2013 spring issue
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About the CoverThis issue’s cover is a salute to parents everywhere who are buying local produce or growing their own in order to provide healthier food for their families. The Spring 2013 issue is dedicated to local growers and farmers who work against the odds to maintain and preserve quality food sources, and to the markets and co-ops who link buyers to that food.
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Connect withConnect withTM 9 Good News: Community
11 Good News: Schools
12 Good Products
15 Good PeopleBy Thais Miller
16 - 17 Good ParentingAre You Struggling To Get Your Kids
Off the Computer, Smartphone or
Gaming? You are not alone.
By Juli Steinocher, LMHC, LMT, CPT
20 - 21 Good Parenting Better Choices, Brighter Lives
By Christy Ziglar
22 - 23 Good Parenting Magic for Kids
By Ava Parnass
24 Good Parenting Play Therapy: More Than Just Fun
By Dolores Mortimer
26 Good EatingEat Local Produce:
Be Good To Your Body And The
Earth! By Rick Blouin
27 Good EatingShowcase Your Spring Harvest
By Christy Waterhouse
The Good Stuff
Features
8Happy Earth Day
28 - 29Treasure the Small Sea
By Lucinda Johnston
30My Story
By Jackie Sue Griffi n, MS
Spring is such a beautiful time of year to be outside in Florida. Th e GOOD news is
that we are blessed with an abundance of outdoor activities and opportunities to be in
the fresh air. Pinellas County and the cities within it have some fabulous parks. You
do not need expensive equipment or lessons to get out and walk or bike the numerous
trails. Many of those trails are in areas where you can experience some natural plant and
animal life or be by water. Speaking of water, did you know that you can circumnavigate
the county in a kayak or canoe? Pinellas County Blue Way trails are well known and
easy to access throughout the county.
If you spend your days indoors working, you have walls and ceilings and computer
screens to hem you in. I’ll bet you leave that building, hop into an enclosed car and
drive in traffi c surrounded by concrete, asphalt and buildings to yet another enclosed
building – your home.
How many times a day do you step outside to free your mind and take a deep breath
of fresh air? How many times a week do you escape a closed-in lifestyle to be in
nature? It is necessary to change the scenery so our brains can relax and mentally
detox from our routines. We need our feet to touch the earth and reconnect our
spirits to the life–giving force of nature.
It takes breaking our routines and making it a priority, just as we must break our
unhealthy eating habits. With a little planning and eff ort, we can greatly improve our
state of well being. Th e same goes for our kids.
Kids today get shuttled door-to-door to just about everywhere they go. Our busy
schedules, spread out neighborhoods and safety concerns lead to fewer kids walking
anywhere. Playing outside is confi ned to a yard, if at all, or maybe as part of organized
sports. But then again, they get dropped off and picked up, so more structure.
If we don’t take them to an area where they can roam free, they don’t experience it. If
we don’t allow for them to have unstructured outdoor play, they won’t experience it.
It is time to unplug ourselves. Not only from our structured indoor environments,
but from our electronic devices as well. April 13th is my favorite family event of the
year, “Playing Unplugged,” at Largo Central Park. Th e motivation behind the event
is an invitation to unplug and just be. Just be with your family. Just be outside. Just be
content. Just be playful and let it all go.
Your body, your mind, your spirit and your family will be better for it, especially if it’s
practiced on other days of the year. If you need ideas, go to your local parks department
website or the county website at PinellasCounty.org.
Enjoy the freshness of spring! Step your bare feet in some grass. Take a few deep
breaths. Let the breeze caress your skin. And just be… GOOD!
Until next time,
Lett er from the Editor
Pamela Settle
A very special Happy Mother’s Dayto all the moms out there!You are appreciated!
Spring Edition 2013
TM
PublisherLight Shine Media Group, LLC
Editor-in-ChiefPamela Sett le
Design and LayoutMarcie Kelliher
Contributi ng WritersRick BlouinJackie Sue Griffi nLucinda JohnstonThais MillerDolores Morti merAva ParnassJulie SteinocherChristy WaterhouseChristy Ziglar
Distributi on provided by ASAP Distributi on
To submit good news ideas or events [email protected]
To adverti se or purchasebulk copies of the magazineadverti [email protected]
GoodLiving™ Magazine &GoodLivingMagazine.comP.O. Box 1795Oldsmar, Florida 34677(727) [email protected]
GoodLiving™ magazine is a publicati on of Light Shine Media Group, LLC and is available to readers by a paid annual subscripti on available at tampabaygoodliving.com. Promoti onal copies are distributed through establishments as a courtesy to their customers and clients. Additi onal copies are donated to local schools as a community service. To request copies, contact [email protected]. All photographs, artwork, design and editorial are the sole property of GoodLiving™ magazine and Light Shine Media Group, LLC. No porti on of this magazine may be reproduced in any form without writt en permission.
GoodLiving™ magazine and Light Shine Media Group, LLC are not responsible for statements made by adverti sers and writers for any consequences arising from omissions or errors. Readers should verify the adverti sing informati on of the adverti sers and all specials are valid to the expirati on date set by the adverti ser. GoodLiving™ magazine and Light Shine Media Group, LLC reserve the right to refuse any adverti sing for any reason. The views expressed in the publicati on are not necessarily those of the publisher. All rights reserved.
GoodLivingSpring Edition 20138
Celebrate Island Earth Daysat Honeymoon Island State ParkTh is annual event is a perennial favorite for celebrating the beauty
of this award-winning beach and Earth Day. Check out the nature
exhibits, eco-friendly arts and crafts booths, and the Make-and-
Take Rain Barrel workshop. Take a guided nature walk or enjoy
the new limitless playground. You can also try bungee jumping,
rock wall climbing, or new this year, Aqua Bubbles.
Kids will love the children’s area with face painting, story time,
and lots of free craft projects, plus a giant infl atable slide and a
dunk tank. Both days will feature live music, auctions and prize
drawings. Food and beverage options on site will keep you going,
including Saturday evening for dinner.
Entry to the Island Earth Days event is free, with paid park
admission. Organized by Friends of the Island Parks, Inc., and
proceeds support the new Caladesi Discovery Center. Pets are
welcome on a 6 ft maximum leash.
Island Earth Days at Honeymoon Island State ParkSaturday, April 20 • 11 a.m. to 7 p.mSunday, April 21 • 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
For more information call (727)738-2908,
email [email protected], or visit islandearthdays.com
The Green Thumb FestivalCelebrate Arbor Day weekend at the Green Th umb Festival, with:
• environmental and horticultural exhibits
• vendors (with every kind of plant imaginable)
• the Garden Club of St. Petersburg Flower Show
• a diagnostic clinic (bring soil and water samples)
• free mulch
• plant auction
• more than 2,000 trees for sale for $3,
• free Butterfl y plants (500 each day)
• children’s programs
• and much more!!
Mark your calendar so you don’t miss this annual event:
April 27-28 at Walter Fuller Park and Community Center
in St. Petersburg. StPeteParksRec.org
Earth Day Tampa Bay at USF2013 marks the 43rd Earth Day Tampa Bay celebration. Th is
year’s theme, Fresh Food Revolution, promotes local food growers,
producers, distributors, educators, and supporters. Th ere will also
be children’s activities, a drum circle and farmer’s market.
Saturday, April 20 from 10 a.m to 4 p.m at the Botanical Gardens on the USF campus.
Admission and parking are free.
Alternative transportation is encouraged.
Arbor Day in ClearwaterTh e City of Clearwater will celebrate Arbor Day, Saturday, April 27, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. with a ceremony and tree giveaway.
Clearwater residents are eligible to receive two free trees per
household, including live oak, American elm, red cedar, bald
cypress, southern magnolia, red maple, slash pines, Walters
viburnum, and three colors of crape myrtles. Th ere will be 2,100
trees given away on a fi rst-come, fi rst-served basis. Proof of
residency is required.
Event located at Public Service Complex at 1650 N. Arcturas Ave.
For more information, call (727) 462-6563, ext. 226.
Shredfest in LargoSave some trees and de-clutter your home by participating in
Th e City of Largo’s Shredfest. Th is is a free, paper shredding
event where residents can bring their personal documents to
be securely shredded and recycled. A convenient drive-thru
process saves time. Residents can bring up to fi ve fi les boxes
of paper per car and there is no need to remove staples, tape,
rubber bands or paper clips. Last year’s event saved 194 trees
by shredding 22,800 pounds of paper.
Th is one-day only event will take place Saturday, April 20, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 1551 Starkey Road. LargoRecycles.com
Dunedin Life & Light Lantern FestivalEnjoy the Dunedin Life & Light
Lantern Festival Sunday, April 28 at
Dunedin’s Pioneer Park. Th is community
art event is a fundraiser for the Planting
Seeds Workshop Series and the 1%
Food Project. Live music all day. Free
lantern making workshops, organic plant
sale, gardening information, kids village,
drum circle and seed swap. Th is is a
family-friendly event geared towards
kids and they will love keeping
their lanterns. Daytime events start at noon with the lantern
lighting ceremony at 8 p.m.
More event details will be posted at dunedinharvest.com.
from
GoodLivingSpring Edition 2013 9
newsCommunity
Stamp Out HungerMay 11 marks the largest, single-day food drive of the year.
Stamp Out Hunger is the National Association of Letter
Carriers answer to combating the hunger that crosses the
country. Over 35.5 million people are faced with hunger daily in
America, and a little less than half of them are children. Fifteen
hundred NALC branches, USPS employees, and volunteers
have all helped to contribute over one billion
tons of food over the last twenty years. Keep
that number rising by adding to it; on May
11, put canned and non-perishable goods
out by your mailbox for letter carriers to
pick up. Do your part to Stamp Out Hunger
and help RCS Food Bank in our local area.
Partners for Life Th e 3rd Annual Partners for Life Police Appreciation Run and Walk
will be held at North Straub Park on Bayshore Drive in St. Petersburg
Sunday, May 5. Th e fi rst run begins at 7 a.m. and the walk begins
at 9 a.m. Th is event is dedicated to the fallen St. Petersburg police
offi cers and funds raised support the Partners for Life Foundation,
an organization founded by Lorraine Yaslowitz, the widow of K-9
Offi cer Jeff rey Yaslowitz, to aid families who are victims of senseless
violence. fl oridaroadraces.com/police
Stop Child Abuse Blue Ribbon 5K RunSupport the Suncoast Center and help them in their work with
local children who have been abused, neglected or subject to
trauma. No child is turned away for inability to pay for services
because of local donors and fundraisers like this. Register for the
5K Run or the 1-mile Family Walk. Registration begins at 7:30
a.m. $20 for adults and $15 for children under 15. Th e event will
be Saturday, April 27th at Walsingham Park in Largo.
Women’s ExpoWomen With Purpose proudly presents Th e “4 Play: Health,
Beauty, Soul & Sizzle Women’s Expo.” Th e event features inspiring
speakers, a fashion show, various demonstrations and vendors
that will empower and inspire women to walk away with renewed
energy and a stronger focus. $25 donation to attend. Silent auction
and lunch included. Proceeds benefi t the Mammography Voucher
Program of Pinellas County. Saturday, May 4, 2013, 10 a.m. - 3
p.m. at Nielsen Media Research, 501 Brooker Creek Boulevard
in Oldsmar. For more information, please contact Jane at (727)
530-4219 or email [email protected]. To follow
on Facebook, search the event’s name.
Autism Speaks WalkTh ousands of people will walk in the name of Autism; to raise
awareness, to show support and to donate funds for research. Th e
Tampa Bay event is at Raymond James Stadium on Saturday April 20th. Check in and resource fair begins at 9 a.m. Th ere is
no fee to participate. Raise at least $150 and earn an event T-shirt.
walknowforautismspeaks.org
Say Farewell to The PierA week long celebration will commemorate 40 years of Th e Pier
in St. Petersburg, which is slated for demolition. Events will
include music from local performers, historic water ski shows,
Salsa dancing and fi reworks.
Friday, May 24th Spring/Summer Salsa Celebrati on, 7-11 p.m.
Saturday, May 25th Street Performers and live music, all day
Sunday, May 26th Final Music Fest by the Bay featuring music from the 60’s
Monday, May 27th Memorial Day – Live Music all day and performances by the Tampa Bay Water Ski Show Team
Tuesday, May 28th Music from the 80’s
Wednesday, May 29th Music from the 90’s
Thursday, May 30th Country hits from the 2000’s
Friday, May 31st Current Music and plans for confetti cannons and fi reworks.
Stay tuned to Th e Pier website for event updates and fi nal plans
for the last day. StPetePier.com
Relay for LifeAll around our county, Relay For Life events are bringing
people together to honor cancer survivors, remember loved
ones lost, and fi ght back against this disease. Th e funds raised
make a diff erence in the fi ght against cancer – just ask one
of the nearly 14 million cancer survivors who will celebrate
another birthday this year!
Find a relay and get involved! Join them for all or part of their
overnight event as they take turns walking or running around
a track or path throughout the entire event. Stop by and
purchase a memorial luminaria that you can personalize. Th ese
events are also a lot of fun so get out there and join the Relay!
More events at RelayforLife.org
Friday, April 12th Canal Park, Oldsmar
Saturday, April 13th Town Square Plaza Park, Pinellas Park
Friday, April 19th Countryside High School, Clearwater
Saturday, April 20th Largo Central Park, Largo
Friday, April 26th Florida Auto Exchange Stadium, Dunedin
Friday, May 3rd Safety Harbor City Park, Safety Harbor Coachman Park, Clearwater Osceola High School, Seminole
Friday, May 10th Transamerica Field, St. Petersburg
Friday, May 17th Vinoy Park, St. Petersburg Tarpon Springs High School, Tarpon Springs
LiveFree! Excellence Awards:Investing in Community & PreventionEach quarter, LiveFree! honors individuals in our community for being a role model in building healthier communities. Please join us in appreciating the work of the following individuals:
If you know someone whose outstanding efforts personify a positive role model in building healthier communities and would like to nominate them for a LiveFree! Excellence Award, please contact: LiveFree! Executive Director Jackie Griffin, MS at (813) 503-5658 or [email protected]
information sponsored by:
YOUTH Charles Bigby is a junior at Manatee School for the Arts majoring in dance. He is a participant in his school’s competitive dance team, teen president of the Pinellas-Manatee County Jack and Jill of America, Inc, and a member of LiveFree!
Brenda Lizeth Vargas is a sophomore at Largo High School and currently in the ExCEL magnet program. She is president of the Largo H.S. LiveFree! Club where she has developed leadership skills and learned to believe in her capabilities.
McKenzie McWade is the Vice-President of the Pinellas Park High School LiveFree! Club. She says that being a part of the LiveFree! Club has helped her to develop strengths in public speaking and empowered her to stand up for making healthy choices.
Heaven Taylor-Wynn is a freshman in the International Baccalaureate program at St. Petersburg High School. She is a member of the drama club, a cheerleader, member of the National Achievers Society at St. Petersburg College, member of the Jack and Jill Inc. and Pinellas County chapter, LiveFree! club.
PROFESSIONALSNancy Hamilton, President and CEO, Operation PAR, Inc. has more than 40 years experience in behavioral health care services, including trainer, adjunct instructor and teacher in prevention, intervention and treatment services.
Gay Lancaster, JWB Children’s Services Council has served as the Executive Director of the JWB Children's Services Council since September 2006. She has been associated with numerous professional and community organizations.
Martha Lenderman, Community Advocate, retired after 30 years of service to the state with many contributions to the mental health and substance abuse field.
Maria Roberts is the Senior Director of Children’s Services at Personal Enrichment through Mental Health Services.
Cheri Wright-Jones of Tampa Bay Regional Vice President of Allegany Franciscan Ministries is responsible for grant-making and community engagement activities.
GoodLivingSpring Edition 2013 11
Schoolsnews
License Plate to Honor Fallen PolicemenTeenage years can be rife with insecurities and the feeling that no
one will listen. Th e students at Pinellas Park High School’s Criminal
Justice Academy put that aside and showed that they can make a
diff erence. After two years and constant reminders that what they
hoped for may never happen, they were heard; the bill they had
created to honor fallen police offi cers had fi nally passed. In the wake
of three policemen losing their lives in the line of duty, the class
guided by teacher Richard Cross, designed a license plate whose
proceeds will support training and equipment for police offi cers,
as well as education to support classes like the Criminal Justice
Academy. Th e students traveled to Tallahassee to speak before the
Senate Transportation Committee, who unanimously passed the
bill in a matter of minutes.
Congratulations to the hard
work of the Criminal Justice
Academy students; may you
be a reminder to your peers
that you can be heard and
make change at any age.
Teacher Wins HonorsJoanne Wright was named 2013 Outstanding
Educator by the Pinellas Education Foundation.
Joanne is a reading teacher at Safety Harbor
Middle School. She earned a bachelor’s degree
in Drama from the University of Natal in South
Africa. Her energy, sense of humor and passion
for teaching is contagious. A mentor to new
teachers, Joanne models teaching strategies,
off ers up her lesson plans and guides new
teachers as they navigate their fi rst years in
the education fi eld. She serves on multiple
committees and took it upon herself to become the school’s
technology coach, training staff on how to integrate technology
into their classrooms. She designed a collaborative website where
teachers can share information, research and curriculums and
then she trained teachers how to use it. Joanne believes in the
importance of giving her students new experiences and is known
around school as the “fi eld trip queen.” Students and teachers
alike adore Joanne, who they know they can call on in an instant
and she will be right there to guide them. As part of her award,
she will receive a $2,000 scholarship from NOVA University, an
iPad Mini from American Income Life and a $2,000 cash prize
from the Pinellas Education Foundation, as well as other gifts
donated by business partners. Congratulations to Joanne and all
the teachers who work tirelessly on behalf of students, parents
and the community.
Swanky SwineWoodlawn Community Academy in Clearwater is putting their
students to work for a good cause – their own. As part of their
transition program, students are learning job and social skills that can
move them from school to the real world by running Th e Swanky
Swine, an on-campus snack bar. High school-aged students with
developmental disabilities run all aspects of the snack bar and 100%
of the profi ts are used to further develop the program. Th ey seek
to develop independence and a sense of purpose, traits all students
need to have as they leave the education system. Staff and parents
who work with the transition program believe that employment (or
vocational training) in a safe, sheltered environment will allow young
people with Asperger syndrome, Autism, Down syndrome and other
disabilities to explore their unique potential and strengths.
Swanky Swine plans to off er post-high school transitional
services by the fall of 2013.
For more information on sponsorship or enrollment please email
[email protected]. Also visit online at SwankySwine.com
or WoodlawnAcademy.org
Student Wins $10,000 to Start BusinessNext Generation Entrepreneurs was created by FairWarning® and the
Pinellas Education Foundation to introduce high school juniors and
seniors attending Pinellas County Public Schools to the principles of
customer value creation, innovation and what it takes to be an entrepreneur.
Th e program’s year-long competition came to an end when Joe Sleppy
was named this year’s winner of the $10,000 award to start his business.
Sleppy, a senior from Osceola Fundamental High School won with his
invention involving workout equipment for veterans (amputees). Joe
stated, “It kills me to see individuals give up on physical fi tness, especially
returning veterans that are learning to live with amputated limbs.” Th is
is why he has developed workout equipment for veterans. One device,
used for pushups, relies on airbag compression to hold an individual by
their forearms to keep strain off of wrists. For more information and to
see entries from all the fi nalists, go to PinellasEducation.org.
p ,
GoodLivingSpring Edition 201312
productsRainPerfect™ PumpIf you haven’t hooked up a rain barrel yet,
then this product may be the incentive
to go out and make it happen. With this
product added on, you get the ability to
have pressurized water from the barrel and
it’s powered by solar power. Now that’s
good thinking!
A rain barrel helps to capture fresh water
as it runs off your roof, which is stored
in the barrel. Saving rain water helps to
conserve our precious water resources and can provide plants the
water they really want. By installing the RainPerfect™ Pump, you
can run a low pressure sprinkler or hose to water plants or even
wash a car, making your rain barrel a more usable source of water.
MSRP is $149, but it can be found at Amazon.com for around $100.
MakedoKids love to build and create from
their own imagination. With
Makedo, they can transform
reclaimed items such as boxes,
coff ee containers or just about
anything made from cardboard
or plastic to create their own
custom designs.
Each Makedo kit includes a
safe-saw for cutting and punching through materials safely;
reusable clips and lock-hinges for connecting. Several kits are
available from the basic set of connectors to Find & Make
projects that guide kids to make a robot, fl owers, plane or car.
Th emed stickers and ideas included.
Makedo gets kids on the fl oor making stuff with their hands for
unstructured play time. Th e beauty of this toy is that they can take
their creation apart and use the connectors to make an entirely
new design. Invented by an Australian dad who wanted to inspire
imagination and allow kids to create freely without restriction.
Th is is an aff ordable toy and so it
makes a terrifi c gift idea.
Kits can be found at
Amazon.com and
most retail for
between $15 and
$25 but can be
purchased for less.
T3 Source Shower HeadsOur skin is our largest organ and it absorbs
everything that touches it. So while using
non-toxic body cleaners and shampoos to
avoid absorbing sodium lauryl sulfate, parabens,
phthalates and others, don’t forget about the
chlorine present in household water.
By removing the chlorine, skin will be softer
and hair will be less frizzy with more shine
and body – not to mention the health benefi ts of reducing
exposure to chlorine.
Th rough a chemical fi ltration process known as “Redox,” the
T3 Source Shower Filter Showerhead transforms chlorine into
harmless elements that are too large to be absorbed by hair and
skin. Th eir patented technology uses copper, zinc and calcium to
convert and remove free-chlorine. Tourmaline produces negative
ions to improve fi ltration and balance the pH of water.
Other features include eight spray settings, fi lter and 2-yr warranty.
Its max fl ow is 2.5 gallons per minute, max water pressure is 80
pounds per square inch and the fi lter lasts for about six months.
Buy a traditional shower head for $130, hand-held for $150
or an in-line fi lter to use with an existing shower head for $70.
Purchase at ShopT3micro.com.
Red Apple LipstickWhen you apply lipstick and it disappears, where does it go? You
probably don’t think about it much, but in a year’s time how much
lipstick and lip gloss do you think you’ve licked off and eaten?
Just like other traditional cosmetics, lipstick contains ingredients
you might not choose to eat. Th e Red Apple Lipstick company
has a full line of lipsticks and glosses in a range of colors to
satisfy most women – all without the stuff you don’t want to eat.
Th eir products contain NO parabens, NO gluten, NO lead, NO
soy and NO animal byproducts. Th ey enrich their products with
Vitamin E for silky smooth kissable lips.
Lipsticks start at $17.50 and can be ordered on their website.
Th ey off er a 100% satisfaction guarantee, too. Redapplelipstick.com
GoodLivingSpring Edition 2013 15
people
READY FOR LIFEby THAIS MILLER
Since age eleven, Andrea has been part of the foster care system.
A self-described “runner,” she exhibited the classic runaway
behavior that plagues a high percentage of foster home children.
Dropping out of school at age fi fteen and caring for a young
daughter by age seventeen, she was preparing to “age-out” of
the system with no clear view of how to survive on her own.
Enter Ready for Life, a St. Petersburg based organization that
focuses on helping young adults in foster care transition to
leading their own lives once they have turned eighteen. In
the fi ve years they have been in existence, they are certainly
making a diff erence; just ask Andrea. Now a college student
who is preparing to get her AA at SPC before transferring to
University of Florida for a degree in social work, Andrea also
works part-time at Ready for Life and participates in many
of the activities. One of her proudest achievements is helping
to get the Quality Parenting for Children in Foster Care Act,
or Normalcy Act, passed in March of this year. Because of her
tireless commitment, kids in foster care will soon be able to
spend the night out, go to their proms, and get driver’s licenses,
something that was not an option before.
Ready for Life is responsible for the connections youths need
to transition into adulthood and become self-suffi cient. Youth
Development Director, Dama Kelly, described a story of Andrea
helping a program participant fi gure out how to get to the
hospital and what to do once there. “Some of these kids don’t
know how to change an air fi lter. Th ese are the little day-to-day
things that no one showed them how to do. We help with that.”
Th ey also help in promoting education; in fi ve years they have
raised the rate of aged-out youths working towards a high-school
diploma, G.E.D., vocational training or community college from
50 to 82 percent. Th e Ready for Life program exists only on
grants and donations; they have no government funding.
Th ey partner with several bay area organizations to fundraise, so
do your part to thank them for all they do. Th ursday, May 9th
they will be holding a fundraiser with the Putnam County
Spelling Bee for a “Night in the Park” event. For information and
tickets, visit the readyforlifeyouth.com and see for yourself all the
wonderful things that they do for the foster care community.
When you go to the show, be sure to say hello to Andrea, a
testament to what not giving up on our community’s youths
can mean for their future.
Help out these local organizationsand be one of the Good People who work on
behalf of children in our community.
If you are in need of a good dose of HOPE,call the Homeless Emergency Project and ask what
supplies you can bring by to supplement their food pantry.You will be blessed by the experience!
Call George Garcia at the High Point YMCA and volunteer to tutor young people.
Collect diapers for Kids Charity of Tampa Bay,an organization that cares for children who’ve been removed
from unsafe situations.
Or call Kathy Mize Plummer at Ready for Lifeto fi nd out how you can help foster children
who are aging out of foster care.
There is much to be done!And it is a continuing process.
The Lokey family of employees continues to learn about the amazing work being done in our community.
This Spring we are building another Habitat for Humanity house in the Stevens Creek neighborhood of Clearwater. Consider this an invitation if you are looking for a tangible
investment of your time and efforts.In May, a family will move into the house
shown in this photo – and it will become a home.
The Lokey Charities 4th Annual Golf Classicis May 3rd at the Belleair Country Club.
All proceeds support our mission to help children and youth reach their full potential by providing for basic needs such as food, shelter, access to medical care and positive mentoring.
There are still opportunities for sponsorships,golfers and prize contributions.
To learn more, go to LokeyCharities.com
When doing good, the motto“The more, the merrier!” defi nitely applies!
GoodLivingSpring Edition 201316
parenting
Most families are dealing with the invisible addiction –
electronic stimulation.
Th e signs of this new era addiction are apparent in many
forms – from bullying, ADHD, failing grades, anger,
depression, and most importantly, lack of face time or
quality time together.
Families and schools are quick to diagnose these symptoms
as normal adolescent behaviors or “kids being kids.” If it worsens,
children may get diagnosed as ADHD, depressed, anxious, and
quickly prescribed medications or kicked out of school.
Now, more and more scientists and behavior experts are making
the connections with these behaviors and our electronic world.
While many just see these technology choices as the new way
of life, research now shows young adolescents suff er serious
long-term complications in brain development and behavior.
In fact, brain scans of internet addicts and video game addicts
look like those of drug and alcohol addicts.
Th e culprit is a neurotransmitter called dopamine; involved
in reward, memory, behavior and cognition, attention, mood,
sleep and learning.
While we need dopamine to support healthy executive function
skills, these new technologies trigger a pace our bodies just
can’t absorb. A new dose of dopamine is “rewarded” to our
brain every time we receive a new text message, obtain a higher
level in a game, or even do an internet search. Th e more time
on-line, the more rewards, the more the brain shows signs
of shrinkage in the critical area responsible for our executive
functioning skills (see side bar).
Are You Struggling To Get Your Kids Off the Computer, Smartphone or Gaming?
You are not alone .by JULI STEINOCHER, LMHC, LMT, CPT
Th is invisible addiction is literally shrinking the part of our brain
responsible for most behaviors we label as necessary for our success.
Th e news is covered with stories of the lack of STEM (science,
tech, engineering and math) skills in our children, as well as
falling graduation rates in both high school and college.
Unfortunately, our children are just not developing the part of
the brain needed to be successful in these skill sets – at the time
of their life when critical brain development occurs.
A key part of the brain, the pre-frontal cortex, is actually being developed
from ages 11-20. Th e National Institute of Health suggests it’s a “use
it or lose it” process… if our children don’t work to create this part of
their brain, it may mean a lifetime of dysfunction.
A 2009 Kaiser Family Foundation Study of children ages 8-18
showed an average of 7:38 hours each day with media and screen
exposure. Time that used to be spent developing these executive
functions (i.e. reading) is not only lost but being replaced with
activities actually destroying this vital part of our brains.
It’s the technology version of the “perfect storm.”
Ages 11-20 The Key Ages for Developing Executi ve Functi on Skills
Thinking Skillsorganizati on • ti me management
working memory • planning
Behavior Skillsemoti onal control • sustained att enti on • task initi ati onfl exibility • goal directed persistence • response inhibiti on
parentingIf you’re a parent, mindbodylab has created a process to help.
i-CARE Model
I: Inform your family. Just as you’ve told your kids that
smoking causes cancer, they need to know what this is doing
to their brains. Inform your children’s friend’s parents too –
this will take a village to change these behaviors.
C: Connect their behaviors with their use of screens.
Monitor their behaviors before and after they use tech-
nology. Point out to them when you notice the connection.
A: Activities. Th ey’re spending 7+hours a day on technology
today; you have to fi nd new ways to use this time. Try
musical instruments (studies show positive brain develop-
ment for learning math and science). Play board games, get
outside, read, fi sh, camp, exercise, etc.
R: Rules for usage: less than 1 hour of TV on school
days and less than 30 minutes of screen time on weekends
balanced with outside play time. Shut down electronics one
hour before bed. Turn off TV when not in use. Screens must
be used in family areas only. Caution: consideration and
support is needed in developing rules for those with strong
screen addiction.
E: Evolve the mindbody to this age of electronics. Calming
adrenals, energizing the brain... see mindbodylab.com for a
full set of videos on how to evolve.
Juli Steinocher is founder of mindbodylab.com, a counseling center dedicated to treati ng the whole self. Educated, licensed and certi fi ed in a rare blend of approaches and techniques, Juli created the mindbodylab as a unique place connecti ng traditi onal therapy with modern and ancient approaches.
Her training in traditi onal counseling provides her a solid foundati on for one-on-one, couples and family therapy.
She off ers one-on-one counseling and group workshops with topics including women’s issues, weight, chronic pain/health conditi ons and fati gue.
Also go to mindbodylab.com to register for the April 27th workshop to prepare families for the Nati onal Screen Free Week (April 29 - May 5).
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parenting
Better Choices, Brighter LivesBy CHRISTY ZIGLAR
As parents, we all want our children to
live their best possible lives and reach
their true potential, but are we teaching
them the life skills and principles that
will ultimately allow them to thrive? In our
hectic and busy lives, how often do we take
the time to talk about our values and what’s
most important to us? Have we defi ned these things for ourselves?
Are we using everyday experiences as teachable moments or simply
rushing from one activity to the next? We all know that today’s
little people become tomorrow’s leaders, but what kind of leaders
will they become?
Given the fi nancial diffi culties of the last several years, we have
all witnessed fi rst-hand the diff erence making good choices in
life verses bad choices can make. It is my strong belief that the
ability to make good decisions at critical choice points in life is
one of the key diff erentiators between people who ultimately
reach their true potential and those who don’t.
I’ve also observed that the people who are the happiest, most content
and fulfi lled share similar qualities, including a positive attitude,
a sense of responsibility, resourcefulness, perseverance, respect for
others and a clear understanding and commitment to their goals.
How do we instill these traits in our own children?It starts with teaching our children to think beyond the moment
and to consider the consequences of their actions and attitudes.
Every decision we make has an end result and each choice impacts
the next. Talk to your children about setting goals (they can be fun,
short-term goals like a trip to the zoo or a longer-term goal like
learning to play an instrument or a new sport). Set some parameters
and give your children the opportunity to make age-appropriate
choices toward achieving their goals.
In our house, we use reward charts. When I catch my kids
making good choices or “shining bright,”
(sharing, being kind, putting away their things,
etc.) they receive star points. If they are making
poor choices, they lose stars. It’s been fun to
watch their progress as they’ve learned the
patience and self-control to wait for the bigger
reward instead of “cashing in” their star points
early for something smaller and less meaningful. It’s important
to create a relevant context for teaching the value of long-term
goals. Our kids need to understand how the choices we make
throughout the day directly impact our lives and the lives of
those around us.
Character is taught “doing life” together every day, and our kids will emulate what they observe in us.
parenting
Parenting Drop-In Clinic
Introducing Informative and Encouraging Monthly Sessions
for Moms sponsored by the coaches of 1 Minute Mommy.
See our website for the full year’s schedule.
April 29 Setting Limits with Children
May 21 Handling Anger – Our Children/ Ourselves
June 20 Effective and Ineffective Listening
Sessions are 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. in the community room at
Pre-registration required at 1minutemommy.com
or by sending an email to [email protected].
One of the hardest parts of being the grownup is having the discipline
to enforce the consequences of our children’s actions; especially
when less-than-ideal choices have been made and our kids are not
pleased with the result. Th ough diffi cult, I think this is critical.
As parents, we have to be consistent. None of us like to see our child
struggle or suff er, but denying our children their every “want” and
even allowing them to fail or simply “miss out” from time to time lets
them learn from their mistakes and helps build character. Learning
to work hard at something to overcome challenges develops
perseverance. Isn’t it better to learn these hard life lessons as a child
when the consequences are relatively mild?
To quote my uncle, Zig Ziglar, “the chief cause of failure and
unhappiness is trading what you want the most for what you want
now.” If we haven’t determined what we want the most, it’s easy
to get distracted by the dozens of temptations we face every day.
In our instant-gratification world and with our consumptive
lifestyles, convincing our children of the benefits of delayed
gratification is a challenge. The more we have conversations
about specifi c goals and what’s really important, the more we
encourage our kids to shine their brightest!
We’ve all heard many times that ‘actions speak louder than words’
and this is never truer than in parenting. Character is taught
“doing life” together every day, and our kids will emulate what
they observe in us. Let’s all be more purposeful and proactive so
instead of making choices that are merely “good enough,” we’ll
make choices that are GREAT! Let’s commit to saying ‘no’ to
distractions and focus more of our resources on the things in life
that are truly important. Together we’ll build a brighter world.
Choose Right. Shine Bright.
ABOUT THE AUTHORChristy Ziglar is an author, mother of twins, a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER ™ professional and the niece of legendary moti vator, Zig Ziglar. Can’t-Wait Willow!, released by Ideals Children’s Books, is the fi rst book in the new Shine Bright Kids picture book series that teaches the importance of making good choices. For more info, free reward charts and additi onal parenti ng resources, visit AlwaysShineBright.com
GoodLivingSpring Edition 201322 GoodLivingSpring Edition 201322
parenting
MAGIC FOR KIDSAsk, Are YOU Feeling Hungry?
Or is Your TUMMY Hungry?By AVA PARNASS
Looking for a magical way to help your child eat healthier or weigh less? I have one magic trick for getting kids eating and living healthier, and that is, drum roll please….. Prevention and Intervention.
It is a surprise to most parents that their kids’ feelings get hungry,
too, not just their tummies.
Kids’ day-to-day upsets and unexpressed feelings can lead to over-
eating, but food can never truly satisfy emotional hunger. Here are
some thoughts on how to get to the root of the problem.
Since most kids are not adept at identifying or expressing their
feelings in language - only in outward behavior - they need to
learn how to eff ectively express what’s wrong. Th e more parents
learn to recognize children’s behavior as “disguised feelings” and
bring those buried feelings to awareness, the more improvement
will occur in the overeating behavior. Your kids may already be
giving you clues about what upsets them, most of which have
nothing to do with food at all.
You can help your child recognize this Food-Mood Connection
by teaching them the diff erence between physical and emotional
hunger. We teach our children to walk, talk and read. If in addition
to those skills we also show them how to recognize and fully
express their underlying feelings, they won’t need to medicate
their emotional needs with food.
If you notice your child is overweight or overeats frequently, here
are fi ve areas to consider in a Food-Mood Makeover.
P.L.E.A.S.E.P is for Play
Play together more, including role-playing and imaginative games.
L is for Love
Spend more quality time together. Children may appear to
tolerate a parent who is unavailable, overworked or distracted,
but they often medicate those diffi cult feelings with food.
E is for Emotions
Educate yourself and your family by consulting with an expert on
hidden feelings. Th ere are many resources and activities that can
help improve emotional literacy. Remember, healthy feelings lead
to healthy eating.
A is for Activity
Be more active every day, increasing the amount of exercise your
child gets.
S is for Silence
Listen more, talk less, pay attention to your child’s clues, and be
in the moment. When you speak, keep it positive by demonstrating
new skills instead of resorting to punishment and control.
E is for Eat Healthy
Weight Watchers and Overeaters Anonymous are great places to
start learning healthy eating habits.
The Food-Mood Makeover:
Improving Your ResponsesHere is a typical parent-child conversation and some alternative
responses for the parent. How we respond can make all the diff erence
and help us get to the root of what is going on with the child.
Child: “Mom, can I have a snack?”
Parents’ Old Responses: “No, you just had one.” “Enough already!”“Your clothes are already too tight.” “Your tummy’s getting big.”“I said NO, stop eating!”
Parents’ New Response: “I notice that you’re really hungry and asking for a lot of snacks lately. I think your feelings are hungry, not your tummy. Is something bothering you? What’s on your mind?
Child: “Th at’s crazy! Nothing is bothering me, I’m just HUNGRY!”
Parent: “I know it’s hard to tell the diff erence between a hungry tummy and hungry feelings, but we’re going to start a new routine in our family. So, is there something you really need? Maybe more hugs, or spending more time together? Did your feelings get hurt today? Did a teacher or a friend say something that upset you?”
Child: “No, nothing’s wrong, nothing happened! I want a snack now… I’m starving!”
Parent: “Okay, in a little while. But let’s try something new fi rst.”
At this point, give your child some choices as to what might
be wrong, or what they might be feeling. Most emotional upsets
result from a series of events.
GoodLivingSpring Edition 2013 23GoodLivingSpring Edition 2013 23
parentingFood-Mood ConnectionEven if introducing the idea of the Food-Mood Connection is as
far as you get at fi rst, at least you’ve started the conversation about
the relationship between perceived hunger and emotional states
such as sadness, hurt, anger, disappointment, frustration and fear.
Children always need to be given choices of possible feelings to
help them learn to identify them. It’s like learning to read - no one
learns a complex skill overnight. So practice and patience are key.
Treating Obesity and Overeating Using
Emotional Intelligence TechniquesTh e idea is more talking about feelings.
Most parents think they can have it all, and do it all well.
However, the rise in childhood obesity and the troubling psychi-
atric statistics demonstrate that our kids are suff ering because
their emotional needs are not being met. Th ey often turn to
acting out and/or medicating their feelings with food.
While it’s true that kids have too much fast food, too much
homework and not enough recess or physical activity, these
problems cannot be solved without dealing with the underlying
emotional issues.
Once a baby or young child (or an adult) gets in the habit of
eating because they don’t know how they feel, or to hide their
emotions, they have made the food-mood connection. Th e eating
just covers up how the child really feels about his or her life,
relationships, activities, friends, school and more.
Parents with overweight children need to learn what to do diff erently.
Chances are if your child is overweight, you tend to parent with
some of the following ways:
• Over-controlling
• Bossy
• Strict
• Rigid
• Very lenient and easy going, but overly concerned about
others feelings
Parents should seek a happy medium with every type of
parenting. Note to parents: You won’t think you are doing any
of the above, but please try to understand the connection and
impact your parenting has on your child’s weight so you can
change things. If your child is overweight:
• Chances are you argue about food, talk a lot about food,
and control food and behavior. Th ose actions, in addition to
not processing feelings, contribute to eating issues.
• Chances are you expect your children to be too well behaved
and have more empathy for others’ point of view/feelings, as
opposed to empathy for yourself and for what your child is
going through (both are needed and your child’s feelings
come fi rst).
• Chances are you as parents are overwhelmed, depressed
or anxious and need help. You probably had a diffi cult childhood,
but think it was great. Or if you know it wasn’t great, you
probably think your parents did the best they could.
• Chances are you expect too much from your children
and the only way they misbehave is by overeating.
• Chances are you turned your child into “helper helpy pants,”
helping others more than themselves; there needs to be a balance.
• Chances are in your adult family there are food, drug,
alcohol, weight, anxiety or depression issues. Th at is a sign
that learning to process feelings was not a part of your childhood.
• Chances are you have trouble meeting your own emotional
needs, so you have trouble understanding and meeting your
child’s emotional needs. And because we can’t teach what
we have not learned your children won’t know how to meet
their needs. Th e result is that they medicate their feelings
with food.
Ava Parnass, a.k.a. “The Kid Whisperer,” is an author, songwriter and child therapist. Ms. Parnass helps kids fi gure out how they feel through playing, talking, listening, reading, singing and dancing. Her multi -media materials, books and songs encourage parents and kids to be more aware of feelings. Her book, My Feelings Are Hungry is available at Amazon.com. Ms. Parnass also has a sub-specialty in the connecti on between “Emoti onal Intelligence” i.e. Time-In parenti ng and childhood obesity. Parents use her materials to discover and practi ce techniques of “Preventi on, Not Interventi on!
To fi nd out more about How to become a Behavior and Feelings Detecti ve, Feeling Map Town and the soon-to-be-released book, Time in Not Time Out, go to listentomeplease.com.
GoodLivingSpring Edition 201324
parenting
PLAY THERAPY:PLAY THERAPY:More Than Just Fun! More Than Just Fun! By DOLORES MORTIMER
“To read the language of play is to read the hearts and minds of children.” – Ruth Hartley
“My preschooler is being dismissed from his second daycare provider because he can’t get along with the other children.” “My child is angry all the time and I don’t know why.” “My daughter is a perfec-tionist. If she can’t do something right the fi rst time, she doesn’t even try.” “My son used to like school. Now it is a big fi ght to get him up in the morning to go. He is very clingy and I don’t know why.” Th e
big question is “Does my child need help? If so, what kind of help do I seek? I don’t even know where to begin?”
Raising children is more challenging than ever. Th ere are so many
infl uences on the way our children respond and adapt to their
world. Ever changing family dynamics, school demands, peer
pressure, media manipulation, the daily news and even the video
games they are playing have some bearing on the way our children
perceive, decipher and react to their everyday experiences. Often
it is diffi cult to make sense of our child’s behavior. Th ere is help
available and it is fun! It’s called play therapy.
Play therapy is more than just fun. It’s therapeutic. Adults use
words to express themselves; children use the language of play.
Play is vital in the development of the child. Th rough play
children learn problem solving skills, communication strategies,
social competence, confl ict management skills, and emotional
expression and regulation. Play therapy is a unique method of
counseling children on their developmental level. Play therapy is
highly eff ective for children 3 to 11 years old who may manifest
behavior problems, emotional diffi culties, mental health issues
(such as post-traumatic stress), ADHD, depression, Asperger’s
syndrome, anxiety or any number of conditions.
Play therapy builds on the natural way children learn about them-
selves, their relationships and their world. Trained play therapists
help aid the process by providing a safe place and facilitating the
expression of thoughts, feelings and experiences through the toys
and special materials in the playroom. Play therapy promotes
cognitive growth, resolves inner confl ict or faulty thinking patterns,
and provides insight for the child and therapist to enter into the
healing process.
Parents and caregivers are a huge part of the process. Parents are
guided in ways to help their child. Positive discipline techniques
are provided as well as helpful hints on encouraging communica-
tion skills and restorative play techniques. Play therapy empowers
children and families to work together to resolve challenges that
eff ect the whole family.
Finding a good play therapist is key. Registered Play Th erapists are
licensed mental health professionals with extra training, experience,
and supervision specifi cally in children’s developmental issues. Th ey
hold a minimum of a master’s degree in mental health, counseling
or psychology. For more specifi c information, go to the Association
for Play Th erapy website at a4pt.org. You may learn more about the
integrity and benefi ts of play therapy by viewing short videos and
reading informative articles.
Dolores Morti mer is Director House of Mercy & Encouragement, a 501(c)(3) non-profi t organizati on providing mental health and educati onal services to children and their families that encourage caring, compassion and a sense of well being in a welcoming and comfortable environment. It is located in Dunedin. She is also a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (#5480), Registered Play Thera-pist/Supervisor and Nati onal Certi fi ed Counselor.
GoodLivingSpring Edition 201326
eatinga comeback. Container gardening is an option if you live
in a condo or apartment and have a sunny balcony. More
community gardens are popping up, too, so dig in and
plant a small plot and make some new friends. If none of
the above is doable, fi nd a local Food Co-op that serves
your area and order your fresh 10% from them.
EAT LOCAL PRODUCE:Be GOOD to Your Body and the Eart h! Special to GoodLiving by RICK BLOUIN, Co-Vice President of the Suncoast Co-op
I watch the evening news and think, what have we done to ourselves? Many of us have fallen into the same trap each
week: we go to work, come home, eat a processed dinner and
then sit on the couch to watch TV. Hopefully you are eating
and living a healthy lifestyle, but if not there are resources to
help you to get healthy. How do you start?
Review Your Current Habits By Making a List
• Do you eat fresh fruits and vegetables? Remember that
seasonal is always freshest and local is better. Also fi nd
organic if possible.
• Do you read the labels at the market? Most of the ingredients in
packaged and processed foods are confusing so start by
learning the basics.
• Are you exercising? Get out and exercise by taking a walk
after dinner.
• Where are you shopping? Try to change to local resources like
Farmer’s Markets, Co-ops and Buying clubs.
• Check with your Doctor before making any decisions for a
weight loss program.
Kids can and will eat healthier food. Yet many parents deal
with children who say, “I don’t like that,” to just about anything
healthy. So how can you change that attitude?
• Get creative to make food interesting.
• Involve them in the food process.
• Let them make the menu (but you decide the ingredients).
• Take them grocery shopping and ask them to identify the
fruits and vegetables.
• Ask them how produce can fi t into a menu.
• Realize that some produce is most defi nitely an adult
acquired taste.
• Get back into the kitchen because not all meals require
hours of preparation.
• Teach them to prepare food with you.
One other thing you can do is choose to join the 10% movement.
What is that you ask? Th e 10% movement is getting back
to basics by moving 10% of your diet to locally grown fruit,
vegetables and protein. Depending on your age, your parents
or grandparents probably had a garden in the yard somewhere.
Growing some of your own food is a good start to help you move
toward that 10%. Remember Victory Gardens? Th ey are making
Co-ops like the Suncoast Co-op
have a unique purpose and niche in
the food industry. Th ey are providing
local backyard gardeners and small
urban farmers an outlet to sell their
surplus produce and cottage industry
products. All growers are inspected
by the Co-op to ensure they are using organic growing
principles and staying away from the use of chemical
pesticides. Buyers typically shop online and their produce
gets delivered. Th e Co-ops also provide training classes
for those who want to garden but need a bit of assistance
to get it going and be successful. Th ey even have a page
on Facebook where members share current information
about food, gardening, events and health issues, all of
which provide continuing education and encouragement
for eating healthy and eating local.
Rick Blouin is the Co-Vice President of the Suncoast
Co-Op, serving the west Pasco and north Pinellas areas.
Find them at SuncoastCo-op.com and on Facebook.
Other Local Co-opsSt. Pete Locally Grown is an online green market that
serves the St. Petersburg area. Nathan and Tina Levy are
co-market managers, and off er a variety of local produce and
other healthy products including skin care products, spices,
eggs and honey. None of the growers use synthetic fertilizers
or pesticides. Th e online market opens Monday at 5 p.m.
and closes on Wednesday at noon. Th e products are deliv-
ered mid-morning on Friday. Th ere is a $35 membership fee
per family to order online from the market.
StPete.LocallyGrown.net
Th e Dunedin Harvest Food & Garden Co-op was
founded by Bree Cheatham in 2009. Her goal is to help
make Dunedin a sustainable community where the
citizens of Dunedin are able to produce, supply and buy
organic food and plants, grown and prepared in Dunedin
and the surrounding areas. Also off ered are healthy living
and organic gardening consultation.
Dunedinharvest.com
eatingShowcase Your Spring Harvestby CHRISTY WATERHOUSE
Spring vegetables evoke the words “green” & “fresh” and include
artichokes, asparagus, Brussels sprouts, green onions, peas, beans,
pea pods, carrots, herbs, lettuce, chard, kale and spinach.
So what do you do with spring vegetables? Showcase them! First
determine if they can be served fresh, without cooking, then
wash and display the beautiful harvest in a salad. Bring lettuce
and delicate spring greens together in a chopped salad with other
raw vegetables.
If cooking is desired for the vegetables, decide on a cooking
method that preserves the word “fresh” and don’t overcook.
Steaming: lightly steam or simmer and then plunge into an
ice bath to retain crispness. Drain well. Good for peas, pea pods,
beans, and asparagus (cook 2-3 minutes). Brussels sprouts can
cook about 8-10 minutes so they are more tender. Serve vegetables
in a bowl or platter. Leave them plain with simple salt and
pepper, or drizzle a little olive oil and fi nish with fresh lemon.
Butter or a cream sauce (just a little) can also be added. For
babies, serve plain and puree to age appropriate consistency.
Roasting: oven roast carrots, green beans, asparagus, and
Brussels sprouts that have been tossed with olive oil and herbs.
General rule of thumb is 20-30 minutes in a 375 degree oven.
Toddlers tend to love foods with more depth of fl avor, so
roasting is a good option. Babies will also love the puree you
prepare for them.
Spring soups: boil potatoes, carrots and Brussels sprouts in broth
of choice for 20 minutes. Before removing from heat, stir in chopped
spring greens, fresh herbs, peas, and onion. Season as desired.
Remember to include your spring vegetables in quiches, omelets,
and stirred into pasta and rice dishes.
Christy Waterhouse, “Th ee Baby
Lady,” is an author, baby professional,
and postpartum doula with 33 years
experience. She holds healthy eating
classes and events for babies, toddlers
and their moms, and is the author
of Z Is for Zucchini, a Baby Foods Memory Book. She can be reached at
Th [email protected] or fi nd her
on Facebook as Th ee Baby Lady.
Treasure-seeking explorers called it Mar Pequeña, the “small sea.”
After being battered by its storms in 1528, Pánfi lo de Narvárez
sought refuge in a large bay he gratefully called “Bahia de Santa
Cruz” or Bay of the Sacred Cross – now Tampa Bay.
Nearly 500 years later, the Gulf of Mexico and the hundreds of
bays, rivers and inlets that surround it still dazzle us with riches.
Maybe the only gold that we fi nd now is a spectacular sunset
that fl ashes colors as rich as any chest of jewels.
Today’s Gulf of Mexico is a treasure that those early explorers
could hardly imagine; it accounts for 55% of U.S. crude oil
production, 52% of natural gas production, and 48% of refi nery
capacity. But BP’s Deepwater Horizon explosion and oil spill
shows us that the price for obtaining those riches still can be
unimaginably high.
In fact, the real cost of modern treasure-seeking may not be
known for years, or even generations. Why? Because the Gulf
not only powers our cars, it also feeds us on a breathtaking scale.
Most US wetlands and sea grass, and all of its mangroves, are
found in the Gulf, especially in Florida. Because 95% of all
commercially and recreationally important fi nfi sh and shellfi sh
depend on that habitat for some part of their life cycle, the Gulf
is a crucial food source. And while Gulf Coast estuaries make up
only 24% of all US estuaries by area, they are amazingly produc-
tive. Th e Gulf accounts for 85% of all shrimp, 60% of all oysters,
and 50% of recreational fi shing catch in the US. At over 1.3
billion pounds of annual seafood production, the Gulf produces
more fi nfi sh, shrimp and shellfi sh than the rest of the south,
mid-Atlantic, Chesapeake and New England regions, combined.
Treasure the Small SeaBy LUCINDA JOHNSTON
In the face of encroaching development, greater demand for the
oil and gas under the Gulf ’s sea fl oor, and more effi cient but
damaging fi shing and shellfi sh harvesting methods, the abun-
dance of this important food source may not be sustainable for
much longer. According to many experts, Bluefi n Tuna, Atlantic
Cod, and various snappers and groupers may be extinct or criti-
cally diminished to a point from which they cannot recover in
the foreseeable future. But, despite these dire predictions, with
easily-managed behavior changes, this potentially catastrophic
problem can be solved.
So What Can We All Do to Preserve this Treasure? Prevent runoff . Use plants or permeable materials along water-
ways to prevent runoff into rivers, creeks or canals. It all runs into
the Gulf sooner or later, carrying whatever chemicals and debris
are on the surface.
Minimize use of pesticides and fertilizers. Many chemicals
and fertilizers promote algae growth and may contribute to the
dreaded “red tide” that kills fi sh and pollutes our beaches.
Reduce plastic. A Florida beach
clean-up produced 180 tons of
garbage – 60% of it plastic. Plastic
bags are especially lethal for wild-
life, since sea turtles, birds and fi sh
mistake them for jellyfi sh and can
ingest them.
photos from chart411.com
Dispose of hazardous materials properly. Don’t dump
hazardous waste or chemicals down the drain or into storm
sewers; it will wash directly into the Bay and Gulf.
Be a clean boater. Be careful when fueling, cleaning, or
servicing your boat. Avoid fuel spills or any cleaners not
approved by the Coast Guard for on-water use. Carry your
trash off the boat, and don’t discharge waste into the water.
Watch where you’re going. Don’t drive boats in shallow
water or through sea grass beds. Propellers damage these
fragile ecosystems and can destroy important habitat.
Eat sustainable seafood. Check out whether the fi sh on the
menu is caught or raised in a sustainable way.
Reduce personal dependence on oil. Walk, bike, or ride
public transport whenever possible.
Take only pictures. Never pick up live shells, sand dollars,
crabs, or other beach creatures. Th ey are living animals that die
a horrible death when stored on the hotel window sill. Besides,
they’ll stink to high heaven before you can get them home!
If a lot of people make a few changes, that produces a big
change! Check out these other sources for what you can
do to protect the Gulf.
Chart 411chart411.com
Mote Marine Laboratorymote.org
National Oceanographic and
Atmospheric Administrationnoaa.gov/ocean.html
For sustainable seafoodguyharvey.com/seafood-guide montereybayaquarium.org/cr/seafoodwatch.aspx
Author:Lucinda L. Johnston, Executi ve Director, Chart 411.Contact the author at [email protected].
Like us on Facebookfacebook.com/Chart411
Visit our websitechart411.com
GoodLivingSpring Edition 201330
The Good Samaritan:Prot ector, Preacher, TeacherFollowing the recent passing of my father, I have spent
several weeks refl ecting on how much he infl uenced
me and shaped me as a person and Servant Leader. It is
because of his infl uence that I have dedicated my life to
community service and championing change in Pinellas
County. My story is not unique, but the source of the
inspiration, Ray Nelson Griffi n, was one of a kind.
I have always been a Daddy’s girl. I was one of three children and
we all loved and idolized our father. Family meant everything
to Dad. He made millions in his lifetime and invested it into
the “best stock,” on the market, his family. His children, Lisa
Yvonne Griffi n, Jackie Sue Griffi n and Jonathan Ray Griffi n –
were his prized possessions.
Daddy taught me daily what it means to be a steward and
Good Samaritan in the community. And he provided me with
the best leadership training on the planet. He was a natural
Servant Leader and was constantly demonstrating random acts
of kindness, embracing our world with unconditional love and
forgiveness. It was also in his blood to give generously in his
service to others.
Th rough the years, Daddy opened his home as place of refuge to several
of my brother’s friends. He provided jobs, rides and even gas money to
those in need. As such, my father raised me to be empathetic, generous,
faithful and a good listener. Th ese gifts, his leadership example and
the work ethic my father instilled in me led me to accept a job at
Operation PAR, a credible non-profi t organization providing
behavioral healthcare services including prevention, research and
treatment for individuals and families struggling with the disease
of addiction, and then to LiveFree! Substance Abuse Prevention
Coalition of Pinellas County where I am currently the Executive
Director. In my work I strive to achieve that excellent standard he
set every day during his 73 years of living.
My Daddy was known for his love for preaching the gospel, family
and friends, storytelling, country music, Alabama Crimson Tide
SEC football and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He was a brick mason
and an amazing artist. He could visualize and build new creations
without blueprints or architectural drawings. His masonry work
spans the hills of Alabama and throughout Florida’s coastal and rural
communities as homes, businesses, churches and restaurants.
I, too, am able to visualize change and devise a plan to reach it. As
an individual with 17 years recovery, I
understand fi rsthand the need to change
people, places and things to ensure a
better lifestyle for myself and my son,
Devon Tyler Konyha. I also understand
that each individual’s recovery process
is unique and that when it comes to
prevention, intervention or treatment
that “one size does not fi t all.” Th at is why
I work so hard to develop alternatives for
treatment, therapy and support.
On a daily basis, I am motivated by
both my father and amazing everyday
champions and their miraculous stories of perseverance and success
against all odds. Additional motivators include optimistic-minded
people, dedicated community leaders, vibrant community involve-
ment and community fellowship. Much like my father, I surround
myself with good people and good football.
Daddy didn’t mind getting his hands dirty and doing whatever
it took to get the job done. He was relentless with his work ethic
and challenged others in his company to keep the same pace.
I strive to do the same. I will continue “getting my hands dirty”
while teaching others to fi nd inner strength and garner the
understanding that when it comes to behavioral health care
and wellness services, there are many options to explore.
I believe it is never too late to build a new tomorrow until we
no longer have that tomorrow. I will always strive to make him
proud, both as a parent and through my work in the community.
It is because of him, the lessons he taught me and the example
he set that I will work so hard to make sure my community is a
better place and focus on the positive.
Jackie Griffi n is Executi ve Director of the LiveFree! Substance Abuse Preventi on Coaliti on of Pinellas County and Vice President of Development at Operati on PAR, Inc. She holds 18 years experience in grant and business development, advocacy, sustainability and coaliti on leadership.
jgriffi [email protected] | 813-503-5658 | pinellascoaliti [email protected] | livefreeblog.org | facebook.com/livefreeFL
PHOTO CAPTIONS(top) Jackie Sue Griffi n with her son Devon Tyler Konyha.
(middle) A childhood picture of Jackie Sue as a baby with her mom, Jessie Yvonne Griffi n, her father Ray Nelson Griffi n and her older sister Lisa Yvonne.
MY STORYby JACKIE SUE GRIFFIN, MS
Remembering Ray Nelson Griffi nMarch 6, 1940 - March 7, 2013
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