Dawn Joins a Band

Dawn began singing before she could talk. Her talent as a singer and keyboard player surfaced soon afterward.  Her first public vocal performance was at the tender age age of 5, where she sang on stage at a Country & Western night club. During this period she could also be found playing the piano for hours on her grandmother's piano, singing, and composing. In her early teenage years she began studying piano and performing in choral concerts, landing a Star Spangled Banner solo at her 8th grade graduation ceremony. She continued her choral study in the High School Encore Choir, and again later in college with the University Concert Choir, where her formal music training took place.  One of Dawn's most memorable performances was at the University Recital Hall with the Latin American Ensemble, when she sang a the song, "Sobre Las Olas," translation: Over the Waves. She has been studying piano for over 17 years, and has plans to record in the near future. She recently sang in a music video, and has performed with a Michael Jackson cover band in their Gospel Choir. Dawn begins performing in a night club rock band this upcoming November. I hope she enjoys this new phase of her life.

Family Mealtime Practice

No one can deny that enjoying family mealtime around a dinner table is a good practice, not to mention an enjoyable part of a long day. But I just learned from Dr. Holly Phillips on a morning news show about a new study that video-recorded family mealtimes of 120 families with children for 8 days. The researchers found that having certain criteria at mealtime may reduce the likelihood of childhood obesity. I believe these criteria are worth noting and applying to any meal, and to people at any age. 

The study looked at how long meals lasted, how many members of the family were present, the location of the meal, and if parents pre-plated their children's meals. Kids were more likely to be overweight if the meals were shorter than 20 minutes, if they ate anywhere other than the kitchen or dining area, or if a father figure was not present at the meal. Furthermore, negative interactions, or dinner conversation that was hostile, during mealtime correlated with kids eating more food, while positive interactions during mealtime, were more likely to have people of normal weight. 

The researchers also looked at the amount of time and if electronic devices (such as television, cell phone, computer, or handheld games) were a factor. What they found was the amount of time taken for the meal was much more important than whether or not an electronic device was present and used. In 61% of the homes that participated, electronic devices were used during mealtime. However, the electronic devices were not found to be an independent risk factor. It was the amount of time that was significant. Having dinner for at least 20 minutes made the most notable difference, even if there was an electronic device in use. 

In general, if the goal is to keep the people in your home at a normal weight, based on this study, sit down at a kitchen or dining room table during mealtime, make sure all family members present, keep the dinner conversation positive, and allow for at least 20 minutes at the dinner table. Bon appetit!

A Picture Speaks A Thousand Alohas

What would a trip to Maui be without a beautiful sunset. This one happened as Brad and I dined at the Hula Grill after a delicious meal and the beautiful sounds of Danyel Alana, who was accompanied by a talented hula dancer.