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FEATURES PAGE 3B | THURSDAY, AUGUST 9, 2012
Got questions about your pet?
Fuel family with quick, healthy meal ideas for back-toschool time Summer came and went in the blink of an eye and, with August in full swing, everyone is in back-to-school mode. Stores like Target, Wal-mart, Staples and Office Max are buzzing with families fillFarah ing their carts with Bohannon pencils, notebooks, Columnist pens, highlighters and other school supplies. It is an exciting time, and kids start fresh each year with new teachers, classmates and curriculum. Back-to-school is an extremely busy time for the children, but let’s not forget mom and dad. Parents have a lot more on their plates because they have to deal with several other situations that children do not have to worry about – transporting children to and from school, finances, meals and more. Providing meals for the whole family is extremely important because of the obvious – everyone needs to eat to live. There are several ways to provide your family with healthy meals and snacks without slaving away in the kitchen all day. Mornings can be one of the most hectic times of the day. Have you ever overslept? Dealt with an unruly or unconsolable child who “doesn’t want to go to school” or “wants to stay home all day”? Are your mornings so hectic that you only have time to wake up, shower, get the kids ready, grab a sugar-laden breakfast such as a Pop-Tart for the car and hit the road? Sometimes there is simply no time to spend cooking breakfast in the kitchen – can you relate? There is no need to worry because it is possible to feed a family a nutritious and wholesome breakfast during a hectic morning. Try these recipes for breakfast, you won’t be disappointed.
Breakfast Casserole in the Crockpot Prepare this the night before. When your family arises for the day, a delicious, warm casserole will be ready to eat. You can use any chopped veggies you like.
Ingredients: 16 ounce frozen hash browns 1/2 pound crumbled bacon (use lean turkey or chicken for a lighter option) 1/2 diced onion 1/2 sliced bell pepper 3/4 cup shredded cheese 6 eggs (use egg substitute for a lighter option) 1/2 cup milk 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon pepper Other veggies (optional -- spinach, tomato, zucchini etc.) Grease the inside of the crock pot with cooking spray or butter. Place a layer of frozen hash browns on the bottom of the crock pot, followed by a layer of the bacon (or chicken/turkey). Then add veggies and cheese. Layer two more times, ending with a layer of cheese. Beat the eggs, milk, salt and pepper together in a bowl. Pour over the mixture in the crock pot. Cover and cook on low for 8-10 hours. This recipe serves 4. This will provide a sufficient amount of protein, carbohydrates and vitamins for your family and will keep children full and alert until their next meal. This casserole doesn’t have a large amount of unnecessary sugar like many cereals and other processed breakfast foods do. If you tend to rush and eat breakfast on the go, scoop servings of the casserole in Tupperware containers and eat with a fork in the car. Snacks can also be a hassle. It may seem much easier to grab 100-calorie packs, chips, cookies and other processed foods full of sugar, artificial
See FUEL FAMILY, page 4B
‘Ask the Experts’ at the next Humane Society of Jackson County community meeting A panel of pet professionals will be on hand to answer your most pressing pet questions; updates on the shelter campaign are on the agenda for the Aug. 14 community meeting at the Nicholson Community Center.
The Humane Society of Jackson County hosted this Yappy Hour at which two of Mary Anne Kenerly’s granddaughters enjoyed petting the dogs and Tonya Akin and Danielle Garrett from Dog Gone Cute Grooming enjoyed the evening. JEFFERSON – The Humane Society of Jackson County will host its quarterly community meeting at 7 p.m. on Aug. 14, and it’s part of “Ask the Experts.” The meeting will be held at the Nicholson Community Center, located at 129 Lakeview Drive. Everyone is welcome to attend Humane Society’s community meetings. In addition to the program, the group will present updates on the organization and the campaign to build Jackson County’s first animal shelter. The session will feature local pet experts answering pressing pet questions. The panel at the Aug. 14 meeting will include veterinarian expert, Dr. Sharon Wong of Best Friends Mobile Vet. A graduate of the University of Georgia’s College of Veteri-
nary Medicine, Dr. Wong began her mobile veterinarian service in 1997 after working in multidoctor practices in Atlanta and Augusta. Currently, she serves Athens and the surrounding communities. Also on the panel will be Dr. Gaile Daley of Heartfelt Healing Arts. She is a certified animal chiropractor and certified equine and canine sports massage therapist. With more than 30 years of experience in dog training, Janet Caldwell will be on the panel to answer any training related questions. She currently trains and competes with her two border collies in herding and agility. The Humane Society hopes to have a grooming expert on hand, too.
Get a glass & a paint brush Shelly Gephart is bringing her natural affinity for art to Braselton as she opens Canvas Mixers of Braselton in Suite 105 at 5391 Hwy. 53, in Olde Towne of Braselton, next to La Hacienda. Excitement is already building as the sign had gone up and the grand opening is set for 4-7 p.m. on Thursday. Earlier this week as Gephart and Kim Morrow, who will also serve as a fun art instructor along with Leslie Rowe, were putting finishing touches on the studio, a future customer stepped in. Gephart hopes to work with nonprofits and school clubs on fundraising opportunities. “Just bring your enthusiasm, snacks and beverage of choice,” says Gephart. Whether it’s a glass of water, orange juice or wine, there is fun to be had. Artist-led, step-by-step group sessions enable nonartists to have their very own 16-inch-by-20-inch original acrylic painting in just three hours. Or, have a private party at the studio or your location. For more information, call 770-296-2506, e-mail canvasmixers@yahoo.com or visit www.canvasmixers. com. The website provides a look at the schedule for classes and you can sign up online to participate.
The Humane Society appreciates these experts donating their time to the community meeting. The Humane Society is planning for an upcoming fundraiser. Ride Like the Animals is a pet festival, concert and motorcycle ride and will be held at Crow’s Lake in Jefferson on Sept. 8. The festival will feature all types of vendors and include pet demonstrations by Jackson County resident, Gail Mirabella and the Dynamo Dogs, a vaccination and microchip clinic by Shannon Vet Services
and a Pet Oasis by Doggie Stylers Professional Pet Grooming. Registration for the motorcycle ride starts at 1 p.m. at Mountain Valley Bank across from Crow’s Lake and kick stands are up at 2 p.m. The benefit concert will begin at 5 p.m. with Dustin Wilkes and the Ken Rhyne Band. Festival vendors, sponsors, attendees and motorcyclists are needed. For more information on Ride Like the Animals, visit www.raisethewoof.weebly.com or call 706-424-4607.