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 How many times have you bought an item of clothing, only to wear it once or twice and throw it away after years of collecting dust in the back of the closet? According to National Today, sadly the answer is too many times. Thankfully, there’s a movement taking place in America that could help save us from our wasteful selves: National Second Hand Wardrobe Day on August 25th. Buying clothes second hand and donating your used clothing creates a positive cycle that is crucial for cutting back our waste. Unfortunately, there’s a stigma surrounding second hand clothing stores, or thrift shops, but it’s time to bring this to light and talk about why it’s so flawed. Secondhand shopping saves you money, has a positive impact on the environment, and if done correctly, can certainly lead to a closet of some cool new duds. So on August 25th, head to your favorite thrift store and get some new, old threads! 

 Purple Heart Day on August 7th is the kind of day created to give back. It’s a day for Americans to remember and honor the men and women who bravely represented their country and were wounded or killed whilst serving. These people are decorated with a Purple Heart in the name of the President, and this day is for remembering them and their sacrifice. Some states, counties, and cities pause in recognition, as do some sports and entertainment entities. Military and veteran organizations also hold meetings for remembrance.  Please join us as we honor those that have been given a Purple Heart.   George Washington awarded the original Purple Heart, designated as a Badge of Merit, in 1782. There was a lack of funds in the Continental Army at the time so the award was a way to honor enlisted and deserving people. The honor is presented to soldiers for “any singularly meritorious action.” It was designed with a piece of silk bound through it with a thin edge of silver. Washington only gave out three of the badges himself, and instead authorized subordinates to issue the badges as they saw fit.  The Badge of Merit faded from use but was revived and launched in 1932, this time as the Purple Heart. As well as honoring those wounded in combat, this iteration of the Purple Heart recognized commendable action. It was in 1944 that the policy was tweaked slightly and the Purple Heart was given the purpose we know it for today, specifically to honor those who have been wounded or died.  The first service member to be given the modern Purple Heart was General Douglas MacArthur for his service in the Pacific theater during World War II. In total there have been 1.8 million Purple Hearts awarded over the years.  Purple Heart Day was first observed in 2014 and has been observed every year since. It’s a chance to reflect on the bravery of those who have fought for the U.S. and to ensure that their courage is never forgotten. 

 As we celebrate my daddy’s 16th year of entering the beautiful gates of Heaven, we have been talking about the good ole days and memories.  Memories will last you a lifetime and bring many, many laughs especially with my daddy.  We were talking about things daddy did so nonchalantly but got his point across quickly.  Mother once told me about how daddy helped her to get me and my sister from place to place.  That got me thinking about cars from over the years that I was carted around in by my parents.  Now I loved all my parent’s cars BUT there was this one car that as a teenager I was SO embarrassed by, and my daddy knew it and made it worse.  I look back now and laugh, and I am positively sure he laughed back then!  You see daddy had a truck too but along with his truck he bought my grandmother’s car from her when she could no longer drive.  I don’t even know the name of the car, but it was booger green, and she drove that car around like she was in NASCAR.  Well, I made the mistake when daddy bought it to say, “I’m not riding in that car around my friends”.  I mean y’all I was in Junior High.  This was HORRIBLE!  Well, I did learn a valuable lesson.  NEVER tell your parents what you are not going to do.  He took me to school in that car for the rest of the school year!  I would make him drop me off way back where no one could see me and thought I was safe but OH NO he would gun it out of the parking lot!  Everyone knew that car was driven by my daddy! I WAS SO EMBARRASSED!  Those were the days….  Even though he is gone from this ole world now, his memories live on with us.  He was such a good man, never seeing the color of a person’s skin but saw the goodness that was within them.  He loved my mother, me and my sister, his grand boys, his family, and friends.  He also loved his church and work family.  He loved life and never complained about the cards he was dealt.  He was a true friend to many, and I am proud to have called him daddy.  Boy what I would do to have a ride in that car one more time... 

A good start to a productive, successful day depends on your morning habits and rituals. Here’s how to make your morning routine healthy, inspiring, and best of all, easy - using triggers and habit chaining to kick-start an amazing day.  Waking up may be the very first habit you ever established, and it’s a pretty solid one! You’ve probably done it every day of your life without even trying (for the most part).  Ask yourself these questions:

When you open your eyes in the morning what do you usually do in the first few minutes?

Do you go back to sleep, then reach for your phone and jump out of bed because you’re already late?

While the latter may be the most alarming part of your current morning ritual, there are several other repeating habits that are most likely in the mix.  You probably start each day with a few of these:

Use the restroom

Brush your teeth

Wash your face

Take a shower

Get dressed

Do your makeup and/or hair

Think about it, do you mix up the order? Probably not very often. And you’re usually on autopilot.  Each one of these long-standing habits is a trigger that cues the next behavior. A trigger tells your brain to automatically start the next thing in your ritual. By using the power of a long-standing established habit and then adding a tiny, new step to it, you can build a new habit that lasts.  This method is called “habit chaining.” In its simplest sense, you attach a new habit to an already established one. BJ Fogg, the director at Stanford University's Persuasive Technology Lab, describes it like this: "Find a trigger — something that you already do as a habit — and graft the new habit onto it.  Sounds easy enough!  The deal is, willpower and motivation are not enough to create new habits. The best way is to identify your established triggers and chain new habits onto them.  Add a tiny healthy habit.  Think back to your typical morning routine, and you’ll find that you may have several potential spots to add a tiny new habit. The tiny habit could be:

a few mindful breaths

setting a priority for the day

a moment of gratitude

one push-up

Once your tiny habit gets chained to your established triggers, it’s easier to expand. So maybe the one push-up turns into five over time. But the beauty of it is, every time you wash your face, the urge to hit that push-up next will start to become a habit.  So, what tiny habit are you going to chain onto your morning routine? Let’s do this, and be Healthy for Good!

Source: American Heart Association

 The month of August is known for many different days to recognize and celebrate and one of them is “What will be your legacy” month.  Have you ever thought about what type of legacy you will leave behind when you are gone?  Have you thought about what you want your legacy to be?  I have and have not thought about it, meaning I have thought about it at times but not put so much thought in to it.  However lately I have thought about it.  I don’t plan on going anywhere anytime soon but as I age I think about the things I am doing now will live long after I am gone.  So when I am gone, I want my legacy from my son’s standpoint to have been a mother that always put him first and always helped his friends when they needed it.  Both of those things I feel I have definitely accomplished.  So I know without a shadow of a doubt I have left a legacy that I feel my son will continue to carry on in his life as well.  One other legacy that I would like to leave behind is that I care for my community and will never forget where I came from.  I may not agree with everything that is being done in the community but the only way I can make a difference is to be involved and that is exactly what I try to do.  I am proud of my community and will always represent it with honor.  So what is your legacy that you would like to leave when you are gone? 

 During the first year of life, babies learn to focus their vision, reach out, explore, and learn about the things that are around them. Cognitive development means the learning process of memory, language, thinking, and reasoning. Learning language is more than just making sounds or saying "ma-ma" and "da-da". Listening, understanding, and knowing the names of people and things are all a part of language development. During this stage, babies also are developing bonds of love and trust with their parents and others as part of social and emotional development. The way you cuddle, hold, and play with your baby will set the stage for how he will interact with you and others.  Following are some things you, as a parent, can do to help your baby during this time:  Talk to your baby. She will find your voice calming.  Answer when your baby makes sounds by repeating the sounds and adding words. This will help him learn to use language.  Read to your baby. This will help her develop and understand language and sounds.  Sing to your baby and play music. This will help your baby develop a love for music and will help his brain development.  Praise your baby and give her lots of loving attention.  Spend time cuddling and holding your baby. This will help him feel cared for and secure.  Play with your baby when she’s alert and relaxed. Watch your baby closely for signs of being tired or fussy so that she can take a break from playing.  Distract your baby with toys and move him to safe areas when he starts moving and touching things that he shouldn’t touch.  Take care of yourself physically, mentally, and emotionally.   It is easier to enjoy your new baby and be a positive, loving parent when you are feeling good yourself.  Parenting can be hard but rewarding work!  For more information on child development, visit www.cdc.gov. 

 Doing a 5K run can add a new level of challenge and interest to your exercise program. A 5K run is 3.1 miles. Don't be daunted by the distance. A 5K run is a great distance for a beginner. You can prepare for a 5K run in just two months. Consider using this seven-week 5K run training schedule as your guide. This 5K run training schedule was created by Olympian Jeff Galloway. It's tailored for beginners or anyone who wants to complete a 5K race. You don't have to use this training schedule only for a 5K run. You can also adapt it for a 5K walk.  This 5K training schedule incorporates a mix of running, walking and resting. This combination helps reduce the risk of injury, stress and fatigue while boosting your enjoyment of physical activity. Remember, you can run or walk slowly to help your body adjust to this 5K training schedule.  Under this 5K run schedule, you'll spend a portion of your training walking. For instance, during week one on run/walk days, you'll run for 15 seconds and then walk for 45 seconds, repeating that cycle for 30 minutes.  As the weeks progress, you'll gradually increase the amount of time running and reduce the amount of time walking. If you're adapting the training for a 5K walk, then you always walk, even on run/walk days.  One day a week, which is Friday on this 5K schedule, is a day of rest from exercise, giving your muscles time to recover. On Sunday, you can either take a second day of rest, or you can enjoy a walk at your choice of distance. On this 5K run training schedule, race day falls on Saturday of your seventh week.  I personally have never ran a 5K but did use to speed walk them and enjoyed it very much.  With speed walking, the walk is faster than a normal walk but not running.  I truly enjoyed it.  For this information and more on preparing for a 5K, please visit the mayoclinic.org website for all the information you will need and good luck on preparing and running your 5K.
 

 August is National Immunization Awareness Month.  This includes immunizations for adults.  The need for vaccination does not end in childhood.  All adults should get vaccines to protect their health.  Every year, thousands of adults in the U.S. suffer needlessly, are hospitalized, and even die from diseases that could be prevented by vaccines.  Immunizations are especially important for older adults and adults with chronic conditions such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), diabetes or heart disease.  Additionally, immunizations are crucial for anyone who is in close contact with the very young, the very old, people with weakened immune systems, or those who cannot be vaccinated.  All adults should get the influenza (flu) vaccine each year to protect against seasonal flu.  According to data from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), only 42% of adults 18 years or older received the flu vaccine during the 2013-2014 flu season.  Adults should also get the Tdap vaccine to protect against pertussis (whooping cough) and then a Td (tetanus, diphtheria) booster shot every 10 years. In addition, it is also recommended that women get the Tdap vaccine each time they are pregnant, preferably between 27 and 36 weeks of pregnancy. CDC data also revealed that only 17% of adults 19 years or older received the Tdap vaccine in 2013. Depending on one’s age, occupation, travel, health status, vaccination history, and other risk factors, adults may need other vaccines such as shingles, pneumococcal, Hepatitis, and HPV.  Some of these vaccines can help prevent cancer.  Hepatitis B vaccine can prevent liver cancer that can occur after developing chronic hepatitis B. The HPV vaccine can prevent cancers caused by HPV infection, including cervical, vaginal, vulvar and anal cancer. Vaccination is important because it not only protects the person receiving the vaccine, but also helps prevent the spread of disease to others. Vaccines are thoroughly tested before licensing and carefully monitored after they are licensed to ensure they are safe.  Side effects from vaccines are usually mild and temporary. The most common side effects are soreness, redness or swelling where the shot was given. Some people may have allergic reactions to certain vaccines, but serious and long-term side effects are rare.  Even people taking prescription medications can be vaccinated.  However, if you are pregnant, or have a weakened immune system, talk with your health care professional before being vaccinated, as some vaccines may not be recommended for you. For more information about immunizations, visit www.cdc.gov. 

 Children between the ages of five to twelve need 10-11 hours of sleep a night.  At the same time, there is an increasing demand on their time from school with doing homework, sports, and other extracurricular and social activities.  In addition, school aged children become more interested in TV, computers, the media, and Internet as well as caffeine products – all of which can lead to difficulty falling asleep, nightmares and disruptions to their sleep. In particular, watching TV close to bedtime has been associated with bedtime resistance, difficulty falling asleep, anxiety around sleep and sleeping fewer hours. Sleep problems and disorders are prevalent at this age.   Poor or inadequate sleep can lead to mood swings, behavioral problems such as hyperactivity and cognitive problems that impact on their ability to learn in school.  It’s important to have these great sleep tips for school-aged children.  Teach school-aged children about healthy sleep habits. Continue to emphasize the need for a regular and consistent sleep schedule and bedtime routine. Make a child's bedroom conducive to sleep – dark, cool, and quiet. Keep TV and computers out of the bedroom. Avoid caffeine. Preschoolers are a little different. They typically sleep 11-13 hours each night and most do not nap after five years of age. As with toddlers, difficulty falling asleep and waking up during the night are common. With further development of imagination, preschoolers commonly experience nighttime fears and nightmares. In addition, sleepwalking and sleep terrors peak during preschool years. Be sure with preschoolers that you use these sleep tips. Maintain a regular and consistent sleep schedule. Have a relaxing bedtime routine that ends in the room where the child sleeps. Child should sleep in the same sleeping environment every night, in a room that is cool, quiet and dark – and without a TV.  These are just a few helpful tips from sleepforkids.org that will help with those long school days and nights. 

 Breakfast is the most important meal of the day.  It provides important daily nutrients such as protein, fiber, calcium and carbohydrates. You wouldn’t expect your car to run without fuel, so you shouldn’t expect a child to function all day without the fuel of a nutritious breakfast. Eating breakfast regularly offers physical, mental and academic benefits to students.  Eating breakfast can improve cognitive performance, test scores and achievement scores in students, especially in younger children. According to a study published in the journal “Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine," students who increased their participation in school breakfast programs had significantly higher math scores than students who skipped or rarely ate breakfast. As an added benefit, the group of students who increased breakfast participation also had decreased rates of tardiness and absences.  Eating breakfast regularly may also help students maintain a healthy weight. According to a study published in “Public Health Nutrition," children who skipped breakfast in the morning were more likely to overeat and have a lower overall diet quality than children who ate breakfast every day. This led to increased body mass index (BMI) measurements. Breakfast provides energy for morning activities and helps to prevent mid-morning slump.  But what type of breakfast is best?  Any breakfast is better than no breakfast, but try not to have doughnuts or pastries all the time. They are high in calories, sugar, and fat. A doughnut for breakfast won’t keep you feeling full.  Try to eat a variety of foods, including fruit, vegetables, grains (make at least half your grains whole grains), protein (meat, poultry, fish, eggs, dry beans, nuts, and seeds), and dairy products.   

 August is National S’mores Month.  A s'more is a simple campfire dessert which consists of a marshmallow (either roasted or not roasted) and a piece of milk chocolate bar sandwiched between two pieces of graham cracker. S'mores have been around since the 1920s. The exact origin of the word “s'more” is unclear, though it seems to be a contraction of the phrase “some more”, as in “give me some more”.  If you are feeling really creative in National S’mores Month, try a different variation of the traditional s'more, like s’mores pizza.  Lightly grease a pizza pan. Spread one (16 1/2 ounce) package of chocolate chip cookie dough into the pan and the flatten dough to the edges. Bake at 350 °F until slightly brown (about 10 minutes). Remove from the oven. Sprinkle the top with 2 cups chocolate chips, 2 cups miniature marshmallows, and 2 cups graham crackers, broken into pieces.  Return to the oven for another 5-8 minutes. Remove from the oven when marshmallows and chocolate chips are melted and the crust is brown. Drizzle with chocolate syrup before serving. 

 Whether it is during an actual game or during practice, staying hydrated is very important.   It does not matter if you are younger or older, your body depends on water for survival. Did you know that water makes up more than half of your body weight? Every cell, tissue and organ in your body needs water to function correctly. For example, your body uses water to maintain its temperature, remove waste and lubricate joints. Water is essential for good health.  You lose water each day when you go to the bathroom, sweat, and even when you breathe. You lose water even faster when the weather is hot, when you exercise, or if you have a fever. Vomiting and diarrhea can also lead to rapid fluid loss. If you don’t replace the water you lose, you can become dehydrated.   Symptoms of dehydration include  Little or no urine, or urine that is darker than usual, dry mouth, sleepiness or fatigue, extreme thirst, headache, confusion, feeling dizzy or lightheaded and no tears when crying.  Don’t wait until you notice symptoms of dehydration to act. It can be hard to recognize when you’re dehydrated, especially as you age. Actively prevent dehydration by drinking plenty of water.  There are different recommendations for water intake each day. Most people have been told they should be drinking 6 to 8 8-ounce glasses of water each day, which is a reasonable goal. However, different people need different amounts of water to stay hydrated. Most healthy people can stay well hydrated by drinking water and other fluids whenever they feel thirsty. For some people, fewer than 8 glasses may be enough. Other people may need more than 8 glasses each day.  Some people are at higher risk of dehydration, including those who get a lot of exercise, have certain medical conditions, are sick, or are not able to get enough fluids during the day. Older adults are also at higher risk. As you age, your brain may be unable to sense dehydration and send the signals for thirst.  If you are concerned that you may not be drinking enough water, check your urine. If your urine is consistently colorless or light yellow, you are most likely staying well hydrated.  Water is the best option for staying hydrated. There are other drinks and foods that can help provide the water you need, but some may add extra calories from sugar to your diet.  Drinks like fruit and vegetable juices, milk and herbal teas can contribute to the amount of water you should get each day. Even caffeinated drinks, such as coffee, tea, and soda, count toward your daily water intake – up to a point. But it’s best to limit these since caffeine may cause some people to urinate more frequently or feel anxious or jittery. A moderate amount of caffeine, 200 to 300 milligrams (about the amount in 2 to 4 8-ounce cups of coffee), is not harmful for most people.  If you have any questions about the amount of water you should take in, please follow up with your physician.  Sports are fun but staying safe is very important too!