4 Easy, Affordable, Healthy, and Fun Summer Recipes for Kids

 
Is your kid a picky eater?

Try these 4 easy, affordable, healthy, and fun summer recipes to get your children enjoy veggies

For kids, summer means having adventures outdoors but quarantine restrictions have put a pause to that. Parents have to get extra creative in ensuring their children still have fun and lead healthy lifestyles even if they’re mostly indoors. Ajinomoto Philippines Corporation is helping parents this summer by sharing creative, affordable and delicious, yet easy and nutritious gulay recipes that will add colors and adventure to their kids’ plates at home.

“We understand the challenge parents have in making meals for their kids, especially in encouraging them to eat vegetables,” says Ajinomoto’s Science Communication Executive, Deborah S. Fajarda, RND. “Through these veggie recipes, we want to address this concern and provide creative ways on how parents can make nutritious dishes enjoyable and fun for their kids. We want to show that mealtimes can be both a healthy and adventurous journey for parents and their children.”

Here are 4 easy, affordable, healthy, and fun veggie recipes that Ajinomoto developed for parents to enjoy with their kids at home: 

Crispy Fry® Cauliflower Bites

Add a satisfying crunch to your kid’s meryenda with the easy-to-make Crispy Fry Cauliflower Bites. This could be an alternative to snacks like chicken nuggets. Cauliflower is high in potassium. Potassium, in right amount together with sodium, helps maintain fluid balance in the body which is important during the hot weather. CRISPY FRY® Breading Mix gives the crunch that kids love, while the SARSAYA® Sweet and Sour sauce offers a tangy flavor to make this snack even more special. Read the full recipe here.

Mini Spinach and Cheese Pizza

Make pizza healthier with this variant that uses spinach. Spinach is rich in calcium, iron, and vitamin A, which help in strong bone and muscle development, maintaining good eye sight, healthy red blood cells and strong immune system for growing boys and girls. This recipe uses PORKSAVOR® All-in-One Seasoning Mix, which adds a meaty taste that children will enjoy. They can also join in preparing the pizza by adding the toppings all over the dough. Copy the recipe here.

Mixed Veggie Kiddie Patties

These patties can be enjoyed as an ulam or as a snack between hamburger buns. These are made from chicken breast, which contains more lean protein and less saturated fat and cholesterol. The ingredients also include cucumber, broccoli florets, and bell pepper, which are also filled with important nutrients. Not only is it healthy, but also simple. You can make this in 4 easy steps. Make the patties crunchier with the CRISPY FRY® Seasoned Crumbs. See the recipe here.

Fun Camote and Carrot Fries

Squeeze in that extra beta carotene into your kid’s meals by turning carrot sticks into “fun” fries. This bright and naturally sweet veggie is a great way to entice picky eaters. To make it more appealing, you can also mix it up with sweet potatoes or camote. Here’s a fun fact too! Did you know that camote, or sweet potato, is rich in potassium, vitamin C, vitamin A, and fiber to keep bodies healthy. Adding AJI-GINISA® Flavor Seasoning Mix will also bring a meaty stir-fry deliciousness that will elevate this snack. This Fun Camote and Carrot Fries only takes 15 minutes to cook, so kids have something to eat right away when feeling hungry. You may also opt to use an air fryer to lessen fat content. Follow the recipe here.

With these recipes, Fajarda also reminds parents to know the recommended amount of vegetables needed by their children to ensure a balanced diet. For ages 3 to 5, 1/2 cup is ideal, 3/4 cup for ages 6 to 9, and 3/4 to 1 cup for ages 10 to 12. 

“These recipes are clever and fun ways of adding vegetables to kids’ daily menu---and making them can even help parents encourage healthy routines and strengthen their bonds with their young ones. Involving our children into meal planning and cooking, such as reading recipes and learning about veggies can likewise help them know about proper nutrition in a fun and tasty way,” says Fajarda. 

These healthy and creative recipes are part of Ajinomoto’s Eat Well, Live Well commitment. Ajinomoto has dedicated itself to developing ideas and creating products and services that aim to improve the wellness of Filipino households.

For more creative and nutritious recipes, visit ajinomoto.com.ph.

Read More »

How to Choose the Right Daycare

photo source

Choosing a daycare is a tough process. Everyone wants what is best for his or her child, but there are also budgets to consider. Here are some tips for choosing affordable daycare Batavia OH.

Start Early

If you are currently pregnant and know that you’ll need daycare, start looking now. Depending on the area you live in, there could be long waiting lists, especially for popular centers. You don’t want to end up urgently needing daycare but having limited options. You will also need time to tour multiple daycares to check for cleanliness, safety and staff competency.

Consider Different Types

The main categories of daycare are church-based, in-home and daycare centers. There are benefits and downfalls to every option. For example, in-home daycares might provide a more intimate setting that mimics your home, but will have limited staff and fewer opportunities for socialization. Larger centers will have lots of kids to help your little one get adjusted and may be able to do more field trips and excursions. However, they can cost twice or three times the amount of a daycare in a church or home setting. You’ll also want to determine if you need full-time or part-time care. Not every daycare will offer part-time care, so if that’s something you need, your options will be decreased

Check the Reviews

To get an idea of customer satisfaction, you can check reviews via community apps. Also, ask for recommendations from family and friends. You will need to prioritize the most important elements, as some factors might be a deal-breaker for someone else, but not for you. For example, some parents consider a video feed of the center a non-negotiable. If that’s not a selling point for you, dismiss it and make a note of the qualities you love.

Selecting a daycare can be stressful, and no center is going to be perfect. If you are prepared and focused on the must-haves, the details that aren’t important to your family won’t bog you down.

Read More »

3 Childcare Options for Working Mothers

photo source

It used to be that if a woman had a child and was financially secure, they automatically left the workforce to become a stay-at-home mom. These days, women can choose to keep working, staying active in their fields and contributing to their family's income. However, they do need to find childcare. If you are a working mother and are looking into childcare options for your children, read on. We have three suggestions for you that might work for you and your family.

1. Daycare

Many families choose to send their children to a daycare center Fairport NY. There are several different kinds of daycare, from in-home settings with a few other children to larger centers with different teachers and classes. Prices can vary but daycare is a great option if you are looking for childcare that allows your child to socialize with other children.

2. Nanny or Nanny-Share

If you prefer to keep your child at home and have individualized attention, you can hire a nanny. Nannies can be daytime employees or live in your home depending on what your needs are. Keep in mind though that hiring a nanny can be quite expensive. If you can't cover the cost yourself, see if you can do a nanny-share with another family to split the cost.

3. Au Pair

Having an au pair is similar to having a nanny. These caretakers come from countries around the world and live with your family while learning English and gaining cultural knowledge. There are restrictions to how long the au pair can work and they will eventually return to their home country, but if you want to expose your child to another culture, an au pair might be right for you.

Leaving your child in the care of other people can be stressful. Hopefully one of these options will be the right choice for you and your child.

Read More »

How To Find a Bra That Fits Well

Photo Source

Many women put up with ill-fitting bras because they don't know how to find one that fits correctly. There is no reason you need to put up with a bra that digs into your skin, cups that don't fit your breasts or straps that slip off your shoulders. Here are some tips to help you find that perfect bra.

Let the Band Provide Support

The straps of the bra are just there to hold the bra against your body and help shape your breasts. If the bra fits correctly, the actual support comes mostly from the band. For this reason, you need to find the correct size band first. Measure around your body underneath your breasts to find your band size. Then start trying that size band to see if it fits. The band should feel snug around your body with room for one finger underneath, or about an inch of room. You should start out wearing your bra with the hooks at the loosest size. The other hooks are supposed to be used to adjust the bra after it stretches as it gets older.

Find the Right Size Cup

It is hard to measure your breasts to find the right size cup. You may have to use some trial and error when finding the correct size. If your bra straps are hurting your shoulders and your breasts are trying to spill out of the cups, try a larger size cup. If your straps are slipping and your bra feels too loose, try a smaller cup. Remember that cup size is not standard. Rather, cup size varies in relation to the size of the band. So, if you go up a band size, you may need to go down a cup size, or vice versa. If your breasts are very small or large, you may want to seek out a brand that specializes in your size, like Lulalu for small breasts.

Choose Different Bras for Different Purposes

For physical activities, you should choose a sports bra that will keep your breasts from bouncing too much while you exercise. This may be a compression bra, which keeps your breasts close to your body. Compression bras are best for small cup sizes. For larger sizes, an encapsulation bra is better. This type of bra has support surrounding each breast, so it gives more support to larger cup sizes. Consider more than one sports bra if you exercise a lot.

You should, of course, have a couple of well-fitting bras for regular everyday wear. You will wear these the most, so be sure you find a good fit. Buy one in black and one to match your skin tone for the most versatility.

Certain clothes, such as plunging necklines or backless gowns, will need a special bra. Plunging bra cups will not be visible under low-cut tops, but they may not be supportive enough for everyday wear. You can also buy convertible bras, on which you can change the configuration of the straps to accommodate strapless, backless, halter or criss-cross tops.

These suggestions should help you to find a bra that fits well. You don't need to suffer from wearing an uncomfortable bra any longer.

Read More »

What to Expect From Your First Physical Therapy Appointment

Photo Source

Injuries from car accidents, sports, or slips and falls would usually be the reason why people seek out physical therapy treatment. Sometimes, it’s chronic or acute pain that brings a patient to the session. Regardless of what the reasons could be behind your need for physical therapy, what’s important is that you get the treatment you need as soon as possible.

If this is your first time setting a physical therapy Edgewater appointment, don’t worry. Here are things that you can expect from your first visit.

Assessment

On your first appointment with your physical therapist, expect to undergo a comprehensive assessment of your condition. This entails answering questions about the degree of pain and discomfort you’re currently experiencing versus your previous condition prior to the injury.

The source of injury will also be factored in, so be ready to share any findings from medical exams like X-ray results so your therapist can have a clearer view of your injury’s background. If it’s chronic pain-related, try to identify what conditions usually trigger the pain, what makes it worse, and, conversely, what seems to relieve it.

No detail is too small or irrelevant. The more complete the picture is, the better your physical therapist can formulate a treatment program that will work best for you.

Test Movements

As part of your evaluation, you can also expect to be tested for your mobility, particularly in the affected area. Come in comfortable clothing that will let you move around easily. Your physical therapist may apply pressure on the affected area as well, to see the trigger and threshold of the pain.

If the impacted area covers the lower part of the body, including hip pain, knee pain, or leg and ankle pain, wear shorts or loose pants that you can roll up. You should be able to move or flex your joints to see your range of motion.

Additional Tests

There are other physiological tests that you can expect to undergo during this first appointment. Apart from the range of motion measurements, there will also be strength tests, balance, and even cardiovascular health tests. More specifically, they will check if you get palpitations, and by how much, during strenuous physical activity. Neurological screening tests will also be completed.

Setting a Treatment Program

Last but not least, your physical therapist will explain to you their recommendations for an effective treatment plan. It may include other modalities for treatment, such as electrical stimulation, to improve your progress faster.

You may also be given homework exercises, so you can continue with the program even from your home. That said, agree upon a schedule that’s most convenient to you, and stick to it. The success of any physical therapy program largely rests on consistency, so make sure to commit to it.

Read More »

How To Do High Intensity Training As A Beginner

Photo Source

High-intensity interval training (HIIT) is at the top of the list, ahead of strength training. It's no wonder that HIIT continues to be one of the most popular practices among fitness enthusiasts. Interval training consists of doing various high-intensity exercises for a short period of time for about 45 seconds and recovering with active rest for about 15-10 seconds before resuming activity. Luckily, interval training usually does not require any type of equipment, so it is possible to do it anywhere and at any time. You can do them in the gym, at home or on the street without a problem. Denver Fitness makes it easier for you to do these exercises in an enclosed and safe location.

Room for Improvement

If you want to apply interval training to improve your performance and speed, it is recommended that you do a series of training. Since the constant change of pace will help you improve your cardiovascular performance and your muscular response, especially if you are preparing for a race and you are not as fit. There is always room for improvement, and interval training is the best way to get to the next level.

Condensing Your Workouts

HIIT (High-Intensity Interval Training) or high-intensity interval training is one of the practices that has gained the most popularity among athletes in recent years and with good reason. Interval workouts allow you to condense the best of a continuous moderate workout into just a few minutes a day, requiring much less dedication. This means that the investment of time is less, achieving magnificent results.

The Steps

If you decide to do them at home or in the gym, go for exercises like burpees, jumping rope or zigzag back and forth, squats or push-ups. Perform these exercises for 45 seconds at maximum intensity and rest for the next 15. Think that HIIT training should be appropriate to your physical form, assuming a challenge, but always training safely. If you are a beginner, limit yourself to 20 minutes, so that you can do a set of 5 different exercises 4 times to fulfill your training. If you are already in a certain physical shape, challenge yourself by holding out for up to half an hour or adding light weights to exercises such as squats, and normal or lateral lunges.

Conclusion

Experts recommend mixing interval training with strength training, in this way you get the best benefits from weight training and cardiovascular training. It is best not to do more than 3 interval training sessions a week, and never do them without breakfast, as they are very demanding. If you dare, choose a partner who helps you time yourself or with whom to share the effort.

Read More »

Top Pool Maintenance Tips For New Pool Owners

Photo Source

Above ground pools offer fun in the sun for you, your family, and friends and make your backyard the place to be during warmer months. However, owning a pool comes with great responsibility. Ask any current pool owner, and they’ll be the first to tell you that it takes significant time and effort to maintain your pool regularly.

If you’re a first-time pool owner, here are a few things you’ll need to do to keep your pool safe, clean, and beautiful:

Test the pH Level

A pH level signifies whether a liquid is alkaline or acidic. 7 is neutral, with anything above being alkaline and anything below being acidic. You want to achieve a good balance for the safety and comfort of those swimming in your pool. Typically, it’s recommended to aim for a pH between 7 and 7.6.

Test the Chlorine Level

Chlorine in pools sterilizes the water to remove and prevent any bacteria or microorganisms that could be hanging out in your pool. Just like with pH, it’s critical to find a balance with your chlorine levels. If you have too much, you can damage your pool equipment, bleach swimsuits, and irritate swimmers. If you have too little, bacteria and algae will start to emerge. It’s essential to regularly check your chlorine levels and reach a level between 1 to 3 ppm (parts per million).

Check the Water Level

You may not think much of it, but your pool’s water level is important. Again, balance is key here. You don’t want too much water in your pool, as it can cover your skimmer and lead to water contamination. On the other hand, you don’t want your water level to get too low because the skimmer can consume too much air, causing issues in your pool system. When you check your water levels, ensure that one-half to one-third of your skimmer is covered by water.

Make sure to check the water level after a heavy rain, after many swimmers have been in the pool, and during hot, sunny days when evaporation is at its peak.

Keep the Water Circulating

You don’t want stagnant water or dead zones in your pool, as this can lead to algae and bacterial growth. Check your filtration system regularly to make sure everything’s pumping correctly. If you notice that certain spots in your pool aren’t moving, you can install jets that will help circulate the water throughout the entire space.

Read More »

Why Your Young Family Needs a Life Insurance Policy

photo source

Starting a family is always a big deal and is something that can transform your life for the better in so many ways. If you're interested in starting a family and want to ensure that you get the best experience, it is important to pay for high-quality life insurance long before anything happens to you.

This expense is something that you just can't ignore because it can help you and your family out in ways that you may not fully expect. Taking these steps is wise because it can provide your family with the financial compensation that they deserve to avoid serious lifelong suffering:

Why Life Insurance is Important

A life insurance policy is something that might seem excessive to some young people. However, these policies are inexpensive and are best purchased when young because they can mature into a stronger and more comprehensive level of coverage. This benefit allows you to help your family long after you pass.

Understanding the wide variety of benefits will make it easier for you to choose a life insurance policy that meets your needs and prevents excessive financial suffering after you pass. Just a few benefits that you can anticipate from this type of policy includes:

• Helps When You Pass – Even if you're young and healthy and full of life, there is always a risk that you may end up passing unexpectedly. This situation is frightening and is something that you need to take care of by ensuring that your family doesn't get stuck with huge bills when you pass away.
• Keeps Family Solvent – When you pass away, your family is going to end up losing a source of income that they will struggle to replace. A good life insurance policy will help them while they find a way to cover for your passing, a situation that they couldn't handle easily otherwise.
• Provide Children With Educational Help – Your children are beautiful and smart, and you want the best life for them after you pass. Use your life insurance policy to help pay for their education to ensure that they get the best chance to succeed in what can be a difficult and demanding life.
• Pays Taxes and Other Expenses – Paying for your taxes when you pass is something that your family will find difficult both financially and emotionally. Life insurance policies can help here by ensuring that these expenses get paid and keep your family from losing financial benefits.

As you can see, choosing a high-quality life insurance policy will provide your family with a large amount of help and ensure that they are covered in case anything happens to you. These policies will vary depending on a variety of different factors that need to be fully understood.

Before you go and buy a policy, though, it is important to understand the different types that are available on the market today. Talk to a Denver insurance agency to get started and to find a policy that suits your needs.

Read More »

Window Screen Replacements Are Easier Than You Think

Photo Source

Recently purchased a new home and noticed that the window screens are a little worn looking? Furthermore, were you surprised to find that perhaps the window screens were aluminum? Aluminum is one of the world’s most popular metals, widely recognized for a huge variety of benefits, especially as wire mesh. So it is not a surprise that you can still find homes, modern or not, using aluminum screening for windows, doors, and even porches.

Don’t be discouraged if faced with having to deal with aluminum Window Screen Replacements. It can seem daunting at first if you’ve never had to replace a screen yourself. Window screen replacements are easier than you think, especially in today’s window screen industry as innovations have been made by offering full custom aluminum window screens from frame to crossbars, hardware types, and more included.

You can save a significant amount of extra cost by choosing to do window screen replacements yourself, as you won’t need to hire a professional nor worry about hourly wages. Plus, in most cases, the custom aluminum window screens are less pricey than the supplies a contractor may need. Let us help you replace any of your damaged or aged window screens easier by showing you how to do it.

Where to Start

First, you will need these basic supplies:

• Measuring tape
• The old window screen frame, for measuring
• Choosing a screen color, you like: charcoal, black or silver
• Choosing a screen frame that matches your house, such as white, bronze, silver, tan, or champagne so that the frame fits seamlessly with your outdoor décor
• Type of hardware

Types of Window Screen Hardware

Window screen hardware is a shorthand way of saying what attachments you’d like to use on the screen for it to hold itself to the window. Let’s take a look at and explain the most popular window screen hardware available to help you choose.

• Tension Springs extend out from the window screen and creates tension by pushing the screen to hold it into a window track. Tension springs are the most common types of screen hardware. Tension springs are most usually paired with lift tabs so the screen can be easily removed.
• Leaf springs create tension as well, however, they’re heavier duty than a tension spring. An allowance does need to be made for leaf springs because even when completely compressed, so add 1/16^th” to your original screen measurement.
• Rams Horn Clips are most often placed at the top of the window screen. These clips firmly snap onto a lip on the window frame to hold the screen.
• Spring plungers are sometimes referred to as plunger bolts. The metal tap of a spring plunger extends into a grove and holds in the window frame to hold the screen in place.
• Slide latches have a flat metal flange that slides out into a groove or slot in the window frame to hold the screen in place. The U-shaped handle of this latch provides an easy grip for extending or retracting the slide latch.
• Acorn turn latches are plastic latches that fit on the inside of the window screen face (opposite of the spline side). One side has a tab for easy turning, the other side has a slight point that fits into a slot or behind a lip to hold the window screen in place.

How to Measure Your Window Frame or Old Window Screen

Now that you’ve chosen your window screen replacements screen color, frame color, hardware before you run off excitedly to order a new custom aluminum window screen, you’ll need to know what size your screens need to be. The easiest way to do this is to measure your old window screen frames.

1. Measure the shortest side of your old screen frame.
2. Measure the longest side of your old screen frame.
3. Measure the thickness of the screen frame.

However, if you don’t have the window screen frame or it is too damaged, never fear.

1. Find the lip of your window, which is what will hold your window screen in place. Put the end of the tape measure behind the lip, then measure vertically up to the window screen channel. Note the measurement and add 1/8^th of an inch.
2. Measure the horizontal screen channel, note the measurement, and subtract 1/8^th of an inch.

Make sure to measure a second time just in case, so that you can order the exact fit for window screen replacements. This will save you the headache and cost of accidentally ordering the wrong size.

Order Your New Custom Aluminum Window Screens

Once you’ve got your exact measurements, all you need to do now is make sure you have those measurements on hand and order your window screen replacements from your favorite, reputable screen shop. Then, wait for it to arrive and snap it into place. That’s it!

Window screen replacements are truly easier than you think, cost-effective, and a smart way to save time and effort without needing to be an expert.

Read More »

4 Dog Breeds That Make Great Pets

Photo Source

There’s a saying that a dog is man’s best friend, but it might also be his most helpful. People who own dogs tend to have less anxiety and be more physically active, and it also seems dog ownership reduces an individual’s risk of cardiovascular disease and even death. If you want to join the two-thirds of American households who experience the joys and benefits of owning a dog, there are plenty of options from which to choose. There are more than 300 officially recognized dog breeds, but some make better pets than others.

German Shepherds

This breed is noted for being obedient, courageous and highly intelligent, which helps explain why so many German shepherds are employed as police dogs and service dogs. They are very loyal and develop strong bonds with their owners, leading many families with children to seek out German shepherd puppies for sale Florida.

Newfoundlands

Newfies are known to be among the sweetest and most loving of all dog breeds. Highly loyal and great with children, they are a fantastic family pet, although their large size makes them a poor fit for apartments and small homes.

Huskies

One of the most beautiful breeds, huskies are regarded for their striking appearance, piercing eyes and thick fur. They are equally as affectionate and good-natured, making them popular pets for Americans. Huskies are very energetic and prone to running, however, so they are best suited to athletic owners and homes with large yards.

Pomeranians

You won’t find a more adorable dog than a Pomeranian. They love to be cuddled, and their incredible cuteness makes them hard to deny. Apartment dwelling and city life is well-suited to this small breed, although they act much larger than their size. Poms can be possessive and sometimes ill-tempered, so families with young children should look for another breed.

Owning a dog can be one of the most rewarding experiences in your life. While there are many breeds to choose from, each have their own way of making you feel special.

Read More »