Wellington Residents Get Active Through Let’s Move Challenge March 1st – 31st
This March, Wellington is taking part in the annual “Let’s Move: Commit to Change Physical Activity Challenge,” a countywide initiative focused on physical activity, nutrition, and healthy behaviors.
Let’s Move inspires residents of all ages to complete and log 30 minutes of physical activity each day. Participants may complete activities on their own, or take part in events across the county.
As the winner of last year’s challenge, Wellington will join Digital Vibez, Inc. and the Palm Health Foundation to host this year’s official Let’s Move kick-off event at the Wellington Amphitheater (12100 Forest Hill Blvd) on Tuesday, March 1st from 4 PM – 6 PM.
Wellington urges residents, Village employees, local after-school programs, and sports teams to take part in the challenge and log their minutes to help reclaim the Village’s Winning Title this year.
Participants may register by visiting LetsMovePBC.org, and selecting “The Village of Wellington” as the Organization/ Team Name, and “Village of Wellington” as the Sub-team/ Department name. Participation is FREE and open to all.
Follow Wellington’s social media channels @VillageofWellington on Facebook and @Wellingtonflgov on Twitter for ideas on how to stay active throughout the month of March.
As another way to stay informed on the latest news and updates from the Village, residents are invited to sign up for Wellington information and updates at www.wellingtonfl.gov/Newsletter.
When it comes to fresh produce, everything is a ticking clock. The quality and nutritional value of the produce we purchase at the store has a shelf life once we bring it home. Research shows that American households throw away 150,000 tons of food every day. And unfortunately, many of us whose diets are rich in fruit and vegetables are often the most wasteful due to our food’s shorter shelf life.
Knowing how to preserve your produce will save you money and nutrients in the long run, so here are just a few tips for slowing down the clock.
Cool or Cold?
The refrigerator is probably the most common place to store your produce, and for many fruits, veggies, and herbs, it’s the perfect place to do so. Keep berries and lettuces in your refrigerator while they’re still fresh (for about a week).
There are several veggies that you can leave out of the cold though. Ripe tomatoes are best stored on your kitchen counter, stem-side down. Garlic, onions, potatoes, squash, and shallots survive best in the dark, so find a cool place in your pantry for those.
The freezer is also a great way to greatly extend the shelf life of your produce while keeping most of the nutrients intact. Most vegetables can last for up to 12 weeks in the freezer and you won’t have to worry about losing color or flavor. If your produce has been in the fridge for about a week, consider moving it to the freezer for longer-lasting ingredients.
Don’t Wash Just Yet
When you first bring your groceries home from the store, your first instinct is probably to wash your produce before you put it in the fridge. But for most fruits and vegetables, washing can speed up the formation of mold, which would cause them to spoil. Washing also removes the outer layer of fruits and berries, which can quicken the ripening process. So, if you’re not planning on eating it that same day, it’s best to postpone the washing of your produce until you’re ready to consume it.
Make Room for Everything
It may surprise you, but not all fruits and vegetables get along in the fridge. The closer you store your fruits and vegetables to one another, the faster they will spoil. You can avoid this by separating fruits from vegetables in different drawers of your fridge and not overpacking those drawers. Get rid of any twist-ties and rubber bands, lose the vacuum-sealed bags and let your produce breathe, which will help keep it fresh longer.
When In Doubt, Pickle It!
Cucumbers might be the first thing you think of when you think of pickling, but the flavors of many fruits and vegetables can be enhanced with a little vinegar or brine and some time. Whether it’s onions, cucumbers, cauliflower or apples, pickling will increase the shelf life on your chosen produce.
When taking this route, always follow a recipe. Even though pickling is a great way to preserve your produce, things can still go wrong. Most quick pickling liquids use four basic ingredients: vinegar, water, salt, and sugar, and you can add other herbs and spices to fit the flavor profile you’re looking for. Home pickling is somewhat of a dying art, but if you feel up for it, it can be a fun experience. Plus, you’ll get the satisfaction of sharing your pickled fruit or vegetable with friends and saying, ‘Yeah, I made this.’
As you can see, storing produce correctly is not that difficult, but it’s very rewarding. By taking some time to learn best storing practices for your go-to fruits and vegetables, you’ll be able to not only lower your personal waste level but also save money on your weekly grocery bills!
It’s all in the packet. When Judy Litner plans your trip to Italy, she pulls together a packet of information to ensure you know exactly where to go, what to do, what not to miss and who to see. No detail is omitted. Her organization represents just one aspect of her full-service travel agency – Travel Express International, Ltd.
Founded in 1972 in Great Neck, New York, Travel Express International, Ltd. caters to a discriminating clientele by designing customized itineraries primarily in Italy. “Luxury travel in Italy is my main focus,” says Litner. “My clients benefit from me planning a trip for them to a place that I know so well.”
Litner personally visits villas and hotels before booking her clients there. Through the years she has developed outstanding relationships with drivers, tour guides and hotel managers throughout Italy. “All the people that I use know me well and, as a result, my clients are given upgrades and special touches.”
The Landscapes of Italy
Creating Experiences of a Lifetime
Long-time client Cathleen Civale can attest to the quality service provided by Litner. “I know Italy very well, but I would never consider planning a trip there without discussing it with Judy and letting her take the lead. I think the thing about Judy is she does trips on all levels. She’s so well connected she can do it all. I’ve referred family and friends to her and every one of them have thanked me again and again.”
Civale’s a big fan of the aforementioned packets as well. “When Judy sets up your trip, you leave home with a packet loaded with every bit of information you need: where to go, who to connect with, people to speak to, restaurant reservations, alternative reservations…it’s astounding.”
While Litner’s organizational skills astound, it’s perhaps the personal touches that push her services to the front of the line. When Civale embarked on a multigenerational trip with her family several years ago, she wanted to experience Palio – a horse race held in Siena, Tuscany twice a year. “Traveling with my brothers, six nieces and nephews and older parents, managing the pushing and shoving of the crowds for Palio seemed overwhelming,” recalls Civale. “But Judy got us seats in the verandah on the second floor of a store that was right around the race lines – nobody has that!” When Civale returns to Sienna she stands in the middle of the square, looks up at that balcony and smiles. “It was the experience of a lifetime for my family.”
Judy with Famed Butcher Dario Cecchini
Why Travel Advisors Matter Now More than Ever
As the world slowly reopens, people are anxious to dip their toes into travel again. “People want to make up for lost vacation time,” says Litner. “They’re also spending more money now because they haven’t traveled in two years.”
Litner’s already returned to Italy to reconnect with associates and to check out new places to introduce to her clients. She’s spent time in enviable destinations like Puglia, Calabria, Sicily, Malta, the Amalfi Coast and Lecce – a gorgeous baroque city with incredible bakeries. “If you go, you must try the pasticciotto, an oval-shaped pastry filled with a lemon crème!”
Even savvy travelers benefit from the seasoned skills of professionals like Litner. The process begins with an interview with prospective or returning clients. “For clients who’ve traveled to Italy before, I know where they’ve been and what they enjoyed doing. They often want to return to the places they loved so I’ll include a mix of familiar and new destinations and experiences.”
With so many people eager to begin traveling again, travel advisors like Litner are more important than ever. “Booking early is key right now,” she says. “Very often hotels are not selling every room like they did before the pandemic due to staffing issues. But I know that when a hotel is sold out, I can still get a room.” She’s also an expert in creative ticketing which means her clients get the best airfares.
Judy in Venice
Isn’t it time you took that trip to Italy?
Judy Litner is a resident of Wycliffe Golf & Country Club where she maintains a local office. Contact her at (516) 933-3437 or by e-mail: travxpress@aol.com. www.luxurytraveltoitaly.com
In life there are often times where we aren’t aware of how to make a difference in certain situations. It could be words, actions, feelings, any way of communication can make an impact in somebody’s life, even your own. In times of uncertainty, you may feel stressed or overwhelmed to give advice and help. However, this process doesn’t have to be stressful, if done right it can be enjoyable, or fulfilling.
Though, just saying so is simple. There are many ways to make a difference, but we may not be aware of them. Again, communication is always key. Whether it’s a text, a post online, or even protest, they all have the purpose of conveying a message.
But how can I really make a difference? This is a common question, and the answer isn’t exactly a straight one. There are many decisions we make based on personality and nature, and that affects how we choose what we do.
Despite this, I am able to inform and guide you on how you may be able to make a difference.
Social media posts are usually a great way to inform large audiences, especially if you have a large following. However, they’re also risky in a sense that they don’t always convey the correct message that you were attempting. Take a certain young TikTok group for example: This group had made a social media post posing in front of a wall with the words “stop Asian hate”. Even though the boys did this as a contribution to the protest, fans and others took the post in a different light, seeing it as humorous and insensitive. With large followings, you can either ruin your image or improve it, so take caution with posts.
Text messages are a simple way to make a difference. When people think of “making a difference” usually what comes to mind is something big or flashy, maybe something desperate. But, it doesn’t always have to be that way. You could make a difference in somebody’s life by simply texting, “You looked pretty today!” or “Want to hang out?”. Sometimes simple messages can save a life, and being kind has no price tag.
Protesting is usually one of the forms that makes the biggest impacts in our society. If you’re one who has no fear, or is extremely passionate, then in-person protesting is most likely for you. However, there is a chance you may get injured in the process, so being prepared is recommended.
Writing plays a main role in all of the above. However it can also be stuck into its own category. Authors can make differences with books, short stories, and other pieces of writing. Whether it’s a major impact on a child’s outlook, or adding to a larger cause, authors are a major focal point in the business of impacting society.
Overall, there are so many ways to make differences, the list here is only the start. Maybe this month you’ll make a difference, maybe you will this year, or even in ten years. All it takes to get started is a cause, a drive, a purpose, and determination. So make that point and be bold, because I stand with you on your journey.
On Saturday, February 26th, 2022, authors, publishers and readers gathered at the Boynton Beach Mall for the First Annual Read It Write It Book Festival. The event’s organizer Heidi Hess signed up 30 authors and 3 publishers, as well as business sponsors for the event. During the day, the event included lively panel discussions on how to get published, poetry reading, mystery writing and other topics. For more information, visit https://www.facebook.com/ReadItWriteBookFestival or email Heidi Hess at: heidicreates01@gmail.com
