This week's newsletter is packed with exciting questions, healthy recipes, inspiring athletes, local events you won't want to miss, and a must-read blog post! Enjoy reading this weeks newsletter!

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After retiring from professional play, which of the following is a common career path for former soccer players?

A) Aerospace Engineer

B) Sports Commentator

C) Chef

D) Software Developer

Healthy Pumpkin-Oatmeal Bake

Ingredients

• 2 tsp unsalted butter

• 1 ¼ cups rolled oats

• 3 tbsps dark brown sugar

• 1/8 tsp kosher salt

• 1 2/3 cups plain unsweetened almond milk

• 1 tsp vanilla extract

• 1 large egg

• Topping

  • 1/3 cup chopped walnuts

  • 1/3 cup rolled oats

  • 1/3 cup dark brown sugar

  • 2 tbsps melted unsalted butter

  • 1 tbsp flour

  • ¼ tsp pumpkin pie spice

  • 1/8 tsp kosher salt

  • 15-ounce can pure pumpkin puree

Instructions

1. For the oatmeal

   1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. And grease a 2-Quart or 8-inch square baking dish with butter.

   2. Combine the oats, sugar, and salt in a bowl. Whisk together the almond milk, vanilla, and egg in a medium bowl. Pour the milk mixture into the oat mixture and stir to combine.

2. For the topping

   1. Stir together the walnuts, oats, sugar, butter, flour, pumpkin pie spice, and salt.

3. Pour the oatmeal into the prepared baking dish. Scoop heaping tablespoons of the pumpkin puree directly into the oatmeal, and sprinkle the topping over the top. The mixture will be very wet at first but the oats will soak up the liquid. Bake until lightly brown and just set, around 50 minutes.

4. Cool on a rack for 10 to 15 minutes. Enjoy!

Click HERE to go to the recipe!

This week, our swim coach at The University of Illinois Kennedy, is in the spotlight! Check out his bio below and book your next lesson by going to our website!

Introducing, Kennedy Rainwater!

“I have been swimming since around age 8 and love working with kids especially in the sport that I adore. I think swimming is such an important skill to have especially at a young age. I hope to reflect my passion and excitement for this sport for younger generations. I’ve had the opportunity to coach and teach kids swimming in prior years. I am currently a freshman on the swim and dive team and majoring in Kinesiology. I swim freestyle mainly but also swim every stroke there is as well! I can teach whatever is needed from basics to working on technique!”

Book Your Lesson With Kennedy Now!

Guided Spring Wildflower Walk

Enjoy the lovely spring season with a guided walk through the wildflowers of the Homer Lake Forest Preserve. This is the perfect opportunity to see these flower when they are at their best. The event is on Tuesday, April 15th from 5:30 PM - 6:30 PM at the Homer Lake Interpretive Center.

Click HERE to learn more! 

Elawa Winter Market

The Elawa Winter Market will be highlighting locally sourced fresh produce along with eggs from their farm partners, and will have a variety of other unique items from local small businesses. They not only will be offering produce and food but there will also be vendors that are selling homeware. This event is happening Friday, April 18th from 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM at the Elawa farm future visitor center (1401 Middlefork Dr. Lake Forest, IL).

Click HERE to learn more!

Soccer players have several exciting career paths that allow them to stay connected to the sport they love, while using their experience to create a powerful impact on the soccer industry. There are many options for former soccer players to pursue to keep them connected to soccer. In today’s blog post we will be looking at 3 career paths that former soccer players/ college soccer players who aren’t looking to become professional soccer players can take. The 3 that this blog post will highlight are becoming a sports writer, soccer coach, and sports anchor.

Click HERE to read more!

Based originally in Champaign, Illinois and quickly expanding across the rest of the Midwest, we at Top Tier make it our goal to connect you and your kids to high quality and successful college athletes across every playing field. We are currently offering lessons for several different sports from an array of elite college athletes. As college sports are expanding and becoming more popular throughout the country, we want to guarantee our customers can benefit from this great opportunity to receive quality training with flexible times. Check out our website to learn more.

The correct answer is B! (source: ChatGPT)