UPDATE: Tupelo Twins Run Cross Country

Tupelo twins Heather and Haleigh Moore continue on their cross country trip to raise awareness for clean water in Africa. The 22 year old sisters are trying to raise $100,000. Last time we talked with them, they were in Texas.

To follow them, you can go to coastcoastforhim.blogspot.com

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Pre-Prregnancy Advice

Dr. Pamela Lacy, OB,Gyn has this advice if you are planning on having a baby.

• Get off the pill.
• Stop drinking or smoking.
• Limit caffeine.
• Manage your weight.
• Take prenatal supplements.
• Get plenty of sleep.
• Find your stress reliever.
• Ask your mom about her pregnancy
• See your dentist.
• Plan and take a girls trip.
• Talk with your spouse about parenting styles, your jobs, and housing.
• See your doctor.

And, most of all, stop stressing.

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What Your Child Needs to Know Before First Grade

It is a big transition.

Former elementary principal Hellen Polk and former first grade teacher Tina Scholtes have these recommendations to make sure your child is ready for first grade.

• Talk to your child's kindergarten teacher. Ask her opinion.
• Socially, your child should be getting along with other.
• Your child should be able to share, take care of his or her own materials.
• Your child should be able to take directions from adults.
• Your child should have some independence.

Academically, your child should be able to

• Count and recognize numbers from 1 to 100.
• Count by 2's, 5's and 10s.
• Tell time.
• Know bigger than and smaller than.
• Know sight words.
• Be able to decode words.
• Build a vocabulary.
• And, know basic punctuation.

Parents should:

• make sure your child can dress himself.
• tie shoes with laces.
• prepare healthy snacks.
• make sure your child gets plenty of rest.
• Be creative in teaching skills at home. Count and sort at the grocery store. Make math relative.

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Coupon Codes Mean Great Deal

Shopping online is fun and easy. And, you can get some great deals along the way. Especially if you follow coupon codes. How does it work. Mike Allen, owner of shopping-bargains.com has all the details.

What is a coupon code?
A code that must be entered into a shopping cart box during checkout to activate. What we call coupon codes are often referred to as promo codes, promotional codes, promotion codes, key codes, discount codes, shopping codes, voucher codes, or another name by different retailers.

Regardless of their name, such coupon codes commonly provide significant discounts including free shipping, dollar or percentage off values, a free gift with order, or some other incentive.

Coupon & Promotion Limitations
There are usually restrictions with online coupons and promotions. Most have expiration dates (and even times for some) to be aware of. Most retailers also have certain coupon code exclusions for specific brands, categories, and items.

We try to list such details; however, we are often not aware of all coupon limitations. Coupons and promotions are subject to the retailer's terms and conditions and may change without notice.

Check out Mike Allen's blog and all the great coupons at http://www.shopping-bargains.com/articles/coupon-code-instructions/

http://www.shopping-bargains.com/

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Preparing for Kindergarten

As far as milestones go, it is one of the biggest. The first day of kindergarten, for many parents and grandparents, ranks right up there with first steps and walking down the aisle. Today's four and five year olds have to know more, do more, and be better prepared than their older siblings of just a few years.

Preparing our children for kindergarten... Hellen Polk, former kindergarten teacher and elementary principal has a checklist for parents and pupils.

Be sure you have the paperwork.
1. Applications, registration fees, residency paperwork
2. Copy of certified birth certificate
3. Mississippi Immunization Form 121
4. Any other requirements by the individual school

Make sure your child is fit.
1. Complete physical from the pediatrician or family doctor
2. Vision/hearing screenings
3. Allergies or special needs

Moms and Dads should:
1. Be positive with your child about this new experience - about growing up and being away from parents
2. Visit the school and meet the teachers, administrative staff
3. If your child has not been in a setting away from parents before, do something now - Mother's Day out, Sunday School, enrichment program, even a baby sitter to get the child used to being around others

Your in-coming kindergarten student should have:
1. Self-help skills - should be adept at this - may still have trouble tying shoes due to dexterity development
2. Fine-motor skills - handedness is generally established. Work on correct way to grip pencils and crayons. Stetrogrips are good. Scissor skills and ways to improve grip.
3. Large-motor skills - make sure your child is physically active every day.

Learn everyday.
1. More than just "ABC's and 123's". Cognitive math skills such as sequence, opposites, directions, etc. Have items to count and group together, blocks of different shapes and sizes, etc. Puzzles are excellent!
2. Exposure to the world around the child - science and social studies found in nature and everyday activities
3. Vocabulary is so important! Read - read- read! Read aloud, have books on tape, point to words, have letter magnets for manipulation, provide books and magazines for children to use. Take your child to the library!
4. Listening skills - following directions. Practice doing this to increase attention and improve listening.
5. Communication skills - being able to interact with peers and adults.

Reminder:
Every child is different with his/her own ways of thinking, learning, acting.
The child will learn when he or she is ready to learn, but it is vital to establish a good foundation at home that is conducive to learning.
Each child will need to be encouraged to feel secure.

Once the preparations have been made, the bag is packed with school supplies, be excited about that first day of school. Take the child in with a smile on your face - don't linger because there may be some tears. Leave and let the teachers handle it! Don't cry till you get in the car and drive away!

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Where Did the Time Go?

It's been 30 years this week since John Bean and family opened the first Harvey's Restaurant in Starkville. Share the anniversary this week by stopping by and choosing items from the original menu at the original prices! http://eatwithus.com/news-single.php?article_id=364

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Get Moving

Moving your life in a positive direction means breaking old cycles and doing something different. One thing that helps us to do that sometimes, is goal setting. Setting goals can help us commit more fully and stay on track and remain motivated to make positive changes in our lives.

Tips for goal setting:

1) Set long term and short term goals
2) Balance goals across different areas of your life
3) Write your goals down
4) Make goals positive and personal
5) Share them with someone
6) Make SMART goals

• S--Specific
• M--Measurable
• A--Achievable
• R--Relevant
• T--Time-bound

Example: By April 1st, I will lose 8 lbs by going to the gym 3 days a week and eating no more than 2000 calories a day.

Resources: SMART Goals Worksheet http://www.executive-and-life-coaching.com/support-files/smartgoalsettingworksheet.pdf

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Honey, I'm Home

Often times distance makes the heart grow fonder. That is the case with U. S. Army specialist John Gillon from Grenada.

John is deployed in Afghanistan. But that didn't stopy him from surprising his fiance' Katie Savage from Caledonia.

He had a little help from friends in Event Services at Mississippi State. And, his brother in law and sister taped the whole thing.

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Diabetes and Nutrition

Nearly 26 million people in our country have diabetes.  What's even more amazing - 79 million are pre-diabetic.

Diabetes affects the way the body uses food. Diabetes causes glucose levels in the blood to be too high. Normally, during digestion the body changes sugars, starches, and other foods into a form of sugar called glucose. Glucose is carried to the body's cells and, with the help of insulin (a hormone), is converted into energy. In healthy people blood glucose levels are kept within normal ranges by proper insulin function.

People develop type 2 diabetes because the cells in the muscles, liver, and fat do not use insulin properly. As a result, the amount of sugar in the blood increases, while the cells are starved of energy. Over time, high blood sugar damages nerves and blood vessels, leading to complications such as heart disease, stroke, blindness, kidney disease, nerve problems, gum infections, and amputation.

Nutritionist and dietitian Patricia Heflin has these tips on  food for people who are in this category.

• Eat regular meals
• Try 3 meals plus 2 snacks
• Eat every 4 to 5 hours
• Eat a variety of foods.
• Less fat
• Avoid fried foods.
• Eat less sugar
• Choose higher fiber like vegetables, dried beans, fruit and whole grains.
• Drink plenty of water.
• Sweeten without sugar.
• Use less salt.
• Cut down on processed foods.

For more information you can go to the Mississippi State Department  of Health Diabetes information site at:

http://msdh.ms.gov/msdhsite/_static/43,0,296.html

Try the Diabetes Tool Kit - MSDH:

http://www.healthyms.com/HealthyLiving/_static/47,0,266.html

American Diabetes Association:

http://www.diabetes.org/

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WCBI Recipes to Share

 

Bobby Berry's Sausage Balls

1 pkg Jimmy Dean sausage (uncooked)

1 block extra sharp cheese

2 C. of Bisquick

Mix Bisquick and sausage together. Melt cheese. Pour over mixture. Kneed until completely mixed together well. Roll into 1" balls. Place on a greased cookie sheet.

Cook 20 minutes at 350 degrees.

Joey Barnes' Squash Casserole

1/2 C milk

4 C, cooked squash

1 large onion chopped

1 can cream of celery soup

1 egg, beaten

1/2 C. butter, melted

1/2 C. shredded cheese

1 1/2 C.bread crumbs

Mix all ingredients together and place in casserole dish. Save1/2 cup of cheese for top and add it just before you remove it from the oven. Bake at 400 degrees for 30-45 minutes.

Shawn Hannah's Chocolate Trifle

1 (19.8 oz.) package brownie mix

1 (3.9 oz.) package instant chocolate pudding mix

1/2 C water

1 (8 oz) container frozen whipped topping, thawed

1 (12 oz) container frozen whipped topping, thawed

1 (1.5 oz) chocolate candy bar

Directions

Prepare brownie mix according to package directions and cool completely. Cut into 1 inch squares.

In a large bowl, combine pudding mix and water. Mix until smooth, then fold in 8 ounces whipped topping until no streaks remain.

In a trifle bowl or glass serving dish, place half of the brownies, half of the pudding mixture and half of the 12 ounce container of whipped topping. Repeat layers. Shave chocolate onto top layer for garnish. Refrigerate 8 hours before serving.

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TOPIC

Pamela Lacy, MD
SEGMENT: Here's What You Need to Know

For Columbus native Pamela Lacy, it was all about where babies come from. Apparently an infomative book on the topic made an impression on Lacy as a young girl. That's when she decided to become a doctor.

After graduation from Mississippi State University, she received a doctorate from the Medical College of Pennsylvania Hahnemann School of Medicine and completed her residency at UTSW Parkland Memorial Hospital in Dallas. She was involved in research of abnormal Pap smears in pregnancy and received the Peggy J. Walley Medicus Award in 2006 as an outstanding resident. Dr. Lacy began her practice with Amory's Physicians and Surgeons Clinic in 2006 as the clinic's first female OB/GYN and the first minority.

Dr. Lacy says she believes in the importance of educating patients and the community. Dr. Lacy and her husband, Leroy have a young daughter, Jaden.

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Chris Latimer
SEGMENT: Judgment Call

He's a favorite of ours. And, we hope he'll be a favorite of yours, too. Chris Latimer returns to WCBI twice a month on Mid-Morning with Aundrea as our expert in Judgment Call.

An attorney with Mitchell, McNutt and Sams, Chris represents clients involved in personal injury cases, employment and commercial claims and civil rights and governmental liability. Chris is the general counsel for the City of Starkville. But we knew him when he was Sports Director at WCBI-TV. That's why we know he'll do a great job talking justice and explaining the ins and outs of the legal system. Chris is a graduate of Ole Miss and and the University of Georgia School of Law.

He is married to Cassandra Roberts Latimer. The Latimers have a lovely daughter, Sarah Ross.

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Mike Allen
SEGMENT: Caught in the Web

He is the man most women dream about. Mike Allen loves to shop. Well, maybe he doesn't love the shopping part as much as he loves the bargain part. Mike founded Shopping-Bargains.com in February of 1999 and currently serves as President and "Chief Executive Shopper."

From humble beginnings (Shopping-Bargains began as a hobby to help family and friends save money shopping online), to award winning, Mike and Shopping-Bargains have won several awards, including induction into the Mississippi BBB's Business Integrity Circle of Honor.

Now, Mike Allen joins Mid Morning with Aundrea to help us navigate the internet. Maybe he'll pass along a few bargains in the process.

Mike has a degree in political science from the University of Southern Mississippi and his Masters of Public Policy and Administration from Mississippi State University.

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Leslie Fye, MS, LPC, NCC
SEGMENT: Is It All in Your Head?

An experienced counselor, Leslie Fye has been working in the mental health field since 1992. Leslie's experience includes in-patient psychiatric and chemical dependency settings, intensive outpatient programs, outpatient community mental health and a college counseling center. In private practice since 2002, Leslie currently serves as Executive Director of Starkville Counseling Associates. Over the years, Leslie has worked with adolescents and adults presenting with a broad spectrum of issues. Currently, she says she finds herself most passionate about work with survivors of abuse or trauma, eating disorders, addictive disorders, and couples counseling. Leslie has a Masters in Counselor Education with an emphasis in Community Counseling and Addictive Disorders from Mississippi State University.

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Cassandra Palmer, MS, LPC, NCC
SEGMENT: Is It All in Your Head?

Cassandra has a broad spectrum of experience, including work with children, adolescents and adults. Her early work in counseling gave her experience in crisis therapy with children and families in critical situations, counseling and advocating for students in schools with various needs across a broad spectrum from special education to gifted education, and alcohol and drug counseling.

Cassandra's current case load consists of a mix of individual, couples, and family counseling. She says she works to integrate her experience and training to help clients discover for themselves how to make improvements in their lives.

Cassandra has a master's degree in counselor education with an emphasis in community counseling.

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Daniel Russell, MS, LPC, NCC
SEGMENT: Is It All in Your Head?

Daniel tries to help his clients find productive ways of coping with life's stressors. He says as his clients begin a journey toward well being, he considers his role as a source of hope, support and clarity.

Daniel has been trained to work with adults, specifically college students. He has a Masters degree in Counselor Education with a concentration in College Counseling from Mississippi State University. He says he enjoys working with the dynamics of this phase in life and feel that it is a pivotal age for self discovery and change.

Daniel says he specifically enjoys the challenge of working with ADHD in both children and adults, relationship issues, anxiety (especially performance and testing anxiety), Asperger's Disorder, and mood disorders.

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Rob Smith
SEGMENT: Did You Know?

Why doesn't glue stick to the bottle? Why are tears salty? And why does Rob Smith know the answer to these and other important questions?

Trivia and random facts.These float around in Chief Meterologist Rob Smith's head. Now, once a week, he'll share his knowledge with the rest of us.

In addition to just knowing stuff, Rob is an award-winning meterologist, certified by the National Weather Association, a respectful cowbell ringer (graduate of the Mississippi State meterology program), and a pretty good cook. Rob and his wife Tatia have two children.

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Andrew Harrison
SEGMENT: How to be a Gentleman

"A gentleman never makes himself the center of attention. His goal is to make life easier, not just for himself but for his friends, his acquaintances and the world at large. Because he is a gentleman, he does not see this as a burden. Instead it is a challenge he faces eagerly every day."*

Our very own gentleman, Andrew Harrison, reluctantly yet agreeably (see above re: center of attention) brings us the do's and dont's of manners in todays world. Andrew will navigate the minefield of courtesy and behavior—tackling topics such as cell phones in public places, gentlemanly responses to emails, and the age old question, "if one drinks from the milk carton and no one is watching, does that make it okay?"

In addition to anchoring WCBI's news at 6 and 10, Andrew and his wife Tanya are raising two young gentlemen of their own.

* How to be a Gentleman." 1998. John Bridges. Rutledge Hill Press.

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Dr. Keith Watson
SEGMENT: Raising Healthy Kids

He's our expert on children. Dr. Keith Watson can help you navigate all the stages of childhood—because he has children of all ages himself. Dr. Watson, Medical Director at the Children's Clinic in West Point, and his wife of 16 years, Cindy are parents to Braun, Reid and Kendyl (ages 12 - 6).

Dr. Watson also serves as Vice Chief of Staff at NMMC in West Point. He is passionate about football. You may see him on the sidelines, coaching (and cheering on) the West Point Green Wave. Dr. Watson spent his own time on the football field, as an academic all conference player in football and track at Midwestern State University.

Dr. Watson joins us on a regular basis to share his advice on Raising Healthy Kids.

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Kathy Edmondson

Kathy Edmondson is a graduate of the Ole Miss School of Pharmacy and is a registered pharmacist in the State of Mississippi.

When Kathy was in high school she knew she wanted to work in the medical field- thinking that "pills do not bleed" led her into a career of pharmacy! However, her choices of working the hospital practice setting including the Newborn Intensive Care Unit at the University Medical Center in Jackson as well as serving as the past president of the Mississippi Pharmacist Association- enlightened her that there is "Blood and Guts" in pharmacy.

Kathy lives in Starkville with her husband, Henry and their daughter, Molly, is a freshman at Ole Miss!

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Michelle Lowe
SEGMENT: Single in the South

What began as a conversation about first dates, has now turned into a segment with Michelle's special flair. Single in the South takes a weekly look at dating in our area.

A Southern girl herself, Michelle was raised to be independent, but appreciates when a fellow with manners. It speaks highly of his Mama. You can share your own "Single in the South" stories with Michelle at michellelowe@wcbi.com.

And, don't forget to join Michelle at 9pm for WCBI News on My MS as well as A Day in the Life with Michelle each week on WCBI News at Ten.

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Joey Barnes
SEGMENT: The Road Less Traveled

Our Joey proves you can go home again. Born and raised in North Mississippi, when the phone rings in the newsroom, chances are--Joey will know the caller.

That's why we've asked him to take The Road Less Traveled.

Joey brings us great stories of people and places in our area. If you have an offbeat story idea, let Joey know at joeybarnes@wcbi.com.

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