Residents of Flagstaff apartments want to enjoy eating al fresco. Friends and family often bring prepared dishes to picnic in a variety of parks and spaces in Arizona. Prepare and offer meals that can keep in hot summer months to prevent illness. Consider these suggestions when picnicking outside of your Flagstaff apartment:

• Maintain the temperature of food. Cold food needs to stay cold and stored at 40° or below. Frozen gel packs or a cooler with ice can be used to safely store seafood, poultry and meat.
• Avoid cross-contamination. Products that include raw meat should be wrapped securely. It is important that juices from uncooked meats do not have a chance of contaminating other prepared or cooked foods.
• Clean produce properly. Use a vegetable brush and tap water to scrub any firm-skinned vegetable or fruit. Other produce should be rinsed under tap water prior to packing. Vegetables and fruits can be dried with a paper towel or clean cloth.
• Keep hands and surfaces clean. Proper hand cleaning is needed both outdoors and indoors. Platters and utensils should be clean in order to prepare food. To keep surfaces and hands clean in areas without running water, bring a jug of water, soap and paper towels to the picnic spot. Moist towelettes are useful for cleaning hands.

Marinating and cooking foods thoroughly is also helpful to avoid foodborne illnesses when eating outdoors.

Stay Social and Healthy Near Flagstaff Apartments

Butterfield Apartment Homes offer the best of country club living only minutes from Historic Downtown Flagstaff, Flagstaff Mall and The Marketplace. Community amenities include an onsite fitness center, luxury pool and grill area. Butterfield Apartment Homes Flagstaff apartments studio, two and three-bedroom apartments are near highly sought-after attractions. Contact an associate at (844) 864-0303 for a tour of a spacious residence in Flagstaff.

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Valentine’s Day is a great time to tell your friends how much you appreciate them. Whether it’s your best co-worker, a long-time pal or even one of your friendly neighbors at Butterfield Apartments in Flagstaff, AZ,  making a Valentine's gift is a great way to show them how much you care. Here are some easy and fun ideas they will love!

3 Fun Valentine Gifts Ideas to Make for Friends

Hot Cocoa Gift Set – Say "Happy Valentine's Day!" to your best buddies with a yummy mug of hot cocoa from this fun DIY gift set.

 Supplies

• Cute coffee mugs
• Mini glass milk bottles (Get them at the Dollar Store or Target)
• Decorative twine and tags
• Your favorite hot cocoa mix

Tips: Fill the mini milk bottle with hot cocoa, seal with lid, and decorate bottle with festive twine. Add a fun, personalized tag and insert the milk bottle inside the mug for a cute Valentine gift-giving idea.

Valentine Socks – Everyone loves a cozy pair of socks, and they make a cute Valentine’s gift.

Supplies

• Socks
• Treat Bags with Ties
• Cute Label

Tips: Fun, inexpensive socks can be found almost anywhere for a few dollars!  Place socks in a treat bag and add a personalized label such as “You knock my socks off” that you can print at home.

Bags of Hugs or Kisses – Give them a sweet Valentine's Day present of teddy bear hugs or chocolate kisses with a personalized tag that tells them how you feel!

• Supplies
• Hershey Kisses / Teddy Graham Cookies
• Treat Bags
• Ribbon
• Tag or Label

Tips: Add their favorite treat to a treat bag. Print a label on cardstock that can either be stapled to the top of the folded bag or attached with ribbon.

If you’re looking for love, we invite you to check out the amenities and floor plans available at Butterfield Apartments in Flagstaff, AZ. You will be head over heels with our country-club-style living and relaxed lifestyle!

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Most of us aren’t getting the amount of sleep that we need every night. What can you do to make sure you’re better rested in the new year? Residents of Butterfield Apartments in Flagstaff should take the time to go over these handy tips. Use them as a starting point for putting together some new and improved sleep habits.

Stop Eating Before Bedtime

Many of us fall into the habit of snacking before going to bed. Having too much heavy food on your stomach might cause indigestion and restlessness. Try to eat dinner at least three hours before going to bed. Any snacks you consume after that should be light and healthy.

Shut Down Your Devices

Browsing on your laptop or texting right before bedtime lengthen the time it takes your body to descend into a sleep state. Send out any important texts about an hour before you go to bed. Resist the urge to pick up your tablet and finish that e-book you previously started.

Establish A Consistent Bedtime

There’s a reason your parents were so strict about sending you to bed at a specific time. Sticking to a regular schedule helps train your body to fall asleep and gives you a better quality of sleep.

Be Sure To:

• Limit bright light exposure.
• Keep a sleep diary to track how it’s working.
• Set your sleep area at a comfortable temperature.

Cut Off Your Caffeine Intake Earlier in the Day

Drinking caffeine before bedtime keeps your brain active and stops you from falling asleep. Cut off your caffeine consumption around 2:00 p.m. if you plan on being in bed by 10 p.m. Consuming caffeine later in the day can leave you restless and prone to waking up frequently.

Currently checking out Flagstaff apartments? Contact Butterfield Apartments today for a quick tour of our complex.

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When the weather gets cold and the snow starts to fall, it can make you want to hunker down at home. But it is better for your health to get outside. Fortunately, there are a number of exciting ways to enjoy yourself in the snow.

Making Snow Fun: 5 Tips

1. Get appropriate gear. To have fun in the snow, you are going to need the right clothing and footwear to keep warm and dry. You do not have to spend a lot of money, but you do need to pick out a warm jacket and boots or shoes that will keep you dry. Try to layer your clothing that you can pull off when hot.

2. Try out some snow sports: skiing, snowboarding, cross-country skiing. There are a lot of different activities that require snow. Any of them could be your ticket to a great time outdoors. Consider taking a lesson if you are new to skiing or snowboarding. It will lead to more fun in the long run.

3. Go sledding. Sledding is one of the most accessible snow activities out there. Go pick up a cheap sled, or just use a cardboard box. Find a hill and sled.

4. Go hot-tubbing. Having fun in the snow does not always require vigorous activity. If you can find a hot tub somewhere outside, you can spend time watching the weather from the warm comfort of the tub.

5. Enjoy a fireplace or fire pit. There are plenty of restaurants and locales around town that feature fireplaces and fire pits. Seek one out, pull up a comfy chair and hang out by the fire!

Enjoying Your Apartment

Our management team is excited to help you enjoy your apartment. Please contact us for more tips, or to learn more about any of our Flagstaff apartments.

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Classic Chocolate Ice Cream

Ingredients:

• 2 c. heavy whipping cream
• 1 can sweetened condensed milk
• 1/2 c. unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract

Mix sweetened condensed milk, vanilla and cocoa powder in a bowl. Set aside. Whip heavy whipping cream just until stiff peaks form. Fold all ingredients together. Pour into a large container, cover and put into the freezer for at least six hours. Serve and delight your friends!

Peanut Butter Fudge Swirl Ice Cream

Ingredients:

• 2 c. heavy whipping cream
• 1 can sweetened condensed milk
• 1/2 c. peanut butter
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract                 
• 3/4 cup semi sweet chocolate chips
• 4 extra tbsp. heavy cream

Partially melt the chocolate chips in the microwave for 45 seconds, then add 4 extra tbsp. heavy cream and combine completely until smooth.

Combine sweetened condensed milk, vanilla and peanut butter in a bowl. Set aside. Whip 2 c. heavy whipping cream just until stiff peaks form. Combine these ingredients.

Next, spoon or drizzle the chocolate mixture over the ice cream and swirl throughout using a knife. Cover and freeze for at least six hours. Enjoy!

Summer S’Mores Ice Cream From Your Flagstaff Apartment

Pick up the following ingredients to create this decadent dessert right from your Flagstaff apartment:
 

• 1/2 bag large marshmallows
• 2 c. heavy whipping cream
• 1 can sweetened condensed milk
• 1 c. semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1 c. crushed graham crackers

Whip 2 c. heavy whipping cream until it forms soft peaks. Add sweetened condensed milk and whip to stiff peaks. Turn on your oven broiler to high setting. Toast marshmallows on a cookie sheet greased with non-stick cooking spray for two to three minutes per side. Mix into cream mixture along with graham cracker crumble and chocolate chips. Cover and freeze for at least six hours. Enjoy around the campfire!

The Butterfield Flagstaff apartments offer country club style living with stylish amenities. Try these no-churn ice cream recipes this summer right from the comfort of your Butterfield Flagstaff apartment!

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5 Veggie-Based Recipes That Everyone Will Love

Honey Glazed Baby Carrots: This amazing recipe helps bring the natural sweetness of these carrots is out with a simple honey glaze. Best of all, this fool-proof dish takes only 15 minutes to prepare.

Mushroom, Butternut Squash and Gruyere Tart: Ideal as an appetizer or a light main dish, this baked tart uses Gruyere cheese to bring out the sweetness of the butternut squash and the richness of the mushrooms. You can elevate this dish even further by adding a dash of nutmeg and pairing the tart with a glass of Cabernet Sauvignon.

Middle Eastern Roasted Brussels Sprouts: Roasted Brussels sprouts are always a cold-weather hit, and the tahini, cumin and coriander called for in this recipe give these roasted sprouts a unique and tasty Middle Eastern twist.

Absurdly Addictive Asparagus: Asparagus and bacon are a popular combination, but this recipe takes that pairing to the next level by adding in layers of flavor through the addition of garlic, leeks, orange zest, pine nuts and parsley. The best part of this recipe is that the crisp freshness of the asparagus is not lost.

Grilled Kale Salad with Paprika Breadcrumbs: By calling for the kale to be grilled, this salad recipe infuses a hearty smokiness and a layer of complexity into an otherwise straightforward and easy-to-make dish. The versatility of this salad means that it can fill in as a side, an appetizer or a stand-alone main dish.

Residents of apartments in Flagstaff looking to fulfill their New Year's resolution of eating more vegetables should be certain to check out these varied and tasty veggie-based recipes.

The post Eat Your Veggies: 5 Recipes Everyone Loves appeared first on Butterfield Apartments Blog.

Remember how she cherished those clumsy cards and little things you made when you were young? Well, nothing’s changed the best gifts are the one’s you’ve made from the heart. If it’s been awhile since you’ve made one, here are a few ideas from your friendly management team at Butterfield Apartments.

Awesome DIY Mother’s Day Gifts

Mother’s Day Cakes – Now who, in the whole panoply of history, didn’t appreciate getting a cake? Here’s a whole bevy of delicious baked goods  you can make for your mother. After all, she baked plenty for you!

Kid’s Garden Stepping Stones – Now this is one the grandkids will love too.Easy-to-make stones that can double for hop-scotch, she’ll love the laughter of her second generation.

Handmade Lotion Bars – Now you can really get creative with these lotion bars . So wonderful you’ll want to make a whole bunch of them to hand out for other holidays too.

Gifts For the Incompetent Artist –  If you just don’t have a creative bone in your body,  Buzzfeed  has you covered with a whole bunch of gifts you can make even if you don’t have an artistic thought in your brain.

Ask Us At Butterfield!

Whatever you do, don’t give up. There’s a DIY gift that you can make for your Mom that will put a smile on her face and a spring in her step. Just stop by the office at Butterfield Apartments in Flagstaff and ask!

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Cleaning products

1. Ditch the chemicals and buy "green" cleaning products. While they may be a little bit pricier than traditional cleaners, environmentally-friendly cleaners are made without harsh toxins and chemicals so that you're not endangering your health, or that of the larger community.

2. Make your own eco-friendly cleaning products. By using some common items, you can make your own cleaning products that will both help the environment and your own bottom line. Here is one website with recipes for some common cleaners.

Recycle your things

3. Donate unused items. One of the easiest ways to unclutter our homes is by getting rid of clothes and items we no longer want, need or use. If your clothes or household items are in good condition, donate them instead of throwing them away.

4. Recycle electronics appropriately. Many websites and some stores offer cash for unused electronics. If you're not re-selling, be sure to dispose of electronics appropriately. Check out the City of Flagstaff's Hazardous Waste Products Center site to find out what you can recycle there.

Go "green"… naturally

5. Add your own natural air filters by getting household plants for your home. Plants clean the air we breathe naturally, making our living spaces healthier and more beautiful.

Incorporate one or all of these tips today to make Spring cleaning your home more "green." To learn more about how you could be cleaning your new Butterfield apartment home in Flagstaff, AZ next Spring, contact our office today at 866-932-5731.

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Spice Up Your Picnic Fun in Elk Run, Arizona

• Make your party a themed picnic: go with a Western theme; serve all the food on shish kebab sticks; or even go international by serving finger food from multiple countries.
• Picnic by moonlight! Give each party-goer a small flashlight, and surround the table with tiki torches. Finish the meal with toasted marshmallows.
• Make a list of natural items to find in a scavenger hunt. Make sure each team has a smartphone and have everyone collect items by taking selfies holding each item.
• Organize a picnic to get to know your neighbors. Invite everyone in your building and take the opportunity to make friends while admiring everyone's food contributions.
• Your picnic doesn't have to be in a park. Pack up the group and have a picnic on a beach, among the trees in a forest, or in a parking lot right before the big game.

Fun Is What You Make It

Whether you plan a picnic for weeks or take your meal outside on the spur of the moment, getting outdoors and having a picnic is a great way to break up the day and enjoy a meal. Picnic spots can be anywhere. Call our office to find out about our outdoor area with a picnic table, barbecue grill and comfortable benches. It's the ideal place for a family or group of friends to enjoy a few hours together.

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The Sights and Sounds of Flagstaff  

There are plenty of things to do and places to go in Flagstaff. The city is home to one of the nation’s first astronomical research centers, Lowell Observatory. Hiking, horseback riding and skiing are favorite activities here. The Arizona Snowbowl, located at the top of the San Francisco Peaks, has a base elevation of 9,000 feet and exceeds the elevation of most other resorts in snow country. Skiers can experience a 2,300 foot vertical drop during the winter, and the chairlift offers a 6,450 foot long scenic ride in the summer. Music fans can take in a show at the Museum Club, a Depression era road house and the largest log cabin in the Southwest.

Flagstaff, Arizona: The City of Seven Wonders

Flagstaff is often referred to as the City of Seven Wonders, since it is situated in the Coconino National Forest and surrounded by the Grand Canyon, Sunset Crater National Monument, the San Francisco Peaks, Oak Creek Canyon, Walnut Canyon and Wupatki National Monument. The city sits in middle of the largest ponderosa pine forest in the country. The trees give off an aromatic scent that makes the entire city smell like vanilla.

Butterfield is located within minutes of the Continental Country Club, Flagstaff Mall and historic downtown Flagstaff. Our residents enjoy a variety of fine dining and shopping opportunities as well as the latest in popular entertainment. Call our office today for a tour of our spacious homes and first class amenities.

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