It’s beginning to look and feel like summer. The temperatures have been warm with several hot days then evening thunderstorms - a norm in the Carolinas. This was something I had to get used to when I first moved here from New York. I had to learn to plan around the weather. Speaking of planning, most of us will be planning summer fun. From vacations to cook-outs to celebrations of all sorts. I hope to get in a few short vacation trips myself because all work and no play will take the fun away.

I hope you have a great start to summer. Make the most of it because in no time, these lazy, hazy days will turn into cooler temperatures and shorter days.

Enjoy friends and food with my Ultimate Turkey Burger (see recipe below) It’s simple to make and the flavor is remarkable but most of all it’s healthier. Who says healthy has to be boring?

For more healthy and delicious recipes pick up a copy of my cookbook from the link below:

https://www.ladyrens.com/justeat

Have a great month!

Cheers,

Renate

turkey burger1.JPG — FOOD

Ultimate Turkey Burger

I rarely eat meat, especially beef, so I’ve decided to put my twist on the classic beef burger and created my Ultimate Turkey Burger. Another reason to love these mouthwatering turkey burgers - they’re lean, healthier and will make you forget about beef! At your next cook-out or cook-in, give them a try. Even on a rainy summer afternoon, you can enjoy making them indoors - no grill needed. My secret to such moist, juicy and flavorful burgers is the unique sweet sauces and seasonings that are combined into the patties and the generous spread of Sriracha Mayonnaise that’s layered on the burger before eating. YUM!

Renate’s Ultimate Turkey Burgers

Yields: 10 - 3-inch patties

Ingredients:

2 pounds lean ground turkey

1 teaspoon Montreal steak seasoning (McCormick Grill mates)

1 teaspoon Goya Adobo all-purpose seasoning

1 teaspoon granulated garlic

3 teaspoons Worcestershire Sauce

3 teaspoons steak sauce

1 tablespoon sweet chili sauce

1 tablespoon barbeque sauce

1 tablespoon soy sauce

1 green onion, finely chopped

3 tablespoons finely chopped red bell peppers

Sriracha Mayonnaise

10 slices Muenster or Havarti cheese

Sesame seed burger buns

Directions:

Place the ground turkey in a large bowl. Add all of the ingredients and combine. Don’t over mix. Shape into 3 - inch patties and grill or bake in the oven.

(See notes for baking)

Baking: Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Line a baking sheet with non-stick foil or spray with non-stick food spray. Place the patties on the baking sheet and cook for 12 minutes. Remove from the oven, top with sliced cheese and return to the oven and melt the cheese. Keep an eye so that the cheese doesn’t over melt.

Warm the burger buns, add burgers, spread the tops of the burgers with Sriracha Mayonnaise then add desired toppings, such as, arugula, sliced tomatoes, sliced Vidalia onions, pickles, tomato ketchup, jalapeno slices.

Summer Fashion Tips

When it comes to seasons and clothing, summer is my second favorite because I love summer fashion. However, my favorite season of all is fall but I like to enjoy the summer colors, the breeziness of the fabrics, and the freedom to walk past my coat closet for a few months of the year.

You’ll find a lot of style blogs that talk about the latest trends, what’s hot now, what’s no longer in style, and what’s now “in” and what’s out. Since I’m not big on trends, or on purchasing outfits that have an expiration date, I want to share with you a few summer fashion tips that I found will never go out of style. Think classic style that will work year after year.

Light Colors are Better Than Dark

Not only will lighter colors keep you cooler (black absorbs more heat), but they also have a better summer vibe. I mean you could wear dark colors such as black, charcoal, violet, or dark blue, but it doesn’t have that light airy feel that is synonymous with summer.

Natural Makeup is Best

I feel that nothing is worse than wearing a ton of makeup on a hot summer day. Light and natural makeup is the way to go during the summer season. Put away the heavy black eyeliner, dark shadows, heavy foundation, and dark lipstick. Instead wear pretty neutral eye colors, tinted moisturizers and nude, pink, or rose stains and tinted balms.

As for foundation, unless you’re going to a summer event, wear a tinted moisturizer. To add that gorgeous summer glow add a touch of liquid highlighter to your summer makeup routine. Just dab a bit of highlighter to the tops of your cheekbones, brow bones, and the bridge of your nose.

Flowy Tops, Dresses & Skirts are Better than Form-Fitting

The summer calls for light fabrics that float in the wind. To give off the summer vibe, opt for flowing clothing instead of anything that is skin tight. Find clothing made in light cotton, silk, chiffon, lace or crochet. This applies to everything: dresses, skirts, tops, rompers, and even shorts.

Summer is hot and wearing clothing that is very form fitting will make you and your clothes sweaty. Plus, flowing clothing and summer go hand in hand.

If You Only Have One Handbag, Go with a Neutral Brown

If you’re only going to invest in one handbag for summer go with a neutral earth-tone brown. Look for a summer handbag that is not that structured and that you’ll want to wear over many summers.

Hats Are a Good Idea

Everyone should own a hat. If you don’t own one it’s probably because you haven’t found the perfect one for you! They not only make a stylish summer statement but they also protect your face from the harmful sun rays.

Wide brim straw fedora and rancher-style hats offer the best sun coverage other than beach hats. If you don’t know what type of hat looks best on you, take a trip to a local hat shop (also called a milliner) and have the shop owner help you out. It pays to go to a hat expert that knows what styles look best on different people.

Too Hot? Braid Your Hair or Wear it in a Bun

Beach waves are sexy and stylish but if you don’t have the time or can’t get your hair to have that perfect beach curl, then braid it or wear it in a bun. I wear my hair in a braid ponytail, or bun throughout summer, and the summer outfit that I choose will determine which of three hairstyles I’ll wear. (Since my hair is on the longer side it’s usually too hot tfor me to wear it down.)

For some reason the idea of styling my hair during the summer is unappealing. A braid or bun will always be stylish in summer, whether the trends call for it or not.

You Can Wear Chinos Every Year

Women’s chino shorts come in a variety of colors, lengths, and are not just reserved for boat trips or resort weekends. Chino’s are a great alternative to denim shorts and they are extremely comfortable. This summer fashion staple is a piece that you can keep in your closet because you can wear it every year.

Wear Jewelry in Earth Tones

Put away your large statement jewelry in dark or jewel tones, summer fashion calls for jewelry in earth tones. Look for bracelets, necklaces, and earrings in blues, gold, turquoise, pink, brown, green or even brightly patterned cotton bracelets.

In the summertime, I like to wear a ton of bracelets and keep my earrings and necklace simple. Usually, my necklace is a dainty, thin gold initial necklace, and my earrings are gold studs. Some times I don’t wear a necklace.

The neutral colors will match more, if not all, of your summer fashion because of the overall light feel of your summer clothing.

Own At Least One Striped Shirt

A striped shirt is the perfect summer piece. Its nautical vibe and classic style makes it easy to style in a variety of summer outfits.

If you only own one striped shirt, opt for the classic boat neck, three-quarter sleeve shirt in white and dark blue. The stripes are not too thick and are horizontal, of course.

You can pair a striped shirt with practically anything: shorts, skirts, pants, denim or otherwise.

I hope these summer fashion tips will help you realize that you don’t have to be trendy to be stylish!

I’ve realized that my Generation - X , have a lot in common with millennials but there are also many ways in which these two generations differ. I am experiencing this era of my life with my two Generation Z’s. My take is that I cannot expect them to have my mindset and do things the way I do. So, I practice what I’ve always done, which is to listen to what they are saying and pay attention to what they are doing. I give my opinion and let them figure out how to use it. I’ve realized that by ‘being’ in their era it’s easier to understand and maintain good relationships with my two generation Z because I do not dictate their lives, instead I look at their point of views and in many instances, I learn new things and widen my vision. After all, in each century there’s a new era to be experienced. What I love about my two children is that they practice respectable, responsible life-styles and have open minds.

Now join in and share what you love and have learned from your Millennials!