WHAT'S NEXT IN OUTDOOR LIVING? TOP 10 TRENDS FOR 2020

(BPT) - The appeal of the great outdoors has never been greater with homeowners across the country investing more time and money than ever before in their outdoor spaces. Following are 10 trends that will influence outdoor living this season.

For more outdoor living inspiration, visit https://www.trex.com/deck-ideas.

5 TIPS FOR 1ST FOODS FOR BABIES

(Family Features) Ask any parent what he or she remembers most about a child’s first year and you’re likely to hear quite a bit about sleep schedules. However, a baby’s eating schedule is just as important as his or her sleep.

While feeding a baby seems like it should be simple, for some new parents it can be nerve-wracking and lead to plenty of questions, such as: “Should I breastfeed or bottle feed?” “How much should my baby eat?” “When should I start baby food?” “What should my baby’s first foods be?”
To help navigate first-year feeding, consider these tips from the experts at KinderCare.

Let babies eat as much as they need, when they need it.
Be prepared to feed your baby soon after he or she shows signs of hunger, like rooting; sucking on hands, toes, clothes or toys; or reaching for food. Let your baby tell you when he or she is full – like turning away, falling asleep or losing interest in eating. This helps your baby learn to eat when hungry and stop when full, even if it means not eating everything you offer.

Choose a feeding style that meets you and your baby’s needs.
Whether you breastfeed or use a bottle, the important thing is your baby is fed. If you breastfeed, it’s a good idea to express some milk now and again so your baby will take a bottle if someone else needs to feed him or her.

Understand when it’s time to start baby food.
While most babies are introduced to solid foods around 6 months of age, it depends on their individual development. Generally, if your baby can sit up on his or her own, has good neck and head control and shows interest – like reaching for food during mealtimes – it may be appropriate to try solid food.

Focus on exploration.
It’s important to provide your baby with a variety of foods free from added sugars, sodium and artificial ingredients, and let him or her explore rather than focusing on how much is eaten.
“Focus on introducing veggies, proteins, grains and fruit – in that order,” said Courtney Hines, KinderCare’s nutritionist. “Babies are naturally inclined to prefer sweet things so save fruit for last so your baby is more inclined to try other flavors.”

Make the transition gradual and fun.
Hines recommends gradually exposing babies to a wide variety of whole, unprocessed foods with varying flavors and textures, and talking with your baby about the taste, feel and look of the foods he or she is trying. Starting with soft foods like mashed potatoes, avocadoes, sweet potatoes, cooked rice and bananas can give you an idea of what your child can handle.

It’s easy to focus on baby food stages, but transitioning to solid foods will take place over time, making it important to continue offering your baby a bottle before mealtimes, in addition to solid food. Once your baby reaches his or her first birthday, talk with your family doctor about transitioning from breast milk or formula to unflavored, whole-fat milk.

It’s important to remember that every baby develops at his or her own pace. Talk with your child’s doctor about the right pace for your baby, and find more tips to navigate your child’s major milestones at kindercare.com.

SOURCE:
KinderCare

FRESH SALADS PERFECT FOR SPRING

(Family Features) The spring season brings to mind flowers blooming and plants springing back to life, making it the ideal time to enjoy fresh produce in meals throughout the day. Salads are of course one of the easiest ways to combine the flavors of your favorite fruits and veggies, but you can take your greens to the next level with refreshing recipe ideas.

Creating a cool, satisfying salad can be easy when you start with quality ingredients like Fresh Express salad blends, NatureSweet Cherubs Tomatoes and Litehouse dressings for versatile bases in a nearly endless array of options. For example, salads aren’t limited to lunch or appetizers – this Breakfast Salad Bowl makes for an energizing start to the day by combining classic salad ingredients with quinoa, bacon and avocado.

Perfect for those busy weeknights, heartier salad recipes can also provide quick, simple dinner options. As a more traditional mix to enjoy at the family table, this Salmon and Grains Salad Bowl brings together salmon, tomatoes and chickpeas on a bed of lettuce topped with ranch dressing.
Find more ways to create hearty salads this spring at litehousefoods.com/iheartsalad.

Salmon and Grains Salad Bowl

Servings: 2

• 4 ounces salmon
• 2 tablespoons paprika, divided
• salt, to taste
• pepper, to taste
• 15 ounces chickpeas
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 ounces Fresh Express Sweet Butter Lettuce
• 1 cup red quinoa, cooked
• 6 ounces NatureSweet Cherubs Tomatoes
• 2 tablespoons Litehouse Homestyle Ranch Dressing

1. Heat oven to 350° F. Sprinkle salmon with 1 teaspoon paprika; season with salt and pepper, to taste. Bake on lined baking sheet 15 minutes, or until it reaches desired doneness.
2. In bowl, toss chickpeas in olive oil and remaining paprika; add salt and pepper, to taste. Add chickpeas to lined baking sheet. Bake at 400 F 30-40 minutes.
3. Add lettuce to plate or bowl. Top with quinoa, chickpeas, salmon and tomatoes. Drizzle with ranch dressing.

Breakfast Salad Bowl

Servings: 2

• 10 ounces NatureSweet Cherubs Tomatoes
• 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
• 2 ounces Fresh Express Baby Spinach
• 1 egg
• 2 bacon strips, halved
• 1 cup quinoa, cooked
• 1/2 avocado, sliced
• 2 tablespoons Litehouse Jalapeno Ranch Dressing

1. Heat oven to 400° F. Toss tomatoes in 1 tablespoon olive oil. Bake tomatoes on lined baking sheet 40 minutes.
2. In skillet, add remaining olive oil and cook baby spinach until wilted, stirring as necessary.
3. Cook egg as desired. Remove egg from skillet and set aside. Add bacon to skillet and cook until crispy, turning halfway through.
4. In bowl, layer quinoa, bacon, avocado, egg, spinach and tomatoes. Drizzle with jalapeno ranch dressing.

SOURCE:
Litehouse

A SPRING CLEANING TO-DO LIST

(Family Features) Spring cleaning often lands in a perfect spot on the calendar to serve as an annual reminder of your regular home maintenance to-do list such as changing HVAC and appliance filters, checking smoke and carbon monoxide alarms and cleaning exterior appliance venting. Keep this checklist from Kidde in mind this spring and find more spring safety information at kidde.com/home-safety.

SOURCE:
Kidde

CELEBRATE AGRICULTURE - NATIONAL AG DAY – MARCH 24, 2020

March 24, 2020

7 ag-focused ways to get involved

(Family Features) From the food on your table to the clothes on your back, agriculture provides a variety of things you eat, wear and use daily. Those items don’t magically arrive at the store or appear in your home, however.

Each American farmer feeds about 165 people, according to the Agriculture Council of America, an organization comprised of leaders in the agriculture, food and fiber communities dedicated to increasing public awareness of agriculture’s role in modern society. Learning more about the industry can allow individuals to make more informed choices about everything from their diets to legislation.

In honor of the 47th annual National Ag Day with the theme “Food Brings
Everyone to the Table,” consider these activities that can help you learn more about how the agriculture industry impacts daily life.

Make a Farm-to-Table Meal
Making a meal together is an easy activity for spending quality time with your entire family, but you can turn it into a learning experience and an opportunity to talk about where food comes from by combining seasonal produce like asparagus, peas, broccoli, oranges and lemons with ingredients your state is known for such as pork, apples, almonds, beef or corn, for example.

Research Agricultural Issues
From climate change and protecting air, soil and water to feeding a growing global population and using technology to improve food production, there are a variety of issues facing the agriculture industry. To be more aware of what the future may hold, consider making yourself more familiar with some of the challenges farmers face.

Consider Agricultural Careers
For students and young adults considering their futures, joining the 22 million people who work in agriculture-related fields can be a rewarding pursuit. While the most obvious careers in agriculture are directly related to the farm or ranch, today’s agriculture offers more than 200 careers from research and engineering to food science, landscape architecture, urban planning and more.

Tour a Local Farm or Dairy
Taking a tour of a farm or dairy (or both) can provide a better understanding of how food and fiber products are produced and the role agriculture plays in producing them. Make it a group outing with friends or family to help more people see the process food goes through from production to sitting on store shelves.

Contact Legislators in Support of Farm and Food Initiatives
The Agricultural Improvement Act of 2018 created reform for United States Department of Agriculture programs through 2023. To get more hands-on, you can contact your legislators to show support for farming initiatives like local FFA and 4-H programs as well as those that can help improve opportunities for farmland leasing, subsidies, urban gardening, food hubs and other ag-focused resources and operations.

Visit a Farmers Market
Open seasonally, farmers markets can provide a perfect opportunity to get up close and personal with your food and the people who grow it. Prices are usually competitive with traditional grocery stores and oftentimes better, plus some markets offer free samples as well as music and games so you can make an event out of picking up some fresh produce to use in family meals.

Volunteer at a Community Garden
Many cities and neighborhoods, even those in more urban areas, provide plots of land community members can use to grow food for themselves or to donate within the community. Consider setting aside some time each week to give back by cleaning out flower beds, laying mulch or planting flowers and crops in the designated areas.

Find more ways to celebrate agriculture at agday.org.

Photo courtesy of Getty Images

SOURCE:
Agriculture Council of America

DO YOU KNOW WHERE YOUR FOOD COMES FROM? NATIONAL AG DAY - MARCH 24,2020

Do you know where your food comes from? Most of it is from American ag, the world’s top food exporter. Home and abroad – our food brings everyone to the table. Visit agday.org to learn more for National Ag Day.

#AgDay20 

NATIONAL AG DAY - MARCH 24,2020

Our food brings everyone to the table. Celebrate American ag on March 24 for National Ag Day. Find out how at agday.org.

#AgDay20 

 

THANK OUR FARMERS - NATIONAL AG DAY MARCH 24, 2020

Food brings everyone to the table. Thank our farmers for making that possible on National Ag Day – March 24. Visit agday.org to learn how and see more about the importance of American ag.

#AgDay20

 

RECOGNIZE OUR FARMERS - NATIONAL AG DAY – MARCH 24, 2020

The average American farmer feeds approximately 166 people worldwide! Their food brings everyone to the table. On National Ag Day – March 24, 2020 – recognize our farmers. Find out how at agday.org.

#AgDay20

FOOD BRINGS EVERYONE TO THE TABLE - NATIONAL AG DAY – MARCH 24, 2020

Food brings everyone to the table thanks to American Ag. National Ag Day on March 24 is the perfect day to tell your local farmer you appreciate what they provide for your community and the world. agday.org

#AgDay20 

THANK AMERICAN FAMILIES FOR ALL THEY PROVIDE FOR US - NATIONAL AG DAY – MARCH 24, 2020

National Ag Day is the perfect time to thank American farmers for all they provide for us. On March 24, and every day, let’s celebrate how food brings everyone to the table. Find out more at agday.org.

#AgDay20 

THE IMPORTANCE OF AGRICULTURE - NATIONAL AG DAY – MARCH 24, 2020

Food brings everyone to the table. Visit agday.org to learn more about the importance of American agriculture and how to get involved with National Ag Day – March 24, 2020.

#AgDay20 

UNDERSTANDING YOUR CREDIT SCORE

A credit score tells lenders about your creditworthiness (how likely you are to pay back a loan based on your credit history). It is calculated using the information in your credit reports. FICO ® Scores are the standard for credit scores—used by 90% of top lenders.

5 TIPS FOR BETTER HOME SAFETY THIS SPRING

(Family Features) As people become more active during the warmer months, keeping home safety top of mind can sometimes go by the wayside. However, when it comes to fire and carbon monoxide safety, you can never be too prepared.

Whether you are just beginning to take a stronger safety-first approach or looking to upgrade existing home safety equipment, keep these tips in mind as you spruce up your home for the season.

Don’t Just Check Batteries, Check the Alarm  
 
It’s a good idea to review your safety equipment and ensure everything is in good working order at least a couple times each year.

For example, every type of smoke alarm must be completely replaced every 10 years whether it’s hardwired into your home or operates on a battery.

New smoke alarms commonly come with built-in 10-year batteries, meaning no battery changes, but it’s a good idea to test the units regularly. In fact, most manufacturers recommend weekly.

You can also use this time to double-check the gauge on your fire extinguishers, replace batteries in flashlights, test security systems and replenish first-aid kits.

Inspect and Repair Outdoor Areas
Set aside time to evaluate any damage or potential hazards as the weather warms. For example, fallen tree branches and leaves can become trapped in gutters and pose a fire hazard. Shutters and fences can also weaken over time. To make sure they’re in good working condition, check that they are securely fastened.

Take Advantage of Smart Technology
According to the National Fire Protection Association, 40 years ago people had an average of 17 minutes to escape a home fire, but today the average has decreased to about 3 minutes due to synthetic materials used in modern-day home furnishings. To get the earliest warning of a home fire, install wire-free interconnected battery-powered combination smoke and carbon monoxide alarms. When one alarm senses a hazard, all alarms throughout the home sound in unison. Features like color-coded status rings and built-in 10-year sealed batteries make Kidde's Wire-Free Interconnected Alarms a smart solution for optimal protection. They offer simple setup and operate without the hassle of hardwiring or a Wi-Fi connection.

Check Appliances
While going through your spring home safety checklist, take time to check your appliances or schedule an annual maintenance check for your stove, oven, heating system and more. According to the American Red Cross, dryers are responsible for approximately 9 of every 10 appliances fires. These common household appliances can collect dust, lint and other particles, which are potential fire hazards and can cause carbon monoxide leaks.

Keep Outdoor Activities in Mind
Cooking on grills is a popular pastime, but thousands of people are injured every year while using them. In fact, according to the National Fire Protection Association, nearly 9,000 home fires are started by grills each year. Now is a good time to get your home’s grilling area in tip-top shape. Keep a 3-foot safety zone around hot grills for children and pets, and have a multipurpose home fire extinguisher nearby as fires can occur unexpectedly. Propane and charcoal grills both put off carbon monoxide as a byproduct, so be sure keep your grill at least 10 feet from the home and ensure it is positioned away from windows, doors, vents and ductwork.

For more safety tips to better prepare your home, visit Kidde.com.

Photo courtesy of Getty Images (woman changing smoke alarm battery)
SOURCE:
Kidde

DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME IS ALMOST HERE: CLOCKS 'SPRING AHEAD' SUNDAY

Time marches ahead Sunday morning with the start of Daylight Saving Time. The change occurs at 2 a.m. Sunday March 8 across most of Canada and the United States, so set your clocks an hour ahead before going to bed Saturday night.