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Kansas Consumer ConnectionKansas Consumer ConnectionKansas Consumer ConnectionKansas Consumer Connection November 2014 Volume 1 Issue 11

Welcome! The CAC would like to welcome their two new CRO specialists,

Becky Morgan and Holly Danley Edwards to the CAC staff!

From Parsons, Becky is no stranger to the CAC or the majority of

CROs in Kansas. She has been involved in the consumer movement in

Kansas for many years and served as the Executive Director for

CROs Nest for several years. Working with consumers toward

recovery is her passion, which she does with help from her mascot,

a long haired Chihuahua named Rocco.

Holly is very excited about her new position as a CRO specialist with

the CAC. She enjoys working with the community and looks forward

to getting to know everyone! Since 2005, Holly has worked in Wichita

as a CPS (Certified Peer Specialist).

“I will not sink, I will grow, laugh and learn. I’m a chocoholic, darker is

better and I’m an animal mom.”

Beating the Holiday Blues

The holidays are fast

approaching,

and amidst all

of the chaos

of family

gatherings,

gift buying and

turkey stuffing, it is easy to fall

victim to stress, anxiety and

depression. We have a few tips to help

you de-stress your holiday season.

“Mail your

packages early so the

post office can lose

them in time for

Christmas.”

Johnny Carson

1. Be realistic

The holidays don't have to be

perfect or just like last year. As

families change and grow,

traditions and rituals often

change as well. Choose a few to

hold on to, and be open to

creating new ones. For example,

if your adult children can't come

to your house, find new ways to

celebrate together, such as

sharing pictures, emails or

videos. Continued on Page 2

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Beating the Holiday Blues

(Continued from Page 1)

2. Learn to say NO

Saying yes when you should say no can leave you feeling resentful and overwhelmed.

Friends and colleagues will understand if you can't participate in every project or activity.

If it's not possible to say no when your boss asks you to work overtime, try to remove

something else from your agenda to make up for the lost time.

3. Take Time for Yourself

Taking even a 15 minute break out of each day for yourself in a quiet, calm

space can do positive things for your attitude.

4. Budget

It is the time of year for holiday gatherings, entertaining, gifts—and for

many, overspending and financial stress. Having a budget can help take

some of the stress out of the holiday season. If you need some help

getting started, try looking at what you spent last year to give you an

idea of where you spend the most money.

5. Maintain Healthy Habits

Don’t let the holidays become a free-for-all. Make sure you are getting

plenty of sleep and incorporating regular physical activity into each day.

Try eating healthy snacks before

holiday parties to avoid overeating sweets.

6. Set aside differences

Try to accept family members and friends as they are, even if they don't live up to all of

your expectations. Set aside grievances until a more appropriate time for discussion. And

be understanding if others get upset or distressed when something goes awry. Chances are

they're feeling the effects of holiday stress and depression, too .

7. Acknowledge Your Feelings

If someone close to you has recently died or you can't be with loved ones, realize that it's

normal to feel sadness and grief. It's OK to take time to cry or express your feelings. You

can't force yourself to be happy just because it's the holiday season.

Happy Holidays!

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CRO Spotlight

PROJECT INDEPENDENCE would like to

welcome their new Assistant Director,

Tinna Bendt! Tinna will be taking over for

Carr Floyd, who will be greatly missed.

JOURNEY TO RECOVERY is beginning

plans for their annual 5K run in 2015.

Proceeds from the fundraiser will go

towards purchasing a new van for their

CRO. They will also be using the 5K as an

opportunity to reduce stigma and recruit

new members!

PS CLUB recently moved to a new build-

ing in Wellington, where they hosted the

Leadership in Action Academy in October.

A great time was had by all and we would

like to thank them for their hospitality!

Good Eats

Featured Recipe: Turkey Quesadillas

Trying to figure out what to do with the leftover

Thanksgiving turkey? Give this simple recipe a

try!

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup (2-inch-thick) slices green onions

• 1 cup (4 ounces) shredded Monterey Jack

cheese with jalapeño peppers

• 8 (8-inch) flour tortillas

• 2 cups chopped cooked turkey

• 1/2 cup fat-free sour cream

Preparation

1. To prepare quesadillas, heat a large nonstick

skillet over medium-high heat. Coat pan with

cooking spray.

2. Add 1/4 cup sliced onions to pan; sauté 3

minutes or until tender. Remove onions from

pan; reduce heat to medium.

3. Sprinkle 2 tablespoons cheese over each of 4

tortillas.

4. Top each cheese-covered tortilla with 1/4 cup

of onions, 1/2 cup turkey, 2

tablespoons cheese, and 1 tortilla.

1. Recoat pan with cooking spray. Add 1 quesadil-

la to pan; cook 2 minutes on each side or until

lightly browned and cheese melts. Repeat

with remaining quesadillas.

2. Cut each quesadilla into 6 wedges. Serve with

cranberry salsa and sour cream.

Note:

To make meatless quesadillas, use sautéed

vegetables in place of the turkey.

Congratulations! Congratulations to the graduates of the

Leadership in Action Academy held in

Wellington, Kansas this

October.

Malinda Bigler

Vicky Collins

Donnie Davis

Jennifer Davis

Rhonda Hearlson

Carol Hewitt

Jeffery Hunter

Betty Mach

Shelly McNutt

Kitty Morgan

Melissa Patrick

Shonna Reeser

Christine Thompson

Bryan Williams