Overcoming Family Illiteracy

Admittedly, I have placed a lot of emphasis on childhood illiteracy.  One issue that I haven’t addressed in depth is what happens when both parent and child are illiterate?  This presents a special challenge because parents are often ashamed of admitting to their children that they can’t read.  What would you do if your child asked you to read her a book and you couldn’t?  The solution isn’t easy but there are some ways that both child and parent can overcome illiteracy.  Literacy advocates can do the following:

1. Encourage parents to attend their child’s tutoring lessons:  By “tagging along” it has been shown that parents are at first passively engaged, then over time, they become more engaged.  This makes them want to enhance their own skill and seek out adult literacy programs.  A lot of literacy tutoring programs also have an adult component, so that parent and child can learn to read at different times, but in different settings.

2.Make sure there are books within the home:  The mission of First Book and Reach Out and Read is to make sure that children have access to books in their homes.  By doing so, parents also have access to books.  When a child practices reading to their parent, the parent is also presented with a learning opportunity.

3.Promote family literacy:  There is a great emphasis on childhood illiteracy, but parents sometimes fell left by the wayside.  By encouraging the entire family to take part in the process, literacy advocates cam make an impact on the literacy of the entire family.

Best,

Ciji Dodds
Miss International 2011

Healthy Foods Under $1 Per Serving

Eating healthy on a budget can seem difficult; but it can be done! Being creative can help you stick to your budget and incorporate nutritious foods into your diet. Try to incorporate some of these healthy foods under $1 into your weekly menu planning.

Apples (raw with skin)
Great for: Snacks, green salads, main dish salads and fruit salads
What's a serving? 1 large apple
Nutrition Info per serving: About 116 calories, 5.4g fiber, 17% Daily Value for vitamin C, 7% Daily Value for potassium

Bananas
Great for: Snacks and fruit salads, yogurt parfaits and smoothies
What's a serving? 1 banana (large)
Nutrition Info per serving: 121 calories, 3.5g fiber, 14% Daily Value for potassium (487 mg), 20%
Daily Value for vitamin C

Baby Carrots (raw)
Great for: Snacks, casseroles, stews, veggie platters and side dishes
What's a serving? 8-10 baby carrots (3 oz)
Nutrition Info per serving: About 30 calories, 2.5g fiber, 234% Daily Value for vitamin A

Canned Beans (kidney, pinto or navy)
Great for: Green salads, casseroles, stews and chili. Types of beans range from 50% less sodium kidney beans and black beans to white beans and garbanzo beans.
What's a serving? Each can contains about 3.5 (1/2-cup) servings.
Nutrition Info per serving (for canned kidney beans): About 105 calories, 7g protein, 7g fiber, 8% Daily Value for iron, 9% Daily Value for potassium

Canned Tomatoes (packed in tomato juice)
Great for: Italian and Mexican recipes, chili, stew and casseroles. Flavor options range from no-salt-added sliced stewed tomatoes to diced tomatoes with garlic and olive oil.
What's a serving? One can contains about 3.5 (1/2-cup) servings.
Nutrition Info per serving: About 20 calories, 1g fiber, 6% Daily Value for potassium, 19% Daily Value of vitamin C

Oranges (fruit 2-7/8” diameter)
Great for: Snacks, green salads and fruit salads
What's a serving? 1 large or extra large orange
Nutrition Info per serving: About 70 calories, 3g fiber, 138% Daily Value for vitamin C, 7% Daily Value for potassium

Pears (raw)
Great for: Snacks, as an appetizer with cheese, green salads and fruit salads
What's a serving? 1 large pear
Nutrition Info per serving: About 133 calories, 7g fiber, 16% Daily Value for vitamin C, 8% Daily Value for potassium

Lentils (cooked)
Great for: Soups and stews, cold bean salads and casseroles
What's a serving? ½ cup cooked
Nutrition Info per serving: 115 calories, 9g protein, 8g fiber, 18% Daily Value for iron, 10% Daily Value for potassium

Pearled Barley (cooked)
Great for: Soups and stews, cold salads and casseroles
What's a serving? ½ cup (cooked)
Nutrition Info per serving: 97 calories, 3g fiber, 6% Daily Value for iron

Yogurt (plain, low fat or fat-free)
Great for: Smoothies, yogurt parfait, dips and dressings
What's a serving? A 6-ounce container is usually a serving.
Nutrition Info per serving: (for 6 ounces of fat-free plain yogurt): 95 calories, 10g protein, 34% Daily
Value for calcium, 12% Daily Value for potassium

Eggs
Great for: omelets, hardboiled, salads
What’s a serving? 1 medium egg
Nutrition Info per serving: 63 calories, 4g fat, 164mg cholesterol, 6g protein

Broccoli
Great for: steamed as a side dish, tossed in salads, mixed in brown rice or whole wheat pasta dishes
What’s a serving? 1 cup raw, ½ cup cooked
Nutrition Info per serving (1 cup chopped raw broccoli): 31 calories, 0g fat, 0mg cholesterol, 11% Daily Value for vitamin A, 135% Daily Value for vitamin C

Sweet Potato (cooked, baked in skin)
Great for: baked, mashed, steamed
What’s a serving? 1 medium potato (2” diameter, 5” long, raw)
Nutrition Info per serving: 103 calories, 0g fat, 0mg cholesterol, 4g fiber, 438% Daily Value for vitamin A,  37% Daily Value for vitamin C

Brown Rice (cooked)
Great for: stir fry, steamed with veggies
What’s a serving? ½ cup cooked
Nutrition Info per serving: 108 calories, 0mg cholesterol, 2g fiber

Green Peas (frozen, cooked)
Great for: mixed into brown rice or whole wheat pasta dishes
What’s a serving? ½ cup cooked
Nutrition Info per serving (cooked): 62 calories, 0mg cholesterol, 4g fiber, 4g protein, 13% Daily Value for vitamin C, 34% Daily Value for vitamin A, 7% Daily Value for iron

Fat-Free Milk
Great for: cold beverage
What’s a serving? 1 cup
Nutrition Info per serving: 83 calories, 8g protein, 30% Daily Value for calcium, 11% Daily Value for potassium

Regular Oatmeal
Great for: hot oatmeal, breakfast, baking
What’s a serving? ½ cup cooked
Nutrition Info per serving: 83 calories, 0mg cholesterol, 2g fiber 

Spinach (raw)
Great for: tossed salads, steamed as a side dish
What’s a serving? 1 cup raw or ½ cup cooked
Nutrition Info per serving (1 cup raw): 7 calories, 0mg cholesterol, 1g fiber, 56% Daily Value of vitamin A, 14% Daily Value for vitamin C, 5% Daily Value of iron, 5% Daily Value for potassium

Frozen Mixed Vegetables
Great for: quick side dish, add to soups/stews
What’s a serving? ½ cup cooked
Nutrition Info per serving: 59 calories; 4g fiber, 78% Daily Value for vitamin A, 5% Daily Value for vitamin C, 4% Daily Value for potassium

Frozen Corn on the Cob
Great for: quick side dish, kid friendly
What’s a serving? 1 ear
Nutrition Info per serving (for a cooked cob that yields about 2 oz cooked corn): 59 calories, 2g fiber,
5% Daily Value for potassium

Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service. 2011. USDA National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference, Release 24.

Janet Bolin

Real Wedding Planning: Transportation Poll

Dolls, we are facing our first "crisis" when it comes to Saira's wedding planning. As many of Saira's venues involve urban environments, we are faced with the age old questions that many brides must ponder: Should the bride and groom provide shuttles and / or valet parking for guests? As part of the venue search (which is still underway) one of the cons we are facing is that many urban venues simply do not have their own parking lot. Let's look at our two options in some detail:

VENUE #1

Venue #1 is in Newark, New Jersey, which is not exactly known for its scenic routes. As the majority of the guests will be staying in New Jersey and therefore will be driving in, parking options are key. The options are as follows:

(1) Valet parking: This would be the most convenient option for guests, and would protect the guests from the streets of Newark (yes, there is a little sarcasm here). It would also be the most expensive option, costing up to $3,000.

(2) Garage parking: There are a number of parking garages in Newark, many of which are located within a two block radius from the venue. The couple would likely be able to get a discounted rate, which the guests can either pay themselves or which can be covered by the couple. The guests will still have to walk through Newark (or at least the driver will have to), but it would be a very short walk.

(3) Hotel shuttle: This option is available for all guests, whether or not you are staying at the hotel. Guests can park their car at the hotel (which will likely include a small parking fee) and then join other guests for a shuttle which will take them directly to the venue. We do want to note that there will be no alcohol at this wedding, which is one of the main reasons couples provide for shuttle service.  Nonetheless, it will be convenient for guests who don't want to worry about traveling back from the venue at night. The downside is that guests will still have to pay for some sort of parking and the couple will have to pay for the shuttle. Plus depending on the number of shuttles available, there will be some lag time in between trips, thereby inconveniencing guests.

(4)  Nothing: Guests can be provided with information about parking garages and the hotel, and arranged things based on their own preference.

VOTE: Now we need your help! Please vote on which option you think is the most fair and practical for all those involved for parking in Newark, New Jersey. Please feel free to leave comments as well!

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VENUE # 2

Venue #2 is in New York City, just blocks from Penn Station.
With the majority of Saira's guests coming from New Jersey, travel to
New York City will require some additional planning. Here are the
options:

(1) Valet Parking: This is actually not a realistic option for this location, but we thought we would include it anyway, mainly to see if you all are paying attention.

(2) Garage parking: The venue offers discounts with two garages, where cars would pay $25 a pop. This could be paid directly by the guests, or covered by the couple. The garages are located within a few blocks of the venue, and the area surrounding the venue is very safe, albeit a little isolated.

(3) Hotel shuttle: The upside to staying at a hotel in New York City is that you can take public transportation to the hotel (train, subway, path, what have you), check in and get ready, and then have a nice convenient shuttle waiting to transport you to the venue. While it's unclear how many guests will opt to stay at a New York City hotel, guests can have the option of parking wherever their hearts desire and taking the shuttle from the hotel, regardless of whether they are staying there.

(4) Nothing: It's very different to talk about arranging transportation when you are getting married in New York City. The beauty of New York City is the availability of public transportation! Because of the number of different options, guests can simply be provided with the different transportation options and choose what is most convenient for them.

VOTE: Please vote on which option is the most fair and practical for a New York City wedding. We would also love to read your comments and suggestions!

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Please share your thoughts with us and let us know what you think!

XOXO,

Jen & Saira

Summer Reading!

The end of the school year does not have to mean the end of reading.  All too often, children lose literacy skills gained throughout the year during the summer.  But studies have consistently shown that summer reading is critical to maintaining literacy skills and building new ones.  The Washington Post just published a great article with tips on how to make summer reading fun.  Here are just a few.

1. Blog about it!:  Blogging is a great way to integrate technology and reading.  Encourage your child to create a blog and post weekly reviews of the books that they have read.  It will help their critical thinking skills because not only will they have to read and summarize, they will also have to analyze and respond to posts.

2. Re-write a story:  Encourage your child to adapt a story and make it their own.  By changing the plot line and characters, children become better writers.  For example, take Little Red Riding Hood and add a modern twist.  Put her in present day D.C. and watch the fun begin!

3. Act it out!:  Encourage your child to turn their favorite book into a play.  The process of playwriting helps them develop multiple literacy and critical thinking skills.

These are just a few.  For more, check out  http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/answer-sheet/post/how-to-get-kids-reading-and-writing-over-the-summer/2012/07/03/gJQADjOgKW_blog.html

Best,

Ciji Dodds
Miss International