Healthy Breakfasts Offered in Public School Cafeterias

Practicing healthy eating habits is important for children as they begin to develop routines in their lives.  When they eat healthily, they have better immune systems, they are less prone to illnesses, and they have more active minds.

To promote a healthy eating habits in school, the US Department of Agriculture, along with the local school districts, has created new meal guidelines that will increase the amount of healthy foods in school cafeterias. The new national meal guidelines will feature more fruits and whole grains during breakfast in schools.

The goal of the new meal guidelines is to help kids become healthier and more active in school. It is also geared toward reducing hunger among kids and discouraging obesity caused by unhealthy foods. The program is targeting breakfast time because it is the most important meal of the day.

According to the new meal guideline, there will be an increase of fruit servings from ½ cup to 1 cup. Fruits served will be in different ways, including canned, fresh, and frozen. Whole grains will also be featured in greater servings.

Heather & Alan Davis
Oklahoma City Realtors
http://www.alanandheatherdavis.com

New Park Planned in Oklahoma City

Public parks offer many benefits to a community.  They add a natural beauty to a city and make it more attractive.  Residents and tourists love to visit parks in order to commune with nature and enjoy the beautiful day. Parks are also great venues for outdoor public events, such as concerts, picnics, and festivals.

Oklahoma City is planning to add another beautiful park to the area. The new park will be divided into two parts: the upper part will be located from Southwest 3rd Street to Interstate 40, and the lower part will be from Interstate 40 to the Oklahoma River. The entire park will be 70 acres and will cost $80 million.

The new park is part of the MAPS 3 project and will be another beautiful way to connect downtown to the Oklahoma River.

Features of the park will include walking trails, a children’s play area, and a lake that will allow paddle boats. From the Oklahoma River, there will be a trail system going leading to Lake Overholser.  A bridge will also be constructed to provide easy access from downtown to the river.

Heather & Alan Davis
Oklahoma City Realtors
http://www.alanandheatherdavis.com

Oklahoma Officials Call for Groups to Tackle Proper Storm Safety

The storm that hit Oklahoma last week caused millions of dollars in damage to residential properties and commercial buildings.  Sadly, in addition to that, several people lost their lives.  That is why state officials are looking for ways to enhance safety within the state, especially in schools and residential areas. Officials are forming discussion groups and task forces to tackle ways in which to better prepare for future natural disasters and save lives.

Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin is calling for state discussions concerning the safety of schools. Gov. Fallin stressed the need for safe rooms that will better protect students and teachers during possible storms. In addition, schools need to implement practice drills in order to better educate the students and administrators on what they should do in case of storms or other dangerous incidents.

Oklahoma City Mayor Mick Cornett is also forming a task force to address the issue of safety in the city. The task force will discuss the recent storms and lessons learned as ways to determine what to do in future. The city task force will consist of state leaders and members of the business community. They will discuss the need for storm shelters, safe rooms, and other precautionary measures that can help save lives in future natural disasters.

Heather & Alan Davis
Oklahoma City Realtors
http://www.alanandheatherdavis.com

Decorating Beyond Your Comfort Zone

One day, you enter your living room and start to realize that it has the same look it’s had for years. You start rearranging the furniture and decor inside the room. But, when you step back to evaluate the new design of your living room, it still looks and feels exactly the same.

Simply rotating the same design throughout your living room, dining room, or bedroom can become boring. If you want to see something new inside your home, you need to get out of your decorating comfort zone and work on something bolder and more fearless.

Below are some cool tricks on how you can transform the repetitive look of your home interior to something new:

• Change your artwork. The great thing about artwork is that you can easily change it. Update your artwork with new colors and concepts, so there is something more interesting to look at. Store your old artwork for future use because you never know when you may want to bring it out again for future use.
• Use wallpapers in other places besides your walls. There is no rule that says wallpaper is meant only for the walls. You can update the look of your cabinets with beautiful wallpaper on the inside. Or, cover the doors of your cabinet with different patterns that pop out and adds color to the room.
• Choose bolder lighting. Instead of blending your lamp into your living room’s neutral color, choose a bolder color for your lamp base, such as orange, red, or yellow. These warm colors will not only brighten up your day, but they will also offset the monotonous look of your living room. You can even explore colorful chandeliers.
• Paint your furniture red. Wouldn’t a red dining room cabinet look attractive amidst your darker or lighter walls, table, and chairs? Find the courage to paint your cabinet, chair, or table red (or whatever color you like) for added attention to the room.
• Use words. Try using quotes or jumbled letters for added decoration inside the room. Paint it yourself or have your kid paint one for you. It will be a lot of fun.
• Enhance your staircase. Use a patterned and/or colorful floor runner to add more vibrancy to your staircase than plain wood.
• Install bolder drapes. If your furniture and walls have neutral colors, add something lively via your drapes. You need not cover your entire window with a full drape. Use an elaborate hook on the sides to fold your drapes into place while letting the natural light come in.

Heather & Alan Davis
Oklahoma City Realtors
http://www.alanandheatherdavis.com

What to Do When a Home Improvement Job Goes Wrong

There will always come a time when something goes wrong with your home improvement projects. You may hire an excellent renovation contractor, for example, but external and inevitable factors may arise that are out of their control. If something like that happens, it is good for you to know how to deal with the situation, so you come out ahead in a fair way.

The first thing to remember is that your hired contractor is not always to blame. Most of the time, he or she will do their best to make you happy and do a good job. When you encounter a problem during the renovation, try to be reasonable by first learning what the situation is before you begin pointing fingers. If you instantly blame your contractor, that will only create ill feelings between you, which can cast a negative light on the entire project.

Whenever there are problems with the project, talk to your contractor first. Ask more about the problem and what the cause of the delay or errors may be.  Also ask if there is still a chance to make up the time and materials without doubling the cost. Then, ask for suggestions from your contractor as to what they think the best thing would be to do. This shows them that you trust them, which in turn encourages them to live up to the high regard you are placing on them.

It is important to establish trust with your contractor since they are the expert on the project. You will express what you want from the project, but your contractor may have ideas that are even better or will create a more successful solution.  You need to give them leeway to show you their expertise.

As a homeowner, you also need to protect your consumer rights by creating a written contract prior to the start of the project. The written contract will indicate the agreed terms between you and your hired contractor, such as what results you are expecting, what materials are to be used, labor costs, etc.  That way, if a dispute arises during your project, you can refer to the written contract to review what was previously agreed upon. You also need to provide a copy to your contractor.

There are times when your contractor may be partially liable for the errors, and if that is the case, talk with them about how you can properly settle the issue. Establish terms that will protect you and your investment, while still making your contractor feel comfortable as well. Keep in mind that even if your contractor is not to blame, he or she should be held accountable for finding solutions to problems that occur during the renovation.

Heather & Alan Davis
Oklahoma City Realtors
http://www.alanandheatherdavis.com

Working with a Landscape Professional

When you want to increase the curb appeal of your home, one of the many things you take into consideration is landscaping. Having beautiful landscaping in your yard will enhance the look of our property and make our home appear more elegant. Lovely flowers in bloom, green grass,  stunning water features, and well-crafted stone pathways all serve as eye-candy for homeowners and potential buyers.

If you want to add a scenic touch to your yard, a landscape professional can help. Landscape professionals are experts in beautifying your yard and garden, so you can simply relax and enjoy them.  To make your landscaping project a success, it is important that you work well with your landscape professional. You will be spending a lot of money, so it’s important to communicate well the first time around because mistakes and changes can be costly.

So, how do you work well with your landscape professional?

• Set a budget. Before you begin any home project, always set your budget first to evaluate whether or not you really can afford hiring a professional to work for you for a period of time. Consider the costs of hiring a professional, including labor and overhead.
• Decide what you want and use it as a basis for hiring the right kind of landscape professional. There are different kinds of professionals that can work on your landscape, so you want to be sure you’re working with someone who will address your needs. A landscape architect will focus more on the overall structure of your landscaping, while a designer will concentrate on its aesthetic appearance. If you only need help in growing more plants, try working with a horticulturist.
• Sign a contract prior to the start of the project. A written contract will provide support and security for both you and your hired professional. Make sure that everything you want and everything your landscape professional needs are described in the contract.
• Supply the resources that your landscape professional will need. This includes access to a source of water, electric outlets, and added space for their materials and equipment. If you give your landscape professional what he or she wants, then your project will be done in no time.
• Set the ground rules up front. You may be working with people you don’t know, so it is important to establish guidelines before you work with them. If you don’t want somebody to smoke on the job, you need to express that from the beginning.
• Learn everything about maintenance before the project ends. Ask your landscape professional to teach you how to properly maintain your landscaping, so it can last for a long time.

Heather & Alan Davis
Oklahoma City Realtors
http://www.alanandheatherdavis.com

Decorating Ideas for Holiday Entertaining

 

A lot of entertaining occurs during the holiday season, and when you are hosting a party, there are many factors to consider in order to make it a success.  In addition to having one-on-one contact with your guests, the way you decorate your house to create a feeling of comfort will also contribute to the memories they make.

To help you prepare your home with decorations for holiday entertaining, here are a few tips:

• Play with alternative Christmas palettes. You don’t have to limit yourself to red and green – other combinations, like green and brown, violet and bronze, or white and gold, are also beautiful options, especially when it comes to table settings.
• Create a holiday-themed centerpiece instead of a traditional floral one. Think of creative Christmas themes to decorate the center of your table like a bright gingerbread house or a lovely nativity scene. Perhaps you could recreate a mini-North Pole with Santa Claus and several elves making gifts. Just remember to keep your centerpiece low, so your guests can converse with each other easily.
• Add scented candles or potpourri.  They add visual appeal and create a welcoming scent to make your guests feel comfortable and at home.
• Rearrange furniture to create a more intimate setting. This encourages conversation within the group. You may also want to add more seats, depending on the number of people you have invited to your celebration.
• Use your best dinnerware.  A complete table setting adds an elegant element to your table.  Use folded table napkins we well, as they provide a great opportunity to incorporate your color theme.
• Add a place card at each setting.  Create small greeting cards with your guests’ name on them and place where you want to assign your guests to the table.
• Expand your holiday decorations to the kitchen and bathroom. It will keep the festivity present, regardless of where your guests may be.
• Dress up your food. Add something festive to your holiday feast, like a small Santa statue on a cake.

Heather & Alan Davis
Oklahoma City Realtors
http://www.alanandheatherdavis.com

Interior Doors for Your Home: Ideas to Consider

Add more value to your home with beautiful interior doors. Whether you choose a traditional swing door, a folding door, or a sliding door, it will enhance the overall beauty of your home.

To give you an idea of the different styles of interior doors that are available, here are a few to consider:

Two-Way Door– Why not save more space in your house with a rotating interior door instead of a conventional door? All you need to do is rotate the door at the center so you can move from one room to another. The rotating effect also adds aesthetic appeal to your interior in addition to its space-saving benefit.

Asian-Inspired Door – Add traditional flair to your home interior with Asian-inspired doors made from materials such as bamboo and teak. These types of interior doors give warmth to your home and make it feel comfortable.

Pocket Door – If you have no space left in your room for a swinging door, try a pocket door instead. This type of door is hidden inside a compartment within the wall, so you can save more space than if you used a visible sliding door or customary swinging door. It also serves as a great architectural statement and can be adorned with attractive hardware for an appealing appearance when hidden.

Folding Glass Door – Two reasons for adding a folding glass door are that it adds more light to the room and saves space.  In addition, it is a unique design that can provide a unique elegant element to any room.

Sliding Glass Door – These are currently quite trendy and are great solutions for small spaces, especially in modern houses. Glass doors create the impression of a wider room because they allow your vision to expand without interruption.

Sliding Barn Door – Barn doors offer a unique look and are rolled open and closed by barn door rollers. You can paint your barn door white or simply leave it in its natural wooden tones.

Stained Glass Doors – No need for added décor with these doors. Designs are intricate enough to make a room look artsy and beautiful. These are perfect for closet and bedroom dividers or the entrance to your home office.
Heather & Alan Davis
Oklahoma City Realtors
http://www.alanandheatherdavis.com

Making Room For Guests For This Thanksgiving

The holidays are definitely a hectic time — especially if you are the host. Get ready for this Thanksgiving by planning ahead and organize your entryway, closets, mudroom, kitchen and guest room. With less clutter and a few simple organizational tips you won’t feel overwhelmed — Senior Home Editor Anthony Santelli shows readers in this year’s November issue how to prep for guests, now it’s actually time to get to it!

When guests arrive they will either come in through the front door or your mudroom. Organize either your foyer closet or mudroom to be ready for the impending loads of coats, scarves, boots, gloves, hats and umbrellas. Here are a few useful ideas to help organize your entry way…

This entry way has a a Double Hang Closet Rod ($9.99 from The Container Store) — it provides the perfect extra space to hang double the amount of coats your closet usually can store. Extra hooks on the door come in handy for hand-bags and hanging scarves.

Here is a helpful and simple check list for you to follow for your guests’ bedroom:

• Allot adequate closet and drawer space & provide hangers.
• Have a full-length mirror in the bedroom.
• Having a working alarm clock in the bedroom.
• Invest in a few small touches in the room, such as bottled water, chocolate or fresh flowers.
• If able to, provide a sitting area with a pillow and throw, an adjacent table, and a good adjustable-brightness lamp in the room your guests will be staying in.
• Provide extra blankets for temperature control in the bedroom.
• Provide reading material, including several magazines and a daily newspaper.
• Stock enough towels, washcloths and hand towels for all guests.
• Stock up on toilet paper and other necessities and make sure they know where to locate extras.

Having everything your visitors will need already in their reach will allow them the freedom to enjoy the wonderful visit that you are providing. Here are some other great ideas to include in your guests’ bathroom…

Having plenty of towel racks will keep wet towels off the floor and your guests will have dry towels the next time they take a shower.

Prepare for your company and the guaranteed of leftovers by organizing your kitchen so that you have plenty of space to store food. Its also a good idea to get your cabinets and drawers in tip-top shape, giving you easy access to platters, bowls, knives and other cooking accessories.

This is the dream refrigerator! The Container Store, Bed Bath and Beyond, Martha Stewart Collection For Macy’s, and Snapware have some wonderful storage pieces for your refrigerator — like clear leftover containers, soda holders, wine racks, and shelf risers.

In addition to organizing your kitchen cabinets and closets — having folding chairs and tables in your home is essential if you are going to be the host for many people. Below are a few tables that would be perfect to use for the children to eat at, they would even be great places to arrange desserts or beverages. The folding chairs are also important, you don’t want to have uncomfortable plastic chairs for your guests — take a look at these gorgeous and comfortable pieces of furniture…

Hot Hues for Fall 2012

September 21st marked the traditional start of autumn, and with the change of seasons comes cooler temperatures and a splendor of colorful foliage.  But the trees are not the only things to change color, as people begin to put away their summer clothing and break out sweaters, scarves, and boots in this seasons hot hues.  Pantone, who has become known as a worldwide standard for color, has released their Fashion Color Report for Fall 20120, featuring ten bold shades trending now.  But with great shades like these, why limit them to only clothing?  Here are a few great interiors that take advantage of these hot hues.

Tangerine Tango.

This sleek, modern kitchen pairs the bold orange with stainless steel appliances and contrasting black and white colors.  By using these neutral colors and featuring the “color of the year” in select places, the tangerine cabinets really pop without being overwhelming.{picture source}.

 

Honey Gold.

While it may be a new shade to the fashion world, honey gold is a historic paint color in architecture, and nothing shows why better than this traditional living room.  While alone, the burnt yellow shade may be a feature, here, paired with so much beautiful woodwork, the color acts as a backdrop, accenting the rich tones of the mahogany details and furniture.{picture from site}.

Bright Chartreuse.

This bold yellow-green hue shows daring confidence, whether on the runway or on the wall.  Paired here with bright aqua, the use of chartreuse gives this modern kitchen a lively, vibrant atmosphere.{image source}.

Olympian Blue.

There is no better way to make a dramatic statement than to pair a limited amount of a bright color with neutrals.  Here, the striking blue of the stove and vent stand out against the more neutral teal tile and white cabinets.  The use of Olympian Blue on the appliances draws the eye to the feature of this kitchen. {image source}.

Rhapsody.

This tranquil bedroom features this dusty shade of purple to help create a calming space.  The color becomes the focal point within the room itself, helping to create a serene, intimate atmosphere, balancing the bold view.{picture source}.

Ultramarine Green.

Another color which helps to create a serene oasis is this ultramarine green.  This deep blue-green hue, used on all walls of the bathroom, provides a lively juxtaposition against the neutral tones of the rest of the bathroom and the bedroom beyond.

Rose Smoke

While any of these hues could easily be incorporated into a space through wall color, another great way to add color is through accessories such as furniture. The pale pink on these Mademoiselle Chairs give the stark white space just a subtle hint of something more .{picture source}.

Pink Flambé.

In opposition to the subtlety of Rose Smoke, Pink Flambé doesn’t hint; it dares to be noticed.   Used as a feature wall so as to not overwhelm the space, it brings this otherwise gray bedroom to life.  The graphic pattern also helps to soften the starkness of the daring color.

French Roast.

Another great way to feature a bold color is to use it in an unexpected way or place – such as here on the crown molding and trim of this room.  If used as the main paint color, the boldness of this deep brown would have been dark and oppressive; it would have completely changed the way the space feels.  Instead, the select use of French Roast frames the space and sparks the curiosity.{picture source}.

Titanium.

And last but not least is a color that it seems can never go wrong:  Titanium.  This cool gray always looks clean and modern, such as here, paired with other neutral shades of gray and white.

Sourced from: http://www.homedit.com/hot-hues-for-fall-2012/

Heather & Alan Davis
Oklahoma City Realtors
http://www.alanandheatherdavis.com