Turn Off the TV

We recently had a TV strike at our house. No the TV did not quit. The electricity did not go off. The privilege of TV was taken away for disciplinary actions. I’m not sure it was an effective disciplinary action, but I did learn some thing during the week of no TV. Yes the house was mighty quiet. But a person gets use to it, to the point that you enjoy it, especially when the conversations begin.

I noticed that our family members talked to one another more. Meal times were great to because there was no competition to family conversations. We actually did more together as a family. The best part of all, the evening hours seemed to last longer. They certainly were more relaxing.

I invite you turn off TV for a week and enjoy your family. Join thousands of parents, teachers, pediatricians and other families by celebrating TV-Turnoff Week 2007 April 23-29, 2007. TV-Turnoff Week has been occurring each April since 1995. TV-Turnoff Week is supported by over 70 national organizations including the American Medical Association, American Academy of Pediatrics, National Education Association, and President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports.

Television cuts into family time, harms our children's ability to read and succeed in school, and contributes to unhealthy lifestyles and obesity. Here are just a few of the facts:

·      On average, children in the US will spend more time in front of the television (1,023 hours) than in school this year (900 hours).  

·      Forty percent of Americans frequently or always watch television during dinner.  

·      The average American household has more TVs than household members.

·      50% of American homes have at least 3 televisions

·      The average American watchers 4 hours and 35 minutes of television each day.

·      The average America home has television on for well over 8 hours a day.

·      According to the Nielson report of 2006, young people 12-17 years of age increased their television viewing by 3% just this year… a big increase in just 12 months.

·      Recent research indicates that for every hour of television young children watch each day, their risk of developing attention-related problems later increases by ten percent.

·      In a study of preschoolers, (age 1-4), a child’s risk of being overweight increased by six percent for every hour of television watched. Preschoolers with TVs in their room watched an additional 4.8 hours of TV or videos every week.

·      Screen time of older children is also correlated to increased likelihood of carrying excessive weight. Older youth have reduced TV viewing time in recent years. But their screen time continues to grow through the use of computers, games and video viewing via a variety of electronic devices.

Even if your chose not to turn off TV for the whole week consider curbing everyone’s screen time by

·      Turning TV off during meals.

·      Exercise as a family by taking walks, riding bikes or learning a sport

·      Move your television to a less prominent location.

·      Designate certain days of the week to be TV-free days.

·      Do not use television as a reward.

·      Remove the TV set form your child’s bedroom.

·      Hide the remote.

·      Don’t worry if children say they are bored. Boredom passes and often leads to creativity.

·      Monitor use of computers and other electronic devices.

As US Surgeon General Dr. David Satcher said at the Kick Off of TV-Turnoff Week 2001, "We are raising the most overweight generation of youngsters in American history...This week is about saving lives."

Turning off the television gives us a chance to think, read, create, and do. To connect with our families and engage in our communities. To turn off TV and turn on life.

Setting Aside the Olives

I enjoy both green and black olives but for the time being I am setting them aside. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is alerting consumers to possible serious health risks from eating olives that may be contaminated with a deadly bacterium, Clostridium botulinum. C. botulinum can cause botulism, a potentially fatal illness. The olives are made by Charlie Brown di Rutigliano & Figli S.r.l, of Bari, Italy. The recall was initiated by the manufacturer March 27^th. No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with this recall.

The olives are sold under the following brands: Bonta di Puglia, Cento, Corrado's, Dal Raccolto, Flora, Roland and Vantia, and have codes that start with the letter "G" and are followed by 3 or 4 digits. All sizes of cans, glass jars and pouches of Cerignola, Nocerella and Castelvetrano type olives are affected.

Symptoms of botulism include general weakness, dizziness, double vision, trouble with speaking or swallowing, difficulty in breathing, weakness of other muscles, abdominal distension and constipation. People experiencing these symptoms should seek immediate medical attention. Consumers may also report illnesses associated with consumption of these olives to the nearest FDA district offices.  

The Clostridium botulinum bacteria grow in low acid foods which are in a reduced or an oxygen-free (anaerobic) environment and produce a toxin. It is the toxin that causes the illness. Heating the food does not make the food safe .