MLS Sample by robert byars

Brenda Realtor 904-515-1411

Inside this issue: Summer Brunch Fare

Children in Kitchen

Inside Story

Tidy Back-to-School Transitioning (Family Features) With shopping that needs to be done and supplies that need to be gathered for busy days ahead, preparing for the back-to-school season can descend into near chaos for many parents. When long school days leave little time for organization and decluttering, any home can quickly become a mess. According to a survey conducted by ClosetMaid, 92 percent of parents describe their kids as messy. Among those same parents, 80 percent give their kids chores and about half of them end up doing the work themselves to ensure it’s done properly. Two out of three of the parents surveyed said their children’s messiness often leaves them in bad moods. Considering one of the hardest things about back-to-school season is creating an organized routine, the time to start is now. When every room in the home can use some reorganization, decluttering in preparation for busy school days can be overwhelming. A smart place to start is in the room you and your kids waste the most time looking for things. These other useful tips can help you take it from there:  Tackle your child’s closet and take inventory of what’s in it. Before you buy anything new, go through and get rid of torn clothes and items that no longer fit. It can help you see what is needed and ultimately make it easier for them to get dressed in the morning.  Get your command center in tip top shape. Set up a system for storing important paperwork and create a centralized family calendar to help coordinate everyone’s schedules.  Create a drop zone. Contain clutter before it spreads too far around the house with ClosetMaid’s KidSpace, a line of juvenile storage furniture featuring a storage locker that is perfect for backpacks, coats, sports equipment and supplies. Since it’s kid-sized, children can be responsible for making sure their belongings are put neatly away.  Create a comfy homework station. Designate a special space, perhaps under a lofted bed, that

(Family Features) More than nine in 10 millennial moms think it's important for their kids to learn about where their food comes from, and more than three-quarters of those moms actively do things with their kids to help learn just that, according to recent findings. Building healthy habits is the top reason moms cite for encouraging more learning when it comes to food, according to research conducted by IPSOS on behalf of Cuties – the sweet little clementines. Even when the weather is colder outside, these tips make it fun for families to learn about where their food comes from and help encourage kids to eat healthy for a lifetime.

1. Grocery shop together or go to a farmers market. Many cities now have year-round indoor markets, where together you can select fruits and veggies to try. Often the farmers are there, so you can learn about produce and get ideas for how to prepare unfamiliar items at home.

1. Cook with your kids. Find fun recipes that let them explore fresh foods where they can be creative. Find ageappropriate ways to involve them, like stirring or measuring, and encourage them to get hands-on with recipes, such as this fun Flower Salad recipe from registered dietitian Ellie Krieger. Explore the story of where some of their favorite foods come from. Kids learn and remember information when it comes in the form of a story. Cuties is giving families the chance to uncover those stories by encouraging them to submit questions using #AskAGrower on Facebook. Actual growers will answer with stories about how this sweet, seedless and easy -to-peel fruit is grown with care by their family of growers. A video series at cutiescitrus.com/our-story also helps bring the stories to life. “Making learning about food fun is good for the whole family,” Krieger said. “It encourages kids – and parents – to explore new foods and be more connected to where their food comes from. It’s truly a ‘healthy’ conversation to have together.”

Flower Salad Recipe courtesy of Ellie Krieger Servings: 1 Flower:

     

1 Cuties clementine 9-10 thinly sliced strips red bell pepper, cut in 1-inch pieces 1/2 grape tomato 1 celery stick, cut to 3 inches 2 small leaves romaine lettuce 1 piece English cucumber, unpeeled, seeded and cut to 1 1/2 inches then thinly sliced

Dip:

   1.

2 tablespoons plain Greek yogurt 1/2 teaspoon honey 1/4 teaspoon fresh lemon juice Peel clementine and separate sections almost all the way, leaving attached at the base. Place on plate with base down. Place piece of red bell pepper between each citrus section, and half tomato in center to form flower. 2. Place celery and lettuce leaves underneath as stem and leaves. Arrange cucumber slices below to represent grass. 3. In small bowl, stir together yogurt, honey and lemon juice. 4. Serve dip in dish alongside flower, or in a mound underneath cucumber slices. Nutritional information per serving: 76 calories; 0.5 g total fat; (0.3 g saturated fat, 0.2 g poly fat); 4 g protein; 15 g carbohydrates; 2 g fiber; 2 mg cholesterol; 21 mg sodium.

Source: Cuties

Coconut Monkey Mix Yield: 7 cups

      

1 cup flaked coconut (unsweetened or sweetened) 6 cups popped popcorn 1 tablespoon butter or margarine, melted 1 teaspoon sugar 1/8 teaspoon salt dash of nutmeg 1 cup dried banana chips

1. Heat oven to 325° F. 2. Spread coconut in 13-by-9-inch baking pan, breaking up any clumps as needed. Bake 10 minutes, or until edges of coconut begin to brown. 3. Spread popcorn over coconut and sprinkle with butter; toss. Sprinkle popcorn mixture with sugar, salt and nutmeg; toss. 4. Bake 5 minutes longer, remove from heat and toss with banana chips. Serve immediately or cool and store in airtight container.

5 Essential Skincare Tips for Baby

(Family Features) When it comes to parenting, there’s no one-child-fits-all handbook. There are times when caring for a little one can be a far cry from the snuggles and smiles that make it all worthwhile. Healthy skin is critical to a baby’s long-term health and happiness, and it can impact both baby and family quality of life. Caring for a baby’s skin from birth helps avoid skin conditions such as diaper rashes, eczema and other irritations, which are often the source of many sleepless nights. With these simple tips from the baby and child skin care experts at Mustela, having a happy, healthy baby isn’t as challenging as it may seem. Diaper changing Aside from the obvious odor-reducing reasons, prompt diaper changes are an important part of keeping your baby healthy. A soiled diaper may be uncomfortable, but even more importantly, it’s a breeding ground for bacteria and skin irritation. Keep diaper cream on-hand to treat any irritations that arise and use it on a regular basis to prevent future outbreaks. Bath time Bath time is a great opportunity for parents to bond with their baby, even while taking care of necessary business. For some babies, the water can be scary, so be sure to use a cheerful, reassuring tone to soothe nerves. Also ensure your baby is well supported, not only for safety, but for an added sense of security. Though you may think you need to bathe your baby daily, many pediatricians recommend bathing 2-3 times a week to keep skin from becoming dehydrated and protect natural moisture levels. Using a baby micellar water is an easy way to keep skin clean between baths and on-the-go without stripping it of natural protective oils. Sun protection Without proper care, harmful sun rays and radiation can affect your child’s skin not only now but also in the long-term. Limiting time outside, using sun-blocking shades and applying sunscreen can all help mitigate the risks. Look for sunscreen that is formulated for babies as it can better protect from sun damage without irritating their delicate skin. Consult your pediatrician before using sunscreen on babies younger than 6 months. Also, remember perspiration and water can reduce sunscreen’s effectiveness and reapplying at least every two hours offers continuous protection. Find more ways to care for your baby at MustelaUSA.com. Photo courtesy of Isobel Benesch, @Belandbeau

These recipes are a great start to adding more whole grains — and they’re so good, you might forget they are heart smart. Get more tips and heart-smart recipes at www.PostShreddedWheat.com.

Apple Crisp Total Time: 65 minutes Makes: 6 servings

       1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

5 cups peeled apple slices 1/2 cup firmly packed light brown sugar, divided 1 tablespoon lemon juice 1 tablespoon tapioca 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1 1/2 cups Post Original Shredded Wheat Spoon Size Cereal, finely crushed 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) margarine, melted Preheat oven to 350°F. Mix apples, 1/4 cup sugar, lemon juice, tapioca and cinnamon in large bowl. Let stand 10 minutes. To make topping: stir crushed cereal, remaining 1/4 cup sugar and margarine in medium bowl until well blended. Spread apple mixture in ungreased 1 1/2-quart baking dish. Sprinkle evenly with cereal topping. Bake for 45 minutes or until topping is browned and apples are tender when pierced with fork.

Breakfast Avocado Toast with Bacon and Ham Cook time: 30 minutes Serves: 4

12 slices Smithfield Thick Cut Bacon 16 ounces Smithfield Anytime Favorites Boneless Sliced Ham 1 1/2-2 quarts water 1 lime, juiced 1 cup freshly made or refrigerated, prepared guacamole 4 large eggs 4 thick slices seeded whole-grain bread, toasted golden brown freshly ground black pepper 1 tablespoon chopped parsley or cilantro leaves Heat oven to 375 F. Lightly spray baking rack and place on top of foil-lined, rimmed baking pan. Separate strips of bacon and lay flat in single layer on rack. Bake 15-18 minutes, or until just crisp, rotating pan halfway through cooking. Using spatula, remove bacon from pan while warm; drain on paper towels. While bacon is baking, lay sliced ham on lightly sprayed, rimmed baking pan. Bake 5-7 minutes, or until warmed through. Keep bacon and ham warm. In saucepot over medium-high heat, heat water and lime juice until simmering. Crack eggs into small cups. Slowly add eggs one at a time to pot and simmer 4-5 minutes, or until whites are just set for runny yolk or a little longer for firmer yolk. Remove eggs from water with slotted spoon and drain on paper towel. Spread guacamole onto toast, topping each with sliced ham, egg, pepper and bacon. Sprinkle with parsley or cilantro and serve warm.

Make Breakfast Time Anytime

(Family Features) Give your meals a wake-up call because breakfast is no longer just for mornings. From weeknight family dinners to a quick lunch, you can make mealtime fun with breakfast recipes any time of day. Delicious, wholesome ingredients are the centerpiece of breakfast dishes, and hand-crafted Smithfield bacon, ham and sausage lends mouthwatering flavor to breakfast dishes you can enjoy all day, any day. Put a hearty spin on avocado toast or get creative with a protein-packed breakfast bowl. Find more recipes you can enjoy morning, noon and night at Smithfield.com.

Hearty Breakfast Bowl Prep time: 10 minutes Cook time: 30 minutes Serves: 4 8 slices Smithfield Thick Cut Bacon 16 ounces Smithfield Boneless Ham Steaks, cubed 3 cups cooked steel-cut Irish or traditional oatmeal 3 1/2-4 quarts water, divided 1 pound fresh asparagus 4 eggs 2 cups fresh assorted berries 1/2 cup walnuts 1/3 cup pepitas (Spanish pumpkin seeds) Heat oven to 375 F. Lightly spray baking rack and place on top of foil-lined, rimmed baking pan. Separate strips of bacon and lay flat in single layer on rack. Bake 15-18 minutes, or until just crisp, rotating pan halfway through cooking. Using spatula, remove bacon from pan while warm; drain on paper towels. Drain fat from pan. Place ham cubes on same rack and bake 5-7 minutes, or until heated through. Prepare oatmeal as directed on package and keep warm with ham and bacon. Over high heat, bring 2 quarts water to boil and blanch asparagus 1-2 minutes, or until tender-crisp when pierced with fork. With tongs or slotted spoon, remove asparagus; drain and reserve. In same saucepot over high heat, bring 1 1/2-2 quarts water to boil. Reduce heat to simmer and, using slotted spoon, carefully lower eggs into water individually. Cook 6 1/2 minutes for softer, jammy yolk or a little more for firmer yolk, keeping water simmering during cooking. Transfer eggs to bowl of ice water and chill 1 minute for easier peeling. To assemble, divide oatmeal, asparagus, berries, ham and bacon among four bowls. Place peeled, halved egg in each bowl and top with walnuts and pepitas.