March is National Nutrition Month
What is National School Breakfast Week?
March-
Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month
Seven Habbits of Highly Effective Nurses -Time to Spring Clean Your Career
Campaign to improve maternal and
child health performance in NJ
Recipe:Best Mini Shepherds Pie
March Fun Family Activities
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National School Breakfast Week March 4-8
National School Breakfast Week, referred to as NSBW, promotes the importance of healthy choices for breakfast by getting parents and students involved. Through social media, newsletters and various other channels, parents are encouraged to learn more about their local school nutrition program and initiatives in local schools to help children make healthy choices in the morning. National School Breakfast Week also encourages schools to participate to increase breakfast participation among students.
What breakfast can do for kids:
Fun Ideas to make students excited about Breakfast:
-Breakfast burrito bar, waffle bar, oatmeal bar-the list is endless! The
growing trend of customization for breakfast options is such a fun way to let kids pick what they are eating for breakfast. Letting kids choose their toppings is a creative way to increase breakfast participation!
-Use fun combos to get kids excited about school breakfast:
protein and carbohydrate combos like fruit and yogurt, whole-grain cereal with milk or a whole-grain waffle with nut butter.
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Grab-and-go breakfast items have become increasingly popular within schools. Sometimes students are getting to school right before the bell rings, so offering a grab-and-go option gives more kids an opportunity to have a nutritious breakfast!
Check back to see our next blog post to see how some school districts have gotten creative with how they are serving breakfast to celebrate National School Breakfast Week!
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March
Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month
Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer in the United States and the second leading cause of death from cancers that affect both men and women. Colorectal cancer affects people in all racial and ethnic groups and is most common in people age 50 and older.
The best way to prevent colorectal cancer is to get screened regularly starting at age 50. There are often no signs or symptoms of colorectal cancer - that's why it's so important to get screened.
The good news? If everyone age 50 and older got regular screenings, 6 out of 10 deaths from colorectal cancer could be prevented. Communities, health professionals, and families can work together to encourage people to get screened.
People over age 50 have the highest risk of colorectal cancer. You may also be at higher risk if you smoke, are African American, or have a family history of colorectal cancer.
Everyone can take these healthy steps to help prevent colorectal cancer:
- Get screened starting at age 50.
- Encourage your family members and friends over age 50 to get screened.
- Quit smoking and stay away from secondhand smoke.
- Get plenty of physical activity and eat healthy.
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Seven Habits of Highly Effective Nurses
Time to spring-clean your career
Spring is a great time to focus not only on cleaning up around the house, but also on giving your career some sprucing up so you can move beyond your current achievements. The most successful nurses I know do a regular career "spring-cleaning."
Schedule time to reflect on your professional life, including where and how you spend your time, your successes and failures and what bumps you have hit in the road. As you would in your home, purge unwanted career-related "clutter" that slows you down or no longer serves any purpose. Then, brainstorm ways you can develop the seven important attributes of success described in the following pages. The goal is to refocus, reorganize and rebalance.
By tidying up in this way, you'll be ready to catapult your career forward. When studying the careers of highly successful nurses, seven attributes arise over and over again. Make cultivating these habits the object of your own career spring cleaning.
- Stay Active in Professional Associations. → Successful nurses recognize the multitude of opportunities and avenues for growth that come with being involved in professional nursing organizations. Groups like the ANA and Sigma Theta Tau bring nurses from all specialties together as part of a greater whole. Specialty organizations like the Emergency Nurses Association or Academy of Medical-Surgical Nurses give nurses an opportunity to connect with colleagues who share similar interests and experience.
Throughout each year, I meet dozens of successful nurses whose affiliation with an organization revitalized their careers. For example, Sharon enrolled in a formalized mentoring program offered by one of her organizations. The program connected her with a mentor who guided her in learning how to create abstracts and write proposals to speak at conferences. She went on to become a keynote speaker. Through another organization, Sarah met the editor of a professional journal, who helped her publish her first article. Sarah then parlayed that experience into working as a nurse expert in the publishing arena.
Where can you start? Oftentimes, nurses everywhere share similar challenges. If you have a work-related problem, try reaching out to your organizations for problem-solving ideas from colleagues who have been there and done that. It will help you find solutions that work and avoid reinventing the wheel. You can also take advantage of the numerous other benefits your professional organizations offer, including free or reduced-cost continuing education courses, conferences, networking and scholarships.
- Engage in Lifelong Learning. → We all talk about lifelong learning, but highly successful nurses take that commitment to the next level. They thrive on new challenges at work, often volunteering for committees or taking on train-the-trainer roles. If you want to keep learning, there are few better ways than to teach. Try volunteering to precept new hires, which will test your own knowledge as you review policies and pathophysiology to ensure that you are the best preceptor you can be.
Also, consider your options for formalized education. Is there a new certification you can earn in your area of specialty this year? Would your career goals benefit from pursuing a higher nursing degree? Do you need to brush up on some prerequisites for your next educational objective? Consider educational options both within and outside the nursing realm. Suzie, for example, joined speaking and writing groups to grow her communication skills. Bruce took computer classes to help him keep up with the rapid technological advances in healthcare. Lisa pursued her MBA to become a more skilled nurse entrepreneur. Ryan took an art class, giving him a creative outlet to rebuild his energy between shifts. Whatever the area, knowledge gained is something that can never be taken away from you.
- Prioritize Time for Quality Networking. → Have you ever heard the saying, "You are the sum of the five people you hang out with most"? Highly successful nurses take this aphorism to heart, regularly scheduling time to strengthen their current relationships, branch out to make new ones and make meaningful connections with people who are doing the things they want to be doing.
Solid networks add fuel to your career, so take the time to nurture those connections this year. You might check in with a colleague you met at a conference, write a LinkedIn recommendation for a respected former coworker or invite a professional acquaintance for coffee. The time you spend will pay off in numerous ways.
For instance, Robyn, a hiring manager, was looking for a candidate with a detailed skill set. Since she did not have any qualified applicants for the position, she reached out to her networks. Forty-eight hours later, the position was filled. Another successful nurse, Teresa, had an idea for a new product beneficial to nurses. She tapped into her networks to learn about crowdfunding, product development, patent applications, marketing and sales. She went on to create a successful product that enhances the work of the bedside nurse.
- Maintain a Professional Image. → Successful nurses know that each time they step outside their door may be an opportunity to meet new people and experience new things. These nurses hone their image, giving off a skilled, confident vibe at all times. They come to staff meetings in professional attire, always ready to meet and make a positive impression on an unexpected guest. Their written and spoken communication is equally refined.
Think about what you can do to enhance your own professionalism. Do you carry business cards and a current resume? (At a networking event, you might want to have your resume file saved on your smartphone.) How is your wardrobe? Can you write a polished cover letter or professional-sounding email? Take time to work on these things - they matter.
Remember, you never know when you might have a chance to make vital connections. For example, while standing in line at a local store, Martha struck up a conversation with the gentleman in front of her, who turned out the hiring director for the position she was interested in! Luckily, she was prepared for the unexpected and made a positive first impression. A week later, she got the job.
- Establish a Visible Presence on Social Media. → We are living in a era in which social media can promote your professional image and build your personal "brand." Successful nurses recognize this and maintain a robust online presence, including an up-to-date, highly professional LinkedIn profile and public-facing Twitter, Facebook and Instagram accounts.
This year, set out to build or bolster your online network through blogging or podcasting; writing guest blog posts for others; or doing TV, radio or podcast interviews on topics important to you. Leaving informed, thoughtful, well-written comments on others' posts and articles is also a great way to build your professional online presence. Why bother? While whom you know can be valuable, who knows you can make all the difference in future opportunities. For example, Keith branded himself as a LinkedIn and networking expert, enabling him to obtain coaching, writing and speaking work.
- Be a Mentor and Have a Mentee. → Most successful nurses have a set of mentors who helped them achieve their success. These mentors may be other nurses who have traveled a similar path or non-nurses successful in areas like business or managing people. A mentor can be a great sounding board when your career faces challenges or a fork in the road.
Barbara was a charge nurse wanting to move into a director position. Her mentor guided her with tips for setting herself apart from other applicants and helped her land the job. If you don't have a mentor, make a late New Year's resolution (a spring cleaning resolution!) to find one this year. If you do, consider also giving back to your profession by serving as a mentor to others. Russ mentored a talented younger intensive care nurse from the time she was a new graduate. She blossomed into a top-notch leader and educator; Russ ultimately learned as much from his mentee as she learned from him.
- Focus on Self-Care Each Day. → Successful nurses recognize that practicing self-care on a daily basis is critical to overall health and wellness. Do you remove yourself from work multiple times a day - even for just five minutes at a time - to breathe the fresh air and touch base with your inner self? Developing that habit will make you stronger and more prepared to give to others. Finding the balance between work and self-care is essential and will make you more successful in the long run.
Self-care can mean different things for everyone: meditation; exercise; spending time with friends or family; or creative arts like painting, dancing and music. While self-care is often about soothing activities, it can also include stepping out of your comfort zone to try new things: going to a camp or a seminar, pushing your limits or working on overcoming fears.
Conquering an anxiety such as public speaking might be uncomfortable, but will make you feel better and more confident in the long run.
Take action now to create new habits. Growth is vital for our personal and professional lives. If you aren't growing, you're stagnating, which is why it is so important to shake things up if you find yourself getting stale. Much like cleaning the house, all this can sound overwhelming if you haven't been doing it regularly. However, don't let that discourage you from getting started.
Decide which areas are most pressing for you and start with those. Write your goals down, including measurable objectives. Say them out loud and share them with family, friends and colleagues. We are more likely to follow through with our plans when others know our intentions. Sharing goals with trusted colleague also allows you to hold each other accountable and help each other where you can.
Here's to a spring cleaning full of growth, adventure and new networks, sprinkled with plenty of self-care and fun.
Donna Cardillo, RN, M.A., CSP, is The Inspiration Nurse (
www.donnacardillo.com). She is the original "Dear Donna" columnist for Nurse.com, a blogger at DoctorOz.com and the former health careers expert at Monster.com. She is the author of Falling Together: How to Find Balance, Joy and Meaningful Change When Your Life Seems to be Falling Apart and several career-related books for nurses.
https://www.workingnurse.com/articles/Seven-Habits-of-Highly-Effective-Nurses
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Campaign to improve maternal and
child health performance in NJ
New Jersey First Lady Tammy Murphy launched Nurture NJ, a new statewide awareness campaign that focuses on improving the health of mothers, children and families. The campaign launch on Jan. 23, which is Maternal Health Awareness Day.
The state ranks 47th nationally with a mortality rate of 37 deaths per every 100,000 live births, according to the New Jersey Department of Health.
"This is unacceptable and inexcusable for a country - and a state - with advanced healthcare and medical services," New Jersey State Sen. Joe Vitale (D-Middlesex) said in the release. "Too many women have died during and after childbirth because of preventable and treatable conditions."
The Nurture NJ program will involve collaboration between various state departments and agencies to improve maternal and child health.
In addition, the efforts will include:
- An annual Black Maternal and Infant Health Leadership Summit
- First Lady Murphy's annual Family Festival series events, which are hosted in cities with high rates of black infant and maternal mortality
- A social media awareness campaign
- Connecting families who care for children with state, county and local resources
"Eliminating disparities in maternal health includes making sure women have access to the health and social services they need to live healthy lives," New Jersey Department of Human Services Commissioner Carole Johnson said in the release.
Maternal and child health program garner support
The program has gained support from Trinitas Regional Medical Center in Elizabeth, among others. The medical center has a 22.7% C-section rate for first-time mothers, which is below the statewide average of 29.3%.
"Under the nurse midwifery model of care, the certified nurse midwife will stay with and encourage the mother at bedside through the entire labor and birth experience," Trinitas Vice President of Patient Care Services and CNO Mary McTigue, RN, said in the release.
Preventing first-time C-section births, according to McTigue, decreases the risk of maternal morbidity for the first and future deliveries.
Nurture NJ also is focusing on reducing early elective deliveries, which take place in less than 39 weeks of pregnancy without a medical reason for early delivery.
"The last few weeks of pregnancy are as important as any other phase," McTigue said. "Unless there's a medical reason, deliveries that are induced prior to 39 weeks can put the baby at a higher risk for a range of health and development issues."
Murphy said the maternal and child health campaign will include $38 million in federal child care grants, statewide symposiums and community-based initiatives to improve services and access to prenatal care.
"We have been working every angle of maternal and infant health to make sure that we are a stronger, fairer and healthier New Jersey," she said. "I am proud ... to launch Nurture NJ so that we can work collaboratively to improve the health and safety of all New Jersey's women and children."
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Best Mini Shepherds Pie
Yields: 12
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 40 mins
Total Time: 50mins
Ingredients
Cooking spray, for muffin tin
2 tbsp. all-purpose flour, plus more for work surface
2 lb. sheets refrigerated pie crust
1 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
1 large onion, chopped
2 Carrots, peeled and chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 lb. ground beef
1 c. frozen peas
1 c. frozen or canned corn
2 tbsp. butter
1/2 c. low-sodium beef broth
1 1/2 c. prepared mashed potatoes
Chopped fresh parsley, for garnish
Directions
Preheat oven to 375º and coat a muffin tin with cooking spray. Lightly flour a work surface. Using a glass, cut pie crust into rounds for your muffin tin. Place pie crust in each cup and gently press down.
- Bake until lightly golden, 6 to 8 minutes. Heat broiler.
- Meanwhile, make beef mixture: In a large skillet over medium heat, heat oil. Add onion, carrots, and garlic and cook until softened, 5 minutes. Add ground beef and cook until no longer pink, 5 minutes more. Drain fat.
- Stir in frozen peas and corn and cook until warmed through, 3 minutes more.
- Move mixture to one side of skillet and melt butter in empty side. Add flour and whisk until combined and golden, 1 minute, then pour in beef broth.
- Combine with mixture and cook until thickened, 3 minutes.
- Fill baked pie crusts with ground beef mixture and top with a big spoonful of mashed potatoes.
- Broil until golden, 5 minutes.
- Garnish with parsley and serve.
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March Fun Family Activities
11/29/2018 - 5/30/2019
Tyke's Tuesdays and Thursday's
10:00 am - 12:00 pm
ISC Cherry Hill
650 Kresson Road
Cherry Hill 08034
CALL TO CONFIRM TIMES
REGISTRATION NOT REQUIRED
AGE RANGE: Preschoolers
CALL: 856-428-8588
Thursday (Begins September 20, 2018 and runs through May 30, 2019. Closed for Thanksgiving)Tyke's Thursday's 10:00 A.M. to 12:00 P.M. $8 Per Child Includes: Fun and energetic soccer lesson, time in our FunZone, snack and juice. Ages 6 and under
March 1, 2019
Paws Discovery Farm
1105 HAINESPORT-MOUNT LAUREL ROAD
MOUNT LAUREL, NJ 08054
Enjoy acres of family fun!
Learning is designed to be fun at PAWS DISCOVERY FARM!
We offer classes and story hours, animal programs and birthday parties, as well as special events throughout the year. All visitors enjoy and learn from many interactive exhibits and over 80 birds and animals housed here.
March 01, 2019
Paws Discovery Farm
Toddler Time
10:00 am to 12:00 pm
Come join us for stories and crafts every Friday morning! $10 per child; adults are FREE. Admission includes story time, crafts and animal encounters
3/2/19
Youth Art Contest - "Heroes for Children: Shine Bright"
10:30 AM Submit before 3/14/2019
The New Jersey Children's Alliance is excited to announce a youth art contest, featuring the subject "Heroes for Children: Shine Bright." The subject incorporates the theme of our annual statewide charity run/walk, "Heroes for Children", along with the SHINE campaign led by the National Children's Alliance to improve support for survivors of child abuse. We are looking for artwork that shows how children can be heroes to one another, and how each individual can shine their own special light to create a brighter world for children everywhere. Youth are invited to submit artwork for our "Heroes for Children: Shine Bright" Youth Art Contest prior to March 14th. Winners will be announced and notified on or about March 25th. All artwork should express the following themes: Grades K-3: Being a hero to other children Grades 4-6: Being a shining light to create a brighter world for all children All artwork must be on 8 ½ x 11 paper, and can use any paint, markers, pencils, crayons, or flat collage. In order to participate in the New Jersey Children's Alliance (NJCA) Heroes for Children: Shine Bright Youth Art Contest, each entrant (and a parent/legal guardian if the entrant is a minor) must complete and email a scanned or photographed Entry Form and fully executed Certificate of Originality and Artwork Release with the artwork. The forms, along with information about prizes, are available for download on the NJCA blog at http://njcainc.org/njca-announces-youth-art-contest/. ;
Free
New Jersey Children's Alliance
703-303-8070
3/2/19 and 3/3/19
Adventure Aquarium
African Penguin Feeding 11:15 3:30 PM
Come hear our biologists talk about our African penguins while they give them a snack.
Hippo Bedtime 4:45 PM
Before you leave for the day, wish the girls sweet dreams and end the day by helping our biologists bring Button and Genny to bed.
Hippo Feeding 10:30 AM, 11:30 AM, 1:30 PM, 2:30 PM
Watch as our biologists toss treats to Nile Hippos Button and Genny at Hippo Haven.
Little Blue Penguin Feeding 4:00 PM
Come watch our biologists feed the little blue penguins from inside Little Blue Beach (Zone A). 10:00 AM
Meet the Divers 11:30 AM 2:30 PM
3/2/19
NOW OPEN: Diggerland USA America's ONLY construction theme park!
Diggerland USA is located in West Berlin, New Jersey and features 25 on-site attractions comprised of REAL, life-sized construction equipment. Children and their families can get behind the wheel of a JCB Backhoe, dig up some dirt with excavators, go off-roading in an 8- wheeled ARGO and climb the country's tallest ropes course. Kids of all ages (adults, too) won't soon forget an experience at Diggerland!
100 Pinedge Drive, West Berlin, NJ 08091
856-768-1110
3/2/19
Miller Farms -Horseback Trail Rides & Lessons in Camden County!
Come enjoy the beautiful scenery at the only horseback/trail riding available in Camden County. Trail riding is offered Saturdays and Sundays from 10am to 4pm year round (Weather permitting). Children must be at least 7 years old to trail ride. Cost is $30/person for approximately an hour-long trail ride. Hand-led rides are also available for those younger than 7 and cost $5.
Reservations are strongly suggested.
We offer a great place for family fun, birthday parties, girl scouts and youth groups. Summer horse camp, riding lessons, and horse drawn wagon rides are also available.
1 Hour Trail Rides are $30 Per Person | Call for reservations | Trail Rides Sat and Sun Only | Open Year round
Miller Farms
134 N. Grove Street, Berlin, NJ 08009
856-728-3500
March 09, 2019
Paws Discovery Farm
Over the Rainbow
March 9-10
11am-4pm
Look for the rainbows and see if you can find the magic! Rainbow crafts, experiments, and more!
March 16,, 2019 to Mar 17, 2019
Spring Fever Market
10:00 AM until 04:00 PM
McNaughton's Garden Center
351 Kresson Road
Cherry Hill, NJ
856-429-6745
Don't miss this awesome market celebrating the start of spring at McNaughton's Garden Center in Cherry Hill, NJ! There will be over 30 local artists selling their handmade creations of everything from jewelry to honey, macrame to string art, embroidery, stationery, fudge and MORE! Plus there will be kids activities through out the day! And new plants in the greenhouse! Event takes place in the cozy greenhouse from 10-4pm on March 16 and 17th.
Mar 26, 2019
06:30 PM until 08:30 PM
MANAGING STRESS FOR CAREGIVERS OF THOSE WITH ASD
Bancroft School
311 Walton Ave
Mt Laurel, NJ
ASPEN Chapter invited guest Speaker will be Mara Humphreys, M.S., BCBA, Asst Director of Behavior Frontiers, who will speak on the topic of Managing Stress for Parents / Caregivers of those with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Annual membership is $35 for families and $55 for professionals, and includes access to our Lending Library, Free Meetings, a Resource Directory, Newsletter and Reduced Costs at ASPEN'S Spring and Fall Conferences. The one family membership fee encompasses parents and grandparents. Individual speaker meeting fees for non-members are $5.00/ person.
https://www.aspennj.org/
ISC - ISC (International Sport, Skating & Fun Centre) Cherry Hill
650 Kresson Rd.
Cherry Hill, NJ 08034
Classes: Sports
Camps: All, Sports
HOURS: Our offices are open 9 AM - 5 PM daily. Give us a buzz for more information!
CALL: 856-428-8588
MORE DETAILS: ISC (International Sport, Skating & Fun Centre) Cherry Hill is any family's destination for fun!
Located off of Kresson Road (behind the 7Eleven) in Cherry Hill, New Jersey, we offer skating, a FunZone & Inflatable (10 & Under), and an arcade. Our facility also includes a cafè with pizza, hot dogs, popcorn, nachos, drinks and more!
ISC Cherry Hill offers activities for all ages, no matter the season.
Our youth & adult sports leagues run year round and include:
- Soccer
- Lacrosse
- Field Hockey
- Volleyball
- Roller Hockey
ISC Cherry Hill also offers School & Summer Camp programs for ages 3 ½ through Grade 8. Call for more information!
Jellybean Jungle
Crispin Square Shopping Center
Open Play Hours:
Monday - Wednesday 9:30 - 5:00
Thursday 9:30 - 6:00
Friday 9:30 - 8:00
Saturday 9:30 - 2:30
Sunday - Closed for Private Parties
Jellybean Jungle is a play and learn adventure that is exclusively for children 5 and under. Our facility is a bright and stimulating environment created just for your little ones.
Jellybean Jungle was designed by a New Jersey Early Childhood certified teacher. Safe, age appropriate equipment has been selected for your children's enjoyment. We offer a large variety of imaginative and developmentally appropriate activities that will lead your child on an adventure of social exploration! As your child plays, you will gain insight into their development, as well as enjoy a great time of bonding.
Open All Year
3111 Route 38, Ste. 14 Mount Laurel, NJ 08054
856-242-9354 info@werockthespectrummountlaurel.com Call or email in advance to make sure facility is not booked for a party. Open 7 days a week We Rock the Spectrum Kid's Gym is the first of its kind in New Jersey, offering fitness and play space for children of all abilities, including those with sensory issues. Our Gym Includes: Suspended equipment with swings - for balance and vestibular treatment Crash mats and crash pillows - for fun, motor planning, and strength Zip line - for stress release and joint and body relaxation Trampoline - for building leg and core strength Indoor play structure - for climbing and increasing playground skills Sensory-based toys - for improved auditory processing and fine motor skills
Fine Motor and Arts and Crafts Area - for improved hand-eye coordination
Mon. - Sun.: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
CALL: (856) 365-3300
1 Riverside Drive Camden, NJ 08103 PH: 844-474-FISH (3474)
Adventure Aquarium is just minutes from downtown Philadelphia on the Camden Waterfront and features one-of-a-kind exhibits with more than 8,500 aquatic species throughout two million gallons of water. The Aquarium is home to the largest collection of sharks on the East Coast, including the only great hammerhead shark on exhibit in the United States, the only
aquarium in the world to exhibit hippos, one of only six facilities in the US to have Little Blue penguins as permanent residents and exhibits the longest Shark Bridge in the world, a unique V-shaped rope suspension bridge just inches over Shark Realm. Adventure Aquarium is an accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), and is held to the absolute highest standards in animal care and exhibition.
AMC is proud to partner with the Autism Society to offer unique movie showings where we turn the lights up, and turn the sound down, so you can get up, dance, walk, shout or sing! Our Sensory Friendly Film program is available on the second and fourth Saturday (family-friendly) and Tuesday evenings (mature audiences) of every month. Please check your local theater listings for specific show times, and don't forget to share your family fun with #AMCSensoryFriendly.
62 Battleship Pl, Camden, NJ 08103-3302
Located on the Camden Waterfront, NJ, across the Delaware River from Center City Philadelphia the Battleship New Jersey Museum and Memorial offers guided and self-guided tours. Climb inside the 16" gun turrets, learn explore the captain's cabins and crew's quarters and discover what life was like for a Battleship sailor. Group packages and educational programs are available for school. You can rent space aboard the Battleship for meetings and social events. Families and youth groups can spend the night aboard the Battleship as part of the overnight program.
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