Many companies have adapted to a hybrid model, allowing employees to work a portion of the week at home and the remaining time in the office to help create a home/life balance. In doing so companies are finding increased productivity with reduced costs. Are you currently or planning to work from home? If the answer is yes, working from home doesn't have to be limited to your apartment.

Create a space that separates “home and office” so that your home isn’t synonymous with work; this will help you separate yourself from work and avoid burnout. The Beacon at Waugh Chapel offers several spaces right outside your door to help with this. The Business Center, Clubhouse and Games Room are all equipped with WiFi, a place to sit, and a bright, pleasant environment. You could also get some fresh air during your breaks by exploring the outdoor areas of the community, or even take your laptop outside and set-up at one of the patio tables.

These alternative places to work in our community are made for you and your comfort. We hope you are able take advantage of all of the spaces in our community to make your work from home experience more productive and relaxing!

Below are some tips for creating a successful work-from-home atmosphere:

• Stick to a schedule and create rituals. Some remote work positions have flexible hours, but setting and sticking to a schedule will help you maintain a work/life balance by staying focused throughout the day and allowing you step away from work at the end of your shift. Creating rituals can also help with this. Maybe brewing a cup a coffee or tea everyday could signify the start of the work day and taking an afternoon walk outside could replace a “commute” and signify a shift to home time.
• It can be a great refresh to take your work elsewhere, such as to the Business Center or onto your patio. This helps break-up the monotony and helps keep you from seeing your home as your sole workplace.
• Make sure you are taking plenty of breaks – 5-10mins where you can stand-up, move your body and give your eyes a screen break.
• If you have a pet – include them in your day. A few minutes with your best friend can change your whole mindset and give you the refresh you need to finish your work day on a positive note.
• Since you have access to your own kitchen and pantry, try to make healthy eating choices.
• Open a window – It may sound simple, but just a bit of fresh air or noises from outside can help you connect with the work around you and not make you feel cooped-up while working from home.
• Listening to music can give you more energy. Since you’re working from home, maybe try enjoying some upbeat or relaxing favorites – you likely don’t even need headphones.
• Encourage your colleagues to have virtual interactions where you can enjoy each other’s company outside of work – Maybe swap favorite recipes, start a book club, or just have a happy hour and hang out. Having this social time may improve your working relationships and strengthen your team.

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Sometimes, though, it’s difficult to grill outdoors. It can be too hot, raining, or perhaps you want less clean-up. This Father’s Day, maybe the father figures in your life would appreciate an easy way to prepare a delicious barbecue without leaving their own kitchen? If you’re still looking for something to treat your loved ones, an indoor grill pan is a great option for a gift. They work incredibly well on gas ranges like the ones in our kitchens.

There are several options on the market and chefs suggest a heavy, thick skillet with deep “ribs” to give you the grilled look on your burgers, vegetables, etc. Click here to check out some Food Network recommendations on the best grill pans.

Now that you have the option to grill indoor or outdoor, it’s time to cook something delicious! Check-out the recipes below to get started.

We hope you and the father figures in your life have an amazing Father’s Day!

Grilled Vegetable Skewers

Ingredients:

• 1 yellow squash
• 1 zucchini
• 8 ounces cremini mushrooms, stemmed
• 1 small red onion
• 1 red bell pepper
• 1 green bell pepper
• 1 ear fresh corn, cut into 1-inch rounds
• Extra virgin olive oil, for drizzling
• Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
• Tzatziki, pesto, or Greek dressing for drizzling/serving

Instructions:
Heat a grill to medium-high and spray with nonstick cooking spray. Cut the vegetables into similar sized chunks and thread onto 4 skewers. Drizzle with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Grill the skewers for 8 minutes per side or until the vegetables are tender and lightly charred. Remove from the grill, season to taste, and serve with desired sauce or dressing.

Classic Grilled Ribs

Ingredients:

• 2 pounds of pork ribs
• 1/3 cup paprika 
• 1/8 cup ground pepper
• 2 spoons of salt
• 3 spoons of sugar cane
• 1 spoon powder garlic
• 1 spoon powder onion
• 1 spoon of cayenne powder
• 1 spoon of ground cumin
• Hickory sauce or Olive oil

Instructions:
First make a bunch of little holes with the tip of your knife along the pork ribs to allow the spices to soak-in while cooking and increase the flavor. Next, in a bowl mix all the spices until well-blended, and then use the hickory sauce or olive oil to rub the seasoning into the ribs; make sure to apply the mixture to the front and back. Set it on the hot grill and cook to your preference.

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Sometimes it is difficult to make plans when you don’t want to leave your dog home alone for the day. Luckily, The Beacon is conveniently located near a number of destinations you can enjoy with friends, family, and fur babies. Check-out the options below and let us know if you have any additional suggestions!

Towsers Branch Park – 3min
This is the closest dog park to us, a 3min drive or 20min walk away. Make a right on Evergreen Road, which runs behind Wegman’s, continue for a few blocks, then make a left on to Jackson Road. The park will be on your left.

Two Rivers Dog Park – 11min
When exiting the Waugh Chapel Towne Center, turn right onto MD-3 South and continue until the first traffic light by the Aldi. Turn right onto Conway Road and continue for a little over 2mi. Turn left onto Two Rivers Blvd and continue until you see the dog park on your left.

Bell Branch Park – 12min
Located in Crofton, this park has a lot of amenities for you to enjoy, like picnic areas, trails, and playgrounds. For more information visit: www.aacounty.org/locations-and-directions/bell-branch-park

Montpelier Farm – 21min
This pet-friendly attraction offers fun for the whole family. You can enjoy the picnic areas, playgrounds, special events, and more. Open Summer Sundays June 5 – July 31 then re-opening for the annual Sunflower Festival August 12,13, 14, 19, 20, and 21. Come Autumn, the farm will open September 17 – November 6 for the annual Fall Festival. Remember, dogs must remain on a leash while visiting the farm. For more information visit: www.montpelierfarms.com/

Watermark Journey Annapolis and Baltimore – 25min
Take a cruise (leased dogs are welcome) in Annapolis or Baltimore and enjoy the day on the Chesapeake Bay. For more information, visit: www.watermarkjourney.com/category-event/public-cruises-water-taxi/

Downs Park & Quiet Water Park – 25min
Ready to soak up the sun? Check out these two dog-friendly beaches along the Chesapeake Bay to enjoy a picnic, concerts, and events in the calm water of the shore. Please visit their websites for more info: www.aacounty.org/departments/recreation-parks/parks/downs/index.html
www.aacounty.org/departments/recreation-parks/parks/quiet-waters/

We hope you enjoy your next day out with your furry friend and don’t forget to tag us @thebeaconatwaugh in any pictures you share enjoying these local outings!

The post Dog Days of Summer – Local Outings with Your Furbaby appeared first on The Beacon at Waugh Chapel Blog.

When we think about Cinco de Mayo, we may picture parties and margaritas. But, what is the history behind the holiday? Many people think this holiday celebrates Mexico’s Independence Day, like the 4^th of July in the United States, but Mexico’s real Independence Day is September 16^th. On that day in 1810, priest Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla rang the church bells in Dolores Hidalgo in the middle of the night calling Mexicans to fight for their liberty and against the Spanish throne. Mexico’s War for Independence lasted 11 years and ended in 1821.

Cinco de Mayo is the day that Mexicans remember their 1862 victory against the French army in the Battle of Puebla. It’s a story of overcoming extreme odds, as the smaller Mexican army gained victory over the better-equipped French force. So, how did Cinco de Mayo become such a big celebration in the United States? During the 1960s Civil Rights Movement, Mexican-Americans re-embraced Cinco de Mayo celebrations as a way to show pride for their ethnicity and a reminder that they could overcome the obstacles they faced.

If you would like to celebrate Cinco de Mayo with the broader community, walk on over to Querétaro in the Waugh Chapel Towne Center (1406 S Main Chapel Way 110). We’ve been told they will be having drink specials to celebrate the holiday. Or stay in and relax with a delicious margarita on your balcony. Check-out one of our favorite margarita recipes below!

Ingredients:

• Shaker
• Glass
• Slices of lime
• Salt
• Ice cubes
• Your favorite Tequila or Mezcal
• Orange liquor
• Orange juice
• Natural Syrup

To start, frost the top the glass with lime and salt. Next, add 5 ice cubes, 1oz of tequila or mezcal, ¾ oz orange liquor, ½ oz lime juice, and ½ oz simple syrup to your shaker and shake it like a maraca. Pour into your glass, adding more ice if desired, and enjoy your frosty margarita.

Viva Mexico and Happy Cinco de Mayo to all our residents at Beacon Waugh Chapel!

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