Does your car look more lived in than your house? Here are some ways to get your “home away from home “organized.
Institute a “one only” rule with your kids. Whenever they get into the car they’re allowed one toy. Make sure they take it back inside once you get home.
If your trunk comes with a cargo net, use it to hold groceries, kids sports equiptment and other items.
Stow a can of moist wipes in a cupholder for clean-ups.
Keep a “go box” with items you’ll need during the day. Any large container will do. You can fill it with DVD rentals that need to be returned, clothes for the dry cleaners, library books that need to be returned, etc. Grab it as you head to the car and bring it back inside at night.
Stash a few plastic bags in your glove box. That way you always have a spare for trash that might collect during the day.
Turn the back of your seat into hanging storage. Check out www.organize.com. They have great hooks to hang on the back of your seats for your purse, backpacks, etc.
Make sure to read your owner’s manual for hidden compartments or features you might not have known about.
We all know families are busy, but you should always make the time to prepare for the unexpected. September is Emergency Preparedness Month and the Kent County Health Department wants you to sit down as a family and discuss a plan.
First, talk to your kids about what natural disasters could happen right here in West Michigan.
Secondly, create a plan in case of an emergency. Put together all contact numbers and medical information in an easily accessible spot. Also talk about a meeting place for your family inside and outside of the house, in case anyone would get seperated.
Thirdly, create an emergency kit. This is larger than a first aid kit, but can include some of the same items. Here is what it should have:
-A first aid kit, medical supplies and prescription medications
-Bottled water (rule of thumb is one gallon per person per day)
-Non perishable items like canned goods and bagged snacks
-Flashlights and batteries
-A radio
-Personal hygine items like a toothbrush, toothpaste, soap and towels
-A change of clothing for each family member
After a long day, many parents don’t feel like cooking! Instead of hitting up the local drive-thru, Shari Steinbach has some quick and easy recipies that will have you cooking once and eating three times. This week she showed us how to cook a peppered pork roast and “recycle” the leftovers into two more meals.
Peppered Pork Roast
1 (4-pound) pork loin roast or 2 (2-pound) roasts
6 T. pepper blend seasoning
Rub all surfaces of roast(s) with seasoned pepper. Place pork in shallow roasting pan and roast in 350º F. oven for 45 minutes to 1 hour and 15 minutes, until internal temperature (measured with a meat thermometer) reads 150º F. Remove from oven and allow roast to rest for 10 minutes. Slice and serve.
Makes a meal with garlic mashed potatoes and mixed vegetables.
Mediterranean Pasta Salad
Makes 4 servings
¾ pound cooked Peppered Pork Roast, cut into thin strips
12 ounces Meijer penne or ziti pasta, cooked and drained
1 small cucumber, diced
6 ounces crumbled feta cheese
1 cup grape tomatoes, halved
½ cup chopped fresh mint leaves
½ cup Greek vinaigrette dressing
In large bowl, gently toss all ingredients with dressing. Serve on shallow salad bowls or dinner plates. Makes a meals with sesame seed dinner rolls.
10 Quick & Healthy Meals with a Rotisserie Chicken
1. Greek Chicken Salad
Pull the meat off one rotisserie chicken and shred into bite-size pieces. On 4 individual plates place 1 to 1-1/2 cups Dole salad greens. Top with shredded chicken. Arrange 4 tomato wedges on the edge of each plate. Add Greek olives, crumbled feta cheese and sliced green onions. Serve with reduced fat balsamic vinaigrette and an ACE baguette from the bakery.
2. Chicken & Artichoke Pizza
Drain and chop 1 (14 oz.) can of artichoke hearts and mix with 1/3 cup light mayonnaise, ¼ t. hot pepper sauce and ¼ cup shredded Parmesan cheese. Spread mixture onto a Boboli pizza crust. Top with 1-1/2 cups shredded rotisserie chicken; 1/3 cup chopped red bell pepper, ¼ cup Parmesan cheese and 2 T. pine nuts. Bake at 400°F for approx. 10-12 minutes or until heated through. Serve with a tossed green salad.
3. White Chicken Chili
Add 2 cups of shredded rotisserie chicken to a large pot with 1 T. olive oil; sauté for 1-2 minutes. Add 1 (48 oz.) jar of cooked Great Northern Beans, 1-2 T. cumin and 1-1/2 cup salsa (mild to hot, depending on taste). Heat until hot. Add 2 cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese and stir until cheese is melted. Serve with whole grain tortilla chips and fresh fruit.
4. Flat Out Whole Grain Chicken Wrap
Spread 3 T. prepared guacamole on each Flat Out whole grain wrap. Top with shredded rotisserie chicken, 2% shredded Cheddar cheese, tomato slices, and Romaine leaves. Wrap tightly, cut on a diagonal and serve with baked chips.
It’s time to start thinking about Halloween! We’re looking for your best ideas on simple costumes for kids, healthy treats, best party tips and unique ways your family celebrates this fun family holiday! If you have ideas to share, I’d love to hear from you!
Hundreds of cyclists, thousands of spectators and tons of fun! That is what last weekend’s Priority Health Grand Cycling Classic was all about…..the love of cycling. This week’s show takes you inside this event, which brought out thousands of people from around the region to take part in the festivities.
Over 200 men, women, professional and amateur cyclists participated in this 1.2 kilometer race that wound through the streets of downtown Grand Rapids. One of the highlights of the afternoon was the Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital Kids Race. The race was a chance for 250 kids ages 2-9 to take a stab at the course.
This week’s show covers all the racing action along with ways that you and your family can get more involved in the sport. Enjoy the show!
The Motion Initiative is an urban cooperative bicycling ministry located in the heart of Grand Rapids. Their mission it to connect kids to adventure, hope and freedom through the gateway of bicycling.
The organization has a variety of arms, but probably the most unique is their Earn-a-Bike Program. Through this program area kids have the opportunity to earn bikes, parts, special biking trips and other incentives through sweat equity. Kids have to put in hours at the shop, meet academic standards and in return earn ”bike bucks.” Along with the rewards they are also gaining a since of leadership, good work ethic and financial responsibility.
For more information on this program visit www.mibike.org. This program is always looking for more volunteer mechanics that can help teach kids bike repair skills and also serve as positive role models. If you’re interested please visit their website for more details.
Whether you hit the locals trails or just ride around your neighborhood, cycling is a sport that is great for all ages. It’s good exercise and a chance to spend quality family time together. So, what do you need to get started? We went to the pros at Kentwood Cycling and Fitness to find out.
1. First and foremost you need safety gear. All riders should wear a bike helmet, even the kids in the bike seat or Burley. Make sure your helmet fits properly and is level on your head. The strap under your chin should fit snug and be two fingers width under your jaw line.
2. Second is bike accessories. Burleys and tag-a-longs are great accessories for the little ones who are still learning to ride. They keep everyone in the family involved, but allow for longer distance riding.
There are a variety of cycling groups through out West Michigan that meet on a regular basis to ride. If you’re looking for some fellow road warriors check out the links below.If you have a club you’re a part of that’s looking for new members, post a comment and we’ll add you to the list!
“How often do you lol with your tweens and teens? I recently read a survey that found 68% of parents communicate with their kids by text messaging. And in talking with local teens many feel their relationships with their parents are stronger because of it!”
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Does your car look more lived in than your house? Here are some ways to get your “home away from home “organized.
