No-Heat Lunches, Ready in Three Steps!

Coming up with quick lunch ideas para la familia can be a challenging task. On the one hand, sopas are too hearty for the summertime. On the other, basic salads and sandwiches can quickly become monotonous. Here’s a little lunchtime inspiration for no-heat recipes that take three steps and 15 minutes or less to prepare.


Summer Corn Ensalada (Serves 4)

Ingredients:

4 teaspoons olive oil

1 tablespoon lime juice

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon hot sauce

1 1/2 cups fresh corn

1 1/2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved

1/2 cup cucumber, chopped

1/4 cup chopped red onion

2 tablespoons fresh basil, minced

1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese

Directions:

1. In a small bowl, combine olive oil, lime juice, salt and hot sauce.

2. In a large bowl, mix the corn, tomatoes, cucumber, onion and basil. Drizzle with dressing and toss.

3. Refrigerate until chilled. Sprinkle with cheese before serving.


Thai Veggie Salad + Diced Mango (Serves 4)

Ingredients:

Salad:

1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced

1 bunch scallions, thinly sliced

3 cups snow peas, thinly sliced

3 carrots, thinly sliced

1 bunch radishes, thinly sliced

1/4 red cabbage, thinly sliced

1/2 cucumber, cut into strips

1 cup dried mango, thinly sliced

2/3 cup peanuts, chopped

3/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped

1/4 cup fresh mint, chopped

Dressing:

3 garlic cloves, minced

1 piece fresh ginger, minced

1 tablespoon sesame oil

3 tablespoon soy sauce

1 tablespoon Sriracha sauce

1/2 cup rice-wine vinegar

1/3 cup peanut butter

Directions:

1. In a large bowl, mix all salad ingredients.

2. In a separate bowl, mix all dressing ingredients and stir until smooth.

3. Combine contents of both bowls. Toss and serve!


Lime Shrimp and Avocado Salad (Serves 4)

Ingredients:

1 pound jumbo cooked shrimp, peeled and deveined, chopped

1 tomato, diced

1 hass avocado, diced

1 jalapeno, diced

1/4 cup chopped red onion

2 limes

1 teaspoon olive oil

1 tablespoon chopped cilantro

Salt and pepper

Directions:

1. Combine red onion, lime juice, olive oil, pinch of salt and pepper.

2. In a separate bowl, combine chopped shrimp, avocado, tomato, jalapeño.

3. Mix together all ingredients, add cilantro and gently toss.

Your Summer Camp Solutions

Keeping kids entertained in the summer can end up being a hefty undertaking. Hey, we know you’re tons of fun, but even the best of us can run out of steam while chasing kids around in the heat. If your kids are interested in attending a summer camp, or if you’re looking for fun activities to fill their downtime, we’ve got three ideas to consider before verano arrives.

Day Camp

Great for first-time camp goers, kids can have fun during the day, but still be home in time for dinner. Start by making a list of your child’s interests and your budget. Then explore what each day camp has to offer. An art camp, an athletic camp or even a theater camp all have different programs. Also make sure to tour the camps prior to signing up. Check out the facilities with your child and get their input. An important thing to find out is how each day camp handles daily transportation and food. Is lunch included or at an extra cost? If your child has special dietary needs or allergies, learn how each camp plans to work with your child.

Sleep-Away Camp

A sleep-away camp is a great choice to help teach your child independence. While navigating the different programs can be a daunting task, start by gathering sleep-away camp brochures and reviewing them with your child. Make a list of his or her interests and focus on the camps that match what they like. Once you’ve narrowed your list down to two or three places, speak to the parent of a past camper to find out what it is truly like. Did you know that many sleep away camps now cater to specific specialties? You can send your child to circus camp where they can learn acrobatics or science camp where they can do experiments that are not only fun but educational as well. If your kid dreams of being a rock star, you can send them to music camp. Whether or not you pick an unconventional sleep-away camp or a traditional one, remember that your child may get homesick. Sending letters or care packages with your child’s favorite foods or games to share with their bunk will be sure to put a smile on their face.

Weekly Programs

Not ready to send your child away for an entire summer? Choose from a plethora of weekly programs that are offered by community centers, the public library, museums, and local sports clubs or pools. Depending on your child’s interests, you can sign up for an art class, music program or sports clinics that will teach your kids while they have a fun summer!

For those days where there are no programs planned, turn your backyard into a mini summer camp. Set up a small inflatable pool, a table with simple arts and crafts projects, and an obstacle course for your kids and the neighborhood children. You can even serve fun snacks and sing songs together.

Verano Beauty Trends to Try at Home

Are you ready to give yourself summer’s hottest makeover? These must-have beauty trends are all over the runways, and the good news is that they’re easy to recreate at home. Here’s how:

Balayage

Literally meaning “sweeping” in French, this hair highlighting technique is achieved by hand painting color onto each strand of hair to create depth. The highlights appear natural due to the scattered, painted strands, instead of the straight lines that result when foils are used. The best part? Touch-ups aren’t necessary since the roots are less obvious when they grow out. At home: Try Clairol Natural Instincts at least three shades lighter than your current hair color. Twist sections of your hair and apply the dye about one third down the twist. Follow the instructions on the box, untwist your hair and show off your new look.

Matte Nails

Forget glossy, shiny nails this summer -- it’s all about matte. There is no need to head to the nail salon to try this trend. Pick up a bottle at the drug store and paint on at home. Just make sure to apply a clear base coat to help the polish adhere to your nails. Paint two coats of the matte polish, let it dry and you are ready to go!

Dewy Complexion

Fresh skin is the key to looking younger and happier. A dewy complexion is easy to achieve at home when you use the correct products. Start by applying COVERGIRL & Olay Tone Rehab 2-in-1 Foundation. This combination serum and foundation helps to improve your skin tone while it instantly covers age spots and discolorations. Choose a creamy blush and brush it lightly over your cheekbones and forehead for a natural glow. Complete the look with a nude lip gloss.