When it comes to cooking your own meals at home, you don’t always have the time or money to prepare a wholesome, healthy meal with a busy schedule and a tight budget. This can result in eating spaghetti mixed with a jar of store-bought sauce or frozen dinners more often than you’d like to admit. However, with just a little pre-planning, you can avoid this these redundant meals for something better tasting and better for you without spending your whole paycheck.
Pan seared fish – Fish is a lighter protein that is delicious, and cooks quickly and easily. Choose something mild and inexpensive like tilapia, season both sides with spices and herbs to your liking, and pan sear on the stove top on both sides until fully cooked through. Serve with a side of sautéed or roasted vegetables and couscous and you’ve got yourself one quick, healthy and delicious meal.
Summer quinoa salad – Quinoa is a less starchy alternative to pasta and rice and can be a hearty base for a main course entrée. Cook quinoa in vegetable or chicken stock and set aside to cool. Add your choice of veggies like peppers, onions, zucchini and cherry tomatoes. Throw in some soy beans or chickpeas for extra protein and pepper and dress with a zesty citrus dressing.
Black bean tacos – These tacos are delicious and easy to make at home. Heat a can of black beans on the stove with Mexican spices like cumin, chili powder, garlic powder and coriander. Then heat up some corn tortillas with a small amount of oil on both sides. Fill your lightly grilled toritllas with the black beans and add salsa, cheese and lettuce or cilantro.
Curried lentils – Add some Indian flavor into your cooking repertoire with a warm, comforting bowl of curried lentils. Lentils are a great source of protein that can be cooked just like a stew until you get the desired tenderness. Start by sautéing onion and garlic, then add your lentils and vegetable or chicken stock. Bring to a boil, then let simmer until lentils are thoroughly cooked. While simmering, add curry powder or paste, ginger, and salt and pepper. Throw in potatoes or peas for a heartier meal.
This month, the nation celebrated our country’s independence with festive Fourth of July festivities of all kinds. 1st Lake Properties took part in the patriotism with a very special flag raising ceremony on June 26 at one of their commercial property locations in Kenner, LA. The event was an opportunity for 1st Lake Properties to come together with the community and celebrate our flag of the United States of America, and all that it means to us as citizens.
For the event honoring the country, Boy Scouts Troop 223 officiated the ceremony, along with Kenner City Councilman of District 2, Mike Sigur. On the day of the ceremony, Susan Wallace, 1st Lake Commercial Properties Agent, said, “The flag brings much needed attention to our country and our servicemen here and abroad. And we all recognize the appreciation they deserve.” After the flag was raised in silent respect, all in attendance spoke the Pledge of Allegiance in unison.
Veterans from the Vietnam and Korean wars were there to view the ceremony, giving a special honor to the event. 1st Lake Properties is grateful for their service and was proud to have them at the flag raising ceremony.
1st Lake Properties recognizes the connection to the country they enjoy in both business and in spirit. Bria Martinez, Regional Vice President for 1st Lake Commercial Properties said, “We have a unique opportunity for local and out of state companies in this building with its strategic location to the Louis Armstrong International Airport.”
1st Lake Properties was proud to share in such a meaningful display of patriotism with the community. The flag will continue to fly and will be lit at night for the neighborhood to see. If you are in the area, stop by and see it at 2200 Veterans Boulevard in Kenner, LA.
Every month, 1st Lake Properties offers you great deals and discounts on apartments throughout the New Orleans area. As the summer sun continues to shine on into July, so are our apartment specials continue to bring you great savings on rental rates, move in costs, and more. Call today to get in on these great deals!
New Orleans Metro Area Apartments
Fox Run – Perfect for summer, this Metairie apartment community features three swimming pools and several grilling areas, and select units start at only $595. Call to find out how you can save up to $300 on your move-in costs, as well.
Sugar Mill East – This apartment community in Kenner features beautiful, contemporary studio, one and two-bedroom apartments, complete with fully-equipped kitchens and large closets. This month you can get great deals on rent and move-in costs, so contact us now to find out how!
Sawmill Creek – The apartment homes in this River Ridge location are spacious, stylish, and located in close proximity to wonderful restaurants, shopping, and entertainment. This month, $99 moves you in on select floor plans!
Hickory Creek – The elegant, large and luxurious apartments in this River Ridge apartment community feature alarm systems, fireplaces, and full size washer and dryers. Get a July discount on move-in costs with a $99 security deposit and waived administrative fee, as well as up to two weeks free rent!
Windmill Creek South – The beautiful grounds of this apartment community in Metairie are perfect for summer, with a pool and picnic and grilling area. This month you can find big move in savings at Windmill Creek South.
Brewster Commons – Two bedroom apartments at Brewster Commons have kitchens with granite countertops and breakfast bars, raised panel wood cabinetry, and clean steel appliances. As a move in bonus we’re offering flat screen TVs in select apartments! Take advantage of great specials while they last.
Regency Club – Regency Club’s unique one and two-bedroom apartments feature wood-burning fireplaces, private patios and balconies, and beautiful accent walls. In July, get $175 off your move-in costs!
Grand Palms – Grand Palms in Mandeville is a centrally located, warm apartment community with newly renovated homes. This gated community also features two pools, a cabana and picnic and grilling areas. This month, $99 moves you in with reduced deposits and waived administrative fees. Ask about the loft-style apartments when you call today!
If you’re in the middle of a personal energy crisis, there are ways you can combat that right from your own living space. If you hate waking up in the morning and are ready to crash as soon as you get home from work, start making your apartment work in your favor to turn that around and feel more consistently alert and lively throughout the entire day. Follow these tips to put the spring back in your step.
Sleep – This may seem obvious, but you need a good night’s sleep if you want energy when you are awake. To give your body the best and most sleep you possibly can, start with your bedroom. Make sure you have clean sheets, the room is clean and organized, and you have access to a nightstand or other bedside surfaces where you keep your alarm clock. If you have trouble sleeping, cut off your screen time – as in smart phone, laptop, television or tablet use – well before you try to go to bed. Instead of staring at a screen before bedtime, which is known to cause sleeping difficulty, read a book instead.
Breakfast – They say it’s the most important meal of the day and that’s part because of its energizing effects. Try to stock your kitchen with healthy breakfast items like fruit, yogurt and granola to jumpstart your day, and coffee or tea if you like an extra kick of caffeine.
Stay Positive – It’s sometimes easier said than done, but being optimistic can be more energizing than being negative, and having a home you love to come home to will help. Make your home a comforting sanctuary where you love to be with personal touches like art or even inspiring quotes posted around to remind you of what’s important and that give you a good feeling.
Giving gifts can often times be as rewarding as receiving them, especially if the path to acquiring them isn’t paved with stress and dread. If you always find yourself struggling with finding the right gift for someone or waiting until the last minute, follow these tips for gift giving that will make gift giving a joy and a breeze.
Keep a calendar including everyone’s birthday and holiday so you can anticipate it coming up well ahead of time and start thinking early about what gift to seek out. This will give you plenty of time to find the best one and shop around to compare quality, style and price.
If you find a stellar gift for a friend or family member that you think more of the people on your gift list would like, there’s no reason not to buy several of them for multiple people. Chances are if one person loves it, someone else you’re close to probably will too.
One way to make the gifting process easier on yourself is to join forces with your significant other, siblings or group of friends to purchase something together. This means everyone will have less to think about and search for, but also one big great gift rather than several smaller mediocre ones for the recipient.
Can’t find something you’re excited about to give to a loved one? Then make your own! Decide what the person you are giving a gift would appreciate and enjoy and then create it yourself, whether that’s a homemade cookies or jam, a hand painted picture frame with a photo, a personalized playlist, a card, or anything you can imagine.
1st Lake Properties | P. O. Box 73709 | Metairie, LA 70033 | info@1stlake.com
