A Texas Hold’em Tournament Fundraiser sponsored by Ascension II will be held on June 14th in response to the passing of local resident Clark Riddell. The event will be held at 4:30 at 11481 Peace Ct, Mira Loma, 91752 and is a $60 buy-in and $30 add-on/rebuy. Learn more at #RallyforRiddell, Facebook.com/RalleyforRiddell.
Category Archives: Eastvale Lifestyle
Norco: Celebrate Norco’s 50th Birthday
You’re Invited!
Norco Founders Day Ride this Saturday June 14th, 2014 at the Corydon Staging Area.
$20 per Person
Registration 8am
Dedication 9am
Ride 10am-12pm
Eastvale: Save Some Green On Groceries
BY NICOLE GILLES, RD, CDE, CSR
Nicole Gilles, RD, CDE, CSR
Have you noticed the price of groceries rises just as the summer temperatures do? Over the past few months, I have found myself wandering through the produce section at our local grocery store so appalled by the prices that I end up leaving the section with hardly anything in my cart.
As a Registered Dietitian and genuine fan of fresh produce, I would love to fill my cart with it. But just like everyone else, I have a certain amount of “green” to spend on greens. So after a few weekly trips I decided it was time for a change. I tried another store, and another. One store did offer slightly better prices, but still caused a major blowout to my grocery budget.
If you have found yourself in this same dilemma, I have a solution. As the temperature rises, take advantage of it by planting a few fruits and vegetables. Plants like zucchini, summer squash, cucumbers, tomatoes, peppers, melon, and berries love this kind of weather. Whether you have space for a small garden or even just a few pots, these plants require little space and will provide an abundance of fruits and vegetables for the next several months.
Pick up some plants for a few bucks, and watch them save you lots of “green.” The cost of the plants will pay for themselves by your first harvest, and they will continue to produce for months. Another bonus of growing your own produce is getting your family involved. Ask your kids to help you plant, weed, and water, then stand back and be amazed. Odds are your kids will actually want to eat their vegetables at dinner, or even right out of the garden, especially if they had a hand in their care.
Enjoy these colorful, wonderful foods at meals and snacks. Before you know it, you will be getting in your recommended five servings of fruit and vegetables each day just trying to eat up all your food. And if your plants are like ours, they will feed a family of four and still provide more than you can eat. So what do you do with the extras? Share with others, get creative with recipes, or even just wash, cut, and freeze. Freezing the extras is easy and will continue to stretch your grocery budget even after the growing season has passed. But don’t stop then. The colder months are great for lettuce, spinach, broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, and potatoes. There is a great sense of satisfaction in enjoying a meal that you helped produce. Happy eating!
Eastvale: Eat Well, Feel Happy
BY NICOLE GILLES, RD, CDE, CSR
Have you noticed a change in your mood lately? Not feeling as happy and energetic as you used to? Food may be to blame.
Nicole Gilles, RD, CDE, CSR
During the winter months, most Americans tend to eat more starch and fat in their diets, which can leave you feeling sleepy and emotionally
unstable. High fat food, like fried food, whole fat dairy products, and fatty meats take lots of time and energy to digest. All this strain on the body may leave you in need of a nap. Large portions of starchy food, like grain products, pasta, potatoes, and sweets will cause a dramatic rise and fall in blood sugar levels. This effect may cause your mood to rise and fall as well, leaving you feeling mad or anxious. Let’s face it. We could all use a little more energy, patience, and emotional stability to help us juggle our busy lives.
So what are we to do? Small changes in the diet may help support an improved and stable mood while providing increased energy levels. Can you believe food can affect your mental health that much? If you need more convincing, try it out for a month and see how you feel. Start by making small changes like avoiding fried food and switching to low fat foods for a week. The next week, continue your previous changes and start cutting back on starchy food. If this leaves you feeling hungry, increase your portions of vegetables and/or snack on one cup of fresh fruit between meals. The decreased fat and starch intake will decrease your body’s energy demands to digest food, leaving more energy for what you want to do. The decreased starch portions and occasional fruit snack will also support level blood sugars, which will support emotional stability. Together, these small changes can make a big difference in your mental health.
Celebrate Mental Health Month this May by making small food changes to feel better by June!
If you would like to slim down this spring, look no further than local Eastvale resident, Nicole Gilles. Nicole is the owner of Happy and Healthy Nutrition and she is dedicated to helping you achieve your health and weight goals. As a Registered Dietitian, Certified Diabetes Educator, and Certified Specialist in Renal Nutrition, Nicole is qualified to help you learn how to cope with emotional eating and learn to eat for your body’s individual needs. Happy and Healthy Nutrition members discover when to eat, how to eat, and how to lose weight and keep it off permanently. What are you waiting for? Start today, for a happy and healthy tomorrow!
Contact Happy and Healthy Nutrition at http://www.HandHnutrition.com, or call (909) 816-0977; and like them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/happyandhealthynutrition.nicolegilles. Virtual Counseling is also available. Check out their ad in the Eastvale Community News May publication for a special discount available to Eastvale News readers.
EASTVALE: Celebrating Easter in Eastvale
By K.P. Sander
Eastvale – This year Easter falls on April 20. If you are a member of one of Eastvale’s churches, you probably know what special events and services are taking place. However, you may be new to the area, or shopping for a home church in the City. Here is a listing of Easter services in the area. Be sure to check out the Pastors’ Corner articles on page 15 for a more in-depth look into our churches.
Calvary Chapel Eastvale: Worshipping Sundays at 10:30 a.m. at Clara Barton Elementary, 7437 Corona Valley Avenue, Eastvale; www.CalvaryEastvale.org. Good Friday Service, April 18, 7:30 p.m. at the Eastvale Community Center. “He is Risen” Easter services at 8:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. at Clara Barton Elementary.
Edgewater Lutheran Church: Worshipping Sundays at 10 a.m. at Harada Elementary; 12884 Oakdale Street; Eastvale 92880; http://www.EdgewaterLutheran.org. Edgewater will mark the entire Easter weekend with two special services at Harada. On Friday, April 18 at 7 p.m., they will prepare for Easter with a moving Tenebrae Service. The Sunday morning Easter Service will be held at 10 a.m., with a light continental breakfast served before and after service. Childcare and Children’s Ministry are available during the service, with a traditional Egg Hunt immediately following. Easter Sunday will also kick off a new sermon series entitled, “Easter Fact”, which will look at reasons for belief. On May 18, the series will include a very special guest speaker, Dr. Ken Ebel, Professor of Biology at Concordia University in Irvine.
New Day Christian Church: Worshipping Sundays at 9 and 10:30 a.m., currently meeting in the Beacon Hill Office Complex at 2191 Fifth Street, Suite 108, Norco 92860; http://www.newdaycc.net. New Day is planning to open the doors to their brand new church (the first in Eastvale) at the corner of Hamner Avenue and A Street during the month of April, pending all construction approvals. Easter Sunday services will be at 9 and 10:30 a.m. Check their website for updates.
The Crossings: Worshipping Sundays at 10 a.m. at River Heights Intermediate, 7227 Scholar Way, Eastvale; www.atthecrossings.com. Easter Sunday Service will be held at 10 a.m., with an Egg Hunt right after service.
VantagePoint Church: Worshipping Sundays at 8:30, 10, and 11:30 a.m. in the Roosevelt High School Auditorium, 7557 Scholar Way, Eastvale 92880; www.VantagePointChurch.org. Along with their traditional services at regular times on Easter Sunday, VantagePoint will be providing the community of Eastvale with Free Springtime Fun. On Saturday, April 12, they will host the seventh annual Easter Egg Hunt at Eastvale’s Mid Hill Golf Center (13000 Citrus Avenue), with more than 25,000 hidden eggs, crafts, games, obstacle course, petting zoo, pictures with the Easter Bunny and fun for all ages. The celebration will begin at 10 a.m. and conclude at 2 p.m.
Word of Truth Community Church: Worshipping Sundays at 10:30 a.m. and Wednesdays at 7 p.m. at 850 East Parkridge Avenue, Corona 92879; www.wordoftruthcc.com. Easter Sunday service will be held at 10:30 a.m.
Eastvale: Watch Your Sipping To Slim Down For Summer
BY NICOLE GILLES, RD, CDE, CSR
Nicole Gilles, RD, CDE, CSR
If you have taken a stroll through our local Eastvale stores recently, you may have experienced the same dreadful feeling as I have when you see aisles and aisles tiny bathing suits and cute summer clothes. That’s when you realize it’s about time to put those comfy winter clothes away and get your “beach body” ready for summer. If you are looking to sport your best beach body ever, now is the time to start. Begin the process by swapping those warm winter carbs, like pasta and potatoes, for fresh spring carbs, like seasonal fruits and vegetables. But our food intake is only half the battle; we also need to think about what we are drinking. Of course, any beverage with calories cuts into our food calories for the day. This not only includes juice and sodas, but also alcohol. The majority of Americans consume about 1,000 calories a day from their beverage choices, which does not leave much room for food. Choosing zero calorie beverages will not only whittle that waist line, but will also leave more room for food so you can shape up without feeling wiped out. One beverage in particular to watch is alcohol. But isn’t a glass of wine a day recommended for “Heart Health?” If one glass is good, two is better, right? Wrong. The secret is moderation. Just three ounces of wine or beer, or one ounce of liquor slows our calorie burning by 30 percent, and is full of empty calories. It takes a mile of walking to burn off each six ounce glass of wine or 12 ounces of beer. If we want to protect our heart without slowing down our calorie burning, cut out the alcohol and change your focus to food and fitness. Eating five to six servings of fruits and vegetables each day and getting in 30 minutes of moderate exercise will protect our hearts and help us look amazing in those summer clothes. This April, spread the word of National Alcohol Awareness Month and ‘cut the booze to help you lose’ the winter weight and look slimmer for summer. If you would like to slim down this spring, look no further than your local Eastvale Registered Dietitian, Nicole Gilles, RD, CDE, CSR. Nicole is the owner of Happy and Healthy Nutrition and she is ready to help you achieve your health and weight goals. Through her program, you will learn how to eat for your body’s individual needs and learn how to deal with emotional eating. Happy and Healthy Nutrition members learn when to eat, why you eat, and how to eat to lose weight and keep it off for the rest of your life. What are you waiting for? Start today, for a happy and healthy tomorrow. Contact Happy and Healthy Nutrition at http://www.HandHnutrition.com, or call (909) 816-0977; and like them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/happyandhealthynutrition.nicolegilles. Virtual Counseling is also available. Check out their ad on this page for a special available to Eastvale News readers.
Weird is Rad
By Jennifer Madrigal
Dr. Seuss said it best when he said, “We’re all a little weird, and life’s a little weird. And when we find someone whose weirdness is compatible with ours, we join up with them and fall in mutual weirdness and call it love.” Being different or looking at things in a different way isn’t always bad; in fact it’s very often refreshing. In a world where everyone strives to be the “winner” or the best at everything, the ones who are weird tend to stick out and you know what? That’s okay. It’s alright to be different and unique. In fact, it’s inspiring when someone isn’t like everyone else and instead has qualities that make them stand out.
First and foremost, in anything you do, be confident about it. Own it, be it, embody it and make it your own. Being weird is no exception to this rule. Be the delightfully chaotic individual that you are and stand out in a crowd. Let people talk about you, whisper behind your back and think whatever they want. You know the truth anyway, and that is really all that matters.
I have had this exact conversation frequently with my boys. Usually it begins with, “He said I was stupid!” And my response is always, “Well, are you stupid? “ The point of this being, who cares what people say? You know what you are and what you are not. If another person says you are purple, does that make it so? Who cares what people say about your hair or how you look or even how you act? You know the truth. In fact, you should know this better than anyone else. When you don’t respond to another’s negativity or false accusations, you take away their power to put their definitions on you.
Let others call you what they will. Be weird, be different, but most of all, be you; because at the end of the day, the people who are unapologetically themselves, and who stand out from others in their unique weirdness, are usually the ones that we all remember.
Eastvale: You Are What You Eat
BY K.P. SANDER
Eastvale — They say, ‘You Are What You Eat’, but what if I don’t want to be Potassium Bromate? What if Butylated Hydroxyanisol gives me the creeps (after all, “butylated” sounds like “mutilated”)? In today’s world of high technology and instant gratification, have we microwaved ourselves into a toxic nightmare of diseases, obesity and unhappiness?
The artificial sweeteners, preservatives, dyes and flavor enhancers that have been added to our foods for decades have fattened not only corporate pocket books through prolonged shelf lives and disguised cheaper, sub-standard products, but they have fattened us up as well. They have created maladies in our bodies including Alzheimer’s, cancers, diabetes and heart disease, and have contributed to emotional disorders in our children – even health concerns for our pets. A hundred years ago, when you grew your own food and “fast food “ was a chicken on the run from the chopping block, these diseases were rare, and even non-existent. But with the initiation of processed foods in the second half of the 20th Century, the health of people everywhere has taken a turn for the worse.
The frightening list of additives that infest our foods are helping to make meals to die for; literally. BHA/BHT, artificial sweeteners, food dyes, high fructose corn syrup, monosodium glutamate, potassium bromate, sodium nitrate/nitrite sodium sulfite, surfer dioxide and trans-fats are commonly found in everything from breads to meats to yogurts – even chewing gum can be toxic. And all of these ingredients are associated with some very unpleasant, even deadly, consequences from cancer to chromosomal damage.
And, are the poisons ingested in our bodies the only cause for concern? Is there more social anxiety prevalent because of social media? By involving more people in our lives via technology, are we becoming more anti-social by hiding behind it? Look around you. The majority of people walking around (and yes, even driving around) aren’t paying attention to where they are going because they are completely focused on their phones: texting, Facebooking, Instagramming.
I’m guilty of all of it, but I can’t remember the last time I truly felt full of health and vitality and just plain old GOOD. I wake up to caffeine, drive-thru when I’m rushed, crack open a can of high-fructose corn syrup for energy, and text instead of call. But I, for one, don’t want to find myself looking a heart attack (or worse) right smack in the face, knowing I contributed directly to it. I’m going to educate myself, read more labels, and avoid ingredients I can’t pronounce or know to be toxic. I’m going to buy more organic foods and less processed foods. I’m going to consider an apple and a handful of almonds “fast food”. And I’m going to contribute to my general well-being by participating in some actual face time with those I love. I’m guessing my fitness routines will be enhanced, my body and mind will feel better, and my relationships will benefit.
Food should be a source of joy and nourishment. The purpose is to fuel your body, and due to the sensory components, it is an opportunity to create a connection with those you love. Create a meal to live for. Let “you are what you eat” mean health and vitality for you and your family.
Eastvale: My Disabled Brother: Reflections By A 5th Grade Big Brother
BY JENNIFER AND ANDREW MADRIGAL
Recently, my middle son was asked to write an essay on a topic of his choice. Andrew, being the caring brother that he is, chose to write an essay on his little brother, Nicholas. While I have always known that the boys have been affected by their brother’s conditions, I never really realized how profoundly they knew what was going on around them. Andrew is in 5th grade and he wrote this essay all by himself. As I typed it up for him, I was shocked at the intensity of his perception. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
“Ding- dong!” The doorbell rang and then my mom, dad and little brother, Nicholas, came into the room. My mom looked like she was going to cry. My dad looked very mad. His face was red with sorrow. My mom said, “We have news.” And I asked, “What’s the news?” My mom explained that my brother was deaf and that he had autism, nystagmus, low tone cerebral palsy and a 3q genetic mutation. My nana who was watching us asked, “You’re kidding right?” My mom replied, “No, we are not kidding.”
I began to wonder what life was going to be like with a brother who had all of these problems. I thought it would be hard watching him. He would get bigger and I worried that people would make fun of him. I knew I wanted to protect him from harm. Then Nicholas started making his clicking sounds. “Click, click, click, click.” I thought that was how Nicholas was going to talk. To show him love, we crowded around him and noticed that all he was doing was smiling. This made me happy to know that after everything, he was still happy. I asked my mom, “Would Nicholas always be this way?” She replied sadly, “Yes.” I kept on asking questions so that I would know more about his case and maybe be able to help him. At this time, he was not able to put his head up by himself because his muscles were so weak. So, we had to hold his neck up.
As I looked down at him, I realized he was the cutest little baby in the world! He had a white face and an ear to ear smile. He looked very tired, but he still kept that smile on his face. He looked up at me and his eyes were fluttering side to side as he tried to focus on me. He smiled and I smiled back at him. I felt like he would be smiling for the rest of his life and never stop. I continued to look at him when my family left and was thinking about how much I loved him. I may not be able to do the same stuff with Nicholas as others do, but I will do what I can to make our lives together the best ever!
Eastvale: Put a ‘Spring in Your Step’ This Spring
Nicole Gilles, RD, CDE, CSR
BY NICOLE GILLES, RD, CDE, CSR
Have you noticed that the days are getting longer? We now have almost an hour of extra daylight in the evening, as compared to those fall and winter days. Why not take advantage of the extra light and warm weather by getting out and moving more?
The average adult will gain one to two pounds a year after age 20 due to slowing metabolisms. As our metabolism, or calorie burning, slows down we tend to gain weight. This extra weight can cause health problems like High Blood Pressure, Diabetes, and Heart Disease. But we do not have to fall victim to these diseases. We can fight back! Increasing our physical activity and decreasing our food portions will help us maintain a healthy weight and prevent or fight disease. Adding in an extra 30 minutes of exercise each day will help prevent middle-age weight gain.
If you are interested in losing a few pounds, reduce your portions of food and choose more fruit and vegetables over cookies and crackers. Replacing one medium cookie or small bag of chips a day with a cup of delicious fresh fruit or crisp and crunchy vegetables will help you lose about a pound a week.
Increasing your activity and making small diet changes will help you get ready for warm weather and your spring wardrobe. Understanding exactly how much that small amount of exercise can help you prevent and fight disease may put an extra spring in your step. So get out, move more, and chose more fruit and vegetables to look great and feel great this spring.
If you would like to slim down this spring, look no further than your local Eastvale Registered Dietitian, Nicole Gilles, RD, CDE, CSR. Nicole is the owner of Happy and Healthy Nutrition and she is ready to help you achieve your health and weight goals. Through her program, you will learn how to eat for your body’s individual needs and learn how to deal with emotional eating. Happy and Healthy Nutrition members learn when to eat, why you eat, and how to eat to lose weight and keep it off for the rest of your life. What are you waiting for? Start today, for a happy and healthy tomorrow.
Contact Happy and Healthy Nutrition at http://www.HandHnutrition.com, or call (909) 816-0977; and like them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/happyandhealthynutrition.nicolegilles. Check out their ad on this page for a special available to Eastvale News readers.
INLAND EMPIRE: Staring Into The Darkness…..
By Michael Armijo
It was a strange day. I knew it when I woke at 3 a.m. I felt the pressure begin that early. And for the first time in my life the pressure was overwhelming. I stared into the mirror while the cold sweat dripped into the empty sink below. I gazed onward, veering at the tremendous bags under my eyes, and then I tried to rub the pain from my chest. The erratic beating of my heart confused and alarmed me, but I refused to let it be a warning.
As my day continued, the pressure seemed to build. The lectures, the threats, the bills, the worries, the irrational people with their idiotic responses. It just wouldn’t stop.
My emotions went from stress, to panic, to anger, to numbness. Suddenly, everything that was important to me became irrelevant. All that I knew that was important was now a distant thought. A forgotten feeling. It was a weird sensation that made me fearless, something that showed me a path I had never seen. A road that was once fearful of travel was now a road that seemed appealing. This was now a time that I felt that nothing mattered. Nothing, no one, no thing. It was simply a time when I felt that there were no consequences. There was nothing to stop me from acting out any bizarre emotion, any outburst of feeling. I was at the end of my rope. It was as if I were gazing into a black hole. Although nothing was there, you couldn’t see a thing, something unforeseen was attracting my spirit. Something was pulling at my soul. I just couldn’t stop staring into the darkness.
It brought back the memory of my son’s friend who took his life one dark day years ago. After he pulled the trigger in front of his peers, and as he lay motionless on the campus pavement, the biggest question was unanswerable: “Why didn’t he say anything?” Others said, “Had I only known, I would’ve helped.”
Remembering that story was when I realized I knew what happens on a lonely and impassionate day. It isn’t that when a person feels the bitter grueling emotion of desperation that no one is there to reach for them or that no one was listening. It’s at that point a distraught person will just never reach. It’s when a person gets to a point in their life that nothing matters. They just can’t reach out for anyone anymore. They’re done, and it’s just simply a time to move on.
The numbness the world has invoked on you makes you feel distant and hopeless. You can’t smile, you can’t cry. If you tried to scream, your mouth would open and nothing could come out. Your energy level is so low that the vocals from your throat just can’t conceive. You feel as though your entire life, as you know it, never mattered, never existed. You are now, subconsciously, preparing yourself for the next world.
It’s at that one instant when you feel that this life is no longer your own. You can only close your eyes and imagine how people feel when they decide to do something drastic, like pick up a heavy, handheld weapon, while feeling the cold circular steel press against their skull. They slowly close their tear-filled eyes while thinking of all those who loved them, and then they lightly squeeze.
Suddenly, all that you’ve accomplished within your life has been erased. The person you “are now” becomes the person “you were.” Everything that is “yours now” becomes everything you “left behind.” It goes from “he is” to “he was.” It’s at this time that you find out who really loved you, and you find out whose lives you’ve really impacted. People will cry uncontrollably, and others will be angry. Your loved ones will think about your actions, uncontrollably, for the rest of their own lives.
Unfortunately, you cannot erase what you’ve done. You can’t come back; you can’t erase the pain you’ve caused when you pulled that trigger. And the sad part is, for that one moment of desperation you experienced, so many lives were changed forever.
The next world? There are no guarantees that you won’t suffer for what you’ve done. So your passionate gamble could now be eternal. You could, quite possibly, pay eternally for what you did spontaneously and emotionally.
It’s at this time you realize that these consequences aren’t an option nor are they a question. They are simply a result of an emotion. These thoughts and these actions haunt those who can’t see the light. Those who can’t see the truth. They can’t see these things because their vision is clouded, their sight is constricted, because …. they’re constantly staring into the darkness…..
Inland Empire: Create A Valentine’s Day To Remember
BY NICOLE GILLES, RD, CDE, CSR
Have you ever wondered what would really make your Valentine happy? You’ve tried the chaotic restaurant scene in the past, only to leave feeling uncomfortably full, tired, and stressed from the overcrowded restaurant and crazy parking lot.
This Valentine’s Day, show how much you care through actions instead of food. Skip the busy restaurant and store-bought chocolates. Instead, schedule some quality time with those you love. After all, it’s the time we spend together that creates memories, not high fat food and chocolates. If your loved one is feeling stressed, make time to snuggle up on the couch with their favorite movie. Or give them a back massage to relieve stress and aching muscles.
Maybe your Valentine would like a meal prepared for them. Consider making a romantic dinner for two at home with candles and flowers. Preparing meals at home empowers you to choose healthier foods and smaller portions. When you make the effort, your Valentine will feel the love in their heart and not on their hips. After all, food only lasts a second on the lips, but years on the hips.
Has your child already requested Valentine cards to pass out at school? If so, think about pairing the cards with healthier food options like pretzels instead of candy, or even non-food options like stickers or small toys. Providing non-food options will subtly show the next generation how we can celebrate without depending on food. Food should be used to fuel our bodies to keep them healthy and strong, as opposed to making emotional connections to temporarily improve our moods while permanently affecting our health.
The more you separate food from emotions, the happier and healthier you and your family will be. So give the gift of true love this Valentine’s Day and show your emotions through your actions instead of unhealthy food.
If you would like to slim down this spring, look no further than local Eastvale resident, Nicole Gilles. Nicole is the owner of Happy and Healthy Nutrition and she is dedicated to helping you achieve your health and weight goals. As a Registered Dietitian, Certified Diabetes Expert, and Certified Specialist in Renal Nutrition, Nicole is qualified to help you learn how to cope with emotional eating and learn to eat for your body’s individual needs. Happy and Healthy Nutrition members discover when to eat, how to eat, and how to lose weight and keep it off permanently. Start today, for a happy and healthy tomorrow!
Contact Happy and Healthy Nutrition at (909) 816-0977, or www.HandHnutrition.com; and like them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/happyandhealthynutrition.nicolegilles. And see their ad on page XX for a special discount.
Inland Empire: Technology and Social Media
BY RAMON AGUILAR
I like to say that I have seen enough incidents that involved students with today’s technology to prepare me for when my six-year-old daughter grows up and is surrounded by her peers with unlimited access to technology and social media.
As an educator inside the classroom, I always explained that using their smart phones or iPods to listen to music while they do their work, was a privilege. I made sure they understood the difference between the letter of the law and the spirit of the law. The letter of the law, which follows district policy, states that there are no electronics allowed to be powered up on campus. The spirit of the law is up for interpretation, which means that they are allowed to use their electronic devices to listen to music, but not to text or surf the web.
Unfortunately, teenagers are unable to control themselves and do go ahead and break the spirit of the law guidelines, thus causing an all electronic policy to be implemented and enforced. Teenagers have a high tendency to display a sense of entitlement when it comes to their electronics. They will literally tell you that it is their devices and that have the right to use them as they please. I see this issue as one of many, but definitely not the most severe issue or liability.
When I first started working out of the classroom as a Dean of Discipline at the high school level, I dealt with three to five electronic issues every single week. The least severe were when students would use the electronics in class without permission and I was asked to intervene. I would ask student to turn over the electronics to me and I would have to notify parents of the incident. Parents and students were notified in writing the school policy on electronics, and were warned that next time the electronic would be kept until parents came by the school to pick it up themselves. Other alternatives were that students were given the option to do four hours of clean detention on Saturdays in order to receive their devices, this was the most favorable for parents, many insisted that their child do time for the crime.
The other serious issues were students carrying around electronics which placed them in danger. Often, they were attacked by other students in order to steal the items from them. I lost count on how many times students would exit the bathroom during lunch time, where they had just been assaulted by other students. Especially the boys, who would often come out bruised and bleeding from their heads or noses.
Lockers being broken into during PE were the most popular ways that these opportunist thieves would attack and steal all items left inside the lockers. As a school official, I would have to remind parents of students that were robbed, that school policy states that the school site would not be responsible for items of value, especially electronics. It was a hard lesson for both parents and students, especially when families work so hard to save money to provide these types of items for the students.
I have to admit that I took great pleasure in catching all the thieves and assaulters that were involved in these aforementioned incidents. I am fortunate that during my short time with the California Highway Patrol as an officer, I obtained the skills and experiences that allowed me to work effectively and collaborate with school police in these types of incidents.
The most serious incidents were the ones that the victims were unaware that they had become victims. This is commonly referred to as “sexting”. Every time we would encounter phones with pictures of underage girls revealing parts or all of themselves in a compromising picture, these would cause a very complicated situation. As a parent, I would want to know if my children have been victimized by having their pictures online.
It has been said that our children are less likely to be vulnerable to online strangers or being a victim of some other form of online bullying, if we as parents developed open communication with our children. In my opinion, if our children were able to trust us about their problems, they would also be more likely to trust us and respect our rules and guidelines when it came to using technology and social media.
Eastvale: Create a Valentine’s Day to Remember
By Nicole Gilles, RD, CDE, CSR
Have you ever wondered what would really make your Valentine happy? You’ve tried the chaotic restaurant scene in the past, only to leave feeling uncomfortably full, tired, and stressed from the overcrowded restaurant and crazy parking lot.
This Valentine’s Day, show how much you care through actions instead of food. Skip the busy restaurant and store-bought chocolates. Instead, schedule some quality time with those you love. After all, it’s the time we spend together that creates memories, not high fat food and chocolates. If your loved one is feeling stressed, make time to snuggle up on the couch with their favorite movie. Or give them a back massage to relieve stress and aching muscles.
Maybe your Valentine would like a meal prepared for them. Consider making a romantic dinner for two at home with candles and flowers. Preparing meals at home empowers you to choose healthier foods and smaller portions. When you make the effort, your Valentine will feel the love in their heart and not on their hips. After all, food only lasts a second on the lips, but years on the hips.
Has your child already requested Valentine cards to pass out at school? If so, think about pairing the cards with healthier food options like pretzels instead of candy, or even non-food options like stickers or small toys. Providing non-food options will subtly show the next generation how we can celebrate without depending on food. Food should be used to fuel our bodies to keep them healthy and strong, as opposed to making emotional connections to temporarily improve our moods while permanently affecting our health.
The more you separate food from emotions, the happier and healthier you and your family will be. So give the gift of true love this Valentine’s Day and show your emotions through your actions instead of unhealthy food.
If you would like to slim down this spring, look no further than local Eastvale resident, Nicole Gilles. Nicole is the owner of Happy and Healthy Nutrition and she is dedicated to helping you achieve your health and weight goals. As a Registered Dietitian, Certified Diabetes Expert, and Certified Specialist in Renal Nutrition, Nicole is qualified to help you learn how to cope with emotional eating and learn to eat for your body’s individual needs. Happy and Healthy Nutrition members discover when to eat, how to eat, and how to lose weight and keep it off permanently. Start today, for a happy and healthy tomorrow!
Contact Happy and Healthy Nutrition at (909) 816-0977, or http://www.HandHnutrition.com; and like them on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/happyandhealthynutrition.nicolegilles. And see their ad on page XX for a special discount.
Eastvale: New Year, New You!
Nicole Gilles, RD, CDE, CSR
BY NICOLE GILLES, RD, CDE, CSR
Eastvale – This year, give yourself the gift of a successful New Year’s Resolution. The New Year often comes with a drastic resolution that may be difficult, or even impossible, to obtain. Making unobtainable goals can leave you feeling worse than before the goal was made.
Rather than make an outrageous resolution, why not set yourself up for success? Instead of saying, “This year I am going to lose 50 pounds and I don’t care if I have to starve to do it”, try making smaller, healthier goals that will help you reach your ultimate objective. For example, “My doctor said I need to lose weight, so I will find a local weight loss expert to help me and I will join the Eastvale Walking Group”.
Choosing smaller goals makes the process more manageable and essentially more obtainable than making one large goal. Instead of focusing on the distant goal, focus your time and energy on the present, and how you’re going to reach today’s goal. Try making a schedule of weekly goals that improve your lifestyle habits, like walking three days a week or limiting eating out to just twice a week instead of four times a week. Your goals should be individualized to you and the areas of your life that you are ready to work on. The small lifestyle changes that you make today will add up to a weight and health improvement before you know it.
If you are seeking a true food professional to help make your goals a reality, look no further than Eastvale Registered Dietitian, Nicole Gilles, RD, CDE, CSR. Nicole is the owner of Happy and Healthy Nutrition and she is ready to help you achieve your health and weight goals. Through her program, you will learn how to eat for your body’s individual needs and learn how to deal with emotional eating. Happy and Healthy Nutrition members learn when to eat, why to eat, and how to eat to lose weight and keep it off. Start today, for a happy and healthy tomorrow.
Contact Happy and Healthy Nutrition at http://www.HandHnutrition.com, call them at (909) 816-0977, and like them on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/happyandhealthynutrition.nicolegilles.
A Decade Behind Us
BY JENNIFER MADRIGAL
January marks the beginning of a new year and a new month, a chance to start over anew. In our home, January is a month full of birthdays with the most important one belonging to the youngest boy, Nicholas. This year, my son Nicholas will reach another milestone; he will finally belong to the “two-hands” club and turn 10! I remember my grandpa joking with me when I turned ten and telling me that I was part of an exclusive club of “two handers” and that this was the first and last year that I would ever be able to count my age on just two hands. Back then, that seemed like a pretty awesome club to be a part of and it’s a little surreal that my youngest child is now ten and on his way to his next decade.
But turning 10 for Nicholas is just a little bit more special to me because the road we have traveled has been such a tumultuous one. If you read this column regularly you know I speak about my boys often and that my youngest Nicholas, is deaf and autistic, visually impaired, low tone Cerebral Palsy, etc. etc. but that this boy has the spirit of an angel and the tenacity of a lion. There is truly nothing that I would say he can’t do. He may not be able to do it now, but he always manages to figure things out and surprise us all with just how dang smart he is.
This first decade of his life, we spent so much time getting him to sit up, crawl, walk, eat on his own, wear his glasses, wear his hearing aides, cochlear implant surgery, physical and occupational therapy, potty training, writing and so on and so on. We just wanted to give him the best shot we could to be as “normal” as possible. What I never expected was that not only would he far surpass all those basic goals but that he would also learn to read, write, add and subtract and basically rock at school. Further, this year I experienced with Nicholas the absolute best gift any mother could receive, Nicholas said “mom” for the very first time. That small little “deaf” voice clearly and slowly watching my lips form the word and along with me, clear as day, say “MOM”. As always, my son remains my biggest inspiration and deepest source of strength. Anytime I feel that I can’t do something, I remember all the doctors that shook their heads and told me to give up and to not expect much from Nicholas, and then I get back up, shake myself off and get back to being awesome…because Nicholas and I still have a lot of people to keep proving wrong.
Eastvale: Heat Your Water With Less Energy
STAFF REPORTS
Do you want to replace your old water heater with something more efficient and eco-friendly? Well, Advanced Improvements’ tankless water heaters are reliable and energy saving which means a lower utility bill for you. With these water heaters, you’ll also never run out of hot water again!
To top it off, Advanced Improvements specializes in tankless water heaters, so a pro will be installing your heater. They are the largest, tankless water heater installation company in the nation. They have installed over 10,000 tankless water heaters over a period of 10 years!
Take advantage of their current tankless special, which is $500 off Rheem tankless water heaters. They are also offering up to $200 in gas rebates.
Contact Advanced Improvements at 888-698-8859 for a free quote or for more information. You can also visit their website at http://www.AdvancedIMP.com.
Make sure to check out their ad on page 12 regarding solar panels that produce 20% more power and are three times less expensive than leasing. If you book a solar panel now, you can also get a FREE Heating and Air Conditioning Unit as a bonus.
What “Feels Good” About Eastvale?
BY JENNIFER MADRIGAL
Eastvale – For the “web savy” individual, immediacy can sometimes seem like a bad thing. The majority of the news comes with a negative spin. So we’ve decided to reach out to our residents and find out more about the great things that happen within our city limits.
This community is amazing and full of great people who work diligently to keep this city one of the best and safest places to live. So, the responses we’ve received share some positive stories that we are sharing them with our readership. We hope that you will feel as inspired and uplifted by these stories as we have been.
From an Anonymous Resident: This year has been an exceptionally difficult year for me. My four children and I were forced out of our home by my husband of 18 years. I have struggled to find a job, a place to live and provide food and essentials with little or no income at all. Even my belongings have been denied and withheld from me. Though we have much to be thankful for, this Christmas was looking pretty meager. On Monday, December 23, a knock came to our door during dinner. Some volunteers were making Christmas deliveries with gifts for the kids from the Eastvale Fire Department. We were in shock. It was a blessing to my family and a beneficial lesson to teach my children about how lives can be changed through giving to our community. We truly have a great city!
Courtesy of Eastvale Lost and Found Pets Facebook Page: One resident was in a horrific crash on the 15 freeway and her Akita jumped out of the window of the car. The car was obliterated and it is a miracle that they both survived. Her dog’s picture was posted on several Facebook pages and the community really banded together to help reunite the owner with her fur-baby! Here is her post of thanks: I would just like to let everyone know that I have finally found my dog after my horrible accident on 12/26/13! Thanks to one man who was kind enough to stop for him on the freeway, pick him up and keep him safe until he was able to contact me. I would like to thank everyone who reposted my message about my lost dog because without the reposts this man would have never found me. Thank you to all who took the time to help me find my love, Kuma!
From Resident Mary Timassy-Nelson: Our neighbor decided to throw a “Christmas Bonfire”. She left flyers at homes of people she didn’t know, but live in our tract (Centex, near Moon Flower and Schleisman). She asked a few of us to bring a desert or an appetizer. She and her husband provided pizza, drinks, and a bonfire. I know a lot of my neighbors, but I met a few new ones who have moved in over the last few months…and I met someone for the first time that has been here as long as I have! It was so much fun watching kids play in the street at 10:00 at night. What is really great is that another neighbor has been setting up a Neighborhood Watch. We have a deputy coming in January for a meeting. Now, I was able to pass the word along to more people! Yea for Eastvale!
If you have any positive stories about Eastvale that you would like us to print and/or share, please email them to jenniferanapr@hotmail.com.
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