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Gary Lipton Media Relations Manager Phone: 1-(800)-222-5551 Fax: 1-(800)-990-4329 Web site: www. napsnet .com e-mail: printmedia@napsnet.com #2591 Tips To Help Eliminate Homework Hassles Americans’ Appetite For Organic & Healthy Food Grows (NAPSA)—“Happy Days,” “The Dukes of Hazzard” and Blondie were big hits 30 years ago when Whole Foods Market opened its first store in Austin and introduced shoppers to organic and natural foods. Today, according to a recent Harris poll, the number of organic products found in their grocery basket has increased from a year ago. Notably, 27 percent of adults say that organic and/or natural foods comprise more than a quarter of their total food purchases this year, up from just 20 percent a year ago. As the organic foods industry has grown and become more mainstream, shoppers are also looking for ways to enjoy organic foods as part of a healthy diet. Whole Foods Market, as it celebrates its 30th birthday, is making it easier for shoppers to eat healthy by offering more recipes with nutritional profiles, and cooking and shopping tips. Here are some tips for healthy eating: • Serve whole foods. Avoid artificial ingredients and processed foods such as sugar and bleached flour. • Choose healthy fats such as in nuts, seeds and avocado. Minimize extracted oils and processed fats. Focus on plant-strong foods. Think more veggies, fruits, grains, beans and legumes at every meal. Choose nutrient-dense foods. Look for foods with high micronutrients (i.e., vitamins, minerals, phytonutrients and antioxidants) per calorie. “Whole Foods Market was started to offer people healthy, highquality food in its purest state,” says John Mackey, co-founder and co-CEO. “Going forward, we are deepening our commitment to healthy eating by providing education and support tools to inspire Top this nutritious, hearty breakfast with fresh berries, dried fruit and nuts or flaxseeds and then pour a bit of hemp or almond milk over the top. interest in foods that help improve and maintain health and vitality.” Shoppers can find tips on cooking, eating and saving money, coupons and nutrition-packed recipes in Whole Foods Market stores and online at www.whole foodsmarket.com. Apple-Scented Oatmeal and Buckwheat 1 ⁄2 2 2 1 1 cup rolled oats cup buckwheat groats cups pure apple juice cups water cinnamon stick Put oats and groats into a medium pot and cook over medium heat, stirring often, until toasted and fragrant, 5 to 7 minutes. Meanwhile, put juice, water and cinnamon into a small pot and heat over medium heat until hot. Carefully add hot juice mixture to oats and groats and return to the heat. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to medium low and simmer, stirring occasionally, until liquid is absorbed and oats and groats are tender, about 10 minutes. Remove and discard cinnamon, ladle into bowls. Serves 4. Sports Eyewear A Must For Student Athletes (NAPSA)—Each year, approximately 200,000 eye injuries related to sports occur among children. Ninety percent of these incidents, however, could be prevented through the use of protective sports eyewear. Eye injuries represent the leading cause of blindness in children. Common sports eye injuries for children can range from abrasions of the cornea and bruises of the lid to internal eye injuries, such as retinal detachments and internal bleeding. An eye care professional can help you identify specific eyewear to protect your child from unnecessary eye injuries. The Vision Council recommends that parents look for safety glasses, goggles, safety shields and eye guards with: • Polycarbonate lenses, a type of clear plastic that is impact resistant; • 100 percent ultraviolet (UV) protection and a scratch-resistant coating; • Padded or rubber bridges for comfort; • Deep-grooved eyewires to keep the lenses from falling out if the frame is hit hard; • A face-formed shape to provide a wider field of view; • Headband attachments to keep the frames from slipping. Visit www.thevisioncouncil. org/consumers to check out The Vision Council’s guide, “Eye Safety At-a-Glance: Protecting Your Child’s Vision in Sports.” (NAPSA)—Do your children consistently make excuses for not doing their homework? Is your peaceful family time cut short by a homework tug-of-war? If so, you are not alone. Many parents often lack the skills to effectively deal with this conflict and motivate their children to do their homework. Fortunately, these skills are not difficult to learn. According to Dr. Mary Mokris, education specialist at Kumon Math and Reading Centers, there are seven motivation skills that parents can learn that will make homework time easier: 1. Set up a proper study area: a place that is quiet, well lit and free from distractions. 2. Institute a daily homework time, preferably at the same time each day—if possible, before or right after dinner. Children need a solid eight to nine hours of sleep daily. 3. Encourage children to do homework on their own. Read directions together, provide examples and help organize—but help with the assignment only after the child attempts it on his or her own. 4. Praise, praise, praise your child. Praise effort, not perfection. Tell your children the things you like about what they are doing— or have done. For children to succeed, parents must send a message that they have confidence in them. 5. Choose an incentive that the child will appreciate, such as stick- Praise and encouragement can help motivate a child to do homework. Focus on positive behavior, not negative. ers, a certificate, a special treat or one-on-one time with parents. 6. Communicate assertively and tell your children that you expect them to do their homework. Repeat your expectations in a clear, firm voice. Let them know there are consequences—including failing grades—for not completing homework. Consider taking away privileges like television or computer time if they do not comply. 7. Form a partnership between parent and teacher with open communication between home and school. Through setting goals, positive parenting and effective communication, parents can help motivate their children to take homework seriously, develop skills, and benefit from the discipline that homework provides, such as hard work, perseverance and the confidence to overcome challenges. For more information, visit www.kumon.com.