SOUND LIVING

NATIONAL YOUTH SCIENCE DAY – National Youth Science Day, sponsored by 4-H Youth Development, is being held October 8th. National Youth Science Day is part of a comprehensive campaign to support 4-H’s goal of attracting one million new youth to 4-H science, engineering, and technology programs by 2013. On today’s Sound Living: using water, disposable diapers and potting soil to introduce children to the fascinating world of science.

USING TECHNOLOGY TO BULLY (Part 2) – Cyber-bullying…using the internet or cell phone to send hurtful messages or to post harmful information to damage someone’s reputation or friendships…is one of the more challenging issues facing students, parents, and educators. On today’s Sound Living: steps that can be taken to minimize a child’s risk of being the target of a cyber-bully.

USING TECHNOLOGY TO BULLY – Bullying is taking on a technological form. It’s no longer the face-to-face name calling, pushing, shoving or fighting many of us remember. Today’s bully uses technology, primarily cell phones and computers. Bullies will send threatening e-mails or text messages to the victim or post information or photos on social networking sites to damage the victim’s reputation or friendships. And, like most bullies, they do this anonymously. On today’s Sound Living: the first of a two-part series on the damaging effects of cyber-bullying.

SAVING STRATEGIES FOR RETIREMENT – Having a retirement lifestyle that’s similar…or better…than the one you had while working requires more than living off of Social Security. You’ll need stocks, bonds, mutual funds, and IRA’s that can be drawn down as you age. On today’s Sound Living: ways to maximize retirement income by utilizing a savings strategy for each decade of our adult lives.

AN ALLOWANCE TEACHES MONEY MANAGEMENT – There are generally two thoughts regarding how parents “pay” their children. Some prefer to “pay as they go” – giving children money for certain purchases and activities. Others prefer to give their children a weekly allowance. Regardless of which method is used, it’s important to allow children to manage the money themselves. On today’s Sound Living: teaching kids to manage their money.

CHILDREN NEED PARENTAL SUPPORT – Divorce or separation, while it can often be painful, shouldn’t be a reason to ignore – or abandon – a child. Research shows children are more likely to flourish when they have the support of both parents. This includes doing well in school. On today’s Sound Living: tips to help divorced or separated parents remain involved in their child’s education and school-related activities.

USE A SLOW COOKER YEAR-ROUND – Soups, stews and casseroles are often thought of as winter foods. But, a K-State Research and Extension health and nutrition agent says these, and many other dishes, can be prepared year-round in a slow cooker. On today‘s Sound Living: the many uses of a slow cooker.

SCHOOL LUNCH VS. PACKING A LUNCH – It’s back-to-school time, and that means it’s time to think about budgets, meals and schedules. When it comes to lunch, all those factors come into play. A common question for parents and children is “Do we pack lunches this year, or go with school lunches?”  Before deciding, there are several factors to consider, including cost, time and nutrition. On today’s Sound Living: school lunches vs. packing your own…which is the better choice.

STILL THE MOST IMPORTANT MEAL – No matter how tired we may get of hearing about breakfast being the most important meal of the day, the fact is, it is. Breakfast serves as fuel for daytime activities and aids cognitive development – the ability to learn. On today’s Sound Living: why we should start each day with a healthy breakfast.

DEVELOPING TALENTS AND INTERESTS – With a new school year fast approaching, some children may be getting anxious about following an older brother or sister, especially if they excelled as a student or as an athlete. While that may be understandable, a Kansas State University child development specialist says every child has their own unique talents and interests…and fostering those talents and interests will help them build confidence in other areas and give them their own identity. On today’s Sound Living: helping children step out of an older sibling’s shadow.

ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGIES MAKE LIFE EASIER – Perceptions and misunderstandings about assistive technologies may prompt many who could benefit from using them, to overlook them. While some assistive technologies involve high-end electronics, many are low-tech, relatively inexpensive and easy to use. On today’s Sound Living: how assistive technologies can be used to add quality to life.

BUDGETING FOR BACK-TO-SCHOOL – School doesn’t start until August, but budgeting for school-related expenses should have started at the end of last school year. In fact, a family financial management specialist with K-State Research and Extension says saving for school expenses is really a year-round activity. On today’s Sound Living: getting kids back-to-school without emptying the bank account.

FOOD SAFETY TIPS FOR GRILLING – Although some people grill outdoors year-round in Kansas, it hits a peak during summer. Outdoor grilling keeps heat out of the kitchen on hot summer days and still allows an entire meal to be prepared using just one surface. However, cooking raw meat and vegetables outdoors does present some food safety concerns. On today’s Sound Living: food safety tips to make outdoor grilling as safe as cooking in your kitchen.

HEALTH ROCKS: HELPING KANSAS YOUTH – Health Rocks, sponsored by the National 4-H Council, is a life skills development program for youth. Its curriculum is designed to help youth learn skills such as critical thinking, decision-making and stress management. The curriculum also deals with getting youth to think about eating better and being more active. On today’s Sound Living: how Health Rocks can help Kansas youth deal with the health and behavior risks that all teenagers face.

CHILDREN LEARN FROM FAILURE – It’s natural for parents to want to protect their children from failure, but that may do more harm than good. Kansas State University child development specialist Chuck Smith says failure can be a motivator. In fact, he says they may learn more from losing than winning. On today’s Sound Living: helping children turn failure into success.

SURVIVING IN A TIGHT ECONOMY – Rising costs, especially food and gas, have many people wondering how they’re going to pay their bills. A K-State Research and Extension financial management specialist says there are two options: make more money or reduce expenses. On today’s Sound Living: how a tight economy can be an opportunity to save money by organizing our finances.

KEEP SNACKS IN THE BUDGET – As gas and food costs continue to escalate, many people are looking for ways to trim their spending. In some cases, this means eliminating things from the budget. But, we need to be careful with what we take out of the budget.  And, snacks – healthy snacks – fall into that category. On today’s Sound Living: why healthy snacks need to stay in the budget.

RELATIONSHIPS “GET REAL” AFTER MARRIAGE – All married couples hope for a happily-ever-after, but statistics show many aren’t making it until “death do we part.” One reason is that relationships “get real” after marriage. Day-to-day life – stress at work, laundry and grocery shopping – add pressures that may erode relationships. On today’s Sound Living: advice to help keep marriages strong, especially when life makes it challenging.

START THE DAY WITH BREAKFAST – Although it sounds like something only a mom would say, research shows there’s a lot of truth surrounding breakfast being the most important meal of the day. In fact, there are several health-related benefits to starting the day with a bite to eat. And, almost any food does the trick.  On today’s Sound Living: why we should all make time for breakfast.

“ON OUR BEHALF” DOCUMENTARY – Two Kansas State University professors are working on a documentary that allows National Guard families to tell their stories. These stories reveal the courage and sacrifices they’ve made. The documentary also serves as a catalyst for community discussion about the isolation and emotions soldiers and their families may feel during a deployment. On today’s Sound Living: a look at “On Our Behalf,” a documentary about National Guard families.

TIPS TO LOWER GROCERY BILLS – As the price of gas and food continues to climb, consumers are being forced to make some tough decisions about how they spend their money. On today’s Sound Living: ideas for lowering your grocery bill…without sacrificing nutrition.

SUSTAINABLE CLOTHING – From changing light bulbs to installing bamboo floors to driving hybrid vehicles, everything seems to be aimed at going green. Another area where there is a similar, but much quieter push is clothing. On Today’s Sound Living: how switching to sustainable fabrics could impact our wardrobes and the environment.

THE IMPORTANCE OF FOLIC ACID – Following a low-carb diet that excludes vitamin and mineral-enriched grain products in the months prior to or early in a pregnancy may increase the risk of neural tube birth defects, such as spina bifida, if additional supplements are not taken. On today’s Sound Living: the link between diet, folic acid and a reduction in neural tube birth defects.

LIVING IN HARMONY WITH ADULT CHILDREN – According to census figures, 56 percent of men and 43 percent of women ages of 18 to 24 live with one or both parents. An estimated 65 percent of recent college graduates have moved back home. These moves are being made for a variety of reasons, but economics is usually the driving force. On today’s Sound Living: setting rules to make moving back home an arrangement adult children and parents can live with.

DO YOU HAVE A HEALTHY RELATIONSHIP? – Evaluating a relationship to determine whether it’s healthy may seem difficult. However, a family systems specialist with K-State Research and Extension says there are three questions a couple can ask to test the health of their relationship: Does each partner like the other? Do they have a mutual honor and respect for each other? And, does each partner want to be connected with the other? On today’s Sound Living: evaluating the health of a relationship.

VALUES THAT LAST A LIFETIME – Regardless of whether it’s a case of ‘seeing is believing’ or ‘monkey see, monkey do’…parents who want their children to have good values, must exhibit those values on a daily basis. On today’s Sound Living: how parents can help children develop a set of values that will last a lifetime.

PREPARING KIDS FOR OVERNIGHT VISITS – Visiting others can be an important growth step for children, but spending the night in someone else’s home…even a close relative’s…can create some anxiety. A K-State Research and Extension family systems specialist says overnight visits are usually more successful when the child…and adults…are prepared. On today’s Sound Living: preparing children for overnight visits.

OBESITY: A DIVISION OF RESPONSIBILITY – Nearly 20 percent of Kansas children are overweight. And, recent studies show 12 percent of Kansas children under the age of five are considered to be overweight. On today’s Sound Living: the division of responsibility that parents and children must assume in developing good eating habits.

MAXIMIZING TAX REFUNDS – Tax refunds can have an impact on your personal and financial well-being. So, before you spend that hard-earned money, review your overall financial situation to determine the best use for that money. On today’s Sound Living: smart uses for tax refunds.

EXTENSION LAUNCHES NEW WEB SITE – Kansas State University Research and Extension is partnering with more than 70 land-grant universities on a groundbreaking new Web site, eXtension.org. The site contains research-based information to help answer all of life’s little questions…from parenting, to finances, agriculture and gardening. On today’s Sound Living: an update on eXtension.org.

INTENTIONAL HARMONY – Many Americans struggle with trying to balance a job and living a personally fulfilling life that includes family, friends, recreation, and time for individual interests. Intentional Harmony: Managing Work and Life is a program developed by University of Illinois Research and Extension to help working individuals create harmony in their work and personal life. That program is now available in Kansas through K-State Research and Extension. On today’s Sound Living: a look at the components of the program and how it helps workers relieve stress in the workplace…and at home.

MARRIAGE: MORE THAN SAYING “I DO” – The words “I do” seem like two very simple words, but for couples getting married they should carry a lot of meaning and not be taken lightly. Studies with pre-marital couples show certain questions and issues often surface during the relationship. A family systems specialist with K-State Research and Extension says effectively communicating with one another is the key to dealing with these issues and questions. On today’s Sound Living: what couples should be discussing before they say “I do.”

WHAT IS A REGULAR SIZED SERVING? – As portion sizes have grown over the last four decades, so have the waist sizes of many Americans. Today, about 65% of Americans are overweight or obese, compared with 47% in the 1970s and 45% in the 1960s. On today’s Sound Living: putting portion size into perspective.

BENEFITS OF WHOLE GRAIN FOODS – Health experts agree that grains should be a healthy part of every diet…and it’s important that at least half our grains be whole grains. But what is a whole grain? And, why are whole grains so good for us? On today’s Sound Living: understanding the benefits of whole grains.

BENEFITS OF MODERATE-INTENSITY EXERCISE – People of all ages who are generally inactive can improve their health and well-being by becoming active at a moderate-intensity on a regular basis. This is equivalent to 30 minutes of brisk walking five or more times a week. On today’s Sound Living: how getting your rate up several times a week can reduce the risk of several diseases, help control weight, and reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression.

KANSAS SAVES BUILDS SECURITY – A social marketing campaign encouraging people to save more for everyday emergencies, reduce debt and build retirement savings is taking place across Kansas. The goal of Kansas Saves is to make saving money a habit, much like brushing our teeth or combing our hair. On today’s Sound Living: using the money we earn to build financial security.

PARENTS SET THE TONE AT HOME – Parents may be aware that their children view them as role models, but may not realize that how they interact as a couple typically sets the tone in the home. On today’s Sound Living: how the tone at home is a reflection of the parents’ relationship.

ACHIEVING A HEALTHY LIFESTYLE – We’re barely into a new year and some people are already having trouble with their resolution to eat healthy and exercise more. Although there are a variety of ways to reach those goals, making major changes is probably not necessary. On today’s Sound Living: steps for making a healthy lifestyle a marathon…not a sprint.