pets & family magazine vol.1 no.1

TIPS ON GOOD TABLEMANNERSERICA DENIZ GUTIERREZHEALTH &FITNESS

FREE

FamilyMAGAZINE

MEETArsenalPET OF THEMONTH

OCTAVIO SÁENZVALLEY NEWSMAN

MARCH 2012

4 Pet of the Month6 Bad Manners at the Table = Unsuitable Dinner Guest8 The Benefits of Pet Adoptions for Young Children10 Health & Fitness with Erica Deniz Gutierrez12 13 Octavio Saenz | Why He's The [news:family:honorable] Man16 Making Fashion A Practice (by Maria Antonia Palacios)20 Top 5 Most Anticipated Family Movies of 2012

TABLE OF CONTENT

[email protected]://facebook.com/petsandfamily

March 2012Vol. 1, No. 1

OUR MISSION:Pets & Family Magazine was

created primarily to serve thefamilies of the Rio Grande

Valley of South Texas.

Within these pages you will find articles of general interest to a modern day lovingfamily with a wide range of topics such as; sensible fashion tips, parenting advice,health and fitness, and suggestions for wholesome entertainment for the entire family.

All businesses featured in this magazine (in featurearticles or in paidadvertisements) are fully aware of, and fully support, the primary goal of thispublication.

Pets & Family Magazine is printed in the United States of America. ©(Name of Company 2012). Some ofthe articles featured in this magazine were submitted by individuals under independent freelance termsand conditions. Ideas and opinions offered by such individuals may not necessarily reflect those of theofficial managerial, editorial and/or production staff of Pets & Family Magazine.

Pets & Family Magazine www.mypetsandfamily.com | [email protected]

Arsenal14 Month Old BoxerOwned by Juan Campos

Meet Arsenal, a 14 monthold boxer. Like mostboxers, Arsenal is a happy,playful, curious, highspirited and veryenergetic dog. We have toconfess that he is sometimes territorialand a bit naughty. He loves to play withhis parents, Manchester and Chelsea.Sometimes Arsenal forgets that he is abig dog and likes to cuddle and bepampered, as if he were still a puppy.

Owner, Juan Campos, provides Arsenal with the care andnutrition he needs for his physical and emotional health.He takes him to the veterinary every three months, feedshim organic food and devotes enough time to him, sothat he continues to grow as a strong and happy dog.

The Campos family tells us that he is very smart; he wasquickly housebroken, and is eager to learn new tricks.Arsenal enjoys going to the park, taking car rides andhas no problem sharing his toys with other family dogs.Arsenal, a boxer, is a perfect fit for the Campos family

and their lifestyle. If you are considering adopting orbuying a dog or other pet, please make sure that thetype of pet or breed you are considering is right for yourfamily and lifestyle; doing so, will ensure the happinessof you and your pet.

Do want your pet featured in our magazine? Posthis/her best photo on facebook.com/petsandfamilyand ask your friends to vote for your pet. Every votecounts. The pet with the most votes will appear in themagazine.

Pet of theMonthMarch 2012

jD

Manners are often somethingwe forget about when we are inthe comfort of our own home;however, we should remember that ourchildren are always listening to and mimickingus. Bad habits such as, stabbing food, holdingthe fork like a shovel, leaning elbows upon thetable, speaking with a mouthful of food,reaching across the table and playing with thefood and utensils, show a lack of respect andshould not be overlooked. It’s important toteach our children table manners so that theydo not feel intimidated when they’re in certainsocial situations.

BadManners at the Table =Unsuitable Dinner Guest

Here are a few tips for teachingyour childrengood table manners:

•Don’t sit until told where to sit.•Napkins should be neatly folded inlap until needed.•Don’t begin eating until the host does.•Butter knife belongs at the top of thebutter plate with the bladetoward the user.•Proper way to eat the irresistible poolof sauce left on your plate: Breakoff a small piece of bread or roll, spearit with a fork, and carefully soakup the sauce.•If you think something is stuck in yourteeth, excuse yourself andtake care of it in the restroom.•Do not interrupt while someone is speaking.•Show appreciation for the host,who has made a fine dinner.•If you need to leave the table,excuse yourself before going.•Wait until everyone has finishedeating before getting upfrom the table.

Bon appetit,

Madame OdetteEtiquette Instructor/Entertainment for Tea [email protected]


PET ADOPTIONFOR YOUNG

Children

Gerardo MorenoInternationally Certified Life Coach andHeal Your Life Teacher

Many familieshesitate when itcomes to adopting apet. They focus onlyon the responsibilityto care for it, but thetruth is that thebenefits are fargreater.When parents decide to incorporate a

pet to the family, it becomes an ideal

scenario to instill certain values in thier

children, which will remain with them for

life.

Encourage your children to be "your

accomplices" during the process of pet

training; children really enjoy feeling

included in the strategies proposed by the

parents.

Teaching your children how to train a

pet, will give you the perfect opportunity

to also explain to them about rules and

understanding core values, such as

respecingt other people and life as a

whole.

By doing this, they will more than likely

seek your approval and recognition as an

adult; therefore, it is essential for you as a

parent to reinforce positive feedback to

them.

Children have an infinite capacity to feel

compassion for animals and this will be

reflected in the empathy they’ll show

towards other people, especially children.

Having a pet gives them the opportunity

to develop non-verbal communication, as

they learn to communicate with the pet in

a unique way, 'reading' body language and

understanding the behavioral traits of their

pet. This will allow your children to

learn to communicate in non-verbal ways

themselves.

Physical contact is also a major

component of the child-pet relationship.

Through games and affection, your

children will reinforce their self-esteem

and feeling of individual security. Pets

always show unconditional love and

loyalty for their master and this gives

children a sense of always being accepted

and loved.

Remember to delegate responsibility

according to your child's age, and monitor

closely how they generate positive habits.

When acquiring a pet, always take into

consideration that it is a full-time and long

term commitment, along with the

wonderful and positive rewards it

entails. Talk it over as a family, and

involve all members in the household for

all must be part of the training and caring

of your pet. Give yourself the opportunity

to shower your children with love through

a pet!

[ ]


130 E. Caffery Ave., Pharr TX. 78577

956.475.3766

with Erica Deniz GutierrezHealth andFitness

Erica Deniz GutierrezCertified Personal Trainer(Photo by Che Ibarra Photography)

Did you know?Did you know carbohydrates are good for

you? They are a main source of fuel and

energy and should be a part of your daily

meals. Your brain needs carbs in order to

function and your muscles need them to

support any physical activity. Without

carbs in your system, you tend to be

slower and tired. Not having enough

carbohydrates in your system will force

your body to produce carbs from protein.

Your body needs protein to build up

muscles; you do not want that to be taken

away, so getting enough carbs throughout

the day is critical.

It’s very important to choose the right

type of carbs. Anything that is 100%

whole wheat, from bread to pastas, or

even brown rice is a good source of

healthy carbs. Oatmeal is another great

option; as long as, it is not from the sugar

packets that are heated up in the

microwave. Sweet potato is also good for

you. A nutritionist or dietician can help

you determine how much carbohydrates

you need in your diet.

Do not be afraid to eat carbs. Carbs are

not your enemy; they are your friend!

Making good choicesPicking up a breakfast taco at a gasoline

station, a breakfast combo at a fast food

place, or loading up on a breakfast buffet

at a restaurant, may seem like the best and

easiest thing to do, but you have better

options!

Here are some places where it’seasy to choose a healthybreakfast:Subway: Subway has egg-whitebreakfast sandwiches. I recommend the

black forest ham, egg and cheese

sandwich or the English muffin egg and

cheese sandwich. Request the order to be

light on the cheese.

Starbucks: Yes, Starbucks has breakfastand a healthy one too! I suggest the

spinach feta cage-free egg-white breakfast

wrap and of course, a coffee, preferably

black. If you do not drink black coffee,

order it with skim milk, and choose from

sugar free flavored syrups.

I Hop: You can order awesome, deliciousand best of all, healthy omelets at IHOP.

Simply ask them to make your omelet

with egg-whites and cook it with pam

spray. Healthy options for your add-ons

include turkey bacon, spinach,

mushrooms and cheese (very light). You

may also order harvest grain pancakes

with sugar free syrup, no butter.

Exercise 101How to do a basic lunge

correctly:

•Stand with your feet hip width apart.

•Take one big step forward

with your right leg.

•The heel of your back leg should be

lifted.

•Keeping your body straight, slowly

lower yourself until your front leg

reaches 90 degrees. Your knee from your

back leg should be heading towards the

floor, but do not touch the floor.

•Make sure your front knee does not

pass your toe.

•Then pressing from your front heel,

push yourself back up.

•Bring your right leg back to the starting

position and repeat with your left leg.

If you are a beginner, use your own

bodyweight and place your hands on your

hips. If you have very weak legs and have

trouble balancing, use a chair next to you,

but only hold on to it for support.

Once you gain strength, you can add a

dumbbell or a small weight plate on each

hand. Later you may change it up and use

either a barbell or a smith machine for

added weight.

Do you have questions about eating

healthy or certain exercises? Email me at

[email protected]


My gratitude goes out to the team of

people responsible for the magazine Pets

& Family. I thank you all for the kind

attention and the honor of allowing my

family to appear in what I believe is the

beginning of a publication that will be a

constant reminder that that which is most

important, that which fills the void we all

have often experienced is made whole

with the grace that God bestows on those

we love and call family.

For many, I am " the news guy" but you

would be surprised that being a news

broadcaster was the last thing on my

mind. But I am getting ahead ofmyself.

My first breath of life was taken in a

Brownsville hospital during a cold night

in February of 1973. My parents had

recently divorced and I was destined to be

raised by my mother and her parents.

They became two individuals that would

shape my life in more ways than one. My

grandmother, Lidia Maldonado de Rios

was a special education teacher who

founded a little school in Matamoros,

Tamaulipas that to this day bears her

namesake. My grandfather, Eulogio Rios

Gracia, was a California born field worker

of small stature that commanded the

utmost respect. A profound adorer of

nature he was happiest sitting on wooden

rocking chair in our porch as we

witnessed the rainfall. After all, he would

say, "Rain is real holy water. It comes

from heaven doesn't it?"

Fast forward a few years. It is the

second Saturday of the year 2012. My

morning monologue goes something like

this: "Where is your jacket? Don't step on

that book. Did you hit your sister? Did

you hit your brother? Stop hitting your

brother! You need to drink water right

now? ". And this is all takes place in the

garage just before loading my four

children (ages eleven, eight, six and two)

into the van for a quick run to the grocery

store. I jokingly tell my wife. "We should

have just bought a puppy.". Although the

house looks like it was hit by a small

hurricane and my night slumber is

constantly interrupted by the congested

chests, raspy coughs and night terrors that

plague the sleep of children I can look

around and say that I am in a God given

paradise and be thankful.

I have always said that one must not do

the things that makes us happy, but rather

do the things that bring us happiness.

When it comes to family, there is no room

for self-centeredness. And the path to

becoming a selfless individual begins with

commitment. The secret to a life of

happines is becoming a being of sharing.

All forms of ego based desires must be

shed for true fulfillment to take root. In a

world where not even a spouse escapes

the 30 day or your money back warranty,

marriages have turned into commodities

with a Monopoly like "Get out of Jail"

card that can be used as soon by the bearer

if any " uncomfortable" trials emerge.

You should expect everything from love

if, and only if, you expect to give

everything to love. For the nucleus of

society is not the family; it is the married

couple.

When my wife and I were in the courting

stage, we both went to The Basilica of

Our Lady of San Juan and placed all the

cards on the table (except for the "Get out

of Jail" card). We made a commitment to

each other. It was not a game. It was not

a conquest. It was not a charade. It was a

private ceremony of two people that had

developed strong feelings for each other

and were ready to develop those by

increasing our spiritual knowledge of each

other and always with God as our

mediator. When we exited the basilica

that day in September of 1995, a rainy and

sunny afternoon greeted us. It was to be a

promising omen.

Education is big deal in my family. We

cultivate in our kids a love for learning. A

big challenge for my wife and I was that

Octavio Saenz|WHY HE'S THE

MANnews:family:

honorable:


Pets & Family Magazine www.mypetsandfamily.com | [email protected] 13

both of us finished college degrees during

our married years. My wife, Janie,

finished a Bachelors of Interdisciplinary

studies from UTPA in 2003. She was

eight months pregnant when she walked

(actually it was more like waddling)

during her commencement. In 2011 , I

received my Masters in Business

Administration degree from UTPA. What

most people don't realize was that during

most of those seven years dedicated to my

MBA, I was working two jobs. My goal

to graduate debt free had its trials and

tribulations. I was working as a Fencing

instructor at UTPA in the morning and

news anchor at night. Those were tough

days. And still I managed to squeeze in

family time by studying either very early

in the day or very late in the evening. One

of the greatest satisfaction was being

exempt from two accounting classes after

passing the Financial Accounting CLEP

Exam. I actually crammed two semesters

worth ofmaterial in two weeks.

Since I was a young boy, I have been an

avid reader. I think books were a source

of untapped inspiration and guidance for

me. To learn of the affliction of both

fictitious nobility and historical icons

endowed me with a ceaseless source of

strength and a refuge from the plights that

may torment the mind of a young child.

James Allen wrote in his classic book As a

Man Thinketh that a man "is literally what

he thinks, his character being the complete

sum of all his thoughts". As a father, I am

very stringent as to what enters the senses

ofmy children. We have all heard the old

cliche that children are our future. I

disagree. Children are our present. The

challenge that parenting poses is not one

we can postpone. It is one we must face

with courage, intelligence and love.

Sometimes as parents we want to measure

the actions of our children with the same

yardstick that we use to measure our own

selves, our own shortcomings. But we

forget that children are not little adults;

they are children. Discipline has nothing

to do with words of ire or beatings that do

little more than maim the spirit and sow

seeds of bitterness and resentment.

The rest of humanity readies itself for the

future with brick and mortar. But the

materials that we parents have are far more

precious and noble than any resource. We

have in our care the mind, the heart and the

spirit of our sons and daughters.

When it comes tofamily, there is noroom forselfcenteredness.

Octavio Saenz|WHY HE'S THE

A very special "Thank You" to Ms. Sullivan, Cinnamon, Bubba and Shaughnessy.

Have you ever wondered why peopleeven care about what they wear? Well,fashion is something that society dealswith every day. Not only is it a form ofexpression but, it is the art of applyingdesign and aesthetics, or natural beauty,to clothing. And as spring isapproaching us, many of us, designersand retailers have worked on bringingthe latest fashion to the fashionistas. Asa one of RGV's local freelance fashiondesigners, I have designed a newcollection that will be available in March,“The secret garden”. The collectionabounds with the gala gowns, cocktaildresses and suits which are luxurious andsophisticated, full of color and glamour.Garments have been constructed with awide variety of fabrics such as taffeta,silks, jersey, lycra, lace and sheer fabricto create beautiful designs. The name ofthe collection describes it, colorful as theflowers in the garden, fuchsia, blue,green, purple, orange and more. Beexpecting “The secret garden”, thisspring 2012.

Fashion is just so fascinating, because it always offersus a great variety of choices. These are the top trendsfor this spring 2012: chic gloss, lace dresses, sheerclothing, cropped tops, hot pants (denim, leather,animal print, glossy, bright colors, wide or tight fitting,high or low waist), shoulder focus (boat neck,extravagant one shoulder items, cut off and roundedshoulders), print mix (animal and floral prints), structureand volume to fabric (fringe, pleats, peplums, andperforated). When it comes down to fashion trendsyou can’t go without knowing the colors which will bea hit: caramel (cream, light pink, coral, peach, andbanana), fuchsia, red, blue and orange (but just as isthe fashion law, when orange becomes popular sodoesyellow), the neutral colors (black, white andnude), glossy colors (silver, gold, emerald and electricblue).

Winter has flown by and now we are preparing ourmind, flesh and most importantly our body to receivethe spring and summer with all the hot trends andstylish outfits, that designers have worked hard to offerus. For spring suits, use shirts and ties and experimentwith different items in your wardrobe to create theunique look. Don’t be frightened by color, you justneed to decide which tone is yours. Romantic pleatsand peplums won’t be as girly; they will now be fewer,larger and softer. But remember that they add volumeand extra puff in that focus part of your body,therefore, choose wisely. For print mix, make sure youthink of harmony with contrast. A look can be simple,luxurious, elegant and sexy. So don’t be afraid to playwith what you have in your closet.

Making Fashion A PRACTICE

Maria Antonia Palacioswww.mariapalacios.com | maria@mariapalacios.com9567897316

By: Maria Antonia PalaciosFashion Designer


Ingredients1/2 cup nonfat sour cream1/4 cup lowfat mayonnaise1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro1 package (1¼ oz) taco seasoning, divided1 lb cod or white fish fillets (4 total), cut into1inch pieces1 Tbsp vegetable oil2 Tbsp lemon juice2 cup shredded red and green cabbage2 cup diced tomato12 wholewheat tortillas (6inch), warmed

Directions:In a small bowl, combine sour cream, mayonnaise, cilantro, and 2 tablespoons seasoning mix.In medium bowl, combine cod, vegetable oil, lemon juice, and remaining seasoning mix; pourinto large skillet. Cook, stirring constantly, over mediumhigh heat for 4 to 5 minutes, or until codflakes easily when tested with a fork.Fill taco shells with fish mixture. Top with cabbage, tomato, sour cream mixture, lime juice, andtaco sauce.

Simple Fish Tacos

TOP Five MOST ANTICIPATED

2012FAMILYMOVIESOF

#2. The Secret World of ArrietyIt’s great to see that even in 2012 westill have the opportunity to delight in a2D animation theater experience. TheSecret World of Arriety is anadaptation of the fantasy series “TheBorrowers”, which revolves around asecret race of little people that live

underneath floorboards.#3. Ice Age: Continental DriftI can't remember anything aboutwhat the last three Ice Age movieswere about, but I'll probably neverforget most of the sequences of Scrat,the squirrel chasing after his nut. I thinkthat's the point of the Ice Age movies,the plot, or stories are never as

important as the characters. They're all, in their ownways, both memorable and lovable; and it's alwaysgood to see them again.

#4. The LoraxMost of the beloved Dr. Seuss booksthat have been adapted into featurefilms have never really becomebeloved movies. However, I still lookforward to The Lorax, because I justhave way too many fond memories ofmost of the original Dr. Seuss classics.#5. Disneynature: ChimpanzeeNature documentaries will rarely makeanyone's list of the most entertainingmovies of the year, but they're alwaysamazingly presented films, featuringbeautiful images and great stories. I'mreally glad Disney decided to resurrectthe now incredibly relevant DisneyNature series.

I'd have to say, the family film I'm most looking forwardto this year is Pixar Animations' Brave; a fairytale of ayoung Princess and her quest to learn the realmeaning of bravery. Nowadays classics, such as ToyStory, A Bugs Life, and Cars have earned their spot infilmmaking history as some ofthe greatest animation filmsever produced. Time andtime again, the creativegeniuses at Pixar haveproven, very effectively, thatthey know how to tell acompelling and entertainingstory that the entire familycan enjoy.

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pets & family magazine vol.1 no.1

Documents

entire family

family dogs

pet of themonthmarch

thetype of pet

anticipated family movies

benefits of pet adoptions

juan camposmeet arsenal

happy dog