Leaf a Legacy and Plant a Tree! CREATE LASTING FAMILY MEMORIES THIS ARBOR DAY
START THE ADVENTURE. Choose the perfect tree and location. Let your children take the lead in selecting a spot with the right amount of sunlight and plenty of room for growth. Once you’ve gathered your tools — a spade, mulch, soil, water bucket, and, of course, your tree — the real fun begins. Together, dig a hole just the right size for the root ball. While the adults may handle the more technical steps, like trimming roots that twist or grow in circles, kids can pitch in by scooping dirt and getting up close to nature. As you settle the tree into its new home, explain how the roots will anchor it and how its leaves will turn sunlight into energy. After planting, the work doesn’t stop! Teach your children how to water the tree properly — soaking the root ball
Arbor Day, celebrated this year on April 25, is a chance to dig deep and nurture the environment while creating lasting memories with your kids. Rooted in the love of trees, Arbor Day is a perfect opportunity to teach your little ones the importance of caring for our planet while having fun outside. With wildfires destroying millions of acres of trees annually, the need for replanting has never been greater. Planting a tree is a hands-on way to make a difference; kids love
without overwatering. Build a mulch ring together and explain its purpose in keeping the roots cool and moist. Then, it’s time to watch it grow! CHART THE JOURNEY AHEAD. Planting a tree is just the beginning of a long-term adventure. Encourage your kids to measure the tree’s growth, sketch its leaves, and write about its progress in a journal. Snap photos together to document its transformation, and talk about trees’ vital role in providing oxygen, shade, and habitat for all of us. This Arbor Day, take a moment to plant more than a tree — plant a memory. Working together as a family teaches lessons in responsibility, environmental care, and the joy of nurturing life. Plus, the smiles and laughter along the way? Those are the real treasures.
getting their hands dirty. Plus, it’s more than just a lesson in environmental stewardship — it’s an activity that promotes exercise, teamwork, and pride in watching something grow.
Vital Vitamin Void THE BODY’S MOST COMMON MISSING NUTRIENT
Spring is in full swing here in North Carolina, but sunny weather doesn’t always lead to sunny dispositions. If you’ve been feeling down, irritable, and are having difficulty shaking off the remnants of winter, your body may be telling you it’s time to review your vitamin intake. Vitamin B12 is one of the most critical — and most overlooked — tools for maintaining physical health and mental clarity, especially among seniors. It significantly contributes to improved or sustained cell formation, bone health, and nerve function. Despite its benefits to overall health, it is not naturally produced in our bodies. However, it can be found in eggs, dairy, meat, fish, and standard multivitamins. If dietary or moral considerations prevent people from consuming animal products,
Harvard Medical recommends they eat B12-fortified bread and cereals and take daily supplements. Despite B12’s presence in popular foods, deficiencies are common. Studies suggest that folks with Crohn’s disease and/or who take medications for other stomach ailments — such as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) — tend to have lower amounts of the nutrient. Common signs of insufficient B12 levels include mood swings, decreased concentration, memory loss, and tingling in the hands and legs. In severe cases, deficiencies can be treated with weekly shots a doctor can administer. Although adults are recommended to include 2.4 micrograms of B12 in their daily diets, the amounts needed to prevent deficiencies vary based on
age, pregnancy, breastfeeding, and other factors. If you suspect a B12 deficiency is affecting your everyday life or would like guidance on the proper amount to take, it is best to consult directly with your health care provider rather than seek answers through online sources that may have incorrect or outdated information. If your body receives it in the proper amount, vitamin B12 could elevate your health and spirit to match the bright skies outside.
P2 | PATRIOTWEALTHNC.COM
Made with FlippingBook Ebook Creator