Cache Valley Family Magazine Spring 2018

spring 2018

Inside Improve Your Child’s Sleep p. 10 Making a Difference: One Bag At a Time p. 38 The Lost Art of Letter Writing p. 42 Classes & Camps 2018 p. 44

Say Hello! to Spring at Baby Animal Days p. 24

APRIL 19-21

JUNE 15-25

A

OCTOBER 2018

Christmas Musical DECEMBER 2018

let ter from the editor You’ve probably experienced it: driving in a car, listening to the radio, and suddenly “your song” comes on. It is not just any song–this was your favorite song when you were a teenager. It only takes a few notes playing before you’re transported back in time. Everything is so vivid, and your mind wanders to parties, first kisses, and sweaty palms. It’s as

if time stands still. There’s no doubt about it, sound is immensely powerful.

What is your favorite sound? You know, the one that can bring a smile to your face without even opening your eyes. For me it is genuine, outloud laughter. You know, big laughs.

Not the polite chuckles you hear in a staff meeting when the boss

makes a joke, but the crinkle-nosed squeals of delight my baby lets out when the dog licks her hands or the giggles I hear coming from my twins’ room after they are tucked in bed at night and are not-so-quietly sharing bedtime stories. Those are the sounds that cause me to stop and remember what is most important right now. (I should insert, though, that the sound of their deep breathing and sleeping soundly is a close second on the favorite sounds list!)

Interestingly, a recent study done across 51 countries around world found that despite differences in language, religion, culture, and socioeconomics, we aren’t so different after all. The most adored sound of all is the laughter of a beloved individual.

So, in a world where differences stand out more than similarities, take time to make connections. Smile more. Laugh more. It’s medicine for the soul and will bring happiness to strangers and loved ones alike.

emily

Happy Spring,

I N E V E RY I S S U E

Family Firsts: Take Your Family Off the Beaten Path — p. 6 Kids Test Kitchen: Kids Helping Themselves in the Kitchen — p. 16 Fit Families: Prevent Injuries in Young Athletes — p. 19 PUBLISHER & EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Emily Buckley COMMUNITY EDITOR Schae Richards COVER PHOTOGRAPHY Heather Palmer CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Mark Anderson Tara Bone Emily Buckley Blake Cameron, DDS Sherelle Christensen Michael Cole, OD Ashley Cox Sarah Lyons Emily Merkley Micajah Milne My Girlfriend’s Quilt Shoppe Troy Oldham Schae Richards Dayia Shurtleff BreAnn Silcox Spence’s Pharmacy Kurt Vest, DMD Wil Wood

Healthy Families: Cache Valley’s Favorite Hikes and Trails — p. 21 From the Farmer’s Wife: French Bread — p. 22 Family Budget: Scams to Watch For in 2018 — p. 23 Cover Story: Welcome Spring at Baby Animal Days — p. 24 Good Neighbors: The REALTOR® Value: Avoiding the Pitfalls of Real Estate — p. 26 Education Update: Five Simple Strategies to Prepare Your Child for Kindergarten — p. 28 Helping Children Build Positive Relationships — p. 29 Making a Difference: One Bag At a Time — p. 38

F E ATU R E S

Kidpreneurs at Gypsy Soul: Young Business Owners with Big Ideas — p. 8

LAYOUT DESIGN Rachel Cottrell

Improve Your Child’s Sleep — p. 10

WEBSITE DESIGN Kite Media

Why Does My Child’s Vision Keep Getting Worse? — p. 13

Cache Valley Family Magazine is a free, trusted resource designed to inform, serve and enrich local parents and families throughout Cache Valley. Material in this publication is copyright 2018, Cache Valley Family Magazine. All rights reserved.

Reproduction without permission of the publisher is prohibited.

The views expressed in the magazine are the views of the writers and do not necessarily reflect those of the publisher.

Please send all editorial correspondence to info@cachevalleyfamilymagazine.com or by mail to PO Box 6831, North Logan, UT 84341. All correspondence is sent on a non-confidential basis and Cache Valley Family Magazine shall be free to reproduce, publish, edit and/or use any such communications. All materials become property of Cache Valley Family Magazine.

PHONE (435) 764-0962 MAILING ADDRESS PO Box 6831 North Logan, UT 84341

How Dads Can Help in the Kitchen — p. 14 Cycling for Weight Loss — p. 18 Why Choose a Pediatric Dentist — p. 30 Travel Tips for Families — p. 33 Three Ways to Maximize Your Garden — p. 34 Teen Ambassador Sewing Board: For Teens, By Teens — p. 36 Get More Vitamin D — p. 39 10 Non-Candy Ideas to Fill Your Bunnies’ Baskets — p. 41 Embracing the Lost Art of Letter Writing — p. 42 Classes & Camps Guide 2018 — p. 44 Boost Your Brain Power with Music — p. 46

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Take Your Family Off the Beaten Path Tara Bone, contributing writer

Believe it or not, summer adventures are just around the corner.

School will be out, the sun will be blazing, and you’ll be ready to hit the road. There’s the favorite stops, such as Bear Lake, Yellowstone, and Zions National Park; these are all amazing places, but maybe your family is ready to explore lesser-known destinations that are right in your own backyard.

Our family started to do just that last year at the encouragement of one of our boys. He declared that he wanted to see more of the “awesomeness” around us. He didn’t want to go on a faraway vacation; he wanted to discover places closer to home.

Here are a few of our favorite spots.

Most destinations could be fun day

trips, but each one will get your family exploring Cache Valley and Utah’s vast backyard.

Downata Hot Springs

Float the Oneida Narrows

Visit downatahotsprings.com or idahohighcountry.org for more information and search Preston and Downey.

Approximately 40 miles from Logan, about an hour drive.

Visit paddling.com for more information and search Bear River (Oneida Narrows).

Grab a tube, kayak, or paddle board and head north of Preston, Idaho to float a stretch of the Bear River.

The scenery is beautiful and wildlife sightings are frequent. The river can get busy with tubers, so hit the water in the morning. During the summer, a stop at Big J’s in Preston for a fresh strawberry shake is a must on the way home!

Approximately 50 miles from Logan, about a 70-minute drive.

Downata Hot Springs, near Downey, Idaho, offers year-round activities and unique camping experiences in addition to hot pools, a large swimming pool, and water slides.

It’s perfect for a day trip or camping excursion. “The Black Hole” water slide is every adventure-loving kid’s dream — it actually goes underground before spitting riders out.

Add history to the drive by stopping at the Bear River Massacre site, or

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C a c h e Va l l e y F a m i l y M a g a z i n e | S p r i n g 2 0 1 8 The Red Rock Pass marker where the ancient Lake Bonneville broke through.

City of Rocks National Reserve and Castle Rock State Park Approximately 122 miles from Logan, about a 2.5-hour drive.

For more information, visit nps.gov or parksandrecreation.idaho.gov.

If your family is up for an adventure, City of Rocks or Castle Rock in Almo, Idaho is the place to go. Mountain biking, rock climbing, and hiking amidst dramatic scenery is accessible.

Beginner climbers, ages 10 and older, can try the City of Rocks’ Climbing Experience Program. The program runs May 1 through the end of September, and includes instruction and all equipment. Archery and fishing ponds are available at Castle Rock. Contact the visitor’s center for reservations.

Thanksgiving Point Museum of Ancient Life and Ashton Gardens Approximately 109 miles from Logan, about a two-hour drive.

Visit thanksgivingpoint.org for more information.

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Thanksgiving Point is definitely not off the beaten path, but these destinations in Lehi, Utah are worth the drive. At the museum, budding paleontologists uncover dinosaur bones in a quarry, walk among huge dinosaur skeletons, or watch paleontologists in a working paleontology lab.

The 55-acre garden has an interactive children’s garden, boasts the largest man-made waterfall in the Western Hemisphere, and features the I Am the Light of the World Sculpture Garden.

The annual spring Tulip Festival in April is also a must-see.

Capitol Reef National Park Approximately 307 miles from Logan, about a five-hour drive.

Visit nps.gov for more information.

Capitol Reef has amazing geologic features to explore and a rich history to discover — minus the crowds found at other national parks. The park is referred to as a “hiker’s dream,” with trails for every skill level. The visitor’s center is a must-stop, and the park website provides detailed information about the trails.

Accessible campgrounds, ranger programs, petroglyphs, historic orchards, and quaint accommodations and restaurants in nearby communities can make this destination a family favorite.

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Kidpreneurs at Gypsy Soul YOUNG BUSINESS OWNERS WITH BIG IDEAS Emily Buckley, editor in chief

You’ve heard the saying, “It’s never too late.” Well, the kidpreneurs at Gypsy Soul Market say, “It’s never too early!

Gypsy Soul Market is a maker’s market local to Cache Valley at The Vineyards at Mt. Naomi Farms in Hyde Park on April 20-21. The event itself was created to give local makers the opportunity to boost their businesses and share their products with the community.

“We want to give these young entrepreneurs the opportunity to learn how to market and sell,” said Randi Loyet, events coordinator at The Vineyards.

“We love seeing how excited these kids are about business.

It is a lemonade-stand concept at a higher level. If a kid has a dream, I say let’s give it a whirl!”

Kids who are interested in having a free booth at Gypsy Soul Market should email eventsatthevineyards@gmail.com.

In 2017, Gypsy Soul Market added a kidpreneur program to give young makers the same opportunity.

Kids who have a product to sell can have a booth at the market for free.

Past youth vendors have sold baked goods, art, and jewelry.

“If it is handmade or homemade, we would love to see it at Gypsy Soul,” Randi said.

Allie and Kaylee, co-owners of Peaches and Cream, were kidpreneurs at last year’s Gypsy Soul Market and are looking forward to attending again in April.

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Improve Your Child’s Sleep Blake Cameron, DDS, FAGD Fellow Academy of Laser Dentistry

Have you ever passed by your child’s bedroom before going to bed and thought you heard a razorback hog in there with him or her? If that kind of noise comes from your child’s bedroom while sleeping, we should talk about childhood snoring.

but remember kids are far more sensitive than adults to sleep disturbances because they’re constantly growing and developing. They need a lot more sleep, and their bodies are far more sensitive to sleep disturbances, so it doesn’t have to be full-fledged apnea for it to cause issues for kids.

If your kid snores only occasionally, like when they have a cold, that’s one thing.

If they snore all the time, though, it could be a sign of sleep disordered breathing (SDB). You’ve probably heard of sleep apnea, and that can definitely happen in kids, too,

So what else should you look for if you do have a regular razorback hog in your house?

Well, in adults we watch for signs of daytime sleepiness, but kids are often different.

Your child may also be tired, but may show it by being

Blake Cameron, DDS Justin Carter, DDS Jeffrey Wegener, DMD

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Through June, all of the money you spend (and we really mean all!) on whitening will be donated to the Smiles for Life Foundation.

They will then donate half of that to The Family Place in Logan.

Smiles for Life helps underprivileged children in local communities and around the world obtain dental care.

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Help Your Kids Catch Their ZZZs Outside of sleep disordered breathing, or other medical reasons for disturbed sleep, there are other things that could be preventing your child from getting a good night’s rest. Here are three ways you can help: 1. Make sleep a priority. Just like you schedule time for homework, sports, and other activities, schedule time for sleep. Literally. Start from when your child needs to get up in the morning, and count back the number of hours he or she needs to sleep, then set and enforce a bedtime.

2. Start the bedtime routine earlier. It is difficult for anyone to go right from a physically or mentally intense activity directly to sleep. If bedtime is at 8 p.m., your child should start winding down between 7 and 7:30 so they are ready to fall asleep at 8.

3. Turn off the screens. The blue light emitted from screens can wake up the brain and make it harder to fall asleep. This is particularly true for “small screens”, such as phones or tablets, that are held closer to the face. Shut them off an hour before bedtime.

grumpy or having trouble concentrating at school.

They may also have a bedwetting problem. Severe sleep disordered breathing can even affect a child’s growth.

As a dentist, I look in people’s mouths all day, and there could be signs that a child is having trouble sleeping. If your child grinds their teeth, for example, that’s worth a closer look since tooth grinding can be a protective mechanism by the body when sleep is disturbed. When a child snores, grinds their teeth, and the shape of their dental arch is narrow, red flags definitely start rising.

If your dentist is looking for it, he or she may be able to help you catch something

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that could help your child immensely.

So, what do we do if there are multiple red flags, or if you’re simply concerned? You can express your concerns to your pediatrician or an ENT. Your dentist can tell you if they sees signs of concern as well. In some kids, it may be as simple as removing their tonsils or adenoids. If you’ve caught it a little later, you may need to have your kid’s dental arch expanded to help improve their airway.

It’s often going to be a team approach, and you’re in the driver’s seat as the parent, so keep asking questions, and you’ll be able to find out if that razorback hog is keeping your kid from getting the sleep they need.

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If your child is not performing as expected in school, don’t wait until they fall further behind.

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Why Does My Child’s Vision Keep Getting Worse?

Michael Cole, OD Child and Family EyeCare Center

The myopia (nearsightedness) epidemic is increasing across the world at a rapid pace. In a recent study of first-year college students, researchers saw a rise in myopia from 23.4 percent of students in 2002 to 41.3 percent in 2014. While the growth in these numbers are staggering, the good news is that recent innovation and research has brought about some great tools for reducing the amount of yearly change in myopia which we call “myopia control.”

The term myopia means that when light enters the eye, it is not focused clearly on the retina, where the photoreceptors are located. Instead, light rays reach a focal point in front of the retina, and when the light rays

continue to their destination, they are out of focus and blurry. These light rays are easily refracted into focus in the correct position using glasses, contact lenses, and even surgical procedures, such as LASIK. So, if it is simply a question of optics, why do our children get more and more myopic each year? The eyeball itself gets longer. When the eye grows, the light is again focused in the wrong position, and it requires even more correction than before to refocus the light correctly again. This tends to occur until late teens or early 20s when an individual is fully grown.

day or two after removal of the lenses.

These are worn only at night, and the cornea is molded during sleep. So, great vision can be enjoyed without any daytime contact lens wear at all. This type of correction has been shown to greatly reduce the amount of elongation of the eye when utilized, thus reducing the need for stronger lenses in the future.

How do we stop it? Treatments designed to curb the progression of myopia are aimed at slowing the elongation of the eyeball itself. A few different methods have risen to the top as the best way to reduce the stimulus for the eye to grow longer.

Each of these methods utilize specific types of contact lenses.

Another type of contact lens that has been proven effective is a multi-focal contact lens with a distance-center design. Multi-focal contact lenses are normally used after age 40 to help when focusing our eyes up close becomes troublesome. These lenses are worn like a traditional contact lens, inserted upon waking up in the morning, taken out at night, and discarded either monthly or daily, depending on the lens. While effective for myopia control, these lenses do cause our distance vision to be slightly hazy around the edges and in our peripheral vision.

The best option for myopia control is the use of Ortho-K contact lenses.

Ortho-K contact lenses are rigid contact lenses that are specifically designed to gently reshape the cornea when worn. This reshaping of the eye is temporary and lasts for a

We don’t have to accept increasing amounts of myopia every year as seen with traditional glasses and contact lens wear. Being proactive with myopia control options can greatly reduce the magnitude of corrective lenses that will be needed in the future.

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How Dads Can Help in the Kitchen Wil Wood, owner Kitchen Kneads of Logan

Dads: what does mom really want? Help without expectations of reciprocation. Do your part!

Whoever cooks, the other person cleans. Except for when the man cooks—he should clean, too.

To better illustrate how to better help out in the kitchen, I’m going to tell you a story about the great maggot hatch of 2001.

I served an LDS mission down in the Rio Grande Valley, which is on the border of Texas and Mexico, by the Gulf. It’s about as far south as you can get in the United States. And yes, it is really hot.

Doing the dishes was always a source of contention, so I told all of my companions, “Dude, don’t worry about the dishes. I’ll do all of them.

You just take out the trash.”

They were like, “OK, cool.

But don’t call me dude.” I would reply, “Deal.” So, I had one companion who would not take out the trash. Instead, he would shove it down and cram more in.

In the Rio Grande, one must keep their kitchen clean, or it will be assaulted by ants, flies, and roaches — sometimes flying roaches.

So, I did the dishes, but he never took out the trash.

It would get gross and I would take it out, until one day I said, “¡No mas!” and I stopped taking it out.

Sure enough, the ants came first. The trash piled higher. Then the flies. Then the trash was moved into a corner so it could pile higher, where it developed a stench. It was an all-out passive-aggressive power struggle!

Early one summer morning, I ventured into the hotbox of pestilence, otherwise known as the kitchen. It was already 90 degrees in there at 6:30 a.m. As I attempted to cross the warm and peeling linoleum floor, I noticed it was moving. I figured as soon as the sun had risen that there was a maggot hatch in the trash heap. So, I screamed and retreated back into our one air conditioned room. While I can’t compare this roommate to my dream girl of a wife, I think it illustrates what to do and what not to do to help out in the kitchen.

As fathers, we need to be better at supporting our wives. Here are some things I try to do and you should try to do, too.

• Always do the dishes.

• Remember who leads the charge in the kitchen.

• Help with the prep work (i.e., cutting veggies).

• Put away food as it is used.

• Put yourself in her shoes and ask yourself, “What would I want help with?”

Here’s another thing on being grateful or assuming the best about people.

Owning a business is like pulling a flatbed cart down a bumpy road trying to keep all the rocks on.

They’re always falling off and they just don’t jump on the cart. The rocks obviously represent money. About a month ago, a rock fell off the cart, and we didn’t know it. We sold a small appliance to a lady, everyone got the receipts they needed, but for some reason, that one random credit card transaction never posted. Weeks later, we got a phone call from

C a c h e Va l l e y F a m i l y M a g a z i n e | S p r i n g 2 0 1 8 a customer who said, “Hey, I love my stick blender that I bought last week, but I never saw the transaction go through. I owe you guys $136.” It’s things like this that helps me assume the best about people. Sure, I’ve been on the wrong end of the stick; however, I can tell the universe does not like it when I put my guard up and assume that everyone and everything is out to get me. Sure, some rocks will fall off the cart, but occasionally they’ll just jump right back on. Situations like these give me confidence, so when I hear, “Someone wants to see the owner,” I don’t get nervous anymore.

I’m able to approach them in a way that if they’re upset about something, my demeanor seems to disarm them.

The same goes at home: Assume the best of your spouse, and help her wherever you can. You may be surprised by how much more comfortable it will make your home and your marriage.

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Kids Test Kitchen KIDS HELPING THEMSELVES IN THE KITCHEN

Are your kids always ready for a snack? Why not teach them how to choose and prepare healthy choices?

Most kids enjoy spending time in the kitchen, and research shows that involving and teaching them while they are young will put them on the course for a lifetime of healthy food choices, according to the American Dietetic Association. That’s why Cache Valley Family Magazine has joined forces with Lee’s Marketplace and Citrus Pear Dinners for a Kids Test Kitchen where kids get the chance to test healthy, delicious versions of kid-approved recipes that they can take home and share with their families. Try these healthy snack recipes with your kids!

Peanut Butter Power Balls

Chunky Monkey Popcorn Squares

Ingredients

Ingredients

1 c. rolled oats 1/2 c. powdered milk 1 Tbsp. ground flax seeds 1/2 c. smooth natural peanut butter (or any nut butter) 1/4 c. natural honey 1 tsp. vanilla extract 1/2 c. of your choice of raisins, chocolate chips, craisins, or chopped nuts

Instructions Combine ingredients and mix thoroughly. Use a spoon or cookie scoop to make 1-inch round balls.

8 c. plain popcorn 10 oz. mini marshmallows 1 Tbsp. butter 1 c. chopped banana chips 1/2 c. chopped pecans or other nut of choice 1 c. dark chocolate chunks

Instructions 1. Prepare 9x13 pan and spray with cooking spray or rub lightly with butter.

2. In a large bowl, combine marshmallows and butter.

Microwave on high until marshmallows fluff up to double their size (between

one and two minutes, depending on microwave).

Remove from microwave and stir until combined.

3. Add popcorn and stir until mostly coated.

4. Add banana chips and nuts. Stir to combine.

5. Gently fold the chocolate chunks in a little at a time to prevent from melting too much.

6. Transfer mixture to prepared pan and press down firmly with hands or bottom of a cup.

7. Allow to cool. Cut and enjoy!

Green Smoothie Spectacular Ingredients

Instructions

12 oz. vanilla almond milk 1 1/2 c. frozen spinach 8 oz. orange juice 2 c. frozen tropical fruit mix 1 banana 2 Tbsp. flax seed

Combine all ingredients in blender. Mix until smoothie is thick and creamy.

WOULD YOU LIKE YOUR CHILD TO PARTICIPATE IN OUR NEXT KIDS TEST KITCHEN? For a chance to participate, try these recipes at home and snap some photos while you’re at it. Share your experience on Instagram or Facebook using the hashtag #cvfmkidstestkitchen (make sure your account is public for us to be able to see it!) or message us directly at info@cachevalleyfamilymagazine.com.

JOIN IN THE FUN! Kids who love cooking can join Citrus Pear Dinners for their ongoing kids classes. Visit citruspeardinners.com for more information and to register.

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Cycling for Weight Loss Troy Oldham, race director Cache Gran Fondo

While some cyclists train to race, most get into cycling to stay fit, maintain or lose weight, and have fun riding with friends.

Unfortunately, it takes more than just riding a bike a few days each week to shed unwanted pounds. Losing weight while cycling can be a double-bonus because as your performance improves you get lighter, and your body becomes more efficient.

Here is a list from MapMyRun.com of six weight-loss tips by author Marc Lindsay.

Have a goal.

If you’re trying to lose weight, you will be most successful if you set realistic goals. If your long-term goal is to get down to a certain weight and keep the pounds off, set goals to lose two pounds per week by riding four out of seven days. This keeps you on track for larger goals, like losing 40 pounds or riding your first century. Two pounds a week over three months equals 24 to 28 pounds.

Use fitness apps to track your progress.

Once you have a goal, keep track of the progress you’re making. We use the Strava or MapMyRide app, which provides a GPS map and basic metrics of weekly ride time, distance, pace-permile, and calories burned.

Also, weight loss is closely tied to the food you eat,

and studies show keeping a food diary can double a person’s weight loss.

Mix up your workouts.

If the goal is to lose weight, mixing up your workouts and having a plan helps you burn more fat and calories.

Commuting to work, riding with friends, or joining an organized event, like a Gran Fondo, all provide opportunities to add highintensity interval training (HIIT), which burns the most calories in the shortest amount of time. Interval training is also shown to jump-start your metabolism and help you continue to burn calories throughout the day. On the weekends, try lower-intensity rides of two hours or more. Stay at about 70-80 percent of your maximum heart rate, which helps burn fat more efficiently.

Add strength training.

Incorporating strength training one or two days per week when you don’t ride will also help you continue to burn calories and add muscle instead of fat. Strength training also prevents common overuse injuries and helps you burn calories more efficiently. We also suggest yoga sessions each week for strength, flexibility, and mindfulness.

Eat smaller meals.

After your ride, and for the rest of your daily meals, resist the urge to eat large portions. Instead, eat smaller meals more

frequently — ideally every three to four hours. This helps maintain steady metabolism, makes it easier to digest food, and helps avoid spikes and dips in blood sugar. Eat a well-balanced diet and avoid processed foods and sugars. After a ride, eat lean protein like chicken or fish with a side of vegetables. When you do eat carbohydrates, choose foods with a low-glycemic index.

Get plenty of sleep.

Sleep is one of the best ways to gain high

performance, specifically six to eight hours of sleep each night. Sleep will reduce fatigue and help build fatburning muscle. Studies show that people who get adequate sleep are less stressed, less likely to feel hungry, and will lose weight more effectively.

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Prevent Injuries in Young Athletes

BreAnn Silcox, coalition coordinator Safe Kids Bear River

As temperatures increase, so does the amount of time that children spend playing spring sports. The number of sports-related injuries can also increase. Every day, 3,400 children sustain a sports injury severe enough to go to the

emergency room. There are, however, many things parents, coaches, and athletes can do to help prevent these injuries.

We can change the culture of sports for our young athletes. It’s important to encourage kids to speak

up when they are hurt, give them time to recover, and give coaches the tools they need to be effective.

Safe Kids has some strategies for parents, coaches, and athletes to help keep young athletes safe while playing sports: Set the ground rules at the beginning of the season. Coaches should bring parents and athletes together before the season begins to agree on the team’s approach to prevent injuries.

Teach athletes ways to prevent injuries. Proper technique, strength training, warm-up exercises, and stretching can go a long way to prevent injuries.

Prevent overuse injuries.

Encourage athletes to take time off from playing only one sport to prevent overuse injuries and give them an opportunity to get stronger and develop skills learned in another sport.

Encourage athletes to speak up when they’re injured. Remove injured athletes from play.

Put an end to dirty play and rule-breaking. Call fouls that could cause injuries.

Get certified. Learn first aid, CPR, AED use, and injury prevention skills.

For more information, call (435) 792-6500 or visit safekids.org.

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C a c h e Va l l e y F a m i l y M a g a z i n e | S p r i n g 2 0 1 8

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Cache Valley’s Favorite Hikes and Trails One of the best things about

living in Cache Valley is the beautiful, natural surroundings. If you enjoy the outdoors, you don’t need to hit the gym to exercise. Instead, you can head up one of the area’s many canyons and let the mountains be your trainer. Here is a roundup of some of the best hikes Cache Valley has to offer:

Rated Easy to Moderate • Wind Caves: This trail is also known as the “Witch’s Castle.” This is a

well-known and easy Logan Canyon hike for all ages.

• River Trail or Riverside Nature Trail: A gravel trail that parallels the Logan River and U.S. Highway 89 for four miles. The trail has informative signs and benches along the way.

• Jardine Juniper: A 10-mile-round trip trail in Logan Canyon. The focal point is the ancient juniper tree, the oldest living juniper in the Rocky Mountains.

• White Pine Lake Trail: This trail starts at Tony Grove in Logan Canyon and takes hikers to the White Pine Lake, a glacial lake that has great fishing.

• Crimson Trail: Three-mile trail on the south side of Logan Canyon. It has views of Cache Valley, Logan Canyon, Beirdneau Peak, and the Wind Caves.

• Castle Rock Trail: This popular

trail can be easily accessed from Lundstrom Park in Logan.

• Cache Valley Bonneville Shoreline Trail: A two-mile trail along the base of the Bear River Mountain Range.

It’s a rolling trail with only slight inclines.

Rated Strenuous • Mendon Peak or Scout Peak via Deep Canyon: This hike is also known as the “Wellsville Mountain Wilderness Trail.” It gives hikers amazing views of Cache Valley, Idaho, and the Great Salt Lake.

• Naomi Peak Trail: Breathtaking views through forested canyons and waterfalls.

• Coldwater Lake Trail or Stewart Pass: A steep trail with a lot of switchbacks in the Wellsville Mountains, but the rewarding view at the top is spectacular.

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French Bread Sherelle Christensen sherellechristensen.typepad.com

I love a warm loaf of French bread to serve with our family dinner, but living in the country, I don’t have the convenience to grab a fresh loaf from the grocery store bakery often. I enjoy making my own, and it’s really quite easy. I like to double the recipe and make four loaves. We eat one fresh with breakfast, and I use the others at dinner, to make sandwiches for the kids’ lunches to take to school, and I also leave one loaf without seeds and herbs, and use it to make a delicious batch of French toast the next morning.

1 1/2 Tbs. instant yeast 1/2 c. very warm water 1 1/2 Tbs. sugar 2 c. water 1 1/2 Tbs. oil 2 1/4 tsp. salt 6 c. flour

Combine the yeast, 1/2 c. warm water, and sugar, and let proof for 10 minutes. Then add remaining 2 c. water, oil, salt, and 3 c. of flour. Mix until flour is incorporated, then add remaining 3 c. flour gradually, until dough is soft and sticky, but pulls away from sides of bowl.

Knead about five minutes, turn out onto generously floured surface. Cover with a large dish towel, and every 10 minutes for the next hour, knead two or three times then recover.

Form dough into two long skinny loaves and place on a greased baking sheet. Brush with beaten egg white and seasonings and seeds, if desired. Slash three diagonal lines into tops.

Cover and let rise until double or 30 minutes.

Bake at 425 degrees for 10 minutes, then at 375 degrees for 20 minutes.

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Scams to Watch For in 2018 Dayia Shurtleff, marketing assistant Lewiston State Bank

Citizens of Utah lost more than $6 million last year from various forms of reported fraud, according to the Federal Trade Commission. Fraudulent

transactions are on the rise, and scammers are getting more effective and creative.

While you may think that email link from your Airbnb® host is safe, or that the tracking code from your most recent purchase is harmless, you may want to think again. Here are four common scams you should watch out for this year.

in 2017. This type of scam is the most frequently reported.

Online purchase scams

Wire fraud/spear phishing

According to the Better Business Bureau, more than $13 million were lost due to fraudulent online purchases

Within Cache Valley last year, there were several reports of hackers posing as CEOs or customers requesting wire transfers through email. At Lewiston State Bank, like many other financial institutions, we have protocols in place to help mitigate this risk, but it is important you are aware of the risk and take action to protect yourself, too.

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Ways to help protect yourself: Check that your URL is secure and accurate every time you make a purchase, read all terms and conditions, avoid following links to purchase directly through ads or emails.

Ways to help protect yourself: Make sure your email address is up-to-date at your financial institution, always call when requesting a wire transfer, familiarize yourself with your financial institution’s protocol, and educate your employees and/or family members who have access to your account.

Income tax scam I personally had a few friends fall prey to this scam in 2017, and as tax season comes to a close, there has been an influx of reports for this type of fraud. This scam involves a phone

call claiming that you owe money in overdue income tax, and that if payment isn’t made immediately over the phone, law enforcement will be notified. The IRS will never call you before first sending a statement in the mail, and they will not request personal information over the phone.

Make sure your high school and college students are aware of this scam as they were a heavily targeted demographic for this scam.

Ways to help protect yourself: Do not give personal information, such as social security numbers, over the phone, consider paying your taxes early in the season, and consider consulting with a professional accountant before making payments to the IRS you were not expecting.

Overdue payment Much like the income tax scam, victims receive a phone call requesting immediate payment. Often, the scammers narrative will relate to student loan or medical expenses that are overdue and offer to “forgive” a significant amount if a payment is made immediately over the phone. Collection agencies will first send you an invoice in the mail. If you receive an unexpected call from a company requesting payment, ask them to send you an invoice detailing the services you received.

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Welcome spring at Baby Animal Days Emily Buckley, editor in chief

Nothing screams “Welcome, Spring!” better than baby animals, and most Cache Valley locals know that the best place to find them is at the American West Heritage Center’s (AWHC) Baby Animals Days.

Baby Animal Days is coming April 4-7, and, as usual, will feature handson experiences with lambs, piglets, bunnies, calves, kids, foals, chicks, ducklings, and baby bears from Yellowstone Bear World.

“The interaction kids get with the baby animals, holding and touching them, is pretty special,” said Reigan Gudmundons, AWHC marketing director. “We have people there to ensure the public is safe, and the animals are safe, but for the kids to come to the farm and experience this, the joy on their faces says it all.”

The AWHC will have their living history exhibits up and going during the event, including a gold panning station; 1820s mountain men in period clothing at the trader’s cabin; a Shoshone Indian dressed in tribal wear who will tell you about the first inhabitants of the area; pioneer women from the 1860s spinning and carding wool; farmers from 1917 cooking in the original farmhouse kitchen and working on steam tractors, apple cider presses, sheering sheep, and milking the cows; carpenters in action at the Woodwright shop; and blacksmiths at work.

Visitors will also be delighted by a candy cannon going off twice daily,

pony and train rides, face painting, and food and craft vendors from around the Valley.

“Although this is a huge event and we greet crowds of more than 25,000 over four days, we have gotten to a point that there is so much going on so no one has to wait in line for too long,” Reigan said. “We are learning as we go, and it is getting better every year.”

Baby Animal Days is the AWHC’s largest annual event. “Baby Animal Days is our most important event; it sustains the Heritage Center,” said Mic Bowen, AWHC director. “It carries the Heritage Center through the summer

C a c h e Va l l e y F a m i l y M a g a z i n e | S p r i n g 2 0 1 8 so we can sustain our living history and educational outreach throughout the year. Without this event, grants, and private donations we could not keep the AWHC running.”

The AWHC was organized in 1995 when two Utah State University programs, the Ronald V. Jensen Historical Farm and the Festival of the American West, merged to form a non-profit foundation. The AWHC is under a contractual agreement with Utah State University to manage and farm the nearly 300 acres of open space, historical buildings, and related structures.

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The AWHC utilizes its picturesque setting to tell the story of the history of the American West within the time period of 1820 to 1920. Much of production from the farm is recycled into the farm for feeding and bedding the animals, and to feed the volunteers and staff throughout the summer (where the public can see them collect eggs, harvest their garden, and prepare meals in Dutch ovens and wood burning stoves).

“We like to take families back to the time that Cache Valley was settled, and let them experience what it was like here,” Reigan said. “It is something really special to us. We are caught up in this world of technology and constantly moving and busy; it is really nice to step back in time for a moment and learn about what came before us.”

The AWHC operates with a limited full-time staff of less than 10 people, and they rely on nearly 200 regular volunteers to run the farm and living history year-round, utilizing additional volunteer groups for special events, like Baby Animal Days.

“We could not run our programs without our volunteers,” Reigan said.

“They make the biggest difference.”

Families who are interested in Baby Animal Days and other activities at the AWHC may want to consider membership.

April 4-7 • 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

(Baby bear line closes at 4:30 p.m.

Last entrance ticket sold at 5 p.m.)

Tickets $9 adults | $7 children ages 3-11 Donate a can of food for the Cache Community Food Pantry and receive $1 off admission.

All activities are included with admission to Baby Animal Days; food is sold separately.

The cost for a family membership is $80 per a year (includes adults and dependent children in a household), and provides admission to Baby Animal Days, Pioneer Day Festival, Corn Maze on the Farm, Haunted Hollow and Fall Harvest Festival, free admission to Historic Adventures (Tuesday through Saturday, June through August), 50 percent off Friday Tea Parties in the summer, unlimited pony and train rides during Historic Adventures and special events, 10 percent off gift shop purchases, summer camps, and facility rentals, and 10 percent off other special events. Members can also get 25 percent off ticket prices for additional guests (up to six) to Historic Adventures, Baby Animal Days, Pioneer Day Festival, Corn Maze on the Farm, Haunted Hollow, and Fall Harvest Festival.

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T H E R E A LT O R ® V A L U E Avoiding the Pitfalls of Real Estate Emily Merkley, association executive Cache-Rich Association of REALTORS®

Whether you have found the perfect home and have made an offer, or you have received an offer on your own home for sale, the following weeks are busy and certain things need to happen to work toward a successful transaction. In this final article in our “Pitfalls” series, let’s look at the process of disclosure and inspection that must take place during the purchase and sale of a home.

be adhered to. Likewise, it explains the process on how to address issues or items of concern that arise as a result of inspections. Failure to navigate this process properly can be costly and may even result in delays or cancellation of contract.

With a handful of possible pitfalls during the disclosure and inspection

process, the assistance of a REALTOR® is invaluable. A REALTOR® will facilitate the process, educate about other potential issues, and often negotiate aspects of the contract to ensure protection for both buyer and seller. The next time you buy or sell a home, enlist the help of a REALTOR® to protect you and your family through the process.

In Utah, the seller of a home is obligated by law to disclose to the buyer known defects and facts concerning the property. To avoid unforeseen surprises later in the process, some REALTORS® might recommend the seller obtain a prelisting home inspection. Many repairs can and should be made before the home ever hits the market. An alternative would be to allow the home buyer to complete their own inspection and address issues, such as defects, code violations, safety problems, or cosmetic issues resulting from normal wear and tear, after reviewing the home inspection report.

REALTOR® Agent Larry Bradley, of Youngblood Real Estate, explains that “Often sellers and buyers think that once their home is under contract it’s a done deal. Unfortunately, that isn’t always the case. A REALTOR® will stress the importance of the seller’s disclosures and due diligence portion of the home buying and selling process.”

Inspection issues can result in renegotiation of contract terms, which can be challenging. The Utah Real Estate Purchase Contact contains seller disclosure and buyer inspection (due diligence) deadlines which are clearly defined and outlined, and must

Cold Weather Cash Savings With winter returning for a second time late in the season, here are some tips to help save on cold-weather energy costs.

1. Lower the heat: Bundle up inside. When you are home, consider lowering the heat, then lower it again several degrees before going to bed.

2. Seal the leaks: Consider updating lighting canisters, insulation, windows, doors, and other areas in your home that allow heat to escape.

3. Replace appliances: While proving a higher upfront cost, replacing old large

appliances throughout your home can significantly cut energy bills. This might also include updating to energy-efficient LED lighting where possible.

4. Unplug: Unplug small appliances and electronics when not in use. Consider using a power strip for computers, DVDs, and TVs, so you can easily turn them off when not in use and before bedtime.

5. Wash smart: Use only cold water while washing clothes, and only when you have a full load. The same goes for a dishwasher — only run full loads to reduce heat and water consumption.

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Five Simple Strategies to Prepare Your Child for Kindergarten Micajah Milne, intern Cache County School District

Your kitchen set the stage for their first science experiment, and your living room was their initial library. Your home has always been your child’s classroom, and you are their primary teacher, but now the transition to elementary school is approaching. Like many parents, you may wonder how best to prepare your child for this change. How can you enhance their learning while your child is still at home?

According to Utah’s Early Childhood Standards, “Children’s first and most influential teachers are their parents and family. When parents, educators, and caregivers work together in the education and well-being of a child, a partnership forms that will influence the best possible learning outcomes for the learner.”

Belinda Burningham, a kindergarten teacher and developer and coordinator at Cache County School District’s Time Together program, shared the following strategies, which she believes will help parents to foster learning and development at home: 1. Read with your child frequently.

While reading to your child, especially if they are a beginning reader, use strong emotion and expression. If you have older children, starting a chapter book is an excellent way to continue the learning process and enjoy quality time together. Avoid missing valuable reading time by including a bedtime story into your child’s nightly routine.

2. Use your natural vocabulary. Don’t simplify your vocabulary when speaking with your child. Using advanced words will help them achieve a higher level of thinking

before they can actually read or write these types of words. For example, when you’re gardening, use the words “soil,” “cultivate,” and “moisture” to explain the process.

3. Listen with empathy. Listening to your child validates their feelings and self-worth, and fosters an attitude of learning and growth. Confirm your child’s point of view by expressing statements of understanding. Share similar experiences you had in your youth, followed by questions, like, “How did you feel when that happened?” to show concern and empathy.

imagination to determine what happens during playtime. Let them lead. It is essential for children to participate in both social play and solo play. When they interact with peers, social learning, such as sharing and communicating, can take place. Alone time lets youth explore their own creativity.

As you apply these five strategies in your home, your children will not only be better prepared for school, but they will also achieve a deeper love of learning that will continue throughout their education.

4. Encourage problem solving. “How do you think you could do that differently?” or “What do you feel would work better?” are wonderful questions to ask your children. Don’t rescue your child. Working through challenges allows them to develop skills and acquire knowledge they wouldn’t learn otherwise.

5. Incorporate learning into playtime.

Playtime is a win-win scenario.

Your child will have fun while gaining the opportunity to explore various types of learning. Creativity blossoms when children play, which leads to inventive problem-solving.

Encourage your child to use their

To empower and educate parents in better preparing their children for school, Cache County School District has implemented the Time Together program. During the program, parents of children who will be attending kindergarten in the fall attend a series of three free workshops held at Canyon, Lincoln, Lewiston, and White Pine Elementary Schools. These workshops focus on reading and math readiness, along with listening and self-reliance. Each parent who attends a workshop is given a kit filled with take-home learning materials. If you would like more information about the Time Together program, visit ccsdut.org.

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Helping Children Build Positive Relationships Frank Schofield, superintendent Logan City School District

Much of our happiness and success in life is influenced by the quality of our relationships with others. A child’s ability to build positive relationships affects their happiness at home, their success in school, and their long-term professional opportunities.

While children cannot be expected to be friends with everyone they have to work with, and many children will make friends and learn how to cooperate with their peers naturally, there are many things parents can do at home to help.

The following suggestions come from the Young Citizens Initiative, a British organization dedicated to empowering young people to become active, engaged citizens. Some of their ideas include the following:

Modeling appropriate behavior.

During the early years of child development, children learn social skills by copying the adults they see

around them. It is therefore important for adults to model the behavior they would like to see in their child and be aware of their reactions to everyday social situations. Consider what your child is learning through your own relationships and interactions with others, and try to demonstrate the attitudes and behaviors that nurture lasting friendships.

Starting conversations.

Encouraging positivity.

Giving compliments can also help children to start conversations and build a sense of rapport. Children should understand that compliments should be specific and sincere, and that they can be a bridge to starting a positive conversation with someone new.

Most people tend to prefer the company of positive people as positivity, like negativity, is contagious. Positive people who feel good about themselves generally make others feel good, too.

You can encourage your child to be positive by discussing problems and talking about how to proactively turn a situation around. Teach your child that having a positive attitude is a choice, and positive self-talk and choosing to not focus on negative feelings are key steps to remaining positive, despite the challenging days we all face.

Some children struggle to make friends because they don’t have the confidence or communication skills to take the first step. You could help them by role playing opening sentences to help your child get the conversation started (i.e. ‘Did you do anything nice this weekend? I went swimming.).

Encouraging good manners.

The importance of good manners in developing good relationships is often overlooked. It is important to model and teach when to say “please” and “thank you,” and how to greet adults and other children in different situations.

This might also include learning how to join a conversation politely, without interrupting. Entering a conversation that has already started is a difficult skill to learn, so children may need to practice listening to discussions, waiting for a pause, and then adding something relevant to the conversation.

These are only a few of the strategies children need to build the positive relationships that will promote their personal health and happiness. As parents, model and practice these skills in the home, and your children will be better prepared to succeed throughout their lives.

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Why Choose a Pediatric Dentist?

Kurt Vest, DMD ABC Pediatric Dentistry

What is a pediatric dentist?

Just as a pediatrician is a medical specialist who has focused their training on children, a pediatric dentist is a dental specialist whose training is specifically centered on children. They have an additional two to three years of education (after four years of dental school) which focuses on the needs of pediatric and special needs patients. These extra years are spent in clinical and hospital settings, honing their skills in pediatric behavior management, caring for children and adults with special needs, treating traumatic injuries, and understanding the complexities of a child’s oral health.

In addition to their pediatric residency, a pediatric dentist can also become board certified. A certified pediatric dentist has gone through a rigorous examination process with the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry after completion of their residency.

Board certification assures you that the dentist’s knowledge, skills, and experience meet the highest standards possible.

So why choose a pediatric dentist for your child?

establishing dental visits by the first year of life, you are providing that your child’s mouth can have the best chance at staying healthy and happy.

A pediatric dentist can tell you any important information about the prevention of early tooth decay in your toddler. They can help navigate the challenges of brushing, flossing, diet, and benefits of fluoride. From the kid-friendly office design, to their special style of communication, their main concern is what is best for your child.

Focused pediatric dental care.

A positive dental experience.

A pediatric dentist understands the value of preventative care. By

A pediatric dentist wants your child’s overall experience to be enjoyable.

We do the majority of our restorative work in treatment rooms where parents can be with

www.AbcPediatricDentistry.com 65 N Gateway Drive • Providence, Utah

(435) 787-2223

their children. These rooms also allow teenagers to feel comfortable in our office.

As a pediatric dental office, we have specifically designed our office to maximize proven behavior management techniques while still creating an enjoyable experience for our patients and their families.

Our waiting room has two open bays so parents can see all of their children at once.

This helps parents and children feel at ease.

C a c h e Va l l e y F a m i l y M a g a z i n e | S p r i n g 2 0 1 8 Too often, a child can feel nervous or overwhelmed by a visit to the dentist. Just one unsavory experience can lead to lifelong anxiety about dental visits. A pediatric dentist provides your child with the best care available, but not at the expense of your child’s feelings. Their training in

pediatric behavior management and safe sedation techniques can help to calm a nervous child and perform procedures in a comfortable manner.  

Extensive education for all situations.

A pediatric dentist keeps current on

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the latest advances in dentistry for children. They can provide answers to questions ranging from pacifier and thumb-sucking habits, dental and facial trauma, craniofacial growth, dental eruption, and early orthodontic diagnosis (just to name a few).

Children and adults with significant medical, physical, or mental disabilities can present challenges to dentists. A pediatric dentist is highly trained to meet the needs of these individuals.

Ultimately, the goals of the pediatric dentist are to help children feel good about visiting the dentist and teach them how to care for their teeth. Feel confident that your pediatric dentist can help you navigate your child’s oral health with their total physical, emotional, and mental health in mind.

By taking your child to visit a pediatric dentist, you are helping them foster positive attitudes about the dentist early on in life.

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Travel Tips for Families With spring break and summer vacations on the horizon, parents everywhere are thinking about the complexities of getting everyone to their fun-filled destination safely and sanely. Whether you take a twohour plane trip or a 14-hour car ride, traveling with kids can be stressful.

Here are some tips for making traveling with kids more enjoyable.

• Fight hunger. Hunger can affect kids’ behavior and attitude. During travel, pack easy snacks for the car

like raisins, smoothies, and crackers, or other individually wrapped snacks that may seem like a treat for the kids. You may want to plan stops that allow kids to burn energy.

Packing a picnic for a park along the way lets fresh air and enjoy open space to play.

• Timing. Timing is everything when you are traveling with little ones. Try to plan travel around normal nap times or bed times so kids will rest during the majority of the drive. Also plan breaks often enough that kids can get out and stretch. Recognize that a trip with kids is going to take longer. Leave extra time in your travel schedule for impromptu stops, as well as planned ones. Websites like roadtripradar.com can help you find attractions and hidden gems along the way.

• Involve kids. Cut road trip boredom

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Sarah Lyons, contributing writer

by playing games like license plate or car color bingo. Encourage kids to keep a trip journal: Have them write down or draw favorite memories from each stop and add stickers and ticket stubs.

• Surprises. It is always nice to have a few surprises up your sleeve to break up the trip. When your kids get bored pull out a few surprise items — new magazines or books, crayons and a new coloring book, special snacks, small activities, or maybe a new movie to watch.

• Electronics. For most families, the go-to solution for road trip boredom is electronics. DVDs and video games are a great way to kill time in the car. You may want to consider loosening limits on screen time while traveling, but when you get to your destination restrict time more than usual.

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Three Ways to Maximize Your Garden Mark Anderson, owner Anderson’s Seed and Garden

In the last few years, gardeners across the country have recognized the value and sense of growing a vegetable garden. Vegetables and herbs have made a huge comeback in the gardening industry after years of dominance by landscaping and flower gardening. During the early 2000s, so many new, amazing, different flower species arrived on the market that many gardeners drifted away from the work of an intensive vegetable garden (not as colorful or as fun as flowers), and veggie gardens shrunk or disappeared altogether as vegetables were abundant and inexpensive.

The garden scene has changed as prices of produce have more than

doubled and the demand for local produce and home-grown quality has boomed. It’s now “cool” to grow vegetables again.

As much fun as it is to grow a vegetable garden (it can be serious fun to pick a sweet pepper or pull fresh carrots from the garden and eat them on the back porch!), there is an end goal in mind — the harvest. Not all of us have a large garden spot that can sustain a large family and produce excess food to keep all the neighbors content as well. The size of your garden isn’t so much the issue, as how to get the most out of what you have.

The following are my best suggestions to get the most out

Feed your family for $30 a year.

We’re serious when we say you can feed your family for a year on $30-worth of vegetable seeds.

If you have a 50X50 foot garden (2500 square feet), we can help you fill it with about $30-worth of vegetable seeds. All it takes is a little effort and a little know-how.

Come on in before spring planting is here. We’ll provide the know-how, and you can make the effort.

Anderson’s Seed and Garden 69 West Center, Logan • 435-752-2345

C a c h e Va l l e y F a m i l y M a g a z i n e | S p r i n g 2 0 1 8 of your garden without spending the whole summer working to harvest a few potatoes, a handful of cherry tomatoes, and pumpkins for the kids to carve.

First, maximize your space.

If space is an issue, don’t grow behemoth pumpkin plants that need a 20-foot diameter circle, cauliflower that take up 10 square feet, but only yield one flower, or potatoes that you can buy 50-pounds of for $15 in October. Plant vegetables that produce the most for the space that they take, especially quick growing crops like spinach and kale, or fruiting vines that need little soil, and can grow vertically like beans, cucumbers, and tomatoes. Early, cold crops like lettuce, kohlrabi, and radishes are usually done

by June, and can easily be replaced mid-summer with short-season heavy producers like summer squashes or bush beans. Some crops, like beets or turnips, can be used as greens, as well as allowing them to mature into tasty roots. Be mindful of how much space you have, the needs of your plants, and “recycle, re-use, and re-purpose” that soil from snow melt in the spring to first snow in the fall.

Second, maximize your time.

Some gardeners avoid vegetables because they take more care, more weeding, and more time than dropping some annual flowers in the empty flowerbeds and letting them take over for the summer. If you plan right, vegetables will reward you way more harvest than work required.

Gardening is so much easier than it used to be. Timers and soaker hoses or drip systems remove a lot of the daily burdens of water control. My 5,000-square-foot garden takes me five minutes a day to unhook the quick connector couplings, move the water hose to the next set of soakers, snap the connectors back on, and make sure the timer is set. I weed multiple times a week in the mornings or evenings when it’s cool and comfortable, leaving my phone and other distractions somewhere else, and enjoy the quiet time outside. I spend just long enough to get a row or two weeded, but it never becomes a burden — it’s time to relax and unwind. I use a lot of weed barrier fabric or mulches to cover space between plants and rows, so there’s less weeding and watering needed.

Once planted, it takes one person,

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15-30 minutes a day, to maintain a 5,000-square-foot garden. I know. I’ve done it many years.

Third, maximize your production by giving your plants what they need.

Improve your soil each year. Make sure your garden gets at least 12-16 hours of sunlight each day. Fertilize your plants with the nutrients they need to reach their full potential. Protect your plants from diseases and insects that will damage or limit your harvest.

Many times, these important steps get forgotten in the process, we just expect vegetable plants to produce year after year with no regard for their specific needs. I amend our garden soil each fall with organic matter, humate, and zeolite to build up and enrich the soil, to add vital micronutrients and beneficial organisms, and to break down and decrease the clay content.

You lose soil every year to erosion and other factors; it has to be built back up each year to compensate for that loss. I fertilize each spring, and multiple times during the growing season with a variety of nutrients and fertilizers that are specific to vegetables and fruits. They need food. Continuous gardening depletes your soil of essential nutrients for your plants, and it must be replenished annually. As for bugs and diseases, there are so many new ways to combat these pests that are safe, effective, and inexpensive. Two of my personal favorites are a natural insect repellent that keeps the bugs away from the veggies so I don’t have to spray insecticides, and a new biological disease control that naturally kills fungal, bacterial, and viral diseases in the soil and on the plants. In the last two years, I have sprayed for insects two times (grasshopper season) and the repellent took care of the rest. Without pests, and with the right environment, your garden will produce more with less work.

Maximizing your resources and time will pay dividends throughout the season.

With a little planning, some timely soil prep, and a renewed effort on your part, you can produce a consistent garden harvest truly beautiful to behold. While you are at it, you can reduce stress, lower your blood pressure, improve your health, and just make yourself happier.

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TEEN AMBASSADOR BOARD: For Teens, By Teens from My Girlfriend’s Quilt Shoppe

In this day and age, when young adults seem to be devoted nearly fulltime to social media apps, it’s easy to think none of them could possibly be interested in something so archaic as sewing. But, while you weren’t looking, sewing became cool. Last fall, My Girlfriend’s Quilt Shoppe partnered with Baby Lock Sewing to launch a Teen Ambassador Sewing Board.

The Teen Ambassador Sewing Board has nine students from local high schools actively participating and promoting their favorite new hobby: sewing! The teen board includes teen boys as well as girls and encourages them to cultivate their talents and creativity through sewing. At the beginning of each school year, My Girlfriend’s Quilt Shoppe and Baby Lock Sewing screen applications submitted by these active young people.

When screening applications, the quilt shop looks at each applicant’s interests as well as academic performance and school activities. Teen board participants range from theater students, volleyball and soccer players, to fashionistas and FACS students.

The teens enjoy demonstrating how sewing can apply to all of their favorite passions.

After they are selected, each teen

ambassador receives their very own Baby Lock sewing machine to take home and use throughout their participation in the sewing board.

At the end of each school year, their performance in the teen sewing board will determine whether they will keep their sewing machine or not.

The Teen Ambassador Sewing Board meets once a month to plan, strategize, and receive help on their sewing projects. My Girlfriend’s Quilt Shoppe has provided a mentor to assist in planning and teaching new skills. The participants don’t need sewing experience to apply, only an interest and the drive to try new things. By the end of the school year, each ambassador will share an original pattern with the rest of the board.

One soccer star is even designing his own outdoor tent! The ambassadors are looking forward to their commencement where they will display what they have created throughout the year.

Kendalle Curfew, one of our teen sewists, is inspired to sew by her grandfather. She says, “When I was about 9 years old, my grandpa told me a story about when he was drafted into the Army While he was in the military, he bought a little sewing machine so he could sew and repair his fellow soldiers’ uniforms and sew their

patches on. That’s how he contributed to his company and made some extra cash. He used his sewing money to buy a house after he was discharged, and my grandparents still live in that home today. After hearing his story, I have always been interested in following his footsteps. Since then, I’ve always had a little sewing kit to hand-sew my families’ clothing that needs repair, like buttons and rips.”

It is stories like these that inspired Kris Thurgood, owner of My Girlfriend’s Quilt Shoppe, to begin the Teen Ambassador Sewing Board. Through experiences and friendships made on the board, the quilt shop hopes that these teens will walk forward in life with confidence in their ability to create and attain their goals.

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One Bag At a Time

Schae Richards, community editor

Ted and Stefanee Chalfant wanted to make a difference in their community. In 2014, they founded Little Lambs Foundation for Kids.

Their goal was to help children who are transitioning into foster care, entering emergency shelters, or affected by a traumatic situation.

“My wife and I wanted to get involved and give back to the community,” Ted said. “We knew foster care was an underserved area.”

For Ted, it was important to do something that would benefit local children. That’s when he reflected back to a few specific memories from his childhood.

“Growing up, our family had many foster children staying in our home,” he said. “They entered our home with only the clothes on their backs and nothing they could call their very own.

My mother never turned a child away and we opened our door to any child in need. She reminded us that there was always someone poorer than us.”

developed to meet the needs of young community members. These include: comfort kits, teenage hygiene kits, school supply kits, police car kits, family hygiene kits, and hospital busy kits.

With the help of their volunteers, Ted and Stefanee deliver comfort kits weekly to many Cache Valley agencies and partners throughout Utah and Southeast Idaho. They also deliver items to local non-profit organizations like Citizens Against Physical and Sexual Abuse (CAPSA) and The Family Place.

When Ted and Stefanee first started Little Lambs, they set a goal to help 40 to 50 kids a year. Within the first six months, they distributed 750 comfort kits. In 2015, they distributed more than 1,000 comfort kits.

basement of their home. In 2016, they moved to their current location at 1125 W 400 N Suite 200 in Logan. With this new location they are able to help even more children throughout Utah.

In 2016, they delivered more than 1,700 comfort kits and helped more than 3,000 children with other basic necessities. In 2017, they delivered more than 2,600 comfort kits and helped more than 5,000 children with basic necessities.

Ted said this service wouldn’t be possible without the support of the community. Little Lambs relies on donated and handmade items.

Shauna Thorpe has been one of their

During the first two years, the couple assembled comfort kits in the

The Chalfants started to think of ways they could provide comfort to foster children during their time of need. In most cases, the children can’t bring anything with them when they are removed from their home.

Ted and Stefanee decided to create a personalized comfort kit. A blanket, book, plush animal, toys, socks, crayons, coloring book, and a hygiene kit are placed nicely into a new backpack.

“We want to make sure children have basic necessities and items they can call their very own,” he said. “We want them to know that someone cares about them and our community loves them.”

Over time, different kits have been

Board of directors member Shauna Thorpe, left, and founder Ted Chalfant, right, get ready to deliver a few of their comfort kits.

C a c h e Va l l e y F a m i l y M a g a z i n e | S p r i n g 2 0 1 8 committed volunteers, and is now a part of their board of directors.

Shauna said her first experience at Little Lambs was during one of their regular packing events. Ted’s story inspired Shauna to keep coming back and get her family involved.

“I love hearing the stories,” she said.

“People tell us stories on how our kits have helped them. It’s great knowing that you’re making a difference. That’s really rewarding.”

One of Shauna’s responsibilities is to oversee their newly founded Youth Ambassadors Program. The program is designed to provide an outlet for youth to get involved and help serve other local children.

“It’s been really rewarding to watch kids wanting to be involved,” she said. “They get really excited. It’s teaching them that there are kids that really need our help.”

Ted Chalfant carries several comfort kits that are ready to be delivered throughout Utah.

In addition to volunteering, members of the community can donate items for the comfort kits. Donations can include blankets, books, hygiene items, plush animals, toys, socks, and snacks. All donations must be new or handmade. Donations can be dropped off at their center on Thursdays from 4 to 7 p.m.

Community members can also make monetary donations online at littlelambsofutah.com.

Financial contributions are used to purchase books, backpacks, and other items that are typically not donated. People can also donate to the Little Lambs cause through AmazonSmile.

Little Lambs holds packing events throughout the year. Every year they host a back-to-school event where volunteers can help assemble school supply kits for local children who do not have access to school supplies.

Last year, they helped more than 500 children feel confident and prepared with the tools needed to succeed.

Moving forward, Ted said they will continue to help more children each year.

“The need keeps growing,” he said.

“We are helping more children and more low-income families each year.

Our focus is to get our kits into the hands of children who are in desperate need of comfort.”

For more information about Little Lambs Foundation for Kids, and to learn how you can support their cause, visit littlelambsofutah.com.

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in Nutrition Research, around 40 percent of people are Vitamin D deficient.

Vitamin D is typically gained by exposing your skin to sunlight; however, we, as a society, rarely go outside, and when we do, we slather ourselves with high SPF lotion to ward off skin cancer. Vitamin D deficiency is linked to numerous health issues from the loss of bone density, to autoimmune diseases, to high blood pressure to depression, to even the rare disease rickets seen in children. Regularly taking a Vitamin D supplement is a good ideal for everyone.

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10 Non-Candy Ideas to Fill Your Bunnies’ Baskets Easter comes early this year! If you are still wondering what to put in your kids’ baskets, we can help. We’ve rounded up 10 Easter gift ideas you can pick up locally at The Book Table at 29 S Main in Logan or Stork Landing at 99 W Center in Logan.

Egg Mazing Egg Decorator is a new, fun and exciting way to decorate Easter eggs.

No messy dyes. It’s all the fun without the mess!

Safari Toobs are all-in-one sets, including several miniature figures focused on a theme (from prehistoric sharks or farm animals to human organs or world landmarks), with packaging that serves as a reusable portable storage case with a latching top and carry handle. These mini toy sets are great for vacations and trips, school projects, baths, or sand play.

Crazy Aaron’s Thinking Putty is made in the USA and comes in more than 40 different colors. Thinking Putty is a highquality, silicone-based putty that is safe, nontoxic, and will never dry out!

Do-A-Dot Sponge Tip Markers are fun and easy to create colorful art. Each marker has a sponge-tip top and is designed to apply color to paper by simply dotting the page. Their large size and textured sides make them great for little hands.

Doodle It & Go Chalk Books are eightpage books that provide an endless

landscape for children’s creative energy.

It’s great for home, travel, dining out, and just about anywhere your child has idle time. They save paper, and make cleanup a breeze.

Jellycat Stuffed Animals are the softest toys you have ever hugged, cuddled, and adored. Jellycats are quirky and cute — the perfect gift for all ages.

A Christ-Centered Easter by Emily Bell Freeman and David Butler, illustrated by Ryan Jeppesen, is a new Easter tradition that will help you discover how the people around Jesus during the week of His crucifixion and resurrection can lead your family closer to Christ.

Hatchimals Colleggtibles Jumbo Card Game provides hours of fun and is simple to play. Players roll the dice, draw cards from the deck, and collect tokens. The player with the most tokens at the end of the game wins! Comes with one mystery figure in an egg.

Peter Rabbit Classic Gift Set is the perfect set for spring and Easter. Titles include: The Tale of Peter Rabbit, The Tale of Mr. Jeremy Fisher, The Tale of Tom Kitten, and The Tale of Jemima Puddle-Duck.

Babalu Umbrellas add a splash of whimsy to a rainy day! Playful patterns, bright handles and tips, and safe construction to avoid pinched fingers make a day in the rain more fun than ever.

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E M B R AC I N G T H E

Lost Art of Letter Writing Emily Buckley, editor in chief

In an age of rapid-fire responses, efficiency-obsessed, tiny-keyboard communication, I still have a special soft spot in my heart for hand-written letters. I think it stems from my pen pal relationship with my grandmother, who had the most beautiful cursive penmanship, and would send regular hand-written letters, usually written late at night, to keep our relationship strong, despite the hundreds of miles between us.

Hand-written letters were a part of the social code of my grandmother’s generation. It was the way they

expressed thanks, offered condolences, delivered important information, and shared love.

Recently, while cleaning out a box of my late grandmother’s belongings, I came across a delightful packet of letters, still in pristine condition (because they were treasures, after all), between her and her sister. The notes told stories only sisters would share, about their loves, dreams, disappointments, and ambitions; the same kind of stuff I text my own sisters about regularly, only these were full of personality — it was

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almost as though I could hear their voices and giggles, in a much more youthful state than I ever knew them to be.

Sometimes I question if this art of communication, messages crafted by hand rather than electronic device and writing that carries emotions rather than emoticons, will fade out with their generation? I hope not. From the careful intentions of the sender the value experienced by the receiver, there is no match for the impact of a hand-written letter. This old-time form of communication is both endearing

C a c h e Va l l e y F a m i l y M a g a z i n e | S p r i n g 2 0 1 8 and valuable. So, here I purpose five reasons to keep the tradition alive: 1. It stimulates the brain and creates lasting memories. Just as study notes written by hand prove to be more effective for students, moments committed to paper are more likely to be stored in your own memory, allowing both the sender and receiver to reflect on and appreciate them again and again (This is a great argument for journal writing, too!).

Virginia Berninger, a psychologist at the University of Wisconsin who focuses on hand writing, found

that students in second, fourth, and sixth grade not only wrote faster by hand than by keyboard — but also generated more ideas when composing essays in longhand. She also found that the sequential finger movements required to write by hand activate brain regions involved with thought, language, and shortterm memory.

2. It shows you care. Our society is busy all of the time. It feels good when a friend takes time to send a text just to say “hi.” So, imagine the care you could convey by taking the time to write your thoughts for

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another person by hand, purchase a stamp, physically deliver the note to a mailbox, and wait for your special someone to receive it. Physical birthday cards, holiday wishes, and postcards from vacations seem to be falling by the wayside with the ability to instantly share thoughts on social media, but who wouldn’t like to receive a much more thoughtful message?

3. It makes you feel good, too. On top of the satisfaction of knowing you’re making a friend’s day, research shows that expressive writing contributes to reduced stress, better moods, and an overall improved sense of wellbeing.

4. It requires you to unplug and focus. For the few minutes that your hands are busy writing, you won’t be focused on technology.

For that short time, there is little room for multi-tasking or having side conversations. You can think before you push send, and focus on the person at the receiving end of the note.

5. Letters are timeless. Long after they are sent and received, letters remain to be read, appreciated, and preserved. Whether displayed in museums, like those of Jane Austen, Mark Twain, Abigail Adams, and Abraham Lincoln, or saved in a box or scrapbook, letters honor memories and lives in a way social media, email, or texting cannot.

They are tangible, personal and real.

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C a c h e Va l l e y F a m i l y M a g a z i n e | S p r i n g 2 0 1 8

Classes & Camps 2018 Dance Illusion Cache Children’s Choir

Cache Valley Fun Park

(435) 752-6260 cachechildrenschoir.org

(435) 792-4000 cachevalleyfunpark.com/summer-camp

Cache Children’s Choir Summer Music Institute June 18-22, 2018 at Edith Bowen Laboratory School Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Ages 7-14 Cost: $95.

Summer camps at the FUNNEST Place in Town! Our camps are the perfect way to beat the summer doldrums.

Your kids will experience activities full of fun and learning. No vegging out in front of the TV — just fun times and happy memories!

(435) 755-6783 danceillusionutah.com We offer four-week summer courses, a three-day Princess Camp (ages 3 to 8), Ballet Intensive (ages 5 and up), and Technique Intensive (ages 5 and up). Classes available for ages 3 to adult. Registration for summer camps and classes open now! Fall and spring registration open June 11. Competition team tryouts are June 14 and 15.

Cache Children’s Choir Music and Movement Camp June 25-28, 2018 at Edith Bowen Laboratory School Camp I: Monday through Thursday, 9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m., Ages 4-6 Camp II: Monday through Thursday, 1:30 p.m. to 4 p.m., Ages 6-7 Cost: $50.

SummeR AR Camp JUNE-AUGUST 2018

Cache Valley Center for the Arts (435) 752-0026 cachearts.org/artcamp Immerse your child in a world of art at CacheARTS’s Summer Art Camps.

Your camper will plunge into creative, hands-on experiences, including ceramics, cooking, drama, dance, music, and more. Space is limited, enroll today!

Cache Valley School of Ballet (435) 753-3633 opt. 1 cvcballet.org The Cache Valley School of Ballet offers qualified training in classical ballet to community members of all ages and skill levels. Summer semester (five weeks) for ages 3 and up. Visit cvcballet.org for a complete list of classes.

Highpoint Gymnastics (435) 753-7500 sportsacademy.com Ongoing, year-round tumbling and gymnastics classes for toddlers through competitive teams. Check our website for a current schedule.

C a c h e Va l l e y F a m i l y M a g a z i n e | S p r i n g 2 0 1 8

Pickleville Playhouse (435) 770-6494 picklevilleworkshops.com

Logan Music Academy (435) 265-6691 loganmusicacademy.com Music Discovery Camp June 11-15, 10 a.m., ages 4-10, $110.

Girls Just Wanna Have Fun Vocal Camp June 18-22, 10 a.m., ages 6-14, $120.

Ukulele Camp June 25-29, 10 a.m., Aloha. ages 6 and up, $120.

Music Boot Camp Aug. 1-10, 10 a.m., experience several kinds of music, ages 8 and up, $120.

Register early for early-pay discounts.

Pickleville Workshops are insanely fun musical theater camps taught

by Pickleville Playhouse’s most experienced cast members and directors. We focus on four key areas: singing, dancing, acting, and building confidence! Our week-long sessions are held July-August for ages 6-18 in Logan and Bear Lake. Visit PicklevilleWorkshops.com to register today!

(435) 512-8674 musictheatrewest.org Teens ages 12–18 looking for something life-changing to do this summer? Come make new friends and lasting memories at Music Theatre West’s two-week intensive workshop production of Thoroughly Modern Millie Jr., July 9–21.

Stokes Nature Center (435) 755-3239 logannature.org/camps Get stoked about nature with a variety of camps from June 4 through Aug. 10. Join us for hours of outdoor exploration and fun for ages 3 through 16. Visit our website for more information and to register.

The Family Place (435) 752-8880 thefamilyplaceutah.org

Sports Academy (435) 753-7500 sportsacademy.com

Music Theatre West

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Summer camps Keep your kids active and healthy!

Camps held June 18-22, July 16-20, and Aug. 6-10. Camps from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Ages 5-12.

Summer Swim School Learn to swim with the best instruction in Cache Valley! Classes begin June 4, two-week sessions, Monday-Friday, 40-minute classes.

Tennis classes and camps Professional tennis instruction from the Valley’s top coaches and players.

All ages and ability levels.

Tumbling classes Flip and tumble to new heights with classes for all ages and abilities.

Adventure awaits! Our camps are a great escape for kids looking for summer fun! Children will play games, crafts, water games, and much more.

Every camp is themed, and children will learn different important social skills at each camp. Ages 5-11. Located at 1525 N 400 W in Logan.

Four-day camps, two hours a day, $35 per camp: Dr. Seuss Fun in the Sun June 25-28, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Jr. Mad Scientist Fun in the Sun July 9-12, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Five-day camps, four hours a day, $100 per camp: (Includes lunch, free t-shirt, and picture) Secret Agents Camp June 18-22, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Superhero Camp Aug. 6-10, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Call us or visit our website to register.

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Boost Your Brain Power with Music Ashley Cox, teacher Let’s Play Music

Think back to a certain lesson taught or important skills you learned at a young age. Are any of those things connected to a song or music? Henry Wadsworth Longfellow said, “Music is the universal language of mankind.” It reaches people in different ways, pulls on heart strings, helps pump you up for a workout, comforts you during a hard time, teaches you the alphabet, and reminds you how to tie your shoes.

I am not alone in believing that music is so important for children’s social, mental, and physical development.

A child’s brain is most receptive to learning music between the ages of 2 and 9 — a period called “the music window.” Kids learn by involving their whole body. Research shows that the more senses involved in the learning process, the more the concepts are internalized. Music can be used to encourage discovery, imagination, stories, games, and laughter.

Playing a musical instrument can cause fundamental changes in a young person’s brain, shaping both how it functions and how it’s physically structured, researchers say. “Listening to and making music is not only an auditory experience, but it is a multisensory and motor experience.

Making music over a long

period of time can change brain function and brain structure,” said Gottfried Schlaug, MD, PhD. The following are three benefits that musical training has on the brain, according to Psychology Today.

1. Musicians have an enhanced ability to integrate sensory information from hearing, touch, and sight.

2. The age at which musical training begins to affect brain anatomy as an adult; beginning training before the age of 7 has the greatest impact.

3. Brain circuits involved in musical improvisation are shaped by systematic training, leading to less reliance on working memory and more extensive connectivity within the brain.

Music is the only thing we do that exercises the entire brain — left, right, front, and back — simultaneously.

Bottom line: Playing a musical instrument is like giving the brain an aerobic workout accompanied by fireworks.

So, there you have it. If you want to build a bigger, better brain — one that functions at a higher level; one that helps children learn to read; one that increases language development; one that boosts memory; one that aids in the learning of math

and science; and one that enhances motor skills, then start learning music. It will

be the best thing you do for your brain — and your overall wellbeing. Plus, it’s

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