Neapolitan Family – Everything the Naples Family Needs to Know

Love Multiplied: The Joys of Multiples

Spring Clean Your Mind & Home

The Power of Chia

The 411 on the 504

Love Multiplied: The Joys of Multiples
For those of us who cared for only one newborn at a time, the sleepless nights, the constant feedings and the indecipherable crying were draining enough to make us feel at the end of our ropes at times. While for most of us, the thought of multiplying that workload by two (or more!) is downright frightening, the parents profiled here each have built their own path to surviving and even thriving during the challenging early years of their children’s lives. Read the Full Story

Spring Clean Your Mind & Home “I am thankful for a lawn that needs mowing, windows that need cleaning and gutters that need fixing because it means I have a home … I am thankful for the piles of laundry because it means my loved ones are nearby. “ – Nancie J. Carmody Can you say this? I have to admit that I am usually the first to complain about the laundry, which never seems to end. But maybe we can learn a thing or two from Nancie. This spring, rather than focusing on the routine chores like taking an inventory of what you have, de-cluttering the closets, and polishing your silver (okay, no one does this anymore, but it makes for a good analogy later on in this article, so stick with me) take a new approach and focus on spring cleaning your world and being thankful in the process. Does that sound crazy? If so, read on! 1) Start by taking inventory. Recently I took my three girls clothes shopping. I really have to gear up for this (if you’ve ever shopped simultaneously with three girls you know what I mean), so before we went I helped them take an inventory of what they had and decided ahead of time what they needed. Obviously this is not rocket science, right? But how often do we do this with our world? Look around you and take an inventory of what you see and experience on a regular basis. Are the kids happy or do they fight more often than not? Do you and your partner get along as well as you like? How much do you enjoy your current routine? Write down how you are generally feeling on a day-to-day basis. Be honest with yourself. It is more valuable to admit where you might like to see changes than to ignore those areas that are not going well. Only then can you determine what your needs are. 2) Declutter your closet. If you can, recall a time when you did the impossible and tackled an over-stuffed closet. Seeing all that junk lying on the floor and scattered in an assortment of loosely related piles can be frustrating, and ironically can seem worse than it did before you started. But keeping the end result in mind, a cleared out space where you can quickly find what you need, can help you stay the course. The same is true with your world. If, after taking an inventory (as you did in step 1), you notice that your life is not in the state you would like it to be, you have to find out why, and the best place to start is with you. Start to eliminate and delegate. Eliminate activities, relationships, and commitment that no longer bring you happiness. Delegate household jobs too! Kids are great helpers and learn a lot from the responsibility of participating in routine chores. Remember it may get messier first, but be patient with the transition. Soon enough your calendar will start to look a little bit cleaner. 3) Polish your silver. I’ll be honest, I don’t even own any silver, nor do I want to. In any event, let’s pretend for a minute we lived back in the 1940s. Picture yourself in a house dress and a white apron, standing in the dining room polishing your silver, while the children quietly play in the living room. Think Donna Reed or June Cleaver. Look around you and see the beauty that can be found in every person, every relationship, and certainly in you. Accept other for who they are and love the person you are already. Then take a moment to shine up those qualities about you that you already love. Get your hair done, watch an old movie or go out and have fun with some girlfriends. Do something special for you! This spring, focus on cleaning up your world and adding in a dose of gratefulness. Yes, it’s nice to have a clean house, but how much better it is to have a clean world where you can enjoy others, relax a bit, and take care of you, too. Be honest with where you are, make a conscious effort to eliminate and delegate so you have more time to bring more of what you DO want into your world. Then do something to make yourself shine. Now that is something to really be grateful about! As a Certified Life Coach, speaker and author, April O’Leary helps women bring peace into their busy lives. She also teaches a tele-course called Ride the Wave and offers one-on-one coaching sessions by phone or in her office. April and her husband Jim reside in Estero with their three girls. For more on April, visit her website at www.apriloleary.com. Read the Full Story

The Power of Chia Chia contains more protein than traditional crops including wheat, corn, rice, oats, and barley. This makes chia a great alternative for vegetarians and vegans. Chia is a forgotten powerhouse of nutrients. Aztec warriors believed so strongly in the power of chia that they consumed it regularly. The seeds were so highly regarded that they were offered to the Nahua gods. But, then chia practically disappeared for 500 years. Only recently has chia resurfaced. Chia is now consumed around the world as a functional food. It’s also fed to horses, pigs, birds, cats, and dogs worldwide. Is chia really the miracle food that ancient civilizations praised? What is Chia?
Chia is an herb from the mint family. It’s best known for producing seeds that are rich in omega-3 essential fatty acids. What can Chia do for me?
Collectively, the nutrients contained in chia have been shown to help with numerous diseases including: heart disease, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes, arthritis, autism, ADHD, cancer, and allergies. Chia seeds contain the highest percentage of alpha-linolenic acid, an omega-3 fat, of any plant source. Why should you care? Heart disease, diabetes, cancer, arthritis, autism, and even allergies are associated with omega-3 deficiency. We know this and yet 60% of Americans are currently deficient in this essential fat. Chia may be the answer. Eating just 2 teaspoons of chia seeds meets the daily omega-3 requirement for all adults. Chia is a good source of complete protein, providing 19-27 grams of protein per 100 grams. In fact, chia contains more protein than traditional crops including wheat, corn, rice, oats, and barley. This makes chia a great alternative for vegetarians and vegans. Chia is a good source of fiber. The fiber in chia helps you feel full after a meal and it decreases the time it takes for nutrients to be absorbed by your body. Additionally, fiber can help prevent chronic diseases including diabetes, colon cancer, heart disease, and obesity. Chia seeds are naturally rich in antioxidants including vitamin E and polyphenols. This is important because antioxidants keep you healthy by combating free radicals. Excess free radicals in your body can damage your organs and lead to disease. Eating antioxidants on a daily basis helps combat these free radicals. Chia also contains minerals including: phosphorus, calcium, magnesium, zinc, iron and copper. In fact, chia contains higher levels of phosphorus, calcium, and magnesium than wheat, rice, and sorghum. These nutrients are required for healthy bones as well as proper muscle contraction, and nerve function. Where can I buy Chia?
Chia is sold online and at some grocery stores. Whole Foods sells both chia seeds and chia seed powder. If you want a chia cookie supplement that even your kids will love, try the oatmeal cookie sold online at LifesHealthyPleasures.net. Receive 5% off each order if you use this coupon code: EFSM-1. How do I cook with Chia?
Chia is actually easy to incorporate into your diet. The seeds or powder can be added to yogurt, oatmeal, granola, salads, soups, smoothies, stir-fry, or even peanut butter. Chia seeds can be used as an egg substitute when baking cakes and cookies by mixing 1 tablespoon of chia seeds with ¼ cup water. There is one caveat when eating chia: If you do not consume enough water, chia can dehydrate you because of the type and amount of fiber it contains. If using seeds, you can avoid dehydration by soaking them for at least 15 minutes prior to consumption. Soaking also reduces the crunchy texture. If you’re like me and you don’t like the crunchy texture of the seeds, you’ll love my Chia Omelet! Chia Omelet
1 egg
½ tablespoon of chia seeds
½ tbsp milk
¼ cup onion, chopped
1 garlic clove, minced
1 cup spinach.
Whisk egg and milk together. Soak chia seeds in the mixture for 30 minutes. Cook onion in a small amount of oil until translucent. Add garlic, cook for 1 minute. Add spinach, cook until tender. Add egg mixture to the pan. Cook until eggs are done. Season to taste. Bottom line: Chia is a powerful source of omega-3 fats with the added benefit of providing complete protein, fiber, antioxidants, and minerals. Dr. Sina McCullough has a PhD in Nutrition and Exercise from the University of California at Davis. She is a freelance writer and nutrition consultant (www.personalizeyourdiet.com). Read the Full Story

The 411 on the 504 A 504 plan spells out the modifications and accommodations that will be needed for a student with special needs to have an opportunity to perform at the same level as their peers. Within the school system, certain students become eligible for section 504 and therefore receive services and protection by law. 504 refers to the section of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 which applies to people with disabilities. In short, it is a civil rights act which prohibits discrimination against anyone with a physical or mental disability who attends either a public or private school that is funded with public dollars. In order for a student to become eligible for 504 services he or she must first be determined as a result of an evaluation to have a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities. For this evaluation data is gathered from a variety of sources such as the classroom teacher, the administrator, student standardized tests, parent input, or a student’s individual progress monitoring plan (PMP). Within Collier County’s public school district, the school’s Problem Solving/Response to Intervention Team (PS/RTI TEAM) decides if Section 504 applies for a student. Section 504 defines major life activities as “functions such as caring for one’s self, performing manual tasks, walking, seeing, hearing, speaking, breathing, learning and working.” The major life activity most often identified in the educational setting is that of learning. A physical or mental impairment is described as “any physiological disorder or condition, cosmetic disfigurement, or anatomical loss affecting one or more of the following bodily systems: neurological; musculoskeletal; special sense organs; respiratory, including speech organs; cardiovascular; reproductive; digestive; genito-urinary; hemic and lymphatic; skin; and endocrine; Any mental or psychological disorder, such as mental retardation, organic brain syndrome, emotional or mental illness, and specific learning disabilities.” When a student becomes 504, they will receive a 504 plan which is a document designed to outline any accommodations or modifications the student will receive at school and possibly during state and county wide tests such as the Collier Writes and FCAT. For some children, providing the appropriate modifications and accommodations they need is the only way they will be successful in their school experiences. The accommodations or modifications of a student’s 504 plan are usually carried out by the student’s classroom teacher, who is also part of the PS/RTI team. A 504 accommodation plan is not an individualized education plan (IEP). An Individualized Education Program (IEP) describes the educational program that has been specifically designed to meet the unique needs of a child who receives specialized instruction and related support services, such as speech and language services and occupational therapy. For students with disabilities who require specialized instruction, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) controls the procedural requirements and an IEP is developed for these children. The IDEA process is typically more involved than that of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. An accommodation is any technique that alters the academic setting or environment. A modification is any technique that alters the work required by the student in some way. These accommodations or modifications may include untimed state and county wide testing, reduced homework assignments, note taking assistance, organizational strategies, and supplemental materials. The PS/RTI TEAM typically decides what accommodations are necessary because this team would be knowledgeable about the student as well as the evaluation procedure and accommodation options that would best suit the needs of the student. For each school, the principal assigns a member of the faculty to serve as the school’s Section 504 liaison or contact. The Section 504 liaison implements the district’s procedures on Section 504 and reviews referrals made to the PS/RTI Team. The 504 liaison provides input on issues related to Section 504 and maintains the accommodation plans for 504 students. In addition, the liaison ensures consistent accommodations to the student as he/she changes grades and teachers. At the beginning of each school year and after any significant change of placement, teachers are notified by the school’s 504 liaison so they can review their student’s accommodation plan. The suggested time for review of the 504 accommodation plan should take place annually. Review is mandatory when a 504 student has a significant change of placement such as a transfer to a different school, or when they move on to middle or high school. Darlene Pellechia is a CCPS teacher, editorial contributor, and mom of three.
Read the Full Story

Things to do & Places to go

Calendar of Events

Locate family friendly events in the Naples area.

Featured Events

Super Saturday Special Needs Respite Program.

This respite program provides parents a safe environment for their child to play, create and...

Promise Land Childrens Summer Camp.

Ticket Pricing: $50 per week to the first 15 campers, $75 per week. For grades k-8. Free meals, $1...

Outdoor Family Movie Night.

Outdoor Family Movie Night will take place at sunset at Cambier Park Bandshell. Bring your lawn...

43rd Annual City of Naples Tennis Tournament.

A state of the art tennis facility with 12 Hydro-Grid (sub-irrigated) lighted Har-Tru (clay-like...

Directories & News

Directories

Find contact information for local services like birthday parties, Preschools and more!

The News You Need

“Other teens drink and use marijuana but my kids don’t,” parents say in new poll: Parents of teens likely underestimate own... Read More >

Creative Students Wanted to Help Promote Florida KidCare: Instead of questioning a room full of adults on... Read More >

4 Things Every Parent Must Know Before Purchasing the Latest Gadget for their Child this Holiday Season: If there's one guarantee for the coming holiday... Read More >

Lighthouse of Collier Offers Fall/Winter Programs: Lighthouse of Collier, Inc., Center for Blindness... Read More >

Tips on Saying Hello to a Service Dog: How should people behave around an assistance... Read More >

Planning for College Costs is Possible - Message of College Savings Month: Recent data from the Consumer Price Index... Read More >

Safety Tips for Students Abroad: The allure of traveling abroad to study and... Read More >

Nine Top Tips to Tame the Power of Technology When It Interferes with Homework: By Ann K. Dolin, M.Ed. Technology has... Read More >

College Tours 101: Start by Casting a Wide Net–If you and your... Read More >