Innholdsfortegnelse for Summer 2020 i MASK The Magazine

And with that, another “spontaneous” mother-daughter Instagram post is created, highlighting a fun afternoon out running errands. It seems like everywhere we turn, our daily activity is being recorded through nonstop use of social media selfies that tell a story about our activities, our interests…and our appearance. Not only the appearance of adults, but also the appearance of our kids. Recent statistics show an upward trend in social media use amongst kids and teens, with 70 percent of teens (aged 13 to 17) on social media several times a day. With so much emphasis on social media usage amongst young people, parents are understandably concerned about how their children’s social media use affects their emotional well-being, especially in the areas of body image, self-esteem and associated depression. To learn more…

Q: I want to be healthier and get some exercise, but I’m so busy with school, choir practice and babysitting that I haven’t been able to find time. My friends are thinner than I am and I try to eat better, but what can I do to be healthier? — Erika, 7th grade, Oak Park, California A: Hi, Erika! It sounds like you’re certainly keeping busy. Wanting to find a balance between our responsibilities and our well-being is a common issue for young people, so you’re not alone! It’s important to know that even a small amount of time with moderately intense exercise has many health bene fits. For example, a brisk 15- or 20-minute walk each day will improve your health! The same is true for healthy eating. It’s…

Rarely do two words, when put together, conjure up stronger feelings of nostalgia for so many than “Sunday supper.” Recollections of relaxed times around the dining table, often with extended family, are surprisingly strong because, in the moment, there was no way to know how fondly you would look back on them later in life. Kids playing in the yard until supper was served, your uncle quizzing your sister on why she had on so much eye makeup, and that well-meaning aunt who seemed positive you needed more veggies and less cake on your plate are all part of the fabric of this family tradition. Oh, and the food. Usually centered around roasted meat or fried chicken, and often prepared by the family matriarch, the occasion might have been a…

EGGPLANT PARMESAN ½ cup gluten-free flour2 tbsp. cornstarch (or arrowroot starch), plus 1 tsp. (keep separate)¼ tsp. sea salt, divided in half½ cup unsweetened plain almond milk⅓ cup gluten-free panko breadcrumbs¼ cup cornmeal¼ cup Parmesan cheese, grated, plus more for serving1 tsp. dried oregano1 whole long, narrow eggplant (skin on), sliced into ⅛-inch rounds4 tbsp. olive oil1 cup marinara sauceFresh basil, for garnish Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside. To prepare your dipping stations, in a medium bowl, combine the gluten-free flour, 2 tablespoons cornstarch and ⅛ teaspoon salt. In a second bowl, combine the almond milk and 1 teaspoon cornstarch. In a third bowl, combine the gluten-free panko breadcrumbs, cornmeal, Parmesan cheese, oregano and ⅛ teaspoon salt. Dip the…

The average child hears 432 negative comments or words per day, versus 32 positive ones. We’re surrounded by near-constant negativity—in the news, in schools, and online. Here are seven words and actions to avoid around your kids. 1 | KNEE-JERK “NO” WHAT IS YOUR CHILD REALLY ASKING? I’m not proud to admit it, but I’m guilty of giving a knee-jerk response to my children’s requests. Did I even listen to the question? Before saying no, really consider what your child is asking before responding. You can still be firm about what you don’t want them to do. You can also spin the words “no” and “don’t” into “do” commands and by finding opportunities to say “yes.” We can all do more encouraging and less discouraging. 2 | FOOD TRAP DON’T…

Parenting Solutions for Today’s Families Do you want to be well-equipped with the appropriate knowledge, resources and tools that will empower you to make healthy and informed decisions for your family? If so, subscribe to MASK The Magazine today! For only $24 a year, you’ll receive four issues of the award-winning MASK The Magazine delivered conveniently to your door. Or, for only $12 a year, download MASK The Magazine to your iPad or iPhone. For information: visit maskmatters.org or call 480-502-5337 ON THE GO Download our digital edition to your iPad or iPhone. Visit zinio.com to subscribe today! SUBSCRIPTION FORM 􀁒 One year (4 issues, $24) 􀁒 Two years (8 issues, $48) 􀁒 Three years (12 issues, $72) 􀁒 Check (Payable to MASK) 􀁒 Credit Card (We’ll call you for…

Technology is making it easier for kids to be secretive, which is having a serious impact on drug use among youth. Wax pens are the new craze for kids because they are easy to get, easily hidden, and don’t have an odor like typical marijuana. Rather than smoke, a wax pen produces an odorless vapor that can go undetected. These factors are contributing to the increase in wax pen use and are heightening kids’ addiction and dependency on THC. Due to age restrictions, children can’t just walk into a dispensary and buy a cartridge from a certified store. So instead, they are turning to illegal street markets. According to a report by NBC, CannaSafe tested multiple cartridges from both licensed dispensaries and the black market. All samples from the dispensaries…

For most teens, driving without their parents can create a new sense of excitement and freedom. Finally getting to drive yourself to and from school, run errands on your own, and help with driving on family road trips can make your teen feel like an adult. But when it comes to driving their friends around, this is a quintessential rite of passage every teenager wants to experience. For parents, however, teens driving with teens can be a nerve-wracking experience. A University of Michigan Children’s Hospital National poll of almost 900 parents who had at least one child aged 14 to 18, shows parents’ top safety concerns include: distracted driving caused by loud music (46 percent), a cell phone (42 percent) or other teens in the car (39 percent). Some parents…

As parents, we’re always playing a balancing act. Whether it’s with our finances, our time or our work, we’re constantly trying to even things out. But one of the most important things to keep in check is our children’s relationship with nutritious eating and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. This can be especially challenging, says Jim Taylor, Ph.D., a professor at the University of San Francisco, in this often-times unhealthy digital world. In an article for Psychology Today, he explains that a balanced nutritional diet doesn’t mean 50 percent healthy food and 50 percent junk food. “Rather, a balanced diet involves ensuring that your children get adequate nutrition from all of the major food groups while allowing them periodic treats,” he says, adding that the same holds true for your children’s…

Q With health and fitness being such a big part of your life, how do you share your passion for healthy living with your family and children? A I have always tried to lead by example. I am an advocate for women’s health, but I also fully understand that it starts from within. As a fitness instructor, I appreciate the value of working from the inside out. My children see me guiding fitness classes and inspiring women in our community. They also see a working mom creating opportunities at home during this challenging time by creating content for livestreams and choreographing new content for the Brooke Burke Body fitness app, which encourages people to find ways to work out at home. Community is very important to me both inside and…

Finding ways to communicate with your teen can be confusing and difficult for both parties when neither of you know how to help. This is the situation of one mother, Donna S., who found herself having difficulty communicating with her teenage daughter about her physical appearance. Donna noticed a change in her daughter right when she started junior high, which was also when she got her first smartphone and began using social media. Her daughter was noticeably depressed, constantly degrading her appearance, and consistently asking to go shopping for new clothes. Despite the constant requests, Donna recalls clothes shopping as one of the worst experiences when it came to her daughter’s self-esteem and physical appearance. Almost every shopping trip resulted in her daughter sobbing in the fitting room because, “nothing…

Teaching children to love themselves and how they look is an essential tool in helping them develop a healthy sense of self and a positive body image. Understanding health and wellness, talking about body shapes and sizes, and developing a healthy image are all steps for children to learn in order to feel good about themselves. “A healthy sense of self starts with understanding and accepting that we all come in different shapes, sizes and colors,” says Dr. Shefali Gandhi, a licensed psychologist in Scottsdale, Arizona. “Acceptance that is modeled by parents and guardians is key, as is limiting exposure to negative content about body image. Limiting their exposure to media or making sure that we, as parents, are keeping reservations about our own body image to ourselves is a…

The Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) is a nonprofit watchdog that looks over the shoulder of big food industries to ensure they provide Americans with safe, healthy food and use accurate, honest food labeling and marketing. Since its founding in 1971, CSPI has worked on educating the public and advocating government policies that are based on science—not the opinion of the powerful food industry. They are committed to helping Americans consume nutritious foods that are also good for the environment. Through CSPI’s efforts, a number of laws have been passed to improve the quality and safety of the food sold in stores and served in schools and restaurants. They assisted in the passage of laws that require nutrition facts on packaged foods, including added sugars and trans…

DRUG Health Day warns that the summer months of June and July, more than any other time of year, are peak times for kids to start using drugs and drinking alcohol. This is likely due to the fact that they have more free time since they are not in school, or from being left home alone while their parents are at work. So be extra vigilant during summer break. BULLY With kids on summer vacation, their bullying issues may ease up a bit. But it’s a good idea to check your child’s social media to be sure the bullies aren’t following them home through their phone. If the bullies can’t reach them at school they will look for another way. TECH Kids will be spending a lot more time at…

What do we believe as a family? What are our rules for being happy together? A great way to become more aligned is to create a family mission statement that represents what your family is all about. Include such things as what kind of standards each family member will be held to; what kind of principles everyone wants to live by (e.g., honestly, loyalty, trust); and what kind of rules should govern the household. By giving your children a solid foundation and standards to live by, they will have more structure and guidance as they get older. According to Psychology Today, after creating the mission statement, your family should decide on a place in the home where it will be displayed. This way, any time a family member is facing…

William Ogle wasn’t exaggerating when he dubbed Gatlinburg the “land of paradise” more than 200 years ago. Tucked away in the Great Smoky Mountains of Tennessee, this once remote area—originally known as “White Oak Flats” for its abundant native oak trees enveloping the landscape—is a favorite tourist destination today. Incorporated in 1945, this year also marks Gatlinburg’s 75th anniversary of its city charter. “The charm and beauty of Gatlinburgand the Great Smoky Mountains is undeniable. Our little corner of Appalachia is a place where countless couples have found themselves in the middle of a Hallmark moment for the past century…Gatlinburg is a cozy mountain town that is filled with love and magic…,” wrote Kristi Parsons, a bloggeron the Gatlinburg Convention and Visitors Bureau site. THE OGLE CABIN Whether visitors choose…

If you’re looking to help your family adopt a healthier lifestyle, Stacey Ellison Glasgow, associate director of school services for the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, offers these tips on to curb your appetite from your devices. Consume in moderation. Most people can’t go cold turkey on tech…and that’s OK. But summer is the perfect time to be outdoors, take day trips, read, linger over dinner on the deck, tackle a 1,000-piece puzzle, and just talk and socialize. Try to keep everyone’s tech use in check so you don’t miss opportunities to truly connect. Avoid empty calories. As with food, online content that children consume can be high quality, but there’s also a lot of junk available. When it comes to tech time, be selective when finding apps for kids (organizations like…

Let’s be honest. Growing up in 2020 is a vastly different experience than it was 20 years ago. A tremendous cultural transformation has occurred in just a few short years with the acceleration of smartphone, tablet and media use beyond what has ever been seen before. Within the unique environments of various social media platforms, posting selfies has become a common practice for adults and media-connected youth alike. While there are countless reasons a person may post a selfie, recent research offers some valuable insights into the psychology of selfies and some actionable recommendations for caretakers. WHY DO PEOPLE TAKE SELFIES? Taking selfies and posting them on social media can serve a variety of purposes for users. In essence, a selfie photo gives creators control over how they present themselves…

In today’s world of youth sports, it’s become increasingly important to educate parents on how they can support their children physically, mentally and emotionally. We want our kids to play and enjoy sports, and have fun, positive, life-changing experiences. Playing baseball, basketball and football for fun was a big part of my life starting at age 6. I had many great experiences and excelled at winning national championships and awards. I also lost many games. Playing sports taught me life lessons and skills, and made me into the dad, coach and mentor I am today. These great times on the fields and courts are what help build self-esteem, perseverance, social and leadership skills, friendships and fun-filled memories. Youth sports in today’s world has changed since I played as a child.…

CHILD READING LIST “Your Body is Awesome: Body Respect for Children” by Sigrun Danielsdottir “It’s Okay to be Different” by Todd Parr PARENT READING LIST “The Body Image Survival Guide for Parents: Helping Toddlers, Tweens, and Teens Thrive” by Marci Warhaft-Nadler “Healthy Bodies; Teaching Kids What They Need to Know: A Comprehensive Curriculum to Address Body Image, Eating, Fitness and Weight Concerns in Today’s Challenging Environment” by Kathy Kater As they start noticing their bodies, preschoolers will begin talking about different body shapes and race. They will make comments about what people look like as they start to learn about their environment and the people in it. They will start to notice differences and similarities between people. They will ask why they look different from others and will make comments…

To help parents and their college-aged child understand the importance of being healthy and having a positive body image, we asked Jenna Vargas, dietician at Sun Devil Fitness and ASU Wellness, to provide some insight and advice. Here’s what she shared. Q Why is having a positive body image important for college students? Research indicates that positive body image is linked to greater engagement in healthy habits related to eating and physical activity, while negative body image can be linked to decreased self-esteem and can be a factor in serious concerns such as eating disorders and depression. Early adulthood is a really crucial time for individuals to maintain both positive health behaviors and positive self-image, as higher self-esteem is linked to greater likelihood of success in career and personal relationships.…

What is Feeding Matters’ mission? Established in 2006, Feeding Matters is the first organization in the world uniting the concerns of families with the field’s leading advocates, experts, and allied healthcare professionals to improve the system of care for pediatric feeding disorder through advocacy, education, support and research. Defined as impaired oral intake that is not age-appropriate and is associated with medical, nutritional, feeding skill, and/or psychosocial dysfunction, pediatric feeding disorder (PFD) is estimated to affect more than 2.3 million children under the age of 5 in the U.S. For these children, eating, drinking and swallowing are painful and frightening—ultimately affecting their behavioral, physical, and emotional development. Yet, there is no functional system of care for pediatric feeding disorder locally, nationally, or internationally. How did Feeding Matters get started? Inspired…