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June, 2013 – Pet Hurricane Evacuation Kit

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June, 2013 – Pet Hurricane Evacuation Kit
Mark Planco of Planco Veterinary Care in Wellington
Mark Planco of Planco Veterinary Care in Wellington

Dog Walkin Wellington

Pet Hurricane Evacuation Kit

By Mark Planco, Planco Veterinary Care

Preparing for hurricane season must include making preparations for your pets. Having a pet evacuation kit is an essential part of being prepared since hurricane season has arrived again. Waiting for a storm to threaten our coast may be too late.

The first step is to make sure your pet is up to date on all vaccinations and lab tests. If you must evacuate to a shelter you must have these requirements or the shelter won’t allow your pet in. Boarding facilities have the same requirements. Obtaining the records at the last minute is easy and quick, getting in for the appointment may not be. If you have to evacuate, I probably do too (at Planco Veterinary Care).

For cats you should have an ample sized carrier for each individual. It should be large enough for food, water and a litter box. Bring a litter scooper and plastic bags for disposal. You should also have a collar or harness with identification on it and a leash so you always have control when he/she is out of her carrier.

Be prepared for hurricanes.
Be prepared for hurricanes.

For dogs you should have a collar or harness with ID and leashes. Small dogs that will fit comfortably in carriers should have one. You should also be prepared to clean up after your dog in case walking outside is unsafe.

All animals should have at least one favorite toy picked out to make the evacuation tolerable. Food and water should be packed in air tight containers enough for at least one week. Animals on continuous medications should keep ample quantity on hand in case a storm arises. Most can be provided quickly, but some meds may run out and need to be ordered, which may be too late. During the summer months refill meds before they completely run out. If your pet is on a medication that has a long expiration date, keep an extra week or two in your evacuation kit.  We try to keep enough stock of all necessary meds but don’t miss out, stock up early.

Another very important part of preparing for a hurricane is to make sure your pet (including horses) has a microchip. If they get lost without their collar or lose their collar they can be found and returned to you through their microchip. If your pet is not microchipped you can learn more at this link: www.public.homeagain.com/index.html

For any additional ideas or comments, please email us at [email protected].

June, 2013 – Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

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June, 2013 – Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

Living Greenbryan-hayes

Reduce, Reuse and Recycle

By Bryan Hayes

“Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.” All three of these things help the community as well as the environment, and each are important in their own regard.   One of these three though often gets the most attention.  Recycling is talked about all the time, although reducing and reusing are just as vital.

The concept of reusing became more personal for me last week.  It also got me thinking about how often items are not reused.  In my case, I went by my former residence where I found that they had discarded all of the plants that were around the outside of the house.  Digging up the plants and getting rid of them is, of course, their prerogative. But to me, it would have been nice if they had replanted them elsewhere instead of disposing of them in the garbage.

Plants are easy to transplant, but what about other objects and items that we use every day?  How can they be reused?  A good example of ingenuity and creativity can be illustrated through the many uses people have found for wooden pallets.  The same pallets that are used for transporting goods have been transformed into everything from furniture, to headboards, to even beds themselves, and more.

The most amazing utilization of wood pallets I have seen thus far is using them to build houses.  Most are rather small, with one out-of-state idea being to use pallet houses as a cost-effective temporary housing solution for the homeless.  If you make use of your favorite search engine, you can even search the internet and find directions on how to build your very own pallet house.

Reusing pallets seems to be a relatively simple concept.   Wood is a basic building material.  It merely takes some time, effort, and again a little ingenuity to transform the wood into something else and in doing so reinventing its use all together.

Another example locally of someone who is reusing available materials is a condo association that is taking donations of used sheets, blankets and towels from their tenants with those items collected being donated to a local animal shelter.  Where there is a will there is a way, as they say. By working together a very cost-effective solution in this case was found to fill a need.

Donating used clothing is always a great thing to do.  There are many local groups and organizations who welcome donations.  Of course, then again, if you are the youngest child in a large family you may know all too well the idea about reusing clothing.   But, then again, that really is the point.  Sometimes we do not realize the sacrifices people have to make, in order to simply survive.  A young child may not appreciate their parents and the sacrifices they make until that child is much older.

The “hand me down” shirt may not be the latest and greatest, but a shirt is a basic need.  Food and clothing are often two basic needs we take for granted, while there are many out there who go without much too often.  Donating to others is a way to not only reuse but also reduce.  What may be unused in our closet or pantry may be just what someone else needs at the moment.

Since there are such creative individuals with amazing ingenuity, I welcome you to share your own stories with us.  I encourage you to submit your own examples, ideas and even photos of fun ways in which you have reused items with the intention being to inspire others through your efforts.   You can email me at [email protected] or our editor at [email protected], subject “Living Green Ideas.”

Editor’s Note: You can “like” the Facebook Page “Living Green” or join the Facebook Group “Living Green” too!

Bryan Hayes is an actor, amateur photographer, business consultant and full-time lover
of all things living.  To check out more from Bryan Hayes, please visit his blog
at:http://outofthehaze.wordpress.com/

June, 2013 – Yummy Treats: Summer Salad

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June, 2013 – Yummy Treats: Summer Salad

Summer Strawberry Salad with Poppyseed DressingYummy Treats #1

 

By Katie Duchock

This is a popular summer salad, great for bringing to pot luck events or just enjoying at home. For the salad, you can use any kind of lettuce, strawberries and optional: crumbled cheese (like bleu cheese), chopped walnuts and thinly sliced Bermuda onion. Add salt & pepper to taste.

Poppyseed Dressing:

1/2 cup mayoYummy Treats #2

2 Tablespoons vinegar (I use apple cider)

1/3 cup of sugar (I use less)

1/4 cup of whole milk (I used half and half)

2 tablespoons of poppyseeds

 

Toss the salad just before serving and enjoy!

June, 2013 – Guest List

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June, 2013 – Guest List

As I Was Saying

Alan Williamson

Guest List

 

By Alan Williamson

“Your room is waiting,” my wife cheerfully tells friends and relatives in far-flung corners of the country. It’s part of her ongoing “Southern Hospitality” campaign to tempt someone into a trip to Fort Lauderdale so she can coax them into spending a few nights in our seldom used guest bedroom.

“We never have house guests,” she says disappointedly. “And we live in a vacation paradise.”

“House guests,” I hasten to remind her, “are like fish. After three days they start to stink, and after a week they stink in a way that makes fleeing in the night seem like a reasonable option.”

Still, living in a bona fide “vacation paradise,” we find ourselves making the obligatory open invitation to whoever’s on the other end of the phone. The wholeheartedness of the offer differs slightly, depending on whether it’s being issued by me or my wife.

Sherry: “Come on down. You’ll have your own bedroom and bathroom, a key to the house, and you’re a mile and a half from the beach.”

Me: “It’s hot as hell here but you’re welcome to come. The foldout’s not too painful, the bathroom has a door on it, and you can help yourself to what’s in the fridge — barbecue sauce and seltzer.”

It’s a natural fact that, by their very presence, even the best house guests disrupt the normal ebb and flow of their hosts’ daily lives. Prolonged visits can set free powerful feelings, including anguish, grief, loathing, rage, and finally, intense longing that the ordeal will eventually end.

To ensure that everyone maintains a protective layer of comfort and no one gets hurt, I find it’s a good idea to set down a few house rules before guests arrive. Mine are as follows:

1)    No asking “if you’ve been having trouble with that toilet in there.” I haven’t. You’re on your own.

2)    No suggesting “we all go to that big flea market we heard about.” I’ve been and lived to tell about it. Now it’s your turn.

3)    No offering to “treat” if we go to some tacky tourist attraction with you. It won’t work. Just go, and leave the money on the dresser.

4)    No talking during any television show I’ve described as “one of the few things I look forward to watching every week.” In other words, “at the sound of a commercial, please give me your name and a brief message.”

5)    No walking around in your underwear before midnight.

6)    No walking around in your underwear after midnight.

7)    No walking around in my underwear at any time.

Make no mistake. We welcome guests at our home . . . we really do. I just know from experience that unless precautions are taken, there comes a breaking point that shatters the fragile harmony of a habitat holding too much humanity.

In retrospect, our guests should have seen it coming. My flushed face, my trembling lip, the festering hostility of a thousand frustrations coming to a head.  Maybe next time they’ll think twice about asking me where the fire extinguisher is while I’m watching Amish Mafia.

Alan Williamson is an award-winning writer with 27 years in the field of true fiction
(advertising). A practical man who knows that writing for a living is risky
going, he has taken steps to pursue a second, more stable career as a leggy
super model. Alan can be reached at [email protected].  © 2013 Alan Williamson.

June, 2013 – Lovely Lunch and Stroll

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June, 2013 – Lovely Lunch and Stroll

The Florida Foodiesaucysarah

A Lovely Lunch and Stroll at the Morikami Museum & Japanese Gardens

By Saucy Sarah

The Morikami Museum & Japanese Gardens, located in Boca Raton off Jog Road is a botanical treasure in Palm Beach County. The Morikami gives the public the opportunity to experience Japanese culture through meticulously manicured gardens, museum exhibits, special events, and also food. florida foodie #1

The Cornell Café, located at the Morikami is an open-air dining experience offering an inspired Pan-Asian menu 11:00am to 3:00pm Tuesday thru Sunday. The Food Network has named the Cornell Café at Morikami one of the top three museum food destinations in the country. It is definitely worth the drive for a great lunch and a little bit of culture. Admission to the Morikami is required to dine at the Cornell Café. Adult admission is $13.00, children are $8.00. There is a senior price and children under five are free.

I took my mother for Mother’s Day for their three course pre-fix menu – a nice sampling of their regular menu. For our starter, we chose the crab cake and bang bang shrimp ($7.25). Delightfully crunchy small crab cakes with a mustard aioli and tempura shrimp in a sweet glaze. For our main course, we selected the sushi sampler plate ($8.95) and the Mahi Mahi with mango chutney ($10.95).

The Cornell Café offers an impressive array of sushi and sashimi. The combo plate allows you to try a variety of what the café offers. I was delighted by the offerings on the combo platter. All the sushi was prepared with care and made with high quality ingredients. The Morikami also offers a Sushi & Stroll series where you can sample their sushi and stroll the gardens certain nights of the year. Call for details.

Along with the sushi, the café has other Asian inspired entrees. The Mahi Mahi with mango chutney was a marvel. The outside of the fish had a golden lacquered bark that was crunchy and kept the interior of the fish moist and flaky. The chutney was a nice compliment to the rich savory fish. The vegetable medley that accompanied the fish was crisp and fresh. A perfect pairing.florida foodie #2

For our dessert we chose a Mango Cheesecake ($4.25) and a Chocolate Mousse Cake ($4.25). Both were good, typical restaurant dessert fare. I would like to go back and try some of their more inspired Japanese sweets such as the Japanese cake roll; sponge cake layered with a fresh cream filling ($2.50) or the Manju ice cream; two ice cream bon bons wrapped in rice paste ($2.95).

After your meal, take a leisurely stroll around the gardens, check out the current museum exhibits and immerse yourself fully in the Japanese culture. A trip to the Morikami is all about serenity and enjoyment. One trip and you will want to return often.florida foodie #4

In her previous life, Sarah, a Palm Beach County Native, spent ten years working in various high-end eating establishments around South Florida. She is currently a fiction thesis candidate in the MFA program at Florida International University where she also teaches creative writing and rhetoric. If that is not enough, Sarah is also the owner of Cakes by Sarah, a local custom cake shop. Sarah lives in Lake Worth with her husband and two beautiful boys. “Food, fiction, and family are my life.”

 

florida foodie #3

 

June, 2013 – Cantankerously Yours: A License That Comes With Age

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June, 2013 – Cantankerously Yours: A License That Comes With Age

A License That Comes With Age:  Giving Advice

Dear Bumpkins,

I have always felt that I am fairly intelligwendell-abern-cantank-yoursent. And even though I have been doling out suggestions and advice to friends and relatives since I was nine years old, no one has ever listened to me.

Well, I’m now 80 years old, and I’ve decided … to hell with everyone. My age entitles me to impart my wisdom to people whether they ask me for it or not.

So I am devoting this column to advising members of my own gender. And if you gentlemen choose not to heed my remarkable kernels of wisdom, you may well commit some of the same embarrassing and stupid blunders I have. And it will serve you right.

First of all, guys, accept the fact that when it comes to male-female relationships, the dumbest woman in the world knows more than the smartest man. And face the fact, once and for all, that women are smarter than we are.

Oh, stop grousing.  I have 80 years of pratfalls and pitfalls to support this claim. Read. Learn. Avoid.

1 – To young guys in their early teens.

Today, with Facebook, chat pages, blogs and other Internet sites, it’s fairly easy to make first contact with that cute girl sitting next to you in history class. But there comes a time when you want to make a phone call. Terrifying.

At the age of thirteen, when I had decided to call Jackie — the beautiful, popular Jackie — I asked my good friend Lou how to get started. He said, “Make a list of topics to talk about.” I tried. I couldn’t think of anything besides the Chicago White Sox.

“Terrific,” Lou said. “I’m sure she can’t wait to talk about the Chicago White Sox.”

“But I know about them.  I can talk about them.”

“So what? She’s a girl, peabrain! What’s she gonna do? Ask you who’s playing shortstop? Look, forget the list. Here’s what you do. Break the ice by saying something unexpected when she answers.”

I called, and when Jackie answered, I said, “Hi Jackie, this is Clark Gable.” The response was a deep sigh and an impatient, “Who is this?” I told her I was Lou. She said she was busy and couldn’t talk. Lou has never forgiven me.

Lesson. Learn from a peabrain. Make a list. A smart list. Negative on wrestlemania, monster truck rallies and the Playmate of the Month.

2 – You’ve been in a relationship for several years.

Consider the following scenario:

You’re driving somewhere with your significant other sitting beside you. You pull up at a stop light and notice a gorgeous blonde in the car next to you. She’s an absolute bombshell. You can’t take your eyes off her.

Dummy! Guess who’s sitting right next to you?

The light changes. You drive off. You get to your destination and park. And now, five minutes later, she will turn and ask, “Did you find her attractive?” And of course, you will pretend innocence by asking, “Who?”

This is when she will get out, slam the door and accuse you, rightfully, of being stupid because you think she is.

Lesson: Women come equipped with special intuitive genes, ESP, and eyes in back of their heads. Ergo:  you can never get away with anything.

3 – The woman is out of your league.

Happens occasionally to most guys. If you’re lucky. Happened to me several years ago when my cousin — who was in the Naval reserves — asked if I would take his fiancee to dinner while he was on a two-week training program.

Of course! I would take Connie to Patagonia, let alone dinner! Fortunately, he asked me over the phone so he couldn’t see me slobbering. The word “gorgeous” did not do her justice. To this day, Connie, for reasons still unknown to me, teaches elementary school instead of starring in movies.

When you take a knockout like Connie to dinner, there comes a glorious moment when you walk through the restaurant with her and become The Invisible Man.  Every pair of eyes in the place followed Connie as she went to our table. No one even knew I was there until I sat down. I chuckled. Gloated. Smirked. It was that delicious moment when I knew everyone in the restaurant was thinking, “What the hell is she doing with him?”

Now read and learn, guys. When you are with a stunning woman, just be yourself!  I wish someone had given me that advice.  Instead, I decided to morph into Sam Smooth.

The waiter came to take our drink order. Connie ordered the house wine. In a very suave, debonair tone, I ordered the house diet cola.

Connie chortled. Not good. Chortles are only good when they are with you and not because of you. And even then, my faux pas could have been quickly overlooked if the waiter hadn’t compounded my idiocy by saying, “Yes sir, what year?”

Lesson:  Do not risk being called Carl Cannonmouth the rest of your life.  Learn to keep your mouth shut.

4 – Internet Dating.

I told my kids I was going to check out “Dating for Seniors.”

I shared with them my first message: “Elderly; fit-looking for attractive woman interested in a meaningless relationship.”

Haven’t heard the end of it. My kids, terrified they really do carry my genes, have signed up for DNA testing.

Lesson:  Do not share your romantic quests with your kids.  Let them think you’re doddering.

5 – To all men of all ages.

Whether your relationship with your woman is brand new or decades old, this will always work:

Never be horizontal when she is vertical.

 

Cantankerously Yours,

 

Wendell Abern

 

Wendell Abern can be reached at [email protected].

June, 2013 – I wandered lonely as a cloud

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I wandered lonely as a cloud

I wandered lonely as a cloud
That floats on high o’er vales and hills,
When all at once I saw a crowd,
A host, of golden daffodils;
Beside the lake, beneath the trees,
Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.

Continuous as the stars that shine
And twinkle on the milky way,
They stretched in never-ending line
Along the margin of a bay:
Ten thousand saw I at a glance,
Tossing their heads in sprightly dance.

The waves beside them danced; but they
Out-did the sparkling waves in glee:
A poet could not but be gay,
In such a jocund company:
I gazed—and gazed—but little thought
What wealth the show to me had brought:

For oft, when on my couch I lie
In vacant or in pensive mood,
They flash upon that inward eye
Which is the bliss of solitude;
And then my heart with pleasure fills,
And dances with the daffodils.

June, 2013 – Lake Titicaca, Peru

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June, 2013 – Lake Titicaca, Peru

Travel with Territerrimarshallsm

Lake Titicaca, Peru:  Connecting with culture

Story and Photos by Terri Marshall

As I travel around this fascinating world, connecting with the local culture is always on my agenda.  During my recent visit to Peru, I set out to immerse myself in the rural indigenous culture of the small villages on the islands of Lake Titicaca through a tour that included a homestay with a local family – a true adventure.

At 12,507 feet, Lake Titicaca is the highest navigable lake in the world.  The lake is shared by Peru and Bolivia – each laying claim to its most picturesque views.  On day 12 of a two-week-trip through Peru, I headed to the docks in Puno with my friend, Jill, to board a small and somewhat ragged boat for my next great adventure.

Sheep on Amantani Island. Photo by Terri Marshall.
Sheep on Amantani Island. Photo by Terri Marshall.

The itinerary called for visits to three destinations on Lake Titicaca.  First up were the floating islands of the Uros people.  This group of about 40 small islands is home to 2,000 people from the Uros tribe, one that pre-dates the Incan civilization.  The islands are built from totora reeds that grow in the lake.  The reeds are also used to build their houses, boats and even used as medicine and for substance.

According to Uros legends, the tribe existed before the sun when the earth was still dark and cold.  They were impervious to drowning or being struck by lightning. Disobedience to the universal order and mixing with humans cost them their status as super beings and they scattered, losing their identity, language and customs.  They became the Uro-Aymaras and now speak Aymara. 

Today the remaining natives on the island survive by fishing.  Tourism provides most of their income giving the islands a Disney-esque feel, until you remember that you are, in fact, walking around on floating islands made entirely of reeds in the middle of a lake in Peru with a tribe that began from super-human beings. 

After a ride in one of the reed boats with the Uros children who serenaded us continually, we said our goodbyes and embarked on a three hour journey to Amantani Island where we would be spending the night with a local family.

Reed boats of the Uros people
Reed boats of the Uros people

Gladys, a member of our host family, met us at the dock to walk us home – a walk that included a climb up a steep embankment, a hike up several hills and clambering over rocks.   Due to the lack of oxygen in an elevation that is the rough equivalent of heaven’s, the walk also included several stops for panting. 

Arriving at the home I had one complete moment of bliss when I saw that we not only had indoor toilets, there was even one in our room. The other members of our group had to use outdoor toilets and carry buckets of water for flushing…fate was on our side.

homestay

After settling into our room, we joined the family for a simple yet delicious lunch of quinoa soup with potatoes, fried cheese and vegetables. We met Gladys’ mother, Isadora, the children Franklin (11) and Emily (5) and finally the patriarch of the family, Alfredo, who (although we don’t speak the same language) managed to tease me by pointing and panting.  Apparently word spreads quickly in the village.

Next on the agenda was a walk up (yes, up again) to the Plaza de Armas to learn about our afternoon options. We put our things away, locked our door then set out to follow Speedy Gonzalez up the path to the plaza.

Afternoon options included: (A) a hike to the top of the island to wait for sunset; (B) a hike up to the next village; or, (C) a stroll around the Plaza de Armas and nearby streets followed by the local drink at the cafe.

Fearing my oxygen deprived body couldn’t handle another hike, I chose option C and enjoyed a leisurely stroll around the village that led to encounters with donkeys, horses, children playing, beautiful vistas and libations.

Amantani Island has limited electricity, no roads and no street lights making the post sunset walk back to the house dark and treacherous.  Fortunately, young Franklin arrived with a flashlight to lead the way. About halfway down the hill, Mama Gladys, met us on the path and took away the flashlight leaving us to our own devices. 

Back home more trouble awaited when we couldn’t unlock our door. After several attempts, we gave up and asked little Franklin for help.  He apparently reported the incident to Mama Gladys who stopped by and took our key away – first our flashlight, then our key?  Was she planning to lock us up overnight?  There are times when a common language would be very helpful.

We were summoned for a dinner.  We started with more quinoa soup, followed by a main course of at least three types of potatoes (Peru has over 3,000 varieties) carrots and other vegetables. The bread was freshly baked from the wood burning stove and I was not about to leave a bite on my plate for fear that Gladys would take away more privileges – toilet paper perhaps?

After dinner we retired to our room and buried ourselves in the five wool blankets covering the bed that must have weighed at least 100 pounds each.   Turning over during the night was a bit of a challenge, but the warmth was appreciated.

As morning dawned we were delighted to discover we were not locked in our room, we no longer needed a flashlight and we still had plenty of toilet paper.  Gladys even had mercy on us as she walked us back to the dock.  She led us to a rock walkway. 

Scenes from Taquile Island on Lake Titicaca
Scenes from Taquile Island on Lake Titicaca

Our final destination on Lake Titicaca was Taquile Island – a UNESCO World Heritage sight known for its fine hand-woven textiles and clothing.  Knitting is done exclusively by the males starting at age eight.  The women make yarn and weave.

Arriving on the island, we climbed a long narrow path up to the main plaza soaking in stunning views of Lake Titicaca below and Bolivia’s mountain ranges in the distance. The trail winds past ancient agricultural terraces and ruins dating back to pre-Inca times.  The Taquile population was relatively isolated from the mainland until the 1950’s and the notion of the community and family is still very strong among them.

The weaving traditions date back to early civilizations and still maintain elements from pre-Inca Andean cultures.  The most characteristic of the garments is the “Chullo” – a knitted hat with an earflap.  You can determine the marital status of a man by the design of his hat.  And, if he is married, he won’t be wearing a wedding band.  Instead, when a couple marries, the wife gives her husband a hand-crafted belt to wear with locks of her hair woven throughout.

Perched on an ancient terrace overlooking Lake Titicaca, we savored a typical lunch of vegetable soup, fish (caught from the lake below), rice and a tomato and onion salad. 

Little boy from the Uros Floating Islands
Little boy from the Uros Floating Islands

The hike back to the boat required careful navigation of 540 rock steps of varying heights – a descent that ultimately left my quadriceps shaking uncontrollably – but one that also brought us the surreal scene of a village woman in traditional dress herding her sheep.

Each of the islands on Lake Titicaca provided a glimpse into unfamiliar cultures steeped in centuries old traditions the residents are eager to share.  The experience, though physically challenging at times, is one I will never forget.  

Note:  Tour arranged through Condor Travel  http://www.condortravel.com/ 

Terri is a freelance writer with regular columns on travel, chocolate and bar reviews. She is busy each month visiting new places to bring unique travel destinations and events to you. Yes, it is a sacrifice – but she is willing to do that for her readers! You can see more of Terri’s writing at www.examiner.com where she is the National Chocolate Examiner and at www.barzz.net. Also, check out her blog at www.trippingwithterri.com. You can contact Terri at [email protected].

 

June, 2013 – Summer Survival Tips

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June, 2013 – Summer Survival Tips

Mommy Moments

Summer Survival

by Amy Clark, Originally posted on MomAdvice.com

The summer season is here and along with it comes summer vacation for the school-aged kids. Moms are now responsible for coming up with the ideas and curriculum for their children and I am the first to admit that by the summer my creative juices have just about run out. How can you make summerkids2 another time of fun and enjoyment rather than boredom? And just how do you do this on a budget? There are lots of great things that you can do this summer and ways to keep organized when doing it. Here are a few of MomAdvice’s suggestions for summer survival:

Mini-Vacations

Rather than taking one long vacation in the summer, break your vacations into smaller and more affordable activities. Some suggestions are hitting area zoos, amusement parks, local festivals, and museums. By taking smaller vacations, you have a few things to look forward to rather than just one event. Check out some books from your local library on activities that you can do within your own state and then research on how to get the best price. Talk about your vacation plans with friends and see if they know of any places that are cheap to stay at or where you can get coupons for money off of tickets. Ask your library as well if they offer any season passes that you can take advantage of. One of our local libraries had a pass to the art museum which library patrons could check out for the day gaining them free admittance into the local museums and galleries. We checked these out and saved thirty dollars every time we hit one of these places. Call in advance though because you may be competing with another family for the same day.

If you are planning a vacation to another state or even within your own state, visit the state’s visitor’s bureau website to get a packet of information and coupons for the state. For example, we were planning a trip to Cedar Point in Ohio so I requested a packet of information to be sent to me by the visitor’s bureau. Within this packet of information was a gold mine of coupons for the amusement park including buy one get one free admissions which saved us over twenty-five dollars.

Stocking Up

With the summer season comes a whole new set of things that you will need to be stocked up on. With children home from school, you are now the one who is to come up with the creative lunches and snacks for the kids. Try and keep the fridge well-stocked with lots of fresh vegetables, fruits, whole grain breads, meats, and cheeses so that you can quickly make sandwiches and can avoid spending money at the drive-thru. Having items on hand that children can make themselves will also take some pressure off of you for providing the meal.

A great way to save time on cleaning up after your meals is by taking advantage of the pleasant weather and dining outside. Our family does a lot of eating outside on our patio furniture which makes for easy clean-up. When it is just my son and I though, we eat outside on a plastic mat “picnic-style”. We love to do this and the mat only requires a quick shake and clean-up is a breeze.

We also purchased a small cooler lunchbox for our day trips out which is a great investment for the family. We take this everywhere and fill it with the day’s lunch or snacks while we are out. Filling this with healthy snacks and food will save you money as well as saving you from a less than healthy trip to the drive-thru when you are out on one of your day trips or just running errands. This cooler can also be used when grocery shopping for keeping your ice cream and meats at cool temperatures.

Another great purchase for your car is a seat organizer where you can stick books and toys in for the kids as well as diapers, wet wipes, and maps to get to your destination. Don’t forget to pack a towel for brushing off after those trips to the beach as well.

A kiddie pool and sandbox can be a great investment for the summer as well for the younger kids. My son spends hours playing in his sandbox and kiddy pool and the investment was small compared to the hours of enjoyment he can get from these. If a family member is looking for a gift this summer for a birthday or just because, suggest buying one of these items so that you don’t have to pay for these yourself. We asked for these items for our son’s birthday and also used our anniversary money to put towards a family zoo pass for the summer.

Don’t forget to stock up on all of those fun summer toys for the kids to play with outside. You can stock up on a lot of your fun summer items over at the local Dollar Store. We purchase sidewalk chalk, sandbox tools and toys, bubbles, and water guns. They offer a wide variety of fun summer toys that won’t break the bank. You can also make a couple of these yourself with these recipes.

Super Sidewalk Paint

¼ cup cornstarch
¼ cup cold water
6-8 drops of food coloring

Directions: Mix cornstarch and cold water together in a small plastic bowl. Add food coloring and stir. Repeat this process to creat different colors of Super Sidewalk Paint. Super Sidewalk Paint can easily be washed away with water

Treasure Stones

1 cup flour
1 cup used coffee grinds
½ cup salt
¼ cup sand
¾ cup water

Directions: Mix all dry ingredients together in a medium bowl. Slowly add water and knead until the mixture is the consistency of bread dough. Break off a piece of dough and roll it into the size of a baseball. Make a hole in the center of the ball big enough to hide treasures in. Fill the hole with treasures and seal with some extra dough. Let your treasure stone air dry for two or three days or until hard or bake in the oven on a cookie sheet at 150 degrees for fifteen to twenty minutes. If you would like to tin your Treasure Stone, add one tablespoon of powder tempera paint to tint.

Water Balloon Yo-Yo

1 small balloon
1 large rubber band

Directions: Cut the rubber band in half. Tie a loop securely on one end of the rubber band. It should be big enough to fit around your finger. Use a garden hose or water faucet to fill the balloon ¼ of the way with water. Blow air into the balloon until it is the size of a tennis ball. Tie the balloon shut. Securely tie the rubber band around theknot on the balloon. Place the rubber band loop around your middle finger and gently throw the balloon toward the ground. When the balloon springs back toward your hand, try to grab it.

Rainy days during the summer can be particularly difficult for children and parents alike. A great way to make these days go by quicker is by keeping lots of craft supplies on hand. You can also print out free printable coloring pages and crafts through dltk-kids.com. We keep lots of construction paper, play dough, crayons, and coloring books on hand for fun and creative activities during the day.

Keep in mind that your library can be a wonderful summer resource for your family. Obviously, the library offers lot of great summer reading to help you get through those rainy days, but try to look past just the literature and ask your children’s librarian what types of summer reading and activities they offer. I still remember as a child that the library offered a great summer reading program that worked in conjunction with our local Pizza Hut where we received stars for meeting reading goals that could be used towards food at the restaurant. This motivated me so much as a child that I read many more books then I had anticipated. Setting reading goals during the summer can be very rewarding for children. Make sure to ask your child’s teacher for a reading list of books that they should be reading in preparation for the next grade. If your child is not reading yet, be sure to take advantage of this time to read to them. It truly is amazing the power literature has on our minds and speech development.

Don’t Over Schedule

For some reason many parents tend to go overboard on the summer classes and activities. I remember as a child how much I enjoyed just running around through the sprinklers, getting ice cream, or taking a trip to the park. I do not remember as clearly the classes that I took or the activities that my parents had paid for. It is so important to allow our kids to be kids! Kids really do remember the little outings that you do with them and often these outings and time spent with them have a greater impact then four weeks of camp will.

Remember that this is their summer vacation. I know that I do not enjoy having every single minute of my vacation booked with things to do; likewise children enjoy having some downtime. Try to keep this in mind when signing them up for various summer programs. Maybe allowing your child to pick one or two activities during the summer will be more manageable for both you (the driver) and your child.

Making Memories

Most importantly, enjoy your summer to its fullest… Whether it is long lazy days of lounging by the kiddy pool or a fun-filled summer chock full of day trips and activities- try to make it a summer to remember. I am filling my son’s memory book up this summer of all the wonderful things we have gotten to do. I always think that I will remember each and every moment with him- the smells of the hot dogs on the grill, the sand between our toes as we play for hours in his sandbox, or his sweet face full of fascination at the tiny bugs crawling on his swing set, but all too quickly it is gone. Put your pen to paper this summer and lovingly write those memories down so someday you and your child can reminisce over the beauty of that hot summer of his youth and all that you shared together during those wonderful months.

Read more at http://www.momadvice.com/parenting/summer_tips.aspx.

 

June, 2013 – Whole Foods Market Events

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Whole Foods Market®
Wellington June 2013 Calendar of Events

 Wellington, Fla. – 

All events, dates, and times are subject to change. For the most current info, please visit www.Facebook.com/WholeFoodsMarketWellington  page or our website www.wholefoods.com/events

Events are held at 2635 State Road 7, in the Lifestyle Center and are free of charge unless otherwise noted. Pre-Register for events at the customer service desk or by phone (561-904-4000) for Free Classes Only. Refunds, credits, or transfer of classes will not be honored for no-shows or cancellations made fewer than 24 hours before event. All events are subject to change. Classes with low registration may be cancelled.  Any classes cancelled by Whole Foods Market will be refunded. Space is limited. 

Events, Cooking Classes, and Lectures

The Sushi Stop

Look for Lina in our Prepared Foods Department to taste Genji’s featured sushi creations prepared fresh daily!  No registration necessary, just stop by during the times below:

Thursday, June 6th 5:00-6:30 PM, Free

Featuring: Vegetable Tropical Fresh Roll 

Thursday, June 20th 5:00-6:30 PM, Free

Featuring: Ginger Miso Dressing

Block Party: Dads’ Favorite Foods

Tuesday, June 11th 5:30-7:00 PM, Free

Treat Dad and bring him to this special tasting to enjoy father-friendly samples around the store and your chance to vote for your favorite sample.  Teams will create recipes to honor Dads everywhere and to compete for best dish, so be sure to pick up a ballot in our produce department to cast your vote!  No registration necessary, just come on by!

Kids’ Club: Father’s Day Brunch

Wednesday, June 12th, 12:00-1:30 PM, Free

Pre-Registration Required. Stop by the customer service desk or call 561-904-4000 to reserve your spot.

Learn how easy it is to make pancakes from scratch for Dad (and your whole family!) this Father’s Day. We’ll mix in a few surprise ingredients to make these pancakes extra special, and we’ll make an egg dish to go with them. Kids ages 6-12 will make Light and Fluffy Pancakes and Ham and Egg Cups. All children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. With Suzanne in the Lifestyle Center.

Health Starts Here – Category H, for healthy!

Wednesday, June 12th 6:30-8:00 PM, Free

Pre-Registration Required. Stop by the customer service desk or call 561-904-4000 to reserve your spot.

Hurricane season is officially here. You know what that means…trimming trees, securing shutters, and stocking your hurricane food bin with healthy treats of course! Join our Healthy Eating Specialist, Amanda, as she shows you easy ways to navigate your kitchen and ride out a storm without compromising your health. In the Lifestyle Center.

Grilled Goodness for Dinner

Saturday, June 15th 6:30-8:00 PM, Free

Pre-Registration Required. Stop by the customer service desk or call 561-904-4000 to reserve your spot.

Let’s celebrate summer with an easy grilled dinner featuring our 5-Step™ Animal Welfare rated pork and simple sides.  Suzanne will make Grilled Pork with Blueberry Sauce, Summer Corn Salad, and Peach Ambrosia for dessert. In the Lifestyle Center

Allergy Relief

Wednesday, June 19th 6:30–7:30 PM

Pre-Registration Required. Stop by the customer service desk or call 561-904-4000 to reserve your spot.

Do you suffer from allergies or sinus congestion? Could the foods you are eating be affecting your sinuses or allergies? Are you looking for ways to boost your immune system naturally? Learn how.  Instructor: Dr. Tim DeCanio, a board certified chiropractic neurologist and renowned speaker.  In the Lifestyle Center

Homeopathic and Nutritional Therapies for Dogs and Cats

Thursday, June 20th 6:00 – 8:00 PM

Pre-Registration Required. Stop by the customer service desk or call 561-904-4000 to reserve your spot.

Join Michael Dym, VMD for an interactive discussion on keeping dogs and cats healthy through a more natural, holistic lifestyle.  Learn healthier alternatives to over-vaccination, nutritionally poor commercial pet foods, and overuse of chemicals and pesticides in our animal companions. Dr Michael Dym has over 21 years of clinical experience in small animal veterinary medicine, and is one of 400 veterinarians trained in classical homeopathy by Richard Pitcairn, DVM, PhD.  In the Lifestyle Center

Gluten Free Shopping Tour

Tuesday, June 25th 6:30 -7:30 PM, Free

Pre-Registration Required. Stop by the customer service desk or call 561-904-4000 to reserve your spot.

Join Chef Joe for an informative tour of our gluten free products around the store and enjoy samples of Chef Joe’s top picks!  Participants will learn not only where to find these specialty products, but will also have the chance to ask questions about best practices for cooking gluten free meals.  Please meet at the Customer Service Desk for the tour.

Health Starts Here Pillar Power Class

Wednesday, June 26th 6:30 – 8:00 PM, Free

Pre-Registration Required. Stop by the customer service desk or call 561-904-4000 to reserve your spot. Join Healthy Eating Specialist Amanda in the Lifestyle Center for this info packed class focused on the four pillars of healthy eating. Learn how to ditch processed foods, enhance some of your favorite foods with power packed plant superstars from our produce section, embrace healthy fats, and get more of a nutritional bang for your buck!

Cabernets Worth Waiting For

Thursday, June 27th 6:30-8:00 PM, $10 per person

Pre-Registration Required. Stop by the customer service desk or call 561-904-4000 to reserve your spot.

Enjoy a tasting of our wine buyer’s top picks from our extensive cabernet collection.  Wine expert and buyer, Joe Kudla, will pour some of our finest Cabernets for your tasting pleasure.  Paired refreshments will also be served for the ultimate tasting experience.  In the Lifestyle Center

Mom’s Morning Escape

Friday, June 28th 9:00-11:00 AM, Free

Pre-Registration Required. Stop by the customer service desk or call 561-904-4000 to reserve your spot. Moms will receive a free coffee or tea, and muffin from the Coffee Bar.  Please check in at the Customer Service desk to pick up your Mom’s Morning Escape Voucher, then make your way to the Coffee Bar for your treats. Dr. Laura Valhuerdi DLMV of Practical Wellness Solutions will be offering free 5 minute chair massages in the back of the café (first come first served).

*All children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian

All Things Cherry Tasting & Team Member Pie Eating Contest

Friday, June 28th 12:00-1:30 PM, Free (pie eating contest at 12:00 PM)

Come on by and enjoy free samples of all things cherry around the store!  Meet us at the front of the store on the patio at 12:00 PM to watch team members compete in our annual cherry pie eating contest!  We will have samples of pie for all that stop by.

Gluten-Free Cooking: Chilled Out

Saturday, June 29th, 2:00-3:30 PM, Free

Pre-Registration Required. Stop by the customer service desk or call 561-904-4000 to reserve your spot.

Summer is here, along with those lazy, hot days.  Come and join Chef Joe as he demonstrates how to prepare some summer fare that is not only gluten-free, but sure to take the heat out of the kitchen.  Bring your appetite to sample Chilled Peach Soup, Dilled Rice and Lentils with Creamy Cucumber Salad, and Shrimp and Snow Pea Salad.  NOTE: Recipes are based on availability of ingredients and may change.  Also, all ingredients used are gluten-free; however, our facility is not certified gluten free. In the Lifestyle Center.

In the Community:

Taste 2013

Thursday, June 6th 4:30-8:00 PM, $15-$20/person

Join us at the South Florida Fairgrounds for this Central Palm Beach County Chamber of Commerce event. Whole Foods Market will create flavorful offerings for you to taste and enjoy. $15 tickets can be purchased at www.cpbchamber.com . Tickets are $20 the day of the event.

Tropical Fruit Festival “Taste of the Tropics” at Mounts Botanical Garden

Saturday, June 29rd 10:00-3:00 PM, $5.00 entrance donation

Festival activities will include a tropical fruit display featuring over 100 tropical fruits, tropical fruit samples (limited to the first 500 attendees), cooking demonstrations, Whole Foods Market sampling table, Palm Beach County Extension Master Gardener Booth, Family and Consumer Sciences food displays, live music and more.  Please visit www.Mounts.org for directions and information.

Health and Wellness Fair Hosted by the Wellington Chamber of Commerce

Saturday,  June 22nd 9:00-1:00 PM, Free, in the parking lot

Stop by the Chamber’s wellness fair on your way in to the store.  There will be over 30 health and wellness booths with interactive activities for all ages. The fair will have a free yoga class at 11:00 AM with more activities throughout the fair.  Don’t miss our team at the fair and on the patio where we will have a delicious lunch for only $5/plate.  

 

About Whole Foods Market®
Founded in 1980 in Austin, Texas, Whole Foods Market (wholefoodsmarket.com, NASDAQ: WFM), is the leading natural

and organic food retailer. As America’s first national certified organic grocer, Whole Foods Market was named “America’s Healthiest Grocery Store” by Health magazine. The company’s motto, “Whole Foods, Whole People, Whole Planet”™ captures its mission to ensure customer satisfaction and health, Team Member excellence and happiness, enhanced shareholder value, community support and environmental improvement. Thanks to the company’s more than 73,000 Team Members, Whole Foods Market has been ranked as one of the “100 Best Companies to Work For” in America by FORTUNE magazine for 15 consecutive years. In fiscal year 2012, the company had sales of $11.7 billion and currently has more than 340 stores in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom

 

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