At Home With Valerie

  Kid-Friendly Summer Snacking (Family Features) Summer sun means it’s time for warm-weather fun for kids of all ages, and all that activity and playing calls for snacks and hydration to recharge. Whether your children like to play poolside or take a bicycle adventure through the neighborhood, the right nutrient-dense foods can keep the fun going all day long. For an option that quenches hunger (and thirst) without sacrificing nutrition, try an assortment of ways to enjoy watermelon. As a refreshing ingredient or standalone treat, watermelon includes just 80 calories and no fat while providing an excellent source of vitamin C (25%) and higher levels of lycopene (12.7 mg per 2-cup serving) – an antioxidant being studied for its role in sun protection – than any other fresh fruit or vegetable. Plus, it’s made of 92% water, meaning it’s a flavorful way to encourage kids to rehydrate during some fun in the sun. Make watermelon part of a balanced sna...

To be sure you are watering the right amount, place one or more empty tuna cans in the area where you are sprinkling. When the tuna cans are filled to the brim, that's the amount of time you should be watering twice weekly. Generally, it takes 15 to 30 minutes, depending on your sprinklers. As a bonus, you can often lower your water bill by using this trick. Try it, it works!