Monthly Employee News
Feb. 7th ‐ Wear Red Day Stroke Warning Signs Heart disease is by far the No. 1 killer of women and has killed more women than men. To save lives and raise awareness of this serious issue, the American Heart Associa on launched Go Red For Women. And the red dress has become the iconic symbol of our ba le against heart disease in women. Spot a stroke F.A.S.T. Face Drooping. Does one side of the face droop, or is it numb? Ask the person to smile. Arm Weakness. Is one arm weak or numb? Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm dri down‐
ward? Speech Difficulty. Is speech slurred, are they unable to speak, or are they hard to understand? Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence, like “The sky is blue.” Is the sentence repeated correctly? Na onal Wear Red Day® The first Friday each February is a special day to bring a en on to this Time to call 9‐1‐1. If the person shows any of these silent killer of women. We encourage everyone to symptoms, even if the symptoms go away, call 9‐1‐1 wear red on February 7th, raise their voices, know and get them to the hospital immediately. Be sure to their cardiovascular risk, and take ac on to live note the me the first symptoms appeared. longer, healthier lives. *Wear your red on February 7th and post your pics to our Facebook page. Show your support! American Heart Month
Cardiovascular disease, including heart disease and stroke, costs the U.S. $312.6 billion each year. This total includes the cost of health care services, medica ons, and lost produc vity. These condi ons also are leading causes of disability, preven ng Americans from working and enjoying family ac vi es. The situa on is alarming, but there is good news—heart dis‐
ease is preventable and controllable. We can start by taking small steps every day to bring our loved ones and ourselves closer to heart health. You can take these small steps all year long.  Eat a healthy diet. Choosing healthful meal and snack op ons can help you avoid heart disease and its complica ons.  Maintain a healthy weight. Being over‐
weight or obese can increase your risk for heart disease.  Exercise regularly. Physical ac vity can help you maintain a healthy weight and lower cholesterol and blood pressure.  Monitor your blood pressure. High blood pressure o en has no symptoms, so be sure to have it checked on a regular basis. You can check your blood pressure at home, at a pharmacy, or at a doctor's office.  Don't smoke. Cigare e smoking greatly increases your risk for heart disease. If you don't smoke, don't start. If you do smoke, quit as soon as possible. Your doctor can suggest ways to help you quit. What’s Happening This Month February 2 Groundhog Day Super Bowl XLVIII February 7 Wear Red Day February 14 Valen ne’s Day February 17 Washington’s Birthday President’s Day  Limit alcohol use. Avoid From: Fred Mingo, Director of Safety February is American Heart Month, a month set aside in the U.S. to raise awareness of the #1 killer of men and woman – heart disease. About 600,000 people die from heart disease in the United States each year. The term “heart disease” refers to several types of heart condi‐
ons. The most common type in the U.S. is coronary heart disease, which occurs when a substance called plaque builds up in the arter‐
ies that supply blood to the heart. Coronary heart disease can cause heart a ack, angina, heart failure, and arrhythmia. February 2014
drinking too much alcohol, which can increase your blood pressure. Men should s ck to no more than two drinks per day, and women to no more than one.  Have your cholesterol checked. Your health care provider should test your cholesterol levels at least once every 5 years. Talk with your doctor about this simple blood test.  Manage your diabetes. If you have diabe‐
tes, monitor your blood sugar levels closely, and talk with your doctor about treatment op ons.  Take your medicine. If you're taking medi‐
ca on to treat high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or diabetes, follow your doc‐
tor's instruc ons carefully. Always ask ques‐
ons if you don't understand something. For more informa on on American Heart Month and ways to show your support for “Go Red for Women”, visit www.heart.org. LA: Baton Rouge • Covington • Gonzales • LaPlace • Lafayette • Lake Charles • New Orleans TX: Beaumont • Houston • El Paso • Fort Worth
Visit us online @ www.loftonstaffing.com
Dear God, Sir, and Lord Jesus By: Glenda G. Lo
O en when I pray, I find myself beginning with a rather unusual introduc on—“Dear God, Sir, and Lord Jesus.” Back in 1969, Jay, one of my most crea ve and personable second graders, wrote a le er to God, and he began it with those words. A er thanking God for a number of things, he closed by asking, “But why did you let me fall out of that tree and break my arm?” (He was wear‐
ing a cast.) A detailed drawing of the acci‐
dent followed his signature. In a brief con‐
versa on with Jay’s father several years ago, I found out that he is s ll using his talent as an art director in New York City. Jay’s le er was memorable to me because it expressed the very personal rela onship I think God wants with each of us, and it also demonstrated a respect for God and those in authority in a way that had meaning for a second grader—Dear God, Sir. Sadly, it is a respect that I see lacking in society today not only in our schools but in our homes, in the workplace, and in our country. My friend, for example, while visi ng a classroom heard a kindergartner call his teacher by a name I would be embarrassed to write here and then warned the teacher if she did something about it, his family would sue! A recent high school graduate quit a good‐paying job with the opportunity for advancement because his boss made him work harder than the older workers. A star football player walked off the team because the coach expected him to con nue to learn and develop, and he was already be er than the starters. On the poli cal scene, disagreement with an elected official’s beliefs is used to jus fy disrespect for the posi on of authority that he or she holds. In an educa on update, I read of a school district where the parents were pro‐
tes ng because the school was not teaching their children to respect and obey their par‐
on, Ph.D. ents. (I reread the paragraph, thinking surely I had misunderstood, but I hadn’t. ) Contrary to the beliefs of these parents, respect for authority begins in the home. In his books, Dare to Discipline (1970) and The Strong‐
Willed Child (1978, 2004), Dr. James Dobson reminds us that while there have always been strong‐willed children, all children need a balance between love and control. Love with‐
out discipline brings disrespect for authority; discipline without love brings deep resent‐
ment. Children feel more secure and are re‐
assured when the rights of other people and their own are protected by definite rules and boundaries and when parents hold firm and consistent. The message we want to send is, “Because I love you, I must teach you to obey me.” The focus of teaching should be not only on behavior, but also on the a tudes that guide behavior such as honesty, respect, kindness, love, human dignity, obedience, responsibility, and reverence. In referring to these me‐honored principles, the Bible states, “You must teach them to your children and talk about them when you are at home or out for a walk; at bed me and the first thing in the morning” (Deut. 6:7). Once a child un‐
derstands what is expected, he should be Loaded Baked Potato Dip By: Julie East, Corp. Marke
held accountable with well‐defined consequences for willful disobedience, followed by more love, reassurance, and teaching. Over me the child learns the consequences of his ac ons and the self‐
discipline to become a caring, responsible ci zen with respect for God and others in leadership posi ons. February, the month that Abra‐
ham Lincoln and George Washington were born, was the me our second grade class had a social studies unit on America that reinforced a love for our country and the principles on which it was founded. As I reflect on that unit, I am re‐
minded that in his farewell address, George Washington stated, “Of all the disposi ons and habits, which lead to poli cal prosperity, Religion and Morality are indispensable sup‐
ports…The mere Poli cian, equally with the pious man, ought to respect and to cherish them…Reason and experience both forbid us to expect that na onal morality can prevail in exclusion of religious principle…” I believe with George Washington and James Dobson that me‐honored Biblical principles apply not only to the home but also to the classroom, the workplace, government, and society. Individuals are more pros‐
perous and secure in a caring, respec ul environment where expecta ons and the underlying principles that guide them are understood and consistently applied. In my scrapbook is a picture of my second grade classroom back in 1962. The bulle n board is tled “I Pledge Allegiance: It makes me proud to note that Billy Cassi‐
dy, our United States Congressman, was one of my students and studied this unit on America two years later. My second graders and I found that February was a good me for recommi ng to our country, one na on under God, and the principles on which it was founded. How about you? ng One of the things we like to do here at Lo on is eat. With the Super Bowl this month, I thought we could share one of our favorite dip recipes. Quick and easy ‐ with no baking. Direc ons: Ingredients: In a large bowl, s r together the sour cream, cheddar  1 (16oz) container sour cream cheese, bacon bits, ranch mix, onions or chives un l mixed  2 cups (8oz) sharp cheddar cheese well. Cover and chill in the refrigerator for at least 30  1 packet of ranch dip mix minutes. Before serving, garnish with bacon bits, onions  1 bag of Hormel bacon bits or chives, and shredded cheese. Serve with Lays or  3 green onions or dried chives Ruffles wavy potato chips or Fritos Scoops. Page 2