Quick, Simple & Delicious

Summer is the season of light, simple dishes that are exquisite to the taste buds. In this issue of the Balance, we're sharing 2 quick, simple and delicious recipes for a salad and an appetizer. Wow your family or impress friends the next time you dine on the backyard patio.

Tomato & Basil Sandwiches

This simple finger food is perfect for an afternoon snack and the kids will love it. You can use your favourite loaf of bread; our favourite is a fresh baguette. Not only is it delicious, it is nutritious and provides you with vitamin C, magnesium and folate.

What you need:
  • 4 slices whole-wheat bread
  • 8 teaspoons reduced-fat mayonnaise, divided
  • 4 thick slices tomato
  • 4 teaspoons sliced fresh basil
  • 1/8 teaspoon salt
  • 1/8 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
How to prepare:
  1. Cut the baguette into diagonal slice about 2 cm think. If you use sliced bread, such as whole wheat you can cut the bread into rounds slightly larger than your tomato. Kids love this!

  2. Spread each slice with 2 teaspoons mayonnaise. Top with tomatoes, basil, salt and pepper.

Tip: fresh basil from the garden
makes this a really special dish.

Sautéed Green Beans & Cherry Tomatoes

A quick and delicious salad to serve before your main dish and you can source the ingredients fresh from your local farmers market. The best part about this taste bud pleasing dish is the nutritional punch it packs: vitamin C (45% daily value), vitamin K (26% dv), and vitamin A (18% dv).

What you need:

  • 2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided
  • 1 pound green beans, trimmed
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 1/2 cups halved cherry tomatoes
  • 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
  • Salt & freshly ground pepper, to taste

How to prepare:

  1. Heat 1 teaspoon oil in a large frying pan using medium-high heat. Add your green beans and cook. Stir often until beans are seared in spots - 2 to 3 minutes.

  2. Add a couple of tablespoons of water and cover. Lower heat to medium and cook. Stir occasionally until tender-crisp - 3 minutes approximately.

  3. Push the beans to the side of the pan. Add in 1 teaspoon oil and garlic and cook until you start to smell the garlic - 30 seconds.

  4. Add tomatoes and stir everything together. Cook until the tomatoes begin to break down - 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in vinegar, salt and pepper.

A Sizzling Summer

Some predictions are that we're going to have an extraordinarily hot summer in Canada. The sun is essential to life on Earth but over exposure can give us sunburn, heat exhaustion and even sun stroke. For children, it is especially important to protect them from too much sun.

Here are a few tips for making sure that your fun in the sun doesn't turn into uncomfortable sunburn.

  • Don't rely on sunscreen alone.

  • Make sure to wear a hat and if possible long sleeve clothing.

  • Alternate your exposure to direct sun light with some time in shade.

  • Make sure your sunscreen is waterproof. This is really important for children playing at the lake or water park.

Tips for using sunscreen:

  • Apply enough.
    Be generous and don't skimp.
    Cover your ears and neck.

  • Apply and then reapply.
    You should reapply about every 2 hours and certainly after swimming.

When The Banks Couldn't Help

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Every month, Capital Direct helps Canadians just like you to realize
their dreams. What about you? Your home equity is something
you've worked hard to build, so why not 'let your house
lend a hand'© when you need it most!
Contact a Capital Direct mortgage
specialist to discover your options.

“Keep it up the great
customer service!”

Summer Jumble

  • SUN SCREEN
  • BEACH PARTY
  • BAR-B-QUE
  • HOUSE BOAT
  • LEMONADE STAND
  • VACATION
  • WATER SLIDES
  • CAMPING
  • ROAD TRIP
  • SWIMMING
B G D R O A D T R I
P I
H M R
D W N T O Z R Q N N D N N I
I
C A A I
U H T H H B E S D Z O
O E T G P H C Z O V U Z E T D S X S L R M P Q U N Q D H P L F E E F F P A L S U B B J
D G
R O D Q V J
D C E U R K C N K
S O A I
J
A R Y B B A L I
D J
D R N H L E C D O Q B M V M N I
F O R E S M A A I
M S X Y X
T K M N V S R I
T I
N N G R Q
I
A E Z I
M U E W I
K Q V F J
A Q L L F C C S T R O E X K C W P T Q T E F I
Y A G N F U Z
Y T R A P H C A E B W O R N E

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