating plastics increases the potential for leaching of chemicals into your food.

Never microwave food in yogurt tubs, take-out bowls or other one-time use containers. These containers can warp or melt, possibly causing harmful chemicals to migrate into the food.

Plastics come in different forms and knowing what’s what can be confusing. First, learn the plastic numbering system (1 – 7) and start looking for the triangle symbol on the bottom of plastics used for identifi cation. The safer choices to use with food are 1, 2, 4 and 5.

Learn to recognize, and then avoid, poly-carbonate (number 7) for food usage. Polycarbonate plastics are hard and clear. Common items made from this BPA-con-taining plastic are food storage containers, baby bottles, sippy cups, water bottles, bowls and tableware. Also avoid #3, poly-vinyl chloride (PVC) and #6, polystyrene.

“I routinely fl ip everything over to see what number is on the bottom,” said Cin-dy N., mother of 4 in Palm Harbor. “When shopping, I just have to remember 7 – 3 – 6. Don’t buy anything with a 7, a 3 or a 6.”

Healthier Kitchens

Plastics: Storing and Serving Food

Avoid using plastic sandwich bags or plastic wrap products or make sure the brand is free from both BPA and PVC. Ziploc, Glad and Saran are promoted as being free of BPA and PVC – but remember that these plastics live for 1,000 years in our landfi lls.

Remember that if you are pregnant or nursing, BPA chemicals are passed through your bloodstream directly to your baby.

“Getting rid of plastics in the kitchen really wasn’t that hard,” said Michelle M., mother of three in Tampa. “I switched to stainless steel and glass storage containers and then dumped all the cheap plastic and melamine plates in exchange for my mom’s old Corelle dishes. I feel so much better knowing my children are a little safer at home.”

Moms have options now. Baby bottles made from glass and sippy cups made of stainless steel can now be found at most discount stores and online. Even lunch containers are going plastic free for good health and to reduce waste. According to Kids Konserve, the average child generates 67 pounds of lunchtime trash per year. Their Waste-Free Lunch Kit has stainless steel bowls and beverage bottle, plus a reusable sandwich wrap.

As far as glass goes, Pyrex has stood the test of time as a durable option for cooking, storage and serving. Discount stores carry child-size glass dishes, including Corelle, a hit from the 70’s, which is lightweight glass that resists chipping. These staples from the past may not be as colorful, cheap or convenient as plastic, but peace of mind is well worth the switch.

for Using Plastic More Safely in the Kitchensome tips

melt, possibly caustotttt migrate into the



Toxic Household CleanersWhy is it that most cleaning products bear the warning “Keep Out of Reach of Children” in bold type on the label? Consumer may mistakenly believe that if children don’t in-gest these products they will not be harmed by them. Truth is the most common methods of exposure are absorption through the skin and inhaling chemicals into the respiratory tract. We use them in combinations on a typical clean-ing day, so it’s possible for a house to contain a mixture of fumes at one time. While a home may “smell” clean, it’s the fumes and residue you smell. Bear in mind that children pick up that residue on fl oors, counters, highchair trays, toys and bathtubs – all places that little hands touch before going into the mouth.

The scientifi c lingo on labels can challenge even the most conscientious parent. Or as in the case of Lysol 4 in 1 All Purpose Cleaner, the very small type on the back of the label is not readable through the liquid. To simplify matters, know that cleaning products are required by law to use one of three words to describe the level of danger:

CautionOne ounce to one pint may be harmful or fatal to a 180-pound male

WarningOne teaspoon to one ounce may be harmful or fatal to a 180-pound male

Danger One taste to one teaspoon is fatal to a 180-pound male

A simple rule of thumb is to avoid using any product that reads “Warning” or “Danger.”

Research the chemicals listed on product labels through the Household Products Database (www.householdproducts.nlm.nih.gov), the Cosmetics Database (www.cosmetic-sdatabase.com), Toxnet (www.toxnet.nlm.nih.gov) and Scorecard (www.scorecard.org).

The safest course of action a consumer can take is to be informed and make an effort to know their products. Avoid products with fragrances. A clean home should smell like

nothing at all. Purchase cleaners that are made from good, old-fashioned common ingredients such as vinegar, baking soda, washing soda, lemon juice and borax. Indigo Wild produces a line of cleaners call Zum Clean that can be found at Whole Foods Market. Their Sink & Surface Scrub and Granite & Countertop Cleaner are free from toxic chemicals and actually work.

For someone who’d rather go homemade rather than seek out the right products to buy, here is an easy recipe for a general household cleaner. Perhaps pool together other moms and make a large recipe at one time or share with others as gifts.

Today’s Tefl on-coated pans were fi rst mar-keted as The Happy Pan in 1961. House-wives marveled at their non-stick capabili-ties and they grew in popularity through the decades. However, the chemical that is Tefl on, polytetrafl uoroethylene (PTFE), has created some not-so-happy controver-sy about its safety to animals and humans. There are no offi cial government warnings about PTFE at this time, but here a few tips about using them more safely.

Don’t overheat a non-stick pan. Use it with low or medium heat only. Leaving it on the burner could cause it release unhealthy chemicals that have been known to kill pet birds. Once a pan has been overheated, discard it.

If a pan has been chipped or scraped, toss it to avoid chemicals leeching into food.

Avoid purchasing low end pots and pans as they may only have one to two lay-ers of non-stick coating. The best quality pans have seven layers of coating and pose a smaller risk. To test, rub the surface. If you feel tiny ridges, there’s probably only one layer. A good nonstick fi nish is smooth with a matte fi nish. If it’s shiny, it’s been coated with silicon and that’s a defi nite NO for cooking with animal fats.

PTFE can block the action of estrogen in our bodies and cause harm to lungs. If you’d rather avoid nonstick altogether, then go with traditional cookware like cast iron, stainless steel, anodized aluminum or enamel-coated cast iron. For affordable enamel-coated cast iron cookware, go to Greencookingpots.com.

Healthier Kitchens

Non-stick Cookware


Pes cides Common sense tells us that kill-ing household germs protects our health. However disinfectants are pes cides, and the ingredients in pes cides o en include carcino-gens and endocrine disruptors. Pes cides are fat-soluble, making them diffi cult to eliminate from the body once ingested. Pes cides, including disinfectants, may also include alkyl-phenol ethoxylates (APEs).

Alkylphenol ethoxylates (APEs) These lower the surface tension of liquids and help cleaning solu ons spread more easily over the surface to be cleaned and penetrate solids. APEs are found in detergents, disinfectants, all-purpose cleaners and laundry cleansers. They are also found in many self-care items includ-ing spermicides, sanitary towels and disposable diapers. APEs are endocrine disruptors.

Formaldehyde Formaldehyde is a preserva- ve, germicide, bactericide and fungicide. It

is found in household cleaners, disinfectants, nail polish and other personal care products. Formaldehyde is a carcinogen.

Organochlorines (OCs) A combina on of hydrogen and carbon, some types are highly deadly, such as DDT. OCs are bioaccumula ve which means they collect in bodies. OCs are present in pes cides, detergents, de-greasers and bleaches. OCs are carcinogens and endo-crine disruptors.

Healthy Household CleanerMix together

1 Tbsp of Borax powder (fi nd it in the laundry aisle of your supermarket)3 Tbsp of white vinegar2 cups of water1 tablespoon of dish soap1 drop of essential oil such as peppermint for fragrance (optional)

Pour into a reusable spray bottle.

For a simple toy cleaner, fi ll a spray bottle with non-chlorine bleach (3% hydrogen peroxide) and wipe with a paper towel.

Dishwashing detergent is harsh and full of chemicals you probably don’t want on your dishes. Use this environmentally friendly dishwasher soap instead:

know their namesStyrene A substance derived from the styrax tree that is used in plas cs such as plas c food wrap, insulated cups, fl oor waxes, pol-ishes and metal cleaners. Styrene is a known carcinogen as well as an endocrine disrup-tor. Exposure may aff ect the central nervous system, liver and reproduc ve system.

Phthalates Phthalates are most commonly used in the manufacture of plas cs. Phthal-ates are also used as carriers for perfumes and air fresheners and as skin penetra on enhancers for products such as moistur-izers. These chemicals are classifi ed as inert and have no product-labeling requirements. They are endocrine disruptors and suspected carcinogens. Phthalates are known to cause hormonal abnormali es, thyroid disorders, birth defects and reproduc ve problems. Pregnant women are the most at risk, because phthalates can enter the womb and expose the fetus during cri cal periods of development.

Vola le Organic Compounds (VOCs) VOCs are emi ed as gases suspending themselves in the air. VOCs include an array of chemicals and are present in perfumes, air fresheners, disinfectants and deodorizers. VOC compounds pose a variety of human health hazards and collec vely are thought to be reproduc ve toxins, neurotoxins, liver toxins and carcinogens.

Bisphenol A (BPA) is commonly used in polycarbonate plas c products such as baby bo les and in the resins of can liners for most food products in order to stave off bacterial contamina on of the product and to increase shelf life. There has been great concern over the safety of Bisphenol A, par cularly in baby bo les and liquid baby formula cans, as the chemical can leach. BPA, in the body, is thought to mimic the hormone Estrogen, which has raised concern regarding its possible eff ects on hormonal development. Canada is the fi rst and only country to iden fy Bisphenol A as a toxic substance and ban its use in a food grade product.

Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) commonly referred to as vinyl, is the most hazardous plas c on the market. PVC is dangerous to human health and the environment. Some chemicals that are released during the PVC life cycle are mercury, dioxins, and phthalates, all of which have been proven to be harmful to human health.

Polytetrafl uoroethylene (PTFE) is the chemical used in the manufacture of Tefl on and other non-s ck pans. PTFE may be linked to respiratory disorders and chemical pneumo-nia. It has also been known to kill household birds when a pan is overheated.

recipesHomemade Dishwasher Detergent

Mix together1 cup washing soda1 cup borax1/2 cup salt1/2 cup citric acid

Store tightly covered in a Mason Jar.

Use one tablespoon per load. Add vinegar to the rinse dispenser for the best results.

Made by Arm and Hammer, washing soda can be found at Amazon.com, if not at a local store. Borax is usually found in the laundry aisle. Kosher salt is with the spices and if you can’t fi nd food-grade citric acid like Fruit Fresh, use unsweetened lemonade packets.


My Story by Sharon Blair

I don’t stand alone. I stand with other mothers who have been devastated by losing our children to drug overdoses/ drug related issues. We are now courageously taking our sorrow, pain and grief and turning our energies into the development of advocacy groups, laws and organizations that help others who are where our children once were.

Through education and awareness, we can:

Offer help and hope to those whose lives are out of control.

We can help others understand the disease of addiction and its power over the mind and body.

We can change the perception of the disease by teaching so-ciety that the addicted are not the stereotypes of the outcasts, but as human beings who need us all to help them get inter-vention and treatment.

We are teaching lawmakers, legislators, judges, policeman, pastors and layman alike. We are exposing a subject that no one wants to talk about for different reasons.

Maybe addiction has not touched their family. Maybe they think it’s all a matter of will power. Maybe they stereotype the addicted as those who are shooting up in a dirty alley, lying in a ditch or sleeping on a park bench.

Or maybe they are somebody’s child – like mine!

No one starts out saying, “I think I will be an addict.” It comes about for many different reasons. It goes from “trying it” to being addicted to it as a gradual progression of the disease. We mothers who have watched our children suffer, go through withdrawal multiple times, overdose and face incarceration know the power of addiction. Those who have buried their children, like me, know the deep, deep agony of the supreme pain of losing them.

We don’t want any other mother or father or family to have to go through this crushing and devastating experience. So myself and others are initiators of laws and educators from our experiences.

I wrote The Jennifer Act bill draft for Florida after watching my daughter Jennifer suffer for over 12 long and painful years with a drug addiction that took her young life last year on Jan.15, 2009. I saw her lying dead on a cold steal table at the coroner’s offi ce in Largo, Fl. last year. That has changed my life forever. FOREVER!

Please support our legislative bills and our advocacy groups. Please take us and the issue of addiction serious. We are trying to save other children, teens and adults who are caught in the trap of addiction. We are giving it all we’ve got, and then some, with a broken heart and tears running down our faces.By Sharon Blair (Jennifer’s mom)Visit her website at TheJenniferAct.com

Sharon Blair with daughters Sarah and Jennifer

The Jennifer ActHELPING THE ADDICTED

Family balance is a tall order. Dual incomes, jobs that require travel, longer hours at work, sprawling suburban communities that require a vehicle to get anywhere, technology … There are so many things that make it tough to balance life in the family. Most have to do with time constraints – the hurry, hurry routine – and the many distractions that invade and clutter family life.

What do you think of when you think of family balance? Is it having the time to enjoy each other without feeling like something else is being cheated? One mom I recently spoke with told me that for her, balance is having time to spend on what’s really important – the kids and their needs and supervision, as well as time to work in the yard or do some other projects around the house that she looks forward to: “I want my kids to have neighborhood friends and enjoy playing outside with other kids in the neighborhood, you know – sandboxes and swings, bikes and lemonade stands; nothing fancy, just normal ‘kid’ activities.”

Based on my own experience, I’ll bet many of you want the same thing. But, is balance in family life achievable in our ever-faster mov-ing world? The answer to that question really depends on what you value most. For some, running around like a taxi cab on weekends driving your children to friends’ parties or play dates seems to work. Many parents are logistics experts – squeezing as much activity into as little time as possible in order to fi t it all in. For others this routine doesn’t work well. Think about the comments of the mom above.

Here are some things to think about and

refl ect on:

When you think about the many things that comprise your family life, what things ma er most to your family members? On a daily basis, when do you feel most anxious about family life? Iden fy one thing within your family life that no one would miss if it didn’t exist. What most infl uences the way your family spends its me?

Now, think of one of your children and imagine them twenty years from now. They have just written an essay entitled “What I Value Most and Why”. As you read their words, an overwhelming sense of peace overtakes you. Now think of your own childhood, “What do you remember most about growing up at home? What had the most positive and negative impact on your social, emotional, and moral develop-ment?” Self refl ection helps in uncovering closely held values and beliefs that will lead to fi nding your family’s heartbeat. With the end in mind, start today by modeling and mentoring your most coveted values and beliefs. Identifying and passing those values on to your children helps in clearly defi ning and direct-ing activities and actions leading to family balance.

Judy is a cer fi ed professional coach, na onal speaker, and co-developer of Take Charge! Raise Leaders! Takechargeraiseleaders.com a program designed to empower families to fi nd their heartbeat and use that heartbeat to create balance and leadership at home and in the world. Weyand & Wendlek Associates weyandwendlek.com off ers consul ng, coaching and a network of experts available 24/7 with Take Charge! Raise Leaders! Judy welcomes comments and ques ons at: [email protected]

Finding Family Balanceby Judy Weyand

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2010 Fall Issue