Perfect Roasted Salmon From Sitka Salmon Shares

If you're anything like me, you might be very particular about the food you buy for your family. When it comes to fresh foods, we tend to buy mostly organic, and almost all non-GMO only products. My husband is the one who does his research and makes his suggestions of what he would like for me to buy or what to avoid. One thing he does not mess around with is fish and seafood. He tells me to never purchase farm-raised fish. We end up spending a good bit more, but stick to wild-caught or locally-caught fish.

We were so lucky to get a special shipment of wild-caught Alaskan Coho Salmon and Pacific Cod courtesy of Sitka Salmon Shares. It's pretty wild (pun intended) to receive fish that was caught by fisherman and blast-frozen to maintain the freshness.

Sitka Salmon Shares is:

• Wild: Wild-caught from the pristine waters of Southeast Alaska and the North Pacific
• Sustainable: Harvested using hook-and-line methods to minimize negative ecological impact
• Traceable: Our relationships ensure that your fish is traceable to the boats of our fishermen-owners and trusted community partners
• Fishermen-centered: Individually caught by one of our fisherman-owners or partner fishermen (who we hope are on their way to ownership!). Fishermen ownership makes us distinct from our competition and creates a more just system that values hard work, high-quality fish and low-impact harvesting methods.
• Just: Our fishermen receive an average of 20-30% more for their harvest, which can equate to $10,000 extra income in a given season
• Premium: Blast-frozen at the peak of freshness to ensure the highest quality, guaranteed
• Convenient: Home delivered directly to your door, with recipes and a newsletter about the fishermen who caught that month’s share
• Conscious: Carbon offsets purchased and 1% of revenue donated to efforts promoting small-scale fisheries and conservation in Alaska.  

How does Sitka Salmon Shares work? 

Community Supported Fishery (CSF) members purchase their very own "shares" of their harvest. Similar to preorders or vegetable shares ordered through your favorite CSA, these purchases determine how much fish their fishermen catch! After that, CSF members receive a monthly home seafood delivery - their "share" - of their wild Alaskan catch, ranging 4.5-5lbs per month and ranging 3-9 months during the CSF season (April thru December). Prices range from $18 to $28 per pound, depending on the species you choose and the quantity you buy. Shipping is also FREE, which is a plus! 

You're probably wondering if the fish is worth it or not. Let me tell you, it is beyond worth it. My husband and I both agree that it is the absolute best salmon we have ever eaten, period! Even better than what we have had from some swanky high-priced restaurants. I simple placed the sealed packs of coho salmon in the kitchen sink with enough water to submerge it. The salmon thawed quickly and I was completely in awe of the beautiful color. I did find some pin bones that I was able to pluck out. I always judge any fish by the smell. This salmon smelled clean and ocean-y, not overly fishy. If fish smells too fishy, I won't mess with it. 

The way I make my roasted salmon is quite simple. I start with rinsing the fish and patting it dry with paper towels. I place them on a parchment lined baking sheet. Next, I season with a blend of sea salt, freshly cracked black pepper, creole seasoning, complete seasoning, and garlic powder. I then lightly rub the dry seasonings onto the fish filets, and top with fresh dill sprigs and lemon slices. The last step is to melt 4 tablespoons of butter and drizzle it over the top of the filets. I place the fish in the oven set on broil for 3 minutes, and then at 395° on the convection setting for 10 minutes. If you do not have the convection feature, you might need to add a few additional minutes of cooking time. 

I squeezed some fresh lemon over the top of the salmon when it came out of the oven. I had to sneak a little piece before I plated it and it made me close my eyes. The salmon completely melted in my mouth! SO GOOD! I served the roasted salmon with some simple maple brown sugar mashed sweet potatoes and sauteed asparagus. This was a high-end restaurant-quality meal without a doubt. 

Getting hungry? If you use this special discount code - SITKA25, it will take $25 off any 2020 Premium Sitka Seafood Share. Be sure to follow Sitka Seafood Shares on Facebook and Instagram for the latest product updates and recipes. I definitely plan to cook the cod in a couple weeks. I will browse some recipes and decide from there. My family will co-sign when I say that I highly recommend trying Sitka Salmon Shares. 

Many thanks to Sitka Salmon Shares for providing a seafood box for my family to try. All opinions are my own as always. Thank you for stopping by today. 

How To Shop For a New Pair of Eyeglasses

Almost every person I know that wears glasses hates shopping for a new pair. The yearly phone call reminding you to go for an eye test, followed by that annoying car journey into town. You have to wait in the waiting room, and then you get to take that really fun eye test. And after all of this, you get the pleasure of being charged the ridiculous price that they usually charge, just to own a pair of glasses that allow you to see. God help you if you want lenses that are anti-glare or scratch-proof; you need to re-mortgage your house to afford those. 

Fortunately, times are changing, and everything is going digital, glasses shopping included. Now I know that this is probably not news to many of you. But if you are like me, you always decided there were too many risks, especially as you can’t try the frames on our get them adjusted. But then I did some research, and lots of people I spoke to were actually very happy with their online eyeglass purchases. (This website, in particular, sprung up a lot)

So I decided to write a few quick tips and tricks to shopping for glasses online. Hopefully, If you are on the verge of taking the plunge, this article will help convince you.

Returns Policies

The most important thing to check when buying glasses online is the store's return policies. There is a good chance that with the glasses you like the look of on the online shop, there is a potential that you are not going to like them in person. If this happens, you need to be able to send them back and get a full refund or an exchange. 

Adjustments

A great trick if your glasses that you bought online need adjusting, is to go into an optometrist. As long as you do not tell them that you bought them online, they are usually more than happy to adjust glasses for walk-in customers. If you are feeling guilty of the free adjustments after you have not bought the glasses from the shop, buy something small, like a cleaning cloth or some cleaning solution to ease your conscience.

Prescription

Unfortunately, the one thing you can’t get online is your prescription. That means you are going to have to go for your regular eye test in order to figure out what glasses you need. This is just the way things have to be. Just because you have to go and get your eye test in person however, does not mean you need to buy the overpriced glasses they offer you there on the spot. Take your prescription and do your shopping online if you want to save some serious money. There is Ernest Hemingway eyewear for sale you can consider.

There we have it, and hopefully if you are on the fence about shopping online for your glasses, we have eased any doubts you had about the whole process. Although it can be a bit of a pain sending glasses back until you get the perfect pair, you can often save hundreds by doing it this way, which in our eyes is totally worth the hassle.

How to Get Yourself Out of Common Traffic Violations

Traffic violations can result in fines worth hundreds of dollars, points on your license, or even a driving ban. Some of the most common traffic violations are speeding, reckless driving, running through a stop sign or red light, driving under the influence and turning or changing lanes without indicating. Dealing with a pending court case can cause a lot of unnecessary stress. However, before you formally challenge the violation in a court of law, there are a few strategies that can be tried before you decide to look for legal representation.

Photo by Tobi from Pexels

1. Challenge the Officer’s Observations and Conclusion

After being pulled over and told that you have broken the Road Rules, challenging the traffic officer’s version of events can sometimes yield results. For example, if you run a red light, you might make the excuse that you were traveling too fast to stop in time. You might also point out that the officer was not in a favorable position to judge whether you did, in fact, violate the traffic laws. This can work especially well when there is a lot of traffic that might have arguably obstructed their view of the incident. Recording such an objection can help you later on if your case ends up going before a judge.

2. Challenge the State of the Roads or Signals

Make sure to drive past the site when the traffic offense occurred to check whether the road, markings, lights and signals are all in good working order. If you find any aspect of these is not working, in disrepair, or not clearly visible due to dirt or dust, record your findings in the form of a video or photo and pass them to your attorney. Any such evidence that you can collect can be extremely valuable and can assist a good lawyer in their attempt to construct a strong argument in your favor to absolve you of any responsibility for the violation.

3. Prove that the Offense Was the Result of an Attempt to Avoid Harm

A good defense in court may come from being able to prove that your action was a result of a legitimate attempt to protect the safety of yourself or other drivers. An example of this might be to claim that you were driving over the speed limit due to an attempt to avoid a collision, or because you feared the possibility of being hit from behind by a driver who was tailgating you. Another valid excuse might be that you were taking evasive action to avoid an animal that had moved into your path.

Photo by Mike from Pexels

While it is always much wiser to take care to avoid committing a traffic offense so that you do not end up in a legal wrangle, once you have received a ticket, it is a good idea to hire a legal attorney that specializes in minimizing driving penalties. If you live in the Greater Sydney area, why not check out some of the fantastic traffic lawyers Parramatta has to offer?

The Internet's Impact on Homeschooling

Just like the Internet has changed the way we shop, communicate, and conduct business, it has also revolutionized the world of education. Now more than ever, it is easier to learn outside a traditional classroom setting. Many college students take at least one online course to earn either an associate’s or bachelor’s degree. Online education has extended past college students and now includes K-12 students, as well.

Homeschooling families have more freedom and flexibility when it comes to education options. The Internet has significantly increased education options, homeschooling resources, online forums, and curriculum programs. The following are ways that the Internet has completely changed homeschooling.

Allows for More Student Independence and Less Parent Involvement

The Internet has brought about more and more at-home education methods. Accredited virtual schools and online homeschooling curriculums don’t require as much parent involvement as other at-home education methods.

Many parents assume that homeschooling will be time-consuming because it requires a lot of hand holding. Although this may be true for young learners, high school level students develop more independence around their education, especially if they are taking online courses. For most homeschool curriculums, parents or hired tutors must grade and review work to ensure the student is making progress.

Online schools require even less parent involvement because online teachers do the grading. This structure is especially helpful for parents who don’t have formal teacher training or work full- or part-time jobs.

Increases Education and Learning Options

Before the Internet, homeschooling families relied on textbooks and workbooks for their curriculum or created their own. Parents had to take charge of the entire learning process to either select or create a curriculum and teach their students the necessary subjects. The Internet, however, has made way for more and more education and learning methods. It really is impressive. So with so many dependent on the Internet and the knowledge that it brings, it's no wonder that many look to see how satellite internet works.

The Internet provides endless resources to help your student learn at home. Many different online curriculum programs and virtual schools are available to homeschooling families. Online homeschool curriculum provides Internet-based courses and resources for parents and students to be successful.

Online or virtual schools for K-12 students are also increasingly popular among families seeking alternative education methods. Online schools allow students to learn from teachers who are states away while attending classes from their home.

Many of these online schooling options are self-paced, so students can work through lessons as they master individual concepts. At the same time, if a student is struggling with a particular topic, they can receive extra help in this area. This is very beneficial for students with chronic illnesses or learning disabilities who may need frequent breaks.

Provides Online Resources and Technologies

The Internet gives homeschool students access to countless resources at home that helps them learn. Homeschool resources and learning technologies were limited before the Internet age. However, continuous advancements are being made in learning technologies.

Today, students can learn via e-readers, tablets, apps, digital coursework, and virtual schools. Parents also have access to a variety of resources to help them and their students get started with at-home education.

The Internet offers a plethora of information and resources. No longer are the days of students needing to spend hours sifting through textbooks or encyclopedias to write research papers. With the help of Google, information and multimedia resources are at students’ fingertips.

Makes Learning Fun with Gamification 

Games are a new way of learning. Gamification has helped create educational video games for students to learn about numerous subjects, such as coding, spelling, and foreign languages. These games allow students of all ages to learn about different topics and practice different skills in a fun and exciting way. The gamification of learning has also allowed students to study while riding in the car, traveling for the holidays, or waiting for appointments. Learning has become much more fun with the availability of learning with games on their phones, tablets, or computers.

Helps Students with At-Home Education 

Online schools and homeschool curriculums allow students to complete school and progress through grades from the comfort of their home or wherever they have Internet access. Students with disabilities, anxiety or depression, or chronic illnesses don’t have to worry about falling behind. Many students struggle to keep up in a classroom setting, so online education methods allow them to work at their own pace without falling behind in a traditional classroom setting. Likewise, students who are receiving treatment and recovering from an illness can make feeling better their number one priority.

Offers a Space for Online Homeschool Communities

Fostering a successful at-home education requires a support system. The Internet has made it easier for homeschooling families to connect with others who chose non-traditional schooling methods. Online forums and Facebook offer spaces for parents to discuss curriculums, education options, and homeschooling tips. Families can even connect with others in their area, which lets children make friends who are homeschooled, as well.

The Internet has affected almost every area of our lives, both positively and negatively. However, the impact that the digital age has had on education continues to benefit homeschooling families.

Sources:
https://www.noodle.com/articles/5-ways-the-internet-has-changed-homeschooling
https://www.nflcacademy.com/blog/5-ways-the-internet-has-changed-homeschooling

6 Ways to Connect with Your Teen

The teenage years can be a difficult time for parents to connect with their children, who are experiencing greater independence and relying more on relationships outside the home.
If it seems difficult to connect with your teen, take heart: these 6 tips will help you create the conditions on your end for a supportive relationship. 

Photo by Matheus Ferrero on Unsplash

1). Be Attentive to Their Mental Health
Life as a teen is filled with new challenges. Interpersonal relationships become more complex than they were before, and with puberty comes romantic attraction and all its attendant hopes and heartbreaks.

Additionally, many teens are far more conscious of their appearance and their status relative to their peers. With all of these pressures, it is easy enough to see how teens often struggle with depression and anxiety.

For parents, the challenge is often a matter of trying to connect and make a difference. It can be emotionally difficult for parents, not least because so many of us remember what it was like to be a teen and long to impart the wisdom gained from all the years we have lived since then.

It’s important to be attentive to your teen’s mental health with a genuine desire to listen and acknowledge their feelings.

You may find it easy to see the cognitive and emotional mistakes your teen is making, but it is important to listen and take their problems seriously. The heartbreak of being rejected by a crush, for example, may be emotionally painful to your teen in part because it is a new experience. Take the time to listen to them, and understand they are probably feeling insecure about how worthy they are of being loved.

Give your teen enough space to feel grief or process, but not so much space that they become isolated and shut away. Pay attention to any talk or behaviors that may point toward self-harm. If need be, consider taking your teen to a professional mental health therapist for teen anxiety treatment or counseling for depression.

2). Encourage Socialization at Home
Being a teenager is a time for young people to stretch their wings and achieve more independence than they had as younger children. Their friends and peer groups start to displace the family as the main sources of social activity. They also discover romance and dating – and, after a certain age, driving.

For many parents, this can be a fraught, difficult time, as they get used to their teens becoming more grownup. However, this is precisely why it is such a good idea to encourage socialization in the home.

Turn your home into a welcoming, inviting place where your teen and their friends can come over and hang out after school or on weekends. Invite your teen’s friends over for dinner, and maybe put on a game night on the weekend.

Photo by Craig Adderley from Pexels

3). Family Dinners
In addition to inviting your teen’s friends over, you can establish family dinner time as a way to promote togetherness for the whole family. Your teen doesn’t have to be present every evening, particularly if they have work or dinner at one of their friends’ homes, but try to insist that they participate some of the time.

Family dinner times can be a good opportunity for everyone to reconnect, relax, and share experiences. Your teen may not always want to be present, but try to gently but firmly insist that they be present some of the time.

4). Make Time for Them One-On-One
Family dinners are a wonderful way to connect with everyone, but particularly if you have a larger family it may also be a good idea to schedule some one-on-one time with your teen.
Whether you do lunch, dinner, or an evening hike at a nearby park or other area, try spending some time with your teen and encouraging them to talk about whatever is on their minds. Ask them how their friends are doing, how they like their classes, and talk about anything else that seems relevant – their interests, hobbies, things that are going on with them.

5). Take Interest in Their Activities and Hobbies 
It’s also a good idea to encourage your teen to be active, to get involved in healthy activities like athletics, fitness activities, and various hobbies.

Take an active interest in your teen’s activities and encourage them to keep going even and especially when the going gets difficult – as it always does in any worthwhile endeavor.

Photo by Tirachard Kumtanom from Pexels

6). Help Them Plan for the Future 
We’ve talked before about getting your teen to talk about college goals, and this speaks to one of the more important ways you can help your teen: take the time and effort to help them plan for their future.

Whether or not college is in your teen’s future, make sure you spend time with them helping them to work through the all-important questions about their future career and life goals. They’ll thank you later.

Conclusion
Relationships are a two-way street, and that becomes ever more true of the parent-child relationship during the teenage years. While you can’t control how your teenager responds to your efforts, these 6 strategies should help you create the best possible conditions for encouraging rapport.