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Ocotillo Manor Neighborhood

January 29, 2013 By

Dear Residents,

As you may have heard, Balfour Beatty Communities is preparing to invite members of the general public to join our community in the Ocotillo Manor Neighborhood. Traditionally, Airmen and their families affiliated with Luke AFB have been the sole occupants living in Ocotillo Manor. We understand that you may have some questions and concerns about how this new plan is going to work and how it will affect you.

Please navigate to our website via link attached to view the Q & A document.

http://lukefamilyhousing.com/communityfiles/14/pdf/QandA%20Luke%20GP%20meeting%20%201-29-13.pdf

Filed Under: Resident Messages Tagged With: , , ,

Feed Your Vision With A Healthy Diet

December 27, 2012 By

We all know that to protect our vision, we should get our eyes checked once a year. But what else can we do to ensure that we maintain healthy eyes throughout our life? Believe it or not, protecting your eyes can be as simple as eating a healthy, balanced diet. Consider keeping some of these staples on hand in your pantry at Luke Family Housing.

Start with orange juice and green vegetables. They are packed with vitamin C, which helps fight glaucoma, and the heavy dose of antioxidants will guard against macular degeneration.

While you’re at it, remember the color orange; carrots, sweet potatoes, and other orange fruits/vegetables are high in beta carotene, which is a building block for vitamin A and strengthens your corneas and helps prevent night blindness.

Enjoy salmon, flax seeds, walnuts, and avocado. All are good sources of Omega 3 fatty acids. Besides preventing dry eye syndrome, this beneficial fat helps heart and brain health!

You’re not limited to meals, either. Think of all the finger foods you can snack on throughout the day—citrus fruits, broccoli, peaches, mangoes, garlic, chickpeas . . . with every bite, your eyes get stronger. These foods are not a substitute for your annual eye exam, but they can ensure that your appointment is quick, easy, and painless.

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Make Your Own Wrapping Paper

December 20, 2012 By

With birthdays and holidays smattering the calendar all year long, it’s quite common to find yourself without wrapping paper when you need it. Luckily, it’s simply to improvise some great do-it-yourself wrapping paper at home at Luke Family Housing if the need arises and you find yourself with decorative paper. Below are some favorite ideas:

Plain, old brown paper bags are great for wrapping all kinds of gifts. First, turn them inside-out so the printing doesn’t show, and then use hand-cut potato stamps and poster paint to cover them with fun designs. Or just wrap with a beautiful ribbon or bow.

Another easy way to make custom wrapping paper is to use spray paint and a cut-out stencil on thin fabric. By repeating a pattern in multiple colors, you can make wrapping material that people won’t want to throw away, and can use again and again. Plus it's 'green'!

If you have a printer, you can use your own photographs to make custom wrapping paper that will charm anybody who receives it. Adorn the paper with family pictures, or vacation shots — recipients may love the paper more than the gift.

Another way to make wrapping paper is by using an ordinary rubber stamp. Paint a thin layer of colorful acrylic paint onto the face of the stamp, you can make permanent marks on just about any paper. Brown kraft paper is particularly great to use, as it is inexpensive and holds up well.

If you have some time, it can be fun to make totally unique wrapping paper by writing or drawing on large sheets of butcher paper and cutting it up. If you have children, get them in on the fun and have them draw and decorate the paper.

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Tips For A Healthy Heart

December 13, 2012 By

Your heart is the bigger and most vital muscle in your entire body, and it affects your overall health and well-being greatly. Because of this, preventative measures are so important to keep your heart ticking properly. Below are a few tips to help you improve your heart's health.

Exercise
Even in quick bouts, cardiovascular exercise is essential to your overall health. If you don’t have time to go to the gym, try making time during your work day to take the stairs instead of the elevator, or park at the far corner of the lot and walk.

Stop smoking
Smoking is the most preventable cause of heart disease, and remember that both primary and secondhand smoke inhalation can be damaging for your health. Luckily, your heart is equipped to repair itself quickly. After 10 years of not smoking, your heart will be as healthy as someone who has never smoked.

Cut back on salt
Although salt is delicious and in so much of what we eat, sodium takes a hugely negative toll on your blood pressure. High blood pressure makes your heart work harder to pump blood. Try using fresh or dried herbs and spices instead of salt.

Get more sleep
Many studies have shown that individuals who sleep until they’re well rested have fewer heart conditions than people who don’t sleep well or enough. The recommendation? Sleep seven or more hours a night, and try to avoid caffeine after noon.

Have a glass of wine
Of late science has shown that a glass of wine a day, especially red wine, increases HDL (i.e. healthy cholesterol) levels, which can help reduce the risk of heart disease. But, more is not better — don’t drink too much, as that can have negative effects.

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Community Blog Updates

December 11, 2012 By

With 2013 right around the corner, we would like to share with you a few Communications updates for Balfour Beatty Communities. Over the next couple of months we will be unveiling new, redesigned websites for all Installations. With the launch, we will introduce a new blog and other communications features as part of the websites, giving you one online location for all news, messages and other information from Balfour Beatty Communities.

Things to look forward to:

  • An enhanced Resident Messages & Events page
  • A Better Living Blog hosted by Balfour Beatty Communities with categories such as Conservation Corner, Safety Zone, and the popular Recipe Box!
  • An alert system on the home page for important community updates.
  • And much more!

Detailed information regarding the new websites will be provided post-launch. Stay tuned!

Filed Under: Resident Messages

Tutti Santi: Fresh Italian Cuisine

December 6, 2012 By

Steeped in generations of culinary know-how, Tutti Santi in Glendale serves authentic Italian food bursting with unique flavors. Chef Nina Vincenti tapped into her Italian heritage and extensive restaurant experience to create Tutti Santi, which has been open since 1996. Along with savory food, Tutti Santi offers friendly service and an elegant ambiance to create an unforgettable meal. Tutti Santi’s dinner menu offers Italian favorites and specialities created from fresh ingredients along with Chef Nina’s renowned sauces. Appetizers include Mozzarella Caprese, Mussels Marinara, and the favorite Carpaccio di Bue. Homemade pasta dishes include Ravioli alla Nina, Gnocchi, and Lasagna Dei Santi. You can pair your meal with a bottle from the extensive wine list, a speciality martini like the cream-sicle tini, or a mixed cocktail like melon fever.

Tutti Santi
19420 N. 59th Avenue
Glendale, AZ 85308
(623) 566-1582
http://www.yelp.com/biz/tutti-santi-by-nina-glendale

 

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How to Cook Tilapia

November 29, 2012 By

Fish is low in fat, high in essential nutrients and goes well with a variety of ingredients. It's truly one of the best protein sources out there, but the one drawback is that it can be pricey. Luckily, there are some fish options that can be substituted in if you're working with a budget. When you shop, look for tilapia. It's an inexpensive freshwater fish that can be used in a number of delicious, simple recipes. Here are some great ways to prepare it, right in your kitchen at Luke Family Housing.

-          Pan-frying tilapia is a great way to cook the fish since its durable flesh stands up well to high heat. Coat the exterior with a crust of breadcrumbs, salt, and pepper and cook it quickly in oil over high heat so it cooks through while creating a crispy coating.

-          Tilapia blackens extremely well and is a staple in Southern cooking. To blacken the fish, coat it in butter and Cajun seasoning. Cook in a cast iron skillet until the outside darkens. When it's done, serve with a spicy mayonnaise on French bread for a great sandwich.

-          Tilapia is also excellent for a fresh ceviche. Squeeze citrus, such as limes, into a large bowl and completely submerge the fish in the juice, then refrigerate. The citric acid will essentially “cook” the fish, bringing out amazing flavors. Serve with a salsa fresca comprised of chopped tomatoes, onions, and peppers.

-          This fish also works well for fish tacos. Cook the filets quickly in a nonstick skillet with olive oil, salt, and pepper until the flesh becomes flaky. Serve with soft tortillas and pair with avocado, mango, and green onions. Use a pico de gallo salsa for dipping.

-          Since it's a hearty fish, tilapia also holds up exceptionally well on the grill. Season it with lemon butter and capers and serve over rice pilaf, couscous, or pasta.

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Cooking with Asparagus

November 15, 2012 By

Asparagus packs a mighty punch of B vitamins, antioxidants, and fiber. But it can be tough to find foods that pair well with its strong flavors. Here are some favorite asparagus dishes you can make right in your kitchen at home at Luke Family Housing:

For a classic pairing, use asparagus as an accompaniment for steak. The bold flavors of high-quality red meat go exceptionally well with the slightly acidic tang of asparagus, letting you use the vegetable as a way to cleanse your palate between bites. Just steam it lightly and serve with melted butter.

For an easy appetizer, wrap cooked asparagus stalks with thinly sliced prosciutto. The salty meat makes a wonderful pairing for the earthy asparagus.

If you want to get a little fancier with your asparagus spears, a popular pub adaptation is to make a beer batter – like the kind you would use to fry fish – and dip the stalks in it before quickly frying. The crisp crunch of the vegetable melds perfectly with the delicious outer coating, making this a great side dish.

For breakfast, serve asparagus with scrambled eggs and drizzle with hollandaise sauce. The buttery sauce, creamy eggs, and crispy asparagus offer up sensational flavors!

Asparagus is also good with pasta. Steam thin stalks and cut into small pieces, then serve over Japanese soba noodles with sautéed pancetta, garlic, and a fried egg for a great take on the traditional Italian carbonara.

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Must-See Natural Caves Around The Country

November 8, 2012 By

If you're in awe of the natural mystery and splendor of caves and caverns, then you know the many wonders that cave exploration can offer. Below, read on to learn about some of the most captivating caves in the United States, all certain to satisfy the underground adventurer in you. Consider them next time you're planning an adventurous vacation away from Luke Family Housing.

Maramec Caverns, Missouri
This dazzling cave system has been rated one of the best in the United States. It's located near St. Louis, and there are 7 levels of caves available for touring, each offering a different variety of fascinating formations and underground landscapes. The added benefit of this location is that the Maramec Caverns are located in a State Park, so visitors can explore the natural splendor aboveground after they’ve taken in all the wonders of the caves. 
 
Luray Caverns, Virginia
These caves, located in the stunning Shenandoah Valley, are some of the largest and most-visited caves in the United States. The rock formations, colors, and sounds of the underground world at Luray Caverns will truly captivate you. Make sure to visit Luray’s famous and celebrated “Stalacpipe Organ,” known as the world’s largest musical instrument — the way it works is this: stalactites covering nearly four acres of the surrounding caves produce symphonic musical tones when electronically tapped by specialized mallets. It’s a music like none you’ve ever heard, and definitely a major drawing point of the Luray Cavern experience.
 
The Lost Sea Caverns, Tennessee
The Lost Sea Caverns in Tennessee contain the largest underground lake in the nation. You can explore this underground oasis with a guided tour in a glass-bottomed boat, and you’ll be fascinated by the beauty of the caverns, relishing in the sight of the exotic cave flowers, startling rock formations, and vast lake. Or, you can take a flashlight tour if you want a truly memorable and atmospheric experience that brings the caves to life in a radically new way. The above-ground offerings in the area are great, too, including an eighteenth-century village, and a variety of excellent restaurants, shopping venues, and cultural offerings.
 
Natural Bridge Caverns, Texas
The Natural Bridge Cavern system is a major attraction located near San Antonio. It is the largest cave system in all of Texas, and is a very popular destination with families, and ideal for trips with schools, camps, and scouting groups. Natural Bridge offers an array of compelling tour options, including an “Illuminations Tour,” which will let you fully experience the depth of darkness inside the caverns (while seeing rock formations dramatically lit in eye-dazzling ways); a “Lantern Tour,” which give you a chance to carry your own lantern through the caves like a mid-century cave explorer; and an “Adventure Tour,” which is designed for those who love physical challenges (rock climbing, crawling, obstacle courses, etc). There are also many resources and tours to help you learn about the area’s rich mining history.

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Find Casual Eats at Yard House

November 1, 2012 By

Your favorite watering hole learned how to cook. Located next to the Arizona Sports Complex in Glendale, Yard House offers the world’s largest selection of draft brews to compliment its upscale, jazzy pub grub. It’s the perfect place to celebrate the big game or kick back after work. Old favorites like wings, BBQ chicken pizza, and St. Louis-style ribs are perfect and reasonably priced, but be sure to try the lobster garlic noodles or the miso-glazed sea bass—they’ll keep you buzzing. Whether you're hungry for lunch, dinner, or anything in between, Yard House is a great pick for casual eats—open 11 a.m. – 12 a.m. (or later), Sunday through Thursday; and from  11 a.m. – 1:30 a.m. Friday and Saturday.

Yard House
www.yardhouse.com

9401 West Westgate Boulevard
Glendale, AZ 85305
(623) 872-3900

21001 North Tatum Boulevard
Phoenix, AZ 85050
(480) 563-9273

7014 East Camelback Road
Scottsdale, AZ 85251
(480) 675-9273

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