Matti Daniels

While many adolescents look forward to summer vacation, it is not uncommon for them to quickly grow bored.  Bored teens often turn to television and electronics. But, with a little encouragement, a teen can transform a bored brain into one that is healthy and active, and in turn, create a most memorable summer vacation.  Activities that can keep your teen happy, fit and healthy include: Spend time as a family.  Go on vacation or create “stay-cations” and explore your own community or state. Hold family/neighborhood Olympics.  Create a day or weekend of fun physical and mental activities that can played on teams.  Have contests and medals. Go for a hike, bike ride...

It’s berry season in Kentucky. At the Whitley County Farmers Market, many of our growers have a great selection of berries, including blackberries and raspberries, now available. These two berries, along with boysenberries, are collectively known as brambleberries. They get that name from the thorny, tangled vines from which they grow. Brambleberries are harvested from June through August in Kentucky. You may eat berries raw, use them as a topping or serve them as an integral ingredient in many of dishes. You can also preserve berries through canning or freezing and use them to make jams and jellies. Brambleberries provide fiber and are a good source of potassium, vitamin C, and antioxidants....

Walking and running may seem like two of the simplest ways to get healthy, but it’s important to remember to stay alert when you exercise on sidewalks and along roadways. Whether you are a pedestrian or a driver, it’s vital for you to be cautious and courteous to others. Remember not one group has sole rights to the road. We must share it with others. Here are some safety tips for drivers and pedestrians. Pedestrians: • Wear bright colored clothing and reflective materials to make sure others can see you, particularly if you exercise at dawn or dusk. • Walk on the sidewalk when available. Walk facing traffic if there is no sidewalk. • Cross...

In our growing technological world, Internet use has become a part of regular life for teenagers today. Practically all youth between the ages of 12 and 17 use the Internet, averaging about 17 hours per week on-line, with some spending more than 40 hours per week on-line. With its 24/7 accessibility and lack of face-to-face contact, communicating on-line has led to a new form of bullying in young people known as cyberbullying. Cyberbullying occurs when a teen uses the Internet, text messages, emails, social media websites, on-line forums, chat rooms or other digital technology to harass, threaten or humiliate another teen. Since the Internet and cellphones are always at a...

School is out, which means children are ready to get out and have fun with their free time. Although a full summer schedule can be lots of fun, it can also be very expensive. But do not worry, there are plenty of options so that kids and parents can have a fun summer without spending too much money! Go hiking at your nearest state park. Bike around your neighborhood or city, look for new bike paths your family has not explored before. See a local sports team play on kid’s night. Create an obstacle course in your backyard and have races with the family. See a movie during the week. Some theaters will have...

With June comes the start of summer and an abundance of fresh produce available at the Whitley County Farmers Market. An in-season produce offering you may not necessarily associate with late spring and early summer is broccoli. Broccoli actually has two growing seasons in Kentucky. Kentucky growers began harvesting their first crop in May and will continue to harvest through early July. The second season ends with a harvest in the late fall. You can steam, boil or microwave broccoli or enjoy it raw. As you will see in the Plate It Up Kentucky Proud recipe below, it can give a flavorful and healthy twist to popular summer dishes. Broccoli is one...

Times of great stress and rebuilding in our lives can be very difficult. That is why a month dedicated to the topic of rebuilding our lives is so important. In the world of golf, they call it a mulligan or a do-over. It is a chance to take stock and grow as people. Many things can happen in our lives where we have to regroup and start anew. No two people are alike. The best solution for one person facing a difficult issue in life may not be the best solution for another person. Our lives are all about choices. With each choice we make there may be good...

If you’re buying a house, you probably know what turns you off in homes that you tour: messy, cluttered houses, strong odors, and so on. Most people can’t wait to get out of a house like that. When you are selling your house, be sure to prepare. Avoid these major turn-offs and you go a long way toward making your home a place visitors won’t be in such a hurry to leave. Pets - Pets help make a house a home, but signs of pets often turn off home buyers. Clear away messes and eliminate all pet odors. It is best to have your pet out of the house with...

The Whitley County Farmers Market is in full swing. Many of our local vendors have strawberries available. A perennial Farmer’s Market favorite, growers harvest Kentucky strawberries during May and June. They are a very refreshing snack and they are full of vitamins. Just one cup provides a great source of vitamin C, which according to the American Cancer Society, could help lower your risk of cancer and gastrointestinal tract problems. They are also a good source of vitamin A, iron, fiber and folic acid. Folic acid is a particularly important for pregnant women and those trying to become pregnant, because it helps prevent certain birth defects. As you will see...

Millions of Americans are impacted by mental health condition. In fact, it is estimated that one in five Americans will be affected by a mental health condition at some point in their lives. Every American is impacted through their friends and family members. There is still a negative view of mental health problems in our country. This stigma can get in the way of seeking help or treatment. One of the most important things we can do is work to replace this stigma with hope. Each of us can help change the way the world views mental health by helping create understanding and offering hope. Here are three of the...