The Home Front July/August 2009

July/August 2009 Issue | Posted by Danielle Bean in Home Front

FOOD by Danielle

Thrill of the Grill

Nothing says “summer” quite like the smell of food on the grill. And nothing says “happy mom” quite like a delicious dinner with quick kitchen clean-up. Summer might be short-lived here in New Hampshire, but I make the most of the grilling season while I can.

To get the most flavor from grilled meats, however, I try to think beyond that tired old bottle of barbecue sauce. Here are some fresh ideas:

Marinate

Cheaper cuts of meat become tender through the power of the marinade.

Try This: Buy meat in bulk, seal in dinner-sized portions in plastic freezer bags with marinade, and then freeze. Thaw in the fridge and the marinated meat is ready when you are. Easy dinner!

Steam

Why just grill your meats when you can steam some veggies on the side?

Try This: Wrap vegetable servings in heavy foil packets (try broccoli, peppers, mushrooms, sliced carrots, and asparagus) with salt, pepper, garlic, a bit of olive oil, and 3 ice cubes. Grill over medium coals 15 minutes or until tender. Mix well, and drizzle with lemon juice before serving.

Dry Rub

Zesty rubs add a powerful flavor boost to all kinds of meats and poultry.

Try This: Mix 4 tablespoons sugar, 4 tablespoons salt, 1 tablespoon paprika, 2 tablespoons mustard powder, 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper, 1 pinch dried oregano, and 1 pinch dried thyme. Rub on meat or poultry before grilling.

— Visit Danielle online at FaithandFamilyLIVE.com

SELF by Mary

1. My approach to color is to choose ...

a. earth tones mixed with mellow neutrals.

b. mostly primary colors, pink, black, and white in

solids or classic prints.

c. softer “pretty” colors in solids or feminine prints.

d. lots of black or the “it” colors of the season.

2. The theme I use when choosing accessories is ...

a. simplicity; Do I have to wear accessories?

b. put-together; I like to be well coordinated.

c. charming; I like softer details.

d. one-of-a-kind; I love to make a statement! 

3. If I opened my own clothing store, a name

for it might be ...

a. Land’s Edge, Banana Island, Into the Gap.

b. Snap!, New Navy, J.C. Platinum.

c. Wistful Thinking, Charmed I’m Sure.

d. Metro Stop, Unlimited, Rampant.

4. I’d love to know that my style can be described as ...

a. down to earth, unfussy, natural, fresh.

b. sharp, classic, pretty.

c. charming, beautiful, feminine.

d. fashion-forward, chic, sophisticated.

5. My approach to makeup is to ...

a. not approach it! Okay, maybe just a little.

b. coordinate it with my outfit.

c. keep it soft and pretty.

d. become noticeable and

striking. 

Answers

If you chose mostly …

a. Relaxed: You value comfort (sometimes instead of style) and you avoid too much structure. At your best, you strive for a simple elegance.

b. Classic: Your style is distinguished by structure and quality, and you value tasteful coordination and accessorizing.

c. Romantic: Your style is feminine, perhaps even sophisticated, and you value the art of being a woman.

d. Expressive: Your style is fashion forward and exciting, and you value creative coordination and accessorizing.

HOME

Organize Your Medicine Cabinet

What’s in your medicine cabinet? A messy pile of outdated medications, old toothbrushes, and almost-empty bottles of long-forgotten beauty products? It’s time to take action.

1. Completely empty the cabinet and place all items on the bathroom counter so you can see each individually.

2. Throw away anything that is past date or has a label you cannot read. Dispose of medications with care — flush them down the toilet or place them in a tightly covered outdoor trash container so kids and pets can’t get them.

3. Clean cabinet shelves with glass-cleaning spray or wipe them down clean with a mild soap on a damp cloth.

4. Throw away all toothbrushes that are older than three months.

5. Return items to shelves. Use plastic baskets to contain small items. For even better clutter-busting, try the Slide & Tilt medicine organizer. $15 for a set of three; ArcsAndAngles.com.

Water Wonder

Here’s a nifty little gift idea or a fun addition to any desktop or kids’ bedroom. This cunning clock runs on water power alone and never needs batteries. Fill the water reservoir in the back and it will tell accurate time and date for weeks before needing a refill. The reservoir can even double as a vase for flowers. Functional and pretty! $12.99 from ThinkGeek.com.

MONEY

See Your Savings

For anyone who wants to track personal spending, the most user-friendly online service is absolutely free. At Mint.com, you can create an account in minutes. Once your account is set up, easy-to-read graphs and charts let you know where your money is going — all with no more data input from you. Set goals, reduce your debt, and compare your spending habits with others. All for free. Very cool service for a very nice price.

Book Bargains

For budget-conscious readers, the library isn’t the only option. Check out these innovative websites and read for less:

PaperbackSwap.com

Arrange to trade hardcovers, softcovers, and audiobooks. Sign up for a daily email to keep up with the latest available titles.

BookMooch.com

Post books you own and would like to exchange. When another member requests a book and you mail it, you earn credit worth a title of your choosing. Just pay shipping!

HEALTH by Kate

H20hhhhh

Water. Most of us take the clear stuff for granted. But it’s time H2O got your attention. 

“Water is the human body’s main chemical component. Every system — circulatory, respiratory, muscular — in the body depends on water,” says registered dietician Mary Beth Arnold. 

While you’ve probably heard that you need to guzzle eight to 10 glasses of water daily, Arnold says a more accurate guideline to follow is to take your body weight and divide it by half. If you weigh 160, for example, you should drink about 80 ounces of water per day for healthy hydration.  

“If you exercise, drink another eight ounces for every 20 minutes of exercise,” says Arnold. 

More Hydration Tips: 

Keep a bottle handy at all times. Take regular sips and drink before you feel thirsty (thirst is a sign of dehydration). And feel free to drink water from your tap. “There are no clinical studies showing that bottled water is better than tap water,” says Arnold. What’s more, water from the kitchen sink is often brimming with essential minerals such as magnesium and fluoride.

Eat water-rich foods. Although only about 20% of our water requirements are met through food, some foods have a higher water content than others. Good eats that can help keep you hydrated include watermelon, lettuce, grapefruit, broccoli, carrots, yogurt, and soup made with broth.

Schedule regular drinking times. Arnold recommends drinking a glass of water with each meal and at regular times between meals, as well.

FITNESS

She Lost It!

Name: Debbie Fitzgerald
Hometown: Cumming, Ga.
Fitness program: Kickboxing 3-4 times per week, plus weekly private training lessons.
Weight loss: 15 pounds

A few months before her 40th birthday, Debbie Fitzgerald decided it was time for a healthy makeover. “My heart health was on my mind because my dad had a heart attack at 57,” says the mom of two who runs a PR firm with her husband. She also admits she didn’t want to be “40 and fat.”  

Debbie’s birthday wish came true. After adding kickboxing to her routine and making small dietary changes such as introducing healthy snacks like fresh berries and nuts, Debbie dropped an entire clothing size.  

Although she’s always been active, Debbie has found kickboxing to be one of the most effective workouts around. Her trainer Wendy Hood, owner of My H.E.A.L.T.H. Kick, explains why: “Kickboxing is a great allover body exercise. It works you from head to toe. It gets your heart rate up, and it tones your body and really focuses on strengthening your core.” 

Debbie’s number one weight-loss tip? “Take time to take care of yourself. We all have hectic schedules, but if you commit to yourself, the benefits will be greater than you could ever imagine. You’ll soon realize your world hasn’t stopped revolving because you ‘escaped’ for a workout.” 

Ready to jab and kick your way to fitness? Start out with the Fat-Burning Kickboxing Workout for Dummies DVD. $5.99 at Amazon.com

Homework: Share your weight loss success story with Faith & Family. See page 6 for contact information.