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March 22, 2021February 23, 2021

Ask Dr. Renae: Worried about the cost of the COVID school gap

Dear Dr. Renae,

I hear some teachers commenting on this school year being a lost year and all the students winding up a year behind. I am aware that I didn’t learn as much as I would have since online was not as good as in person for some subjects. I worry about being prepared for college entrance exams and college coursework. I am even more worried about my younger sister who is struggling to learn how to read. I notice how frustrated the teachers are as well. Many of my peers are upset about missing out on social activities but I am thinking about my future. Am I weird for worrying about my education?

Unprepared High School Junior

Dear Unprepared High School Junior,

It is completely normal to be worried about your education! Education is a major cornerstone in our lives, so I understand where you are coming from. It helps to remem-ber that every person in the world is facing the same issue that is happening to you, and so I believe people will be more mindful and understanding of the circumstances you have come from. You could not control the cards you were dealt, and educators know that. It is my belief that they will have to be accommodating to any issues that may arise from online education, if they would want to dutifully fulfill their jobs. Hopefully, I assuaged some of your fears, and I wish you the best of luck in your academic journey.

Your Fellow Teen

Dear Unprepared High School Junior,

It’s completely understandable being concerned about your academics. Commendable, even. Whilst students have been heavily affected by this pandemic, it’s important to re-main optimistic. Junior year is a crucial time for prospective university students but with everything going on, universities might be lenient with requirements. Now is also a fantastic time to build your student resumé. If you haven’t already decided on a university, now is the perfect time to take a look and reach out to universities. This is the fun part! As far as preparation goes, there’s plenty of practice SAT samplequestions available online as well as books to read. It’s important to be studious but not too hard on yourself. Stay safe!

A Caring Friend

Dear Unprepared Junior,

You are not weird for worrying about your education at all. From reading your submission, I can tell you care about your education which is really important. Since I’m not in college just yet, I asked my 25-year-old sister for some advice I could give you. The best thing she told me was from her college experience, as long as you keep up your studying, work ethic and motivation, you will be fi ne. To tell you the truth, she told me that high school did not prepare her for college; college prepared her for college. Stressing right now over something you don’t know will happen will drive you crazy! It’s best to start good habits during online school that you can later use in college. I hope this helps!

Your Friend

Dear Unprepared Junior,

It is true that most students did not learn as much academic curriculum as they would have if school was in person as usual. The timing and speed at which learning takes place, however, is not indicative of future happiness and success. Many professionals took an unexpected alternative path and timeline in preparing for their career which helped better lead them toward success. Struggling with the lifestyle changes required during the pandemic has given you an opportunity to learn much more than academics. Conquering boredom and anxiety, along with navigating a new daily structure has taught you flexibility, creativity, and perseverance. Those skills help you to be significantly prepared for college as well as your future. Take pride in the personal growth you have experienced in order to acquire more confidence in your ability to adapt to the future.

Dr. Renae

TEENS: Curious as to what other teens would say? If you have a question or problem you would like to present to other teens, please email: askdrrenae@att.net and include your age, grade, and gender you identify with. All questions are published anonymously and your identity and contact information will be kept confidential.

PARENTS OF TEENS: Would you like to anonymously and confidentially ask the panel of teen Peer Counseling Writers to comment on a parenting issue you are struggling with? If you are ready for a variety of honest opinions from real teens, please address your questions to askdrrenae@att.net.

Dr. Renae Lapin, a licensed marriage and family therapist with 40 years experience, currently maintains a private practice in Boca Raton, Florida.

For more information about Dr. Renae and her practice, visit her website: https://askdrrenae.com

January 22, 2021December 30, 2020

Van carries free legal aid to Broward seniors

Like the Mystery Machine on Scooby Doo or Bruce Wayne’s famous Batmobile, a new rolling problem solver is bringing free legal aid to Broward County seniors.

Coast to Coast Legal Aid of South Florida has launched the Mobile Justice Squad, a mobile division of its high quality free civil legal services.

The squad will provide legal services for homebound seniors or those seniors with limited mobility. Legal services offered through the MobileJustice Squad include but are not limited to health and public benefits, housing and foreclosure defense, domestic violence and financial exploitation, consumer fraud, and naturalization.

“With the Mobile Justice Squad, we are bringing our resources and services out on the road to the most vulnerable,” said Patrice Paldino, Executive Director of Coast to Coast Legal Aid of South Florida. “This initiative is an integral part of what we can do to continue our mission to provide high quality free civil legal advice, representation, and education to those who need it.”

Alterations to the van have been made in response to COVID-19 to allow social distancing through a plexiglass shield. Attorneys will be able to screen clients, review legal issues, prepare, scan, and copy documents all in one visit, eliminating the need for clients to travel to the office or send documents through the mail.

To obtain access to the Mobile Justice Squad, individuals or community organizations should call 954-736-2400. Eligible senior citizens (60+ years old) can make an appointment and the Mobile Justice Squad will then arrive at their location.

Funding for this innovative project was generously provided by the American Bar Endowment and The Jim Moran Foundation.

January 8, 2021December 29, 2020

Waist watching? Add soup, whole grains, citrus

As we start the New Year, I’ve had a ton of questions from my clients who are focused on giving a jump-start to their healthy lifestyle goals.

I’ve had questions on the Green cleanse, shapely shakes, citrus cleanse, green tea diet, food lovers cleanse, and more.

My response to those inquiries is consistent with my mantra — “For better health: All things in moderation. There is not one food that is all good or all bad for you.”

Now there are some food choices that can aid you in moving forward on the path to a healthier you.

Take soup for instance. Research published in the Journal Appetite showed that people who started lunch with vegetable soup ended up eating 20 percent less than those who skipped the soup.

The key to adding soup to your meal plan is to choose one that is broth-based, which is low energy density, and provides fewer calories per gram than other foods, and contains low to moderate amounts of sodium.

Soup contributes to a feeling of fullness, so by starting a meal with soup, it can prevent you from overeating.

Whole grain foods are also excellent choices for a healthy lifestyle. They are high in fiber, which can be helpful in weight management and weight loss.

Whole grains have always been around, but the “on-trend” group in the whole grain family falls under the moniker of ancient grains. These are grains such as farro, quinoa, and sorghum.

Farro is often labeled the “mother of all wheat species.” The grain is highly regarded in Italy and fast becoming one of the popular grains on-trend in the USA. Whole grain farro is high in fiber, protein, vitamin B3, and zinc. It is low in gluten.

Quinoa is technically a gluten-free seed. In cooking, however, it is used as a grain. It is high in protein, iron, and fiber.

Sorghum is a substitute for wheat, is gluten-free and also high in protein, iron, and fiber as well as a rich source of antioxidants.

Citrus fruits are also good options to include as you make steps to improve your well-being. These fruits have high fiber, high water content, and fewer calories per gram. These attributes will give you a greater feeling of fullness, helping to suppress your appetite.

Research indicates that eating a half grapefruit before meals can promote weight loss. In addition to waist-trimming qualities, grapefruit contains immune-boosting vitamins A and C, and antioxidants.

However, if you are taking prescription medication, make sure you check with your health care professional before making grapefruit part of your daily meal plan.

Take Away: You can enjoy a variety of foods eaten in moderation. Add
30 minutes of physical activity and you’ll have a head start toward your goals.

December 9, 2020December 2, 2020

State Representative D-96 Christine Hunschofsky

It is an honor to serve you as your District 96 State Representative and I look forward to working with you. November was a busy election season and I would like to congratulate all the winners of the elections. I look forward to working with the City Commissions and residents in District 96, which include Coconut Creek, Parkland, a majority of Margate, and the north and east areas of Coral Springs.

Since the election, we have been very busy setting up the district office, which is located at Coconut Creek City Hall at 4800 Copans Road, Coconut Creek, FL 33063. We have a wonderful team including Beth Lerner, who is our Legislative Aide, and Lisa Librizzi, who is our District Aide. Beth has many years of experience working in the State Legislature and brings a wealth of knowledge to the position. Lisa comes from a corporate background and has a wealth of experience in systems organization and customer service. You can contact our team at 954-956-5600. Additionally, there is more information about the Florida House of Representatives, the office, and the district on the website www.myfloridahouse.gov.

In November, we worked on getting the office and staff set up, and I attended the new member orientations and organization session. In December, we will be given our committee assignments for the 2020-2022 Legislative Session and in January our first committee weeks begin. Throughout the process, we will be providing updates and information on what we are doing in the district. If you would like to receive these updates directly, please email lisa.librizzi@ myfloridahouse.gov.

As 2020 comes to a close, we have much to reflect upon. Each year comes with its challenges, and 2020 was definitely no exception. In the midst of a pandemic, we are also facing serious economic and health challenges. May we continue to focus on shared goals and work together toward common solutions to get us through these unprecedented times.

I would like to extend my best wishes to you and your family for a wonderful holiday season and great start to 2021. While many of the family celebrations may be different this year due to COVID, I hope you will all have the opportunity to spend quality time with your family whether in person or virtually. As always, please feel free to reach out to our office with any questions you may have. You can also find me providing updates on Facebook at @RepHunschofsky and Twitter at @chunschofsky. Wishing you and your family a wonderful holiday season and all the best for 2021!