Lifestyle
5 Savvy Tips for a Smooth Back-to-School Transition
Last Updated on July 26, 2024 by Daily News Staff
(Family Features) Balancing schedules, supplies shopping, meal planning and more can make the back-to-school season one of the most hectic times of the year. Keeping stress at bay may be a little easier when you put a plan in place the entire family can follow.
Remember, making the transition as smooth as possible requires a team effort. Help make a new academic year easier on your little ones (and yourself) with these hacks.
Start Your Routines
Getting your kids into their school day routines may be a massive undertaking, but it’s often helpful to start weeks before the first bell rings. Set those alarms and encourage kiddos to treat each morning as if they’re going to class. In the evenings, practice prepping backpacks and outfits just as you would during the school year, and ensure children are going to sleep at the times they should on school nights.
Simplify School Lunches
Prepping lunchboxes to send to school doesn’t need to be a time-consuming affair. In fact, it can be one of the easiest parts of your routine with prepackaged options that help make packing lunches a breeze. Seek out solutions that help simplify the process like Kemps Smooth Cottage Cheese, a first-of-its-kind snack for kids made with 4% whole milk and blended with real fruit to create a smooth and creamy texture without the curds. Available in four-packs of 4-ounce cups in fun flavors like Mixed Berry, Strawberry and Strawberry Banana, it’s a healthy, convenient and versatile solution with probiotics and no high-fructose corn syrup. Plus, it’s high in protein to keep kids feeling full and focused throughout the school day.
Prep the Night Before
Stressful mornings can lead to less productive days. Instead, simplify mornings as much as possible by packing backpacks, prepping lunches and planning outfits in the evenings to save yourself time once that alarm goes off. Plus, you may be less likely to forget essentials like homework assignments or permission slips when you’re not in a rush.
Serve Nutritional After-School Snacks
Skip the temptation to stock the pantry with sugary grab-and-go treats. Instead, encourage good nutritional choices for your children after a day of learning by offering them healthier snacking solutions. For example, pairing cottage cheese with crackers or fresh fruit provides a protein punch without the added sugar of less healthy snack choices to keep little tummies full until it’s time for a family meal.
Create a Family Calendar
The school year certainly isn’t the only time that calendars feel like they’re bursting at the seams, but the addition of after-school activities, field trips, parent-teacher conferences and more can be overwhelming if you’re not prepared. Find a scheduling solution that works for your family, whether it’s a dry-erase board in a mudroom or magnetic calendar on the fridge. Stay on top of upcoming events and activities by sitting down together once a week (or more) to write down everyone’s commitments and track important dates.
To learn more and find fun recipes, visit Kemps.com.
Photo courtesy of Getty Images
SOURCE:
Kemps
Our Lifestyle section on STM Daily News is a hub of inspiration and practical information, offering a range of articles that touch on various aspects of daily life. From tips on family finances to guides for maintaining health and wellness, we strive to empower our readers with knowledge and resources to enhance their lifestyles. Whether you’re seeking outdoor activity ideas, fashion trends, or travel recommendations, our lifestyle section has got you covered. Visit us today at https://stmdailynews.com/category/lifestyle/ and embark on a journey of discovery and self-improvement.
Health
How Young Adults Can Build a Healthier Future
Bridging national service and public health, the initiative supports a diverse group of early career professionals working to address today’s public health challenges in a range of roles
(Family Features) Shaping the future of public health into an equitable one means ensuring all people and communities have access to the health care and resources they need to live well. The nation requires a strong, diverse public health workforce to accomplish that goal.
That’s why AmeriCorps and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention launched Public Health AmeriCorps – to support the recruitment, training and development of early career public health workers who can serve their local communities.
Bridging national service and public health, the initiative supports a diverse group of early career professionals working to address today’s public health challenges in a range of roles, including:
- Health education and training
- Community outreach and engagement
- System navigation, referrals and linkage to care
- Research, data collection, analysis and assessment
What Members are Saying
Everyone was impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic – including Dionne Johnson, who lost a loved one to the virus.
“I had a family member die from COVID-19, and it really touched me,” Johnson said. “That gave me the passion and lit the fire under me to actually pursue a career in public health.”
Now, Johnson is realizing her dreams of transforming public health in her community. In her work, she wants to teach people in Black and brown communities how they can learn to be healthy and advocate for themselves.
Another member, Jaiden Singh, is the son of immigrants. Singh launched a promising career in public health so he can give back to the community where he grew up.
“Being a part of the organization not only has really supplemented my education that I’m working toward in public health and policy, it has also given me the opportunity to do work that I am really passionate about in a community that I have known all my life and really do love,” Singh said. “I would highly recommend being a part of this really valuable and inspiring community.”
Action That Creates Impact
The diverse work of Public Health AmeriCorps benefits not only program members but also the communities they serve. As examples of the program at work, members have:
- Provided overdose rescue education, raised awareness about opioid use disorder and harm reduction strategies and distributed overdose rescue kits containing naloxone (an overdose-reversing nasal spray).
- Held back-to-school COVID-19 testing events, distributed early childhood health education and built community gardens in underserved communities.
- Participated in a community mental health crisis intervention system to assess, stabilize and link people in crisis to follow-up care and services.
- Supported elementary schools as part of a dental hygiene program that sends out staff and volunteers to provide free teeth cleanings to students.
Learn More and Apply
If you want to start your career and make a difference in public health, consider member benefits such as:
- Education awards to apply to higher education or student loan forgiveness
- Student loan deferment and forbearance
- Living allowance
- Hands-on experience
- Training from experts
Visit AmeriCorps.gov/PublicHealth for a list of opportunities to serve and contact your desired opportunity by phone or email to learn more and apply. You can also subscribe to the newsletter to learn more about the initiative.
SOURCE:
AmeriCorps
Lifestyle
The big summer trip is getting harder to pull off. What families are doing instead.
Big Summer Trip: Ask most Americans about their favorite summer memory, and water shows up somewhere — a lake at dusk, a boat rocking gently, quiet mornings with nowhere else to be.
The big summer trip is getting harder to pull off. What families are doing instead.
(Tiffany Miller) Ask most Americans about their favorite summer memory, and water shows up somewhere — a lake at dusk, a boat rocking gently, quiet mornings with nowhere else to be. For a lot of them, that feeling has been easier to remember than recreate.
As travel costs climb and traditional vacations feel increasingly complicated, the appeal of something closer to home has grown. Each year, 85 million Americans find it on the water, according to the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA).
Part of boating’s appeal is rooted in nostalgia and connection. Many people are drawn to the kinds of unplugged experiences tied to childhood — time outdoors, shared adventures and uninterrupted moments together. According to a Discover Boating survey, 85% of current boat owners say their fondest childhood memories involved being on the water, with nearly half recalling those experiences before age 13.
The costs look different when stacked against a traditional vacation. According to NMMA, a week at an all-inclusive resort for a family of four runs around $5,000 to $8,000. Boat rentals run around $75 per hour, entry-level boat financing costs a few hundred dollars a month and boat club memberships offer access to multiple boats for a monthly fee, typically $150 to $375 after a one-time initiation fee. Many families are discovering that boating can offer multiple smaller vacations throughout the summer at a comparable cost.
Those lower-commitment options are more than just a budgeting tool — they are a first step into the lifestyle. According to the survey, 45% of prospective boat buyers expressed interest in renting or chartering before committing to a purchase, while interest in boat clubs and fractional ownership also remained high. The survey further found that 49% plan to own within two years, and 46% are focused on boats priced under $50,000.
For Americans deciding how to spend their time this summer, that flexibility may be part of boating’s growing appeal. It offers something many vacations promise but do not always deliver: the ability to truly disconnect and be present — not just once a year, but repeatedly throughout the season.
The pull toward the water may be deeper than nostalgia. Research shows there’s a connection between water and well-being — the sight and sound of water can help people feel calmer, lower stress and support overall wellness. The concept of “Blue Mind” describes the mild meditative state associated with being near, in, on or under water. For families looking to unplug, boating offers a way to step away from screens, slow down and recharge.
Methodology
The quantitative survey was fielded Aug. 22, 2025 through Sept. 12, 2025. It included 500 boat owners and 500 prospective owners. Boat owners are defined as those who own (or used to own) a boat and consider their primary vessel a motorized/power boat or sailboat. Prospective owners are defined as 50% or more likely to purchase a motorized/power boat or sailboat in the future and not a current or lapsed owner. Note: All insights collected reflect opinions of surveyed boat owners and prospective owners only.
Photo courtesy of Shutterstock
SOURCE:
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Food and Beverage
Magical Moments Without the Hassle: 3 Parenting Hacks to Help Make Summer Memorable
Last Updated on June 25, 2026 by Daily News Staff
(Feature Impact) Magical summer moments – road trips, pool days and warm evenings in the backyard – don’t happen by accident.
In fact, making that magic happen may feel like hard work for parents, according to a survey of American parents commissioned by Borden Cheese that discovered the pressure on adults during the summer months is higher than ever. Between scheduling activities, packing endless meals and keeping the family happy, the pressure to create memorable summer moments can quickly drain all the fun out of it.
A majority of respondents (72%) feel summers used to be simpler in terms of activities and expectations, while 89% of that group said it’s important for their children to experience simple summers.
“Summer is the time for enjoying the sunshine, fresh air, endless day time and quality time with family and friends,” said Jenny Mehlman, senior director of marketing, cheese, taste and flavors at Dairy Farmers of America. “Sometimes we get so caught up in the daily hustle, we forget to slow down and enjoy the little moments. Borden Cheese wants to help parents drop the high expectations, embrace a little bit of the mess and remember how good a simple, relaxed summer can feel.”
It’s clear parents are looking for more relaxing summer breaks, both for their children and themselves. Reclaiming family time can start with hacks that simplify summers, a tactic 81% of parents surveyed said they plan to use. Consider these top suggestions from respondents.
Allow More Flexibility with Children’s Routines
Summer offers a welcome break from the rigid schedules of the school year, and nearly half of respondents (45%) are embracing that opportunity by allowing more flexibility in their children’s routines. This might include later bedtimes, slower mornings or less structured playtime, giving families more room to explore, be creative and enjoy spontaneous adventures – the type that many parents remember from their own childhoods.
Prioritize Fun Over Perfection
The pressure to create a picture-perfect summer can become overwhelming. Instead of striving for elaborate vacations or curated calendars, 39% of parents said they plan to be more lenient with the expectations they place on themselves. This “fun over perfection” mindset allows families to focus on connection as parents spend less time worrying about details and more time enjoying simple pleasures from picnics and pool time to game nights at home.
Plan Simpler Meals
One-third of respondents plan to make simpler meals a regular part of their menu, and the majority of parents (84%) said they rely on quick, reliable meal and snack solutions like mac and cheese, deli meat wraps and simple cheese and cracker boards at least once per week during summer months. That’s why Borden Cheese Individually Wrapped Singles are unwrapping the simple, stress-free summer that parents need with family-friendly recipes, easy meal hacks and nostalgia-inducing weekly giveaways designed to give them a well-deserved break. For example, these Juicy Lucy Cheeseburger Sliders can feel a little “extra” without all the extra work. Beware: They’ll disappear fast.
So relax your expectations, embrace the mess and make space for real, carefree fun again. Visit BordenCheese.com/SimpleSummerFun to find more easy, cheesy meal ideas and learn how to participate in weekly giveaways.
Juicy Lucy Cheeseburger Sliders
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 8-10 minutes
Servings: 4 (2 sliders per serving)
- 1 pound ground beef
- 4 slices Borden American Melts, quartered
- 2 tablespoons finely chopped onion
- 1 tablespoon steakhouse seasoning
- 8 slider buns, toasted
Toppings (optional):
- burger sauce
- caramelized onions
- pickle chips
- Preheat grill or skillet to medium heat.
- Divide beef into 16 balls and flatten into approximately 3-inch patties.
- Place two cheese squares and onions on eight patties then top with remaining patties and press together. Season with steakhouse seasoning.
- Cook sliders 4-5 minutes per side, until cooked through.
- Place on buns and add burger sauce, caramelized onions and pickle chips, as desired. Serve warm.
SOURCE:
Borden
STM Daily News’ Food and Drink section highlights the stories, trends, flavors, and events shaping today’s food culture. From recipes to restaurant news, it keeps readers connected to what’s fresh and worth tasting.
