Impromptu party planning: How to create great gatherings in 30 minutes or less

(BPT) - Parents have never been more crunched for time. Balancing work demands with parental duties is complex - 56 percent of working moms and 50 percent of working dads say they find it very or somewhat difficult to balance these responsibilities, according to a recent report about modern parenthood from the Pew Research Center. But just because you're time strapped doesn't mean you need to stress when it comes time to host after-school activities or weekend gatherings with friends and family. With a few key strategies, even impromptu parties are a snap to pull together.



Did your teen just call to tell you he's having the baseball team over for an Xbox live tournament tonight? Has a pop-up neighborhood party suddenly happened at your house? Did you forget about the Girl Scout meeting after school today? Whatever the reason, embrace spontaneous gatherings and go from zero to party in 30 minutes or less with these ideas:



Astounding activities



Great parties make everyone feel included, no matter how young or old. For spur-of-the-moment parties, gather your favorite board games and a few decks of cards to spread around on various tables. For outdoor gatherings, nothing beats classic lawn games like Frisbee, bocce, ladder ball or horseshoes. Groups are sure to gather to indulge in the fun, and lively conversation will inevitably follow.



To appeal to younger kids, create a makeshift theater stage with a blanket or shower curtain, and pile up costumes, hats and props. Even wallflowers are sure to bloom during this fun activity that inspires make-believe.



For teenagers, video games are ideal - just make sure your system, game options and high-speed Internet are ready for intensive group play and there are plenty of snacks on hand. Add some comfy pillows and throws so everyone can spread out and enjoy the friendly competition. Ask friends and neighbors to bring over their games too for even more variety.



Fantastic food



Time-crunched parents don't have to worry about fancy food when parties suddenly pop up; guests don't expect an elaborate meal. Take a no-nonsense approach by serving flavors everyone will love. Frozen appetizers you can pop in the oven and serve beside fresh seasonal items are ideal.



Bite-size foods are best for easy snacking. Bake some Farm Rich Mozzarella Sticks, which are made with 100 percent real mozzarella and lightly seasoned. Kids and adults alike will devour these snacks with a crispy coating and warm cheesy center. Add some zesty Farm Rich Jalapeno Peppers and everyone's taste buds will be dancing. These snacks, available at Walmart and other grocery stores, pair well with fresh seasonal fare, so set out fresh grapes or strawberries, juicy sliced melon or chopped veggies with dip - whatever you have on hand or can get quickly at the local market - and you'll have a spread that will disappear almost instantly.



Set the scene



There's no need to deep clean, but spending a few minutes to tidy up creates a welcoming environment for guests. Focus your efforts on areas where people will gather - like the kitchen, patio or living room. Don't forget to stock toiletries in the bathrooms, too.



If you have time, decorate for your last-minute shindig with simple yet clever decor. Hosting a video game gathering? Make a banner such as "Nelson's Awesome Arcade" and hang above the TV. Have memorable photos of your guests? Run a ribbon and attach photos side-by-side with clothespins so everyone can enjoy the fun imagery. Want to add a summer vibe to your party? Skip the florist and cut some fresh buds from your backyard. If you're stuck, a quick visit to Pinterest is sure to inspire.



When really strapped for time, skip decor and focus on the music - play songs everyone will enjoy and that reflect the theme of the party. Upbeat songs that embrace the warm weather always set the right mood. From the Beach Boys to the most current chart-toppers, some toe-tapping tunes will help guests get in the party groove.



With these tips and tricks, you'll throw a party or get together that'll make everybody happy. You'll stress less and no one will know you put the whole thing together in minutes.

DECEMBER 2014 MARKET UPDATE!

 December 2014

DeLena Ciamacco

Included in this blog post is a link to my Real Estate Update Newsletter. Please click on the link below to get the latest Real Estate Update for December! If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to call or email my office. 

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Help stave off sickness with citrus

(NC)-Like it or not, winter is here, and making healthy diet choices from morning 'til night is crucial to warding off aches and sore throats.

Your mother may have told you to take your vitamins, and she was right. Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant and a key nutrient that helps support a healthy immune system and aids your body's natural ability to fight colds and flu. Vitamin C can also help the absorption, transport and storage of some forms of iron.

"Having a glass of orange juice or a whole grapefruit as part of a healthy breakfast is an easy way to brighten your morning, provide a full day's supply of vitamin C and give your immune system what it needs to function at its best," says registered dietitian Lydia Knorr. "However, healthy eating doesn't have to stop at breakfast. Adding orange juice or a few slices of Florida grapefruit into your lunches and dinners is an easy way to help get your recommended 7-10 servings of fruits or vegetables daily."

Knorr also points out that citrus fruits and juices are versatile ingredients that fit easily into modern cuisine and add a boost of flavor to traditional winter fare. The following recipe incorporates Florida grapefruit juice as a fresh complement to a festive feast:

Grapefruit Coriander Mussels

2 tbsp (25 mL) butter

1 small onion, finely chopped

1 clove garlic, minced

1/3 cup (75 mL) chopped fresh coriander

1 tsp (5 mL) ground cumin

1 cup (250 mL) Florida grapefruit juice

Half red bell pepper, diced

1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and minced

1 bag (about 2 lbs/1kg) fresh mussels, rinsed

In large saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Cook onion, garlic, half of the coriander and cumin for about 3 minutes or until softened. Add juice, red pepper and jalapeno; bring to the boil. Stir in mussels. Cover and cook for about 10 minutes or until mussels are open.

Sprinkle with remaining coriander before serving.

Makes 2 servings.

A fun approach to teaching kids nutrition wisdom

"The more parents can do to involve children in the process, the decisions on what they are eating and where their food comes from, the better off they will be at helping them learn reverence and appreciation for food," says Anni Daulter, professional cook, nutrition expert, and author of several books, including "The Organic Family Cookbook."



Here are some simple yet effective tips from Daulter to get your kids excited about nutrition and help them make good food choices:



1. Make mealtime special



"In our fast-paced lives, we have somehow lost the concept that eating is not just about the actual food. It's about the connection, the time spent enjoying every bite, laughing, talking and sharing. Our families need this time together," Daulter says.



Create a routine. Consider starting dinner at a similar time each night. Designate different nights for different types of meals, such as vegetarian Monday, or make-your-own pizza Saturdays. Have children help with the meal prep and cleanup, if age-appropriate. Light a candle during dinner, and allocate plenty of time for conversation - it's one of the best ways to bond with loved ones.



2. Adopt a healthy morning routine



While most families are time-crunched on weekday mornings, it's important to make time for breakfast so kids get the nutrition they need before heading to school. Healthy breakfasts incorporate whole grains, protein, fresh fruit, and supplements that support brain and body health.



"Supplements can be an easy way for mom and dad to ensure that their children get the important nutrients they need, especially during busy mornings," says Daulter. "I recommend giving kids a boost of brain-building nutrition with a kid-friendly omega-3 supplement. I like chewable, strawberry-flavored Nordic Naturals Children's DHA. This essential nutrient is brain food, proven to support brain growth and health. Additionally, omega-3s support a healthy immune and nervous system, too."



3. Create tasty school lunches



"When your children are fed better, they learn better," says Daulter. "Their bodies react to being fed good pure foods that give them the fuel they need to get through each and every school day."



Save time by making lunches the night before or do a big Sunday cut-and-chop day for raw ingredients throughout the week. Here is a sample of what you'll find in Daulter's children's lunch baskets:



Black Bean Soup Lunch

* Classic Caesar salad

* Homemade wheat parmesan chips

* Raw: Asian pears and clementines



4. Have healthy snacks on hand



"Kids bodies tend to be more in tune with their internal signals and they inherently seem to know that they need more little meals throughout the day, rather than three big meals," Daulter says. "Eating smaller portions frequently throughout the day provides more energy when we need it and is easier for our bodies to digest."



Daulter keeps several small kids tables throughout the house so her children can nibble on snacks while they continue to play. What sorts of things does she like to feed her kids for snacks? Nuts, homemade fruit roll-ups, pumpkin seeds, veggie popcorn, fresh fruits, carrot sticks, and cheese are all healthful snacks that keep kids' bellies full.



5. Teach healthy eating habits through activity



"My kids and their friends love to cook and help us prepare meals, and the more we include them in the process, the more invested they become in their own health," says Daulter.



You may be surprised by how excited your children get by being involved in the entire meal process. When you go to the grocery store or farmers market, have children help pick out veggies. If you grow your own, let them pick the produce and help wash, peel and prep it for meals.



"Even the youngest child can help mix in flour for fresh bread or learn to whip her own honey butter," says Daulter. "These tasty teachings will not only give them practical and valuable life skills, but will leave them with loving memories of family cooking days that were spent laughing, creating, and of course, eating!"

Gourmet cooking made easy

(NC)-When it comes to comfort foods, nothing quite compares to warm caramelized onions or stretchy melted cheese - and this appetizer has plenty of both. Created by TV host and cookbook author, Sabrina Tutino, these Mozzarellissima Pan-Seared Scallops with Caramelized Onions and Figs are sure to please any palate at your next get-together.



More tasty recipes can be found online at www.mozzarellissima.ca.

Makes: 4 to 6 servings

Prep time: 15 minutes

Cooking time: 25 to 30 minutes

Ingredients:

olive oil, to taste

4 to 6 large sea scallops (approximately 1 lb (500 g))

2 large onions, finely chopped

salt and pepper, to taste

¾ cup (175 mL) brandy, to deglaze (or white wine, water or broth)

⅔ cup (150 mL) fig jam

8 oz (250 g) Mozzarellissima cheese, grated and divided

fresh parsley, to taste

Directions:

1. Preheat a non-stick frying pan over high heat. Add a drizzle of olive oil and place the scallops in the pan, ensuring they do not overlap. Sear scallops for a few minutes on each side without moving, until they are a nice golden color. Remove from pan and set aside.

2. In the same hot pan, add a drizzle of olive oil and toss in onions. Stir well to coat the onions with oil, and add a pinch of salt and pepper.

3. Cook the onions for a few minutes, stirring occasionally until they become soft and dark caramel in color. If they begin to stick to the pan, add a splash of brandy (or white wine, water or broth) to deglaze and continue cooking. This step can be repeated until the desired color is obtained.

4. Remove the pan from heat and thoroughly mix in the fig jam with the onions.

5. Place 4 to 6 ramekins on a cookie sheet, placing one scallop in each, topped with 1 tbsp (15 mL) of the onion and fig mixture. Sprinkle with grated Mozzarellissima.

6. Cook for 5 minutes on broil until cheese is melted and slightly golden brown in color.

7. Garnish with a sprinkle of parsley and serve.

Tips:

- For easier grating, put Mozzarellissima in the freezer for 20 minutes, then grate.

- Caramelized onions can also be used to add great flavor to soups, sandwiches or salads.

Steps for creating the ultimate game day space

Store away the things you don't need



Since this space is likely to have quite a few visitors, it's essential that you can always find what you need and your buds have plenty of space to celebrate. Tip one: Never lose the remote. Velcro works great for securing the remote to a designated space on the wall; that way it's always in the right place. Tip two: cut back on the clutter. Consider installing some shelving units - nothing says team pride more than painting the selves in your team's colors. If you don't have the space, consider purchasing furniture pieces that do double work, such as a storage ottoman with a hidden mini-fridge or a chair with a built-in cooler.



Add some team spirit



Your favorite team doesn't have an ivory colored locker room, so why does your man cave? Embrace your team colors with a fresh coat of paint, a simple and cost-effective way to update your space. If your team has bright colors, consider painting a few items or striping the walls so it is not too overpowering. When painting the walls, pick up a Purdy White Dove roller cover. It's especially great for applying paint to large areas and can be easily cleaned and ready for multiple colors. White Dove covers work with all paints and exterior stains, especially where a smooth, lint-free finish is desired.



Allow your collections to manifest



Whether you enjoy building mini airplanes or have a slight movie obsession, make the space your own and showcase that plane collection, baseball memorabilia or movie theme. Having a place to enjoy your hobbies and your friends is a smart way to save space and showcase what you love. If you don't have any collections, consider hanging a few posters of the hometown teams. Looking to brag a little more? Create a custom banner symbolizing your championship last year in your fantasy football league.



Create your own halftime activities



You could sit there and watch the commentators and commercials for 20 minutes, or you can add some fun and competitive spirit to your man cave. If you have a small space, consider breaking out games like darts or cards. If you have more space, think about incorporating some larger games such as a vintage pinball machine or a pool table in the room.



Feed your friends



Designate an area of the man cave for food and beverages. To really set your space off, consider a vintage-styled popcorn machine or hot dog roller cooker. A slow cooker is also a game day essential for making chili. Sport themed plastic bowls are great for snack foods such as pretzels and chips.



By following these simple tips, the guys will be enjoying the game and your awesome space in no time.

Enhance your wedding with memorable aromas

The ceremony. The fragrance we inhale during any important event often becomes inextricably linked with our memories of that event. In fact, the scents that your guests encounter when they first enter the wedding venue are no less important than the decorations they see. So pick a scent that you want the wedding to be remembered by. Take cues from the style of your gown, the time of year and the setting. Here are some examples of how you might match essential oils to your event:

* Elegant little white dress during the warm season (especially outdoors) is the perfect stage for fresh aromas such as citrus (bergamot, sweet orange, grapefruit) and orange flower (neroli).

* Traditional lace dress with tulle and train in a church setting trends toward timeless rose and jasmine underpinned with the balsamic, resinous scents of frankincense and sandalwood.

* Bold color dress choice in an autumn or wintertime setting equals luscious aromas of spice and fruit, coriander, cardamom, tangerine and Mandarin orange.

The reception. You'll want to stay very low key here. Since aroma and taste are so intricately intertwined, you don't want to introduce outside aromas that might clash with the flavors and aromas produced by any food you're serving. There may be opportunities for subtle citrus or spice scents - perhaps at an isolated drink or snack table - but for the most part, let the aromas of the food prevail.

The dance. When the tables are cleared, and it's time to kick up your heels, reinforce the change by introducing a distinct party aroma. Take a cue from the kind of music you're offering:

* String quartet and elegant classical music: sophisticated cedarwood, balsamic myrrh, and earthy vetiver, sweetened with a generous dose of sweet orange.

* Lively dance band: tangy-sweet lime, bergamot, sweet orange, and spicy, candy-like fennel, anise and coriander seed.

* DJ spinning contemporary tunes: invigorating peppermint, spearmint, and uplifting citrus (lemon, sweet orange).

Diffusion is the key to designing an aromatic ambience at your wedding. This can be accomplished using a variety of apparatus that feature a fan and/or heat to propel the evaporation of the essential plant oils into the air. Simply place the oils in the device according to the instructions and add more as needed. Visit www.auracacia.com for more tips on using essential oils as well as a wide selection of plug in diffusers, vaporizers, candle lamps and essential oils.

By considering aroma - along with color, sound and flavor - during the planning stages of your celebration, you can create a complete and memorable impression on your big day.