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Women’s History Month

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Every year, March is designated Women’s History Month by presidential proclamation. The month is set aside to honor women’s contributions in American history.

Women’s History Month began as a local celebration in Santa Rosa, California. The Education Task Force of the Sonoma County (California) Commission on the Status of Women planned and executed a “Women’s History Week” celebration in 1978. The organizers selected the week of March 8 to correspond with International Women’s Day. The movement spread across the country as other communities initiated their own Women’s History Week celebrations the following year.

In 1980, a consortium of women’s groups and historians—led by the National Women’s History Project (now the National Women’s History Alliance)—successfully lobbied for national recognition. In February 1980, President Jimmy Carter issued the first Presidential Proclamation declaring the Week of March 8th 1980 as National Women’s History Week. 

Subsequent Presidents continued to proclaim a National Women’s History Week in March until 1987 when Congress passed Public Law 100-9, designating March as “Women’s History Month.” Between 1988 and 1994, Congress passed additional resolutions requesting and authorizing the President to proclaim March of each year as Women’s History Month. Since 1995, each president has issued an annual proclamations designating the month of March as “Women’s History Month.”

During Women’s History Month, we celebrate the courageous women who have helped our Nation build a fairer, more just society. 

Throughout history, the vision and achievements of powerful women have strengthened our Nation and opened the doors of opportunity wider for all of us.  Though their stories too often go untold, all of us stand on the shoulders of these sung and unsung trailblazers — from the women who took a stand as suffragists, abolitionists, and labor leaders to pioneering scientists and engineers, groundbreaking artists, proud public servants, and brave members of our Armed Forces.

This year’s theme is centered on “Women who advocate for equity, diversity, and inclusion.” “During 2024, we recognize the example of women who are committed to embracing everyone and excluding no one in our common quest for freedom and opportunity.

fred-meyer-sons-baltimore-2024-blog-fun

Make a Bouquet for Any Occasion

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Whether you want a bouquet for a special occasion like a wedding, valentines or for a birthday, these tips will have you creating the perfect bouquet for your special day.  Read more to learn how to make a bouquet in five simple steps. 

Step 1: Gather Your Materials

  • Flowers: This is an obvious one, but pick out your favorite flowers to use for the bouquet. 

  • Scissors: These will be needed to clean up the stems as you create the bouquet handle. 

  • Floral tape: This will help hold your bouquet in place after you’ve arranged the flowers.

  • Decorative ribbon: Placing decorative ribbon around your bouquet will give it a unique and special touch. 

Step 2: Prepare Your Flowers

Making sure you’re prepared is crucial when putting together your bouquet. Once you have your materials together and your flowers picked out, you’re ready to get started! Set everything on a workstation such as a tabletop. Then, make sure any extra foliage has been taken off of the stem. 

Step 3: Cut the Stems Evenly

Next, cut off all the leaves and any extra foliage at the part of the stem where you’ll be tying the bouquet together. This will create a handle that is more comfortable to carry. 

Florist tip: Consider setting up a mirror in front of your work station so you can get a better idea of how the bouquet will look in the eyes of others. 

Step 4: Arrange Your Flowers

After you’re done prepping, you’ll need to decide how to arrange your flowers for the bouquet. Choose two to four flowers to use as your focal point or base of your bouquet. Build onto the bouquet by adding more flowers around your base flowers. Do this by continuously turning the bouquet and adding stems until your arrangement is at your desired size. 

You can even add greenery and additional foliage sprigs to give the bouquet additional dimension. Make sure you also leave four to five inches of exposed stem at the bottom so you’re able to place them in water prior to use. 

Florist tip: As you add more stems to your bouquet, make sure they’re placed in the same direction so that you create a spiral effect. 

Step 5: Secure Your Bouquet 

Once your flowers are arranged to your liking, tightly secure the stems just below the blooms with your floral tape to make sure everything stays in place. This will give your bouquet the extra support it needs before adding the final touches. If there are excess stems at the bottom, feel free to cut these until you’ve reached your desired length. 

Place the finished bouquet in a vase with fresh water. When it’s time for your event, your bouquet will be all ready to go and look just like it did when you first bought the flowers.

Florist tip: Before your event, avoid storing your bouquet in direct sunlight — this will cause the petals to wilt! Instead, store in a cool and dark space like a refrigerator. 

Step 6: Decorate the Bouquet Handle 

Now time for the fun part! On the day of your event, personalize your bouquet and add a decorative ribbon to the handle. Make sure you wrap the ribbon completely around the bouquet so that the floral tape beneath is completely hidden. Secure this in place simply by tying it. If you’d prefer it to be more secure, feel free to hot glue the ribbon in place or pin it down. 

Florist tip: Make sure your decorative ribbon is parallel with the floral tape.

Congratulations, you’ve learned how to make a bouquet! Have fun with it — experiment with different flowers and decorative ribbons to get the perfect look. Whether you’re making one as a gift or for when you walk down the aisle at your wedding, these five steps will help you create a unique floral boutique with ease. 

emergency-car-care-fred-meyer-and-sons

What Should You Keep in the Car

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Every vehicle should have an emergency supply kit in the trunk. Kits should be checked every six months, and expired items should be replaced regularly. Vehicle emergency supply kits should include:
  • A properly inflated spare tire, wheel wrench and tripod jack
  • Jumper cables
  • Tool kit and/or a multipurpose utility tool
  • Flashlight and extra batteries
  • Reflective triangles and brightly colored cloth to make your vehicle more visible
  • Compass
  • First aid kit with gauze, tape, bandages, antibiotic ointment, aspirin, a blanket, nonlatex gloves, scissors, hydrocortisone, thermometer, tweezers and instant cold compress
  • Nonperishable, high-energy foods, such as unsalted nuts, dried fruits and hard candy
  • Drinking water
  • Reflective vest in case you need to walk to get help
  • Car charger for your cell phone
  • Fire extinguisher
  • Duct tape
  • Rain poncho
  • Snow brush
  • Shovel
  • Windshield washer fluid
  • Warm clothing
  • Cat litter for traction
  • Blankets
It’s also a good idea to keep family and emergency phone numbers, including your auto insurance provider and a towing company, in your phone.
fred-meyer-sons-dog-walking-maryland

Walk Your Dog Month

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The health benefits of dog walking to you and your dog

Dog owners enjoy numerous health and social benefits by walking their dog a few times a week. Benefits include improved cardiovascular fitness, lower blood pressure, stronger muscles and bones (built up by walking regularly), and decreased stress.

A regular walk is vitally important for your pet’s health too. Obesity in pets is associated with a number of medical complaints including osteoarthritis, cardiovascular disease, liver disease and insulin resistance.

Most dogs need to be walked at least once each day, though some dogs, particularly very active dogs, may require more. The breed of dog you have, as well as its level of fitness and age, will also determine how long and how vigorous your walk should be.

A walk can make a dog very happy. They love to check out the sights and smells and will really look forward to spending time with you. A dog that doesn’t receive sufficient exercise can easily become bored or destructive.

snowman-fred-meyers-sons

How To Build A Snowman

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Things you will need:

An old hat, an old scarf, a carrot, two large twigs, 12 stones (50p sized) and a grown-up.


How to do it
  1. Firstly, scoop up two handfuls of snow. Squash your hands together to make a snowball.
  2. Then, slowly roll your snowball in the snow. Don’t try and move too quickly.
  3. Keep rolling the ball in the snow. It needs to be the right size for the snowman’s body.
  4. Next, make a ball for the snowman’s head.
  5. Ask a grown-up to help you lift the head onto the body.
  6. Next, push the wide end of the carrot nose into the head. Give the snowman two twig arms.
  7. Add three stones as buttons on the snowman’s body.
  8. After that, add two stones for eyes. Use the rest of the stones to make a smiley mouth.
  9. Finally, add a scarf around the snowman’s neck and pop the hat on his head.
  10. Enjoy!
holiday-lights-fred-meyer-sons

How To Hang Holiday Lights

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Decorating for the holidays is made fun again when you’ve got the tips and tricks to getting it done right. Check out our tips on hanging holiday lights safely, efficiently, and beautifully.


Map It Out

The first step to a great holiday home is to figure out how many lights you need. Measure windows, railings, roofs and more to understand the areas you want to cover in lights. For trees and shrubs we suggest 100 lights for every 1 and a half feet of shrub. If you are reusing lights, test them with your Gardner Bender Range Tester before hanging them up. Be sure to also check for signs of wear and tear as that could be hazardous to your setup. If there are broken or burnt out bulbs, get those replaced before going up on your home.

Clip It

From windows to railings, getting a variety of clips to suit the spot on your home is key to decorating with lights. Clips not only hold the lights in place you are also insuring the lights will avoid any wear and tear of being replaced next year. Space the clips about 8 inches apart to avoid drooping strands.  Make sure you are using the right clip for the correct location. Roof line clips will work differently than window clips.  Get the correct clip and you will avoid the headache of restringing your lights later.  Do not use staples when attaching lights as they can damage the cords.

Hang The Lights

When placing the holiday lights in the clip, make sure the plug end is closest to the power source. This will help avoid cords being exposed around your decoration setup.  Always use outdoor extension cords and outdoor power source. An outdoor timer is a great option to add to your connection to keep your lights on during your preferred display times.

fried pork chops on a skillet, top view

Apple Cider Pork Chops

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These apple cider pork chops are a must for fall family dinners.

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 6 boneless pork loin chops (6 to 8 ounces each), about 3/4 inch thick
  • 1 garlic clove, minced
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 teaspoon honey
  • 1/2 teaspoon apple pie spice
  • 1/2 teaspoon coarsely ground pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup apple cider
  • 1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon cornstarch
  • 2 tablespoons water
  • Minced fresh parsley

Directions

  1. In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Brown pork chops on both sides.
  2. Meanwhile, in a small bowl, combine next 7 ingredients; stir in apple cider. Pour over pork chops. Reduce heat to medium-low; cook, covered, until a thermometer inserted into chops reads 145°, 4-5 minutes. Remove chops from skillet; let stand for 5 minutes.
  3. In a small bowl, mix cornstarch and water until smooth; stir into cider mixture in skillet. Return to a boil, stirring constantly; cook and stir until thickened, 1-2 minutes. Pour over chops; sprinkle with fresh parsley.
Fred-Meyer-and-Sons-Kids-Web-Safety

Internet Safety for Kids

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The Internet can be wonderful for kids. They can use it to research school reports, communicate with teachers and other kids, and play interactive games.

But online access also comes with risks, like inappropriate content, cyberbullying, and online predators. Using social media apps and websites where kids interact, predators may pose as a child or teen looking to make a new friend. They might prod the child to exchange personal information, such as address and phone number, or encourage kids to call them, seeing their phone number via caller ID.

Parents should be aware of what their kids see and hear online, who they meet, and what they share about themselves. Talk with your kids, use tools to protect them, and keep an eye on their activities.

Internet Safety Laws

A federal law, the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) helps protect kids younger than 13 when they’re online. It’s designed to keep anyone from getting a child’s personal information without a parent knowing about it and agreeing to it first.

COPPA requires websites to explain their privacy policies and get parental consent before collecting or using a child’s personal information, such as a name, address, phone number, or Social Security number. The law also prohibits a site from requiring a child to provide more personal information than necessary to play a game or enter a contest.

Online Protection Tools

Online tools let you control your kids’ access to adult material and help protect them from Internet predators. Many Internet service providers (ISPs) provide parent-control options. You can also get software that helps block access to sites and restricts personal information from being sent online. Other programs can monitor and track online activity.

Getting Involved in Kids’ Online Activities

More important than blocking objectionable material is teaching your kids safe and responsible online behavior, and keeping an eye on their Internet use.

Basic guidelines to share with your kids for safe online use:

  • Follow the family rules, and those set by the Internet service provider.
  • Never post or trade personal pictures.
  • Never reveal personal information, such as address, phone number, or school name or location.
  • Use only a screen name and don’t share passwords (other than with parents).
  • Never agree to get together in person with anyone met online without parent approval and/or supervision.
  • Never respond to a threatening email, message, post, or text.
  • Always tell a parent or other trusted adult about any communication or conversation that was scary or hurtful.

Basic guidelines for parental supervision:

  • Spend time online together to teach your kids appropriate online behavior.
  • Keep the computer in a common area where you can watch and monitor its use, not in individual bedrooms. Monitor any time spent on smartphones or tablets.
  • Bookmark kids’ favorite sites for easy access.
  • Check your credit card and phone bills for unfamiliar account charges.
  • Find out what, if any, online protection is offered by your child’s school, after-school center, friends’ homes, or any place where kids could use a computer without your supervision.
  • Take your child seriously if he or she reports an uncomfortable online exchange.

Talk to your kids! Keep an open line of communication and make sure that they feel comfortable turning to you when they have problems online.

easy-chili-fred-meyer-sons-blog

Easy Chili Recipe

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Save time with our Easy Chili Recipe. Our Easy Chili Recipe will have you enjoying hearty, spicy bowls of delicious chili in 25 minutes.

Ingredients

  • 1-1/2 lb. lean ground beef
  • 1 large onion, finely chopped
  • 2 jalapeño peppers, cut into thin slices
  • 3 Tbsp. chili powder
  • 1 can (14.5 oz.) fat-free reduced-sodium beef broth
  • 2 cans (15 oz. each) kidney beans, rinsed

  • 1 can (28 oz.) tomato puree

  •  2 Tbsp. LEA & PERRINS Worcestershire Sauce

  • 2 Tbsp. soy sauce

  • 1/2 tsp. ground black pepper

  • 1/4 cup finely chopped fresh cilantro

  • 1 pkg. (8 oz.) KRAFT Shredded Sharp Cheddar Cheese

Directions

  1. Brown meat in Dutch oven or large deep skillet on medium heat; drain. Add onions and jalapeño peppers; cook 5 to 7 min. or until crisp-tender, stirring frequently.
  2. Add all remaining ingredients except cilantro and cheese; stir. Cover; simmer on low heat 1 hour, stirring occasionally.
  3. Serve topped with cilantro and cheese.
 
Breast Cancer Awareness month

Breast Cancer Awareness Month

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Different people have different symptoms of breast cancer. Some people do not have any signs or symptoms at all.

Some warning signs of breast cancer are—

  • New lump in the breast or underarm (armpit).
  • Thickening or swelling of part of the breast.
  • Irritation or dimpling of breast skin.
  • Redness or flaky skin in the nipple area or the breast.
  • Pulling in of the nipple or pain in the nipple area.
  • Nipple discharge other than breast milk, including blood.
  • Any change in the size or the shape of the breast.
  • Pain in any area of the breast.

Keep in mind that these symptoms can happen with other conditions that are not cancer.

If you have any signs or symptoms, be sure to see your doctor right away.

What Is a Normal Breast?

No breast is typical. What is normal for you may not be normal for another woman. Most women say their breasts feel lumpy or uneven. The way your breasts look and feel can be affected by getting your period, having children, losing or gaining weight, and taking certain medications. Breasts also tend to change as you age. 

What Do Lumps in My Breast Mean?

Many conditions can cause lumps in the breast, including cancer. But most breast lumps are caused by other medical conditions. Two common causes of breast lumps are fibrocystic breast condition and cysts. Fibrocystic condition causes noncancerous changes in the breast that can make them lumpy, tender, and sore. Cysts are small fluid-filled sacs that can develop in the breast.

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