This month, a team of hundreds of staff and volunteers of 1st Lake Properties, Inc. and members of The Apartment Association of Greater New Orleans joined forces to organize donations and give back-to-school supplies and household and sanitary items for women and families of domestic abuse. The items were gathered and organized for two weeks in order to be given to the Metropolitan Center for Women and Children for proper distribution. 1st Lake Properties is thrilled to have seen such generosity and success with the donation drive.
1st Lake Properties chose to work with the Metropolitan Center for Women and Children because of their dedicated, tireless work for families that suffer from domestic violence. Darlene Santana, the Executive Director for the Metropolitan Center for Women and Children, said, “Our mission statement is to ‘Break the cycle of violence and aid survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking through advocacy, empowerment, transformation, and intervention.’ We sincerely appreciate the donations and support of 1st Lake Properties and The Apartment Association in preparing our children for school. Through the generosity of the community, we are able to accomplish our mission.”
In advance of Domestic Violence Awareness Month in October, 1st Lake Properties was proud to partner with the Apartment Association of Greater New Orleans to assist in such a worth-while cause. 1st Lake Properties staff and volunteers echo the sentiments of Favrot & Shane Co. Senior Vice President, Stacey Shane Schott, when she said, “We have recognized the importance of making our community aware of the needs of victims and survivors in abusive situations. We partnered with The Apartment Association of Greater New Orleans in our request for donations to help support and bring awareness to these families.”
1st Lake Properties is proud and inspired by the generosity it saw from its community members and is eager to find more ways to contribute to invaluable organizations like the Metropolitan Center for Women and Children. Other additional resources include The Recovery Village.
Summer is the perfect time for grilling, and 1st Lake residents can do it right at home with grilling stations provided at many apartment communities. Fish is a lighter, healthier alternative to steak or chicken and taste delicious grilled over an open flame, however you have to be careful when choosing what type of fish to grill. Some more delicate, flaky fish like tilapia and flounder won’t work on the grill. Opt for the firmer, eatier fish to put on the grill. Here are the best fish for grilling.
Swordfish is perfect for grilling. They are sold as steak fillets, so you can throw them on the grill whole after seasoning, or cut them up into skewers for delicious fish kabobs.
Salmon is delicious grilled, and can hold up to the heat of a grill without falling apart. Season with spices, lemon juice and dill for great flavor.
Tuna is one of the sturdiest fish and cooks well on the grill. Get a nice sear on a tuna steak for that smoky flavor that’s perfect for summer cookouts.
Snapper is one of those fish that tastes great any way you cook it, and the mild white fish will hold up well on the grill.
This firm, mild white fish is a crowd pleaser that will taste great from the grill flavor, seasoned with spices and lime juice.
1st Lake Properties apartments in Louisiana and Mississippi are fortunately located in the Gulf Coast area which has direct access to some of the best seafood in the country, which means you’ll have a high quality selection at the market or grocery store for your summer grillout.
Eating fresh and healthy food on a regular basis requires keeping fresh produce in your kitchen. For those of us new to cooking or who often find our produce has quickly deteriorated shortly after purchasing it, there are a few basic rules of thumb when it comes to storing fruits and vegetables. Follow these kitchen guidelines for maintaining your produce’s freshness for as long as possible.
Don’t store fruits and vegetables together – Fruits give off ethylene which is a ripening agent and can cause vegetables to start rotting prematurely, so keep your fruits and vegetables separate from each other in the refrigerator.
Storing vegetables – Vegetables from the grocery store or market should have their ties or rubber bands removed before putting in the refrigerator. For leafy vegetables like celery, trim the ends with a little left on to keep them from drying out. Place the vegetables loosely in the refrigerator with enough space so they’re not right on top of each other, which can cause them to decompose quicker. Leafy greens can be washed ahead of time but other vegetables like mushrooms as well as delicate herbs should not be washed until they are ready to be prepared to eat.
Storing fruits – The way fruit should be stored depends on how quickly you want them to ripen if they are not already. Fruits like avocado, tomato, melons, apples and pears will ripen if stored on the countertop, but can also be stored in the refrigerator if they aren’t meant to be consumed immediately. Fruits like bananas, grapes, bell peppers, citrus and berries will all ripen quickly and should be stored in the refrigerator unless they are intended to be eaten on the day of purchase.
1st Lake Properties is proud to partner with The Metropolitan Center for Women and Children. During the second half of July, you can help 1st Lake assist victims of domestic violence by donating school supplies for children and care packages for women.
The Metropolitan Center for Women and Children is a non-profit organization in Jefferson Parish that has been offering services for victims of violence since 1986, including helping survivors secure housing, counseling, and alternatives to violence. They strive to help families regain their physical and emotional strength, resulting in empowerment and transformation.
As active participants in the community, 1st lake Properties believes, as The Metropolitan Center for Women and Children does, that “as survivors become stronger, the community is strengthened.”
If you would like to participate, please drop off your donation to your rental office through Friday, August 1. After that, you can still help by donating at Metropolitan Center for Women and Children between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., Monday-Friday. Visit the Metropolitan Center for Women and Children’s website for information and for more ways to help.
The following items are much needed and much appreciated:
School Supplies
Backpacks for boys and girls (clear or mesh only)
Pens (blue, black and red)
Pencils, crayons, markers
Single Subject notebook
White Out
Quart size ziplock bags
Manila Folders and Pocket Folders
Kleenex
Paper Towels
Peppermints
We Care Packages for Moms
Body Wash
Adult hair brushes
Deodorant
Small folding umbrellas
Shower Caps
Mini Manicure kits
Make-up bag
Razors
Journals (single subject notebooks are fine)
Pens
Toothbrush and Toothpaste
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.
1st Lake Properties | P. O. Box 73709 | Metairie, LA 70033 | info@1stlake.com
