“If you dream and allow yourself to dream, you can do anything, and that’s what the Olympic medal represents.”  Clara Hughes – Canadian cyclist and speed skater and 3-time Olympian with 6 medals won in 1996, 2000, 2012.*

We love the Olympics! It’s a month-long celebration of great sporting events, drama and human interest stories. Opening ceremonies for the Summer Olympics 2016 in Brazil are tomorrow, Friday, August 5th. But the Games have already started. Glad to see the U.S. women’s soccer team won their first match, 2-0! Go USA!!!

This week, we feature an easy chicken nacho recipe perfect for watching the Olympics, family-friendly Olympic activities, a garden update, and, of course, the bears!

CHICKEN NACHOS FOR OLYMPIC-SIZED APPETITES!

These chicken nachos are easy and delicious – a gold-medal snack!

Ingredients:

• two cups diced rotisserie chicken
• 1/3 cup water
• one tablespoon low sodium taco seasoning mix
• 3/4 cup fresh or frozen corn
• 6 oz. tortilla chips
• one can fat-free refried beans, heated
• 1/4 cup pickled jalapeno slices
• one cup shredded cheddar cheese
• one small tomato, diced
• one cup shredded lettuce

Toppings:

• olives
• guacamole
• taco sauces
• sour cream
• salsa

To prepare:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
• In skillet, heat to combine chicken, taco seasoning and water.
• Spread chips on parchment-covered sheet tray.
• Heat chips in oven for 5 minutes.
• Remove chips from oven.
• Spread with refried beans.
• Cover beans with chicken mixture.
• Sprinkle corn over chicken.
• Dot with jalapeno slices.
• Top with shredded cheese.
• Heat in oven for 7-10 minutes.
• Remove from oven and top with lettuce and tomatoes.
• Serve with your choice of toppings.
• Makes 6 delicious servings.

FIVE TIMES NEAT!

“I always thought it would be neat to make the Olympic team.”* Michael Phelps, five-time Olympian and 2016 USA flag bearer at the opening ceremonies in Rio on Friday.

FAMILY OLYMPIC ACTIVITIES

The Olympics make for great family television viewing. They also can be educational and fun! Here are a few ideas:

Geography: There are many websites online where you can find free maps to print. Print out maps and have your kids find host country, Brazil, and competing countries on their maps. You also can have a geography competition. As athletes and their countries are announced before events, who will win the race to find the athelete’s country?

Culture: Go online to explore the culture of the nations represented, including their foods, history and arts.

Inspiration: Use the Olympics to discuss goal setting and how working towards your dreams can be rewarding.

Athletics and fitness: Use the Olympics to encourage youngsters and yourself to be more physically fit and try new sports. Play and hold your own mini-Olympic games.

Here is a fun link from Real Simple about hosting your own Olympic games!

http://www.realsimple.com/work-life/family/olympic-games-kids

GARDEN UPDATE

Its been quite hot lately and our garden is doing very well. We just picked our first batch of 15 tomatoes, and have had one each of our red and yellow peppers. We should have listened when the package said “spicy red peppers”!

Our coleus is thriving, and we didn’t expect it to bloom! A nice surprise!

The herbs are doing well, too. The flamingo is impressed!

The “Let’s Grow” sign from our last blog has found its outdoor spot.

FOOD ART

Our first crop of tomatoes (can you find all 15?) with a fun background.

JOKE OF THE WEEK

Q; Why does the Olympic torch always start in Olympia?

A: Because its hard to put out a Greece fire.

source: Chetchatblogspot.com

THE BEARS

The bears love the Olympics! They made their own medals from cardboard, ribbon, wrapping paper and scotch tape. Try this easy craft for all your winners!!! In what Olympic events do you think our bears will medal?

Enjoy the Olympics!

Roy & Kevin

*Quote source: Brainyquotes