Author: Parkland Mommy

Hi, I'm Sandra. I'm the owner for Generational Mom, I have two amazing children who are apart of two different generational categories. My 26 year old millennial daughter is a professional track and field athlete and a graduate student, working towards completing her Masters Degree and I also have a charismatic and vivacious 4 year old son who is apart of Generation Z. I recently decided to give up my career as an executive in corporate America to become a stay at home mom. I am based in Florida and love sports, shopping, cooking, and traveling nationally and internationally to attend our daughters competitions.
The Parkland Life

Summer Safety Tips

by Parkland Mommy1 Comment on Summer Safety Tips

Summer Safety Tips

As we move into our summer schedules and all the activities with our families and kids please remember to place safety at the top of our list. With 4th of July quickly approaching we should be prepared for all emergencies that could occur if we are around fireworks or if you choose to set of fireworks from home. It’s easy to overlook the dangers that may await because everyone is so wrapped up in the excitement of the fireworks and easily overlook hazards. 

Summer Safety Tips: Part – 1
Fireworks Safety:
It’s suggested that families attend community fireworks displays run by professionals rather than using fireworks at home. Fireworks that are not handled correctly could cause fatal injuries. Children should never play with fireworks and it’s suggested that there should always be an adult supervising them while they are in an area with fireworks.

HEre’s a few links to organizations that provide detailed information and guidance on fireworks safety.

http://www.redcross.org/news/press-release/Red-Cross-Offers-Summer-Safety-Tips-for-All-Season-Long

https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/fireworks.html

Here’s to a safe and happy holiday.

Have a safe and happy summer!

 

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The Parkland Life

Jamaican Escovitch Fish

by Parkland Mommy1 Comment on Jamaican Escovitch Fish

One of my favorite dishes to prepare is Escovitch Fish. I remember when I was younger and my grandmother would fix this for dinner on Saturdays. I helped to prepare in cleaning and seasoning the fish but left the final preparations to her because I was always afraid of frying it too much. Now I look forward to preparing for my family.

What is Escovitch?

“Escovitch” is a Jamaican term and is the way of cooking whereby fish is usually fried and then soaked literally with a pickling sauce made from vinegar, pimento, onions, pepper and carrots.

Escovitch Fish

Prep Time: 25 Mins
Cook Time: 1 Hrs
Ready In: 1 Hrs
Serves: 6-8

Ingredients

5 lbs snapper, king fish or any white fish
1 large lemon
2 tbsp salt
2 tbsp black pepper
1 large sliced onion
1/2 green bell pepper sliced
1/2 orange bell pepper sliced
1 large carrot – cut in thin long slices
2 tbsp oil
2 cups oil
2 Scotch bonnet peppers, sliced and seeds removed (optional)
1 clove garlic
1/4 cup white vinegar

Preparation Instructions:

  1. Clean fish (remove the inside and scale) rinse with lemon juice
    1. You can opt to leave fish whole or cut into 2-3 steaks if the fish is larger.
    2. Pat fish dry with paper towel (cut both sides of the fish, not too deep)
    3. Mix salt and black pepper
    4. Rub the inside and outside of the fish with salt and black pepper
    5. Pour oil in frying pan over medium to high heat
    6. Add garlic to the hot oil
    7. Add 2-3 fishes (or sliced steaks) to the pan at a time, fry for 5-10 minutes on each side
    8. Drain fish on paper towel then put fish in a large shallow dish
    9. Put a sauce pan on medium heat, add 2 tbsp oil (make sure sauce pan has a cover)
    10. Add pepper, carrot and onion to the oil, stir for a minute, then add vinegar and cover the sauce pan for 3-5 minutes
    11. Pour over fish, after 10 minutes serve
    12. Serve with salad, rice, steam vegetables or with bread.

Hope you enjoy!

All the best until next time!

 

The Parkland Life

What a Week!!

by Parkland MommyLeave a Comment on What a Week!!

Have a great weekend!!!!!! It’s been one of those weeks!!!!

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I got sick on Sunday after running my body into the ground over the weekend😢 🤧The challenge of being a GenMom with kids generations apart has its peaks and valleys❤️✨

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Our daughter @satkinsongrier came home for a layover on her way to go to high jump competition in Jamaica and to be home for her brothers birthday🎂❤️ We celebrated our little Prince 5th birthday at Disney all while I was still sick but the show must go on🤧With being sick and birthday trip planning I missed scheduling some of his activities for the next few weeks and planning a project with San😢😰

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Hope you had a productive and fun week. If you missed some of your targets know that the work never ends and move to the next day or week! .

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Enjoy your weekend and welcome summer ☀️ 🌞 📸 by @satkinsongrier

Outfit: @rossdressforless – My new favorite store❤️❤️❤️

All the best until next time.

 

The Parkland Life

My Pageantry Backstory

by Parkland Mommy2 Comments on My Pageantry Backstory

I have been asked how I ended up competing in pageants, why I decided to do it and how was the experience. .

In 2008 and 2009 my daughter @satkinsongrier competed in the Miss Maryland Teen USA Pageant. One of the directors thought she was my sister and suggested for me to compete in the Ms. Pageant. Once she found out I was her mom she suggested we compete together and I would compete in the Mrs. Division. I immediately said no because I was not interested. Somehow my daughter convinced me to compete because I was already involved in mentoring and working with charitable organizations.

She went off to college and made me promise to compete😢❤️ At 47 years old, I stepped out of my comfort zone to compete in my first pageant. I was Runner Up for Mrs Maryland USA 2010 and did it a second time and was crowned Mrs Maryland International 2011. I have met some amazing accomplished women along the way and friends with them to this day with the pageantry sisterhood that runs deep and goes around the world. It takes a lot of commitment and preparation to compete at a state and national level. Everyone sees the end result but don’t understand the never ending work that goes on behind the scenes. The support system and directors who were in my corner were all phenomenal and I could not have done it without them❤️ .

The opportunity allowed me to use my title to promote mentoring, girls and women empowerment and importance of community involvement.

Asked if I would do it again and the answer is not likely. I will let others have all the fun❤️✨🌟 👸🏽

📸 by @philkdc

Best until next time!

 

The Parkland Life

Veggie Penne Pasta

by Parkland Mommy5 Comments on Veggie Penne Pasta

Prep Time: 5 Mins
Cook Time: 15 mins
Total Prep Time: 20 Mins 

Ingredients
2 Cups Penne Pasta
1 Medium Onion
1 Garlic Clove
1 Tbsp Olive Oil
1 Tsp Tarragon
1 Tbsp Oregano
1 Tbsp Basil
Salt & Pepper
1 – Bunch of Broccoli Florets
½ of Large Red Pepper
½ of Yellow Bell Pepper
½ of Green Bell Pepper
½ of Orange Bell Pepper
½ Cup of shredded carrots 

Preparation Instructions

  1. Peel and dice your onion. Peel and dice your garlic cloves.
  2. Slice peppers and broccoli and add shredded carrots. Place in medium saucepan to sauté for 3 minutes on medium heat. Do not overcook; the vegetables should not be soft.
  3. Add the remaining seasoning to the saucepan with vegetables and sauté for 3 minutes on low heat.
  4. Leave vegetables in saucepan away from the heat for it to be added to pasta later.
  5. Add the pasta along with an equal amount of boiling water in medium pasta pot.
  6. Cook for 15 minutes covered on medium heat.
  7. Drain pasta and add to large Pyrex dish. Mix the pasta and vegetable mix with a wooden spoon. 

Hope you enjoy!

All the best until next time!

Parkland Kids Club

B-52 Bomber from Recycled Materials

by Parkland Mommy1 Comment on B-52 Bomber from Recycled Materials

One of our favorite places to visit is the Young at Art Museum @youngatartmuseum. It’s a great place for interactive and creative activities for kids of all ages.

He loves airplanes and loves to make them every chance he gets and with anything he can find.✈️Here’s his B-52 bomber he made from recycled materials. As we were leaving the museum one of the attendants asked him to explain what he made. After he told her that it was a B-52 bomber with gunners, engines and cargo space she asked if she could take pictures of his B-52 to show others and her friend who builds airplanes ✈️ 📚📸Proud Mommy Moment✨This is going to be an awesome summer and can’t wait to see what else he creates.

Once we got home he wanted to build a runway with for the plane to take off. The plastic table cloth used for the arts and craft table and his coloring pencils ended up being the runway and the guide path for the plane to travel through. I don’t know how he comes up with these ideas but it’s going to me a busy and creative summer.

Details below on how to make the B-52 Bomber. ✈️💥✨

Making B-52 Bomber

1 – Empty 2 Liter plastic bottle soda bottle
2 – Empty 16 or 12 ounce water bottles
2 – empty glue stick containers
1 – roll of scotch tape
2 – sheets of recycle paper from magazine cover or paper with that texture or thickness.

Directions:

  • Place the 2 -liter bottle on a table or counter
  • Cut the wings from the recycle paper (length of wings to your preference)
  • Tape it across the middle portion of the bottle with scotch tape.
  • Take the two 16 ounce water bottles and cut in two parts.
    • If you use the 12-ounce bottles then cut about ¼ inch off from the bottom and use the remainder for the engine.
  • Use the top of the bottle to tape under the middle of the wings
  • Use the two empty glue stick containers and place on the outer area of the wing to the left of each engine.
  • Have the open portion of the glue stick positioned to the rear portion of the plane.
  • Cut 2 pieces of paper 2’ x 2’ and tape them to the left rear and right rear of the body of the plane.
  • Cut 1 piece of paper 3” long by 2” wide.
  • Make a cut of 2” in the center of the rear tail of the bottle and tape the 3” piece of paper in the 2” open space.

 

Enjoy making and playing with your B-52 Bomber!

All the best until next time!

GenMom!

 

The Parkland Life

Happy Father’s Day

by Parkland Mommy1 Comment on Happy Father’s Day

Happy Father’s Day 💯 to all the dads today and everyday. Being a father is not for the faint at heart and with some of the perquisites of never again getting a full night sleep, extra patience beyond what you can fathom and never wearing a clean shirt again may be too much for some to handle. 😀❤️

To all the mom’s, aunts, godmothers and grandmothers who have been in the role of mom and dad have a great day.

All the best until next time!

GenMom!

The Parkland Life

Happy Father’s Day My Love!

by Parkland MommyLeave a Comment on Happy Father’s Day My Love!

Happy Fathers Day to my amazing husband. You are a blessing from God to our family. Your unwavering love and care for our family is what makes me love you more and more each day. Whether it’s supporting our daughter @satkinsongrier In going after her dreams and passion for high jumping and getting her Masters Degree or taking our son RJ fishing and teaching him how to roller skate, you never miss an opportunity to be present and involved in our kids lives. I know it gets hectic sometimes trying to keep it all going. Thanks for being the example they need to see of an amazing dad!

All the best until next time!

GenMom!

The Parkland Life

Jamaican Rum BBQ Chicken Recipe

by Parkland Mommy1 Comment on Jamaican Rum BBQ Chicken Recipe

I have been trying a few new recipes lately and this is one of my new favorites. I was in our supermarket and ran across Eaton’s Rum BBQ Sauce and thought well this should be a tasty recipe and anything that says Jamaica and rum can’t go wrong. I was not disappointed and will definitely add this to my list of favorites. If you really like rum and you are only preparing for adults then I would suggest to add 4-6 tablespoons of Jamaican white rum or substitute with Bacardi to the BBQ sauce mix. Should give it a little kick. Enjoy!

Jamaican Rum BBQ Chicken Recipe

Ingredients

For 6 Person(s)

Recipe

  • 3 pound(s) chicken drumsticks/thighs
  • 1/2 cup(s)  Lemon Juice
  • 3 1/2 cup(s) water
  • 1 tablespoon parsley
  • 2 tablespoon(s) soy sauce
  • ½ cup onion, cut into wedges
  • ½ tablespoon Grace Browning Sauce
  • 1 cup of Eaton’s Jamaican Rum BBQ Sauce**
  • 2 tablespoon(s) Vegetable or Olive Oil
  • ¼ cup red sweet pepper, chopped
  • ¼ cup green sweet pepper, chopped
Eaton’s Jamaican Rum BBQ Sauce
Jamaican Rum BBQ Chicken Recipe

Preparation Instructions

  1. Clean chicken and remove any skin if desired. Wash in a lemon juice and water solution (4 1/2 cups water).
  2. In a bowl, add soy sauce, browning sauce, ½ tablespoon parsley, sweet peppers and onions.
  3. Add chicken to the mixture above and allow to marinate in refrigerator for 30 minutes. (overnight would be preferred)
  4. Add Vegetable/Olive Oil to marinated chicken pieces until all is covered.
  5. Add chicken to large flat baking pan covered with aluminum foil or Pyrex dish to bake.
  6. Bake at 375 degrees for 25 minutes then turn over.
  7. Use a brush to spread the Eaton’s Jamaican Run BBQ Sauce across the chicken and return to the oven for 15 minutes.
  8. Turn over chicken and add remaining BBQ sauce across the top and bake for 15 minutes.
  9. Add remaining parsley to sprinkle across chicken and leave in oven for 5-10 minutes with oven turned off.
  10. Side Dish Serving Suggestions: White rice, rice and peas or steamed vegetables.

Preparation time: 30 minutes
Cooking time:  50 minutes
Temperature: 375 degrees

All the best until next time!