MASK The Magazine Summer 2017

Parenting isn’t an easy thing. And if anyone says it is, they’re in denial or not doing what they ought to be doing. When we decide to bring a child into this world, it is a commitment we choose to take on for life. There are no shortcuts or time off. If you choose those, your child will pay the price. We live in a time in which we’re exposed to advanced technology, greater opportunities and bigger distractions. Long gone are the days when kids actually played outside, smelled the roses and we all sat down around the dinner table. Times are different, and the way we look at raising and parenting our kids needs to evolve with the times. I have been a parent for almost 23 years, with a span…

MASK (Mothers Awareness on School-age Kids) is a nonprofit 501 (c)(3) organization created in 2007 by a group of dedicated mothers who recognized the need to consistently educate families on rapidly changing issues. The MASK mission is to engage and educate parents, children and the community about the issues facing our youth and to empower children to make safe, healthy choices. MASK fulfills its mission by engaging, educating and empowering families through the MASK E3 Institute, MASK The Magazine and our vastly informative website. The MASK E3 Institute is a comprehensive year long multi-year approach to building and strengthening life skills for children, including MASK Storytime (Pre-K), MASK Academy (kindergarten to 6th grade), MASK Prep (middle and high school), MASK Leadership (college) and Parent University. Through these platforms MASK aims to build healthy…

STACY BARRY // Writer Stacy Barry is a former public relations/marketing executive for the hospitality industry, and is currently a freelance writer in Houston, Texas. She received her degree in journalism from Texas Tech University and worked as a broadcast journalist for KAMC-TV in Lubbock, Texas. For the past 15 years she has done freelance and contract work from her home, while raising two children in the ’burbs. MICHELLE TALSMA EVERSON // Writer Michelle Talsma Everson is a freelance writer, editor and public relations consultant based in Phoenix. With degrees in print journalism and public relations from Northern Arizona University, she writes and edits for a variety of print and online publications. While she’s grateful for her career, her true passion is being a mom to a busy 7-year-old “intern.” She also loves…

The B-complex vitamins are critical nutrients used constantly by the body in our energy pathways. They are also crucial in the production of important body components like blood cells, nerves, and DNA, and in our critical detoxification processes. Like most vitamins, B12 is not produced in the body. Rather, it is found in foods and supplements. Absorption of B-vitamins often is impaired with age, the use of acid blockers, or in those with digestive disorders or who have had bariatric surgery. The symptoms of B12 deficiency can be very vague and can include fatigue, abnormal skin sensations, trouble with balance, depression, memory problems, incontinence, weakness, or loss of taste or smell, just to name a few. An estimated 3 to 4 percent of Americans have a serious B12 deficiency and one…

IN THE BAG Make a statement on your next trip to the market with the Apolis Global Citizen Market Bag. Made from natural fibers, the bag sports a leather handle and a waterproof interior. Make it your own by customizing it with a name or message. $68. store.apolisglobal.com FLEXIBLE FASHION For those emergency ponytails on the go, try the Bittersweet hair tie bracelet, designed by Maria Shireen. Made with anodized aluminum, the bracelet cleverly holds hair elastics and keeps your wrist dent-free. $20. mariashireen.com IN BLOOM Like a breath of fresh air, BloemBox sachets are the perfect way to fragrance closets, drawers or any space in your home. Topped with a handmade, silk rose, the sachet contains an aromatic blend of rose petals and lavender. $108. bloembox.com ALL NATURAL These fabric journals from Global Goods Partners are…

“Texting is the most alarming distraction.” A t any given moment, approximately 660,000 drivers are using cell phones or manipulating electronic devices while driving. This alarming statistic is reported by the National Occupant Protection Use Survey (NOPUS), which provides data on driver electronic device use in the U.S. and is conducted annually by the National Center for Statistics and Analysis of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). When it comes to distracted driving, teens and young adults are often some of the worst offenders. “Ten percent of all drivers 15 to 19 years old involved in fatal crashes were reported as distracted at the time of the crashes,” cites the NHTSA. “This age group has the largest proportion of drivers who were distracted at the time of the crashes.” Young millennials (ages 19…