Safe sitter program teaches safety and life saving skills teens should know

Instructors Kristi Dahl and Iris Merryweather with Graci and Randi Tubbs

My two girls Randi 14 and Graci 12 are at the age where they can stay home alone and  now babysit. My sister just had a baby boy and has a two year old little girl, but before they can start babysitting for her kids they thought it would be good to take a babysitting course.

We heard from a friend about John Hopkins All Children's Hospital and their one day Safe Sitter Essentials program at their Education & Conference Center 701 4th Street South, St. Petersburg, FL 33701. It is offered several times a year from 9am to 4 pm for $55. The program is limited to 16 students, so you need to register early. The spots fill up fast. The class is offered to boys and girls from 11-14.

My girls recently took the class and loved it. They both told me they feel so much more confident about working with young kids after taking the class. As a parent, it eases my mind knowing they feel this way so when they are offered a babysitting job they will be able to handle it.

The two instructors Kristi Dahl and Iris Merryweather have been teaching the course for years together. At the end of the day parents were invited to a short ceremony to hear what the kids learned and to see them receive their certificates .

After the instructors went over what they learned  and hearing my girls tell me all about their day at the class, I was so happy my girls attended the program. It's something I wish I would have had as a teen. They learned how to change a diaper, feed a baby, not to warm a bottle in the microwave or it could burn a baby's esophagus, what to do with kids if they are having temper tantrums, how to do CPR on a child and infant and what to do if a child is choking. These are great skills everyone should know.

What's great about this course is they got hands on instruction and practiced on CPR manikins CPR and the choking rescue. What a great way to learn and feel confident so if you ever needed to perform CPR you would know how to do it. My girls know how important CPR is as a little over a year ago their grandpa had sudden cardiac arrest and the man who performed CPR helped save his life. That man had just learned CPR, so it can happen and you need to be prepared.

The instructors also had an infant simulator to show what happens to the brain of the baby when you shake a baby for just a few seconds. They also went over some reasons babies and children cry and what to do. And if you feel frustrated  or can't calm the baby to put the baby in the crib or playpen and to call the parents.

These skills are not only for kids who want to babysit, but they are life teaching skills and lifelong skills. The next class is September 29, 2018. To see a list of all the upcoming classes or to sign up your child for this class go to their website at HopkinsAllChildrens.org/safesitter or email at kdahl4@jhmi.edu.

Student Graduates with Class after Bone Marrow Transplant

A proud day for Jared and his parents Tim and Denise Closterman,
 as Jared was able to graduate with his class at Seminole High in May 2017,
 after having a bone marrow transplant in September 2016.

Mak Ralston and Jared Closterman
have been best friends since second grade.

Over the last few years, I have watched my nephew Mak Ralston and his best friend Jared Closterman grow up from kids into young men. In May, they both graduated from high school, but for Jared this journey has not been easy. In 2011, when Jared was in sixth grade, he was diagnosed with a Primary Immune Deficiency Disease called Common Variable Immune Deficiency or CVID. Jared's immune system didn't have all the components to keep him protected from getting sick. He would get pneumonia and be hospitalized for weeks at a time.

Jared's parents would give him daily antibiotics to help give him protection from what his immune system wasn't able to do and he would get monthly intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) treatments at the hospital to supply him with one component his immune system wasn't able to make.

As Jared got older and entered high school the severity of his disease was increasing and his quality of life was starting to decrease. Jared's mom, Denise, had to resign as an elementary school teacher to take care of Jared after he was hospitalized several times.

In 2015, doctors recommended Jared have a bone marrow transplant. "It was still a very difficult decision to make because of the risks involved and because we were being told it was a long process to a full recovery," said Denise. But Jared and his parents knew a new immune system would give him a much better chance at a healthy life ahead. Through the National Marrow Donor Program there were plenty of excellent unrelated donors for Jared which was great news. "Some patients who need a bone marrow transplant don't have suitable donors, so this was a huge relief," said Denise.

In preparation of the transplant Jared was admitted to John Hopkins All Children's Hospital in St. Petersburg in August 2016, and on September 9, 2016, he had the actual transplant.

Jared flew up to Los Angeles, CA
as part of the Children's Dream Fund
to meet with film director Ridley Scott. 

Jared will tell you even at the age of 17, "There were moments where I completely lost hope of my recovery. I felt doubt, anxiety and other natural emotions." What kept Jared going was his family, friends and someone he met recently through  The Children's Dream Fund,  an organization granting wishes for chronically ill children. Jared's passion is writing and videography. In February 2016, Jared and his parents were flown out to LA for four days to meet film producer Ridley Scott, director of films like Blade Runner, Alien, Prometheus, The Martian and most recently Alien: Covenant.  "The experience of meeting the Director of my pursuit of film was unlike anything I've experienced before. He is very smart and a kind person, who genuinely cares about me and my family," said Jared.

As a friend of Jared and his family, I was so impressed with Ridley Scott and what he did for Jared. During Jared's bone marrow transplant Ridley wrote Jared and sent him care packages. He gave Jared encouragement to get better. He told Jared he could intern at his production company, Scott Free Productions in LA when he got better. Ridley probably has no idea how much of an impact he personally made on Jared's recovery. Jared was motivated to finish high school and his health is improving greatly.

Because Jared was out of school so long he wouldn't have been able to finish school without  the help of Pinellas County's Hospital Homebound program. This is an incredible program which helps students like Jared and others who can't attend school in a regular classroom setting. They offer classes with teachers via the internet. Because of this program,  Jared was able to finish his classes online and walk with his class at Seminole High School for graduation in May.

Jared and his family are so grateful to everyone who has made this life journey a success so far.  They want to share their story to help others to give hope and inspiration.  "Things can become hard and overwhelming with dark times, but just remember 'You've got this!'" said Jared.

I see how much Jared has already accomplished and look forward to what the future holds for him. 

***Check out one of Jared's horror short films on You Tube 

Anomaly (Horror Short Film 2017)

The Worm People: Out of Invasion 2016

Pumpkinhead Kills (Horror Short Film 2016)

Clone (Horror Short Film 2016)

Kids Cooking Classes: Teaching kids the essentials skills and nutrition

*So excited to see one of my articles featured in this months

Good Living Magazine Tampa Bay. 

To see and read the article in the magazine you can click here. It is on pages 37-38. 

My youngest daughter, Graci,  who is 10 years-old couldn't wait for me to take her to the Kohl’s Cooks for Kids classes. Ever since her older sister, Randi, who is now 12 years-old attended the class two years ago, Graci has begged me to take her.  

Randi cooking dinner.
She took the class when
she was 10. Now she is 12.

Graci sees her sister taking over the kitchen these days cooking fabulous meals for our family and wanted to learn the basics of cooking like Randi did when she went to the cooking classes.

Grace Polson and Graci washing dishes
after making a meal during one
of the classes.

Kohl’s Cooks for Kids, is a free children’s nutrition and cooking course sponsored by Fit4AllKids at All Children’s Hospital for kids ages eight and up. It is one night a week for five weeks. The classes fill up pretty fast, so you have to register in advance.

 Parents attend with their child, so you learn together lessons about healthy eating. Parents are mainly there to help and supervise, but the kids do all the work and cook the food. They also wash the dishes!

Graci receiving her certificate the
last night of class. She is with
Amanda Babonas, Terry Edwards and
McKenna Lalomia.

The classes usually have about 18 people including the children and their parents. Graci had the same instructor Randi had from two years ago, Terry Edwards or as the kids call her "Miss Terry." You can tell she loves teaching kids about cooking as her enthusiasm is seen each week talking to kids about nutrition and healthy eating. She also had two wonderful assistants who helped out with Graci's classes, Amanda Babonas and McKenna Lalomia.

Each week the children learned about the five food groups and why we need to eat from each one. As a parent, getting my kids to eat healthy foods can sometimes be hard, but during these classes something magical happened. They are now eating foods they would never even try before.

Graci making cheese quesadillas in class.

The one rule Ms. Terry had is the kids have to try  at least one bite of the food they make. If they don’t want any more that’s ok, as long as they tried it. What’s funny is some of the kids said “Really...do I have to try it?” and by the end of the night they were asking for more food.

Each week, one of the kids at each table is picked to be the chef for the night. Being the chef is something all the kids love. The chef is in charge of cooking the meal. Graci was chef for two of the weeks meals, the Asian lettuce wraps and white chili. Both recipes were easy and prepared in less than 30 minutes.  

Graci practicing her
cooking skills at home.

The kids had to chop, cut and dice everything including the peppers and onions. The parents made sure they didn’t slice any fingers. The kids also measured all the ingredients using the measuring spoons and cups. Once everything was ready, the kids put it in the pan for Graci to cook. Once it was finished, everyone tried it.  The kids couldn’t get enough of it. They loved it.

Each week, the kids took home the recipe for the meal they made and for homework the kids had to make it for their family and share it with a friend. During the course of the five weeks, the kids were given cooking utensils to help in the kitchen. They received an apron, measuring spoons, apple corer slicer, potato peeler, pizza cutter and a cook book.

I highly recommend these classes.  Not only did we learn about nutrition and cooking, but I was able to spend quality time with each of my daughters and we met new friends. Now we have a quick, simple and healthy meals my daughters and I can make together at home. I also saw how my oldest daughter's cooking has taken off since this class two years ago. I call her "Chef Randi" because she is in the kitchen cooking all the time. I can see Graci will be the next chef in the family, now that she's learned the essentials of cooking and enjoys it.

There are several classes offered each year throughout Pinellas County. Kohl’s is a big sponsor of All Children’s and helps with this program, so it is free to families. To find out more about Kohl’s Cooks for Kids go to www.hopkinsallchildrens.org or to register for a class you can email achFit4Allkids@jhmi.edu.

Easy and healthy meals delivered to your door

Fresh ingredients delivered to our front door 

I don't know about you, but every night it is a hassle to think about what to cook the family for dinner. I work from home, have two young kids and I am busy running my girls to extracurricular activities after school, so making a healthy meal sometimes gets put on the back burner.

I have been trying to get my meals for the week on Sunday and make them ahead of time or find simple recipes for the crock pot. It's hard because when I go to the grocery store with some of my new recipes, sometimes I don't know what some of the ingredients even are that I am trying to find. It can get frustrating. I also overbuy the amount of food I need and end up wasting food sometimes.

HelloFresh box with 3 meals

I have seen advertisements for meals that get delivered to your home by a company called HelloFresh and decided to try it out. How could I resist with a $40 off coupon? I didn't really know what to expect. I didn't know anyone else who had tried it yet, so I decided I would see how it worked.

The regular cost for a family of four with three ready to make meals including the meats and shipping  is $105. Since I had the $40 coupon, it was $65. This is a service you sign up for and the food can get delivered weekly, monthly or whatever you want and on the day you want it delivered. It works out to be about $8.75 per person per meal if you buy for a family of four three meals a week without any discounts. With the $40 off the fist box it ended up being $5.41 per person per person per meal. You can also buy the meals for a                                                           family of two. 

Here are the boxes each meal came in
plus the meats 

I had it delivered on Monday, so we could have the meals during the week. I couldn't wait for the package, because I was excited to have healthy meals at my fingertips. When the box arrived, I was very impressed. Each meal had it's own separate box labeled with the ingredients inside. The meats were separate. The package also included a card with each recipe including photos. I love photos because then I know what to do and what it should look like when finished.

Randi last year
learning how to cook at
All Children's Fit4Allkids

Last year my 11-year-old daughter Randi, took the AllChildren's Fit4Allkids cooking classes and learned the basics for cooking. I decided this might be fun for her to do since she loves to cook. We tried it out and she did great. I helped her a little and oversaw the process, but overall she was able to make the meals on her own. It was an experience for her and the whole family benefited from the wonderful healthy meals. Randi made sausage and broccolini orecchiette with pesto and apricot-glazed chicken. These two meals were scrumptious. The cook time was suppose to be 30 minutes. It took Randi about an hour. I think as we make more meals we will get faster.

Randi cooked this
sausage and broccolini orecchiette with
pesto

I will say the portions were also really good. The sausage meal gave us leftovers for another day. I think it tasted even better the second day.

Loved Randi's presentation of
apricot-glazed chicken

I decied to try my cooking skills and
made the Lemongrass beef stir-fry

Overall, this was a pleasant surprise to my cooking dilemma. I have everything delivered right to my door and it's fresh. I don't have to look for ingredients at the store and I don't waste food. It's awesome! The meals are so simple, even my 11-year-old can cook them, and it's a great way to share the cooking experience.

I also found, I can share a special code with friends and they get $40 of their first box and I can get $20 off my next box. You can also send up to four friends a free meal after you get your first two orders. I thought that was pretty good too. Here's the code to start today and get $40 off your first box. Got to HelloFresh and enter this code X7TYB3.

Mom & Me Cook-0ff May 16, 2015

Here's a wonderful event to sign up for! Registration is open but you need to sign up by May 11th.
The registration is done by clicking here.  Don't delay sign up today.

They are looking for creative and nutritious recipes in the categories of: Breakfast Matters, Snack Attack, Lunch Bunch, Family Favorites and Very Veggie. Prices will be awarded including a grand prize of $100 from Publix. All young chefs will receive a Kohl's Cooks for Kids goodie bag for participating. 

If you don't want to participate in the cook-off, you can still come out and cheer on fellow young chefs and have fun with other great activities including a bounce house, free good, crafts and an interactive animal experience with Great Explorations Children's Museum, fire truck demo and more!

Block Party and Mom & Me Cook-Off

May 16, 2015

10 A.M. to 1 P.M.

Lealman Fire Station4360 55th Avenue N, St. Petersburg

Kid’s learning about nutrition a fun way!

I was so excited this week to take my ten year-old daughter, Randi to the Kohl’s Cooks for Kids class this week. We tried to get into the last session, but it filled up quickly. I can see why after attending the first class. If you haven’t heard about it, Kohl’s Cooks for Kids is a children’s nutrition and cooking course sponsored by Fit4AllKids at All Children’s Hospital. It is one night a week for five weeks. Parents attend with their child, so you learn together lessons about healthy eating. Parents are there to help and supervise, but the kids do all the work and cook the food. They clean up too!

Chef for the night!

Our class included four tables of parents and kids about 18 people. Our leader from Fit4KidsAllKids was Miss Terry and she was awesome! She got everyone involved and really explained to the children about the five food groups and why we need to eat from each one. As a parent, getting my kids to eat healthy foods can sometimes be hard. Both of my two daughters can be picky eaters. I do have to say they are doing better this year at trying more foods. My daughter Randi is actually eating salad. She wouldn’t touch it before.  The one rule Ms. Terry has is that she asks the kids to at least try one bite of the food they are making. If they don’t want any more that’s ok, as long as they tried it. What’s funny is some of the kids gave a look like “’Really...do I have to try it?” and by the end of the night they were asking for more food.

Anyway, each table picked a kid chef for the night. Randi was the chef for the night. She was so excited. This meant that she had to be in charge of the meal we were preparing. The meal we prepared was a healthy Mexican Bulgar and Chicken recipe. Buglar is a wheat grain that is high in fiber and low-fat. It is used like rice. The kids had to chop, slice and dice everything including the peppers and onions. The parents made sure they didn’t slice any fingers. They also had to measure the ingredients using the measuring spoons and cups. It was great seeing the kids work together to prepare this delicious meal.

After the ingredients were cut and measured, they were put in the pan.  My daughter carefully watched and stirred the food. She than served it to everyone to try. The kids couldn’t get enough of it. They loved it.

We all received the recipe to take home and try with the rest of our family. The homework for the class is to cook the recipe for your family and share it with a friend. The kids were also given a set of their own measuring spoons. 

My youngest daughter loved
it too! 

It was such a wonderful night because I was not only able to spend quality time with my daughter, but we were also able to take home some nutritional tips. Now we have a quick and simple meal that my daughter and I can make for the family.

My daughter made dinner for the family and her sister loved it. She almost liked the plate!

There are several classes offered each year throughout Pinellas County. Kohl’s is a big sponsor of All Children’s and helps with this program so it is free to families. To find out more about Kohl’s Cooks for Kids click here. If you would like a free cookbook click here. If you would like the chicken and bulgur recipe click here. If you are interested in the classes you can email Kohl's Cooks for Kids at Fit4Allkids@allkids.org. 

Enjoy!

A passion to give back to others and make people smile

This is when members of PRO volunteered at All Children's Wonder Land last Christmas. (from left to right: Debbie Kampel, Affiliate Mentor; John-Paul Mario, Affiliate Chair, Robyn Fiel, Affiliate Director; David Bennett, President & CEO.

So many times there are people and organizations that don’t get recognized for the good deeds that they do. I know a lot of them would say they don’t need to be recognized, but sometimes it’s nice to publicly acknowledge the good they are doing for the community.

One particular organization that gives back to the community is the (PRO) Pinellas Realtor Organization Affiliate Business Partners. I am a member of this group and see how passionate they are about supporting their charity All Children’s Hospital.

As a parent and mom I know how important All Children’s Hospital is for our children. This hospital is state of the art and the care is top notch. I have had to take my girls there on several occasions and know what a wonderful place it is.

When Pinellas Realtor Organization affiliate chair John-Paul Mario decided a few years ago to make this hospital the charity of their organization, affiliate partners joined in supporting the cause. In the past 2 years, the organization has given more than $26,000 to All Children’s.  “My passion is giving back to others. My need is to have everyone around with positive energy. This is the most important part of my life. I believe in giving because your rewards are much greater. My personal goal is to see everyone with a smile,” said John-Paul Mario.

Last December, John-Paul made it his mission to start taking food on the weekends to the Ronald McDonald House, a housing facility for family members who have children in All Children’s Hospital. It is for family members who want to be close by their loved one, but maybe don’t want to leave the hospital campus. This is a place they can stay the night and have a meal.

Every week, John-Paul delivers food to the house. He loves to cooks, so sometimes he even cooks meals for the families down there.  “We average about $525 a month for needed items. I usually go shopping on Thursday or Saturday morning at Sam’s Club and deliver the items to the house,” said John-Paul.

The money collected each month is from the affiliates meetings. Each meeting the affiliate member introduces themselves to the group by name and company name. If an affiliate member adds a tag line or more information about their company, John-Paul will ask you to pay $5 to their charity All Children’s. Most people are glad to pay and even donate more because the money is going to a worthy cause.

The affiliates also collect toys for the children at Christmas and Easter.

“We are so appreciative of the support that the Pinellas Realtor Affiliates has given All Children’s Hospital. They have raised money, donated toys and advocated for the cause of our kids. John-Paul and the affiliates dedication to our patients has been unwavering and a testament to their passion for giving back,” said All Children’s Special Event Manager Taylor Traviesa.

This week is the Affiliate Business Partners 4^th annual wine and food festival and all the money raised will benefit All Children’s Hospital and the Ronald McDonald House. They hope to break last year’s record of raising $7,000.

One man’s passion to give back to others has turned into an organization’s passion into making a difference in the community and the lives of children.

Thank you to organizations like this and others who may go unrecognized, but your good deeds are not unnoticed and your rewards are the feeling you get knowing you made a difference. 

**update to article: The organization raised more than their goal. They raised $8,400.

Kohl's Cooks For Kids Free Family Cooking Class

I thought I would pass this information about a Free family cooking class. It is sponsored by All Children's Hospital Fit4AllKids' and Kohl's for Kids.

It is a special 5-week series of cooking designed for children ages 8 and up. It focuses on good nutrition, making healthy choices and gaining valuable culinary skills.

These classes help children gain confidence in the kitchen and parents get an opportunity to make mealtime family time.

The classes start on January 22nd.

To enroll call 727-767-2014 or email Fit4AllKids@allkids.org

The classes are from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p., at
Anona Aftercare Center at Anona Methodist Church, 13233 Indian Rocks Road, Largo, FL 33774.

For other classes and information about Fit4AllKids click here.

A Mom and her Family on a Mission to Congress

Marina and her parents Nikki & Geno Marasco

Next month, on June 19^th, a 6 year old little girl from Seminole, Marina Marasco and her parents will go before Congress in Washington D.C, to advocate for funding and pediatric research for All Children’s Hospital in St. Petersburg and other children’s hospitals. The family hopes to increase awareness for omphalocele (Pronounced uhm-fa-lo-seal) babies and research. Omphalocele is a type of abdominal wall defect in which the intestines, liver and occasionally other organs remain outside of the abdomen in a sac.

Marina one day old.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) each year about 1 out of every 5,386 babies born in the United States each year is born with omphalocele. Many babies born with omphalocele also have other birth defects, such as heart defects, neural tube defects and chromosomal abnormalities.

Marina’s story began a little over six years ago when her parents found out that Nikki, who was 35 at the time, was pregnant with their first child. The results of the blood work and the amniocentess were not good and doctors recommend and doctors recommended the pregnancy be terminated. 

But the Marasco’s didn’t abort their child and this May 31^st Marina turns six. She will also graduate from kindergarten. A day some doctors in the medical field thought would never happen, and if it did happen certainly she wouldn’t have any quality of life.  After 21 surgeries at All Children’s Hospital, this little girl Marina is truly a miracle.  

 

When you see her and meet her, you can see she has a wonderful quality of life. Marina is just like other kids her age. She is in karate working on her orange belt, takes dance and is competing in cheerleading competitions. “We fought to get her here. We went through hell and back,” says Nikki. “I just couldn’t believe my obstetrician in Tallahassee when he said it was a death sentence. I just didn’t want to give up,” Nikki said.

During her pregnancy Nikki travelled from where she was living in Tallahassee to see doctors at All Children’s Hospital. Marina ended up being delivered six weeks premature and doctors at All Children’s delivered her. It was a rough few months because when Marina was born she not breathing and after her birth she was in a coma for five weeks and in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) for 10 months. Even though there were struggles Nikki knew Marina was going to be fine.

During the pregnancy, Nikki had been so angry at God asking Him. She wanted to know what she had done so wrong to make her daughter be the one to suffer? She said she had given up and lost her faith. She asked God for a sign that He existed and to tell her that her baby was going to be ok. The very next day Nikki says she got that sign she was looking for when the results from the amnio showed no signs of any other type of genetic abnormalities. They were all clear. “I asked God for a sign and knew it was meant to be. It was a long battle, but paid off.  I wouldn’t hesitate and do it all over again. I would go through the heartache the tears.”

Nikki believes what her daughter has been through has made Marina who she is. “She is a phenomenal little girl. She is very loving and kind.”  Nikki says Marina knows she is lucky to be alive. Marina still has 2 to 3 more surgeries and when Marina is about 8 years old she will get a belly button.

Marina's mom says with the right medical staff and a loving family, a child born with omphalocele can have a quality life and more. That’s why the Marascos are so passionate about bringing awareness to omphalocele and trying to raise more money for research to give other babies a chance at life.

School Charity Events Can Have A Big Impact and Teach Kids Valuable Lessons

All Children's Walk-A-Thon at Seminole
Elementary School. Marina Marasco on
far left, was born with a condition called
omphalocele and has had 21 surgeries
since birth. 

If you have kids in school or if you are a relative of a child in school, you know how you get asked to donate money for so many different charitable organizations. The kids read books, jump rope and walk to raise money for charities. Just recently the elementary school that my two girls go to had a Walk-A-Thon for All Children’s Hospital. Since my girls have attended Seminole Elementary School they have participated in the event. The event has actually been going on for the past 27 years at the school. Each year they collect money and walk, but it wasn’t until this year that the event really hit home with them. 

The day before the walk, my youngest daughter, Graci, came home from school and told me she wanted to get money out of her piggy bank for a girl in kindergarten at her school who was on the morning school news. This little girl said she loved All Children’s Hospital and had been there for 21 surgeries since she was born. My daughter told me the little girl was going to have another surgery to get a new belly button and she wanted to donate money for it. Graci said, “Mom, she is so cute.” I was touched Graci was willing to help a child at school that she didn’t really know, but knew could benefit from her giving money for the walk-a-thon. 

The next day, the kids participated in the All Children’s Hospital Walk-A-Thon event. Little did we know that one Graci’s friends in her first grade class would end up the day after the walk going to All Children’s Hospital for emergency surgery for her appendix and intestines.  We talked about how the money they helped raised was going to help their friends from school. I think that’s when my two girls really understood what a charity event was all about.

My two girls, Graci and Randi play air hockey with their friend
in the playroom at All Children's Hospital

My daughters wanted to visit their friend and Graci’s classmate at All Children’s Hospital. We went to the hospital and they got to see how well the children were being taken care of. Their friend said she was given some toys from the nurses, there was a playroom with air hockey and a jukebox and they even played bingo. It is hard enough being sick and the hospital goes out of their way to try and make the kids feel comfortable away from home. I thought for a minute my kids might want to get hurt or be sick just so they could stay at the hospital because it was so nice.

I think when you have something happen and you see a charity up close and personal you really realize where your money is going and you feel like you’ve helped, even if it is just a little. I found out since 1987, the students from Seminole Elementary School have raised approximately $180,752 for the palliative care program at All Children's Hospital. The total raised this year has not been released. On a personal level, this event helped my girls learn that giving and helping others is better than receiving.

Being a healthy role model for our kids

I think being overweight is hard on anybody, but especially moms. I know because I had an extra 30 pounds of weight on me after having my second daughter. I think some of the weight never left after having my first daughter sixteen months before. Weight can creep up on you and before you know it, your clothes aren’t fitting anymore and you’re buying larger sizes.

I didn’t want to be part of America’s statistics for obesity. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention they say over the past twenty years there has been a dramatic increase in obesity and that more than one-third of U.S. adults (35.7%) and approximately 17% (12.5 million) children and adolescents aged 2-19 are obese.

I knew I needed to do something about my weight, so I joined Weight Watchers. I went every Saturday to meetings and weighed in for about eight months until I lost the weight.  Seven years later, I am still down 30 pounds. I tell you this because I have met so many people along the way, who all want the same thing-- to lose weight and be healthy.  After reaching my goal, I wanted to help others learn how to lose weight, so I started leading Weight Watchers meetings.

One person I want to tell you about is a 42-year-old woman named Michelle Burrell. She came to my meetings a little over a year ago and since then has lost 85 pounds. Incredible! She is a single mother of two. She has a 16-year-old son Shawn and an 8-year-old daughter, Elana. Elana is about 80 pounds. I tease Burrell and say she lost her daughter. One day, I even had Burrell put her daughter on her back and try to carry her around. It was hard for her to do. For years, Burrell has been carrying that extra weight. 

Michelle Burrell before
 losing 85 pounds 

Before losing weight, Burrell says the list was endless of what was hard for her to do because she was overweight. Now she eats healthy and exercises almost every day. She found an exercise she loves to do. She takes trampoline cardio classes at Airheads Trampoline Arena in Largo a few times a week and runs the other days. This is a person who told me a year ago, she was winded after going up stars. She couldn’t bend down before to polish her toenails. Burrell is continuing her journey of losing weight. She says she’s half way there. I am so proud of her and her accomplishments so far. Her life is changing. Just recently Burrell completed a half marathon, which is just one of her many big accomplishments. Her biggest she says is feeling comfortable enough to go to the beach with her daughter and being physically able to build a sandcastle.

Michelle Burrell 85 pounds lighter by
eating healthy and exercising

What is so important is that Burrell is a role model for her daughter. Her daughter is seeing her mom eat healthy and exercise. Her daughter wants to do the same. Burrell says her daughter goes to trampoline class and even runs with her. Elana is also grabbing for the fruit instead of cookies.

When we are eating healthy and exercising our kids will usually follow what we do. We need to set good examples and buy foods that are healthy. I know I feel better when I eat healthy and exercise. I want to be a positive influence on my kids.

I found a few programs locally that you may want to check into that are free for kids.  All Children’s Hospital has a program called Fit4allkids  to help children manage their weight and make healthy good choices. They also offer free online cooking videos with recipes called Cook eKitchen.  All Children’s teamed up with Kohl’s and has free cooking classes for kids called Kohl’s Cooks for Kids. They run once a week for five weeks. The next class is April 10^th in Largo. I even noticed Walgreens rewards you for getting active with their Walk with Walgreens program.

There are programs available to help you, but it’s up to us to make healthy eating and exercise a part of our life and our children’s lives.