The Mormon Times has this article directed to the Young Women of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

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Article from The LDS Newsroom

The Newly Called LDS YW Presidency

Sister Elaine S. Dalton has served in all the auxiliaries of the Church on both ward and stake levels. Prior to her calling as Young Women General President, she had been serving as first counselor to Sister Tanner. She had previously served on the Young Women General Board and prior to that service she was a stake Young Women president.

Sister Mary N. Cook was serving as second counselor in the Young Women general presidency at the time of her call. She had also served on the Young Women General Board.

Sister Ann M. Dibb had been serving on the Young Women General Board prior to her call to the Young Women General Presidency and before that, served in the Relief Society presidency of her ward.

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I have a lot of thoughts on General Conference thusfar, but I’d like for you to share yours without that influence.

Place them here in the comments section

Have a blessed day!

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Click Here to listen to the entire session.

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I’d like to speak to you about something personal with this post. It’s about Oral Hygiene, now before you roll your eyes please listen to what I have to say. Ever since I was a kid I’ve had this intense fear of the dentist. To say that I’m terrified of the dentist would be the understatement of the year. I ashamed to say this, but I have not seen a dentist (with the exception of last fall when I went to one to see how much it was going to cost me to get all of my teeth fixed) since November of 1998. That’s almost ten years without getting a cleaning or anything. The past two years, I’ve been suffering in pain. My teeth hurt, I can’t eat in certain parts of my mouth, and now I’m taking pain-killers daily because the pain is too much to bear. I was very fortunate when I came across a dentist online through some business networking that has agreed to do some bartering with me to get my mouth in good shape. But, I’m still going to have to pay a good chunk because this dentist does not do root canals. So, I’ll have to go see an endodontist to get those taken care of first. I’m also very fortunate that the endodontist that I’ll be seeing I also met through a business contact and she’s going to cut me a break. If I were to have to pay for all of this I would have to pay in the multi-thousands of dollars.

Now think about this, had I just overcame my fear and gone to the dentist on a regular basis as recommended I would not be in this position. Also, had I taken great care of my teeth it would have also helped. Be honest how often do you floss your teeth? I know that I have never done it as often as I should. Trust me, I know it’s a pain and it takes time, and I know that we all lead busy lives. But floss your teeth, and floss them multiple times a day (at least twice, but why not carry around flossers in your purse and floss every time after you eat as well. It can not hurt).

I’d like for you to learn from my experience. Do not be complacent with this. Neglecting your teeth can lead to real time medical problems too. It’s not a good idea to overlook this important part of your health. If you’re like me and you are fearful, talk to your parents about it. Say a prayer before you go to the dentist. Ask Heavenly Father to watch over you and ease your anxiety, and maybe even ask for a blessing before your procedure.

I’m including some additional resources from the experts on this subject, I encourage you to read them. They can only keep you on the road to good health.

From The ADA (American Dental Association):
Excerpt

The older you get, the more decisions you will get to make—some of these decisions will affect whether your smile is healthy and attractive. Knowledge is power, so take this opportunity to explore ways to keep your teeth strong, your gums healthy, and your smile engaging and other topics of interest to teens today. And, make it a priority to visit your dentist regularly.

Practicing Good Oral Hygiene:
Excerpt

The ADA recommends the following for good oral hygiene:

• Brush your teeth twice a day with an ADA-accepted fluoride toothpaste. Replace your toothbrush every three or four months, or sooner if the bristles are frayed. A worn toothbrush won’t do a good job of cleaning your teeth.
• Clean between teeth daily with floss or an interdental cleaner. Decay–causing bacteria still linger between teeth where toothbrush bristles can’t reach. This helps remove plaque and food particles from between the teeth and under the gum line.
• Eat a balanced diet and limit between-meal snacks.
• Visit your dentist regularly for professional cleanings and oral exams.

Antimicrobial mouth rinses and toothpastes reduce the bacterial count and inhibit bacterial activity in dental plaque, which can cause gingivitis, an early, reversible form of periodontal (gum) disease. ADA-Accepted antimicrobial mouth rinses and toothpastes have substantiated these claims by demonstrating significant reductions in plaque and gingivitis. Fluoride mouth rinses help reduce and prevent tooth decay. Clinical studies have demonstrated that use of a fluoride mouth rinse and fluoride toothpaste can provide extra protection against tooth decay over that provided by fluoride toothpaste alone. Fluoride mouth rinse is not recommended for children age six or younger because they may swallow the rinse. Consumers should always check the manufacturer’s label for precautions and age recommendations and talk with their dentist about the use of fluoride mouth rinse.

Talk to your dentist about what types of oral care products will be most effective for you. The ADA Seal on a product is your assurance that it has met ADA criteria for safety and effectiveness. Look for the ADA Seal on fluoride toothpaste, toothbrushes, floss, interdental cleaners, oral irrigators, mouth rinses and other oral hygiene products.

How Oral Health Affects Overall Wellness (ADA)
Excerpt

Researchers have found that periodontitis (the advanced form of gum disease that can cause tooth loss) is associated with other health problems such as cardiovascular disease, stroke and bacterial pneumonia. Likewise, pregnant women who have periodontitis may be at increased risk for delivering pre-term and/or low birth weight babies.

Although reports suggest that periodontitis may contribute to these conditions, it is important to understand that just because two conditions occur at the same time, doesn’t necessarily mean that one condition causes the other. The relationship could work the other way. For example, there is evidence that diabetics are more likely to develop periodontitis and have more severe periodontitis than nondiabetics. Or two conditions that occur together may be caused by a third factor. People who smoke or use alcohol are at increased risk of developing periodontitis and a number of other health conditions, including oral cancer.

Researchers are working hard to find out if periodontitis does have an effect on other health problems by looking at what happens when periodontitis is treated in individuals with these problems. If there was a cause and effect relationship, we would expect that a treatment that leads to an improvement in periodontal health would also improve other health problems. The results from initial studies are intriguing. For example, some studies suggest that treating periodontitis in people with diabetes can improve their blood sugar control, but other studies have not found this connection.

Given the potential link between periodontitis and systemic health problems, prevention of periodontitis may turn out to be an important step in maintaining overall health. In most cases, good oral health can be maintained with good daily oral hygiene (brushing and flossing) and regular professional care.

Periodontal Disease in Adolescence
Excerpt

Evidence shows that periodontal disease may increase during adolescence due to lack of motivation to practice oral hygiene. Children who maintain good oral health habits up until the teen years are more likely to continue brushing and flossing than children who were not taught proper oral care.

Hormonal changes related to puberty can put teens at greater risk for getting periodontal disease. During puberty, an increased level of sex hormones, such as progesterone and possibly estrogen, cause increased blood circulation to the gums. This may cause an increase in the gum’s sensitivity and lead to a greater reaction to any irritation, including food particles and plaque. During this time, the gums may become swollen, turn red and feel tender.

As a teen progresses through puberty, the tendency for the gums to swell in response to irritants will lessen. However, during puberty, it is very important to follow a good at-home oral hygiene regimen, including regular brushing and flossing, and regular dental care. In some cases, a dental professional may recommend periodontal therapy to help prevent damage to the tissues and bone surrounding the teeth.

Photo Credit: Steven Miric Cosmo Girl

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I came across this on YouTube, and thought it was absolutely fitting given this Easter Weekend.

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I found this interview through http://newsroom.lds.org.

You can read the article at the following Link.

Here’s an excerpt:

Donny Osmond wears many hats—singer, actor, former teen idol (you know you loved him), talk show host, game show host, author, race car driver, and entertainment reporter on Entertainment Tonight, and temporary (though rumored to be permanent) co-host of The Insider.

Osmond, a devout Mormon, is currently starring in the Disney movie, “College Road Trip,” as a nerdy father who befriends a father-and-daughter team (played by Martin Lawrence and Raven-Symone) as they set off around the country to look at potential colleges. Beliefnet recently spoke with Osmond about how he dealt with his own children leaving the nest and how his Mormon faith helped him–and the rest of the Osmond clan–avoid the pitfalls of Hollywood life.

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If you’re like most Americans these days you don’t get enough exercise. With Spring’s arrival I’ve resolved to get more active. I know I spend way too much time in the house. I need to get out into the great outdoors, and I need to get my kids out more too. So, soon we’re going to be purchasing a basketball goal. First off it’s something I used to love doing as a child, next it’s a good thing to do and it gets your heart rate going, and lastly my oldest son has shot a few hoops at relatives houses and I think he’d enjoy it. There are other things you can do to exercise though. There is walking, biking, even doing an exercise video inside your house on rainy days. It doesn’t matter what you do, what does matter is that you do it.

Here are a few tips for getting physically fit, from www.acgov.org

TIPS FOR GETTING MORE PHYSICALLY FIT

• Get a checkup
  Meet with your healthcare provider to see whether you’ll need to consider any special
  modifications before starting an exercise program or to identify limitations.
• Know your options
  Pick a program you know you will enjoy and stick with. Join an established program or
  develop a program you can do for little cost, using objects or props in your home or
  office. Decide on Morning or Night; Indoors or Outside; Large blocks of time or Short,
  more frequent intervals. Be realistic about how you can participate.
• Start slowly
  Don’t overdo it. A good way to start is to record your activities during a day, tracking
  how much time you are not moving and how much you are active. Then look at when
  you could fit in some short (maybe 10 minutes) bouts of brisk walking. Make your
  muscles work harder than they are used to, but in a gradual and progressive manner.
• Make a date
  Find a buddy and make appointments to exercise together. That will keep you both
  motivated and make it more likely you’ll do the walk or workout.
• Set specific short- and long-term goals
  Being specific means you’ve set side time and made the activity a priority in your day.
  (“I will do a brisk, 10-minute walk in the morning before my shower, at lunch time and
  after dinner”). A Long-term goal could be an activity you would like to do that you feel
  physically incapable of right now, but may be able to do with a little effort? Setting a
  long-term goal will help you do it.
• Make a list
  List all the reasons to be physically active-things like decreasing stress or depression,
  stronger bones, greater strength and flexibility, increased
  energy, better sleep, etc. rather than an outcome (such as losing weight). Add to your
  list as you increase your physical activity-and keep it in a visible place.
• If you’re thinking of joining a facility, check it out first.
  Does the facility feel friendly? Can you change clothes comfortably? If the facility has a
  pool, the water temperature should be 84-86°F for moderate to vigorous activity, while
  warmer temperatures are nice for range-of-motion and relaxation programs. Do they offer pre-exercise
  assessments, and periodic updates? Are they interested in helping you learn how to
  modify exercises to fit your fitness level and conditions? Do they encourage social
  interaction?
• Every step counts
  Wear a step counter throughout the day to count how many steps you take. Less active
  people tend to take about 4,000 steps or fewer per day. Aim to do 250 or more
  additional steps of brisk walking, until you reach 8,000 to 10,000 steps in a day.
• Keep moving as much as possible
  Stretch, walk, march in place, stand and sit as many times as possible when you’re
  talking on the phone or during TV commercials.
• Do house and yard work
  Take items from the highest shelf you can safely reach in the kitchen and wash them.
  Do a different cupboard each week.
• Create a support network
  Tell friends/family about your new goals and ask for their support. Consider having
  telephone or email reminders from your support network to help keep you on track.
• Know your challenges
  List things that keep you from being active and come up with a solution for each.
  Recognize that challenges can be overcome.
• Wear the right shoes
  Foot comfort and support is important for all physical activities.
• Participate in events
  Once you’re more physically fit, set a goal to participate in a charity event. Prepare to
  walk, run or bike to raise money for a special cause. Ask a friend to be your exercise and
  event partner
• Follow a well-rounded program
  Include all five components of a successful program: warm-up, flexibility, cardio,
  resistance and cool down. If it hurts, don’t do it - Work around pain, not through it.
• Do balance exercises, as well as strength exercises - Focus on the major
  muscle groups- in the legs, chest and back
• Make your car work for you
  Park at the end of the parking lot, rather than looking for the closest space. Walk up the
  first flight of stairs, rather than waiting for the elevator. Add another floor every week.
  Walk to the grocery store or other services when possible.
• Reward yourself
  When you’ve reached a goal treat yourself to something that reminds you of the good
  job you’ve done and encourages you to continue. It doesn’t need to be food or an
  expensive purchase.

Don’t quit; make exercise part of your daily life!

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My daughter Jennifer will be turning twelve in the fall, and I’m looking forward to the opportunities it will give her. The thing that I’m concerned the most about is that she has a disability. She has seizures, and because of oxygen deprivation when she was younger after one she has suffered brain damage. She also has learning disabilities, and communication problems. She’s an absolutely lovely child though. She’s kind, caring, and about as compassionate as they come. If any of her siblings are hurting, or just need someone although she can’t really hold up her end of the conversation she’s an astute listener. She’s also very affection (she loves to give hugs). My concern is that the other girls aren’t going to be accepting of her because of her disabilities. What advice would you give to a very nervous Mommy, as her daughter is about to enter Young Women for the first time?

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This is my absolute most favorite light sandwich of all time. With Spring and Summer coming soon (well Spring has already sprung), it’s a perfect, healthy lunch or dinner delight.

Ok, I know, stop the chatter and give you the recipe.

• 2 cups cubed or shredded cooked chicken breast
• 2 cups chopped cored Red Delicious apples
• 1 cup sliced celery
• 2/3 cup halved seedless grapes
• 1/4 cup chopped toasted pecans
• 1/2 cup fat-free mayonnaise
• 1/2 cup fat-free sour cream
• 3 to 4 teaspoons lemon juice
• 2 teaspoons Dijon-style mustard
• 1/3 cup Equal® Spoonful*
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• Red leaf lettuce
• Chopped pecans (optional)

Directions:

Combine chicken, apples, celery, grapes and 1/4 cup pecans in bowl. Blend mayonnaise, sour cream, lemon juice, mustard and Equal®; stir into chicken mixture. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

Spoon salad onto lettuce-lined plates: sprinkle with additional chopped pecans, if desired.

Variation:

Cubed, lean smoked ham can be substituted for chicken. Pineapple chunks can be substituted for the grapes. Spoon salad into a hollowed-out pineapple half to serve.

* May substitute 8 packets Equal® sweetener

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