Boredom Buster: Board Games

Over the years we have built up quite a collection of board games.  Some I don’t even remember acquiring.  Kids love board games, and super hot days, when you cannot get outside, are a great time to peek through all that you have.  Let the kids choose a few that they would like to try, this will keep their interest more than you choosing for them. 

• If you don’t have a collection to choose from, but you have a magna doodle, play Pictionary. We have even used our laptop in the paint program as well to play.  This is a great game that keeps everyone involved for hours sometimes.
  
• We have also played the computer games where you have to hunt and find the missing items.  I have connected my laptop to my TV, using an HDMI cord so everyone can join in the fun.
  
• Sometimes the kids even make their own games up, and we play trying to follow the rules that they make.  It doesn’t always work out the greatest, but the self confidence it instils, is reason enough. 

Make some snacks, settle in, forget about the housework for a bit and have fun as a family. The laundry will be there in a few hours, building memories that your kids can look back on is the key.

Staying Cool: During Extreme Heat

We are still having a massive heat spell, today.  Here are some tips for staying cool when its just too hot for you or your family to be outside having fun!  :(

• Wear light colored, loose fitting, cotton clothing.
  
• If the kids are dying to go to the beach or pool, take them in the morning for a few hours, before noon.
  
• Running cool water over your wrists and temples.  This cools down your pulse points and overall temperature.
  
• Don’t eat large meals, they cause your body to work hard, causing more heat internally.  So eat small meals more frequently.
  
• Eating spicy foods that make you sweat will help cool you down.
  
• Misting sheets with a linen spray or water, will keep you cool at night, when a fan is being used to circulate the air in the room.
  
• Before bed taking a room temperature shower or bath will help you feel cooler as you sleep.  If you take a cool shower, your body will try to compensate and produce more heat.

Be safe everyone!  If you have any other ideas please comment, I would love to hear from you!  Until tomorrow.

Safety Concerns: Extreme Heat!

We are under an Excessive Heat Watch today.  I would like to share with you a few things you can do to protect yourself and your family.

Do any strenuous activities in the morning or evening.

Check on relatives and neighbors.

If you need to work outside take frequent breaks in a shaded environment.

Stay hydrated:

1. Drinking plenty of fluids
   
2. Stay out of the sun
   
3. Get to a place where there is air conditioning.

Signs of heat exhaustion:

1. profuse sweating
   
2. weakness
   
3. nausea
   
4. vomiting
   
5. headache
   
6. light headedness
   
7. muscle cramps      

Signs of heat stroke

1. confusion
   
2. lethargic
   
3. possible seizure
   
4. the skin stops sweating
   
5. body temperature may exceed 106 (F)

Watch for these signs so you can be prepared and know when to take action.  Stay safe everyone, have a great day!

Snacks In No Time: Groovy Guacamole

Dips or Sauces are excellent with kids around.  They are fun and different, which catches their interest.  Avocados are so good for you, and kids are sometimes very picky.  But the tanginess of guacamole, and the fact they can dip chips into it really encourages them to try new things.
Ingredients:

• 10-12 cherry tomatoes, peeled.
  
• 4 ripe avocados, skin and pits removed.
  
• Juice from 1 lime, or 2 Tablespoons of reconstituted
  
• 1/2 a small onion
  
• 2 garlic cloves, or 3 tsp. chopped garlic (already prepared)
  
• 1/8-1/4cup dried cilantro

Instructions:
Place all ingredients in a food processor and process until desire texture.  Season with salt to taste.  Place in an airtight container in refrigerator and use within 4 days.  Serve with tortilla chips or crackers.  (serves 6)
Tips:

1. Remove skin from tomato's:  Place tomato's in a bowl, and pour boiling hot water over them until they are covered and allow to sit for 3 minutes. Peel skins off with a paring knife until all have been removed.
   
2. Remove skin and pit from avocado:  Cut avocado in half, remove pit with a spoon.  Scoop flesh out with a spoon.
   
3. This recipe can be done also with a blender if you prefer.  It is quite thick so you will need to stop and keep scraping the sides with a rubber scraper.

Snacks In No Time: Peach Mango Punch

My daughters and I had a girls night out last night and we had homemade pizza, and toffee popcorn with peach mango punch, while we settled in for a great movie on Netflix.
Ingredients:

• 5 Peaches
  
• 2 Mangos
  
• 1 Can of Sprite.

Instructions:
I took the stones out of the peaches.  I took the stones out of the mangos.   Using my juicer, I juiced all fruit and poured equally into three tall glasses.  I topped the glasses off with the can of sprite, equally.  I carefully stirred, being careful not to let the drink foam up too much and voila!  A wonderful sweet, fresh punch.  (3 Servings)
Tips:

1. Removing stone from a peach:  I did this by cutting the peach in half along the seam up against the stone. Twist the halves to open fruit, and pop the stone out with a spoon.
   
2. Removing stone from a mango:  I did this by cutting the mango lengthwise, about 1/2 inch from center out,and repeated on other side, so the stone would be still in the center. Then took the center part and cut around the stone.
   
3. Using a blender instead of a juicer:  You would want to peel your fruits and remove stones from them.  Take fruit instead of placing in juicer, place in blender and add a liquid to help liquefy your ingredients.  I would recommend using water or juice, not using a carbonated beverage because that could foam up with the blending action.  Blend until desired thickness.  Then pour equally into three tall glasses. Top the glasses off with the can of sprite, equally. Carefully stir, being careful not to let the drink foam up too much.  Then serve.