Hosting the Perfect Summer-savvy Picnic

Hosting the Perfect Summer-savvy Picnic

– Summer is the perfect time to bring together family and friends to enjoy the outdoors. Dust off the grill, lay out a fresh blanket and enjoy delicious food while soaking up the sun with the ones you love.

That’s the advice of cleaning expert, author and television personality, Laura Dellutri, the “Healthy Housekeeper,” who outlines four simple steps to help you plan the perfect summer-savvy picnic. Armed with tried-and-true secrets she learned as a hostess and mother of five, Dellutri offers these tips:

Planning Ahead
The first step to a great summer picnic is the food selection. Picnic food is some of the most delicious yet simple food around thanks to the abundance of seasonal produce. Plan the menu before making a trip to the grocery store. One of Dellutri’s favorite menus is grilled chicken and ribs smothered in a sweet barbecue sauce with fresh corn and tomatoes. Choose cool treats that don’t melt in the sun, such as fresh watermelon. Finally, purchase paper plates, cups, utensils and large trash bags for an easy clean-up.

Activities for All
Once you have your menu planned, be sure there are activities for guests of all ages. If young children are invited, purchase easy and inexpensive toys such as bubbles, a hula-hoop or sidewalk chalk for hours of fun. If your party is mostly adults, Frisbees, horseshoes or a vintage game like bocce are great activities to keep guests entertained while food is on the grill.

Dress Appropriately
Before the party, make sure guests know how to dress for the location you choose. If your party is near a pool, let guests know that they are welcome to bring their swimsuits. For guests who forget their towels, be sure to have extras on hand. If your picnic is at a park or on the lawn, bring large sheets or blankets so guests can avoid grass stains while sitting.

Remember the Fun, Not the Mess
With disposable plates and cutlery, clean-up time should be minimal. However, greasy foods like barbeque, hamburgers and hot dogs often end up on guests’ clothing or even picnic sheets and table cloths. For the spills and splashes that might occur, Dellutri recommends using Tide with Dawn StainScrubbers, a new detergent that helps remove tough stains -- including greasy food stains -- better than the next leading competitive detergent plus pre-treater combined.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Crafty Ways to Keep the Kids Busy This Summer

Crafty Ways to Keep the Kids Busy This Summer


– While all children eagerly anticipate the lazy days of summer, most parents know that early anticipation can quickly turn into the dreaded “there’s nothing to do” attitude. While keeping boredom at bay for up to three months can be a challenge, a little advance planning and a handy list of projects and activities can inspire a summer that’s educational and entertaining.

Keeping kids busy not only makes the summer special, it makes educational sense. Activities encourage imagination and exploration, while keeping kids’ brains working and ready to learn during the next school year.

The experts at Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores offer the following ideas for activities and crafts to keep kids of all ages busy over the summer:

Activities
* Start a family garden. Let young children make holes for seeds—or plants for more immediate results--and pull weeds. Older kids can plant, prune and harvest. Holey Soles shoes are perfect for gardening. Kids can personalize them with paint, and mud and dirt rinse off with a garden hose.

* Have a picnic at the local park or pool. Kids can help prepare the food, pack the basket and can even make and decorate placemats to bring along.

* Plan a show or play. Consider a puppet show. Choose a favorite story, or help kids write one of their own. Follow the simple directions for Fun Stick Puppets from Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores to make foam puppet characters, and then invite neighbors and friends to the show.

Crafts
* String beads to form necklaces and bracelets. Add wooden hearts personalized and painted, or found objects like small shells, sea glass or stones. Homemade jewelry is a favorite gift of grandmothers, babysitters and teachers.

* Create a scrapbook to highlight the school year or a summer family vacation. Glue in mementos such as tickets, trinkets and photos.

* Use colored chalk to create art on sidewalks and driveways, the rain will do the clean up for you. Very small children will enjoy “painting” the driveway with water. This is a long-term project because the water keeps drying.

* Make bookmarks for library books.

* Create and decorate stepping stones for the yard and garden.

* Embellish tank tops, t-shirts and flip flops in summer colors and designs.

* Make your own games, like a glow-in-the-dark toss for hours of evening enjoyment.

* Plan for the inevitable end of summer by picking up a canvas messenger bag. Kids of all ages will enjoy personalizing their bags with iron-on appliqués, studs, and jewels, and they’ll proudly use them throughout the school year.

For more instructions and to spark ideas for kids of all ages, visit http://www.joann.com/.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Farmers Market Freshness All Year Long

Farmer's Market Freshness All Year Long
Summer brings a welcome change in temperature, extra hours of sunshine and the fresh fruits and vegetables from the farmer’s market we’ve been craving all year.

Before heading out to your local farmer’s market, consider the following tips from the Reynolds Kitchens to help you pick the best produce and keep it tasting just-picked fresh all year.

Explore your options
Don’t purchase everything from the first stand you visit, as the variety and quality of produce will likely differ from stand to stand. Take a lap around the entire market for a better idea of where the freshest produce is and you’ll walk away more satisfied with your purchases. It’s not uncommon to get all of your produce from different vendors.

What to look for
Look for produce that is free from unusual odors or colors and signs of spoilage such as mold and bruising. Remember that sometimes buying under ripe produce is a good option. Peaches, cantaloupe and nectarines are examples of fruits that will continue to ripen at room temperature after they are picked. Also, don’t be shy about talking with the vendors. They know which products are the freshest and most delicious.

If you like it, buy it
If you come across the sweetest strawberries or the most succulent squash at the market, don’t be afraid to buy in bulk. Most of the food you’ll find at the farmer’s market will last for months if frozen. Storing foods using the Reynolds Handi-Vac Vacuum Sealing System virtually eliminates freezer burn and will help protect your produce.

Buy realistically
Certain foods fare poorly in the freezer no matter how well they’re packaged. Tomatoes, celery and potatoes lose their crispness and get watery. Avocados are only recommended to be frozen when mashed (not whole or sliced).

Many people avoid buying fresh fruits and vegetables - healthy meal staples - out of the fear that a large portion will go to waste. This summer, take advantage of fresh produce at the markets and simply vacuum freeze whatever won’t be used in a week. Doing so will save you money and ensure that your favorite summer fruits and vegetables are always available.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Get Inspired by Bold and Natural Flavors

Get Inspired by Bold and Natural Flavors

(ARA) - Peruse the dishes featured in America’s top restaurants and epicurean magazines and it’s easy to see that culinary trends this year are focusing on refreshingly bold flavors and natural ways to sweeten dishes. This movement has motivated home chefs to experiment in the kitchen with innovative ways to enhance the flavor and nutrition of their favorite recipes.

Recently, the Florida Department of Citrus called upon amateur chefs to put their culinary creativity to the test in the “Back to the Grove” recipe contest for a chance to win a grand prize trip to the Sunshine State. Citrus enthusiasts from across the country submitted original recipes containing at least one 8-ounce serving of 100 percent Florida orange juice, which contributes almost 25 percent of the UDSA daily recommended amount of fruit and vegetables when consumed in a single serving. The bold and sweet taste of Florida orange juice makes it an ideal ingredient to perk up everyday recipes by providing a splash of flavor to dishes from breakfast to dessert.

Contest winner Kelly Boe was inspired by the zesty flavor of citrus and Florida-style cuisine. Her Orange Couscous with Cinnamon Vinaigrette earned top honors from a panel of expert judges at the highly acclaimed Johnson and Wales College of Culinary Arts for taking a fresh approach to the common side dish.

Those looking to bring sunshine into their kitchen can easily recreate Boe's contest-winning recipe:

Orange Couscous with Cinnamon Vinaigrette
Makes 4 servings

Ingredients:
1 cup 100 percent Florida orange juice
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup couscous
1/2 cup olive oil
1/4 cup white wine vinegar
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/3 cup golden raisins
1/2 cup chopped macadamia nuts
1/2 cup chopped green onion

Directions:
In a saucepan, bring orange juice and salt to a boil. Add couscous; stir. Remove saucepan from heat and cover; let stand 5 minutes. Remove lid and fluff with a fork. Place couscous in medium mixing bowl and set aside.

Meanwhile, in small mixing bowl, whisk together olive oil, white wine vinegar and cinnamon until emulsified. Set aside.

Add golden raisins, macadamia nuts and green onion to couscous. Pour vinaigrette over couscous mixture. Stir gently with a wooden spoon until combined. Serve at room temperature.

To view more Florida-inspired recipes and get tips for cooking with orange juice, visit www.FloridaJuice.com/BackToTheGrove.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Dance While You Still Can

First I was dying to finish high school and start college.
And then I was dying to finish college and start working.
And then Iwas dying to marry and have children.
And then I ws dying for my children to grow old enough so I could get back to my career.
And then I was drying to retire.
And now I am dying........... and suddenly realize that I forgot to live.

Dance While You Can

I will quite my soul.......
slience the noise in my head and heart
and ask myself
what I really want out of life.

To Dance

I WILL TAKE RESPONSIBILITY
for my reactions to people
and stop blaming others for how I am feeling.

I WILL KEEP SILENT
when the opportunity comes
to talk behind someone else's back..

While I Still Can Dance

I will hold my loved ones right
and hope to never let them go.
How could I dance without them?

Dance While You Can

I will make a commitment to fulfilling my dreams.....
no matter what i may be feeling.......
and I will dare to move forward
in the face of life's challenges

I will belive that what God
has placed inside me
is superior to the mountians
that stand in my way.

Grandparents Parenting the Second Time Around

Grandparents Parenting the Second Time Around

Grandparents have raised their own children, worked hard throughout their lives, survived many hardships and have more than earned the right to relax in a golden glow of retirement. However there is an increasing trend of grandparents becoming parents again, raising their children's children, or in some cases, even their great-grandchildren. In fact, there are currently 4.5 million children being raised by grandparents in the United States alone, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. That is more children being raised by grandparents than there are children in the entire foster care system.

Whether due to financial problems, lack of stability, non-interest, or other problems on behalf of the parents, many grandparents find themselves in the unique position of raising small children in the golden years of their lives. This can prove to bring its own set of unique challenges and rewards, some more unexpected than others.

Some grandparents may feel embarrassed or hesitant to seek custody of their grandchildren in court, not wanting to go up against their own children legally. It is never an easy situation, and even though the parents of the child are seldom around, the grandparents may not wish to cause further trouble in an already troubled situation. For this reason, some grandparents may even be raising their grandchildren without full or even temporary custody rights.

Many times, this situation is unexpected and unplanned, leading to financial difficulties as well as frustration and anxiety. Many second-time parents are on a limited income or social security, which makes the situation more difficult, as there is also a tendency to want to overspend on your grandchildren. Be sure that you have a proper budget planned out and that you don't overspend in unnecessary areas such as toys, games and activities.

Another important part of being a second-time parent is to make certain that you have a solid support system behind you. In many towns, there are special support group meetings especially for your situation. There are also many different resources available on the internet. A few of these are:
http://www.raisingyourgrandchildren.com/
http://www.faithfulgrannies.com//
http://www.grandparentinggreat.com/
http://www.wahmchoices.com/

On the surface, being a grandparent raising a grandchild isn't very much different from being a parent the first time. As with your own children, being a parent the second time requires love and caring, a firm attitude and nearly endless patience. However, raising children for the second (or third) time can also be one of the most rewarding experiences in your life.

A firm hand and discipline are also a necessity when it comes to raising grandchildren. Too many grandparents are more lenient on their grandchildren, either because the feel badly about the situation that the grandchild is in, or because they wish to correct mistakes they made with their own children. It is important to remember that all children need guidance and discipline, and that if you approach it from the standpoint of providing the best care possible, which includes being firm yet loving, you will be not only making the child's life better but your own life easier.
It is also important to take some time to relax and enjoy the time you have with your grandchildren. Especially since most grandparents do not have a full-time job as they had with their own children, you now have plenty of time to have fun with and spend time with, your grandchildren. You are now free to enjoy spending time with them, listening to them, and helping them with homework, problem-solving, reading, or other activities.

But it is also important to realize that even grandparents need a break at times. Be sure to take time for yourself each day, away from the child/children, even if it is just a warm bath at the end of the day, or a book before bed. Make sure you have time to relax and unwind from the stresses of the day, and you may even need a few days vacation every now and then. If possible, see if there is someone trustworthy and reliable you can leave the grandchildren with for a day or two every once in a while for you to be able to re-energize and relax.If you take things in stride, and have fun spending time with and caring for your grandchildren, you will find that being a second-time parent can be immensely enjoyable, and not just a stressful situation.

Article Source: http://www.faithfulgrannies.com