Balance Newsletter - August 2008

Welcome to Balance!

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To find the latest in news and information to help you create a better life of balance, check out our website at www.balanceaustin.com.

Balance Expo Featuring Jackie Warner, Host of Bravo’s Work Out

On Saturday, August 9th, Majic 95.5, Mix 94.7, and Talk Radio 1370am are partnering up with Scott & White Health Plan to bring women of Central Texas a full day of everything women; an early morning 5k exclusively for women (the first and only type in this region) to benefit the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition, and a full day Expo at the Palmer Events center showcasing products and services from hundreds of vendors catering to women. Celebrity guests will include Jackie Warner, host of Bravo TV’s Work Out, Brad Womack from ABC’s The Bachelor, Elizabeth Keener, who plays Dawn Denbo in the fifth season of Showtime's reknown series, The L Word, and other special guests. Hundreds of vendors will be on hand to display their goods and services catering to women. Click here for more information on how you can attend the Expo or participate in the 5k run.   

Balance 5k benefitting the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition

Saturday morning, August 9th, Majic 95.5, Mix 94.7, and Talk Radio 1370am are partnering up with Scott & White Health Plan and Run Tex to bring women of Central Texas the first “women’s only” 5k race to benefit the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition. Click here to learn how you can participate in the 5k and help fight Ovarian Cancer in Central Texas.

National Immunization Month

From coast to coast parents and children are preparing for the first day of school. It isn’t unusual if you and/or your children are feeling excited and maybe a little sad that summer is over. As the fun in the sun draws to a close much of your to-do list probably includes reading, writing and arithmetic. But you don’t want to forget sending your children to school with their most important tools…their health. August marks National immunization month, spotlighting the importance of keeping your family’s immunizations up to date. The Center for Disease Control has put together a number of charts to help you keep on top of the vaccines that you and your children need. Click here for a list of helpful scheduling aids to keep you at the top of your class.

Back To School!

Back to school means more than new shiny shoes.  It also means reeling in all that was let lose.  After months of playing with neighborhood friends into the evening, staying up late and overall loosing a sense of semblance in the household, it’s time to go back to school and developing a routine.   Below are a few tips to help you establish the school-time schedule. 

~Plan to re-establish the bedtime and mealtime routines (especially breakfast) at least 1 week before school starts.  Include pre-bedtime reading and household chores if these were suspended during the summer.

~Turn off the TV.  Encourage your child to play quiet games, do puzzles, flash cards, color, or read as early morning activities instead of watching television.  This will help ease your child into the learning process and school routine.  If possible, maintain this practice throughout the school year.

~Select a spot to keep backpacks and lunch boxes.  Designate a spot for your children to place their school belongings as well as a place to put important notices and information sent home for you to see.  Explain that emptying their backpack each evening is part of their responsibility, even for young children.

For more helpful hints, tips and message boards visit www.schoolfamily.com. 

Help Me Help My Kid

To help your children do well in school, it is important for you to get involved in their education.  Homework is a must for school aged children.  It is your responsibility as the parent to play a vital role in them completing and understanding their homework.  The more active a role you play, the more likely your student will develop good study habits and attitudes in their journey to becoming lifelong learners.

Designate and clear a place to do homework.  Older children should have the option of studying in their room or a quiet area of the house.  Younger children usually need an area set aside in the family room or kitchen to facilitate adult monitoring, supervision, and encouragement.

We found a few sites that may prove to be priceless when Sammy or Sally ask “mom/dad, how do I…?”  feel confident in knowing your help or guidance is just a click away. 

Click here for resources on helping children of all grade levels and subjects.

Click here for a more comprehensive list of helpful resources. 

Click here for the National Education Association national site.  This site holds anything and everything you need to ensure your children are making the most out of their education. 

How Do You Create Balance?

In June, Sharon White shared this tidbit with Balanceaustin.com… "…I try and stay as positive as possible, focusing on the good and not the bad. When I have a good day, I make a mental note of it and allow this day to be my blueprint for creating better days."

Thanks Sharon, and for sharing, we’re sending you a gift from all of us at Balance!

Want to be a part of Balance? Visit www.balanceaustin.com and click on “Your Balance.”  If you feel like you have tips to share with other women, don’t be shy!  If your "How I Create Balance" entry is featured, we’ll send you a gift like Sharon above!

Sunday Morning Balance Breakfast Hour

Sunday mornings at 8am on Majic 95.5 have become the home of the Sunday Morning Balance Breakfast music feature, and it continues to generate playlists, from you, our loyal balance audience – thanks for sending them in!  In July, special thanks to Michelle Reed for programming the July 20th edition.  For your efforts, Michelle, we're going to send you a Balance recyclable grocery bag loaded with goodies, including a Summer first aid kit!

If you have a playlist that sets your tone every Sunday morning, click here and submit five songs. This is your chance to program a radio station, even if it’s only 15 minutes!  The next Sunday Morning Balance Breakfast Hour will be at 8am on August 17th on Majic 95.5.

Balance Favorites

A child’s backpack can be a struggle between fashion and function.  As our children get solidly into elementary school and beyond, the look of the bag becomes as important as what is inside; if you have teenagers perhaps even more so.  Given how large these bags become when fully loaded, it’s not a surprise that few backpacks are actually carried on backs.  You’ll see them everywhere else, however: slung over shoulders, pulled on wheels, sitting on the ground, and even airborne.  If your children are in any of these categories, then a lifetime of back woes likely has already begun.

Pack light – a backpack should never weigh more than 10 to 20 percent of the student’s body weight.  Organize the pack to make use of all compartments and pack heavier items closest to the center of the back.  Choose a pack with wide, padded shoulder straps and a padded back.  And encourage your children to always use both shoulder straps. Slinging a backpack over one shoulder can strain young, developing muscles.

Tax-Free Weekend

The countdown has begun for many parents and students waiting for the reopening of school doors.  Now that the lazy days of summer are winding down, its time to get focused and get in gear for school.

~Purchase the main school supplies like paper, pens, notebooks and folders and save the major supplies for after the first week of school when you have the specifics of what your child needs.  This is also a great time for adults to stock up on office supplies because the sales are so good.

~Take inventory.  Sort through last year's supplies to see what is left over or can be reused. (Having trouble finding last year's stuff? Resolve to set up a place to keep your school supplies together this year.)

~The best bargains are often available at back-to-school sales. And buy basics in bulk. You know you'll need paper, pencils, glue sticks and notebooks.  Dollar stores, warehouse stores and even eBay are sources for buying these and other basics in bulk.  You and a group of other parents might be able to negotiate a group discount from an office supply store.

Take advantage of Texas' Tax-Free Weekend August 15, 16 and 17.  This law exempts most clothing and footwear priced under $100 from sales and use taxes.  Typically the savings is about $8 for every $100 they spend. Backpacks under $100 and used by elementary and secondary students are also exempt as are layaway items. Click here for a complete list.    

Featured Health Tip

Are you and your kids ready for the fall?  At Scott & White Health Plan, we’d like to offer a few things to add to your back-to-school list.

One.  Immunize your children. Immunizations are key to avoiding serious diseases. All vaccinations are FDA-tested and safer than ever.  Just ask your doctor.

Two.  Make sure your children are protected with health insurance.  Because classrooms are full of germs and playground accidents can be costly, medical coverage is important for their health and your wallet.

Three.  Make sure your kids get plenty of sleep and start their school days off with a wholesome breakfast.

From all of us at Scott & White Health Plan, we hope your kids enjoy a healthy and productive school year.

Scott & White Health Plan.  We’re Texas friendly.

This Month’s Featured Podcast

Whitney Taylor has had several interesting careers over the last 19 years. She started out as a hairdresser and worked at that for four years until she was ready to go to college, ultimately graduating in 1997 with a Bachelor of Science in Family and Consumer Sciences (Interior Design).  After graduating, she went on to do high end residential design for 10 years, dabbled in accessory design (purses and jewelry), and during this time, started racing triathlons and promoting races in town.  Working numerous race events helped her realize where she really wanted to be, so in March of 2007, she landed a job with Clif Bar & Co. – maker of Clif and Luna organic energy bars and snack products for adults and kids, alike.  It is truly her dream job. 

Click here to learn more about Whitney and how she creates balance.

Balance Event's This Month

This month, the Balance street team will be out and about with inspiring new Balance goodies including our Go Green Balance Canvas Shopping Bag and more!

• August 5th - Smooth Solutions Laser Center 5pm-7pm
• August 9th - Balance 5K 8am Auditorium Shores
• August 9th - Women's Expo 2008 Palmer Events Center 8:30am-4pm
• August 16th - Round Rock Premium Outlet 3pm-5pm
• August 21st - Cool River Ladies Night 6:30pm-8:30pm
• August 26th - Tiara Tuesday 5pm-7pm

Check out our Events for updates on when and where the Balance team will be.

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