october 2017
INCREASE YOUR PRODUCTIVITY pg. 4
Wichita Family • October 2017 - 1
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Todd Vogts
Publisher Todd Vogts wichitafamilymag@gmail.com
Wichita Family Magazine is published 12 times a year by Lucky 7 Publishing LLC. Wichita Family Magazine is available free, at schools, stores, restaurants, libraries, retailers and local attractions, as well as other places families frequent. For a complete list of where to find Wichita Family, or for subscription rates, email us at wichitafamilymag@gmail.com or visit our website at www.wichitafamily.com. Copyright 2017 by Lucky 7 Publishing LLC. All rights reserved. Wichita Family Magazine is not responsible for errors, omissions or contest fulfillment from third parties. Reproduction in part or in whole without written permission is strictly prohibited. Wichita Family is distributed free of charge. The magazine’s advertisers make this possible, so support them! We reserve the right to edit submitted material. All submissions will be considered for publication, but we reserve the right to refuse material. Materials will not be returned. Any editorial content or advertising published is the property of Lucky 7 Publishing LLC. 2 - www.wichitafamily.com
Message from the Publisher
When to give children tech TODD VOGTS
I
Publisher
n September, my wife and I had our first child, a beautiful little girl. It’s an exciting time, but it has caused us to discuss a lot of things I hadn’t considered before . . . really important things. I’m talking about when we should give our child technology. My wife and I love technology, and we use it at all hours of the day. Growing up, the earliest I can remember having my own devices was maybe my sophomore year of high school. I had a hand-me-down Compaq laptop and a used Palm Pilot . . . because I was a huge nerd. However, I didn’t get my own cellphone until my senior year of high school, and I only got it when I could afford to pay for it myself. Of course, times have changed, and in this day and age, we have to start considering when we will allow our own child to have access, especially when it comes to cellphones. They make keeping in contact so easy, and knowing how I was as a youth, I think I will want to keep in touch with my child. I don’t want to have to rely on the kindness of a stranger to bring my daughter home when she runs out of gas trying to get home in time for curfew . . . my father wasn’t very pleased when this happened to me. If I had a cellphone, I could have just called for help, but waking him up in that fashion probably would have created a whole host of other issues for me. Maybe it was for the best I didn’t have a
cellphone. However, I digress. A simple Google search brings up scores of articles providing advice about what age is most appropriate to give children technology. Cris Rowan of The Huffington Post explains 10 reasons access should be limited to children under the age of 12, such as brain growth, delayed development, obesity, sleep deprivation, mental illness, aggression, digital dementia, addiction, radiation, and overuse. In short, Rowan paints a dire picture, but it doesn’t seem completely valid. I’m an educator. I know technology is used in classrooms at early ages. Of course, that use is regulated, and that seems to be key. I think technology can be beneficial in learning, but even technology-based education tools may not be as effective as marketers would want you to think, as is highlighted in Cory Turner’s NPR piece titled, “The Trouble With Talking Toys.” Writing for The Telegraph, Josie Gurney-Read suggests, citing the American Academy of Pediatrics, “that children under 2 should be discouraged from using technology and that preschool children should not be watching television or using digital devices for more than two hours a see PUBLISHER, on PAGE 8
Todd Vogts
wichitafamilymag@gmail.com
Wichita Family • October 2017 - 3
GET FOCUSED Plan to make productivity a priority
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FAMILY FEATURES
lthough there are many reasons to feel stressed in the workplace, productivity is often at the root. After all, productive employees are often perceived as the most valuable employees and when productivity fails, it tends to put everyone on edge. Concerns about productivity are broadly founded. They may be related to your self-assessment of your own performance,
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or it could be that a manager is demanding more. Or maybe you’re collaborating with a team of peers and are struggling to find your footing, and collectively productivity is down. Productivity is not only good for business; it’s good for worker morale, too. A productive work day can produce a sense of accomplishment and pride, and may result in a less stressful work environment. You can take a proactive role in improving your own productivity with these ideas.
1. Face a challenge head on. Procrastination can be the ultimate roadblock to productivity. For many, that means saving the least desired task on your to-do lists for the end of the day. However, by the end of the day, it’s too easy to delay the task until tomorrow. Instead, start the day with your least desired task. This is when you’ll have the most energy and you’ll kick off your day feeling accomplished, ready to tackle whatever comes next. 2. Be intentional with your time. It may seem counterintuitive, but taking breaks can help you have a more productive day. When you feel your energy start to wane, give yourself a timeout. Take a 15-minute walk, run the stairs or spend some time drawing in your notebook. Over the course of a week, pay attention to your schedule and start to plan your meetings and tasks around breaks so you’re working during periods of the day when you’re the most energized. 3. Capture ideas when they come. Let’s face it: not every great idea arrives at the ideal moment. While it’s possible to key your ideas immediately into your smartphone, that can come with multiple obnoxious distractions. However, trying to recreate that flash of inspiration at a more opportune time more often than not falls short with missing details. An option like the Bamboo Slate smartpad allows you to write naturally with pen on any paper without the social media notifications and email alerts. With the push of a button, you can then convert your handwritten notes into “living” digital files. With Wacom Inkspace, you can organize, edit and share your notes and sketches on your enabled smartphone, tablet or other devices. In case you’re not near your mobile device when inspiration strikes, you can store up to 100 pages on your smartpad and sync later. Learn more at bamboo.wacom.com. 4. Identify areas for collaboration. Everyone has strengths and weaknesses. The key is knowing yourself well enough to know when you need to ask for help to be more productive. Wasting time on tasks you don’t excel in can slow everyone down. Rather, find
others whom you can collaborate with and learn from to help you improve your productivity over time. 5. Stay organized. When you’re working under continuous deadlines, things can really start to pile up – literally. Digging through a mess to find the report containing the data you need or the invoice to cross reference is a waste of precious time. Allow the clutter to build during the work day if you must, but make it a goal to never leave the office without bringing some order to the day’s chaos. Coming in each morning to a desk that is de-cluttered and ready for the day ahead can be a big productivity booster.
Learn to Make Lists with Purpose List-making has long been revered as the classic time management tool, and technology makes it easier than ever to blend this analog task with your digital world by using smart notebooks like the Bamboo Slate to create an online to-do list. Consider these three list styles to determine the approach that best fits your work style to put you on your way to more productive days: Categorized lists. Most people start with a daily to-do list, focusing just on the most urgent tasks for the day. Once you’ve mastered that approach, try looking ahead to the future to help you meet your goals. For this technique, you might consider an annual list or even a life list to help put the big picture in perspective and make it more manageable to accomplish your desires. Others go so far as to categorize their time to focus their attention on different types of tasks on different days. To-do vs. done lists. Another option is to use lists to catalog both the items you need to do and those you’ve already completed. A “done list” can be a motivating factor in pushing forward with your to-do list by letting you see your accomplishments in writing. Bullet journaling. The bullet journal approach is a four-step process designed to make the to-do list less of a chore and more efficient. A step-by-step guide shows you how to create more productive lists you can easily reference in the future.
Wichita Family • October 2017 - 5
Grilled Sausage Skewer Sandwiches
Cook time: 15 minutes Servings: 6 1 regular size package Eckrich Smoked Sausage 1 small red onion, cut into 1-inch pieces 1 red bell pepper, seeded, cut into 1-inch pieces 6 wooden skewers, 10 inches long 1/2 cup Italian salad dressing, divided 6 bolillo or sandwich rolls, split 1 avocado, cut into 1/2-inch thick slices 1/4 cup cilantro leaves Heat grill to medium-high. Cut sausage into 1/2-inch thick slices. Thread sausage, onion and bell peppers alternately onto skewers. Brush 1/4 cup salad dressing on skewered sausage and vegetables. Grill until sausage is golden brown and vegetables are crisp-tender, about 10 minutes, turning once. Brush remaining salad dressing on rolls. Fill rolls with grilled sausage and vegetables. Divide avocado and cilantro onto each. Tip: To broil sausage rather than grill, heat broiler to medium-high, follow the same skewer preparation instructions and broil about 10 minutes, or until sausage is golden brown and vegetables are crisp-tender.
A Fresh Tailgate Menu Quick and tasty ideas for game day
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FAMILY FEATURES
ake your tailgating game to new heights this season with fresh dishes that are easy to make and serve, whether your tailgating tradition takes place at the game or at home. Fast prep times and short ingredient lists make these recipes a cinch to prepare in advance and have ready to go as soon as you reach the parking lot or before guests arrive. The star ingredients are naturally hardwoodsmoked sausages and seasoned deli meats from Eckrich, which offers a variety of smoked sausage flavors in traditional ropes and bun-length links as well as gluten-free deli meats such as Black Forest ham and ovenroasted turkey, all with just the right blend of seasonings for a rich, savory taste. You can switch up the flavors of these recipes by subbing in different varieties of smoked sausage, such as replacing the original rope-style smoked sausage with Eckrich Jalapeno & Cheddar Links. The roll-ups are also easy to customize for guests using any type of deli meat, and they’re easy to enjoy on the go if you need a quick bite on the way to the stadium. Find more game-day recipes at Eckrich.com.
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Tailgate Like a Pro Try New Toppings
Smoked sausage and deli meats are easy to add to a bun for an instant meal, and there’s plenty of ways to dress your tailgate menu up or down based upon the preferences of your guests. Be sure to keep some basics on hand for those who prefer traditional preparation, but for the more adventurous types, try out these ideas for toppings that create a new dimension of flavor. Grilled onion Grilled peppers Grilled, roasted or sauteed mushrooms Spicy mustard Flavored ketchup (think spicy, fruity or sweet) Ethnic flavors like curry or marinara sauce Hot sauce Roasted corn relish Crumbled or shredded cheese Bacon crumbles
Ham and Turkey Roll-ups
Cook time: 10 minutes Servings: 2 4 ounces Eckrich Deli Oven Roasted Turkey Breast 4 ounces Eckrich Deli Black Forest Ham lettuce leaves 2 tablespoons chunky guacamole 1/4 cup chopped cucumbers 1 tablespoon shredded cheddar cheese 2 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled Layer turkey and ham slices. Layer lettuce, guacamole, cucumber, cheese and bacon crumbles. Roll meat and secure with toothpick.
Handy Hacks n Repurpose coffee filters as holders
for your sandwiches. They’re easy to hold and help keep your favorite toppings contained. n Up-cycle an empty six-pack container into a convenient cookout caddy to hold napkins, condiments and utensils. Not only is it quick to grab and place on the table, but it helps keep napkins from blowing away in a breeze. n For kabobs, keep wooden skewers from charring by soaking them in water before threading on ingredients. n Prepare toppings the night before and arrange them in a disposable foil pan for a quick and easy DIY topping bar.
Potato Salad with Smoked Sausage
Cook time: 30 minutes Servings: 6 3/4 regular size package Eckrich Smoked Sausage, halved lengthwise, cut into 1/2-inch thick slices 3 small red potatoes (about 2 1/2 pounds), cooked and quartered 1 can (4 ounces) pitted ripe olives, drained and halved 2 cups Italian dressing 1 green onion, sliced (about 1/4 cup) 1 clove garlic, minced 2 teaspoons ground black pepper In large skillet over medium heat, cook sausage 6 minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in potatoes; cook until heated through, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat. Add olives, dressing, onions, garlic and pepper; mix lightly.
Million Dollar Moment
This season, Eckrich – the official smoked sausage and deli meat sponsor of the College Football Playoff – is once again hosting the Road to the National Championship sweepstakes. Fans around the country will have the chance to make a 20-yard throw for $1 million at some of the biggest college football games of the season, including the 2018 College Football Playoff National Championship in Atlanta. Visit EckrichFootball.com for your chance to win.
Wichita Family • October 2017 - 7
PUBLISHER Continued from PAGE 3 . . .
day.” Laura Lewis Brown of PBS outlines suggestions for dealing with the question of when to put technology in the hands of children. Brian X. Chen of The New York Times approached the question of when a child should get a cellphone, which in this day and age is undoubtedly a smartphone. He reported the following: “The longer you wait to give your children a smartphone, the better. Some experts said 12 was the ideal age, while others said 14. All agreed later was safer because smartphones can be addictive distractions that detract from schoolwork while exposing children to issues like online bullies, child predators or sexting.” However, none of the articles I have read give a definitive answer. There is clearly no one-size-fits-all approach to this. Every article says something to extent of parents need to determine the appropriate age for their children to have technology. So, reading up on the issue hasn’t been very helpful for my wife and I. However, we are both educators and relatively intelligent. Surely we can come up with a plan. After all, we have time. Our daughter will at least need to master holding her head up before we sign her up for her own cell plan. Our current plan is to not let our child use technology until he or she is around the age of 5 when we feel the child will be able to understand limits we impose upon the use. We will not, under any circumstances, be giving the child one of our cellphones to play with because we don’t want our phones cluttered with random games and sticky fingerprints. We will be willing to allow games to be played on one of our iPads or other tablets, but she will not be given her own tablet until at least age 10. Likewise, the child might get a cellphone around the same age, but it won’t be a smartphone. It will be a simple device that can be used to keep in touch with us. No frills. Just utility. I realize we haven’t really talked about Internet use. I suppose that will line up with having her own tablet. That’s when we will deal with that, unless it becomes clear Internet use is going to be necessary for her school work. And television. We watch television a lot, but we are also huge readers. We will have to strike a balance. Again, though, we have time to work out the details. Clearly this won’t be an easy process, and we will have to adapt as we go. In fact, all our current thoughts on the matter might change. Nothing is written in stone, but at least we are thinking about it, right? We just need to keep in mind that moderation is key, regardless of what we actually end up doing. 8 - www.wichitafamily.com
National Traveling Exhibit
Friday, Oct. 13
Saturday, Oct. 21
Details: www.exploration.org 300 N. McLean Blvd., Wichita, Kansas 316.660.0600