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Playing is Learning . . . 

                            ....Learning is Fun

by Sage Lauren Sinopoli

Imagine a place where kids get to be kids. They have fun while learning, and they can't wait to go back! That place is The Little Gym in Millville. At The Little Gym kids learn gymnastics, dance and even karate in a non-competive atmosphere. The gym is a place for any child wether 4 months or 12 years old! There are classes specailly designed for all! And these classes are ment to teach more then just moter skills. Each class begins with an Opening Circle where everyone introduces themselves. The Opening Circle is followed by a game that is more then it seems. During the game kids are streatching and warming-up their muscles. Then the class begins. Don't think for a second that the non-competive atmosphere means that kids won't learn.

 Richard Rodriguez, owner of The Little Gym, explains, "We feel, here at The Little Gym, that children learn more by having fun." The Little Gym has methods to ensure a positive learning atmosphere. Some on the methods include: "POD" (Points of Detail), "SPF" (Specific Positive Feedback) and "DP" (Directive Practice).

POD, which stands for Points of Detail, is a method that uses positive reinforcement. There are many skills that children must learn to move onto the next level, but that doesn't mean that kids are forced to learn things. If a child feels uncomfortable they are aloud to take a step back. The instructor will tell him or her that when they are ready to try to let them know. They can't wait to see them try!

Instead of saying, "Great job on that cartwheel!" The SPF or Specific Positive Feedback method encourages a child by telling them exactly why they did such a great job on that cartwheel. For instance, Rodriguez would say, "Great job on the cartwheel! I loved how your arms were nice and straight!"

The next method is also important. The SPF is followed up by DP, Directive Practice, which is a positive way to point out what they can better next time. An instructor may say, "Next time, why don't you straighten out your legs more."

The coolest thing about The Little Gym is that kids can't wait to go back! They love it. The kids ask when they are going back to Little Gym. The gym has a book, that isn't "little", that is filled with drawings and thank you cards and other art all from the kids who go there every week. The book is filled with beautiful thank you's and I love you's. A testimonial from those little ones who's feelings matter the most.

Visit The Little Gym in Millville. 2120 North Second Street Millville, NJ. (856) 765-5638
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A Breath of Fresh Aire 

by Sage Lauren Sinopoli 

Andy Parker and his family were just like yours. Loving, hardworking, and living day by day.
His dad was in and out of the doctor’s office while he fought with emphysema and asthma. The Parkers followed the doctors advice, and his dad continued to take up to four medications at a time for relief.

As dialogue between the doctors and the Parkers continued, Andy noticed a trend. “The doctors would always wonder if he was allergic to different things,” Andy explained. But, no one offered a way to test the Parker residence to get to the root of the problem.

That’s when Andy first found out about AireServ,  a heating and air conditioning company different from the rest.  AireServ uses equipment by AirAdvice, manufactures of the most trusted air quality equipment in the country. The company even addressed Congress in 2007 in the, AirAdvice State of Our Indoor Air Report.

After Andy’s dad’s home was evaluated the technicians suggested that they use a filtration system. Using filtration and ventilation systems are effective ways to clean the air your breathe inside of your home. After installing the filtration system, Andy’s dad started to breathe easier. 

He still needs to take medication to help him breathe, but thanks to AireAdvice he has been able to cut back on daily medication.

Andy saw first-hand how improved air quality changes quality of life. After his dad’s condition improved, Andy set out on a mission to improve his friends’ and neighbors’ quality of life by purifying the air they breathe. “Doctors are great! Still, sometimes we all overlook the source of the problem. That’s where we come in,” says Andy. He and his team can install a machine to collect information like temperature, humidity, particle allergens, VOC (“volatile organic compounds,” detectable chemical pollutants), CO and CO2. After  data is collected and anylized, recommendations for the individual home are made.  

Your family is probably also affected by indoor impurities, remember even though you can’t see it, doesn’t mean it’s not effecting you.


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Fun, tasty ways to get fit in 2010
 
If you resolved to get healthier this year, you've probably started evaluating exercise programs and healthy foods to eat. But don't forget to include fun and enjoyment in your resolution, because that is the best way to keep it going all year long.

Here are some suggestions to start your wellness resolution off on the right foot:

* Incorporate your exercise program into activities you're already doing. For example, if you drive to work every day, instead of parking as close to the door as you can, try parking a long distance away or, better yet, bike to work. Once at work, instead of e-mailing or calling a coworker to discuss something, get up and walk over to her desk and have an in-person conversation. Take the stairs rather than the elevator. Dance to the radio while brushing your teeth at home - anything to increase the amount you are moving without changing your entire routine.

* If you already cook, go online, purchase a new cookbook or sign up for a cooking class and find some new healthy recipes. If you don't cook, consider learning how. You can challenge yourself to learn one new recipe every week, or turn your learning into a social event by inviting friends over for one of your meals.

* Relax with a cup of tea. Natural tea can help you reduce body fat and increase your metabolism rate. Studies have shown that Oolong tea leaves contain rich amino acids and cellulose, which lowers cholesterol and boosts metabolism. Green tea leaves contain vitamins C and E, as well as high fiber. And black tea leaves help with digestion. Having a cup of hot tea - without sugar or cream - after each meal will help you to slowly dissolve fat in your body.
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Let's Do Lunch!
Back to school with affordable lunch alternatives 

by Sage Lauren Sinopoli

 It’s that time of year again! The days are getting shorter, the leaves are changing colors and the kids are heading back to school. Back to school shopping doesn’t have to be a burden on your wallet. There are many things that you can do to save money without busting your wallet or sacrificing your kids’ social lives.

School lunches cost almost $3 now a days, which adds up! If your child buys lunch everyday that’s a whopping $540 a year! Packing lunch not only has the potential to save money, but it also allows you to pack more nutrition into your child’s diet. For instance, a turkey and cheese sandwich on whole-grain bread with a yogurt and an apple costs about $1.48 a day.  Add a sports drink like Sustain™ Sport Orange Splash (the least expensive sports drink we found) to a sports bottle full of water for a refreshing boost with only 15 calories. That addition is only $0.37 each time you pack it. A very kid friend and healthy lunch now costs you only $1.85 a day. That comes out to about $333 a year for lunch. So, packing this nutritious lunch could save you over $200 a child every school year.

You don’t always have to pack the same lunch. We reviewed several area circulars and found sale prices. 

You’re busy so you may not have the time to coupon, so we didn’t either. Remember that coupons are a valuable way to save even more! Just check out the prices, and look for sales in circulars. Take a look at the chart on page one. It’s broken down into price and amount of servings.

We did that math and figured out how much each day would cost. That little lunch shopping list comes out to under $30, and many of the items will last for several weeks before you run out. Remember, packing lunch isn’t only for kids anymore. . . Make it a family affair!  Saving is as easy as that!

Lunch bags that are fashionable don’t have to be pricey. Take a field trip to Five Below! Pick up a lunch bag, ice packs to keep lunch fresh and a sports bottle. Your total: $7 plus tax. That means that you’ll pay under $0.04 a day! So for less then a nickle a day you can help the environment while saving money by keeping disposable lunch bags out of landfills. (Not to mention that you’ll eliminate the risk of a squished sandwich!)

There you go! Who knew saving $200 a year per child was possible without sacrificing nutrition? Remember, shop wise and save this school year.

For more information on how to purchase  Sustain™ Sport Orange Splash and other exceptional health and wellness products, call 888-444-0015x120