April newsletter

In the past, it was a
common practice
for families to have
dinner together
during the evenings.
This was a time for
catching up with
each other and
processing individual experiences that
occurred throughout the day. As our
daily schedules have become busier,
Fishel (2013) pointed out that “most
American families are starved for time to
spend together” and suggested that
dinner may be the time these families
need to reconnect with each other,
relax, and share stories and catch on
each other’s daily activities while also
allowing participants to “develop a sense
of who we are as a family.”
An article from the Journal of
Epidemiology and Community Health
from December 20, 2012, indicated that
children from families who gather around
the table for meals on a regular basis eat
more fruit and vegetables than others.
The World Health Organization
recommends 80 grams of fruit and
vegetables per day. A study conducted
in England that included 1516 primary
school children from 52 different schools
assessed the quantity of fruits and
vegetables eaten by children when they
had regular and occasional meals with
their families, or did not have meals with
their families at all. Results indicated
that on the average, children who ate
with their families consumed 283g of
fruits and vegetables per day but those
who participated in regular family meals
together actually consumed the most
(125g) compared to those who sometimes
ate meals together (95g). In addition, the
results also indicated that children ate
more fruits and vegetables when their
parents also ate fruits and vegetables.
Smith (2013) included a report in
the Huffington Post on January 23, 2013
that indicated that a report from Welch’s
Kitchen Table Report indicated that
although many American’s feel the
tradition of families sitting down
together for dinner occurred in days
gone by, 34 percent of families eat
together seven nights per week on the
average. Only 3 percent of families
report that each dinner together in
restaurants or fast-food chains.
Interestingly, 71 percent of children
under 18 reported having dinner together
more now than they did when they were
younger. Results from the study
indicated that 75 percent of families eat
most meals and snacks in the kitchen,
while 18 percent reported they eat
together on the family couch.
Researchers from the study reported
that parents seek to share quality time
with their children and take advantage of
meals in which to do so and 90 percent
discuss their children’s thoughts and
feelings during this time. There is some
controversy, however, regarding the
number of families that actually eat out
during the week.
For example, Sifferline (2012) pointed out
that in a study conducted by Rutgers
researchers, about 40% of the average
family’s budget is spent eating out,
typically not together. Rockett (2007)
warns against eating out to deter obesity
because take-out foods are often high in
trans-fat, calories, sodium, cholesterol
and fat. Rockett also pointed out that
there has been a 45% increase in
overweight children over the last decade.
To maximize the quality of meals
together, Sztainer (2007) suggested that
parents make sure the television is off
during mealtime. Sztainer reported that
watching television while eating may
influence the types and quality of foods
that children eat. For example, Sztainer
found that boys tended to eat fewer
KIDS BE AWARE, INC.
April 2013
Volume 2, Issue 4
Our Mission and Vision
To increase disease
awareness among children
and parents; To promote
healthy behaviors, reduce
the spread of infections,
and to reduce health-
related issues in our
nation’s children.
Table of Contents
CEO’s Corner ...............2
Highlights.........................2
Featured Articles:
Healthy Recipes..............3
Body Wellness................4
...........................................5
Healthy Dietary Habits That Lead to Good Mental
By Renee L. Sullivan, M.A., CCLC

CEO’s Corner...
Inc. PO BOX 2173 Woburn,
MA 01888
I thank you in advance for
your support and hope that
you find it in your heart to
help us decrease health
disparities among our
children.
Also I wanted to bring to
your attention the talk show
that I host every other
Saturday from 12:00PM
Eastern time until 1:00PM.
Please listen to us online as
we bring to you many
subjects and resources
necessary for your day to
day life. We strive to bring
better life to all and we work
hard everyday to accomplish
this.
“Teach me about health so
that Tomorrow I may teach
others” Together we can!
Cheers and Peace to You!
Jeannette Bryant, CEO
Kids Be Aware, Inc.
Howdy!
Great News! We finished
setting up our center at 600
West Cummings Park Woburn,
MA 01801 . We were granted
the EEC Exemption allowing
us to proceed with our
activities. Marketing efforts
are now required to help
increase our awareness among
the community and direct
parents to use our services.
We are currently looking for
volunteers to help us with
children’s activities.
I’m always overjoyed to bring
more good news to you all each
and every month and hope
that you enjoy reading us as
much as we enjoy writing
these articles for you.
I will be going for camp
director training on April 25th
which is the first part in
becoming a camp director.
Becoming a camp director will
allow us to offer summer camp
for children and their parents.
The process is long and funds
are limited. However, I know
that we are going to reach our
goal. The best project are the
ones that are done in a slow
pace. But success is near by.
We are eager to partner with
organizations all around town
whose mission and vision is in
line with ours. While we are
pleased in the many milestone
of our organization, we are
conducting our first Annual
dance for your health May
4th and hope that we will
organize this event within our
own center. Parents and
Children are invited to sign up
for our program now as we
have already received the go
from the EEC.
The current need of this
organization is to get
volunteers to help us conduct
the center’s upcoming
activities. Together, we can
raise disease awareness among
children and parents.
We have been growing our
face book community and
invite you to have friends and
families like our page. We are
also selling T-Shirt Mugs and
Notebook for fundraising need
and hope that you will help us
in our continue effort to
sustain our organization
mission.
On Behalf of KBA, we are
asking for in-kind
donations. All donations are
tax deductible.
From our modest beginnings,
and with only a little bit of
help, we are growing and we
still need your financial
support that will enable us to
expand our Kids Be Aware
mission, and to uphold our
vision for children
everywhere.
You may donate by going at
our website: http://
www.kidsbeaware.org or
simply by mailing in your
checks. At Kids Be Aware,
We are seeking NEW Enrollment!
We are seeking Volunteers for various roles.
Contact us and Volunteer!
“We strive to partner with
schools, churches, and
organizations to focus on the
health and well-being of our
children”
Page 2
KIDS BE AWARE, INC.

Healthy Recipes for children
Fire Roasted Chile
and Garlic Chicken
Burgers
The easiest way
to make a burger
healthier is to sub
out the beef with
chicken in order to skip out on the saturated
fat. This recipe adds tons of flavor with the
roasted chiles, and piles on more with the
garlic. Simply leave out the bacon to go easy
on your waistline and you’re good to go. Use a
multi-grain or whole wheat bun to make it a
complete meal.
http://bembu.com/healthy-dinner-recipes
Paleo Curry Meatballs
The curry sauce on these
gives them a unique flavor
that’s unusual in the world of meatballs. These
are dairy free for all of you Paleo enthusiasts,
and they end up as a healthy option even for
those that aren’t following the Paleo diet. If
you’re looking for low-carbs you can make a
meal out of them, and if not you can balance
these out with some nice whole wheat pasta or
a baked potato.
Crock Pot
Chicken
Taco Chili
No taco
shells
needed to
enjoy this chili. It uses chicken instead of
beef so you’re getting all of the flavor
you’d want, but without worrying about
added fat from ground beef. The beans
are there, as you’d expect, but you may
want to add some bell peppers to get
some more veggies included. The corn
and beans are your carb source. Overall a
hearty meal you can eat with a fork.
Page 3
KIDS BE AWARE, INC.
Cha Cha Bowl
The bright mix of colors
makes this a great dish to
whip up when you have
company over, and no
one will suspect that
you’re passing off healthy food on them. The
ingredients are all freshly made, and retain their
healthy status by not being cooked. The rice
and beans supply some good carbs, the chicken
is the protein adder, and there are yummy veg-
gies like zucchini. The healthy fats from the
avocados mean you’ll feel full and fight body
fat.

Seasonal Allergies in Children
As spring begins to unfold around us, we are tempted to shed our winter coats and hats and head to the great
outdoors. We may even notice the beautiful budding trees and the onslaught of new flowers of every color and hue.
For some however, spring heralds yet another round of seasonal allergies. Seasonal Allergies are considered to occur
as a result of an allergic reaction to a trigger (such as new flowers and grasses) that is typically present for part of the
year, such as spring or fall. Symptoms of seasonal allergies include sneezing, runny nose, nasal congestion, itching of the nose, and post
-nasal drip. Not all people experience all of the symptoms of hay fever, and in some people, only one symptom will predominate. It may
be difficult to tell the difference between seasonal allergies and the common cold, and only an allergist may be able to tell the
difference. This type of allergy often occurs when pollen is present. Pollens are tiny, egg-shaped powdery grains released from
flowering plants, which are carried by the wind or insects and serve to cross-pollinate other plants of the same type for reproductive
purposes. When pollen is present in the air, it can land in a person’s eyes, nose, lungs and skin to set up an allergic reaction. The higher
the pollen count in your area, the worse your symptoms can be. To check out the pollen count in your area please go to: Pollen.com
How can I help my child who has seasonal allergies?
If your child suffers from seasonal allergies, there are steps you can take to reduce their symptoms and decrease
the use of medications: During the spring, keep your children indoors in the evenings because pollen levels are highest during that time
of day.
Keep your home and car windows closed during windy, sunny days.
Have your children take a shower after spending time outside to remove any pollen residue on their body or in their hair.
Have your children change their clothes after spending time outside because they will carry pollen indoors on their clothes.
Dry your clothes indoors instead of on an outdoor clothesline during this time of year.
Visit your child’s medical provider for an evaluation/allergy medication(s). Medicine can help alleviate allergy symptoms in children, but
with any medication you give your child, be sure you’re using the right medication for your child’s age and weight. Follow the
instructions carefully to be sure your child gets the correct dosage. Over-the-counter, generic allergy medication is effective for many
people and can cost less than prescription allergy medications. If you have any questions about what medications are right for your
child, ask your family doctor. Some common allergy medications include: Nasal decongestants to relieve a stuffy nose, Antihistamines
to relieve sneezing, and an itchy, runny nose, and Nasal corticosteroids are also often used, but are available only by prescription.
What if my child already had allergies?
Although allergies and asthma are separate conditions, they are related. People who have allergies — particularly ones that affect the
nose and eyes — are more likely to have asthma. About 70% of kids who have asthma also have an allergy to something. And many
people who have asthma find their symptoms get worse when they're exposed to specific allergens (things that can cause allergic
reactions in some people).
Future exposure to the same allergens can cause the reaction to happen again. So if your child has asthma, it's wise to explore
whether allergies may be triggering some of the symptoms. Talk with your doctor about how to identify possible triggers, which can be
things other than allergens, such as cold air, respiratory infections, or tobacco smoke.How to Manage Outdoor Activities with
Children and Seasonal AllergiesBecause allergies and colds share symptoms many parents have a hard time telling the two apart. So if
your child’s sneezing and sniffling lasts for more than a week and his eyes and nose are itching he most likely has seasonal allergies and
not a cold.For children whose allergies are so severe that avoidance and over-the-counter drugs aren’t enough, a prescription for nasal
steroids may be in order. In some cases it’s also possible that a series of shots that can actually “re-educate” a person’s immune system
and teach it not to reject pollen. Ask an allergist if your child’s seasonal allergies are serious enough for these specialized treatments,
but if they’re like most children they may prefer their allergies to a round of shots!
- By Andrew MacGinnitie, MD, PhD, associate clinical director of the Division of Immunology at Children’s Hospital Boston
Susan Ruiz, Chair
Kids Be Aware, Inc.
Body Wellness
Page 4
KIDS BE AWARE, INC.

grains and vegetables and drank more sodas while girls
tended to eat more fried foods and fewer dark
vegetables. Sztainer suggested that parents turn off the
TV and use this time to catch up with their children
while also encouraging the consumption of better quality
of foods. In addition to catching up with each other,
Forthun (2008) points out other advantages of family
meals together to include enhancing family togetherness,
better communication among family members, better
overall adjustment in children and youth, and better
nutrition. Likewise, Siffertin (2012) stated that poor
dietary habits of Americans increase the risk of obesity
and nutritional deficits. In terms of mental health, Gibbs
(2006) stated that adolescents from families who eat
together or a regular basis are less likely to smoke, drink,
do drugs, become depressed, develop eating disorders,
consider suicide and are more likely to do better
academically and socially, eat more vegetables, learn big
words and “know which fork to use.”
As you prepare meals to share with your family, as
we have mentioned in previous editions, remember to
read labels, avoid foods high in preservatives, additives,
and artificial colorings. Serve nutritious and well-
balanced meals to include fish, beef, green, leafy
vegetables, whole wheat bread, and plenty of fresh fruit.
Check the following link for 75 nutritious and healthy
balanced meal ideas. http://bembu.com/healthy-dinner-
recipes
References
Forthun, L. (2012). Family nutrition: The truth about family meals.
University of Florida IFAS Extension, Document FCS8871. Retrieved on
April 15, 2013 from http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu.
Gibbs, N. (2006). The magic of the family meal. Retrieved on April 15,
2013 from http://www.time.com/time/printout/0,8816,1200760,00.html
Rockett, H. R. (2007). Family dinner: More than just a meal. Journal of
American Dietetic Association, v107(9), pp 1498-1501.
ScienceDaily. (2012). Regular family meals together boost kids’ fruit and
vegetable intake. Retrieved on April 15, 2013 from
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/12/121220202921.htm
Smith, N. (2013). Family mealtime: Most families eat dinner together most
nights. Retrieved on April 15, 2013 from
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/01/23/family-mealtime-study-
_n_2534347.html
Sifferlin, A. (2012). Why families who eat together are healthier.
Retrieved on April 15, 2013 from
http://www.heartland.time.com/2012/04/24/why-families-who-eat-together-
are-healthier/print/
Stainer, D. N. (2007). Turn off the TV during family meals. Retrieved on
April 15, 2013 from
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/10/071014200545.htm
How to Manage the Indoor Environment
during Seasonal changes
Here are few tips to limit your child’s allergy symptoms:
Keep your windows closed and run an air conditioner, even
if it’s not overly warm outside. Air conditioners filter
new air into a room and help minimize pollen levels in-
side the house. Humidifiers and non-ionic air purifiers
can also help reduce pollen counts indoors and make
breathing easier for kids with allergies.
Children who are sensitive to pollen should shower and
change clothes after playing outside. This extra step
keeps pollen that may get stuck in their hair or clothes
from getting into the inside air or on their pillow where
it can irritate the child all night long. Pollen counts are
also lowest during or right after it rains, making that an
ideal time for outdoor play for young children with al-
lergies.
Vacuum your carpets, and wash your child’s linens weekly.
Pollen can easily hide within the fibers and because the
child is likely to have them close to her face they can
trigger allergies if not properly clean. Also, dust mites, a
common cause of year round allergies, can live in linens
and toys.
Wash your pets often, especially if they spend time both
inside and outside. Some people are allergic to pet hair,
but some are simply allergic to the pollen that collects
on their fur. By keeping your animals pollen free you may
be able to reduce your family’s pollen exposure
Clean any mold in the house with a diluted bleach solution.
Like pollen, mold is a prime allergy trigger. Using a dehu-
midifier in damp basements or bathrooms can inhibit
mold growth.
Susan Ruiz, MS
Chair, Kids Be Aware, Inc.
References:
http://blog.usa.gov/post/46846772665/seasonal-allergy-treatments-
for-children
http://kidshealth.org/parent/medical/allergies/
allergies_asthma.html
http://childrenshospitalblog.org/managing-your-childs-springtime-
allergies/
http://allergies.about.com/od/allergies101/a/seasonalallergy.htm
http://childrenshospitalblog.org/managing-your-childs-springtime-
allergies/
Dietary Habits(cont.)
Page 5
KIDS BE AWARE, INC.

We are on the Web!
Visit us at: www.kidsbeaware.org
Page 6
KIDS BE AWARE, INC.
KBA Board Members
Jeannette Bryant CEO kidsbeawarenow@gmail.com 781-354-2701
Tiffany Henderson Treasurer donald_and_tiffany@yahoo.com 678-431-6543
Susan Ruiz Chair susan.ruiz@waldenu.edu 301-302-4215
Teresa Godley-Chase Co-chair Teressa.godley-chase@waldenu.edu 240-515-4222
Renee Sullivan Co-Chair renee.l.sullivan@gmail.com 478-718-1306
Regina Rainey Board Member reginarainey@ymail.com 864-303-2151
Kids Be Aware, Inc.
PO BOX 2173
Woburn, MA 01888
Monthly Highlights
“We strive to partner with schools, churches,
and organizations to focus on the health and
well-being of our children”
We are seeking NEW
Enrollment!
We are seeking Volunteers for
various roles.
Contact us andVolunteer!
Kids Be Aware, Inc
Center is now
Opened
We welcome any donations to help us with the
expansion of our program
To donate to our organization please use this link:
http://www.kidsbeaware.org/donate
Listen to our Talk Show
on BBS Radio Station 2
Every two weeks
Beginning at 12:00PM

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