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Community News Newsletters January 8, 2021

January Newsletter

New Year Resolutions

The beginning of the New Year provides the perfect time to set new goals and establish healthier habits. Even if you don’t start exactly on January 1st, starting at any time is the most important part.

Resolution Tips and Ideas

  • Set a goal and then set smaller goals to help make a bigger task smaller and more manageable over long periods of time
  • Try one new recipe or healthy food item a week
  • Start trying to workout maybe once or twice a week and then increase it from there
  • Try out free workout programs or applications like YouTube or Nike Training Club
  • Set a goal to eat a healthy breakfast everyday or to decrease unhealthy snacking
  • Invite someone to become your accountability partner and join you on your journey in health and wellness
  • Try mindful health practices like meditation or journaling
  • Make a goal of drinking less soda and juice or give it up for a few months

There are many ways you can create goals that lead to a healthier lifestyle. (You can even check out some of our other newsletters for some great nutrition and exercise tips!). Be kind to yourself if you aren’t able to stick to your new routine quickly. Resolutions provide us a chance to set a goal, work on it, and make progress toward results for the future. Take some time to figure out how you can be healthier in this new year. There are a lot of things we can’t control but you always have the power to eat healthier and get active to achieve your goals and be the best and healthiest version of yourself.

Martin Luther King Jr. Day

The third Monday of every January, the entire nation takes time to celebrate the amazing Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., whose life was dedicated to the civil rights movement as one of its most prominent leaders. A scholar, husband to Coretta Scott King, father, Baptist minister, brother of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, and champion for justice and equality – these were some of his many titles. In August of 1963 he delivered the infamous “I Have A Dream” speech during the March on Washington. The words said that day not only inspired the people there but future generations of people regardless of race, color, or creed and lives on to this day. This MLK Day, go check out the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial monument near the National Mall or spend the day helping others. On Monday January 18th, we at EndsideOut urge you to reflect on the achievements of his work and do your part to serve others no matter how big or small. The world is a better place if we all do our part to understand and fulfill the dream Dr. King once had.

COVID-19 Vaccine News

Since the rise of a new virus over a year ago, there is no doubt that our faith in humanity, our strength for each other, and our trust in science have all been tested. Yet, here we are, in a new year and seeing a new light: we have a vaccine. It is important to understand that just because vaccines have been approved, does not mean that the COVID-19 virus will suddenly disappear or that new pandemics won’t come about in the future. However, the two COVID-19 vaccines approved for emergency use in the United States—Moderna and Pfizer—do present hope for a return to normalcy.

The two vaccines use a new technology, utilizing the virus’ mRNA, which is short for messenger RNA. Instead of infecting people with small amounts of the virus, the vaccines use this mRNA technology to create a “blueprint” for the antibodies that are necessary to fight the virus.

Both vaccines are highly effective—the Moderna vaccine is 94.1% effective in preventing cases that cause symptoms while the Pfizer vaccine is said to be 95% effective. It is unclear whether the vaccine will prevent the spread of the virus. For example, even though after you are vaccinated, you may not have symptoms of COVID-19, you may still spread the virus. So, it is still important to wear a mask and physically distance.

To be effective, the vaccines require two doses (two shots), with the Moderna vaccine requiring a second shot 28 days after the first shot and the Pfizer vaccine requiring a second shot 21 days after the first shot.

The Moderna vaccine is intended for use by adults 18 years and older, while the Pfizer vaccine is recommended for people ages 16 years and older. People have experienced some side effects after being vaccinated. Common side effects include headache, fever, chills, fatigue, joint pain, and pain at the injection site. Furthermore, since being approved for emergency use, some have experienced allergic reactions. If you have severe allergies, you should consult your provider before taking the vaccine. Furthermore, we still need to gather more information about the vaccine’s effect on pregnant women and children. Lastly, these vaccines cannot be mixed. For example if you are given the first dose of the Pfizer vaccine, your second dose must come from the Pfizer vaccine and not the Moderna vaccine.

It is unlikely that we will have a choice in which vaccine we are given and for the time being, we must continue to wear a mask and physically distance even after receiving the vaccine. The important thing to remember is that we have a glimmer of hope with these vaccines. Stay strong, stay positive, and be kind. We will get through this together!

Source: https://abc7chicago.com/moderna-and-pfizer-vaccine-whats-the-difference-between-side-effects-effectiveness/8815593/

Books for the New Year
  • P. Bear’s New Year’s Party by Paul Owen Lewis
  • Freedom Soup by Tami Charles
  • Happy New Year, Everywhere by Arlene Erlbach
  • Squirrel’s New Year’s Resolutions by Pat Miller
  • The Night Before New Year’s by Natasha Wing
  • Happy New Year, Spot! by Eric Hill
  • The Stars Will Still Shine by Cynthia Rylant
  • Shante Keys and the New Year’s Peas by Gail Pierna-Davenport
Books about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
  • The Story of Martin Luther King Jr. by Johnny Ray Moore
  • My Uncle Martin’s Big Heart by Angela Farris Watkins
  • Be a King: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s Dream and You by Carole Boston Weatherford
  • Martin’s Big Words: The Life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. by Doreen Rappaport
  • I Have a Dream by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
  • A Place to Land: Martin Luther King Jr. and the Speech That Inspired a Nation by Barry Wittenstein
  • Happy Birthday, Martin Luther King by Jean Marzollo
  • Martin Luther King Jr. Day by Margaret McNamara
  • My Daddy, Martin Luther King, Jr. by Martin Luther, III King
Indoor Activities for Families

Here are some great ways to spend time as a family while staying inside during this cold winter month!

Create Your Own Movie Theater: You can transform your home into a movie theater by dimming the lights or setting up delicious snacks for your kids to have a family movie night! You can also have a movie marathon!

Have a Board Game Day: Play different board games during the day, and you can turn it into a family tournament with winners and prizes!

Coloring Snow: If you have a snow day, bring a little bit of snow inside and put it into a clear container. The kids can transform the color of the snow by using paint or food coloring. Then put it in a cool place so that the snow doesn’t melt.

Make Paper Snowflakes: You can decorate your entire house making paper snowflakes, and you can add glitter and stickers to let kids customize their creations!

Themed Story Time: Choose a book and come up with a theme to create a themed story time that can involve costumes, snacks, and cozy blankets and pillows! It is a great way to get kids engaged in their favorite books.

Have an Indoor Picnic: Set up a blanket and some food and snacks and have a picnic indoors with your children.

Have a Family Cooking Class: Teach kids how to follow ingredients and make healthy and yummy snacks and foods that you can make as a family!

Sing Karaoke: Have your kids sing their favorite songs in solo performances or in a household group! You can also set up a singing competition and have the family compete against one another for toys and prizes!

Source: Indoor Winter Activities For Kids | POPSUGAR Family

New Year’s Crafts, Activities, and More