Too many people and not enough roofs.  Perhaps this is one phrase that best describes the situation in Dallas in the wake of an uncontrolled influx of people from around the US. It is estimated that each year, there are over 60 000 people flocking to the Dallas-Fort Worth. 
 
This influx has majorly been attributed to the job market in this area. With the influx comes one of the most endemic challenges of urban-bound migrations; housing problems. Well, this may also be termed an opportunity for real estate investors seeking to make a killing out of the numerous people looking for decent housing units in Dallas.
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​It’s believed that Toyota alone, with the new corporate campus in Plano is responsible for nearly 40 000 immigrations per year. Those seeking to buy houses, either as part-time or permanent residents find it hard as the prices of such houses have skyrocketed. According to MetroStudy Inc.’s Page Shipp, over the last five years, home builders have been able to raise their median prices to an all-time high of 55 percent due to this unwavering demand for new houses. And given the fact that corporate transfer buyers are always willing to pay more, there is no telling as to when the prices will level out. 
 
According to Shipp, the buyers who come from as far as California are used to paying high housing prices. In fact, many of these people find the Dallas real estate sector still quite a bargain and wouldn’t think twice about buying a house here. This, as expected, poses a huge challenge to native Dallas citizen who is now expected to adjust to the spiraling housing costs.

Another great factor that makes Dallas an ideal settling destination for corporate transfers is the proximity to critical social and recreational facilities. Regardless of the neighborhood one chooses to settle in, the nearness to grocery stores, restaurants, and bars as well as other recreational centers is a major selling point of this area. In fact, Peter Lokken who relocated from Kentucky with Toyota claimed that his decision to rent an apartment in the city’s Uptown neighborhood was inspired by its strategic location to various centers and shops within the city. Located more than 20 miles away from the company’s new campus, Mr. Lokken remarked that he was happy with his decision to rent the apartment and its location actually made him extend his lease for another year.
 
However, not everyone was lucky as Lokken as stories abound of new people looking for houses for months without success. One Armin Salehi who moved to North Texas when Toyota’s headquarters moved to Plano narrates how he looked for a house for nearly three months without success. And when he finally came by a pre-owned home, it was always significantly overpriced. He had to sift through 50 homes before he could settle with a townhouse in Carrollton

​As Toyota and other big companies seek to expand their base in Dallas, appears the prices of houses in this area will rise, at least into the unforeseeable future. Perhaps there need to be measured to try and regulate the city’s real estate sector so both new and residents can get a better bargain. For now, all we can do is adopt a wait-and-see attitude. 

We know that every parent in the Dallas / Fort Worth Metroplex is constantly on the go.
​Between work, home, school activities, and your child’s extracurricular activities like sports, dance, gymnastics, karate, etc.  there is just not enough time in the day to miss a beat.  As a responsible and concerned parent, you know that one thing you can’t mess up is your child’s nutrition throughout the day.  In fact, this is an area that demands a lot of attention.  According to health experts, when your child eats a healthy meal, he or she is able to maintain the right energy levels for learning.  Most importantly, good eating habits reduce the risk of childhood obesity.  In this regard, it’s important that you talk to your child about the nutritious food he or she likes. 
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Let explore 7 tips and tricks for packing more nutrition into your child's school lunch.
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Let’s face it there is nothing that disappoints a parent more than hurriedly preparing some fruits and vegetables in the morning, only for your precious child to bring them back after school untouched.  However, you can sneak in that nutrition your child is avoiding in another form.  Make things like mini quiches with carrots and zucchini, zucchini parmesan waffles, or even broccoli cheddar muffins.  You should cut the vegetables very small, maybe even to the point of pureeing them, and it is a good idea to test these out on the kiddos at home instead of leaving them with things in their lunch they will not eat.   Make them small, bite-sized, and give the mini bites cool names like cheddar bombs so that they do not automatically dislike these based on the ingredients.  Also try to get your child to eat avocados as a snack, or turn it into guacamole for dipping carrots or cheese sticks.  

During the winter it is easy to send soups and stews that are packed with delicious vegetables.
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We all know that most processed foods contain high sugar and unhealthy fats and overall are simply not good for your health.  Although they may seem tempting because of their convenience in preparation, try to avoid them at all costs.  Always include proteins, carbohydrates, and vegetables on each lunch you pack.  Don’t forget to keep the meal as fresh as possible.  Try to include dried fruits and nuts in your child’s lunch as a side item or dessert at the end.

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Is your child a picky eater?  Try presenting their food to make it look more inviting.  Think of ways to bring out the `wow factor’ in your child's lunch.  First, try to incorporate natural foods with inviting colors like carrots, strawberries, and cherry tomatoes.  Alternatively, you can have fun with shapes.  Use cookie cutters to cut the sandwich and then add a little flair.  Likewise, cut fruits into triangles, circles or small squares.  This makes the foods more appealing and enticing.  Come up with creative names for the food too.  My daughter was and still is very picky.  One day out of desperation for her to eat something, I sliced a banana into tiny slices and put a dollop of peanut butter on each one.  I told her they were “banana coins”.  She gobbled them up, however, if I would have just given her a banana with a side of peanut butter she would not have eaten either one.  Lastly, make sure the lunch box fits your child’s age and personality, so they are excited and ready to see what kind of yummy treats you have packed for their day.  

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We all know that kid’s love the taste of sweet drinks and carbonated sodas.  However, experts recommend that you avoid packing sugar-loaded soda or juice.  Such drinks decrease the nutritional value of your child’s meal.  Instead, encourage them to drink a lot of water to stay hydrated, or milk.  If your child prefers something sweet to drink, look for water-flavored options, or better yet infuse your own water with fruits and mint.  

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Nobody likes eating the same food every day.  It’s important that you think outside the lunchbox.  Try a new combination like edamame salad with corn and tomatoes, cheese sticks and popcorn, cheese with baked corn chips among others.  With social media and Pinterest, you can find tons of fun creations to keep your child excited about eating and finding new things in their lunch each day.

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Train your child to get used to whole grain bread, pitas, or wraps.  Apart 
from lettuce, try avocado slides or shredded carrots with lean roast beef, turkey, or tuna.  Also instead of using a spread like unhealthy mayonnaise, try using hummus, guacamole, or pesto.  These types of spreads will make your child’s sandwich pop with flavor.

Most schools recommend nutritious foods for children.  They don’t allow chips, cookies or candies. Try packing low-fat yogurt, string cheese, and nuts as alternatives to other unhealthy options.
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A healthy lunch gives your kid the nutrition he or she needs every day.  It is always a good idea to engage your child in discussions and decisions about healthy food choices, portion sizes and how proper nutrition affects their overall health.