Family

Healthy Living: Steps to Take for a Healthier Lifestyle

Posted on May 7, 2020October 14, 2020Posted in Family, How-To, RecipesTagged food, food expirationNo Comments

There isn’t a better time than now to start getting fit with health information and products so easily accessible. Simply incorporate the basics into your daily routine – good nutrition, adequate exercise and a daily supplement – and start down the path toward better health. Plan a Nutritious Diet The Dietary Guidelines for Americans describes a healthy diet as one that emphasizes fruits, vegetables, lean meats, poultry, fish, beans, eggs, nuts, whole grains and fat-free or low-fat milk products. It should be low in saturated fat, trans fat, cholesterol, salt and added sugar. Warm weather makes fresh produce more easily accessible. Eat more fruits and vegetables by setting freshly washed and prepared produce on the kitchen counter or at eye level in the fridge. At every meal, make sure half your plate is made up of fruit and vegetable servings. One-fourth of your plate at every meal should be made up of grains, such as wheat, rice, oats, cornmeal or barley. People who eat whole grains as part of a healthy diet have a reduced risk of some chronic diseases. The remaining one-fourth of your plate should be lean or low-fat cuts of meat, plant-based protein or seafood. Get Regular Exercise The Department of Health and Human Services recommends an adequate amount of exercise every day. This guide can point to the right amount of exercise to add to your schedule: Get at least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity every week. For best results, spread the time out over several days. Do strength training exercises at least twice a week. Lifting weights builds muscle, which means the body burns more calories – even at rest. It’s important to keep in mind that when people are active, they produce more free radicals. The antioxidants found in supplements can help buffer the negative effects of the workout. Improving your diet, exercising regularly, taking a daily supplement and getting enough restorative sleep are all important steps to overall wellness. Work to incorporate each step into your daily routine until you reach your goal of good health Source: eLivingToday.com For more great recipes, tips and appliance news, follow us on Facebook or Instagram.

Cook Once, Enjoy it Twice Mexican Beef Recipes

Posted on April 7, 2020October 14, 2020Posted in Family, Kitchen, RecipesTagged cooking at home, dinner ideas, green cooking, kitchen, pantry, recipeNo Comments

With so many Americans preparing meals at home, the practice of cooking once and eating twice can extend your grocery budget while also making meal planning less stressful and more comforting. Cook a base dish that can be enjoyed today and used for an entirely different meal tomorrow. It’s a kitchen practice as simple as it sounds. For example, bake some fish for tonight’s dinner, and fish tacos for tomorrow’s lunch. Cooking meals that feed the entire family is essential and even better if they give you a jump on a second meal. Whether your love for cooking runs deep or is being newly discovered, keep the following in mind when planning to cook once and eat twice: Stock up on staples. Before heading out to the store, develop a list of ingredients that can be used for multiple dishes. Canned goods, such as black beans and corn, are great items to store in the pantry and have on hand for a variety of favorite family recipes. Other basics like corn tortillas can be used in multiple ways, such as tacos, casseroles and even salads. Don’t forget produce. To increase flavor and nutrition, adding produce is key in your planning. Make meat go further by using the same meat base two days in a row in two different ways in dishes like Mexican Lasagna and Tacos. Beef Tacos Makes: 8 tacos Ingredients 1 lb. 90% to 93% lean ground beef 1 Tablespoon chili powder 1 teaspoon ground cumin 3/4 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper 1/2 cup tomato sauce 1/4 cup water 12 taco shells – either hard shells or small 6-inch soft flour tortillas will work Optional Taco Toppings: shredded cheese shredded lettuce, chopped tomatoes, diced red onion, taco sauce, sour cream, guacamole, etc. Instructions Add the beef to a large skillet over medium-high heat. Break the meat apart with a wooden spoon. Add the chili powder, cumin, salt, oregano, garlic powder, and pepper to the meat. Stir well. Cook until the meat is cooked through, about 6-8 minutes, stirring occasionally. Reduce the heat to medium. Add the tomato sauce and water. Stir to combine. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 7-8 minutes, until some of the liquid evaporates but the meat mixture is still a little saucy. Remove from the heat. Warm the taco shells according to their package directions. Fill the taco shells with 2 heaping tablespoons of taco meat. Top with desired taco toppings: shredded cheese, shredded lettuce, chopped tomatoes, diced red onion, taco sauce, sour cream, guacamole, etc. Mexican Lasagna Servings: 6-8 Ingredients 1 pound ground beef 1 package taco seasoning 1 (10 ounce) can of tomatoes with green chilies, undrained 1 (15 ounce) can refried beans 1 (15 ounce) can corn, drained and rinsed 1 (15 ounce) can black beans, drained and rinsed 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese 1/2 cup sour cream 10-12 corn tortillas Instructions Preheat oven to 350 In a large skillet brown ground beef, drain off any grease. Add the undrained tomatoes with green chilies and package of taco seasoning, stir mixture until seasoning has dissolved. Let mixture simmer until all liquid is gone, about 6 minutes. Then remove from heat and set aside. Meanwhile, drain and rinse the black beans and corn. Set aside. Open refried beans and set aside. Spray a 9×13 casserole dish with cooking spray. Begin your casserole with a base layer of corn tortillas 4-6 depending on the size. Then layer the rest of the ingredients in this order, refried beans, taco meat, corn, black beans, sour cream and cheese. Repeat, until your fillings are gone. Bake 30 minutes, let cool 5 minutes before serving. Top with your favorites like avocados, tomatoes, and cilantro!

Stuck-at-Home Easy Meal Hacks

Posted on March 31, 2020October 14, 2020Posted in Family, Home, How-To, Kitchen, RecipesTagged cooking at home, easy recipes, green cooking, recipe

Not sure what’s for dinner tonight? You’re not alone. After weeks on lockdown and exhausting your favorite go-to meals you’re probably working extra hard to be creative in the kitchen. Even if you’re stuck at home your meals don’t have to be boring, with a little meal planning your family can enjoy healthy, flavorful meals during the coronavirus quarantine. More cooking can also mean more time spent preparing meals so innovation and technology can make meal prep easier, and kitchen hacks like turning to ready-to-heat meals that take just minutes can enhance your productivity. Consider these simple ways to rethink your dinner routine in an effort to create more moments with loved ones: Look for recipes with as few ingredients as possible. Dishes that include longer ingredient lists typically require more legwork in the kitchen, which usually involves additional prep steps and sometimes longer cook times. Plus, you’re more likely to already have the necessities on-hand for recipes that call for 5-10 ingredients rather than lengthy lists. Buy pre-cut vegetables to trim time spent on prep work. One of the processes that can surprisingly consume more time than you realize is cutting, chopping and dicing veggies prior to even really diving into a recipe’s instructions. If you’d still prefer prepping your own fresh produce, try completing your work the night before when it doesn’t interfere with quality time spent with family. Meal kits certainly save time in the store, but be careful to avoid options that still include a lot of prep and cleanup. Focus on frozen kits that contain pre-chopped and measured ingredients that are ready to go. Stock your pantry with the basics to make cooking quicker and easier. From condiments and canned goods to seasonings and spices, keeping the essentials on-hand means less time scrambling for a quick run to the store and more moments spent at home. For one of the ultimate comfort foods that’s simple to make, try thischeesy baked potato casserole. Stock Up on Pantry Essentials Running to the store every other day isn’t an option when you’re on lock down, so try to keep your pantry stocked with non-perishables that are often necessary in a variety of meals. Seasonings and spices (salt, pepper, dried herbs, cumin, chili powder, paprika, onion powder, etc.) Canned goods (tomatoes, beans, corn, broth, cream of mushroom, cream of chicken, etc.) Grains (flour, pastas, breadcrumbs, rolled oats, instant rice, etc.) Condiments and oils (olive oil, canola oil, ketchup, mustard, vinegars, barbecue sauce, butter, cooking wines, etc.)

An Hour a Day for Your Sanity

Posted on March 24, 2020October 14, 2020Posted in Family, How-ToTagged covid-19, fitness, health, mindfulness, self-care, stay-at-home, well-beingNo Comments

Tips for Self-Care During Difficult Times There are things you can do right now for your well-being if you’re isolating at home. It’s easy to get lost in all the noise from what is going on, whether you’re over-consuming on the news or scrolling through social media a little too much. Remember it’s important that you preserve some sense of normalcy. Getting up and doing what you usually do will positively affect your mental health. But, more than just that self- care should be at the top of your list of priorities. Why self-care? because long-periods of isolation have been linked to serious mental health issues. So this is a time to get creative about self-care while you’re forced to be at home. Just one hour a day for self-care can make a big impact on your mental, emotional and overall health. Let’s talk about the power of an hour! In 60 minutes or less you can improve your well-being. Divide your self-care routine by devoting : 20 minutes to your mind. 20 minutes to your body. 20 minutes to your soul. Start by choosing three activities from the list below, or add your own activities that you love and find enjoyable. Time yourself and do each activity for 20 minutes. LIST OF ACTIVITIES MIND Meditation Read a book Learn a language Journal your thoughts or emotions Create a vision board Draw or paint a picture Take a power nap BODY YouTube yoga or workout Dance Sit in the Sun At-home spa Eat something sweet (sugar triggers those ” happy” hormones) Breath-work exercise Walk in nature Eat a healthy snack Drink a green smoothie SOUL Listen to an inspirational podcast Talk to someone you love Watch a TED talk Start a DIY or passion project Recite positive self-affirmations Practice gratitude Spend time in nature Sing You deserve to take a little “me” time especially in this moment of uncertainty and all the challenges that come with being in quarantine. Make the most of your power-hour. Remember to take a break from watching the news and get support from your community. We are in this together! Be well and stay safe. Leave a comment and let us know what you are doing to stay sane.

Put Your Convection Oven to the Test with These Delicious Recipes

Posted on March 4, 2020October 14, 2020Posted in Family, Home, How-ToTagged convection bake, convection oven, recipe, roast5 Comments

If you’re trying to figure out how best to cook with your convection oven, we’ve got some helpful advice and delicious recipes to get you started. Cooking Tips: Cooking simple dishes (like cookies) or shorter cooking times, lower the expected temperature by 10-15 percent. Cooking complex dishes (like roasts) that require a lot of time, lower the temperature by as much as 30 percent. Convection is good for: Roasting ham, turkey, roast-ready beef cuts, and similar meats Roasting vegetables and potatoes for an extra crisp Cookies and muffins—especially when you have a big batch to bake at once. Pies and pastry Casseroles—when covered they won’t lose much moisture. Toasting breads or buns Maple Balsamic Roasted Vegetables Vegetables roasted with rosemary and olive oil, then finished with a drizzle of maple balsamic reduction. These vegetables are a must for your next dinner party. Prep Time: 20 minutes Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes Recipe by foodnessgracious Ingredients 1 1/2 pounds whole thin rainbow carrots 1 1/2 pounds sweet potatoes peeled chopped into 1 inch cubes 2 small red onions cut into thick chunks 1/2 pound rutabagas peeled and diced 1 1/2 pounds parsnips peeled and sliced thinly 1/3 cup olive oil 2 tsp sea salt 2 tsp black pepper 1 tsp fresh chopped rosemary 1 1/2 tbsp dry herb de provence 1 cup maple syrup 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar Instructions Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. In a large bowl combine all of the vegetables. Add the oil, salt, pepper, herbs and rosemary and toss to coat well. Place the vegetables on a large roasting pan or two baking sheets, making sure they are all level and not on top of one another. Place in the oven and cook for about 45 minutes, checking that the point of a sharp knife spears the vegetables easily. When the vegetables are cooking in the oven, place the maple syrup and balsamic vinegar in a pan and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer slowly until it has reduced by about half and is nice and thick. Once the vegetables are ready, lightly drizzle some of the syrup over them and return to the oven for 5 more minutes. Serve warm or store in the refrigerator until ready to use. HOMEMADE ROTISSERIE CHICKEN Who loves Rotisserie Chicken? just about everyone. Rotisserie Chicken is so tasty, juicy, convenient, and it’s just the recipe you need to keep in your arsenal.Chicken rotisserie marinade 4+ pound Whole chicken .5 bottle lemon juice .25 cup white wine .25 cup extra virgin olive oil Chicken rotisserie rub 1 tablespoon Honey 3 tbsp unsalted butter 1/4 cup brown sugar 4 tsp garlic powder 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme 1/4 teaspoon dried basil Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper Marinade instructions Clean cavity of whole chicken, wash and pat dry. Combine all marinade ingredients and mix. Pour into a large freezer bag and add the whole chicken. Refrigerate for 4-6 hours. Rub instructions Remove chicken from the marinade. Melt the butter and honey in the microwave and mix. Evenly brush the butter and honey mixture on and inside the chicken. Mix all of the dry ingredients and apply it to the entire chicken. Tuck wings underneath chicken and truss the legs together with twine. Run rotisserie rod through the cavity of chicken and insert the rotisserie forks into the skin of the chicken. At 350 degrees F, a whole chicken takes about 20 to 30 minutes per pound to cook. Therefore, a 4-pound chicken should take 1:20 – 2 hours to cook. Use a meat thermometer to test the internal temperature. When chicken reaches 175 to 180 degree F, it is done. Old Meatloaf Perfect the preparation of a meatloaf by combining conventional and convection oven performance for the perfect meatloaf dish. Prep Time: 45 minutes Cook Time: 1 hour 30 minutes Recipe by Scott Basye Ingredients 1 cup fresh bread crumbs(soft white bread) 1/3 cup milk 1 1/2 pounds ground chuck (85/15) 1/2 pound ground pork (not lean) 2 tablespoons butter 1 large onion, diced 2 celery stalks, diced 1 medium carrot, diced 2 garlic cloves, minced 1/2 cup creme fraiche 2 eggs, beaten 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce 1 teaspoon dry mustard powder 1 teaspoon paprika 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper 6 slices bacon 1 cup ketchup 2 tablespoons brown sugar 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard 1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg Instructions Preheat oven to 350°F. In a small bowl place bread crumbs and drizzle the milk over the top. Set aside. Melt the butter in a large skillet, add the onion, celery and carrot. Sprinkle with a pinch of salt and cook, stirring occasionally until vegetables are soft, but not browned. Add garlic and cook for another 2-3 minutes. Remove from heat, scrape into a small bowl and allow to cool to room temperature (about ten minutes). In another bowl, whisk together the beaten eggs, creme fraiche and Worcestershire sauce. In a large bowl place the beef and pork, add the breadcrumb mixture, vegetables, egg mixture and the rest of the ingredients except the bacon, ketchup, brown sugar and mustard. Use your hands to thoroughly combine the meatloaf ingredients and then place into an large ovenproof baking dish. Lay five strips of bacon lengthwise over meatloaf; cut the remaining bacon strip in half and place at each end of loaf. Place in oven and set timer for 45 minutes. Meanwhile combine Ketchup, Brown Sugar, Mustard and Nutmeg and set aside. At the end of 45 minutes, set oven to convection and cook meatloaf for another 15 minutes. When completed, remove meatloaf from oven and pour or brush glaze all over the surface of the bacon (it’s ok if some drizzles down into the pan). Place back in over and bake for an additional 15 minutes until the glaze is bubbling. Remove from oven and let sit for 15 minutes. Serve! Huevos Rancheros Bake This is a flavorful dish that checks all the boxes for a yummy weekend brunch, or a breakfast-for-dinner moment. Prep Time: 35 minutes Total Time: 1 hour 45 minutes Recipe by Tablespoon Kitchens Ingredients

5 Steps to Meal Prep for the Week

Posted on January 23, 2020October 14, 2020Posted in Family, How-To, RecipesTagged food, healthy1 Comment

Eating healthier and saving time around the house are common goals for many families, and there’s one solution that can help attain both: meal-prepping. By planning and preparing meals in advance of each week, you can practice better portion control while creating free time for normally hectic mornings, afternoons and evenings. Consider these tips to start your meal-prepping process: Include the whole family. By letting everybody in on meal-prepping, you’re helping ensure everyone is satisfied with the breakfasts, lunches, dinners and snacks that become your end results. Even if you only plan to work in advance on lunches, for instance, loved ones will likely enjoy the process more if all are pleased with the meals they enjoy later. Plan the meals. Once the whole gang is included and on-board, start brainstorming the recipes and dishes you’d like to make. Try starting with just one course at first – lunch is likely to be the easiest – to help keep meal-prepping simple at the start. Buy ingredients in bulk. Whether your grocery shopping takes place over the weekend or on a free weeknight, purchasing ingredients and supplies in bulk – without overbuying perishables like fruits and veggies – can help make sure you have everything you need once it’s time to build the meals themselves. Head to the kitchen. Pick one day each week when you can plan to spend ample time in the kitchen making your meals. Use cooking techniques that are less hands-on, like baking or slow-cooking, as often as possible so you can multitask throughout. Sort and divide. Using quality food containers to keep your meals as fresh as possible, start splitting up servings in ways that fuel you and family while instituting improved portion control. By sorting out specific meals ahead of time, you can begin creating better eating habits.

10 Lucky Foods for New Year’s Day

Posted on December 30, 2019October 14, 2020Posted in Family, RecipesTagged food, new years, new years eve, recipesNo Comments

A new decade is upon us, and we have big hopes that good fortune will be on our side this New Year. People around the world have special foods they eat for good luck on New Year’s. Think about adding one of these New Year’s Eve party foods to bring luck to you and all your guests. Make 2020 your best year ever. Pork: For the longest time, Pork was associated as a dish reserved for the wealthy. In some cultures because pigs root forward they are a sign of prosperity. This delicious meat is known to bring good luck when eaten on New Year’s Day. Fish: Do yourself a favor and add a hearty fish cuisine to your menu to supercharge your good fortune in the New Year. It is believed that the fish scales resemble coins symbolizing prosperity and abundance. Mix and match a few different New Year’s Eve food traditions with black-eyed peas, greens, and cornbread to make a fortune this year. As the Southern saying goes, “peas for pennies, greens for dollars, and cornbread for gold. Greens: The color green symbolizes good luck and money. On New Year’s sink your teeth into some yummy and healthy leafy richness with greens like Kale, cabbage, collard greens, brussels sprouts, and green beans. Cornbread: Another southern tradition is eating cornbread on New Year’s Day. Eating these golden delights will bring in good fortune this year. Black-eyed peas: Eating black-eyed peas on New Year’s Day is a time-honored tradition. in the American South, black-eyed peas are considered auspicious because of their resemblance to coins. Get started with a fresh black-eyed peas salad if you’re not in the mood to get very creative in the kitchen. Noodles: In China, Japan, and many other Asian countries, it’s customary to serve and eat noodles on New Year’s Day. Their length symbolizes long life. just make sure not to break or shorten the noodles during the cooking process. Pomegranate: As per the Turkish tradition, Pomegranates are associated with fertility and abundance. The Pomegranate seeds symbolize fertility and abundance for the coming year. Cakes: Ring-shaped cakes are amazing options to bite into, on this New Year’s Eve. It’s easier to make at home. It is often said that ring-shaped cakes with trinkets baked inside are symbolic of life coming full circle. So indulge your sweet tooth. Lentils: Italians believe that lentils hold a great deal of goodness. So it makes sense that lentil-based dishes are a great choice in the New Year. Grapes: The Spanish and Portuguese eat 12 grapes as the clock chimes 12 times at midnight to symbolize the 12 months of the New Year. Try passing around at your NYE party for a tasty twist.

Homemade Halloween Treats

Posted on October 18, 2019October 14, 2020Posted in Family, How-To, RecipesTagged family, halloween, recipes, treatsNo Comments

Halloween is one of the most fun days of the year, and it calls for the good stuff, candy and treats of all kinds. Get creative this time around and stock your own snack supply with homemade goodies. Whip up your own treats in the comfort of your own kitchen instead of the usual store-bought sweets. Party Mix One of the simplest recipes you could imagine, a Halloween-themed party mix basically calls for your favorite snacks tossed together. in a large-sized bowl or individual containers combine anything from candy corns and miniature chocolates, pretzels, popcorn and more. It’s your mix, make it your way. Spooky Cupcakes When it comes to Halloween it’s all about kid friendly treats. Bake your favorite cupcakes and then let the kiddos use icing and toppings for creepy customized creations. This is a very fun Halloween activity for the whole family Scary Pumpkin Pie Pumpkin is the flavor of the season, which makes pumpkin pie a traditional taste this time of year. The best thing about this treat is it calls for a fairly small number of ingredients, making it a simple way to bake a classic favorite. Plus, you can easily give pumpkin pie some Halloween flair using whipped cream for a spooky Jack-o-lantern-like face. Creepy Cookies Whether your family craves chocolate chip or prefers the sweetness of sugar cookies, you can lay out your favorite dough and use seasonal cookie cutters think Frankenstein, witches, ghosts, spiders and more for a frightful bite. Apple Teeth Skip out on bobbing for apples for a fun Halloween themed twist to a healthy snack favorite of apples and peanut butter. To put a spooky spin on this delicious flavor combo add mini marshmallows for fluffy fangs . Photo courtesy of Getty Images

Be the Hero of Your Grill This Summer

Posted on July 12, 2019October 14, 2020Posted in Family, Home, How-To, RecipesTagged BBQ, blog, food, fun, summerNo Comments

Summer is all about enjoying the warm weather with family and friends, but even with the longer summer days, the season can feel short for many. That’s why it’s important to make the most of summer by maximizing your fun in the sun with some of the best memories being made while entertaining al fresco and nothing brings people together like a barbecue. There seems to be something about being outdoors and the sizzle of fresh food on the grill that makes you want to gather with family and friends. For a fun-filled, yet relaxing barbecue, it’s important to keep the essentials on-hand for easy entertaining. From bright decor to refreshing drinks and fresh ingredients, party prep ensures you save time and money, and are always ready to wine and dine your guests. This summer, you can be the hero of your grill with a few simple tips and tricks: A great meal starts with great meat. Make sure to use versatile, high-quality and tender cuts. Cut down on time, not flavor. Look for pre-seasoned meats such as pork chops, or slice, dice or cube larger cuts like boneless loin to shorten cook time and increase flavor. Grill like a pro. Use direct heat for burgers and chops, and indirect heat for larger cuts like ribs.

Feel-Good Mother’s Day Activities

Posted on July 11, 2019October 14, 2020Posted in Family, HomeTagged family, holiday, mom, mothers dayNo Comments

Mother’s Day is dedicated to the most important woman in the world. Gifts are fabulous, especially thoughtful ones; but this year go above and beyond to give your mom the gift of your time. Spend the day with her doing something that will bring you both closer together and will be a wonderful memory for years to come. Why not start this mother day with an activity that can become a mother’s day tradition. DO BRUNCH TOGETHER Who doesn’t love brunch? And how convenient is it that Mother’s day falls on Sunday-the official brunch day. Take mom out for a fabulously delicious meal and bottomless mom-osa (mimosa). BOOK A MASSAGE Relax, refresh and renew her mind, body, and spirit with a well-deserved massage. The healing power of massage is well researched. So give mom a gift that keeps giving in wellness. Join her if you can, and turn it into a fab spa day! PAMPER HER WITH A MAKEOVER Mom is beautiful inside and out, but she may not have the time or energy to keep up with her appearance. This is why a makeover is an awesome gift. TAKE A COOKING CLASS Take the class together! Even if mom is the best cook in the world, she will appreciate a cooking class to learn a new recipe to add to her repertoire. TAKE A DAY TRIP Go on an adventure-, you don’t have to venture too far, you can find somewhere you’ve never been to close to home. Explore some local places, could be anywhere from an island to the mountains to neighboring cities. GO TO A CONCERT Give mom a night she’ll always remember at a concert. Watch her cares fade away as the cool vibrations fill the air with the sounds of her favorite musician or band. BOOK A FAMILY SHOOT Gather the entire family for a fun family photo-shoot. Find a photographer who will capture the essence of your family’s personality and love for each other. Frame your favorite photo as a gift for mom. GO WINE TASTING Spend the day at a winery or wine tasting event. This is a 21+ activity for the big kids who want to toast mom with a glass (or two) of wine! After the tasting, gift mom with a few bottles of her favorite to take home. SERVE BREAKFAST IN BED Allow mom to sleep in, a rare luxury for most moms. When she’s woken up, get her mother’s day off to a perfect start with a delicious breakfast feast in bed. PLAN A PICNIC The sun is out and the flowers are in full bloom, it’s the perfect weather to fill up a picnic basket with mom’s favorite foods and beverages, grab a blanket and spend the day talking, playing games and relaxing. CATCH A GAME Is mom a sports fan! Why not take her to a game of her favorite team. Take it up a notch and get her signed memorabilia. SEE A MOVIE Skip Netflix and chill and opt for an actual movie date with mom. Make sure you see something she’s sure to enjoy. GO ON A HIKE There’s nothing like a good hike out in the great outdoors to recharge and de-stress. Take mom on a refreshing and exhilarating hike up a mountain or in a park, on the beach or the woods. GO TO A MUSEUM OR GALLERY Escape reality for a day and discover new art at a museum or exhibit. Some museums may even offer special Mother’s Day tours and events she’s bound to love. HELP HER EXPLORE A PASSION PROJECT She’s always supporting everyone else’s hobbies and activities, barely having the time to engage in her own. Sign her up for a class or workshop where she can pursue a new passion or rekindle an old one. HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY!