Tag Archives: au pair information

Stay Safe while indulging in Alcohol

 

                                       great_gatsby

Indulging in Alcohol has been a pastime that dates back to Roman times. In almost every culture, alcohol has played a very important role in its history, good or bad. “We drink for different reasons”, says Caren Osten Gerszberg, the co-founder of the popular lifestyle blog Drinking Diaries. We drink, “to quench thirst, to loosen up, because it tastes good, to enhance a meal, because we’re addicted, as part of a ceremony, to celebrate, to mourn. We drink when we’re happy. We drink when we’re sad.” In my twenties, getting together with my girlfriends meant finishing a few bottles of wine. Now I have two kids in their twenties, a sophomore in college and a recent Graduate, and I know they are doing the same. Rite of passage, way to unwind, liquid courage, social bonding–whatever the reason there is plenty of boozing taking place for girlfriends across the country. However, my girls were taught to drink responsibly because they know the risks of drinking  are far greater than the rewards. In the U.S our laws restrict anyone under the age of 21 from drinking alcohol, therefore, to drink underage is a huge risk personally and is against the rules for Au pair In America.

As your counselor I recommend that you withstand drinking underage in the USA. When that time comes that you are legally allowed to drink in the U.S. Or if you are currently of drinking age, here is the advice I have told my own daughters.

Top rules you need to know before the big “Salud”!

                                        we-want-beer

Rule No.1:

DO NOT DRINK AND DRIVE. This rule not only concerns your safety but your future as an Au pair. Your Host Family has trusted you with their car to drive their children. Do not ruin that trust or risk damaging their property. I’ll warn you now that If you drive under the influence, you will get arrested.  The police in Georgia have cracked down on drinking and driving. For anyone over 21 the legal limit is a BAC ( Blood Alchohol Content ) of .08. This is having only 1 alcoholic beverage.  If you are under 21 and if you have had even a sip of alcohol, you can be arrested for underage drinking as well as driving under the influence.  Read Georgia’s drinking laws below:

“Like most states, the maximum BAC (blood-alcohol content) permissible by DUI law in Georgia is .08 percent. Over this level, a driver is considered ‘per se intoxicated’ and can be proven guilty Georgia DUI based on this confirmed intoxication level alone.

‘Zero tolerance laws’ are intended to keep drivers under the legal drinking age from indulging in the risk of drinking and driving, and therefore there are stricter penalties and limits for underage drivers. A person under the age of 21 is allowed just .02 percent BAC limit by law before being subjected to DUI penalties.”

 

Rule No. 2:

PLAN AHEAD. Plan how you will get home before you go out and always make sure your phone is charged.There are many options for getting home such as an Uber, Lyft, a Taxi or a Designated Driver (a friend that agrees not to drink and to make sure everyone is safe while consuming alcohol. )(https://get.uber.com/sign-up/?exp=home_signup_form) .

Rule No. 3:

DRINK IN MODERATION. Know the alcohol content of your drink. The alcohol content or alcohol by volume (ABV) is a standard measurement of how much alcohol is contained in your drink. Interestingly, there is the same amount of alcohol in:

  • 1 regular beer (340 ml/12 oz)
  • 1 glass of wine (140 ml/5 oz)
  • 1 glass of fortified wine (85 ml/3 oz)
  • 1 shot of spirits (45 ml/1.5 oz)

So count each drink the same, whether it’s a shot of Tequila or a glass of Merlot. Also, a good rule of thumb is that your body digests one drink an hour. So be aware of how much you are consuming and know when enough is enough.

Rule No. 4:

BE SAFE. I want you to have a fulfilling Au pair experience, which will include meeting new friends and even becoming a part of a whole new family. I know how hard each of you work during the week, so when you do have free time I hope that you will have fun and enjoy it, but please BE SMART and keep in mind why you’re here. The experiences you make in America will last a lifetime, so you will want to remember every minute of it.

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Why do Au pairs gain weight in the USA?

Why does an au pair gain weight during her year?

Did you know that during your au pair year, most au pairs will gain an average of 15 to 20 pounds! That is enough for most people to change two sizes bigger. The added sugar and other sweeteners in our American food is one reason for the gain. Au Pair’s also eat more restaurant, take out and drive through foods. These are higher in calorie and fat. Your change in schedule and less time to exercise all combine to make an au pair gain weight. Add that to getting a little older and the scene is set for gaining weight! The good news is you can prevent this and even start a healthy lifestyle that will continue well beyond this one au pair year.

Just 30 minutes of walking, five times a week is enough to improve your overall health from decreasing the symptoms of diabetes and depression to increasing bone density to preventing cancer. And, you will not gain weight!

Walking gives you more muscle tone, which is what we all want for swimsuit season!  One of the easiest ways to help you keep extra weight off and to stimulate an energetic youthful appearance is walking. Not only will you look good but you will help to prevent many diseases. While there’s truth to the saying, if you don’t look good, you don’t feel good, the reverse is also true. Feeling good may be the best way to have that healthy glow.

Did you know that walking can help reduce or prevent diabetes, heart disease, depression–and even some forms of cancer? Everybody has what it takes to stay happy, healthy and strong. You just need your feet and the motivation to get moving. Just taking a few small steps each day can help strengthen your heart and lungs, greatly reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke, improve your chances of survival of breast cancer and more.

A University of Duke research team showed the results of an eighth month study. Their findings show that walking thirty minutes per day will help to lose weight! http://www.dukehealth.org/health_library/news/7325

walking

The minimum daily requirement of exercise to prevent weight gain is 30 minutes a day of walking, or 12 miles a week of walking or running. A study of sedentary, overweight men and women showed they lost body fat and weight when they walked or ran 12 miles a week during an 8-month study, without changing their diet. A control group of non-exercisers all gained weight and fat during the 8-month study. http://www.dukehealth.org/health_library/news/7325

Get Your Minimum Daily Requirement of Walking

“From the perspective of prevention, it appears that the 30 minutes per day will keep most people from gaining the additional weight associated with inactivity,” said Cris Slentz, Ph.D of the Duke University research team in a news release. http://www.dukehealth.org/health_library/news/7325

walking get walking

Results

Walking 30 minutes a day or 12 miles a week at 40-55% maximum heart rate: Lost 1% of body weight, lost 1.6% of waist measurement, lost 2% of body fat and gained 0.7% lean muscle.

Jogging at 65-80% of maximum heart rate for 12 miles a week: lost 1% of body weight, lost 1.4% of waist measurement, lost 2.6% of body fat, and gained 1.4% lean muscle.

Jogging at 65-80% of maximum heart rate for 20 miles a week: lost 3.5% of body weight, lost 3.4% of waist measurement, lost 4.9% of body fat, and gained 1.4% lean muscle.

Non-exercise control group: Gained 1.1% weight, gained 0.8% waist measurement, gained 0.5% body fat.

Exercise Without Dieting Reduces Health Risks

The study shows the effects of exercise without dieting in maintaining body weight and reducing risk of major illness. “This study revealed a clear dose-response effect between the amount of exercise and decreases in measurements of central obesity and total body fat mass, reversing the effects seen in the inactive group,” Slentz said. “The close relationship between central body fat and cardiovascular disease, diabetes and hypertension lends further importance to this finding.”

The trial, dubbed STRRIDE (Studies of Targeted Risk Reduction Interventions through Defined Exercise), was led by Duke cardiologist William Kraus, M.D.

Take a pledge to be prepared for a Tornado!

National Severe Weather Preparedness Week is April 22 to April 28. This initiative highlights the importance of planning and practicing how and where to take shelter before severe weather, such as tornadoes and severe thunderstorms, strike. Take a pledge to be prepared!

Use the guide below to discuss tornado safety with your host family.

What you need to know about Tornadoes

What is a Tornado?

 

A tornado is a violently rotating column of air extending between, and in contact with, a cloud and the surface of the earth.

Tornadoes are generally spawned by thunderstorms, though they have been known to occur without the presence of lightning. The stronger tornadoes attain an awe-inspiring intensity, with wind speeds that exceed 200 mph and in extreme cases may approach 300 mph.

The United States has the highest incidence of tornadoes worldwide, with about 1,000 occurring every year. Tornadoes touch down in the Atlanta area each year.

According to Stu Ostro, a Senior Weather Specialist at The Weather Channel, this is due to the unique geography that brings together polar air from Canada, tropical air from the Gulf of Mexico, and dry air from the Southwest to clash in the middle of the country, producing thunderstorms and the tornadoes they spawn.

Tornadoes can come one at a time, or in clusters, and they can vary greatly in length, width, direction of travel, and speed. They can leave a path 50 yards wide or over a mile wide. They may touch down for only a matter of seconds, or remain in contact with the ground for over an hour.

 

How do I know if a tornado will touch down where I live?

 

The National Weather Service broadcasts severe weather conditions on radio, TV, or on NOAA Weather Radio.  Every host family should have a NOAA weather radio in the home. The radio makes a loud alert sound, letting you know there is an emergency.  Some phone apps have this alert also. Some areas of Atlanta have outside warning sirens. This is a very loud alert sound outside. The siren is activated when a tornado has been sited in the specific area.

 

Ask how you would know when there is an emergency weather event while you are at home with the children???

 

A tornado WATCH means conditions are right for a tornado to occur.  A tornado WARNING means a tornado has been sighted in the posted area or is visible on radar.  A location of the sighting is normally given along with its projected movement.

Become familiar with your specific area. What part of Atlanta do you live? What is the county that you live in? What is the closest major highway or street?  Become familiar with the television channel that will give you details of where a tornado is touching down. During a tornado warning, listen out for info about your area on television.

 A Tornado watch has been issued. What Do I do?

 

FOR TORNADO WATCHES:  

 

  • Stay tuned to a local radio or television station or listen to your NOAA Weather Radio Call your host parents for advice about picking up children who are not at home.
  • Bring all children inside.
  • DO NOT SEEK SHELTER UNDER A TREE OUTSIDE.
  • Bring Pets to their safe place.
  • Secure any loose objects outdoors, or move them inside
  • Survey local structures for the most suitable shelter
  • Stay in communication with the host parents to help you decide if the warning will become more serious.   

 Be alert to changing weather conditions. Look for approaching storms.

Look for the following danger signs:

 

  • Dark, often greenish sky
  • Large hail
  • A large, dark, low-lying cloud (particularly if rotating)
  • Loud roar, similar to a freight train.

A Warning Is Issued What Do I need to do?

When a tornado warning has been issued, you may have very little time to prepare. How you respond now is critical.

OBEY ADVISORIES PROMPTLY! ACT QUICKLY!

In A Frame Home

  •  Seek shelter in the lowest level of your home (basement or storm cellar). If there is no basement, go to an inner hallway, a smaller inner room, or a closet. Keep away from all windows.
  • Make sure you have a portable radio for information while you are in the safe room. Cover your head and eyes with a blanket or jacket to protect against flying debris and broken glass. Instruct the children to do the same. If you have a bicycle helmet this is ideal!  You can cover yourself with a mattress, but don’t waste time moving mattresses around.
  • Keep your pet on a leash or in a carrier.
  • Multiple tornadoes can emerge from the same storm.
  • Do not go out until officials say it is safe.
  • Keep yourself and the children calm. Sing or talk to keep young children distracted. The storm will pass by soon!

 If you are outside:

  • Try to get inside and seek out a small protected space with no windows.
  • Avoid large-span roof areas such as school gymnasiums, arenas, or shopping malls.
  • If no inside protection is available, get into a vehicle, buckle your seat belt and try to drive to the closest sturdy shelter.
  • Stay in the car with the seat belt on. Put your head down below the windows; cover your head with your hands and a blanket, coat or other cushion if possible.
  • If you can safely get noticeably lower than the level of the roadway, leave your car and lie in that area, covering your head with your hands
  • If you cannot get inside a car, crouch for protection beside a strong structure, or lie flat in a ditch or low-lying area and cover your head and neck with your arms or a piece of clothing.
  • Do not get under an overpass or bridge. You are safer in a low, flat location.
  • Never try to outrun a tornado in urban or congested areas in a car or truck. Instead, leave the vehicle immediately for safe shelter.
  • Watch out for flying debris. Flying debris from tornadoes causes most fatalities and injuries.

 If you are in a car:

Ideally, you should avoid driving when tornadoes or other kinds of dangerous weather threaten, as a vehicle is a very unsafe place to be. If, however, this is not possible, stay as calm as possible, and assess the situation.

  • The best choice is to take shelter immediately in a nearby building.
  • If your vehicle is hit by flying debris while you are driving, pull over and park.
  • If no building is near, one option might be to get out of the car and lie flat in a ditch or other low-lying area that is of sufficient depth to provide protection from the wind.
  • If you do so, beware of water runoff from heavy rain that could pose a hazard, get as far away from the vehicle as possible, and shield your head from flying debris.
  • Do not leave a building to attempt to “escape” a tornado.

· If you are already in a sturdy building, do not get in a vehicle to try to outrun a tornado.

  This information was obtained in the Weather Channel web site. For more information go to:  http://www.ready.gov/tornadoes