There’s nothing like biting into a juicy, sweet strawberry to tell you that spring is here. From supermarkets to your local farmer’s market, strawberries are back and are abundant.
Yogurt-dipped strawberries are an easy snack or dessert that your child can help you make. From picking strawberries as a family activity to washing and cutting off the stems and leaves of the strawberries with a non-sharp knife, this recipe allows your little helper to pitch in in all the steps.
Ingredients
Fresh strawberries, washed and stems removed
Plain yogurt, Greek preferred
Honey, optional
Lollipop sticks, optional
If using lollipop sticks, place a stick in each strawberry. Sweeten yogurt with honey, if desired.
Dip the strawberry in the yogurt and roll around with a spoon to make sure strawberry is covered in yogurt. Set on wax or aluminum paper on cookie sheet.
Repeat with all the strawberries and freeze strawberries for 15 minutes or until ready to serve.
As a parent, keeping your child safe at all times is crucial and making sure they’re safe while traveling is just as important. With so many car and booster seats on the market, you can often get overwhelmed and buy the ill-fitting seat or use the same seat for your growing child. As your child grows, it’s essential to get them the appropriate seat for their age and size. Follow our tips and guidelines to making sure your child has a safe and perfect seat tailored to fit them.
Type of seat for different ages
The general rule for car safety for children states that they should be in the back seat until they are at least 12 years old. Newborns through 12 month olds should always be placed in a rear-facing only or rear-facing convertible car seat at all times. The AmericanAcademy of Pediatrics recommends using a rear-facing car seat until your child is 2 years old or has reached the maximum size allowed by the car seat manufacturer.
After 2 years, your child can elevate to a forward-facing car seat with a harness. You can use this seat until your child for as long as possible until your child outgrows it or if your child is under 2 years old but had outgrown the rear-facing child seat. For children 4-7 years old, you should ditch the car seat and start using a booster seat while still keeping your child in the backseat. Keep using the booster seat until the child is big enough to fit a seat belt properly-still in the backseat.
Features to look for in car seats
Where to place the car seats
Your child is safest in the middle of the backseat and away from doors in case of an accident. Having your child in near activated airbags in the front seat in a rear-facing seat could lead to serious injury in the event of an accident.
Installing the car/booster seats
Always choose the seat for your car and read both the car and car seat manuals carefully. Car seats should be secured tightly and face the right direction. Use the harness slots, especially at or below your child’s shoulders.
Mother’s Day is near and although we all love our mothers and tell them that daily, Mother’s Day is a day to set time for your mother and other mothers in your life and appreciate them. This year, skip the flowers and offer your mother a different experience on her special day. Alamance County offers many activities and opportunities for the beloved women in your life.
Get her a flight lesson.
Burlington Aviation is an FAA-approved flight school and offers affordable prices for flight lessons. These lessons are great for mothers who love travelling and would love to try their hand at flying. The Discovery Flight lessons are offered daily and are a unique gift for adventurous mothers. Call Burlington Aviation at (336) 227-1278 for information on gift certificates.
Say “om” together.
People everywhere are turning to yoga and meditation to relax from their busy schedules. Give your mother the gift of relaxation at Om Shanti Yoga, a yoga studio on Huffman Mill Road. Or better yet, go to the class with her and create a shared experience. Yoga offers many benefits such as decreased blood pressure, improved circulation, flexibility and it detoxifies the body, which helps in delaying aging. So grab a pair of yoga pants for your mother and yourself and chant “om.” The first class at Om Shanti is free.
Krav Maga
Another excellent workout and gift idea is Krav Maga, a self-defense technique originating from Israel. The techniques focus on real-world situations and offer self-defense tools and empower the fighter. Burlington Krav Maga on St. Mark’s Church Road is the only studio in Alamance County to offer this unique class. Not only is Krav Maga practical but it’s a high intensity workout that’s sure to invigorate. The facility also offers kickboxing and martial arts classes for all ages, making it family friendly.
Take a hike.
For the outdoor mother, Shallow Ford Natural Area and Great Bend Park at Glencoe are gorgeous locations for hiking trails and camping. If your mother’s one for adventure, she’s sure to love spending time in nature, exploring the beauty of Alamance County.
Sign up for a class.
Help your mother discover her hidden talent by signing her up (and maybe yourself too) for a class. Michael’s on University Drive offers monthly classes, of which some are free, that boost creativity. Some classes include crochet lessons, scrapbooking, cake decorating and jewelry making. Check the Michael’s store for class schedules and pricing. Alamance Community College also offers similar personal interest classes, such as interior design, sewing, photography and ballroom dance. Look up the offered classes at ACC and get started right away. Encourage your mother to try her hand at being Martha Stewart. She just might surprise herself!
Enjoy a class of wine together.
Relax with a glass of red or white wine at the different wineries in Alamance County for Mother’s Day. West Burlington Wine Company on St. Mark’s Church Road often has free weekly wine tastings and offers a unique experience. Sign up for its e-newsletter for news on wine tastings and special deals.
The Winery at Iron Gate Farm in Mebane is another location to take your mother to. With an on-site winery, the facility offers cooking demonstrations and wine tasting for $5 and $3 for a special Iron Gate signature glass. Tasting hours are from 12-5 pm Monday through Saturday and from 1-5 pm on Sunday. Call (919) 304-WINE to schedule a tasting and tour of the winery.
It’s bike season again in Alamance County. The weather is finally warmer and it’s time to dust off your helmet and ride. But as tempting as it is to hop onto your bike and start your engine, you must make sure it’s in great condition before you can ride it. The following tips and guidelines will ensure your bike is ready for the spring. The Motorcycle Safety Foundation recommends following a T-CLOCS guideline to prepare your bike for riding. You can inspect your bike yourself or send it to the folks at Down Home Harley-Davidson, the local motorcycle dealer in Alamance County.
The first thing to do is inspect your bike and keep an eye out for any visible cracks or tears and loose parts. The mirrors are a good place to look first since they can often be cracked or even broken in storage.
Tires and Wheels
for any wear and tear, cracks or foreign objects in them. The tires should be at their optimal air pressure and there shouldn’t be any problems with the spokes. Your owner’s manual should give you an optimal temperature and you should use a gauge to check the air pressure. Also check for loose or cracked wheels and functioning brakes.
Controls
Your bike’s handle bars must turn freely and the handle grips and ends secure.
Control cables should be lubricated and like hoses, shouldn’t interfere with steering. Hoses must also be free from any kinks or leaks. Your levers and pedals should be properly adjusted.
Lights
Your battery should be fully charged and ready to go. To check if the battery is charged, run the engine for a few minutes and if it doesn’t start with ease, it’s time to charge that baby up. Also check the terminals to ensure they’re placed on correctly.
Oils
Your bike’s fluids are vital to its functioning and longevity. Check all your oils, transmission, antifreeze and front fork oil. Replace the fluids as needed and disposes of them properly. Also make sure there are no leaks anywhere in your bike. If your fluids have decreased but you can’t see the problem, then you most likely have a leak.
Chassis
It’s important that your bike is adjusted according to your weight and frame. Make sure your steering-head bearings aren’t dented or have tight spots. Additionally, check the chain or belt for tensions and the front forks for a smooth ride. The side plates should be lubricated when hot.
Stands
Your chopper’s side and center stands are areas to inspect. Make sure both stands aren’t bent and they have proper clearance.
Wash and polish your bike.
After thoroughly inspecting your bike, you should wash it-not just wiping it down with disinfecting and leather-safe wipes. Always use motorcycle-safe products when handling your bike and wash it in direct sunlight so the metal areas can easily dry. Use soft cloths for your ride, as not to scratch or damage it. A well-kept ride will keep its value and increase its longevity.
Don’t forget your helmet and gear.
Always wear your helmet when riding. Your jacket, sunglasses and gloves are also great to have when riding. The jacket will keep you warm and the shades will protect your eyes.
Renew your insurance.
Before riding this spring, make sure your insurance policy is still valid. It’ll save you any hassles and money down the road. If your insurance expired, now’s the perfect time to renew it.
Part-time student status and starting a new internship tomorrow.
