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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.

Cheeseburger-Dip-fred-meyer-and-sons

Cheeseburger Dip

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Ingredients

  • 1 pound 90% Lean Ground Beef
  • 3/4 cup onion, diced
  • 2 Tablespoon ketchup
  • 8 ounces cream cheese
  • 1-1/2 cups Cheddar cheese
  • 1 Tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon granulated garlic
  • 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 3/4 cup dill pickle, chopped, divided
  • 2 Tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
  • 1/4 cup Roma tomatoes, diced

Directions

  1. Heat nonstick skillet over medium heat until hot. Add Ground Beef; cook 8 to 10 minutes, breaking into 3/4-inch crumbles and stirring occasionally. Add in onion and continue to cook for 3 to 4 minutes. Remove from heat and allow to cool.
  2. In a standing mixer combine cream cheese, cheddar cheese, ketchup, worcestershire sauce, garlic, pepper, and 1/2 cup of diced pickles until well incorporated. Add cooled beef mixture and mix until well incorporated. Remove bowl from mixer and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or until ready to bake. 
  3. Spread the dip into a 8″ cast iron or oven-proof skillet. Bake in a 375°F oven for 25 minutes or until golden brown and edges are bubbling. Remove from oven and top with remaining pickles, parsley, and diced tomatoes. Serve warm with potato chips or crackers.
Remove from the oven, and serve as is or with a side of marinara sauce for dipping.
 
 
fred-meyer-sons-deer-crossing copy

Avoid Hitting an Animal with My Car

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Wild animals are forced to cross roads and highways in search of food, water, cover and mates—placing them in the path of our speeding vehicles. Each year, there are roughly 1.5 million vehicle collisions just with deer on U.S. roadways.

First and foremost, slow down! Keeping your speed in check gives you a better chance of stopping in time if an animal darts into the road.

  • Follow speed limits. Many animals are hit simply because people drive too fast to avoid them. Taking it slow makes the roads safer for other drivers and pedestrians, too.
  • Watch for wildlife in and near the road at dawn, dusk and in the first few hours after darkness. Keep in mind that where there is one animal, there are probably others—young animals following their mother or male animals pursuing a female.
  • Be especially cautious on two-lane roads bordered by woods or fields, or where streams cross under roads. Most animal/vehicle collisions occur on these roads. Slow down to 45 mph or less.
  • Scan the road as you drive, watching the edges for wildlife about to cross. This will also make you more aware of other hazards such as bicyclists, children at play and slow-moving vehicles. 
  • Don’t throw trash out car windows. Discarded food pollutes the environment and creates a hazard by attracting wildlife to the roads. 
  • Use your high beams whenever possible.
  • Lower your dashboard lights slightly. You’ll be more likely to see your headlights reflected in the eyes of animals in time to brake.

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