Drivers - always stop for the bus

Whether on a city street, highway or county road, and regardless of the speed limit and the number of lanes, motorists travelling in both directions must stop when approaching a stopped school bus with its upper red lights flashing. A flashing stop arm will swing out while passengers are boarding or leaving the bus. (The only exception: on highways separated by a median, traffic coming from the opposite direction is not required to stop). Once all passengers have boarded, the STOP arm will fold away. Do not start moving until the red lights have stopped flashing and the bus begins to move.

 Want to carve more time for self, family and relationships? Follow these steps.

1. Focus on Your Priorities
Understand what you want and what is important to you. Then select what you do each day so it is in alignment with your priorities.

Shopping early for back-to-school supplies gives you a head start and a chance to look for bargains. Here are basic lists by grade if you don't have one from your child's school yet.

Keep in mind that notebooks, binders and other specialty items are not included on this list as requirements vary for each grade, school, and teacher.

 Seems like only yesterday that your baby was learning to walk and now they're heading off to college. You can't believe the years rolled by so fast and you're wondering how you're going to cope with an empty house and an even emptier wallet. Take a deep breath. You'll both be fine and you'll enjoy the process more if you follow these guidelines.

The idea of roughing it during a camping trip might sound appealing if it weren't for the bugs, wild animals, sudden storms, leaking tents, smelly sleeping bags and questionable food. For a number of people, their first camping experience often becomes their last, but there is now a camping option growing in popularity. Welcome to the world of glamorous camping, otherwise known as glamping. Organized glamping trips feature all of the exposure to the great outdoors as traditional camping trips, but the amenities found at the campsite far exceed anything most campers have ever experienced.

Talk about an important basic skill to have and you're talking about knowing how to change a flat tire. Although we could always wait for our man to show up and change it for us, there are times when we either don't have a man around, or he's off on a trip somewhere and we're well and truly stuck.

Pack up the kids and these super easy picnic foods and head to your favourite park or beach in the city

By: Victoria Walsh

Snacks

Salsa and chips Stir homemade or store-bought salsa with chopped avocado and corn niblets for a colourful and delicious twist on this popular dip. Don’t forget tortilla or pita chips for dipping.

 Car outings can test everyone’s nerves, especially when battles are looming in the backseat. Here’s how to keep everybody happy:

1. Divide and Conquer. Position a soft bag filled with toys or puppets between the kids, or switch car seats from time to time. Have mom or dad take turns in the backseat to play cards or tell a story.

STEP 1
Soak your feet in a basin of warm water for 10 to 15 minutes. For best results, spike it with bath oil, moisturizing bubble bath or a mixture of Epsom salts and your favourite essential oil. (We like lavender or lemon grass.)

By Allie McComas

To kids in general, the beauty of the natural world elicits wonder and curiosity. It’s a big playground just waiting to be explored. Hiking is a great way to combine quality family time with the benefits of fresh air, exercise while exploring the natural world.

By Emily Hsieh

If you don’t have an air conditioner, or even if you do but are looking to cut back on your electricity bills, consider a good old fashioned fan for keeping yourself cool in the summer heat. They don’t cost much to buy or use, and are a more eco-friendly alternative to boot.

By Cynthia Ross Cravit, 50Plus.com 

Can you take the heat? More North Americans die from extreme heat than from hurricanes, lightening, tornadoes, floods and earthquakes combined, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Soaring summer temperatures can become dangerous quickly when your body is no longer able to properly cool itself. Normally this is accomplished by sweating but when the heat is extreme, this may no longer be enough. High humidity can cause sweat to not evaporate as quickly, which prevents the body from releasing heat. When this happens a person's body temperature may rise rapidly and can cause damage to the brain or other vital organs.

Make this decadent, fresh spring pasta. It's easy and tastes great!

Makes 4 to 6 servings

500 g pkg linguine or fettuccine
6 thin slices pancetta or 6 slices bacon
1/2 red onion, thinly sliced
8 oz (227 g) pkg sliced mushrooms
1 cup (250 mL) whipping cream
1 1/2 cups (375 mL) freshly grated Parmesan
2 tbsp (30 mL) cold butter, cut into cubes
6 cups (1.5 L) baby spinach

Moist and delicious chocolate-chip banana bread with bran and flax.

Makes 1 large loaf, 16 pieces (Cut loaf into 8 thick slices and then cut each slice in half)

Per slice: 174 calories, 6.2 g total fat (1.8 g saturated fat), 6 g protein, 27 g carbohydrate, 3.5 g fiber, 31 mg cholesterol, 159 mg sodium

This luxurious macaroni and cheese keeps unbaked in the refrigerator for up to a day; in the oven, it turns piping hot and creamy inside, and golden brown on top in less than an hour. Substitute your favorite melting cheeses (mozzarella, Monterey Jack, and fontina are great options), or vary the proportions of the ones listed here.

Ingredients

Serves 8

• 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, plus more for baking dish
• Coarse salt and ground pepper
• 1 pound medium pasta shells
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon dry mustard powder
• 4 cups whole milk
• 4 ounces sharp white cheddar cheese, coarsely grated (1 cup)
• 4 ounces Havarti cheese, coarsely grated (1 cup)
• 4 ounces Muenster cheese, coarsely grated (1 cup)
• 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• 6 slices white sandwich bread