Groundhog Day

Posted in: In The Know
Tags: groundhog day, crafts, fun facts

It’s Groundhog Day so why not get into the spirit by sharing some fun facts and activities with your kids.

Make a pop-up groundhog puppet using a paper cup, a popsicle stick and paper.

Groundhog Puppet

Supplies needed
Paper cup
Popsicle stick
Brown construction paper
Markers
Scissors
Glue
Optional: Googly eyes

Instructions
1. To make the groundhog: Cut a circle or oval from brown construction paper for body and cut a smaller circle out of brown paper for the head. Draw a mouth and eyes on the head (or glue on googly eyes). Glue the head to the top of the body.
2. Glue your completed groundhog to a popsicle stick.
3. Cut a small slit in the bottom of the paper cup.
4. Decorate the paper cup with markers to resemble grass.
5. Insert the bottom of the popsicle stick into the slit in the paper cup.

Now you have an adorable pop-up groundhog puppet!

Fun Facts About Groundhogs

A baby groundhog is called a kit or a cub.

The average groundhog is 20 inches long and normally weighs from 12 to 15 pounds.

Groundhogs have four toes on their front feet and five toes on the back feet.

A groundhog can whistle when it is alarmed.

Groundhogs are the only animals to have their own National holiday. Groundhog Day is celebrated on February 2nd each year. Pennsylvania's official celebration of Groundhog day began February 2nd, 1886.

If you saw the news this morning, Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow, meaning six more weeks of winter.

Happy Groundhog Day!
 

Michael Is Moving In

Posted in: In The Know
Tags: michael kors, market street, shopping

Opening in March, the Michael Kors store at Market Street will offer a complete selection women’s clothing, handbags, shoes and accessories.  Hopefully, the store will be stocked with pieces from his Spring 2012 collection which was recently unveiled at New York Fashion Week.

As stated in the official Michael Kors press release, the collection was inspired by Michael's trips to South Africa and feature hand dyed textiles, ombre and tie dyed cashmeres and caftans, pathwork leopard shifts and soft fluid dresses, all in earthy bright accents.

"This collection is my homage to modernist Africa," said Kors. "If I could, I would commute to my favorite place in the world, this incredible lodge in South Africa called Lebombo Lodge, it's a modernist glass lodge in an incredible bush - clean lines, modern attitute and rustic glamour you could find only in Africa, the only place in the world." 

Doesn't this place look absolutely amazing?! 

Ok, so back to shopping.  Don't forget!  We offer complimentary shuttle service to and from The Woodlands Town Center. 

For more information on this and other offerings at Market Street – The Woodlands, click here.

HGTV’s “House Hunters” Visits The Woodlands

Posted in: In The Know
Tags: house hunters, television series

(As reported by TheWoodlands.Net)

Tune into HGTV’s hit television show, House Hunters, on January 26 at 9 pm central standard time, and watch as a young family explores The Woodlands in search of their dream home.

With coordination by The Woodlands Film Commission, a crew from HGTV’s House Hunters followed a San Francisco couple and their two children as they toured The Woodlands, talked about what they were looking for in a new home and why the community is the right fit for their family.

“Segments with the family were shot on a Waterway Cruiser, a Waterway Trolley and at Waterway Square highlighting some of The Woodlands most distinguishing features,” said Connie DeGuerre of The Woodlands Area Film Commission, an organization charged with promoting The Woodlands as a viable area for the production of commercials, corporate videos and still photography. The commission also facilitates the production process by scouting locations, identifying local crews and securing housing.

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Michelle Bellmonte and Robert Magee and their kids explored The Woodlands over two days last summer.  The crew from House Hunters returned to The Woodlands in early October to complete the shoot.

Have You Made A New Year’s Resolution Yet?

Posted in: In The Know
Tags:

Since losing weight is one of the top resolutions for most Americans, you can expect fitness gyms to be packed all month long. Sadly, (unless you are a gym junkie) exercise is only a small part of the equation.

80% of the weight-loss battle has to do with the food we eat and how our bodies use that food for energy. Exercise is just the icing on the cake!

Luckily, there are many online tools and smart phone applications that make it easier to track the foods we eat.

A popular site is LiveStrong.com. Its free MyPlate feature is an easy-to-use, customized food diary and daily calorie counter. The calorie counter allows you to set your weight loss goals, track your daily caloric intake and log your fitness activities. The online food library provides verified nutrition facts for store-bought items to fast food meals. You’ll even track the amount of water you consume each day.

Speaking of water consumption, a former Navy Seal and personal trainer once said he doesn’t start his day without drinking 32 oz. of water. Whoa!

Kick start your fitness routine by signing up for short distance races in your area. Participating in these events will give you something to train for. You might even meet new neighbors and friends on race day.

In fact, The 2012 My Fit Foods Woodlands Marathon is Saturday, March 3. Depending on your level of fitness, there’s a 2K Fun Run Walk, a 5K run, half marathon or marathon option. Online registration closes February 20 so there is still plenty of time to train.

Take a look at MapMyRun (founded in Austin, Texas) and LogYourRun. These free, online running programs allow you to create maps, set goals and track your progress.

If, like many of us, fitness and weight-loss is a resolution of yours for 2012, what changes will you make to reach your goal?
 

Winter Soup Warm-up

Posted in: In The Know
Tags: recipes, soup, winter, healthy

When the temperature drops, there’s nothing like a hot bowl of soup to warm you up. Whip up these healthy, delicious soups that are easy to make and sure to keep your New Years resolutions on track.

Chicken Noodle Soup
This simple chicken noodle soup is a family favorite and is great to have in the freezer when you don’t feel like (or your schedule doesn't allow for) cooking.

4 chicken breasts
olive oil
salt
freshly ground black pepper
2 quarts chicken stock
1 cup medium-diced celery (about 2 stalks)
1 cup medium diced carrots (about 3 carrots)
2 cups wide egg noodles
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Place the chicken breast on a sheet pan and rub with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes, until cooked through. When cool, shred or dice the chicken meat.

Bring the chicken stock to a simmer in a large pot and add celery, carrots, and noodles. Simmer uncovered for about 10 minutes, until the noodles are cooked. Add the cooked chicken meat and parsley and heat through.
Season to taste and serve.

Three Bean Turkey Chili
From TheYellowTable.com

2 to 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 large yellow (or white) onion, finely chopped
4 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons chili powder
1 tablespoon cumin
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon cayenne (optional)
1 (28-ounce) can San Marzano peeled tomatoes
1 (15-ounce) can pinto beans
1 (15-ounce) can cannellini beans
1 (15-ounce) can kidney beans
2 1/2 cups water
Salt and pepper to taste
1 lb. ground turkey
1/3 cup chopped fresh cilantro

Heat the vegetable oil in pot over medium high heat. Saute the onion 4 to 5 minutes until translucent. Add turkey and brown, strain off fat. Add the garlic, chili powder, cumin, oregano, and cayenne and saute an additional 2 minutes, stirring well to combine. Add the tomatoes and the juices, crushing the whole tomatoes gently with a wooden spoon.

Drain the beans into a strainer and rinse. Add the beans and the water and bring to a boil. Season with 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper (feel free to adjust those proportions according to your tastes). Reduce the heat and let simmer for 15 to 20 minutes or until thickened.

Remove from the heat, stir in the cilantro and season with additional salt and pepper if you like.

Chicken Tortilla Soup
1 Tbsp Olive Oil
1 Onion, diced
1 Tsp Salt
1 green bell Pepper or Red Bell Pepper, diced
1 garlic clove, minced
32 oz Box Chicken Broth
1 bay leaf
1 1/2 cups frozen corn kernels

15 oz can tomato, diced

1 Lb chicken breast, boneless and skinless

Juice of 1 Lime


Crushed Tortilla Chips (optional)

Accompaniments: Shredded Monterey Jack, Mexican Cheese Blend, Avocado, Sour Cream, Cilantro, Green Onion, diced

Directions
1. In a large pot, heat 1 tbsp of olive oil and sauté the onions and salt for 3 minutes.
2. Add the bell peppers, garlic clove and cumin and sauté for an additional 2 minutes.
3. Add the broth and remaining ingredients (except for the lime juice & tortilla chips). Bring to a boil and then reduce to a simmer.
4. After 10-15 minutes (depending on the size of your chicken breasts) remove the chicken from the pot and shred, using a fork. Place the shredded chicken back into the pot with the lime juice and simmer for another 3-4 minutes or until chicken is heated though.
5. Remove bay leaf, pour soup into bowls, and top with crushed tortilla chips for everyone to stir in on their own.

Enjoy! 

~Jasmine

Let’s Get Organized

Posted in: In The Know
Tags: organization, storage, clutter

January is National Get Organized Month, making it the perfect time to clear the clutter and get a fresh start on the New Year. Identify the areas of your home in need of the most “help” and follow these simple tips for your most organized year yet!

(Courtesy of Prime-Living.com and Simplify101.com)

Kitchen
1. Start with the pantry. Check dates on canned goods and spices, removing anything past its prime. Then, divide your pantry space into categories of food and organize spices alphabetically so you can quickly grab what you need.

2. Remove all non-kitchen items from the kitchen. Find a new home for items like light bulbs, batteries, kid’s toys and general clutter.

3. Eliminate the excess. In addition to non-kitchen items, eliminate the extra kitchen items you don’t need. Remove extra (or excessive) coffee mugs, plastic drinking cups, carryout packets of plastic-ware and condiments, food storage containers without lids (or lids without containers), towels and potholders, and any bulky appliance you rarely (or never) use.

Home Office
1. Create a filing system. Use file folders with tabs in categories like bills, personal correspondence, and invitations. Have separate baskets for magazines, loose-leaf paper and photos that you can store on shelves.

2. Attack the pile of “stuff.” Go through small piles at a time, filing the important documents and throwing out (or shredding) what you no longer need.

3. Keep a bulletin board or dry-erase board where you can stick your to-do lists and leave yourself reminders.

Closet
1. Ask yourself the following about every item in your closet: Do I love it? Do I wear it? If you answer no, then it’s time to get rid of it. If necessary, enlist a friend to tell you if an item belongs in the “keep” pile or “donate” pile.

2. Sort your clothing by color with most-worn items in front, so they’re easy to access.

3. Install a “donation” box in your closet. Place a donation bin, box or basket in your closet so you can de-clutter your closet and toss items you no longer want as often as possible.

You may also consider investing in a few simple products to help get you moving in the right direction.

Drawer Dividers: Keeping your junk drawer, kitchen drawers and bathroom drawers organized is much simpler when you can separate items categorically.

Plastic Bins and Containers: Use them in closets, your pantry, craft rooms and office to sort everything from scrapbook paper to socks.

Message board: Keep to-dos, business cards, reminders and school calendars in one place and check it each day.

Baskets: Purchase a few wicker baskets that not only look nice, but serve as storage for blankets, remote controls, scarves or photo albums.

Looking for more organization ideas? Visit the NAPO Blog.