There is nothing like a summer salad! Refreshing and light, it’s the perfect meal after a long day outside. Have you ever tried dressing made with apple juice? Check out this refreshing recipe and keep it around for those hot days when no one wants to cook!

APPLE VINAIGRETTE
1/4 cup cider vinegar
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
1/4 cup Mott’s ® apple juice
2 whole fresh basil leaves
1 teaspoon honey
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 tsp course ground pepper

Combine vinegar, olive oil, apple juice, basil, honey, salt, and pepper in a blender or food processor.
Process until it is smooth. Serve chilled over mixed greens and veggies.

Have a variation or recipe of your own? We’d love to hear about it!

Your kids are under foot all day long.  And so are their messes.  Keeping up with the mess can be a full time job.  What works for one family may not work for another.  But keeping these simple tips in mind can ease the frustration and keep the chaos at bay.

Identify what is important – Ability to walk without tripping and a clean / sanitary environment may be your priority.  Figure out what is critical and focus on that first.  Ask the kids what is important too.  If they have some input they will see the value in maintaining the home as well.

Purge on a regular basis – Examples of good times to purge are after holidays, birthdays, spring, before school starts.  Get the kids involved as well, particularly when it comes to donating to church or charities.

Leave room for more stuff – After a purge, it’s a good idea to leave room in cabinets, dresser drawers and storage boxes for more.  That way as items accumulate, you can keep the clutter off the tables, counters and floors.

Organize in a logical way – More frustration comes when items are not easily accessible or in the wrong place.  Take the time to diagram where things should go and how much space is needed.  Plan for the immediate future such as back to school and holiday stuff.  Make sure that stuff the kids need to access is at their level.  If they can put it away without your help they are more likely to do it!

Clean as you go – The best tip for keeping it clutter free is to clean up your mess.  Just like your mother taught you, right?  Teach your kids to do the same.  We are so hurried these days that often we leave it to come back later.  Avoid frustration by keeping up as you move through the day.

Do you have a particular frustration with keeping everything clean?  Or are you a rockstar who has some advice to share?  We’d love to hear!