Month: May 2019

2019-05-01T11:01:00

(BPT) – Did you know 96% of teachers say that each fall, students appear to have forgotten or lost some of the knowledge or skills they learned the previous school year?

But don’t worry, the good news is that 89% of parents plan to continue some form of educational activities with their children during the summer. Many of these activities may be things you already do with your children. And 92% of teachers agree that students will be more successful overall if they keep learning during the summer months.

What are the most enjoyable and successful ways to help your children learn while they’re having fun and enjoying their summer?

Here are five ideas to keep your kids’ minds and bodies active all summer, so they’ll be eager to pick up where they left off when the new school year begins.

1. Plan fun field trips.

Take advantage of your community’s attractions, museums or historical sites that offer wonderful learning opportunities, as well as being really fun outings the whole family can enjoy. Find interesting locations to visit online, involving older children in the search. Use trips to the zoo, farm or museum as learning opportunities by engaging your children in a little pre-trip research, exploring the background of the animals, artwork or history of the location beforehand to get them excited. Plan what you’ll do when you get there, and follow up with a related activity after you get home. Many family-friendly venues offer learning materials and guides for schools and parents, so call or check their website ahead of your trip!

2. Visit your public library.

Most libraries offer summer reading programs to encourage kids to read, as well as fun events for infants through middle-schoolers. Older students love choosing their own books and delving into reading for pleasure that they may not have time for during the school year. And all reading helps children develop their vocabulary and reading comprehension.

3. Invest in daily learning activities.

Help your kids retain skills in math, reading and language arts, as well as exploring science, social studies, fitness and character development with Carson Dellosa Education’s Summer Bridge Activities workbooks, available in paperback and as eBooks. Just 15 minutes a day of fun, age-appropriate activities and hands-on projects help children review skills and knowledge learned the previous year. Then the lessons transition into exploring exciting new levels of learning to prepare them for the coming school year. Summer Bridge Activities provide recommended reading lists, plus handy flash cards that are easy to use, even on the go, that engage your child at their reading level and build their self-esteem. Designed for preschool through eighth grade and aligned with state standards, these award-winning, teacher-recommended workbooks include monthly goal-setting to help children work toward a completion certificate for a sense of accomplishment. Pages are numbered for each day, making it easy for kids to complete the activities on their own, with plenty of time left in the day for play!

4. Find summer camps.

Any parent knows that kids thrive with structure, so finding day camps or other group activities your children will enjoy is a terrific idea. Whether built around physical activity, creative pursuits or specific interest, find programs that include skills you want to see your child keep up, like reading, writing, math, science or physical education. Classes that encourage your child’s curiosity and keep them engaged will help your children learn even while they’re socializing and having fun.

5. Involve the whole family.

If one set of skills or area of knowledge you want your child to develop is not your strong suit, enlist help from a grandparent or other relative to spark your child’s interest. Often learning about hobbies or the career of someone they know has more impact than just telling them that math is useful in real life, for example. Learning how to measure correctly to build a treehouse with grandpa is a great — and practical — lesson in using math skills.

Summer is all about fun and relaxation, but it’s easy to include effective learning with a little planning and creativity. To invest just 15 minutes a day to help your children be ready for the next grade, visit summerbrains.com.

2019-05-01T00:01:00

(BPT) – When the temps heat up, home cooks look for lighter, more refreshing food and drinks that still pack a nutritional punch. America’s Original Superfruit(R), the cranberry, is just the thing — a tangy fruit that adds flavorful zing to sweet and savory recipes. Available dried, frozen, as juice or sauce, cranberries are a good source of Vitamin C and have fiber and unique antioxidants as well. Offering big health benefits in a little package, cranberries are full of unique polyphenols not commonly found in other fruits. You can enjoy their wonderful, robust flavor while boosting your health.

Here are some great ideas for hosting an #AllAmeriCRAN cranberry summer BBQ.

1. Quench your thirst

Cranberry juice makes a delightfully refreshing drink on its own or mixed with sparkling water and served on ice. For those who enjoy adult beverages, make a statement at your party with a festive, colorful pitcher of sangria served with fruit. Add cranberry juice to red wine for a zesty, delicious 21+ punch, with orange juice, orange slices and a little extra liquor like brandy or rum.

2. Keep your cool

Cranberry juice boosts the flavor of a fruit smoothie with its sweet and tart flavor. Combine with fruits, such as bananas or strawberries, and your favorite milk or yogurt, adding a little honey or agave if desired. Blend with crushed ice for a healthful, delicious smoothie for breakfast or any time you need a quick pick-me-up. The kids will love it. In preparation for extra hot days, make cranberry juice ice cubes or ice pops in your freezer.

3. Fire up the barbecue

A sure-fire hit is to combine cranberry sauce with mustard, vinegar and brown sugar to create a mouth-watering barbecue sauce for all your summer grilling. You’ll have your guests trying to guess the secret ingredient providing delicious tang.

4. Satisfy your sweet tooth

For a refreshing summer treat, create a cranberry parfait in a pretty glass by alternating layers of refreshing ingredients. Get creative and start with a base like crushed cookies, vanilla wafers or graham crackers (reserving some for the topping), then alternate layers of whipped cream, vanilla pudding or your favorite yogurt with jellied or whole berry cranberry sauce. Add a layer or two of fresh blueberries or strawberries for a red, white and blue dessert. Make it family-sized, or create individual parfaits to offer your guests a personal treat.

5. Have a cranberry party

The robust cranberry can handle some heat, so create a zesty salsa for your next party. Combine thawed, chopped frozen cranberries with Mexican flavors such as jalapeno, green onions, lime juice and cilantro to create a unique salsa. Season with salt and sugar to taste.

6. Add zing to your snacks

Combine dried cranberries with nuts and seeds to make trail mix for your barbecue that all your guests will love to munch while you prepare the entrée. Add toasted coconut flakes or chocolate chips for a dose of sweetness.

7. Spruce up your salads

Adding dried cranberries gives any veggie or fruit salad an extra pop of flavor. This whole grain salad recipe from the Cranberry Marketing Committee shows one great way to use cranberries in a colorful summer dish.

Cranberry and Cilantro Quinoa Salad

• 2 cups water
• Pinch salt
• 1 cup quinoa, rinsed
• 1 cup sweetened, dried cranberries
• 1/2 cup minced carrots
• 1/2 cup chopped red bell pepper
• 1/2 cup yellow bell pepper
• 3 tablespoons finely chopped red onion
• 3 tablespoons minced fresh cilantro
• 3 tablespoons fresh lime juice
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• Pinch ground red pepper

In a small saucepan, bring water and pinch of salt to a boil over high heat. Stir in quinoa, reduce heat and bring to a low simmer. Cover and cook until all liquid is absorbed (about 13 minutes).

Remove from heat and transfer to a medium bowl. Cool to room temperature. Cover and refrigerate until ready to use.

To the bowl of quinoa, stir in cranberries, carrots, peppers, onion and cilantro until mixed.

In a small bowl, mix together lime juice, oil, salt and ground red pepper and pour over quinoa-cranberry mixture; toss to coat evenly. Cover and refrigerate at least 2 hours before serving. Does not have to be served cold.

Can’t get enough cranberries? Check out uscranberries.com for more great recipes.

2019-05-01T00:01:00

(BPT) – Think about how much time you and your family spend inside versus outside. From your home to the car to work and to school, it’s not uncommon that the majority of your day is spent indoors. This modern phenomenon means increased exposure to indoor air pollution. Fortunately, with a few smart, proactive steps, you can help protect yourself and your family.

People vastly underestimate the time they spend inside, assuming just four hours, when in actuality they are inside more than 21 hours each day, according to The Indoor Generation report by The VELUX Group. The Indoor Generation refers to a growing number of people who spend the vast majority of their time indoors — currently 90 percent of their days on average, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

In addition to people spending more time inside, homes are being built and sealed tightly to meet the demand for increased energy efficiency. This is great for energy efficiency but not so great for fresh air exchange, which is necessary to maintain healthy indoor air quality. The resulting polluted air is locked in and can have health consequences: Moldy and damp air inside the home can increase the risk of asthma by 40 percent. Poor indoor air quality can contribute to irritated eyes, nose and throat, headaches and fatigue. Long-term indoor air pollution can even lead to the development of respiratory diseases and heart disease.

How to improve indoor air quality

Everyday activities, such as cooking, cleaning, showering, burning candles and drying clothes, contribute to polluted indoor air. Pollutants coming from toxic materials, such as plastic toys, synthetic furnishings, cleaning solvents and building materials, can also worsen indoor air quality. Adding natural light and fresh air to your home can help combat the dangers of modern indoor living.

Here are seven smart steps homeowners can take to make their living conditions healthier:

Vent air while cooking

Always remember to turn on the hood fan while you’re cooking and open nearby windows and skylights. Try cooking oils with higher smoke points, so you produce fewer fumes. Palm, peanut, grapeseed, avocado and sunflower oils all have smoke points higher than 400 degrees Fahrenheit.

Install a skylight

Adding a skylights is a simple renovation project that drastically improves your home’s health. One option is Velux No Leak Solar Powered Fresh Air Skylights, which bring in natural light and open to create fresh air flow. The latest models come with a remote control to open and close the skylight and its blinds. Learn more at whyskylights.com.

Use natural air flow

Hot air rises and cool air stays closer to the ground. You can take advantage of this natural air exchange in your home by opening a skylight or window higher in your home while also opening one below it or on a lower level. As fresh, cool air is pulled in, the warmer, polluted air will escape at the top.

Avoid burning candles

Candles provide ambiance and often a pretty scent, but they can have a negative effect on indoor air quality. Try opting for beeswax candles, which produce fewer airborne toxins. Alternatively, check out battery-operated candles that look close to the real thing.

Clean regularly

Create a home and pet cleaning schedule, and stick to it as much as possible. Vacuuming can help eliminate dust and dander.

Dry clothes outside

When the weather is nice outside, take a cue from your grandparents, and dry clothes outside naturally with the sunshine and breeze. Eliminating use of the dryer or dryer sheets decreases air-polluting fumes and moisture buildup in your home. Plus, who doesn’t love the smell of line-dried clothing?

Make home airing a daily habit

Even if the weather only allows you to air out your home for a few minutes, it can make a world of difference. Make a habit of opening windows and skylights daily. If you think you’ll forget, just set an alarm on your phone to remind you.

2019-04-30T16:01:00