It's National Chocolate Day - Plan A Community Hot Chocolate Party

Today is National Chocolate day. Americans do not need a national day just to indulge in chocolate because chocolate is consumed in large amounts daily.

Of the many chocolate goodies hot chocolate is a favorite when the weather gets cooler. Family hot chocolate night is a great way to share special memories together. As a parent, you can feel good about serving up hot chocolate because it has many health benefits.

Antioxidants in hot cocoa are almost twice as strong as red wine, two to three times stronger than green tea, and four to five times stronger than black tea. And, more antioxidants get released when we drink “hot” cocoa as opposed to cold beverages. Antioxidants fight free radicals in the body, which translates to reducing the chance of cancer and heart disease among other things.

If you are the activities planner for your community association you may be tired of movie night and popcorn night. Here is a great fall idea. Host a good old-fashioned theme party. Who doesn't love a theme party? This fall plan a hot chocolate community gathering, and a add a few sweets. Your residents will love this idea not only because it's unique, but also because it encourages a more casual fun atmosphere for neighbors.

We would like to provide you with a homemade recipe  for hot chocolate.

1 tbsp. cocoa powder
2 tbsp. sugar
2 tbsp. water
1 c. milk
a bit of vanilla, if desired

 

Combine cocoa, sugar, and water in a small saucepan. Heat it on low heat, stirring occasionally to prevent the paste from sticking to the pan. After about 1 to 2 minutes, add milk and vanilla. Mix it all together until it reaches your preferred temperature.

Don't forget to add sprinkles, whipped cream, cinnamon and marshmallows. Enjoy!

Association Management Group Offers Community Safety Tips For Halloween

  

     Fall celebrations like Halloween and Harvest Day are fun times for children, who can dress up in costumes, enjoy parties, and eat yummy treats. These celebrations also provide a chance to give out healthy snacks, get physical activity, and focus on safety.

    Halloween is a popular time of year for kids and families. But Halloween comes with its own set of safety risks. Make sure you check with your homeowner's association for any specific rules pertaining to Halloween activities.

At AMG we would like to offer these 10 tips to make sure your community takes measures to help little ghosts and goblins stay safe while trick-or-treating.

1. Make sure your community has proper outdoor lighting so drivers can see costumes in the dark. It’s a startling fact that children are twice as likely to be hit by a car on Halloween than any other day of the year.

2. If there is no lighting provide children a glow-in-the-dark costume or a reflective trick-or-treat bag. Children should use a flashlight or glow stick when walking at night.

 3. Get together with neighbors and Trick-or-treat in a group. Kids younger than 13 should go with an adult. Older kids always should go in a group on a planned route that the parents have scheduled.

4. Before Halloween teach kids to cross streets at crosswalks and intersections, stop at street corners, look left, right and left again before crossing to make sure a vehicle is not coming.

5. Instruct children to only visit homes of people they know and only accept treats at the door. Enforce to children to never enter a home or car.

6. Make sure facial paints, cosmetics, masks and costumes are safe for walking. If a mask is used, make certain the eye and nose openings do not restrict vision or breathing.

7. When walking with children enter and exit driveways and alleys carefully

8. Tell your children not to eat any treats until they return home.

9. Have your neighborhood watch volunteers ready to be the eyes and ears of the neighborhood on Halloween night. Have someone on patrol.

10. Schedule an after Halloween volunteer clean up crew to go through community streets to clean up candy, paper and items from the big Trick-or-treat night.

 
Practice safe Halloween tips for the health and safety of families. AMG wishes your family a safe and happy Halloween

Fall Is A Great Time For Family Outdoor Activities

Fall is a great time for families to map out and plan time for activities to ensure they are added to the daily routine. Here are some ideas for outdoor family fun and exercise.

• Family community or nature walks - 20-30 minutes will provide the daily recommended 20-30 minutes of moderate physical aerobic activity.
• Biking -- is a great low impact aerobic exercise the entire family will love.
• Hiking -- If your neighborhood has walking or hiking trails this is a great activity.
• Gardening -- is a fun way to teach the importance of daily care/maintenance and learn about healthy eating. In addition, the family can get satisfaction in eating the harvest.

Benefits of physical activity:

The benefits of exercise extend far beyond weight management. Research shows that regular physical activity can help reduce your risk for several diseases and health conditions and improve your overall quality of life. Regular physical activity can help protect you from many health problems.

It’s important for kids of all ages to get enough exercise to help prevent childhood obesity. In fact, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommend that school-aged kids and teens get at least 60 minutes of physical activity per day. But how do you make it happen?

 Spending more time together and indulging in leisure activities strengthens the family bond.  This holds true to all type of activities. They don’t always need to be such that require a bigger sum of money. Even home-based, low-cost activities such as playing a board game, gardening or playing outdoors have a big impact on the ‘health’ of the family.

The weather is great for outdoor activities. Get the family together or get families from your neighborhood and enjoy the great outdoors.

It's The Season For Pumpkin Spice

This is the time of year to enjoy the flavor of pumpkin. It seems everyone is trying to invent their own recipe.  It may not be the real  Pumpkin Spice Latte, but it is pretty close. Go ahead and give it a try. Don't forget to top it with whipped cream and pumpkin pie spice.

Ingredients You Will Need

• 1 cup milk, divided
• 1 tablespoon white sugar
• 1 tablespoon pumpkin puree
• 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 cup brewed espresso 
• Whipped cream (optional)
• Sprinkles for top (optional)

Directions

1. Blend 1/2 cup milk, sugar, pumpkin puree, pumpkin pie spice, and vanilla extract in a small saucepan over low heat. Simmer for 5 minutes. Whisk in remaining 1/2 cup milk.
2. Pour milk mixture through a fine strainer. Return milk mixture to saucepan and simmer, blending, 2 minutes. Add espresso and whisk until foamy.
3. Add whipped cream and toppings as desired.