GETTING TO KNOW Motivational

Team

08/14/2014

VOLUME 3

HEALTH

Folic acid: The most important nu-trients needed by pregnant women. Why folic acid is important for the fetus?

Cognizant Costa Rica News

DID YOU KNOW THAT… MOTHER’S DAY

Cognizant Technology Solutions

OUR PEOPLE’S

BIO

GETTING TO KNOW...

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Motivational Team

As many other initiatives that Cognizant is trying to implement in Costa Rica, we would like to introduce

the Motivational Team which started to work on June 6th, 2014.

The first agents working together on this team were: Diego Quiros, Fiorella Molinari, Carlos Paniagua,

Kristel Gomez, Carlos Hernandez, Elizabeth Chavarria, Haike Nanninga, and Angeritt Jocks.

Alfonso Alfaro, Radames Calvo, and Emanuel Simo (HR) recently joined the team.

They have been organizing some of the motivational activities in the center such as: Birthdays,

“Movie days”, “Beach Fridays”, etc. They were also in charge of some other big activities like: Father’s Day, “Día Del Chonete (July 25th), and Mother’s Day. They have done a great effort too and spent time to try to motivate the agents and create a positive work environment.

“Thanks for all the help you have provided in different areas (money, materials, etc.), in the end everything is to motivate and recognize the effort you do every day” that’s the message they have for us.

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DID YOU KNOW THAT...

There is not any job with such a long workday as being a mom. Moms exercise as such, day and night, without rest, with dedication and endless love ... unpaid! But one day a year, our efforts are recognized and celebrated with poems, songs and hospitality.

Mother's Day may have different origins, dating back to ancient Greece (where it was celebrated in mid-March as a party in honor of the goddess Cybele, symbolizing Earth) and Roman Antiquity (when the party Matronalia in honor of the goddess Juno, who considered that "bringing children to the light", that is to say a birth).

The celebration of Mother's Day around the world has gained much significance, not only to pay tribute to those women who have the privilege of having children, but also to, as in the case of Costa Rica, to remember the Virgin Mary in her glorious assumption into heaven, aspect that the Catholic Church celebrates as of August 15th. This coincidence , which was also contemplated by deputies when the proposed Law was studied is based on the fact that our country has been traditionally Catholic.

What defines a mother? We asked several colleagues at Cognizant how they define motherhood and this is what they told us:

As God could not be everywhere, HE gave a mom to each family.

She is the one who gives everything for her children.

She is the person who gives 100% for her children no matter what and who they are.

Unconditional, sacrificed, loving.

She is who weeps and rejoices for her children’s failures and successes

She is her children’s mentor.

She is the person who sets aside personal projects and gives life to her children’s projects.

A mother gives quality, not quantity.

A mother is everything for their children.

Mom is the angel that God gave us to take care of us.

The best person that God could have put in our life!

Pamela Bonilla

Elizabeth Chavarria

Sandra Guzmán

Paola Madrigal

Wendy Madrigal

Sugey Martínez

Fiorella Molinari

Kattia Mora

Karla Rodríguez

Kimberly Vásquez

Luz Ángela Vásquez

Ana Vega

Priscilla Villalobos

Happy Mother’s Day to: PAGE 4 VOLUME 3

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RECIPE

Creamy Strawberry Crepes

"This recipe has been a family favorite for over 30 years! These crepes are delicious and very tasty! Make sure you have at least 1 hour to prepare, they are worth every minute!"

Ingredients

3 eggs

1/2 cup milk

1/2 cup water

3 tablespoons butter, melted

3/4 cup all-purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened

1 1/4 cups sifted confectioners' sugar

1 tablespoon lemon juice

1 teaspoon lemon zest

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 cup heavy cream, whipped

4 cups sliced strawberries

Directions

1. Place the eggs, milk, water, melted butter, flour, and salt in the pitcher of a blender; blend until smooth.

2. Heat a lightly oiled griddle or non-stick skillet at medium heat. Pour or scoop the batter onto the grid-dle, using approximately 2 tablespoons for each crepe. Tip and rotate pan to spread batter as thinly as possible. Flip over when the batter is set and the edges are beginning to brown. Cook until the other side begins to brown. Stack finished crepes on a plate, cover with a damp towel and set aside.

3. Blend the cream cheese, confectioners' sugar, lemon juice, lemon zest, and vanilla with an electric mixer until smooth. Gently fold in the whipped cream.

4. To serve, fill each crepe with 1/4 cup sliced strawberries and 1/3 cup of the cream cheese filling, roll up and top with a small dollop of the cream cheese filling and more sliced strawberries.

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HEALTH

Folic acid: The most important nutrient needed by pregnant women. Why folic acid is important for the fetus? Folic acid or vitamin B9, vitamin Bc or folacin is a kind of water-soluble vitamins. Folic acid is found nat-urally in some foods. Folic acid supplementation has also been produced and can be purchased in many pharmacies and drug stores. Folic acid plays an important role, ranging from DNA synthesis, DNA repair, DNA methylation, to act as a cofactor various biological reactions that require folate. Folic acid is an essential element in the develop-ment and cell division and growth during pregnancy. Folic acid is also needed in the production of healthy red blood cells, thus can prevent anemia. Folic Acid and Fetus During pregnancy, the level of folic acid in a woman’s body decreases, the increase in RBC synthesis dur-ing the first half of pregnancy and the fetus require folate in the second half. Fetus in need of folic acid for brain development, bone, and spinal cord. Whereas the first four weeks of pregnancy, most women are not aware they were pregnant. As a result, many pregnant women who do not realize the importance of the addition of folic acid intake for the needs of the fetus. Folic acid deficiency dangers of the Fetus In pregnant women, folic acid levels in the blood will decrease, if the fetus folic acid deficiency can result in very serious such as babies born will have congenital birth defects. Some congenital birth defects caused by deficiency of folic acid intake are: Neural tube defect (NTD) or defects in the neural tube. Congenital heart defects. Cleft lip. Arm disability. Abnormalities of the urinary tract. Neural tube defects (NTD) or neural tube defects in infants consists of spina bifida (abnormalities in the spine) and anencephaly (no brain abnormalities which are formed). Adequate intake of folic acid both be-fore and during pregnancy to protect the fetus from some congenital birth defects. Nutritional deficiency of folic acid can also lead to several conditions including:

Babies born prematurely Low weight babies Slow fetal growth Spontaneous Abortion or Miscarriage Complications during pregnancy

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5 Tips to Teach Children Mindfulness & Meditation

Meditation and mindfulness were commonly seen as adult “pursuits” for many years, but that has all started to change. There is an increasing interest in teaching children these methods to help them relax,

de-stress and learn how to connect to their own inner source of calm. Teaching children this is not just for

the experts who have been practicing for years. In my experience, complete beginners can learn how to

teach their children meditation whether they are yoga teachers, school teachers, grandparents or parents.

Here are a few simple tips to help you get started:

Breath is the anchor: All people who practice and teach meditation know that the breath is the starting

and finishing point for all types of meditation. We carry our breath with us in every moment, therefore it

becomes our anchor, helps us to focus on the moment rather than be distracted by our thoughts.

Children can learn this too – that simply noticing their breath, how their chest rises and falls with the

breath, helps them to be in the moment (or if they are younger, getting them to touch with their chest/

tummy to notice the breath). In that moment, your child is in their breath and nowhere else. If you do the

same, then you are both anchored in that moment together.

Learn to let go: Teaching meditation to children is about learning that it is a personal journey for them

and you. Children do not always respond in the way we want them to, and meditation is no different. We

can guide them on how to sit, close their eyes and so on, but if they do not want to close their eyes, then

do not force them. Give them something to look at (on the floor if they are seated or on the ceiling if they

are lying down). Ask them to relax their gaze by trying to see out the sides of their eyes (it uses the

peripheral vision which helps to relax the brain).

Use your imagination: Adults spend a lot of time thinking rationally and analytically, so it can be useful

to blow some fresh air through the cobwebs of our imagination! Let’s use our imaginations to create a safe, beautiful place and describe this to children, so that in their imagination they can join us and feel

safe, peaceful and curious in that place with us. There is usually no end to our children’s imaginations, so we can let them show us how to use ours.

Prepare and be patient: There are many ways or approaches to mindfulness and meditation, but there

should be no end “goal.” Set an intention for you and your children, but try not to become attached to it. Instead, let go and let your own curiosity enjoy and notice what you observe. If your children are restless,

notice this and perhaps guide them to have more contact with the ground, but sometimes we have to let

go and just allow their energy to find their own balance. Sitting still may not come naturally at first, but

with some red cushions (good for grounding restless energy) underneath their feet or their body, it will

come.

Practice as you teach: Teaching meditation is a two-way street. We do not just teach, we learn, too. As

you are teaching meditation to your children and you ask them to notice their breath, notice their body

and relax their body, you can join in as you ask them to do this. This makes teaching meditation a very

valuable experience for all.

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Left to right:

Mario Rodriguez, Marlene Segura, Diego

Acevedo, Paola Madrigal, Alvaro Canet,

Nathalia Madrigal, Mariana Madrigal

and Jerry Sanchez.

JULY

Back-left to right:

Helena Saez, Sandra Guzman, Golda Elizondo,

Karol Chacon and Luz Vasquez.

Front-left to right:

Roy Chacon, David Esquivel and Douglas

Chavarría.

AUGUST

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OUR PEOPLE’S BIO

I come from a very strongly bonded family where going on Sunday for lunch and visiting grandma's house is normal, and any kind of event is important for all. As you can perceive my family is not only my closing one. I have been surrounded with a lot a people in my all life. With this background, you will imagine how happy they make me feel and the value of having this kind of family. The day I was born my mommy told me that my family wanted to meet me and you can imagine how the family was on the highway on the hospital. That day was March 6, 1985; my mommy is Elizabeth Fallas Monge and my daddy José Chavarría Cisneros

I am the oldest one of 3 children. I have a sister; her name is Vanesa and my brother José Daniel. We all study at the Methodist High School. I was really a kid with a lot of energy so after classes I started taking ballet, swimming and gymnastics and I continued them until I was 23 years old.

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When I was 17, I got my high school degree so it started my journey on thinking what to study. I did the exams for the Universidad de Costa Rica and Tecnologico. I passed both exams but I miss one point for Arquitecture in Tecnologico so I decided to study Physiology. After 3 years studying it, I changed career and started over doing the exams but at the Universidad Nacional (UNA) and I chose Philosophy. I now have my Bachelor’s degree. When I was studying I decided to take another career so I chose Arts. I did the skills exam and began to studying. By that time, God was preparing me for the biggest challenge of my life and the most important achievement and the one I feel more proud about, the birth of my princess Amanda.

It was a totally new page in my life and my family supported me as always, unconditionally. I started to work to gain experience. I Started at UCB and later at Equifax. Meanwhile, I was finishing my bachelor degree in Philosophy and working in my maternity skills. Obviously, with a little help from my family, books and music.

Elizabeth Chavarría Fallas.

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FUN PAGE

FIND THE HUMAN FACE

Developers:

Karla Rodríguez, Pamela Blanco,

Maureen Peraza, Roy Chacón,

Mario Alfaro, Carlos Paniagua,

Emanuel Simo, Diego Quirós,

Robert Reichel.