August: Parents are Prevention

Hi everyone!

This month is all about how Parents are Prevention. As young people we forget to realize how important our parents really are. We always just think they are in our way and trying to ‘ruin our lives’. We never take the time to sit back and look at all they do for us. They are truly here for us.

As I was growing up I was very lucky because I was able to have my Mom all the time. Although my Dad was never apart of my life, my Mom managed to teach me a lot of things and help to show me the path I would want to take in life.

Now that I am older, we have a very close bond. I was able to go to her for anything I was going through in my life. I trusted her; in return, she trusted me. I think you have to keep a solid trust between your parents and yourself. They need to know you’re responsible and you will make the right choices.

It is so hard to gain respect and trust back from your parents. I feel like a lot of people are scared to talk to their parents about certain things, but it will only help you in the long run. I have friends even now that still can’t talk to their parents; and they are hiding things from them.

Be open and honest with your parents; listen to them about things, because they really do know what they are talking about. They have been there and done that, and have a lot more experience than we do!

They are here to help and protect us. I am still saying, “gesh, my mom was right about that”. 

June

June is all about helping and volunteering your time and resources to others. One of the greatest movies ever made was “Pay it Forward”. This movie was about how people are born into different situations and have different obstacles they have to go over to survive, but along the way if you are able to help others out (pay it forward), you are living a life of admiration. 

 

No one can do things by themselves. Asking for help doesn’t mean you failed it just means you have someone that is willing to help you out. There is not enough kindness going around in the world anymore. People believe that everyone is bad and no one can be trusted, we cant go around the world like that. We have to have some faith in people. 

Take a few minutes out of your day to see if there is a chance for you to make a change. Take the opportunity, pay it forward because then good things will come your way. Karma doesn’t have to be a bitch if you are good to others. Be kind to each other and help out whenever possible. 

May: Graduation & Lifes Transitions

Happy May!!

“All our dreams can come true…if we have the courage to pursue them”- Walt Disney

May is the time when a lot of college students graduate and high school students are ready to get out! It is a time of change, not only in schools, but weather and attitudes as well. May always seems like the perfect month for celebrations and parties! Everyone has to stay aware of the situations that can occur in times of change.

One of the greatest things I learned in my 4 years of college, is that everything I do now, good or bad, is going to effect me later in life. To some people that could get a little scary and to others it can land them a high paying job! Ive also learned to be kind to people, it takes so much more effort to be mean to someone.

One of my goals for after graduating, besides getting a job, is to reonnect with lost relationships. My life is changing, I want the people who mean a lot to me, that I may have forgotten about in college, to be with me in my next chapter in life. I am ashamed that I spent so much time on people who were toxic to my life, rather than taking time to spend with the people I know will always be there. I guess after all of these years, I have finally realized who my real friends are. The beauty of that is it doesnt have to be 14 BEST friends, but three.

Always think about things before you do them, really take time to say “am I going to be proud of this in a few years?” You cant live your life with regrets so, at the time you did something you did it because you believed in it-so you have to own up to the consequences. No one can make you do something. You are your own person.
Remember: laugh as much as you breathe and love as long as you live

Steroids there is no benefit

ANABOLIC STEROIDS-

Stories about athletes and steroids seem to pop up regularly in the news. Some professional baseball players, cyclists, and track stars have been accused of — and in some cases have admitted to — using steroids to give them an edge competitively. And steroid use has trickled down to younger athletes too, who face fierce pressure to be stronger and faster, and to make it to college and professional leagues. Some research has shown that 5% of teen boys and 2.5% of teen girls have used some form of anabolic steroids. Steroids promise bold results, but there is little proof that they deliver any such benefits.(http://kidshealth.org/parent/emotions/behavior/steroids.html)

Did you Know?

Anabolic steroids, technically known as anabolic-androgen steroids (AAS) or simply as “steroids” or “‘roids”, are drugs which mimic the effects of the male sex hormones testosterone . They increase protein synthesis within cells, which results in the buildup of cellular tissue (anabolism), especially in muscles.

Adverse effects

Anabolic steroids can cause many adverse effects, the most common being elevated blood pressure,  cardiovascular disease or coronary artery disease, Acne premature baldness and liver damage.

Legal Status In the U.S., anabolic steroids are currently listed as Schedule III controlled substances. The first offense simple possession without a prescription is a federal crime punishable by up to one year in prison. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anabolic_steroid)

What are the Benefits-

There are no lasting benefits to steroid use, user’s are subject to chronic medical problems fro the rest of  their lives. For athletes the troubles are far worse then health issues. Great iconic sports heroes have achievements taken away from them, fans and supporters no longer believe in their ability. These players are considered cheaters and often barred from playing their respective sports. Steroids use overshadows any hard work athletes may have done throughout their careers, and all they worked for can disappear in an instant. Always remember that “all that glitters is not gold”.

Marcy Calovich

April: Alcohol Awareness Month

Hey everyone!

I know everyone is probably ready to drink because there is no sunny weather, but it is coming soon enough! This month is alcohol awareness month. Alcohol has had such an impact on my life. It’s really amazing to me how young people are starting to drink.

While being in college, there are so many temptations when it comes to drinking. Its available, no parents around–and being 21 really helps. I know that when I have kids I want them to not drink until they are 21 because there is no point. They have the rest of their lives to drink and to just start younger isn’t worth it.

I have been asked to get alcohol for people who are underage, and I have always said no. I am worried about getting in trouble, I worry that because the person is younger they may not know how much they can drink and if something happens to them it would be on my shoulders since I provided it. I would just wait it out and not supply underage people with alcohol.

What do people think about parents who allow their kids to drink at the house with their friends? Growing up it was never allowed, my brothers and I did not even ask to have something because my mom did not accept it. I didn’t even think about asking. The bottom line is underage drinking is against the law.

Sometimes I wonder if people really know how much alcohol can affect someones judgement. I know people who are a totally different person when drunk. It’s amazing to see their actions and what they say and do.

If people know alcoholics they know the stress and complications that come with the disease. I think something that can be very helpful when dealing with an alcoholic parent, relative or friend, is to go to AA meetings. A lot of people get the misconception that AA is for alcoholics only. Thats not true at all! Has anyone ever gone to an AA meeting? People can go just to get information about a friend who knows an alcoholic. It’s just another learning experience.

There are so many accidents regarding drinking and it can be preventable. If you are of age, you can enjoy a nice glass or wine or a beer if you would like. There is no need to take it over board and be ‘that’ boy or girl at the party. Also waking up the next morning, if you are , is a terrible feeling and a horrible way to start the day. I actually learned in class the other day that hangovers are actually mini withdrawals which I found very interesting. It’s amazing how fast your body depends on alcohol that you can go through a withdrawal the next morning. Scary, actually.

Everyone needs to be smart about alcohol. It causes a lot of deaths and heartache. Let me know what you guys think!

February

Hi Guys!

 

This month is healthy living!

I dont think people realize how hard it is to stay healthy. It takes a lot of work to keep up with being healthy. Of course you can go right to exercise everyday, eat a cracker and only drink water. But that is not good for you and zero fun. I have managed to stay right around the same weight for a few years now without killing myself working out. I hate to work out so I look for other things to get me movin’. I love to be outside taking walks and playing sports. Swimming is a great exercise.

 

Dont eat when you are not really hungry. I eat because I am bored all of the time and sometimes I can feel myself slowly getting larger hah. Or if you really are bored and need to eat something, make it healthy. I know how hard it is to eat healthy in college but there are ways around it. If you have a roommate that likes to make sloppy joes, go ahead and eat that….but then you go up and down the stairs a few more times that day.. ha

 

Drinking water is another thing that really makes me feel good, inside and out. I feel like my skin looks better and I am hydrated. You have to remember to take care of yourself as well; appearance wise.

 

I feel cleaner and have more confidence when my nails are done and my skins clear and I dont look tired. Heres a little tip, if you feel a pimple coming, put a little toothpaste on it right before bed. I have done this for a while now and it helps get rid of them because it dries them up!

 

A healthy lifestyle and healthy living also deals with your relationships. Something I have taken a very long time in figuring out is that if a relationship with someone is a lot of work and your not getting much out of it, your better off without it. I have met people I never want to see again because of the effect they have had on my life. There are times when you need to step back and realize you cant keep putting yourself through this. Life is hard enough without having people dragging you down. Surround yourself with positive people who respect and love you. I really believe in paying it forward.. do something nice for someone and it will come back. If everyone in the world would pay it forward this world would be much happier.

Make sure you have time for yourself. You need to do what makes you happy. Enjoy your life, you only get one!

Now try this video to get tighter cheeks
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qsZLlVxaOq0

January

Happy New Year!!

A new year brings new happenings. January is Marijuana month. Did you know that the Marijuana today is as much as ten times stronger than the Marijuana used in 1970? (dmhas)

I have friends that smoke Marijuana and I have heard a lot of things as to how it doesn’t harm the body like alcohol or cigarettes. Now to some extent there’s probably truth to that statement. People don’t realize that Marijuana does in fact, harm the body.

Marijuana is a combination of mind-altering ingredients called Cannabinoids. Cannabinoids remain in the fat cells of Marijuana users. Since one-third of the brain is fat, cannabinoids are stored in the brain. Marijuana can slow learning by impairing thinking, reading comprehension and verbal and math skills. It also can affect your short term memory.

THC (delta-9-tetrahydroconnabinol), the main ingredient in Marijuana, can remain in the tissues of the body for days or weeks!

Here is a very interesting fact that I got from Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, Marijuana smoke contains more cancer-causing ingredients than tobacco smoke. Researchers found that Marijuana cigarettes release five times as much carbon monoxide into the bloodstream and three times as much tar into the lungs of smokers as tobacco cigarettes.

So to the people that say Marijuana is ‘healthier’ than cigarettes, they’re wrong!

I started thinking about how people are trying to really stop the use of Marijuana. I don’t understand how this isn’t already somewhat solved. I think that there needs to be harsher punishment for people caught selling or using Marijuana, and any drug for that matter. If there was a harsher punishment people would be scared to sell or use drugs. If people just set an “automatic” jail time then maybe there would be a reduction in the amount of Marijuana and drugs used. Of course with sending everyone to jail come the factor of money and room in jail for everyone.  Maybe instead of jail time they have a fine to pay, a large fine to pay.

Does anyone think maybe that would help with the drug problem? How do people learn if they are continuously being able to use their ‘get out of jail’ free card?

Something else I found very interesting is, each year; more kids enter treatment with a primary diagnosis of marijuana dependence than for all other illegal drugs combined. Research also shows that the earlier kids start using pot, the more likely they are to become dependent on it or other illicit drugs later in life.

I have heard that before, that pot is the stepping stone for other drugs.

Just curious as to what you think about Marijuana. What do you think about parents that smoke Marijuana? Anything else! I’d love to know

I got my facts from:

www.ctclearinghouse.org, usa.gov, www.prevlink.org, www.dmhas.org