Come out and join me at this year’s Pure Passion for Fashion event at Comstock Park High School!

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Some great free films are coming to Celebration Cinema as part of Flick’s Family Film Festival!

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It takes a lot of time, effort and passion to put together a weekly television show.  I’m blessed to have a great team that makes it happen every week!  John VanDoorne is our photographer and editor and Jamie Allen is our producer.  Our team of three puts out a product I am very proud of!  I’m thrilled that the Michigan Association of Broadcasters feels our work is awarding winning as well.   We recently received a “Best In Category” award for “Maranda: Where You Live” as well as a special  Merit Award from MAB.  It’s a great honor to be recognized for our work, it’s also a great honor to work with an awesome team and wonderful community partners!  We are proud to be a part of “Where You Live”!

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How you spend your food dollar is more important than ever.  One great way to get more value for your dollar is by including fruits and vegetables in your family meals.  Fruits and vegetables are not only full of health-promoting nutrients and fiber, they may help you feel full and delay hunger longer.  There are many bargains to be had in the produce department, as well as the canned, frozen, and juice aisles.  Here are some ways to get the most nutritional value for your money.

Check for specials on fresh, frozen, canned, and dried fruits and vegetables before planning meals.  Consider what’s in season that may be less expensive.

Compare the prices of different sizes and varieties to get the best value.

Be adventurous – try a new recipe or a new fruit or veggie.  Have you tried butternut squash?  What about a new kind of pear?

Make fruits and veggies the center of the plate:  try vegetable stir-fry with quick cooking brown rice, bean and cheese quesadilla, vegetable curry, or a grilled portabella mushroom sandwich with low-fat cheese.  I like to sauté diced zucchini and grated carrots until soft and then add them to a jar of pasta sauce.  Serve this veggie sauce over a multi-grain pasta.

Replace half the meat in a recipe with veggies, fruit, and/or dried beans.  Think “vegetable stew with beef,” “veggie chili with ground turkey,” or “Asian vegetable salad with diced chicken.” 

Plan ahead and take fruit and veggie snacks with you.  If you get hungry while on the go, you won’t be in a situation where expensive, high calorie snack foods are your only option.

Check out www.fruitsandveggiesmorematters.org for more family-friendly ideas and recipes that include fruits and vegetables.

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Last summer, 12 year old Alexandria Mueller was our Summer Reading Club Grand Prize Winner.  Her and her family just got back from an amazing trip to Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida.  Keep watching the website for more details on the 2010 Summer Reading Club and your chance to win big!

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There is a new exhibit at the Public Museum of Grand Rapids that lets your kids get up close and personal with bugs!

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If you visit the Big Big Bugs exhibit at the Public Museum of Grand Rapids, one of the highlights is meeting a special scientist, Bug Man Jim.

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Science projects don’t have to be expensive.  Here are some simple science experiments you can do with your kids with things you have right in your own kitchen.

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Bugs play an important role in the work they do at the John Ball Zoo.

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Ferris State University has many career paths for students interested in the science field.

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