Gulf Coast Family - December 2011 - Hillsborough

HillsboroughDecember 2011

www.gulfcoastfamily.org

We meet your winter camp academicdemands with full day camp during the week ofDecember 19-23 from 8:30am-6pm at our Henderson location. Enrollment open to any student from any school in Grades K-5.(Bring a packed lunch and we provide a snack)

So when school let‛s out for winter break andyou need a safe indoor educational environment to keep your child academically focused but in a fun way, register them at Academic Aftercare.

We are confi dent you will like what you see inall that we have to offer and all our teachersare professional educators. Call us for moreinformation.

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Highly Qualifi ed instructors for Voice, Piano, Guitar, brass, Woodwind, Violin and Drums

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2 • December 2011 • Hillsborough Say you saw it in the Gulf Coast Family Newspaper www.gulfcoastfamily.org

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www.gulfcoastfamily.org To advertise, call 727-612-0783 Hillsborough • December 2011 • 3

Publisher: Rodney BeckEditor: Jennifer BeckContributing Editor: Linda CrumleyAssociate Editor: Sharon Rose EnterlineDesigner: Michael CrumleyWeb Developer: Matthew CrumleyPhotographer: Angela SackettSales: Charlene Iskra Nadine Jackwin Jay PearsonFor advertising opportunities: [email protected]© Gulf Coast Family Publications 2011

Gulf Coast Family Publications P.O. Box 3803, Seminole, FL 33775 Phone: (727) 612-0783 Fax: (727) 865-5135

Gulf Coast Family Newspaper is printed monthly, and is distributed throughout Pinellas, Hillsborough Counties. Gulf Coast Family is available in distribution racks in ALL CVS Stores, Chick-fil-a restaurants, Lifestyle Family Fitness Centers, Perkins Restaurants, Joto’s Pizzerias, Carmelita’s, After Hours Pediatrics, R-Clubs, and Cornerstone Banks. Gulf Coast Family Newspapers are also available in most St. Pete Pediatrics, Shapes, Regions Banks, and Bob Evans Restaurants in these counties, along with many other restaurants, shopping centers, churches, libraries, government offices, and over 200 day care centers and schools. For questions or comments, call (727) 612-0783 or email [email protected].

Gulf Coast Family Publications encourages your input. To comment on one of our articles or to submit photos and articles for possible publica-tion, simply email [email protected]. Submission of your photos and letters constitutes permission to Gulf Coast Family Publications, publisher of the Gulf Coast Family Newspaper, to use them in all media. All submissions become the property of Gulf Coast Family Publications and will not be returned. We reserve the right to edit as necessary, and all submissions will be used at our discretion.

No portion of the Gulf Coast Family Newspaper may be reproduced without the express written consent of the publishers. The opinions of contributing writers are not necessarily those of the publishers. Gulf Coast Family Publications assumes no liability for products, services, or statements made by advertisers. Neither Gulf Coast Family Publications nor the advertisers can be held liable for typographical errors, misprints, or misinformation contained herein. The publishers reserve the right to edit and refuse editorial and/or advertising which does not meet the publication’s standards. All rights are reserved.

“Kindness is like snow... it beautifies everything it covers”


The Reindeer are Coming.Santa’s reindeer are flying in for Wild Wonderland at Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo and everyone is getting into the spirit. You can see the reindeer along with more than a million twinkling lights, glimmering holiday displays, and of course, get photos with the big guy himself, Santa. Everyone can enjoy holiday treats, games and free Zoo rides all evening long. It’s a jolly good time at a jolly good price.

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LowryParkZoo.comDecember 3, 9-11, 16-23 & 26-30 • 6:30 - 10 p.m. Fiesta del Coqui

Saturday, November 19 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.Join us for the 1st Annual Fiesta del Coqui – a party with live music, crafts, activities and food to celebrate Hispanic culture and the tiny frog of Puerto Rico - the Coqui! All activities are included with Zoo admission.

Adopt An AnimAl Get a holiday gift that makes a difference. By purchasing a symbolic animal adoption package you help to support expert animal care at the Zoo as well as local and global conservation efforts. Packages start at just $35 and special holiday packages are available.

AnnuAl Zoo PAss Gift CertifiCAtes Annual Zoo Passes make great gifts. Zoo Passes begin at $60 for Individuals, and a Family Annual Zoo Pass is just $160. Along with unlimited daytime admission, Zoo Pass holders also receive a subscription to Zoo Chatter magazine, discounts on gift shop purchases and Zoo School programs, special sneak peeks at new exhibits and much more!

Connect with the Zoo!

Shop online 24/7 at LowryParkZoo.com

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December 2011

8 December Fun Facts

9 Parent to Parent by Jennifer Beck

10 December Family of the month Meet the Connelly Family

12 Trips on a Tank ICE! at Gaylord Palms

18 Trips on a Tank Kung Fu Panda Awesome SNOW

21 Working moms by Julie Weintraub

22 All Pro Dad Dave Ramsey’s Top 10 Christmas Shopping Mistakes

24 Teacher of the month Anita Allwardt Grace Lutheran School

27 Jokes for the month

28 Video Fun

29 How much Do You Know About christmas?

30 Kids in the Kitchen

32 Twas a Florida christmas

33 Focus on the Family by Jim Daly and Dr. Juli Slattery

34 Protect Your Family by Attorney G. Alan Tripp, Jr.

36 Young Health Talk: bioidentical Hormones by John D. Young, MD

37 The Healthy Smile by Dr. Leo Chin

38 Lifestyle Family Fitness Planning for Holiday Stress – You’ve Got This

39 This December we recommend that you...

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To advertise, call 727-612-0783


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$1.2 billionis the value of candle shipments by U.S. manufacturers according to the Census Bureau. Many of these candles are lit during Hanukkah celebrations. Hanukkah is the annual Jewish Festival of Lights that starts on the 25th day of Kislev as per the Jewish calendar. It is an eight-day festival of religious observance by Jews across the world. This year, the Hanukkah celebration begins at sundown on December 20th.

5,000 ornamentsThe Capitol Christmas Tree will be decorated this year with approximately 5,000 ornaments reflecting the rich cultural and natural diversity of our great nation. The ornaments this year have been designed by artists and crafters of all ages from the state of California. On December 6th House Speaker John Boehner will be joined by Sonora, CA second grader Johnny Crawford at a tree lighting ceremony. The tree will remain lit until the 2nd of January.

The Capitol Christmas Tree has been a tradition for more than 45 years, beginning in 1964. To learn more about the “People’s Tree,” visit the official 2011 Capitol Christmas Tree site at www.capitolchristmastree2011.org.

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It was 70 years ago on December 7th, 1941, that the United States was “suddenly and deliberately attacked” by the forces of the Empire of Japan. The attack at Pearl Harbor destroyed eight American battleships, severely damaged nine other war-ships, destroyed 188 aircraft, and killed 2,471 Americans and thrust the U.S. into World War II.This December take time to re-member and thank the brave men and women of our coun-trie’s “Greatest Generation.” So many sacrificed and gave their lives against the evils of their day so that we could be free today.

12/7/1941

December 25, 2011 Mistletoe, holly, poinsettias and Christmas trees are all plants associated with the decorations of Christmas. But the mistletoe is a true favorite with sweethearts everywhere. Kissing under the mistletoe is from a Greek festival tradition, and according to scientists, kissing burns 6.4 calories a minute. Interestingly, a Hershey’s kiss contains 26 calories, which takes five minutes of walking – or about four minutes of kissing – to burn off.

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Christmas season is here again – it seems like it comes around faster and faster every year! It doesn’t really help that in our house, Christmas decorations don’t get put away until February at the earliest. If you put decorations up in mid-November, and don’t take them down until mid-February, that leaves only 9 months in between. And those 9 months still have their fair share of Christmas music playing, since it is my husband’s favorite genre.

But even though the Christmas season lasts maybe a little longer than necessary in our home, it doesn’t get old (until late January at least). I enjoy the shop-ping, the baking (especially if someone else is clean-ing up the mess), and the lights. As a parent, I also enjoy the magic of Christmas morning, and the ex-citement in my kids’ eyes.

Each of my kids has a different “favorite” thing about the Christmas season. I asked them about it this week, but I wasn’t surprised by any of the answers.

My youngest, Haylee, is most excited about the pres-ents. She doesn’t care what is in a present, or how much it costs. But the excitement of receiving some-thing new is always thrilling to her.

Seven-year-old Hanna is most excited about the decorations. Whenever we go to the store, she wants to pick out ornaments, wreaths, candles, and even a new tree. And the gifts she picks out to give to others tend to be decorative as well.

Ten-year-old Daniel has mixed feelings – he can’t decide whether he’s more excited about the presents or the food. I have a feeling that if he gets a present dealing with Mario, the presents will win out. Otherwise, it will probably be the cookies and candy!

My oldest, David, wouldn’t answer the question when I asked, but I’m pretty sure I know the an-swer. Our family tradition is to have chicken enchi-ladas on Christmas Eve and homemade cinnamon rolls on Christmas morning. David is definitely the child who is most attached to these traditions, and always wants to help. He’s already planning when we should go shopping for ingredients, start prepar-ing the cinnamon roll dough, etc. So even though his almost 15-year-old mind won’t let him admit it, I know he’s excited about it.

The Christmas season means different things to dif-ferent people. Knowing what the priorities of my family members are helps me to focus on the things that will make the season meaningful to each of them. I don’t need concerts, parties, or expensive presents to make memories for my family. I just need a few cheap trinkets, a lavish tree, one Mario game, and some cinnamon rolls!

I hope each of you has a memorable holiday season, and that you can focus on the things that are most important to you and your loved ones.

Until next time,

Jennifer

Parent toParent

“Knowing what the priorities of my family members are helps me to focus on the things that will make the season meaningful”

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December Family of the Month

Family Favoriteschristmas Traditions: • choosing and decorating the Christmas

tree together• building a life-size stable and decorating

the yard• reading the Bible Christmas story before

opening gifts• sharing meals and desserts with familyArea Attractions: • Busch Gardens and Planet Jump• parks, beaches, and museumsVacation Places: • Disney’s Caribbean and Ft. Wilderness

Resorts • Saddlebrook Resort for Mom and Dad!restaurants: • Smokey Bones, Chuck E. Cheese, McDonalds, and Chick-Fil-ASports Teams: • Kansas City Chiefs, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

If you would like to recommend a family to be featured as the family of the month, send a photo and a description of what makes your family unique to [email protected].

meet the connelly FamilyKindred spirits abound in the Connelly household, Gulf Coast’s December Family of the Month. We asked each person, individually, what they are most thankful for. Each one mentioned the others! “You can summarize how you want; but it appears we are all grateful for our loving family!” smiled Mom. Cindy and Wes and both of their boys, 5-year-old Colby and 3-year-old Caden, share a love for God and each other as well as a com-passionate spirit toward others. These common char-acteristics drive their daily decisions.

Wes and Cindy love being parents, “having precious time with the kids and opportunity to raise up men of character who will live for Christ and be successful.” Whether on family outings or just playing, snuggling, or reading books before bedtime, this family lives in one accord.

While Wes was in medical school, Cindy worked as an in-ternal auditor; but now she enjoys being a stay-at-home mom. Cindy keeps their home and teaches and trains the children while Wes, an internal medicine resident, works and volunteers through his medical practice.

We asked Wes what it’s like to go through medical resi-dency. Keeping priorities straight is key. “When I am

off,” he said, “it is family time and church time. My wife and boys know

and appreciate that we will be doing something fun together as a family.”

The couple has been married for 7-1/2 years. They met in college, where Wes played football and Cindy ran track. “We met in the athletic center and were friends for 2 years before we started dating,” Cindy said.

The Connellys continue an athletic lifestyle and passed the passion on to the kids. They all enjoy camping, fish-ing, and shooting skeet. But mostly it is their love for running that spread through the family. Both boys en-ter kids races whenever Wes and Cindy run 5K’s. “They also join our 3-mile runs a few times a week – in the double jogging stroller!”

Speaking of strollers, the Connellys will soon need a bigger one! By the time the December issue of GCF goes to print, another Connelly will likely have made his appearance! Little brother Davin is due to join the family any day now! True to the Connelly spirit, Colby wrote his soon-to-arrive sibling a letter, telling Mom-my, “I know Davin can’t read it yet, but we should save it and show him later that I wrote this letter while he was still in your belly.”

With such love and devotion, Davin is sure to share in his family’s legacy of unity. Gulf Coast Family is proud to honor the Connellys as December’s Family of the Month!

meet the Kids: colby and cadenCombine colby’s love for others with his love for running, and it is no surprise that, at five years old, he has already participated in a Disney race as well as Miles for Melanoma. He prays often for children who have no families and writes to his friend Jose in Bolivia (a child his family sponsors through World Vision). Colby wants to be a doctor, like his daddy. “He has recently developed a heart for kids with cancer and will be doing a service activity at All Chil-

dren’s this Christmas season.” A cowboy at heart, Colby enjoys doing the calf chase in the Rodeo in River Ranch, but mostly

loves wrestling with his daddy after work!

Cuddly caden loves to play and listen to sto-ries. He enjoys making people smile and has been doing just that for senior citizens over the past couple years. Through the Dress Up/Cheer Up program, Colby enjoys “cheering up the residents.” This 3-year-old wants to be “Fire Fighter Caden” when he grows up. And, like his big brother Colby, Caden loves to wrestle with daddy!

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ICE! at Gaylord Palms Resort6000 W Osceola ParkwayKissimmee, FL 34746www.gaylordhotels.com

November 16, 2011 - January 2, 2012Open daily, including holidays. Hours vary.

TriPSTAnKon

aThis year’s ICE! attraction featuring Dreamworks’ Shrek the Halls was great fun for the whole family. The expert craftsmanship and detail that goes into creating the ICE! exhibit is evident from the very first scene, where Shrek is contemplating how he can “make a Christmas” when he doesn’t know how.

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As we progressed through the self-guided tour, we enjoyed seeing the chaos of Shrek, Fiona, and the triplets getting ready to spend their first Christmas together as a family. The next scene brings even more chaos as Don-key leads all of Shrek’s friends to the swamp, driving Shrek crazy. Next, we moved into

Shrek and Fiona’s tree-stump home where five thirty-foot ice slides were the highlight of the at-traction for the kids. In the tree stump, we also saw the ogre’s Christmas feast, Puss in Boots and Gingy telling their Christmas stories, and all the other swamp friends getting into mischief before Shrek finally ejects the entire clan from the house.

Outside, we catch up to the group as they are walking away, and see Shrek apologizing for los-ing his temper and inviting his friends back inside for his own version of “The Night Before Christ-mas,” in which Ogre Claus wishes “a stinky Christmas to all, and to all a gross night.”

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The final stop on the tour is a beautiful, life-size nativ-ity scene carved out of crystal-clear ice. This is the ICE! attraction’s signature scene, giving guests an op-portunity to reflect on the story behind the season.

The ICE! attraction is kept at a frigid 9 degrees Fahren-heit. Calf-length parkas are available before you enter, and are available in all sizes, including children’s. And hot chocolate is also available at the exit to warm your frozen insides.

It is difficult to describe just what 2 million pounds of carved ice looks like – in fact, I’m not sure you can fully appreciate it unless you experience it for yourself. If you can find time during the busy Christmas season to make the trip over to Orlando to see this breathtak-ing exhibit, you will certainly not be disappointed.


ICE! by the Numbers• ICE! is Florida’s favorite frigid Christmas tradition, with over 20,000

square-feet of frosty 9-degree bliss played out in a winter wonder-land of exciting hand-carved sculptures. Also, featuring five 30-foot ice slides and an all-new, awe inspiring tribute to the unforgettable DreamWorks’ Animation TV classic Shrek the Halls.

• 9 degrees, the lowest recorded temperature in Orlando can be found only inside the ICE! tent, the second being January, 1985 when Or-lando reached a low of 19 degrees

• ICE! is made up of ten vignettes including the Nativity Scene- the ten themed areas are comprised of nearly 200 independent sculptures

• 2,000,000 pounds of ice is used to create ICE! This is roughly the same weight as three fully loaded 747 airplanes during takeoff.

• More than 5,000 individual blocks of ice are hand-carved and trans-formed into the “Florida Freezer”

• Four days – the number of days it takes the ICE tent to cool down to a chilly 9 degrees

• 10,000 hours is the approximate amount of man hours spent to carve ICE! totaling more hours than the Earth takes to orbit the Sun

• 40 artisans travel over 7,000 miles from Harbin, China to Kissim-mee, Florida to carve ICE! doubling the miles from East to West Coast of the United States

• 14 colors are used throughout the ICE! attraction, including our new Shrek Green

• 1,500 specially LED tube lights are frozen within the ice• Five, 2-story slides made entirely from ICE!

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Frequently Asked QuestionsI understand ICE! is 9 degrees… what should I wear?All guests are provided calf-length, hooded winter coats to keep them warm. They are not exactly the most fashionable coats, but there is safety in num-bers -- nearly every visitor borrows one. Coats are available in all sizes, including children and infants and they are made from a special material that en-sures a “friction-free” trip down the ICE! Slides.

Do I need boots?All pathways through the ICE! exhibit are carpeted, and boots are not required. We do, however, recom-mend wearing comfortable, closed-toe walking shoes.

Is ICE! wheel-chair and stroller accessible?ICE! is accessible by both wheel chairs and strollers.

May I take photos?Guests are welcome to bring cameras and take photos of the ICE! attraction. Many of our guests experience a “fogging” of the lens when exiting into warmer temperatures. This, however, usually goes away once the camera warms up. Please check the manufacturer information regarding the cold tolerance of your camera equipment. But let’s face it, our northern cousins have been taking winter photos outdoors for decades.

Can I lick the ice?Come on...what kind of question is that? Of course you CANNOT lick the ice.

What else is there to do at Gaylord Palms?ICE! is just one component of our Best of Florida Christmas celebration, kicking off Nov. 20 and run-ning through Jan. 2! Other highlights include:•The Majestic Christmas Tree, perched atop

Castillo de San Marcos Fort, towering more than 70 feet above Emerald Plaza.

•Four Holiday Shows, including our marquee per-formance: “Luminescence - A Deeper Meaning”

•The Polar Bear Pursuit, a festive family hunt throughout the atriums to spot cleverly hidden polar bears.

•Santa Visits, in person or via email.•Gingerbread Decorating with Gingy, the most

famous of all gingerbread men. Guests select from two different design options to create a gin-gerbread cookie family or a complete gingerbread house. Or both! Bring your camera: after the decorating is done, meet Gingy for a photo.

•DreamWorks Animation 3D Theater Experi-ence What do you get when you combine the latest DreamWorks Animation 3D movie release with fantastic themed food and live performances by

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your favorite characters? It all adds up to an unforgettable experience! Bring your appetite for great food and hair-raising adventure, because you’ll enjoy the brand-new 2011 holiday movie release: Puss In Boots playing in 3D.

•ShrekFeast Interactive Character Meals features delec-table menu items only an ogre would love. Fairytale photo opps will abound as kids dine with Shrek, Princess Fiona and Puss in Boots, and discover a Magic Fountain bubbling over with chocolate potions.

•SNOW! in Orlando? Yes! Celebrate the Winter Festival with Po and the Furious Five in Kung Fu Panda Awesome SNOW!

In addition, guests can enjoy themed decor and holiday lights throughout each of the resort’s three atriums.

Cottage Café and Tea Room of Largo607 1st. Ave. S.W. ~ Largo, Florida 33770For reservations or to place a order call (727) 581-3663www.cottagecafeandtearoomo� argo.comTuesday thru Sunday 9 a.m. – 9 p.m.

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Even though they frequently get the chance to visit family in Michigan, our Florida kids still feel like they really miss out on the “fun” of winter since they live in a place where the thermometer almost always stays above freezing, even in the coldest part of the winter. So when they found out that they would get to play in the snow at Gaylord Palms again this year, they were naturally very excited.

Kung Fu Panda Awesome SNOW started out with a short video before Po himself came to lead us into the exhibit. As we waved to Po and walked into the large, snow-filled tent, we donned our scarves, hats and mit-tens. But no bulky winter coats were necessary, since

the air inside Kung Fu Panda Awesome SNOW was a reasonable 45 to 50 degrees. The smaller kids headed straight for the kiddie-sized playground with plenty of slides and tunnels, while the big kids ran to the giant pagoda slide. The slide, which is the focal point of the entire exhibit, is 64 feet tall. Riders carry a mat up to the top of the slide, sit down on it, and glide down the three hills to the bottom. The slide is tall enough to provide a thrill for big kids and adults, but not so fast as to scare little ones. All of our kids, from age 4 to 14 enjoyed the ride.

After a while, everyone ventured into the snow play area where the big kids tried to pelt their dad (and mom

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a few times) with snow balls, and the little ones decided to build a snowman. Other attractions include life-size fig-ures of Tai Lung and Lord Shen that kids can use for “target practice” as well as plenty of photo opportunities with Po.

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20 • December 2011 Say you saw it in the Gulf Coast Family Newspaper www.gulfcoastfamily.org

Working MomsWorking MomsI often find myself trying to find a way to make being a working mom sound “pretty,” but let’s keep it real – sometimes, it’s just not! It can be very hard to juggle the demands at home, in your community, and at work. I am a working mom who experiences the stress that comes with having to juggle these different roles (and the wardrobe changes that accompany them)! Just the other day I was dressed in a cocktail dress to attend an awards dinner after work, hoping I could get away with that at work as well so I wouldn’t have to change. At the last minute, I remembered that I also had a game to attend with my children. To try to avoid looking like a completely inappropriate nut at my children’s school, I ran back into the house, grabbed a bag, and tossed in what I thought a stay at home mom might wear in an effort not to stick out like a sore thumb - terry cloth pants and matching zip-up hoodie with a pair of flip flops. Great – Done!

My day flew by until my assistant reminded me of the time. I ran into a closed room at work to change out of the dress and heels I had on and came flying down the hallway with my green terry cloth outfit on, still with jewelry dangling off me (clearly now out of place) and ONE flip flop on, hoping desperately that the other one had fallen out in my back seat and that I knew where the game was. My employees tried not to laugh since they try to be very supportive, and my boss (who is my husband) said, “You going home already?” I tried to stay calm and not to throw a stapler at him, and as I hobbled to my car with one shoe on, I asked the guard walking me out if I was the craziest woman he’d ever worked for. Now this man would rather die than say anything mean, but after a short hesita-tion said, “Yes, Ms. Julie, I think you are” with a boyish grin. I laughed and made it to the game – late, but I made it.

I tried to calm my breathing and have a nice talk with the other parents as we watched the kids play. Then I returned to gather myself and get back in the cocktail dress, making sure no grass

or sand was showing through my open-toed shoes, and headed to the next place I was ex-pected.

So the point of that story is that I do understand that sometimes a working mom feels like she is nothing short of a pressure cooker! And I under-stand the walk of shame when arriving at func-tions late in your heels or whatever you had to wear to work that day, passing by all the other moms that most certainly were there well before the game to make sure their kids were properly ready.

However, it’s important to remember that the grass is not always greener on the other side. Having been a stay at home mom and a work-ing mom I know that there are benefits to both. When you work outside the home, you have more of a reason to get out of your comfy clothes, get dressed up, and your work is often acknowledged and appreciated. Ask any stay at home mom if she feels her work is appreciated or acknowledged. Unfortunately, it usually is not. And trust me – they do work! Ask her how much time she has available to spend having a conversation with another adult or reasonable human being while doing jobs that within hours only to need to be redone. Then she is often asked, “What did you do all day?” by the very people she is doing it for!

The best thing I can advise is to find common ground where you can and to help each other. Yes, you heard me – to get compassion we must give it. If you know a stay at home mom that rarely is able to get dressed up and go out for a nice dinner (while you have business lunches all the time), be compassionate and offer to have her kids hang out at your house while she and her husband or a friend go out for dinner.

And a small request for stay at home moms from us working moms – if you are in charge of mak-ing plans for school functions or are able to vol-unteer, remember that many of the kids do have working moms. So what I said to the working moms, I also say to you – have compassion for each other. Realize that the working mom still has to take care of the things at home after work-ing all day. So if she looks frazzled at times or gets to a game late with her heels sinking in the grass and a cell phone stuck to her head, try not to judge her – she most likely doesn’t have a choice. Instead smile, fill her in, and make room for her to sit.

by Julie Weintraub

Julie Weintraub is a loving wife and mother, founder and president at Julie Weintraub’s Hands Across the Bay, and Vice President at Gold & Diamond Source.

www.gulfcoastfamily.org To advertise, call 727-612-0783 Hillsborough • December 2011 • 21www.gulfcoastfamily.org To advertise, call 727-612-0783 December 2011 • 21

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We’ve all paid the “stupid tax,” mak-ing costly decisions with zeros on the end. And a lot of those decisions happen when we’re caught up in the emotion of the Christmas season and procrastinate a little too long. Make this year different than before!

Here are the top 10 Christmas shopping mistakes and how you can act differ-ently:

1 Not prioritizing. Instead of getting stressed out with all the parties, bak-ing and shopping in addition to your normal daily life, set some priorities before you’re bombarded with a mil-lion requests. Think about what things are “must do” and which are “would be nice to do.” It’s all right to say no to keep yourself sane. Shopping for gifts is more fun when you’re not completely stressed out.

2 Not having a budget written down. Before you make a gift list and head to the mall, set aside a reasonable amount of money for gifts. Make a commitment that you won’t add $20 to the fund just because you saw something cute that your niece would love.

3 Using credit cards. Once you have your budgeted amount of money, stay away from credit cards! You will still spend 12-18% more if you use plas-

tic and you’ll be paying it off come next year! Doesn’t paying with cash and going on about your day sound more relaxing than having a credit card balance looming over your head through the holidays? You betcha.

4 Buying for everyone. Do you really need to buy gifts for every family mem-ber and friend you have? That can get overwhelming and expensive for every-one. Talk with them about this and work toward an agreement to draw names for gifts or donate money to a common cause.

5 Not listening. Listen to the hints your loved ones drop about what they need or want this year. Maybe your Aunt Sally mentioned in July that she would love someone to help her in the garden or cousin Bob keeps losing guitar picks. A thoughtful gift like this will mean a lot to the person.

6 Not having a thought-out list on paper. If you think you can spend time in “Christmas retail world” and not get distracted by all the shiny toys, you’re in for a big surprise! You’ll be more likely

to buy impulsively if you do it that way. Write down what each person you’re buying for would like and stick to the list. Stay focused!

7 Not shopping around. “Shopping around” doesn’t mean you have to spend 24 extra hours running from store to store to save 10 cents. Take a look at your gift list and do some comparative price-checking online before you head out into the retail and traffic madness. This will save you money, time and stress!

8 Waiting until the last minute. Giving the gift of procrastination is not the most appealing gift out there. Don’t find your-self stressed out on Christmas Eve just be-cause you didn’t invest a little bit of time to plan.

9 Forgetting to plan for next year. Be on the lookout for outrageous sales on things your loved ones will need throughout the next year. If you time the sales just right and clip some cou-pons, you could land a major discount on something you were going to buy in a few months for a birthday or wedding gift. Remember to have a list and budget for this, too.

10 Forgetting why we celebrate. If this season becomes all about shopping and gifts, you’ve missed the whole point. People—not things—matter. The mi-raculous birth of a baby who changed the world is what matters.

Taken with permission from www.DaveRamsey.com

Dave Ramsey’s Top 10 Christmas Shopping MistakesBy: Dave Ramsey


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When Mrs. Allwardt was 11 years old, she was inspired by her 6th grade teacher, Mrs. Frances Hamilton. She knew then that she wanted to be a teacher, too. For the

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last 24 years, Mrs. Allwardt has been passing along what she learned from Mrs. Hamilton by motivating, inspir-ing, and – most importantly – loving her students. “I love the children,” says Mrs. Allwardt. “At the end of the day, it’s all about the kids!”

With a teaching style that goes well beyond basic academics, Mrs. All-wardt is making a lasting difference in the lives of her students. Parents agree that she motivates her students to strive for excellence while in-stilling in them a love of learn-ing. In Mrs. Allwardt’s class, excellence is not the exception; it is the norm. She maintains “a class geared toward the highest levels of education,” says par-ent Shelley Edwards.

One key to Mrs. Allwardt’s success is the individual atten-tion she gives to each child. “She is attentive and knows

each child like her own,” explains Michelle Hampton. Jodi Pridgen adds, “She greeted our special needs child without hesitation and with the most open of arms. [She] was one of the first to see our daughter’s differ-ent and amazing charms.” As Julie Hickey puts it, Mrs. Allwardt “has that magic that allows her to appreci-ate each child’s individuality and still see how the group can work together as a whole.”

Parents aren’t the only ones who are impressed with Mrs. Allwardt’s teach-ing: the kids love her, too! In fact, Katie Smith reports that her daughter has never been happier in school than she is in Mrs. Allwardt’s class. “Kids come home from her room with a big grin, already thinking of the next ad-venturous day when they get to go back in,” says Jodi Pridgen.

How does this magical teacher inspire her students to be so excited about school? One way she achieves this is by reinforcing classroom instruc-tion with activities that are so much fun that the children might not even notice that they are learning! For ex-ample, after Mrs. Allwardt teaches a unit on the lives of rural Florida pio-neer children, she takes the students on a field trip to Cracker County, where they get to churn butter, make ropes, dip candles by hand, and wash and iron clothes the way pioneer children would have done it. The

students also enjoy wearing pioneer-style bonnets and straw hats.

In addition to going on field trips, Mrs. Allwardt’s students also enjoy special days in their classroom. For Thanksgiving, they make costumes, perform a play about the first Thanks-giving, and host a Thanksgiving feast

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for their families. At Christmas time, they learn about “Christmas Around the World” through stories, crafts, and snacks.

The Christmas season is special to Mrs. Allwardt because she has the “opportunity to tell the children in [her] class about the greatest gift of

all…the birth of Jesus Christ!” Each year, the students of Grace Lutheran School also get to share the story of Christ’s birth through drama and music during the school’s annual Christmas program. Mrs. Allwardt describes the program as “a glori-ous event” that is “enjoyed by many families and friends.”

During the Christmas season, Mrs. Allwardt also loves to teach her students the joy of giving. From Grace Lutheran Church’s “Giving Tree,” she chooses the name of a child that is about the same age as her students. The students give gifts they think the child would like, and the church delivers the gifts to the child. It thrills Mrs. Allwardt to see her class learning to share the joy of Christmas with others.

Just as Mrs. Allwardt was inspired by her 6th grade teacher, she is now inspiring the next generation of stu-

dents. By establishing a legacy that her students can pass on to future generations, Mrs. Allwardt is chang-ing the world, one student at a time!To recommend a teacher to be featured as our “Teacher of the Month” email us at [email protected].

Way to go, Mrs. A!

Mrs. Allwardt’s students dipped candles on a recent field trip to Cracker Country

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for the MonthJokes Christmas Eggnog

If you see a fat man… Who’s jolly and cute, Wearing a beard And a red flannel suit, And if he is chuckling

And laughing away, While flying around

In a miniature sleigh With eight tiny reindeer To pull him along, Then lets face it…

Your eggnog’s too strong!!!

The Three Wise Women

Do know what would have happened if it had been three wise WOMEN instead of men, don’t you? They would have asked for directions, arrived on time, helped deliver the baby, cleaned the stable, made a casserole, and brought disposable diapers as gifts!

The Gift

“Thanks for the electric guitar you gave me for Christmas,” little Chris Cody said to his uncle the first time he saw him after the holidays. “It’s the best present I ever got.”

“That’s great,” said his uncle. “Do you know how to play it?”

“Oh, I don’t play it,” the little fellow said. “My mom gives me a dollar a day not to play it during the day and my dad gives me five dollars a week not to play it at night.

Top Ten Things To Say About a Christmas Gift You Don’t Like…

10. Hey! Now there’s a gift!9. Well, well, well…8. Boy, if I had not recently shot up 4 sizes

that would’ve fit.7. This is perfect for wearing around the basement.6. Gosh. I hope this never catches fire! It is fire

season though. There are lots of unexplained fires.5. If the dog buries it, I’ll be furious!4. I love it – but I fear the jealousy it will inspire.3. Sadly, tomorrow I enter the Federal Witness

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gifts to charity.1. I really don’t

deserve this.

What is a Stable?

Every Christmas morning, when my kids were little, I read them the nativity story out of the big family bible.

When my son was old enough to talk, he asked me what a stable was.

I thought for a moment how to explain it to him in terms he could understand, then told him, “It’s something like your sister’s room, but without a stereo.”

A Sign of the Times

As a little girl climbed onto Santa’s lap, Santa asked the usual, “And what would you like for Christmas?”

The child stared at him open mouthed and horrifi ed for a minute, then gasped: “Didn’t you get my E-mail?”

When you consider Christmas, there are four stages in your life:

1. You believe in Santa2. You don’t believe in Santa3. You are Santa4. You look like Santa


This section is for all you tech savvy readers with smart phones. Here are some fun, clean online videos that we found amusing, entertaining, and motivational. If you don’t have a smart phone, don’t worry, you can also view these videos and more on our website at www.gulfcoastfamily.org.

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When you are finished, you can check your answers on page 38. Your diploma will be rescinded if you peek at the answers before you have completed the quiz.

How Much Do You Know About Christmas?1. What holiday drink contains sugar, milk and

eggs?

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2. What Christmas figure was created in 1939 by Robert May as a Christmas promotion for the Montgomery Ward department store in Chicago?

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3. Did the angels sing at the announcement of Jesus’ birth?

��

4. What popular children’s cracker was introduced in 1902 as a Christmas ornament?

��

5. In the 1920’s what beverage company adopted the Santa Claus figure for a winter advertising promotion?

��

6. According to German tradition, what kind of glass Christmas ornament has to be found on the Christmas tree to determine who opens the first Christmas gift?

��

7. Where does the name “Christmas” come from?

��

8. How many wise men came to worship the “Newborn King”?

��

9. What was the first gift my true love sent on the sixth day of Christmas?

��

10. In the story Frosty the Snowman, who brought Frosty back to life?

��

11. When and how did Christmas become an official legal holiday here in the United States?

��

12. According to most historians, in what year was Jesus born?

��

13. What are the names of Santa Claus’s eight reindeer as named in Clement Moore’s poem “The Night Before Christmas”?

��

��

��

��

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14. What popular Christmas candy had its debut in 1670 when it was given out by a choirmaster to quiet the noisy children?

��

15. To whom and where did the star first lead the wise men?

��

16. How many gifts would you receive if you received all of the gifts in the song “The Twelve Days of Christmas?”

��

17. Who lost $8,000 in the movie It’s a Wonderful Life?

��

18. Who was the United States’ first ambassador to Mexico, and what is his connection with the holiday season?

��

��

19. In the traditional song, “Go Tell It on the Mountain,” what are you supposed to go tell on a mountain?

��

20. In which two of the four Gospels was the Christmas (nativity) story told?

��


Cool Kids Cook

in the kitchenThese delicious Christmas treats are a hit with kids and grownups alike, because who can resist fresh cookie dough and chocolate? Little bits of raw cookie dough covered in chocolate. Yum! For a little extra flavor for the adults, try adding nuts.

1. Combine first 5 ingredients in a large mixing bowl. Beat well.2. Add chocolate chips and nuts. Mix just until combined.3. Shape mixture into 1-inch balls. Place on waxed paper-lined baking sheets. Refrigerate

for 1 hour until firm.4. Melt candy coating for 1 to 2 minutes in microwave. Stir until

smooth (add a tablespoon of butter if needed).

5. Dip balls in coating. Place on waxed paper-lined baking sheets. Refrigerate about 15 minutes.

• ½ cup butter, softened• ⅔ cup packed brown sugar• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract• 2 cups flour

• 1 14-ounce can sweetened condensed milk

• ½ cup miniature chocolate chips

• ½ cup chopped nuts• 1 pound chocolate candy

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Cookie Dough Truffles

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Just in time for the holidays, we have a recipe for Christmas coffee cake. One of our family’s favorite things for breakfast is coffee cake. This coffee cake is very simple to make and good to serve anytime.

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Cool Kids Cook

1. Cream butter and sugar until fluffy. Add eggs and beat well.2. Add flour, baking powder, and salt. Mix just until combined.3. Add sour cream and vanilla, mix just until combined.4. Combine pecans, sugar, and cinnamon in a small bowl.

5. Spoon half of the batter into a 9 x 13 inch cake pan or a 10-inch tube pan. Top with half the pecan mixture. Repeat layers.

6. Bake at 350 degrees for 40 to 45 minutes (9 x 13-inch) or 60 to 70 minutes (tube pan) until toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean.

• 1 cup butter, softened• 2 cups sugar• 2 eggs• 2 cups flour

• 1 ½ teaspoon baking powder• ½ teaspoon salt• 1 cup sour cream• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract

• 1 cup chopped pecans• 2 tablespoons sugar• 1 teaspoon cinnamon

Sour Cream Coffee Cake


T’was the night before Christmas and all through the town,no noses were frozen, no snow fluttered down,no children in flannels were tucked into bed,they all wore shorty pajamas instead.

To find wreaths of holly, t’was not very hard,for holly trees grew in every back yard.In front of the houses, Dads and Momswere adorning the bushes and coconut palms.

The sleeping kiddies were dreaming in glee,hoping to find water skis under the tree.They all knew that Santa was well on his way,in a Mercedes-Benz, instead of a sleigh.

And soon he arrived and started to work,he hadn’t a second to linger or shirk.He whizzed up the highways and zoomed up the road,in a S-L 300, delivering his loads.

The tropical moon gave the city a glow,and lighted the way for old Santa below.As he jumped from the auto he gave a wee chuckle,he was dressed in Bermudas with an Ivy league buckle,

There weren’t any chimneys, but that caused no gloom,for Santa came in through the Florida room.He stopped at each house....stayed only a minute,emptying his sack of stuff that was in it.

Before he departed, he treated himselfto a glass of papaya juice upon the shelf.He turned with a jerk and bounced to the car,remembering he still had to go very far.

He shifted the gears and stepped on the gasand up Highway 19 he went like a flash.And I heard him exclaim as he went on his way,

“MERRY CHRISTMAS Y’ALL, I WISH I COULD STAY!”

Twas a Florida christmas

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Q: Every year, I dread the holiday season… the noise, commercials, cards and gifts nauseate me. I also dread the parties and get-togethers with relatives. It all just seems so fake. Frankly, I get depressed during Christmas. My wife loves Christmas, so I feel like I have to pretend to enjoy it for her sake. Any help for a Grinch?

Juli: Well, Mr. Grinch, you’re not alone in your dislike for the holidays. In fact, de-pression and suicide rates spike during this time of year. Feeling depressed at Christ-mas is even worse because everyone is tell-ing you that you should be happy!

Your dislike for the holidays may not be about Christmas at all, but rather what it has become. Christmas is first and fore-most a religious observance, the day Chris-tians commemorate and contemplate the incarnation of Jesus Christ. How people celebrate Christmas is a completely differ-ent matter. In fact, many people who love the meaning of Christmas are appalled by the materialism and hedonism now associ-ated with it. I think it’s just as appropriate to weep on Christmas Eve as you contem-plate Jesus’ birth as it is to give a gift to a loved one.

Instead of chucking the whole holiday, ask yourself the question, “How can I best cel-ebrate Christmas this year?” The answer

may be for you to skip a party and serve dinner to those less fortunate.

In the “spirit of Christmas,” we all flex a little for others, spending time with in-laws, going to work parties we don’t really feel like attending, and so on. But I would encourage you not to “fake” your excite-ment for the holidays to make your wife happy. Instead, find the genuine joy of cel-ebrating an event that changed the course of history in your own way.

Q: Our 7-year-old daughter is asking skeptical questions about Santa Claus. We have encouraged her belief in “old St. Nick” up to this point. How do we break the news to her now without coming across as total liars?

Jim: Most kids aren’t as traumatized by the revelation that Santa isn’t real as their parents assume they’ll be. My wife and I made sure we “broke the news” to our boys ourselves. That way, they wouldn’t hear it from their peers, which may have been more distressing to them and more likely to cast Mom and Dad in a bad light. Our counseling team at Focus on the Family has addressed this question, too, and rec-ommends using language like this:

“When you were little you liked to play make-believe. I remember when you pretended to be a princess for months after watching ‘Cinderella.’ In the same way, it was fun for you to believe that Santa Claus is a real per-son when you were younger. But now you’re growing up, and your under-standing of the world is changing.”

When you have the discussion, touch on the fact that families all over the world have stories about Santa, whether he takes the form of Sinterklaas in Holland or Fa-ther Christmas in England. You might also want to do some research online about St.

Nicholas of Myra, the 4th-century Chris-tian bishop upon whom most historians agree our modern Santa is based. Apocry-phal stories about St. Nicholas abound, but everyone agrees with the general idea that he was a pious individual who gave gener-ously to the poor.

The celebration of Christmas is ultimately centered on the birth of the Messiah. Be-cause St. Nicholas and Jesus are both “in-visible” historical figures, be sure to make a distinction between them with your daugh-ter. Christ’s birth set the stage for His life on Earth, and His eventual death and resur-rection to save sinners. Even if your fam-ily doesn’t embrace this view, it’s certainly worth talking with your daughter about the themes of self-sacrifice and selflessness that it embodies. Helping your daughter find joy in blessing others at Christmas will likely evaporate any disappointment she may feel at the realization that Santa isn’t real.

with Jim Daly and Dr. Juli Slattery

Any Help for a Grinch?

In the “spirit of Christmas,” we all need to flex a little for others

Copyright 2011 Focus on the Family, Colorado Springs, CO 80995. This feature was reproduced with the permission of Focus on the Family. To submit future questions to Jim and Julie, visit FocusOnTheFamily.com

Dr. Juli Slattery is a licensed psychologist, co-host of Focus on the Family, author of several books, and a wife and mother of three.

Jim Daly is president of Focus on the Family, host of the Focus on the Family radio program,

and a husband and father of two.

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Call Today: 727-474-3740 or webbrauckhorstcounseling.com10225 Ulmerton Rd. Ste 7A Largo, Fl 33771

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MONICA BURTON MS, LMFTTherapy for Couples, Families, and Individuals

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Whether you are struggling in your relationship, coping with the loss of a loved one, have a child struggling in school, or you’re just stressed by life’s everyday challenges; seeking help from a therapist may give you the tools you need and the strength you desire to make a positive change in your life.

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Older Driver SafetyDecember 5–9 is Older Driver Safety Awareness Week. Its aim is to promote an understanding of how mobility can affect our growing senior population.

Here in Florida, the number of aging drivers increases each year. It should be noted that age alone is not a good predictor of driving safety or ability. However, safety research clearly shows that declines in the physical, emotional, and mental abilities may increase crash risk or unsafe driving. The real need is to create broader awareness of the solu-tions, rather than to narrowly focus on the problem.

The first step in addressing older driver issues is to NOT ignore the problem hoping that it will “go away.” Having a conversation with an older driver in your family is a good starting point. Be aware that the tact and timing in having this conversation is important. This con-versation about continued safe driving by an older family member can easily spark strong emotional reactions. Such discussions can undermine feelings of independence and competence in the

older driver whose skill is being ques-tioned. These conversations can also be an opportunity for good communication and problem solving in other areas too.

Unfortunately, some families look to the older person’s physician or the driver’s licensing agency to help start these con-versations. Although outside agents can play a part in the conversation, family and friends should be proactive in ini-tiating these discussions. In addition, the family will likely live with the con-sequences of these discussions for years to come.

Ideally, it would helpful to have these conversations in the family room when there is no crisis looming, rather than af-ter a trip to the emergency room. Very few people and their families think to plan ahead for the time when they or a loved one may have to limit or stop driv-ing their own car.

The AAA Motor Club suggests a driver’s chronological age is NOT a good pre-dictor of driving ability, but what counts on the road is performance. AAA gives the following list as a few of the signs

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of diminished capacity for driving safely and knowing when to stop:• Having a series of minor accidents or near misses• Having wandering thoughts or being unable to

concentrate• Being unable to read ordinary road signs• Getting lost on familiar roads• Having other drivers honk at you frequently• Being spoken to about your driving by police, family,

and friends• Be honest with yourself; if you are a danger on the

road, take responsibility and either improve your skills or stop driving.

To learn more about how to help an older driver you may review the FREE GUIDES prepared by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety and The Hartford by downloading them at:

We NeeD To Talk: Conversations with older Drivers by The Hartford

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Young Health Talk: Bioidentical HormonesYoung Health Talk: Bioidentical HormonesHot flashes, decreased sex drive, and depression are just a few of the symptoms of menopause. Estrogen products were seen as a good way to treat these unpleasant symptoms. Unfortunately, it was soon discovered through a number of stud-ies, that there was a correlation between Estro-gen and breast cancer. As a result, many doctors chose to stop treating menopausal symptoms with Estrogen products, leaving their patients with little to do as they soldiered through this dif-ficult time. Integrative MD’s started looking for a replacement that was effective and safe. They came up with bio-identical hormones.

So what exactly is Bio-identical hormone re-placement and why would I choose to use this method? Sandy Friend is the Nurse Practioner in our practice here at Foundational Health, and is well trained and educated in this area. Let her shed some light on some of the questions, misun-derstandings, and miscommunications you may have encountered about Bio-identical hormone replacement therapy.

By definition, Bio-identical hormones, referred to as Natural Hormones, have a chemical struc-ture identical to human hormones. The non-bio-identical hormones are not structurally identical to human hormones i.e., Premarin. Substantial scientific and medical evidence demonstrates that the risk for breast cancer, heart disease, heart

attack, and stroke are reduced when bio-identical hormones are the form of hormone replacement therapy used.

Female hormones include estrogen, progester-one, and testosterone. These hormones affect the cells of the heart, blood vessels, bone, nerves, muscles, skin, and most other cells in the body. When these hormones are imbalanced, wom-en experience increased risk for heart attacks, strokes, cognitive decline, osteoporosis, and breast cancer. Restoration of these hormones is beneficial in alleviating symptoms. For example reduction of anxiety, a decrease in insomnia, less bone loss, reduced loss of cartilage and os-teoarthritis, lower LDL, higher HDL, decreased blood pressure, increased calmness and sleep, decreased loss of urine, less vaginal dryness and degenerative disease, increased energy, increased memory, and less brain fog.

Around the age of 30, progesterone levels be-gin to decline. Symptoms of low progesterone levels include anxiety, insomnia, panic attacks, heavier menstrual bleeding, ovarian and breast cysts, pre-menstrual syndrome, weight gain, fi-broids, and bone loss. As the menopause period approaches, estrogen levels also decline.

Estriol, the weakest estrogen, is the most protec-tive for breast tissue and against forming blood

clots. Estrodiol, the strongest estrogen, is also protective for breast tissue and brain tissue. Es-trone, the storage form of estrogen, can stimulate breast tissue and form blood clots. It is the in-crease levels of Estrone and decreased levels of estriol and progesterone that increases the meno-pausal woman’s risk for breast cancer, stroke, and heart attack. Low estrogen levels can cause depression, brain fog, decreased memory, vagi-nal dryness, loss of urine, and lower serotonin levels. Declining testosterone symptoms include, fatigue, decreased libido, bone loss, brain fog, and low energy levels.

Whether you call it “regenerative, restorative, or functional” it is no myth. Early restoration of hormone imbalances results in greater than a 90% resolution of symptoms in fatigue, insom-

nia, decreased libido, weight gain, muscle and joint pains, depression, and decreased mental function. There is greater than 80% improve-ment in disease states including: Fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, chronic fatigue syndrome, gastric reflux, IBS, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and infertility.

Men receiving hormone replacement, due to low hormone levels (andropause), reduce their risk of heart attacks and strokes, lower the risk of Al-zheimer’s, improved mood, confidence, motiva-tion, better sexual function, muscle mass, ener-gy, and strength. Restoring the hormone balance means the ability of our cells to keep us health, happy, keep cancer cells as bay, and repair those arteries that are damaged daily.

When hormone imbalance is corrected, the body has the opportunity to return to its opti-mal functional state. There is hope for women with menopausal symptoms. There’s no need to soldier through without aid. Ask your doctor to prescribe bio-identical hormones.

To Your Health, John Young, MD

Dr. Young has been an Emergency Room Physician and Family Practitioner for over 16 years. He is an Assistant Professor of Medicine at Marshall School of Medicine, WV. Dr. Young’s ongoing research in alternative therapies has led to many innovative products being used around the world.

by John D. Young, MD and Sandy Friend

A Step Beyond Alternative MedicineOur goal is to treat each patient with specific remedies

custom designed to attain optimal health on a cellular level.

We endeavor to treat the root of a health issue, rather than

just treat the symptoms. We believe that optimizing cellular

nutrition and function is the best path to a healthier you.

Treat the Cell, Heal the Body

John Young, MD Young Foundational Health Center

7241 Bryan Dairy Road, Largo, Florida 33777

Office: 727-545-4600

Fax: 727-545-4611

[email protected]

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Did you know that Egyptians wereamong the fi rst dentists. Some mummies

have teeth fi lled with a kind of resinand malachite. In other mummies,gold wire had been used to bindloose teeth. Also, did you knowthat according to archeologists

Egyptians were the fi rst toinvent and use toothpaste -

over 4,500 years ago.

Dental Fun Fact

“What is the best age to start orthodontic treatment for my child?” is a very commonly asked question by concerned parents. The American Association of Or-thodontists recommends all children get a check-up with an orthodontic specialist no later than age 7. The following are some of the warning signs that an or-thodontist looks for to determine if a child needs orth-odontic treatments:

1 Excessive protrusion of the upper front teeth or “buck teeth” is a very common orthodontic prob-lem. Trauma to the protruded upper front teeth can cause fracture and root damage to the upper front teeth.

2 Deep overbite means that the upper front teeth cover the lower front teeth significantly. Excessive overbite can interfere lower jaw growth and can cause excessive wear on the enamel of the lower front teeth.

3 When a child bites down with his back teeth togeth-er, he can wedge his tongue between the upper and lower front teeth. This is called an open bite which can be caused by chronic thumb sucking habit.

4 Crowded, overlapped or crooked teeth can make tooth brushing difficult. Thus, cavities and gum dis-

ease can be developed on and around the crooked teeth.

5 When the child bites down with his back teeth together, his upper teeth fit inside the arch of the lower teeth. This is called an underbite which can

be a sign of the upper and lower jaws not growing proportionally.

One 7 year old child may have more severe maloc-clusion than another 7 year old. One may have more permanent teeth erupted at age seven than another 7 year old. These signs can prompt you to call for an orthodontic consultation and evaluation. In my prac-tice, a panoramic radiograph is often taken during the consultation appointment so that I can evaluate if a child has any missing permanent teeth, extra teeth, and impacted teeth. Also I will do a thorough clinical exam on the child’s teeth and bite so that I can advise the parent the appropriate timing to start orthodontic treatment for the child.

by Dr. Leo chin, D.m.D, m.S.D., m.S.Florida Orthodontic institute

What is the best age to get braces?

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Planning for Holiday Stress– You’ve Got Thisby Amy Alexander

Now that Thanksgiving is behind us, it’s time to think about your holiday dinner, trimmings, shopping, pie – and everything else the holiday season brings. Although, the holidays are the most wonderful time of the year, some consider it to be the most stressful.

So, in the hustle and bustle, what can you do to stay healthy, stress-free and keep heading towards your fitness goals?

1. Be realistic. Don’t put a tremendous amount of pressure on yourself to make the holidays perfect. Do what you can. Make realistic plans and focus on enjoying time with friends and family. As you celebrate, remember to exercise. Go for a run outside or take a group fitness class at a gym like Lifestyle Family Fitness — working out is a great way to relieve stress. This will keep you on track to reach your goals and give you a nice head start to your fitness resolutions.

2. organize and budget. Make a list of what you need to do or purchase. Set a budget for yourself and stay within that budget. A lot of stress comes from overextending yourself financially. Start shopping now — you’ll beat the crowds and it’s a great way to get in an extra workout by walking the mall!

3. exercise and eat healthy. It’s too easy to let everything go during the holidays. Ever heard yourself saying, “I’m too busy, I’ll start eating healthy after the New Year.” Between co-workers

and family tempting you with candy, pies and other heavenly treats that show up uninvited, you can really pack on the pounds if you’re not careful.

Don’t give in. Why not keep your fitness goals you worked so hard for during the other months?

Indulge in the sweets and treats, but set a limit for yourself and stick to it.

Make a plan, ditch the second trip to the dessert table and stay active to burn excess calories and reduce stress.

After all, the holidays are a time to be thankful, not stressful!

Remember, YOU are important! Take care of yourself, have fun and enjoy the season — and you’ll see the benefits of your hard work and get a head start on reaching your New Year’s Fitness Resolution!

Amy Alexander is an ACSM certified personal trainer and RPM instructor at Lifestyle Family Fitness.

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1. Eggnog2. Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer3. While the popular Christmas

carol “Hark the Herald Angels Sing” may suggest they did, the Bible doesn’t say anything specific about the angels singing.

4. The Barnum’s Animal Cracker and box was introduced by the National Biscuit Company. The box, just as it does today, had a string attached to it so that it could be hung as a Christmas ornament

5. The Coca-Cola Company used Santa Claus to promote the idea that a soft drink was a winter beverage as well as a summer beverage

6. The Glass pickle ornament - Please note that Larry the Cucumber will also work

7. Literally from the Middle English “Cristes Maesse,” or “Christ’s mass”

8. The Bible does not say; however the Bible does tell us that they were wise men or early astrologers. Wise men were also referred to as magi. It is interesting to note that magi often traveled in groups of 30 to 50.

9. Six geese a-laying10. Santa Claus11. President Ulysses S. Grant

declared Christmas a legal holiday in 1870

12. The birth of Christ is generally accepted to be around 5 or 6 B.C. as Herod died in 4 B.C.

13. Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, and Blitzen. Note: Donner and Blitzen were originally called Dunder and Blixem

14. The candy cane15. The star led the wise men first to

King Herod in Jerusalem, after which they saw the star again leading them to Jesus, but they were two separate sightings of the star and not continuous

16. 36417. Uncle Billy18. Joel Poinsett who was also

the developer of the popular Christmas Poinsettia flower

19. That Jesus Christ is born20. Matthew and Luke

How Much Do You Know About Christmas? Answers Quiz on page 29.


This December we recommend that you…

READ ITThrough My Eyes by Tim Tebow with Nathan Whitaker

Over the course of the last five years, Tim Tebow established himself as one of the greatest quarterbacks in the history of college football and a top prospect in the NFL. Now, in Through My Eyes, Tebow gives an inspirational memoir about life as he chose to live it - revealing how his faith and family values, combined with his relentless will to succeed, have molded him into the person that he is today. Tebow has a unique story to tell—from the circumstances of his birth, to his home-schooled roots, to his record-setting collegiate football career with the Florida Gators and everything else that took place in between.

WATCH ITTh Help

The Help is an inspirational, courageous and empowering story about very different, extraordinary women in the 1960s South who build an unlikely friendship around a secret writing project — one that breaks society’s rules and puts them all at risk. Filled with poignancy, humor and hope — and complete with compelling, never-before-seen bonus features — The Help is a timeless, universal and triumphant story about the ability to create change.

The Help will be released on DVD and Blu-Ray on December 6, 2011… just in time to give it as a gift on Christmas!

SURF ITwww.gocomics.com

GoComics from Universal Uclick is the online comics portal for the most popular comic strips and cartoons in the world. GoComics content updates daily, bringing you the latest work from critically acclaimed comic strip creators, Pulitzer Prize-winning political cartoonists and the hottest up-and-coming talents. You can read comics for free every day and with a registered account get access to community features, and features such as commenting, sharing and saving comics to collections. GoComics offers the best comics reading experience for everyone and is guaranteed to have something you will like.

SEE ITTampa’s Lowry Park Zoo Wild Wonderland

Make it a tradition for your whole family and ring in the season with millions of lights, stunning animatronics displays, free Zoo rides and activities for all ages. Encounter Zoo animals and meet a special herd - some of Santa’s Reindeer. Great holiday shopping, live entertainment and a fantastic photo op with Santa make the Lowry Park Zoo’s Wild Wonderland an event for all to enjoy. For more information on Wild Wonderland, visit www.lowryparkzoo.com/wildwonderland/ or call (813) 935-8552.

HEAR ITChristmas by Michael Bublé

Michael Bublé’s first full-length Christmas album is old-fashioned in the best possible sense. Bublé will be featured in an NBC Christmas TV special this December, and this collection does sound like the soundtrack to a classic holiday production. There is a bit of swing here, contemporary pop there, and a few special guests sprinkled around. Christmas is the top new holiday collection for 2011 and it will appeal to the broadest possible audience as soundtrack to your Christmas celebrations or simply to accompany holiday decorating or gift wrapping.


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Documents

Gulf Coast Family - December 2011 - Hillsborough