Guidelines for Driving Safely

Posted on April 19, 2012 by Ana

Driving is a skill that requires practice and knowledge of road rules. No matter how long you have been doing it, it is always something that must be done with care and attention to avoid tragic accidents.
There are several basic guidelines that must always be taken into consideration when driving. In this blog, we will share them with you. Remember that driving safely is an easy way of showing those riding with how much you care.

Drive respectfully and passively giving others the opportunity to transit. This type of behavior encourages order and promotes good driving practices.
Always wear your seatbelt when driving and remind others to do the same. In case of a strong collision, this simple yet important element can make a difference between life and death.
If driving with children, always place them securely on the back seat and teach them how to behave inside the vehicle.
Respect speed limits. Racing or rushing to get to your destination is a dumb way to easily crash or get a speeding ticket.
Last but not least, always check your vehicle before hitting the road. Also, give your car the proper maintenance every couple of kilometers or months to keep it in optimal conditions. Technical issues and unfortunate happenings can be avoided with these preventive measures.

How to Improve your Quality of Sleep

Posted on April 18, 2012 by Ana

Proper sleep, in a comfortable and profound way is absolutely necessary and possible. It is essential in maintaining good mental and physical balance, as well as providing the right tools we all need to wake up fresh and ready to face the tasks of a new day.

Make an effort and follow these tips which will help you fall asleep easier and sleep well all night:

Do not sleep during the day. Taking naps will cause you to loose valuable sleep when you are ready to rest at the end of the day.
Exercise daily during the morning. Do not practice strong physical routines before bedtime since this can accelerate the time and make it difficult to go to sleep.
Avoid drinking caffeine. If you choose to do so, only do it in the morning (before noon) and in limited quantities.
When you can, take a walk during the daylight hours. This will keep you stay energized and happy in order to later relax and rest.
Avoid heavy meals at night and never go to bed hungry. A small, healthy snack will do the trick if very hungry.
Try getting up and going to bed at the same time every day. Forming a habit will help you sleep better.
Quit smoking and stop drinking.
Keep your room under optimal conditions, i.e. without noise, at a confortable temperature and block annoying lights.
Generate a routine before bedtime such as brushing teeth and taking a bath right before lying in bed. A hot bath will help you relax and get in the mood to go to sleep.

Television and excess weight

Posted on April 17, 2012 by Tzeitel

Continuing the topic of television and children, let’s talk about excess weight. There are many studies linking excessive TV watching and being overweight for many reasons. The first is rather obvious: it is a very passive activity where you do not burn calories (in fact, we know that watching TV burns fewer calories than sleeping!).

The second reason for this connection is that many people eat junk food while watching television. A third is that children’s programs advertise all kinds of sweets and junk food.

To break this negative cycle is best to limit the time children devote to passive activities of any kind, not only TV but also computers and cell chats.
But we must go further. Experts recommend encouraging children to go out and play in the yard or park. Join them and help them develop good habits that will be with them for life.

After a family dinner, talking and sharing, nothing beats a good walk around the neighborhood. This will help make a better digestion and to sleep better, at an appropriate time.

On weekends, instead of letting the child spend time doing passive things, schedule outdoor fun activities. In Panama we have very beautiful parks, beaches and rivers, where to run, swim, play and spend a nice time with your family.

Television Addiction

Posted on April 16, 2012 by Tzeitel

Along with video game addiction, another common addiction in children and adolescents is addiction to television. Many children around the world spend hours a day in front of the television screen or boob tube as it once was known.
This bad habit creates a series of problems, such as when parents want to take the children on vacation or an outing in which there is no TV, or in which there is one in the hotel room, but the real fun and family time is out, and children do not want to participate because they prefer to be watching their favorite shows.

It is also a problem when the TV is on all day and it prevents children from concentrate on other activities as their homework, eat, study, play or get ready to go to school or anywhere else.

The first step in avoiding these problems is of course prevention. The ideal is not allowing young children to watch television at all and promote other ways of entertainment. The second is that once you allow your child to watch TV, there must be limits. The parent or guardian must determine the number of hours the child can watch television per day or per week and make sure they don’t go over. It is also vital to not allow having the television on while the child is doing something else to have them concentrate on what they are doing.

Video games adiction

Posted on March 15, 2012 by Tzeitel

Yesterday we talked about children and video games. We discussed that they are positive as long as they do not interfere with other areas of the child’s life such as health, family life, food and socializing. We talked about how to prevent it from becoming a problem. But what do we do if it is a problem?

The experts offer some tips of things we can do to help a child who is addicted to video games.

The first is that the game is a privilege that the child must earn by fulfilling their obligations. These obligations must be related to participation in family life, eg watering plants, setting the table to eat, helping younger siblings with homework and picking up after themselves. The reward should be well explained, what to do to earn it and how long they can play.

Set time limits for the game. Yesterday I talked about the possibility that the child will self-regulate, but if the child wants to be playing all day, it is important that the parent set limits. If you allow him to play during school days should not be more than 1 hour per day, and never before homework or at bedtime.

Finally give him choices. It is very difficult to stop a bad habit without having a good one to replace it. If the child usually plays videogames in the evening after dinner, invite him to throw a ball with you in the yard, or go for a walk together as a family.

It won’t be easy. The child is used to plunge into their games and he’ll miss them. And you as a parent may have been used to having a child who entertains himself and now have to engage much to support it. But the effort will be worthwhile to have a healthier, more balanced and happier child.

Children and video games

Posted on March 14, 2012 by Tzeitel

Video games are a positive tool for both parents and children, and for education. It helps develop skills, can be used to learn all sorts of things, including reading or math. They also serve to keep the kids entertained on long trips by car or plane. And they are a tool of socialization, because it is an interest shared by many children. So far, so good.
The problem comes when children or teens just want to play games and do not want to do anything else. In these cases the children don’t participate from the real world and are dedicated exclusively to video games. This will cause health problems because they do not exercise and socialization problems by not engaging with their peers.

For that reason it is important to set limits, and the best time to establish them is from the beginning. It is best not to give video games to very young children. Wait at least until they are 5 years old; by then will have begun the process of socialization and will have enjoyed it, reducing the possibility of hiding behind a video game instead of making friends.

Do not let your child get into a game when it’s time for something else. For example, do not play during meals, it is better that at the time they participate in family conversation. Don’t let them play video games when you are on an outing. There are children in a zoo who don’t look at the animals because they are busy with Kirby!

Do not allow your child to stay playing video games beyond their bedtime. Turn off the game at least 1 hour before, so start the process of relaxation prior to sleep.

In limiting the hours or days the child can play, there are different theories. Some experts say that you should always set time limits. There are others who believe that the child should be given the opportunity to self-regulate. I belong to this second opinion. My daughter has limits on when and where to play, but not how long, and the truth is she does not play too much.

Reasons why you should eat organic products

Posted on March 13, 2012 by Ana

Research has shown that eating foods free of harmful chemicals can reduce the chances of getting future illnesses such as cancer.

Crops with agronomic industry toxic soil erode at an accelerating rate (7 times faster) compared to natural soil.

Chemical residues alter the quality of the water we drink regularly. Protect it!

Those who harvested organic products tend to save energy because in most cases it is produced locally. Others use much more fuel to produce and distribute non-organic products.

You’ll avoid health problems from exposure to the workers who grow and are regularly exposed to toxic chemicals.

Organic agriculture reduces global warming by using carbon return techniques.

Thousands of animal species die from sprayed agrochemicals on the vegetation they eat.

Every time we buy or consume a product, we are supporting the type of power or society we want for the future. Make the right choice.

An organic product undoubtedly has better taste, is nutritionally more balance and has more nutrients.

Home Remedies for Children

Posted on March 13, 2012 by Tzeitel

Those of us with children know how distressing it is when they get sick, get hurt or get into a problem such as getting something in the nose or getting the little hand or foot stuck in something. Often we do not know what to do or who to turn to for help. If it’s a weekend, night or holiday, we struggle between calling the doctor or not (is this an emergency?).

Today I will begin a series of articles on simple remedies that we can do at home to solve minor problems with our children. Always remember that your main source of information in regards to your health and your children’s health is your doctor. Feel free to call him or her with any questions.

With my two children I found it very good to discuss with the pediatrician the little things I learn reading and ask for her opinion. Many time, the home remedies and preventive measures worked really well with the prescription medication.

In cases of nasal allergies, rhinitis and asthma for example, simple measures like using mattress and pillow covers, clean the air conditioner filter each week (and professionally every 2 or 3 months), use curtains that can be put into the washer and wash up every week or every two weeks, helps a lot to prevent episodes and make them less severe.

The advice in the following articles is based on the advice of doctors and nurses, although I am neither one nor the other. I hope these articles will be useful to you and your family.

The Nogbe-Bugle or Ngäbe-Bugle Territory in Panama

Posted on March 8, 2012 by Ana

Ngäbe-Bugle is the name of a region of the Republic of Panama. It was created in 1997 from land in the provinces of Bocas del Toro, Chiriqui and Veraguas. Its capital is Tugrí Llano (Buabidi). The region is inhabited by the ethnic group Ngäbe and Bugle in an area of 6,968 km2 in western Panama. It is also crossed from west to east along the Central Cordillera, which divides into two main regions: the Atlantic or Caribbean region.

The Ngobe-Bugle is divided into the following Districts:

Kankintú, Kusapín, Besiko, Mironó, Nole Duima, Munaand Nurun.

This territory is subdivided into the following three regions: No Kribo, (bordering Bocas del Toro); Nidrini (bordering Chiriqui) and Kadriri, (bordering Veraguas). Its structure is headed by the General Congress which is headed by a General Chief and Regional Chiefs.

Its inhabitants live scattered in small communities located mainly in the Calovebora River and its surroundings.

This part of the country is believed to have the most populous indigenous group in Panama. Their families are based on a polygamous marriage, where the man may have various wives living together. Women wear dresses which resemble a large plain colored gown with geometric shapes in the chest area, sleeves and waist and the bottom area.

Cell phones and Social Networking

Posted on March 7, 2012 by Johannica

How have things changed in the last twenty years. I remember that back then cell phones were a luxury that was 5 times heavier that what they are today. No one imagined that a few years later (about five) we could set our phones to not only wake up us, but also use these incredible applications, “apps” that would help us do everything from cooking to convert pounds to kilos.

Another big surprise of our times are the famous social networks. Never in my wildest dreams would I have imagined how easy it would was to reconnect with my best friend from childhood, that I located by doing s simple a “search” on facebook, although she has been living in Europe for the past 10 years. That was the beginning of a very healthy addiction that was aimed at reuniting the whole “gang” from the good old days. Everyone is now a little older, and a little wiser and eternally grateful to facebook for bringing us together.

And what can I say about twitter that allows us to be “follow” those people who otherwise we would never been able to access without our modern social network tool.
But every great work or invention comes hand in hand with great responsibility and in this case is the social responsibility to make good use of it. We must not forget that social networks are not selective, which allows anyone to access them, no matter what their intentions are, and also a lot of users are young and even children who are exposed to too much information and not always have the maturity to process it properly.

Unfortunately social networks have been the scenarios to an increasing amount of cases of bullying or cyberbullying as it is known today. It is worrisome that the phenomenon had to adopt its own name. Statistics are frightening, the figures are alarming (12.1% of youths between 10 and 18 have experienced some form of cyberbullying).

The only way to turn this situation and change these figures is to talk to our kids and monitor their network activity to ensure that they are neither victims nor victimizers.
Like everything in life, advances of our time have their pros and cons and the trick is to use them wisely.

Fifer Carles

Richard Fifer – Father of the Panamanian Mining

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