Teach kids about kitchen safety and start them on a delicious lifelong journey. Children can be introduced to the kitchen and the concepts of kitchen safety sooner than you think. Yes, the safety precautions can seem overwhelming and stressful. This is especially true if you’re allowing them to help out in the kitchen for the first time. The kitchen has been called the heart of a home. Your kids will spend lots of time in the kitchen, especially when you are cooking. But kitchens can be dangerous places. About 350,000 people are injured by kitchen knives each year according to Beaumont Emergency Hospital, and kitchen burns are also very common. Yet these dangers shouldn’t prevent you from introducing your children to the art of cooking healthy meals — and the safety precautions involved. Here’s what you should know if you’re considering cooking together as a family. Start Small When You Teach Kids About Kitchen Safety Many parents are eager to teach kids about kitchen … [Read more...] about Teach Kids About Kitchen Safety
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Outdoor Games for Kids and Families
Looking for some great outdoor games for kids to play? You are not alone. It seems like every parent is trying to find fun things for the kids to do outside. It’s too nice to stay indoors. And you don’t want your kids to play video games ALL DAY. It’s time to reach into your parental “bag of tricks” and find some really fun outdoor games for kids—and some fun outdoor activities, too. So here are some great ideas to keep your kids happy as they keep busy in the backyard. Some of these are classics, and some of these are new. But all of these great outdoor games for kids and families are fun! Slip and Slide: A Classic Outdoor Game for Kids Many parents have fond memories of backyard fun on a slip-and-slide toy. Well, today there are lots of slip-and-slide toys available. All you do is unroll the long plastic slide, hook up a hose, and turn on the water. It’s instant warm-weather fun! Nowadays there are many choices in slip-and-slide toys. There are single-lane slides, … [Read more...] about Outdoor Games for Kids and Families
Lavender Orpington Chickens: Perfect Backyard Chicken Breed
Lavender Orpington chickens just might be the perfect breed for a backyard chicken flock. These are delightful birds that make an excellent “starter” breed for your first chickens. They also make a wonderful addition to any flock. When you start or add to your chicken flock, you’ll find yourself inundated with hundreds of breed options. From fuzzy silkies to giant brahmas, the choices are practically endless! If you want to have chickens that are suited to the family backyard, however, you’ll have to select your breeds carefully. And for the perfect urban family backyard chicken breed, look no further than the Lavender Orpington chickens! Lavender Orpington chickens are beautiful, fluffy, friendly birds with silvery-blue feathers. Maxing out at 6-8 pounds, their color and puffy appearance makes them look like soft, grey clouds wandering around the yard. They are good egg layers, sweet-natured, and great for beginners and children. With so much to love, it is no wonder this breed … [Read more...] about Lavender Orpington Chickens: Perfect Backyard Chicken Breed
Six Lessons I Learned from Garden Failure
Garden failure happens. I know, because it was a rough season for my garden. Between hailstorms, squirrels and an energetic toddler with a stick, I have witnessed some epic garden casualties. It’s times like these that I have to remember patience and acceptance-- and embrace every garden failure as a learning opportunity. It’s a harsh reality, but it’s true: failing can teach you a lot. Plants die sometimes for no apparent reason. And sometimes you’ll make a mistake-- like the time I planted a hydrangea in my New Mexico garden. That poor plant failed SPECTACULARLY. (It did not like the climate AT ALL.) Just remember that every mistake is a learning opportunity that will help you become a better gardener in the long run. Here’s a list of my failures this year: Garden Failure #1: Sowed seeds too late. The ideal time to sow seeds outside in spring can be a very narrow window, and it varies from year to year. This year, we had a very early warm, dry spring. By planting way too … [Read more...] about Six Lessons I Learned from Garden Failure
