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How to Get the Best Price on Airplane Tickets

March 5, 2015 by

Purchasing airplane tickets is often very expensive (and very stressful), but it doesn’t have to be! Here are some expert tips that will show you when, where, and how to shop for the best airplane ticket deals.

  1. Begin shopping three months out. Most experts agree that the best time to start looking for an airplane ticket is three months before you plan on departing. Prices are usually cheapest around 18 to 28 days before your departure, and they rise about 5% two weeks beforehand, so this is the recommended window.
  2. Combine hotel and airfare. If you’re traveling somewhere where you’ll need both travel and hotel accommodations, book the two together and you can save significantly.
  3. Pay attention on Tuesdays. Major airlines announce their upcoming sales on Tuesdays, and they often compete with one another at this time, as well. Book between mid-day and end-of-day Tuesday for the best deals.
  4. Know when to fly. Flying over the weekend is always the most expensive time, as this is when most people have off work and will also be traveling. Depart on a Tuesday or Wednesday to save money by traveling mid-week.
  5. Don’t specify departure times. When browsing an airline’s website, don’t specify departure dates or times in order to browse all of the upcoming flights by the lowest price.

How to Get the Cheapest Price on Airfare [Fox Business]
Cheapest Days to Fly and Best Time to Buy Airline Tickets [Fare Compare]
Secrets to Getting the Cheapest Airfare [USA Today]
Top 10 Tips for Getting the Cheapest Airfare [Cheap Airfares]

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4 Diet and Weight Loss Tips for Men

February 19, 2015 by

Here are four diet and weight loss tips designed especially for men to help you trim down, tone up, and increase your overall health.

  1. Count your calories. Because many diet websites focus on women, their recommended diet plans might not apply to men. Be sure to work out a healthy eating plan with your doctor to ensure that you get the right amount of calories for your body type.
  2. Think about your younger years. If you played football or frequently lifted weights in your teens and twenties, think back on your healthy habits from these days when planning a weight loss plan. You can even pull out an old photo of yourself at your fittest for some inspiration.
  3. Keep a log. Use your phone or a discreet notebook to record your meals and workouts and to ensure that you stay on track.
  4. Know the risks. Men generally store fat in the upper body (which often shows up as a “beer belly”). This area is easier to lose weight in, but it can also cause heart disease if you hold on to it. Be sure to lose the weight and practice slow, steady weight loss techniques in order to keep it off.

3 Weight Loss Tips for Men [Spark People]
Weight Loss for Men [Weight Loss Resources]
Top 10: Weight Loss Motivation Tips [Ask Men]

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How to Select Only the Freshest Veggies in the Produce Aisle

January 22, 2015 by

Fresh vegetables have a shorter lifespan than their frozen counterparts, so you likely want to make them last as long as possible when you purchase them. Use these expert tips to help you maintain a healthy diet and maximize the lifespan of your produce.

  1. Choose firm veggies. Vegetables like cucumbers, peppers, and onions should be firm, even colored, and free of bruises or other signs of damage. Be sure to pick these vegetables up in your hands and feel for consistent texture all the way around.
  2. Know your leafy greens. Green vegetables like spinach, kale, and lettuce should be crisp and brightly colored, with no visible signs of wilting or rot. You can also give these leafy vegetables a good whiff before buying to make sure that they don’t smell moldy.
  3. Inspect your root vegetables. The best potatoes, carrots, garlic, and other root vegetables may be a bit trickier to identify, but these simple tips can help: Look for cracking along the surface of the vegetable (an indicator that it's too dry), and be sure to avoid root veggies that smell rotten or moldy.
  4. Know your farmers' market veggies. If you regularly buy your produce at a supermarket, keep in mind that these types of stores use different techniques to make veggies look perfect. While farmers' market vegetables may not look as pretty, they’re still just as tasty.

How to Select Fresh, Ripe Produce [Lifehacker]
How to Pick Fruits & Veggies [Good Housekeeping]
Raw Produce: Selecting and Serving it Safely [FDA]
Choosing Fresh Fruits and Vegetables [Family Circle]

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Plan a Visit to These Must-See Parks Near Houston, Texas

January 15, 2015 by

There's more to Houston that just bright lights and a little Western flair. In fact, you'll find that many of Houston's attractions lie just outside the city. Case in point: These two must-visit parks near Houston. One park lies on the river, while the other is known for its vast biological diversity. Either way, both make for a memorable getaway.

Big Thicket National Preserve
Big Thicket National Preserve is located about two hours outside of Houston. Here, you can find species from very different habitats living among each other in a relatively small area. Take a hike on a variety of different trails, ranging from a brisk boardwalk stroll to an extreme 15 mile trek. The preserve is also a popular destination for birdwatching, as approximately 185 migratory bird species make Big Thicket their home between March and early May. Canoeing and kayaking enthusiasts travel to Big Thicket year-round to cruise the Neches River and Village Creek.

Stephen F. Austin State Park
You'll find Stephen F. Austin State Park just 30 minutes from the outskirts of Houston, so it makes a quick day trip for anyone looking to get outdoors. This scenic retreat offers traditional camping activities such as hiking and fishing, as well as the more modern geocaching. If you'd like to keep it simple, go fishing for catfish along the Brazos River. There are wide variety of campsites to accommodate your camping needs, whether they be a place to hook up your RV, a cabin for shelter, or just a little spot to put your tent.

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Are You Brushing Your Teeth Correctly? Find Out Here!

December 18, 2014 by

You’ve brushed your teeth for as long as you can remember, but how can you be sure that you’re doing it correctly? Check out these simple steps for proper tooth brushing to find out.

  1. Twice a day is only the beginning. Although many people are taught to brush their teeth in the morning and the evening, that’s actually only the minimum amount. Brushing your teeth after a large meal or any time you drink a potentially staining beverage is always a good idea.
  2. Brush in a circular motion. Dentists recommend brushing in a circular motion up toward the gums rather than the usual back and forth motion across the teeth. This technique removes bacteria without causing gum pain.
  3. Stop the final rinse. While many people rinse their mouths out with a bit of water after brushing, this is harmful because it removes the beneficial film delivered from the toothpaste. If you feel the need to rinse, only put a small amount of water in your mouth and swish it across your tongue rather than around your teeth and gums.
  4. Don’t skimp on flossing. Flossing is just as important as brushing, and it should be done almost as often. Bonus points if you floss before brushing, as that enables the toothpaste to coat those hard-to-reach places between the teeth.

How to Brush [Colgate]
Proper Brushing [ADHA]
Am I Brushing My Teeth Correctly? [Lifehacker]
How to Brush Your Teeth [Crest]

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Three Iron-Rich Foods You Might Not Know About

December 4, 2014 by

Consuming the right amount of iron each day prevents anemia, a condition that can lead to fatigue. This essential mineral also helps cells transport oxygen throughout the body. Adding more iron to your diet isn’t difficult when you know which foods to look for; here are three of them:

  1. Beef liver. Meat eaters have some delicious options when it comes to eating iron, with beef liver containing 5.8 milligrams per serving. Beef liver also boasts the lowest fat count in comparison to other beef products.
  2. Clams. Enjoy a tasty seafood meal while also getting your daily value of iron. Twenty small clams contain 53 milligrams.
  3. Pumpkin seeds. A great source for iron, pumpkin seeds contain 4.2 milligrams per serving. Eat them as a healthy snack in between meals.

Best Foods For Iron: 20 Foods Packed With Iron [Huffington Post]
Top 10 Iron Rich Foods [WedMD]
Top 10 Foods Highest in Iron [Healthaliciousness]
Iron Rich Foods [American Red Cross]

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Bagged Lunch Ideas That Are Anything but Boring

November 20, 2014 by

Make your kids’ lunchtime the highlight of their day with these fun, creative bagged lunch ideas that are a world away from the usual peanut butter and jelly sandwich.

  1. Hard-boiled eggs. Most kids love eating scrambled eggs and “dippy” eggs for breakfast, but this protein-packed food is also a great portable idea for lunch. Store hard-boiled eggs in a plastic container or at the top of a lunch bag.
  2. Pizza wrap sandwiches. If your child loves pizza, grill some cheese, sauce, and pepperoni inside of a whole wheat tortilla to create a lunch food that’s a bit more portable than the usual slice.
  3. Tomato soup and grilled cheese. This kid-friendly combination doesn’t seem like it would be easy to take in a lunch box, but it can be with the right supplies. Invest in an insulated plastic soup container and a sturdy sandwich container and surprise your child with his or her favorite dinner – for lunch!
  4. Snack lunch. Turn a sack lunch into a “snack” lunch in a healthy way. Add wheat crackers, low fat cheeses, lean lunchmeat, and protein-packed peanut butter, and then let your child top the crackers however he or she likes.

How to Make a Brown-Bag Lunch You'll Actually Want to Eat [WebMD]
26 Brown Bag Lunch Ideas for Kids [About Food]
Sack Lunch Ideas [Pinterest]

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What to Teach Your Kids About Bicycle Safety

October 16, 2014 by

Riding a bicycle is a great way for your children to get active and get outdoors, and once they get older, it can even be a wonderful form of alternative transportation. Like with any activity, however, cycling poses its own list of safety concerns that every parent should worry about. If you want to ensure that your child rides a bike safely and responsibly, use these helpful tips.

  1. Highlight the importance of wearing a helmet. Kids may think that helmets are unimportant if they see other people riding bikes without them, but that is the farthest thing from the truth. Helmets are the best thing a person can wear to stay safe on a bike, and it’s especially important to have one that’s properly fitted. Take your child to a reputable sporting goods store or bicycle shop to ensure that his or her helmet fits properly.
  2. Ride on the right side of the road. If your children are old enough to ride bikes on the road, it is very important that they always ride on the right side of the road with the flow of traffic. Riding against the flow of traffic could cause a major accident and kids should never ride this way, even if they’re just crossing the street.
  3. Avoid riding after sunset. Though there are a variety of reflectors and bike lights made for riding at night, children are simply too young and inexperienced to ride their bikes after the sun goes down. Make sure that your children only ride their bicycles during the daytime and set a strict curfew to enforce this rule.

Bike Safety [Kids Health]
Bike [Safe Kids]
Kids and Bicycle Safety [NHTSA.gov]
Teach Your Child Well: Bicycle Safety Issues [iBike]
Riding a Bicycle [Parents Central]

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Turn Your Android Phone Into a Multi-Tool With These Handy Apps

September 18, 2014 by

You know that your Android phone is a lifesaver while answering emails on the go, but what about in more practical situations? If you think that your smartphone isn’t so street smart, these handy apps will make you look at it in a whole new light:

Super-Bright LED Flashlight
Whether you’re camping, your car breaks down or even if you just lost the remote control under the dark depths of the couch, this LED flashlight app is really a lifesaver. The light operates through the flash on your camera and doesn’t require any external attachments to produce reliably bright LED light for as long as you need it.

Useful Knots
If you’re a boater or a hiker, you know how important the perfect knot can be. This fascinating app is a database of instructions for tying all types of practical knots, and it can even come in handy for things like securing furniture for moving. Best of all, the app even recommends the perfect knot for any situation and offers easy access for the most commonly used knots. Because it’s completely accessible even while offline, you can use the Useful Knots app anywhere that you’re in a pinch.

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Find Food Co-Ops Near You With Help From These Two Websites

September 4, 2014 by

Shopping at a food co-op in your area is one of the best ways to obtain healthy, fresh foods and support your area’s local farmers and purveyors. Many people in small towns assume that they don’t have a food co-op in their areas, but they are actually more common than you might think. Here are two online tools to help you find co-ops near your home.

Co-Op Directory
This expansive website enables you to search by state in order to find the closest food co-ops. Each listing includes an address, phone number and links to the store’s website for additional information. Co-Op Directory also provides a short description of many of its stores, including the types of food that each store sells, its mission statement and other details.

Local Harvest
Local Harvest is one of the most popular websites for all types of fresh, local and organic foods, and it also offers a large directory of food co-ops in every state. You can search for your area by using the site’s interactive map, which offers pinpoints for each store. Once you find a co-op near you, Local Harvest provides all of the necessary driving directions, phone numbers and more.

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