Communication Is Key

Communication is key for healthy relationships with your friends and family.  Good communication requires both talking AND listening. 

Did you know that you communicate with others even when you're not talking?  Think about your body language.  How is your posture?  Do you come across as confident, standing straight with your head held high?  Do you look at others directly, making eye contact as you're speaking and when you're listening?  Are you animated, using your hands when you talk?  Do you smile easily?  Do you show your emotions with your words and body language.  Are you communicating effectively?  One way to tell how effectively you get your thoughts across is how others, such as family members and friends, react to your communication with them.  If they frequently don't seem to understand you, take a look at your communication style.  Ask someone you trust for their observations about your communication techniques.  A few minor changes and practice could make a huge difference for healthy relationships!

Come by and see us at the Kansas State Fair!

Come by and see us at our booth at the Kansas State Fair!  Ask us about Text 2 Teen!  

Text 'TEEN' to 47092 and start receiving 'Positive and Encouraging' messages through your mobile phone. 

Pure & Simple Health Education will be at the Kansas State Fair, September 9th - 11th, 2011.  We are located in the Meadowlark Building.  

When you visit our booth, you will also receive a free bracelet and ATM card.  Hope to see you there! 

Pure & Simjple Choice II Premier a Wichita Blockbuster

Pure & Simple Choice II, produced by Pure & Simple Health Education, Inc. and Alexander Video Productions, made its premier debut at the Warren Theatre in Old Town on Saturday, August 20th. The diverse audience was wowed by the story line and the live appearance of the actors and producers. We were pleased with the great turnout and the many positive comments given by the movie goers. Be watching for Pure & Simple Choice II at a site near you! To schedule the new curriculum for teens or fomr more information, call 216-688-0840.

      

Premiere Showing of Pure & Simple Choice II

Have you ever wondered what it takes to produce a video for teens by teens? Have you had the opportunity to experience the behind the scenes makeup, hair, and costume preparation, getting the camera angles just right, directors conveying to the cast how to act out a scene, and the many bloopers along the way? Do you have any idea how long it takes to edit an hour and a half video and find just the right music to set the tone?
I can answer all those questions, as can the other producers, directors, cast and crew of the Pure & Simple Choice II video series. The production took a year from start to finish with the dedication and perseverance of many. Now it's time to celebrate the accomplishment and share a job well done with our fans, supporters, donors, and interested community members. The Pure & Simple Choice II cast and crew, writers, directors, and producers will be on hand on Saturday, August 20th, to view the premiere showing and share their stories about how their involvement in the production has touched their lives.
The premiere showing of Pure & Simple Choice II is open to teens, parents, teachers, principals, faith-based youth leaders, pastors, community leaders and friends who support the mission of Pure & Simple Health Education, Inc. and/or want to know more about our curriculum designed for youth ages 12-18.
I'm looking forward to sharing the reunion of our cast and crew with you and celebrating our accomplishment! Please join us for the red-carpet showing on the big screen of the Warren Old Town Theatre!!

--Sandy Pickert, Producer &
Pure & Simple Health Education, Inc. Executive Director

Come See Us at the Midwest Catholic Family Conference!

Stop by our booth at the Midwest Catholic Family Conference,

August 5-7, Century II Convention Center, in Wichita, Kansas. 

Come pick up a Pure & Simple ruler; schedule the NEW Pure & Simple

Choice II curriculum for your class, after-school program, youth group

or parent meeting; or buy our new black "Revolution" t-shirt!

We would love to see you!

The Internet: Friend or Foe?

Today, while reading the dozens of emails that I typically receive daily, I came across an article about pornography addiction and how it impacts lives of both youth and adults.  Pornography is easily accessible to all through the internet and poisons the minds of those exposed to it.  It gives viewers a self-centered, distorted view of sexuality.  It alters attitudes, emotions, self-image, self-esteem, and one's core beliefs for life.  It affects both males and females equally, but in different ways.  It discourages respecting oneself and others and encourages misusing others for personal satisfaction.  It destroys relationships, marriages, and families. 

July 11 – August 7, 2011 is the "Pornography Harms" National Awareness Campaign.  Please become aware of and carefully think about what you are putting into your brain through your eyes and ears.  It does affect the way you think about yourself and others and the choices you make!  Parents, take the time to guard your children as much as possible from pornography by setting healthy boundaries, discussing the harm that pornography causes, listening to their questions and concerns, and setting a good example of self-control by avoiding exposure to pornography yourself. 

For more information, check out "Top 10 Internet Safety Tips" and other helpful information at www.pornharms.com and www.moralityinmedia.org .  For helping youth who have been exposed to pornography and for youth and adults who are dealing with pornography addiction, there are resources available. 

So, is the internet a friend or foe?  It's a lot like fire; it all depends on how it's used - for good or for harm.  To make healthy choices for internet use, it takes education, self-control, and positive reinforcement, pure and simple.

Sandy Pickert, RN, MPH

Executive Director

Pure & Simple Health Education, Inc.

It’s a July Meal Deal!

                               

 FRESH-A-THON

Fundraiser Program

Souper Salad will donate 10%
of the night’s sales to:

Come Support Pure & Simple
Health Education!

Friday, July 22, 2011,

4-8pm

     Souper Salad, 8007 E Kellogg

Thank you Souper Salad for giving back to your community!

Pure & Simple Health Education, Inc.

Wichita Wild's Non-Profit Night

Nebraska Danger vs. Wichita Wild

Saturday, June 4, 2011, Hartman Arena

Copy this coupon and bring it to Hartman Arena to purchase your tickets

(one coupon per ticket) and Pure & Simple Health Education

will receive $1 per coupon!

Thank you for supporting Pure & Simple Health Education!

Talk to your Kids about your Opinions and Values

Healthy Sexual Behavior
Parents can only pass on to their children the best possible living arrangement in which the family finds itself. To show love and concern for each family member without hurting the others is the role of mother and father. When each person tries to do their part, to the best of their ability, all members of the family will benefit. Being RICH is to experience true love among family members, whether with money or without. Love allows the family to endure trials and hardships.

CDC Data Shows Majority of Teens are NOT Doing it!

New data released by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) confirm that the majority of teens are not having sex. According to 2006-2008 survey results released yesterday (3/3/11) by the National Center for Health Statistics, 68% of boys and 67% of girls (age 15-17) have never had sexual intercourse.

And overall sexual contact trends are also moving in the right direction with 53% of boys and 58%of girls (age 15-17) reporting that they have never had oral, anal, or vaginal sex with anyone. This is a positive change from 2002 when only 46% of boys and 49% of girls reported no sexual contact - this according to a USA Today article analyzing the findings yesterday.

Effects on Self Esteem

Effects on Self-Esteem and Academic Performance on Adolescent Decision-Making: An Examination of Early Sexual Intercourse and Illegal Substance Use"
Journal of Adolescent Health Vol. 47; No. 6: P.582-590 (12..10):: Stephanie B. Wheeler, MPH, PhD

The current study sought "to determine whether higher self-esteem and higher academic performance among youths reduced the likelihood of early sexual intercourse and illegal substance use."

Reasons to Wait to Have Sex

What Do You Believe?
Young people get their information about sex and relationships from a variety of sources. These sources often conflict with more traditional ideas about marriage, family, and sexual abstinence. With so many influences bombarding youth today, it is easy to mistake myths about sex with facts. This may create a risk of sexual consequences that can affect both immediate and long term futures. If you have questions about sex, ask someone you trust, like a parent, teacher, or other reliable source. The information is out there and you are taking a gamble with your future if you do not learn the facts and understand the dangers.