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Parent Source

Serving DeKalb County

Spring Resource Guide for Parents

HEALTHY PLAY

Turn your backyard into a safe space

MEAL PLANNING

Start with simple tips from the pros

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INSIDE 3

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Turn your Backyard into a Safe Space for Healthy Play Top Tips to Deep Clean this Spring Start Meal Planing with Simple Tips from the Pros

Parent Source is distributed in the Daily Chronicle PROJECT MANAGER: Lisa Angel DESIGN & LAYOUT: Allison LaPorta

est. 1851

We reserve the right to include and edit all editorial content of this publication.

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backyard TURN YOUR

INTO A SAFE SPACE FOR

HEALTHY PLAY A

s Americans across the country retreat to their homes to help slow the spread of COVID-19, many are rediscovering the value of their yards as places to take in fresh air, engage their children in outdoor games and enjoy physical activity in a safe environment.

3 TIPS FOR SAFE, HEALTHY OUTDOOR FUN FOR THE FAMILY Kids who can no longer participate in organized sports activities or meet their friends at the park need creative ways to burn off energy at home.

Unplugging and stepping outside can be good for the whole family's physical and mental health.

Consider these three tips as you explore ways to take advantage of the green space around your home.  EDUCATE: The backyard offers a great setting to learn about plant biology and the creepy crawlers that call our lawns home. Take a magnifying glass to your lawn and explore the habitat nestled between the blades.  EXERCISE: Lace up your sneakers and take to the yard for a 30-minute workout or arrange an obstacle course on the lawn for the kids.

Encourage children to compete for the fastest time or create a course of their own.  REJUVENATE: As the days get warmer, enjoy a little self-care by soaking in the sun on the lawn. Consider laying out a blanket and reading.

Whether it becomes family story time or some quiet time to yourself, spend some time enjoying your own personal piece of the great outdoors.

TAKE THIS TIME TO GIVE YOUR LAWN SOME TLC Now is a great time for some DIY spring maintenance to get your lawn ready for summer and the likely heavier-than-usual use it will see as you spend more time at home. To create a lush, healthy, low-maintenance lawn that is summerready, follow these spring lawn care tips from the experts at Grass Seed USA, a coalition of American grass seed farmers and turf specialists.  INTERSEED FOR A THICKER LAWN. Lawns that are sparse or have worn patches coming out of winter can be interseeded when the soil warms up in the spring. In addition to enhancing the overall appearance of the lawn, interseeding will help keep turf dense, which is a natural defense to keeping pesky weeds out.

Simply rake away lawn debris or accumulated thatch, broadcast seed widely or target bare spots on your lawn and irrigate regularly until the seed germinates. Be sure to use a high-quality seed that is a good match for your geographic region and your lawn's soil type, sun exposure and irrigation patterns. Seed can be ordered online and shipped directly to your home from most home improvement retailers.  WATER DEEPLY AND INFREQUENTLY. Rather than irrigating lightly every day, begin to water more deeply, only once or twice a week, which will encourage strong root growth and make for a hardier lawn in the summer. Most turf grasses will stay vigorous if they receive about 1 inch of water per week, including rainfall (and drought-tolerant

species such as tall fescue do well on even less).  MOW EARLY AND LEAVE THE GRASS TALLER. Start mowing your lawn before it gets too tall.

Scalping an overgrown lawn will stress the plants and potentially cause problems all season long, so make sure you never cut off more than one-third of the grass blade height at a time. A good rule of thumb for most species is to mow when the grass reaches a height of about 3 inches. That means you can cut it to 2 inches - or you can even leave it a little taller to protect the growing point at the base of the blade and improve your lawn's wear tolerance.  FEED YOUR LAWN. Grasscycling - leaving the clippings on the lawn after you mow and allowing them to decompose - can save you time and provide up to 25% of your lawn's fertilizer needs. To meet the rest of your turf's nutrient requirements, you'll likely need to fertilize in the spring and fall. The spring application should be relatively light and should feature slow-release nitrogen fertilizer to avoid causing rapid but weak growth, which can make the lawn less durable.

If you're among the many Americans seeking activities for energetic kids, suddenly finding time for long-delayed home improvement projects, or just needing a breath of fresh air, step out the backdoor and take advantage of your home's lawn.

By engaging in a few DIY spring lawn projects now, your lawn will be ready no matter what summer brings!

(BPT)

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TOP TIPS

DEEP CLEAN to

this Spring

his year spring cleaning is more than ever about the deep clean. Spring typically inspires a little more time dedicated to cleaning, in fact, a recent survey commissioned by Bona and conducted by Harris Poll found that more than half of U.S. adults say that the start of spring triggers extra cleaning in the household. While in the past it might have been more about simply dusting hardto-reach corners and cleaning out the fridge, this year it's also about deep cleaning and disinfecting for health and safety.

Here are a few tips to deep clean this spring for anyone tackling the task.  FOCUS ON HIGH-USE AREAS FIRST It may not be realistic to deep clean your whole home in one weekend so consider targeting busy areas of your home first.

Bedrooms, bathrooms, family room, kitchen and entry areas likely get the most foot traffic, so start there and leave lesser used areas of the home for later. Gather some helpers and set a timeframe to establish a clear goal and end time. Consider a second round of cleaning if you're unable to complete the task.  CLEAR OUT THE CLUTTER Create a system that works for you to clear out the clutter and make space to deep clean. Set up boxes or bags clearly labeled "Trash," "Recycle," "Donate," and "Belongs elsewhere." Go through each target room, putting anything that shouldn't be there in one of the labeled containers.

Be sure to get these boxes or bags where they belong to avoid additional house clutter (we've all been guilty of moving a pile from one room to another!). You'll feel lighter and happier just seeing those boxes and bags head out the door. Consider tasking a family member with trash or donation drop-off.  PRIORITIZE LARGE SURFACE AREAS Once you've cleared the excess clutter, wipe down the room from top to bottom. Clean the dust accumulated on top of bookshelves or ceiling fans first, then wipe down walls from top to bottom to remove dust and grime, using a microfiber mop or cloth. Prioritize large surfaces like countertops and tables as well as potential germ hotspots like the kitchen sink. Finish up with the floors by vacuuming carpet or by using a cleaner tailored for your hardwood or hard-surface floors.  DISINFECT At every opportunity look for areas that can be disinfected.

Focus on high-use items and areas like remote controls,

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doorknobs, drawer pulls, and keypads.

Consider using products that use hydrogen peroxide, a proven, healthier way to kill germs. Many traditional antibacterial cleaners use quaternary ammonium compounds or "quats." This specific class of chemicals is linked to skin irritation and respiratory problems and use of quats is contributing to the global problem of antimicrobial resistance.

For example, Bona PowerPlus® Antibacterial Hard-Surface Floor Cleaner is a new, hydrogen peroxide powered cleaning solution specifically designed to clean and disinfect hard, non-porous flooring surfaces. This ready-to-use antibacterial cleaner is formulated to clean and remove stubborn stains while killing 99.9% of household germs* with the power of hydrogen peroxide when used as directed. It also leaves your home smelling fresh and clean with no residue left behind. (BPT)

Finishing touches Once you've thoroughly cleaned and refreshed your rooms, brainstorm other ways to improve your living space:  Donate excess, little-used furniture to create more space  Identify tasks best left to professionals, like exterior window cleaning or hardwood floor refinishing  Display brightly colored artwork to renew your walls  Set out a vase or two of colorful flower arrangements Let your deep cleaning this spring bring a little renewal and brightness to your home. A clean home is also a healthy home for family, pets and friends. *Kills 99.9% of Influenza A H1N1 Virus, Rhinovirus, Escherichia coli, Listeria monocytogenes, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella enterica, Staphylococcus aureus, Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus [MRSA], and Trichophyton mentagrophytes on hard, non-porous surfaces in 10 minutes.

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t r a t S

MEAL PLANNING with simple tips from the pros

Have you heard about meal planning and thought it sounded like a great idea, but think it’s just too complicated for you to tackle? The truth is it’s easier than you think if you know a few tips and tricks from the experts.

“Meal planning saves money, cuts stress, reduces food waste and encourages family time, all while putting nutritious foods on the table,” says registered dietitian Sally Kuzemchak. “It can seem overwhelming to start, but if you follow a few simple strategies, you’ll be meal planning like a pro in no time and enjoying all the benefits.”

Kuzemchak is currently helping with Mission for Nutrition by philanthropically-based organization Produce for Kids.

This effort encourages healthy eating habits for everyone, including nutritious foods for families of all shapes and sizes.

She offers these simple meal planning tips so you can get started today:  START SLOW: When you first try meal planning, start with one step you’re comfortable with and grow from there as you gain confidence. For example, try chopping up a week’s worth of produce so you’re ready for snacking and cooking. Or, buy bulk chicken and cook it all up so it’s ready for quick meals such as tacos or topping a salad.

Focus on the effective: Is there one meal you struggle with more than others? Maybe breakfasts

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are consistently chaotic or you know you work late every Tuesday and it’s tough to get dinner on the table. Select a meal you can make ahead for those times to feel the immediate benefits of meal planning. You’ll be proud your family is fed a nutritious meal and enjoy less stress.  SIMPLIFY SHOPPING: To avoid overbuying as well as food spoiling, think about your meal planning before you head to the grocery store. Focus recipe selections on in-season ingredients to get the best flavor at the lowest prices.  DOUBLE FAVORITES: No need to try complicated new recipes when beginning to meal prep.

If you know your family loves a recipe, double it and eat one that day and freeze one for next week.

As you expand your cooking, keep a list of family favorites that you can easily double for future meal rotations.  USE TIME-SAVING TOOLS: Appliances like a slow cooker and food processor are great for whipping up dishes in no time. Having plenty of storage containers is key as well. From freezer bags and glassware to plastic containers with separate

sections, these tools will save you time and make meal planning simpler.  FREEZE SMART: For freezer meals, use resealable freezerfriendly plastic bags for sauces and raw ingredients that can be thawed and used later. Aluminum pans are good for freezing whole meals like casseroles. Remember to always label and date items and keep a running list of what is in the freezer for easy reference.  MAKE IT FAMILY FUN: Kids love to help cook, and when they assist in the preparing of foods, they are more likely to try new flavors. Invite kids into the kitchen to help meal prep to hone their cooking skills. Youngsters can help wash produce and stir mixes while older kids can assist in reading recipes and measuring ingredients.

Looking for recipe inspiration to kick off your meal planning efforts? With just a few minutes of preparation, this delicious meal cooks all day in the slow cooker so you can come home to a tasty meal the whole family will love.

For more recipe ideas and meal planning insight, visit www. produceforkids.com/mission-fornutrition.

(BPT)

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SLOW COOKER CHICKEN AND TOMATOES DIRECTIONS: Place chicken, onions and tomatoes in slow cooker.

Whisk garlic, soy sauce, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, olive oil and pepper in small bowl. Pour over chicken.

INGREDIENTS: • 1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs • 2 small RealSweet sweet onions, sliced • 1 pint Nature Fresh Farms TOMZ cherry tomatoes • 4 cloves garlic, minced

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Cover slow cooker and cook on high 4 hours or low 6-8 hours.

• • • • • •

1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce 3 tablespoons brown sugar 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce 1 tablespoon olive oil 1/4 teaspoon pepper 1 package Eat Smart sweet kale salad

Once done cooking, you can shred the chicken or leave as-is.

It’s great to serve over rice, quinoa or cauliflower rice for a delicious dinner. To add a little more flavor, squeeze some fresh lemon over top!

Serve with salad.

Until the Day we can come together to play, ...find wellness with the Sycamore Park District in the following ways:

Stay connected Follow the Park District’s Facebook page for: Information Pop-up Activities Contests and More!

stay active Find information about visiting parks and online activities at sycamoreparkdistrict.com

SM-CL1770441

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NIU BRINGS WORLD-CLASS ARTS EVENTS HOME

Experience our wealth of talent in theater, dance, art and music.

Be the ďŹ rst to know about upcoming events and interesting stories:

go.niu.edu/artsblog SM-CL1759050

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