Life is good when we focus on You. When we trust in You, believe in You, and live for You our lives are full. Thank You Lord for grace and mercy. Thank You for surrounding me with love and for giving me a heart that is loving. With You all things are possible. Keep me, Dear Lord, in a state of positive anticipation. Give me the wisdom to always seek your will for my life. Help me Father to promote a loving atmosphere wherever life’s journey takes me.
Father, create a willingness to be a blessing in my heart, as You give me opportunities to bless others. Help me to remember that You work wonders through Your children.
I love you Lord today and everyday. — AMEN
Miami-Dade Parks’ Southridge Park renamed for Coach Sam Burley, longtime sports and community leader
Miami-Dade County District 9
Commissioner Kionne L. McGhee and the Miami-Dade County Parks Department celebrated the renaming of Southridge Park to Coach Sam Burley Park with a special ceremony to honor longtime athletic coach, Southridge High School teacher, and community leader. The event was held at the newly named park, located at 11250 SW 192 Street, Miami, FL, at 10 a.m., and featured special guest Coach Sam Burley, who addressed a crowd of family, friends, Southridge High School students and faculty, and community leaders and dignitaries. “I’m thrilled to celebrate an extraor-
dinary individual whose influence extends far beyond the playing field,” said Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava. “Renaming this park after Coach Sam Burley is a heartfelt tribute to a leader who has dedicated his life to shaping the future for our youth. His commitment to excellence in sports and education has inspired generations, and his Hall of Fame Invitational Track and Field Meet showcases his incredible talent within our community.”
Coach Burley’s extraordinary coaching career began in 1972 at Redland Jr. High School, where he
led his cross-country and track and field teams to numerous county championships. At Miami Southridge Senior High, Coach Burley further cemented his legacy, guiding his teams to six state championships and shaping countless lives through mentorship.
“Coach Sam Burley is renowned in this community for his years of service to the youth through sports and through his nonprofit, The Coach Sam Burley Foundation,” said Miami-Dade County District 9 Commissioner Kionee L. McGhee. “That is why I was honored to sponsor the resolution to rename Southridge
Park to Coach Sam Burley Park, for his decades-long career coaching kids right here at this park and next door at Southridge Senior High School.”
In recognition of his contributions, Coach Burley has earned prestigious accolades, including Miami Herald All-Dade Coach of the Year, and inductions into multiple halls of fame, such as the Florida High School Activities Association Hall of Fame, the Florida Athletic Coaches Association Hall of Fame, and the Florida Track and Field Hall of Fame. His impact continues through initiatives like the Coach Sam Burley Hall of Fame Invitational Track and Field Meet, offering young athletes the opportunities to connect with college coaches and showcase their talent.
Beyond athletics, Coach Burley has been a devoted community leader, chairing the volunteer program for the Special Olympics and founding his non-profit organization, which promotes youth health and leadership through sports programs.
“We are proud to rename Southridge Park to Coach Sam Burley Park, a fitting tribute to an extraordinary leader who has dedicated his life to empowering youth through sports and education,” said Miami-Dade Parks Director Maria Nardi. “Coach Burley’s impact on the
youth in this community is immeasurable, and this park will serve as a lasting reminder of his commitment to fostering teamwork, excellence, resilience, and a love for sports.”
Coach Sam Burley Park is a 20-acre, area-wide park with several amenities, including a 3,000-seat stadium with a synthetic running track, a playground, and multi-purpose field. It recently broke ground on a new community center and aquatic facility which will feature a central lobby/reception area that connects to multi-function rooms, a fitness center, a kid’s playroom, swimming pool and splash pad that will be accessible through the community center or independently through a separate direct entrance.
About Miami-Dade County Parks, Recreation, and Open Spaces:
Miami-Dade County Parks, Recreation, and Open Spaces is among the three largest park systems in the United States, consisting of 290 parks and 40,000+ acres of parks and natural areas, comprised of active, passive parklands and nature preserves. It is one of the most unique and diverse park and recreation systems in the world, focused on placemaking, health and fitness, and conservation and stewardship.
5 Reasons to Get “Whole Life” Insurance Policy TODAY
You’ve heard of life insurance, but how about “whole life” insurance policies? While planning for the future is important to us all, sometimes, we need a little extra. In some cases, the typical life insurance policies are simply lacking.
If you’re looking for unique benefits, flexibilities, and capabilities with your policy, your whole life may be the way to go. Let’s cover some of the most important aspects of such a plan and why they may be right for you.
What is a Whole Life Policy?
Also called ‘permanent life insurance,’ a whole life policy differs from term life insurance in one critical way. It covers for the whole life! That is, as long as you keep paying your premiums. And when you pass, your beneficiaries also enjoy the death benefit.
With whole life policies, holders enjoy various key features that can go a loooong way.
Let’s break them down in detail…
1. Cash Value Accumulation
Who doesn’t want some extra cash for the future? Unique to whole-life policies, you send a portion of every monthly premium you pay into a savings account. This is called the cash value and will accumulate over time at a guaranteed rate. The best part, you can get access to it at any time, so if you need a withdrawal or loan, you’re in luck.
2. Guaranteed Death Benefit
As previously mentioned, when you pass away, your beneficiaries get what’s called the death benefit. It’s usually free of income tax and is a great way to offset funeral costs like burials, memorials, cremations, etc. The money can also be used to cover other debts or even function as a long-term income for your loved ones.
3. High Flexibility
Looking for flexibility? Well, you’re
in luck. With a whole-life policy, you can change the death benefit. If you want, you can take the cash value to pay off premiums as well. This is especially important if you’re dealing with financial challenges and changes throughout your policy.
4. Estate Planning
Again, the death benefit is quite useful. Not only can it pay estate taxes, taking care of this for your heirs, but it’s also free of taxes, making it a helpful vehicle for creating generational wealth. It all depends on how you use it and what you do with it!
5. Dividends
Depending on the whole life policy and what institution is providing it, you may be able to receive dividends. These are a portion of the profits the insurer sees. You can take any dividends and pay down premiums, get more coverage, or just use it as cash. Check with your insurer to see if dividends are guaranteed in your policy.
How Gardening Can Boost Your Health
Practicing social distancing means more time spent at home. And many people use this time to start a garden in their backyard. There’s a saying that you reap what you sow. And in the case of a vegetable garden, a rich harvest may bring more than dinner. Gardening is good for your body and mind, said dietitian Anya Guy.
So go ahead and dig in. You may go from an empty plot to a bounty. Guy said tending a garden offers an abundance of health benefits. “You will increase your intake of fruits and vegetables, ultimately because you have them right in your backyard,” she said.
Gardening also can help reduce stress and anxiety levels, and offer light physical activity. Wondering what to grow? Guys suggests a rainbow of variety because “different vegetables have a variety of different
health benefits unique to each of them.”
Chili peppers and banana peppers contain capsaicin, which has been shown to have a number of health benefits. And then there’s eggplant, which, according to Guy, “grows surprisingly well in a home garden. It’s easy to grow and it can feed a lot of people in the family.”
Another good garden go-to: tomatoes. Rich in antioxidants, tomatoes contain potassium, vitamin C and are a source of fiber.
Can’t grow a garden at home? “keep in mind that community gardens are another option,” Guy said. Embrace your green thumb, and you may be able to unpack your vegetable basket instead of a grocery bag.
1. Keep that caffeine habit
Sip coffee—before your workout to help raise the number of calories you torch afterward. When cyclists sipped espresso an hour before a ride, their resting metabolism—the number of calories they burned while not working out—leaped by 15 percent post-ride.
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2. Pack on the protein
When you drop pounds, some of what you shed is calorie-burning muscle—a loss that can slow your metabolism. One fix: Double your protein. Study participants who downed twice the recommended daily allowance lost the same amount of weight—but much less muscle—as those who ate the RDA. Aim for 1.5 grams per 2 pounds of body weight per day to reap the results.
3. Stack your day
A study in the journal Obesity found that women who ate a 700-calorie breakfast and a 200-calorie dinner shed more than twice as much weight over 12 weeks as those whose meal sizes were reversed. Your body clock is linked to hormone dips that rev metabolism in the morning and leave it feeling sluggish at night, say study authors.
Voters with Special Needs
4. Drop the guilt
Twenty-seven percent of people associated chocolate cake with guilt. In a study from the University of Canterbury, those who felt bad about eating it were less likely to maintain their weight over a year and a half compared with the 73 percent of people who associate the dessert with celebration.
5. Be wary of white bread
only bread they eat, according to Spanish researchers.
6. Power up with protein
Start your day with eggs and ham. Having a larger serving of protein at breakfast makes you less likely to overeat for the rest of the day, say researchers. Shoot for at least 20 grams.
7. Cut back on carbs
It’s one of the most reliable strategies for short-term weight loss. Dutch researchers found that eating one carb-free meal a day over a 2-week period can increase your metabolic rate by 81 calories per day. The key is making the meal about 70 percent protein and, of course, zero carbs. Watch for sneaky carb sources like milk, sausages, and barbecue sauce, just to name a few.
8. Replace don’t remove
Cutting calories too drastically can feel taxing, mentally and physically. Instead, make one tweak during each meal to get more nutrients like healthy fats, fiber, and protein into your diet. It’s as simple as sprinkling your yogurt with flaxseed instead of granola at breakfast or adding a handful of fresh spinach to your pasta sauce at dinner.
9. Dine in
Every voting location in Miami-Dade County meets Americans with Disability Act (ADA) standards. Each one is equipped with a paper-based voting system that uses touchscreen and/or audio technology, which could help voters who have issues with their eyesight, trouble reading or disabilities.
Limit your intake of white bread to less than 120 grams (four or five slices) a week. People are 40 percent more likely to be overweight if white bread is the
It should come as no surprise that weekends are the most popular days for dining out, according to the National Restaurant Association. But research has also found that eating dinner out adds 144 calories to your daily intake (but here’s how you can stay lean while dining out). It may not seem like a lot, but if you also ate out for lunch, that’s another 158 calories—plus, any away-from-home snacks tack on about 107 calories each.
A child’s love is like a whisper, given in little ways we do not hear but if you listen closely it will be very clear.
They often do not say it loud but in how they come to you... Daddy, will you play with me? Mommy, tie my shoe?
...the many ways they tell you changes as they grow Dad, I made the team today! Mom, I’ve Got to go!
Pop, I need some money
You see there’s...this girl at school... Mama, I met a boy today and wow he is so cool...!
Dad, I’ve got something to tell you... I think she is the one. Mom, He asked me to marry him. Would you love him as your son?
Dad, I’ve got some news for you... It’s gonna be a boy!
Mom, I’m kind of scared of this, yet I’m filled with joy!
A child’s love is like a whisper, given in little ways we do not hear but if you listen closely it will be very clear.
They often do not say it loud but in how they come to you... Grandpa, will you play with me? Grandma, tie my shoe...
It is never ending A blessing from above
Listen to the whispers of a child’s love.
- Author Unknown
Tips To Reduce Pesticides In Your Produce Tips To Reduce Pesticides In Your Produce
Eating fruits and vegetables, whether organic or conventional, far outweighs the risks of the pesticides they may contain. That said many of us still want to minimize our intake when possible. Even if you don’t have the luxury of buying organic foods there are things you can do at home to help reduce your intake of pesticides in the produce you purchase.
Tips to Reduce Your Intake of Pesticides From That National Pesticide Information Center
• To avoid exposure to a single pesticide make sure to include a variety of fruits and vegetables in your diet.
• Thoroughly wash all produce whether it has a peel or is labeled organic.
• To avoid pesticides sticking to produce, wash under running water instead or soaking or dunking it.
• Air or spin produce dry or wipe with a paper towel or clean cloth towel when possible.
• Scrub firm fruits and vegetables like melons and root vegetables
• Remove the outer layer of leafy vegetables, such as lettuce or cabbage.
• Peel fruits and vegetables when possible.
• To avoid residues that might accumulate in the fat of animal protein, trim fat and skin from meat, poultry, and fish.
• If intake of fruits and vegetables is low, consider supplementing with purified polyphenol extracts that have minimal pesticides.
Ranking of Pesticides in Fruits and Vegetables
The Environmental Working Group is an organization that has created a ranking system of fruits and vegetables based on their likelihood of being contaminated with the highest levels of pesticides. The ranking is established after the fruits and vegetables have been washed or peeled. The top offenders include those that have soft skins because they are more likely to absorb pesticides, which they term the “Dirty Doz-
en”. If you already purchase some organic produce or are thinking about making the switch, buying organic based on the Dirty Dozen list might be a good place to start. Here is the 2021 list.
This year’s “Dirty Dozen” includes:
Strawberries
Spinach
Kale, collard and mustard greens
Nectarines
Apples
Grapes
Cherries
Peaches
Pears
Bell and hot Peppers
Celery
Tomatoes
The good news is that there are a good number of non-organic fruits and vegetables without high levels of pesticides. Since many fruits and vegetables have peels, they offer a higher level of protection, which have been dubbed the “Clean 15” since they have little to no pesticides.
This year’s “Clean 15” includes:
Avocados
Sweet corn*
Pineapple
Onions
Papaya*
Sweet peas (frozen)
Eggplant
Asparagus
Broccoli
Cabbage
Kiwi
Cauliflower
Mushrooms
Honeydew melon
Cantaloupe
The healing power of sunlight
When it comes to sunshine, you can definitely get too much of a good thing. Sunshine in moderation can benefit body, mind and spirit.
Think about it. Sunshine is practically a synonym for happiness. Let’s check out the science behind sunlight’s power to heal and nourish us.
1 – Managing our moods
It’s not called a “sunny outlook” for nothing.
Sun exposure is linked to the production of serotonin — a hormone associated with boosting your mood. That’s why light therapy is often used to combat seasonal affective disorder. The warmer, sunnier months offer us a chance to step right outside and soak up some mood-mending rays the natural way.
2 – Take your vitamins
According to the World Health Organization, getting 5 to 15 minutes of sunlight on your skin two or three times a week can give you a healthy dose of vitamin D.
Those are broad guidelines, and they change depending on your skin tone and other factors, like whether you’ve had skin cancer.
But the bottom line is, the sun can deliver an essential nutrient right to your bare arms and legs.
What does vitamin D do? Among other things it:
Supports bone growth
Combats osteoporosis
Reduces inflammation
Regulates processes like cell growth and immune function
So, if you don’t get the bulk of your vitamin D from the sun, be sure to supplement from another source, like salmon, eggs or mushrooms.
3 – Is the sun good for your skin?
There’s no denying that too much sun can be dangerous for your skin. But some doctors are harnessing the sun’s positive powers, too, using carefully controlled UV radiation exposure to treat skin conditions like:
Eczema
Acne
Psoriasis
Sunlight can also combat jaundice.
And researchers are exploring the use of sunlight to treat other autoimmune disorders including inflammatory bowel disease, rheumatoid arthritis, Hashimoto’s (thyroid) syndrome and a common form of lupus. That gives new meaning to the phrase “treatments on the horizon.”
4 – Sun: Friend or foe?
It’s always smart to practice sun safety. Use sunscreen and be even more careful if you take medications or have conditions that make sun exposure downright dangerous.
But remember that the sun isn’t anyone’s enemy. Along with sustaining life as we know it on the planet, it can nurture us personally, too, even if we’re just looking out the window at a cheerful, sunny day.
If you’re not sure how much sun is good for your unique situation, talk with your doctor.
8 Things Black Men and Caregivers Should Know about Prostate Cancer
Black men are at the highest risk for both developing and dying from prostate cancer. The exact reasons are complex and not fully understood. Here are eight things Black men—and caregivers—should know about prostate cancer to help stack the odds in their favor:
1. One in 8 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in his lifetime. That number increases to 1 in 7 for Black men. Prostate cancer occurs more often in Black men than in men of other races.
2. Most men with early prostate cancer, or cancer that’s contained inside the prostate, don’t have any symptoms. Symptoms usually develop if the cancer spreads outside the prostate and into nearby areas or around the body.
3. While it’s clear Black men are at a greater risk for prostate cancer, the reasons are not definitively known. It could be a combination of factors, from genetics to access to care.
4. The relative five-year survival rate for prostate cancer diagnosed in its earliest stages is nearly 100%. The survival rate for men who present with latestage disease drops to 31%. Black men are more than twice as likely to die of prostate cancer than White men.
5. Given the higher risk of developing prostate cancer and dying from the disease, Black men are more likely to have improved outcomes with screening. The main prostate cancer screening tests are a digital rectal exam, in which a doctor checks for swelling and lumps, and a PSA test, which measures the level of prostate specific antigen (PSA) in the blood.
6. The American Cancer Society recommends that Black men start prostate cancer screenings at age 45. While other ethnic groups start at age 50, that’s five years too late, say medical professionals. And if they have more than one family member who developed prostate cancer before age 45, Black men should
talk with their doctors about starting their screening at age 40.
7. Black men may be harmed by racial bias in preventive care, as they are less likely than White men to be offered the option of having a PSA test, and are more likely than White men to be told that the benefits of prostate cancer screening are uncertain.
8. Despite the increased risk of developing prostate cancer and dying from it, Black men are underrepresented in clinical trials that test new therapies — making up only 6.7% of patients. The biggest barrier seems to be not having information about the trials themselves as well as the possible benefits they offer.
Sources: American Cancer Society, Zero-The End of Prostate Cancer, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Medical News Today
