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Fun Rainy Day Activities for Children

December 27, 2012 By

When rain is keeping you indoors, it can be a great opportunity for parents to bond with their kids. If rainy days, instead, tend to be one of your worst nightmares with overactive children climbing up the walls, here are some creative indoor projects that will keep both you and your children happy next time there's a rain shower or thunderstorm at Sheppard AFB Family Housing.

Board games are a fun, easy go-to idea, but to extend the fun further, challenge your kids to make and build their own board games. Get their wheels turning by talking about the elements of their favorite games. Then supply them with basic art supplies like crayons, paper, and cardboard.  This project lets children be both creative and active, while encouraging cooperation between siblings, and then the whole family can then enjoy the kids' zany new games. 
 
Learn magic tricks.  Purchase a few books, or even do a quick internet search.  Most basic, kid-friendly tricks entail objects you probably already have lying around the house that can take on fun, new meanings.  After your mini-magicians have a few tricks down, put on a show complete with costumes and custom-made stage, and allow them to amaze you with your magic skills.  
 
Make a mural.  Roll out a long piece of butcher paper, and provide your children with an assortment of crayons, markers, and colored pencils.  You can suggest themes, like the jungle or a magical castle, or just let their imaginations run wild.
 

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Great Illustrated Children’s Books

December 20, 2012 By

When you peruse books for children, you can’t help but be awestruck by the talent and artistry that goes into every single page. Today, there is incredible talent working in the field of kids' book illustration. Below is a selection of the most breathtaking, illustrated children’s books of all time. They're sure to be enjoyed by kids of all ages at Sheppard AFB Family Housing.

Where The Wild Things Are
Maurice Sendak’s classic story is illustrated in a way that manages to be both expressive and incredibly detailed. Every element of Max’s nighttime wanderings is rendered perfectly to create a truly dreamlike experience.

The Polar Express
A holiday favorite, recently made into a major motion picture, the incredibly realistic art in Chris Van Allsburg’s modern holiday classic captivates the eye.

Over and Over
Written by Charlotte Zolotow, this book impresses with astounding illustrations by storybook master Garth Williams. The story tells the tale of a young girl learning about the passage of the seasons.

Anansi The Spider
Gerald McDermott’s brightly-colored, geometric illustrations are a perfect complement to this West African folktale. They’re deceptively blocky at first, but soon you realize the incredible care that went into creating them.

Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs
This timeless tale by Ron and Judi Barrett is packed with delightful details and tons of funny sight gags that go perfectly with the surreal story of a town where food falls from the sky.

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Great Fly-Fishing Areas Around The U.S.A.

December 13, 2012 By

Fly-fishing offers thrilling rush of adrenaline when the long-awaited fish takes the fly. Below are some of the most popular and fruitful fly-fishing destinations in America — ideal for both beginners and long-time anglers.

Bighorn River, Montana
This river is one of the best fly-fishing locations in the nation, and it is especially a great choice if you’re looking to hook some large trout. The waters are full of fish because insects hatch year-round. Here, you can expect to make catches from between 17 and 22 inches in length. Fall is a particularly great time to fish on the Bighorn because the crowds are less heavy and you have a chance to catch some of the brown trout that migrate during winter and fall.
 
Colorado River, Colorado
There are many chances for fabulous fly-fishing along the Colorado River, including ample opportunities for private and guided fly-fishing tours. Here, you can expect to encounter a variety of trout, including rainbow, brook, cutthroat, and brown trout. In this region, you’ll have the chance to fish in rivers, alpine lakes, and spring-fed ponds, and you’re likely to make hefty catches – with two pounders being average but six pounders always an exciting possibility. Another boon is that there are several wonderful lodging options near the Colorado River, certain to make your fly-fishing trip as comfortable and homey as possible.
 
San Juan River, New Mexico
This is often considered one of the most ideal locations for fly-fishers looking to catch very large trout – four and five pound catches are average, and it’s not hugely uncommon to find a nine-pounder on the end of your line here. The river is lavish with rainbow, brown, and hybrid trout, and it’s known as one of North America’s most fruitful tailwater fisheries. If your schedule allows, you should aim to head to the San Juan River in the off-season (early spring) so that you can avoid crowds. 
 
Alagnak River, Britson Bay Region, Alaska
This area of Alaska is known for the exceptional guided fly-fishing outings that are offered along the Alagnak River, particularly great for the beginning fisher. You can expect to find rainbow trout, a variety of Pacific salmon species, and arctic grayling, and you’ll learn about traditional Alaskan angling methods while also taking in the breathtaking surroundings – the area around the river teams with wildlife, and you’ll have a chance to spot beavers, brown bears, caribou, and even bald eagles.
 
Potter County, Pennsylvania
The Hammersley Wild Area in Potter County, Pennsylvania is a great destination if you’re looking for an exclusive private, guided fly-fishing experience. The area abounds with miles of private streams that are divided into small sections, with no more than two anglers and one guide allowed on a section at any given time. You’ll enjoy a great deal of privacy and top-notch instruction as you fish for the large brown, brook, and rainbow trout that fill the streams. 
 

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Party Ideas For Your Next Dinner Party

December 6, 2012 By

Tired of the same old couples’ dinner? Next time you invite your favorite people over for a gathering at home at Sheppard AFB Family Housing, why not try something new instead of the usual dinner and dessert formula.

Foreign Cuisine
Pick a country to inspire your food, music, and decor. Ask friends to bring a dish from that region, so you all can enjoy a variety of options. Select music and place settings that also reflect the theme – for example set the table with brightly colored plates and platters, put on some mariachi music and ask guests to each bring a Mexican appetizer, side dish, or dessert!

Wine Tasting
If you and your friends enjoy sampling wines, try hosting a wine tasting. Ask each guest to bring a bottle, and then cover the labels with numbers. Give everyone a note pad so they can take notes and rank each bottle, and then reveal the labels at the end of the evening. For food, put out a simple cheese platter and some gourmet chocolates to enjoy with the deeper reds, and you’re good to go!

Appetizers Only
If cooking a full meal leaves you stressed and unable to enjoy your own party, try hosting an “appetizer only” party instead. Ask friends to bring their favorite finger food or bite-sized dessert and put everything out at once so people can nosh. And, if you focus on finger foods – you won’t have any utensils to wash afterwards!

Movie Night
Everyone loves a good old-fashioned movie night, so why not invite your friends over for food and a film? It’s fun to theme the cuisine around the movie, so if you’re watching The Godfather make a hearty lasagna and enjoy cannolis for dessert as you settle in to watch this classic film.

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Great Foods For Glowing Skin

November 29, 2012 By

Sometimes the best skin care treatments work from the inside out. If you're hoping to enhance your natural glow, include these healthy foods into your diet.

Green Tea
This soothing tea has anti-inflammatory properties and is full of antioxidants to help your skin. Whether consumed or applied topically, it can also reduce damage from ultraviolet light, thus reducing skin cancer risks.

Olive Oil
Loaded up with good fats and antioxidants, olive oil is also full of vitamins A and E. All of these nutritional benefits help create younger-looking skin that's softer and smoother. If it's not in your diet, make sure you put it there.

Fish
Fish such as wild salmon, herring, and sardines are just a few catches that are full of omega-3 fatty acids, which work wonders to keep skin smooth and gowing. The natural oils in fish also reduce inflammation, which can help conditions like acne and scaly skin while moisturizing.

Avocado
The monosaturated fats found in foods like avocado are very good for you. These, along with a healthy dose of vitamin E, can really work wonders when it comes to battling dryness. They're really tasty, too, so you can take pleasure in helping your skin and hair.

Oranges
The vitamin C that fruits like oranges are full of helps to stimulate collagen synthesis in your body. This process helps protect against wrinkles. They will also help your skin from getting dry, making them a real help to your skin in general.

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Feed Your Vision With A Healthy Diet

November 15, 2012 By

We all know that to protect our vision, we should get our eyes checked once a year. But what else can we do to ensure that we maintain healthy eyes throughout our life? Believe it or not, protecting your eyes can be as simple as eating a healthy, balanced diet. Consider keeping some of these staples on hand in your pantry at Sheppard AFB Family Housing.

Start with orange juice and green vegetables. They are packed with vitamin C, which helps fight glaucoma, and the heavy dose of antioxidants will guard against macular degeneration.

While you’re at it, remember the color orange; carrots, sweet potatoes, and other orange fruits/vegetables are high in beta carotene, which is a building block for vitamin A and strengthens your corneas and helps prevent night blindness.

Enjoy salmon, flax seeds, walnuts, and avocado. All are good sources of Omega 3 fatty acids. Besides preventing dry eye syndrome, this beneficial fat helps heart and brain health!

You’re not limited to meals, either. Think of all the finger foods you can snack on throughout the day—citrus fruits, broccoli, peaches, mangoes, garlic, chickpeas . . . with every bite, your eyes get stronger. These foods are not a substitute for your annual eye exam, but they can ensure that your appointment is quick, easy, and painless.

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Beauty Tips for Rainy Days

November 8, 2012 By

If rainy days have you down, here are some simple tips to reinvigorate your beauty routine even when the skies are gray.

Say No to Lip Gloss
Using lip gloss in rainy weather is just begging for smudges and smears. Grab a tube of high quality lipstick instead, and you'll have a wonderfully long-lasting effect without having to worry about weather-related messiness.

Watch Your Base
Quite frequently the main cause of makeup smudging is excessive foundation. Put on a thin coat of something that's water resistant, and remember to make use of powder during the day.

Make Use of Color
There is no better way to stand out in dreary, gray weather than to slap on some bright tones! Whether it's a part of your wardrobe or makeup, you'll be making a gorgeous contrast to your surroundings and stand out in the crowd.

Embrace Waviness
When it's rainy it's humid, and humidity is going to curl your hair. Rather than fight with your locks, rainy weather is a great time to embrace the natural look! Make use of some curl enhancer and give up the fight for straight hair in the rain. You'll be glad you did.

Use Skin Care Masks
Wet and cold weather has an extreme effect on skin. A couple of times a week during the rainy season, put on a moisturizing mask on at night. You'll see quick results, and any makeup you put on will look noticeably better!

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Great Chili Ideas

October 25, 2012 By

Chili is a fabulous one pot meal – and one of the most popular. Everyone has their own take on this dish, but if you're looking for some inspiration, here are some of the most popular regional variants, as well as some essential tips to keep in mind before you start cooking.

Chili, obviously, is named after the spicy peppers that give the dish its trademark heat. Mix-up your chilies. Using just one kind of pepper will make the dish taste one-dimensional. Combining jalapeno, Serrano, and other peppers in moderation will vastly improve the dish.

Meat is the core of a chili dish, and many regional styles such as Texas chili don’t use beans at all in the preparation of the meal. Before you add your meat to the pot, brown it in a pan first. That will help release essential flavors and keep the meat from getting too mushy. I prefer using roughly-cut strips of steak, but ground beef works fine. Ground turkey or chicken is good for a more heart-healthy dish.

That said, vegetarian chili is also increasingly popular. Rely on a variety of beans and sauteed vegetables like onions and mushrooms to create a hearty meal without the use of meat.

Always use fresh vegetables and good quality meats. Chili was originally invented as a way to disguise the flavors of substandard ingredients, but in the modern world there’s no reason to eat bad food. The better the ingredients, the better your pot of chili will be!

Taste the pot frequently as you’re cooking to adjust the consistency and spice blend. Keep in mind that heat will develop slowly as you cook it, so don’t add more peppers unless you’re sure that it’s not hot enough.

Enjoy!

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Super Easy Crockpot Dinners

October 18, 2012 By

If getting dinner on the table by 6 p.m. is a bit challenging after a long day, why not make use of that handy crockpot that’s been sitting on the shelf for ages? For a super simple weeknight supper, toss ingredients into your slow cooker, and just let it work its magic. When dinner time rolls around the food will be ready, and your home at Sheppard AFB Family Housing will smell wonderful! Here a few recipes to get you started:

Cheesy Chicken
Place 6 boneless chicken breasts in a 4 quart crockpot. Pour a 10 oz. can of condensed cream of chicken soup and one 10 oz. can of condensed fiesta cheese soup over the chicken. Add 1/8 tsp. pepper and 2 tsp. chili powder, and stir to combine. Cover slow cooker and cook on low 6 to 8 hours, until chicken is tender and thoroughly cooked. Serve over rice or couscous. Makes 6 hearty servings.

The Easiest Pork Chops Ever
If you wish, you can brown the 4 pork chops a nonstick skillet 3 to 4 minutes on each side, and then place chops into a 4 quart crockpot. In a bowl, combine 1 envelope onion soup mix and one 10 oz. can ready to serve chicken broth, and stir until blended. Pour mixture over the pork chops. Cover slow cooker and cook on low heat for 6 to 8 hours. Serve chops with veggies or salad and rice. This recipe makes 4 servings.

Potatoes & Italian Chicken
Place 4 diced potatoes on the bottom of the crockpot, then drizzle with 1/4 cup spicy Italian salad dressing. Top with 1 lb. boneless chicken breasts, and drizzle with another 1/4 cup of dressing and sprinkle with cracked pepper. Cover slow cooker and cook for 6-8 hours on low until potatoes are tender and chicken is thoroughly cooked. Makes 4 servings.

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Must-Hear Country Albums

October 4, 2012 By

The long and rich history of country music is full of classic albums, but if you were going to sample just a few of the best, these albums will surely hit the spot. From rollicking hoedowns to soulful ballads, these are the most memorable country albums ever released.

Willie Nelson – Red Headed Stranger
Nelson signed with Columbia Records on a contract that gave him unlimited creative freedom. After doing so, he created this incredible, sparse album that retells the story of a fugitive on the run from the law after the murder of his wife and child.

Merle Haggard – Okie From Muskogee
This album was recorded live in a small town in Oklahoma. The live action gives you a realistic portrait of Haggard at the very top of his game, and presents outstanding performances of some of his greatest hits.

Johnny Cash – At Folsom Prison
This oldie-but-a-goodie is another live album. This album put the Man in Black in front of an audience of hardened criminals and let it all hang out. Cash’s raw style and bleak songs resonated perfectly with the inmates, and the energy is palpable.

Townes Van Zandt – For The Sake Of The Song
This 1968 album was Van Zandt’s debut, and introduced one of the greatest songwriters of all time to the world. Even though he was never recognized by a mainstream audience, this album is still well-worth a listen.

Dolly Parton – Jolene
This album was recorded just after parting ways with Porter Wagoner, and showcases how Parton took creative control of her career with exceptional results, making her one of the medium’s most famous female voices.

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