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Calling All Bibliophiles: These Pinterest Boards Are for You!

January 21, 2016 by

Pinterest is a great way to organize your favorite recipes or browse for home decor ideas, so why not use it to pay homage to your favorite books as well? If you’re an avid bibliophile who hates wandering aimlessly around the bookstore feeling overwhelmed by the endless selection of books, these boards will help you to bookmark ideas for new reading material and connect with other readers.

Book Lovers
Whether you’re looking for the best new releases or you simply want to share your love of reading with other pinners, this board is packed full of literary quotes, book recommendations, and peeks inside of some of the most impressive books stores in the world.

Reading Quotes
If all you’re searching for is a bit of inspiration on a tough day, this board pulls quotes directly from your favorite books to offer some words of wisdom straight from the authors’ mouths. From Annie Dillard and Theodore Roosevelt to C.S. Lewis, the Reading Quotes board has quotes for everyone.

Libraries
There are few places more relaxing for an avid reader than a beautiful library, and this board offers a virtual tour of some of the most impressive libraries in the world.

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Chemical-Free Ways to Clean Your Oven at Avana South Shore

January 7, 2016 by

You’re always on the hunt for chemical-free ways to clean your home, but when it comes to really heavy duty cleaning in areas like the oven, it may seem almost impossible. Luckily, it is possible to clean your oven without using chemicals—it just takes a bit of ingenuity and a few smart tips from the pros.

  1. Take out the oven racks and let them soak in a tub of hot water.
  2. Make a paste of ¼ cup of baking soda, 2 tablespoons of coarse salt and just enough warm water to create a thick consistency.
  3. Using a durable sponge, scrub the paste into the stained parts in your oven. Concentrate on areas that see a lot of spills and drips, such as the bottoms and around the racks.
  4. Let the past sit on the stains for an hour or two, depending on their severity.
  5. Using the same sponge rinsed out with clean water, wipe away the paste and give it a second good scrub. You may also want to use a finer grade steel wool for difficult stains.
  6. For extra cleaning power, spray the entire oven with a spray bottle filled with white vinegar, then wipe it away with a clean cloth.
  7. Before replacing the oven racks, scrub them using simple steel wool and an all-natural dishwasher detergent to break down grease.

How To Clean an Oven Without Harsh Chemicals [Apartment Therapy]
Natural Oven Cleaning Recipe [Wellness Mama]
How To Clean an Oven With Baking Soda & Vinegar [The Kitchn]

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Where to Design Your Own Holiday Cards Online

December 17, 2015 by

Instead of sending out impersonal, store-bought holiday greeting cards this year, get creative by designing your own cards online. Whether you want to create a silly photo card or a card adorned with artistic typography, these three sites have everything that you need to make your holiday correspondence dreams a reality.

Shutterfly
This hip printing site enables you to upload one or more photos to add to its wide selection of holiday cards in all styles and sizes. The card templates range from rustic and traditional to chic and trendy, and many of them feature hand lettering, calligraphy and other popular design elements. Include a personalized message to make your cards even more unique.

Snapfish
if you’re searching for a simple card creation site that is entirely customizable, Snapfish is one of the best online options. First, the site asks you to choose the size of your cards, from traditional folding squares to more modern long, rectangular shapes. Next, the site offers a number of colorful pre-made templates that feature spaces for your family photos, and they’re worlds away from the traditional sentiments from years past.

Tinyprints
If you prefer a more minimal greeting card, Tinyprints offers a number of sleek and stylish options to choose from. The site also enables you to create a customized holiday newsletter that updates loved ones about your family’s past year.

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Hosting a Party at Avana South Shore? Check Out These Handy Portion Planning Guides!

November 19, 2015 by

One of the hardest parts about planning a party is deciding how much food to prepare. It’s every host’s fear to imagine running out of appetizers, but it’s just as frustrating when you’re left with way too many leftovers! Before your next gathering, check out these helpful tips for portion planning and avoid these entertaining mishaps.

  • Consider this: on average, a guest will drink between three and four drinks every four hours or so. You might also want to keep in mind that a standard bottle of wine equals four to six glasses, while a two-liter of soda equals about 10 glasses.
  • For appetizers, imagine that each person will eat approximately five per hour. If you’re serving only appetizers and hors d’oeuvres, add two or three to that number.
  • For your main course, choose things like meat and vegetables to make it easy to dole out portions. If you’re serving something like stir-fry or pasta, imagine that the average person will eat approximately a four-ounce serving.
  • Once you get to dessert, it’s safe to assume that each person will have only one piece — although it’s always smart to get a few extras just in case.

How to Estimate the Food You Need for Your Memorial Day Picnic, Barbecue, or Pool Party [Delish]
How to Calculate the Amount of Food You Need for a Party [Livestrong]
Food & Beverage Quantities to Order [Planning Helper]

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Delicious Football-Themed Desserts for Game Day

October 22, 2015 by

Whether you’re hosting your own football viewing party or attending a game day potluck at a friend’s house, there are a number of football-themed desserts that your fellow fans will love. Here are three great recipes that will sweeten up the big game.

Pumpkin Football Cakes [bhg.com]
The pumpkin flavor makes these whoopie pie-style cakes perfect for the fall season, and their football shape makes them feel truly festive. This simple recipe even shows you how to make your own buttercream frosting for the football’s stitches.

Pull Apart Touchdown Cupcakes [foodnetwork.com]
Create a miniature replica of the football field using delicious cupcakes with this fun and creative DIY recipe. Bright green icing with white details create the field itself, while cookie sticks, gummy candies, and marshmallows add the teams and the finishing touches.

Chocolate Covered Strawberry Footballs [domesticfits.com]
While you might think of chocolate covered strawberries as an elegant dessert, this cute and quirky recipe brings them down to earth just in time for the big game. By simply melting white chocolate, you can use it to transform the strawberries into realistic footballs that your guests will adore. Because this recipe doesn’t require any baking, this is one that the kids can even help make!

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These Pointers Will Help You Have a Healthier Halloween

October 8, 2015 by

Halloween may not be the healthiest holiday, but it is possible to enjoy trick or treating without crashing on sugar or feeling nervous about passing cars. When it comes to having a healthier Halloween, it’s all about staying aware. Here are a few helpful tips that will make your celebrations a bit better for both you and your little goblins.

  1. Feed your kids a nutritious meal before trick or treating. It’s very tempting for children to taste test the candy from every house along your route, but if they’re full before setting out they may be less likely to binge on candy.
  2. Take a smaller bag. While in years past it was commonplace for kids to compete over who got the most candy while trick or treating, this seems very counterproductive to the healthy eating habits that you teach the rest of the year. Instead, give each child a modest sized bag and turn the focus to the costumed fun that you’re having rather than the mad dash for candy.
  3. Stay safe while trick or treating. Always carry a flashlight while going from door to door, and be sure to never let your little ones go alone.
  4. Indulge in moderation. Don’t feel guilty about letting your kids enjoy their Halloween candy, just be sure to limit their intake to a reasonable amount.

Healthy Halloween Habits [Kids Health]
How to Have a Heart-Healthy Halloween [American Heart Association]
Halloween Health and Safety Tips [CDC]

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Delicious Recipes to Help You Make the Most Out of Apple Season

September 17, 2015 by

You may find yourself with a surplus of apples after your weekend visit to the orchard, but it’s certainly not a bad problem to have. Apple recipes are on everyone’s minds come fall, and these three recipes offer some creative suggestions for how to make the most of those extra Granny Smiths and Pink Ladies.

Classic Applesauce [marthastewart.com]
Although the name suggests otherwise, this versatile applesauce is anything but classic. Instead of just the usual McIntosh apples, the recipe calls for an eclectic mix of McIntosh, Gala, Braeburn, and just about any other type of apples that you have on hand. Cinnamon offers a hefty dose of spice, and the thick consistency will fill your stomach on a chilly fall day.

Honey Apple Cake [southernliving.com]
There are few flavors meant for each other more than honey and apples, and this dense cake takes that combination to the next level. Bake this incredibly moist Bundt on a cold fall evening and enjoy it with your coffee the next morning.

Apple Crisp [allrecipes.com]
If you’re in charge of providing dessert for a holiday gathering or party, this apple crisp recipe will surely be a hit. It’s easy to make, completely versatile and will make your house smell divine while baking.

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Job Hunting? Here’s How to Ace That Interview!

September 3, 2015 by

It's natural to feel nervous about a job interview! After all, you want to appear modest but confident, eager but not desperate, and you certainly want to stand apart from the other candidates. Here are a few tips that will help you to master these key traits and ace that upcoming interview.

  1. Do meaningful research. Instead of simply researching the company’s earnings and the name of its founder, dive a little deeper. Read the company blog or even check out articles about the company in different media or magazines.
  2. Interview earlier in the week. If you get to schedule your own interview, aim for earlier in the week. That way, your interviewer will feel fresh and open to new candidates (although you might want to avoid the dreaded Monday morning).
  3. Be firm about your salary. While you may feel like you’ll make yourself seem greedy if you ask for more money, a bit of polite negotiation proves that you know your worth.
  4. Ask your own questions. Most interviews end with the interviewer asking the interviewee if he or she has any questions, which is a great opportunity for you to really shine. Ask well thought-out questions about the work atmosphere, goals for the company, or even what a day at the office usually entails.

12 Surprising Job Interview Tips [Forbes]
Interview Tips [Career Center]
6 Interview Tips and Tricks for 2014 [Business News Daily]

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Helpful Tips for Controlling Your Blood Pressure

August 20, 2015 by

Controlling your blood pressure is important as you age, as it may decrease your risk of stroke or heart attack. High blood pressure, otherwise known as hypertension, is a blood pressure level of 140/90 mmHg or higher. If you feel that you may be at risk for high blood pressure or you simply want to take preventative measures, these simple tips can help. But first, remember to consult with your doctor!

  1. Start a heart-healthy diet. The most important way to control your blood pressure through your diet is by decreasing your sodium intake and not consuming saturated fats. You should also incorporate more lean meats, fish, and fresh fruits and vegetables into your daily diet.
  2. Lose some weight. The majority of people with high blood pressure are at least 10 pounds overweight, so this makes a good starting point for how much you should lose to see blood pressure results. If you’re already on blood pressure medication, this can also help make it more effective.
  3. Decrease stress. Although stress isn’t the main cause of high blood pressure, it is certainly a contributing factor. Practice meditation and deep breathing to help ward off stressors in your daily life.
  4. Quit your vices. Bad health habits like smoking, drinking, and consuming too much caffeine can all increase your blood pressure, so try to cut them out of your life.

Prevention & Treatment of High Blood Pressure [American Heart Association]
Lower Your Blood Pressure Fast With These Tips [Healthline]
Preventing High Blood Pressure: Healthy Living Habits [CDC]

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Don’t Have a Green Thumb? Read These Tips for Growing Cacti and Succulents!

July 23, 2015 by

Don't have a green thumb? Try growing cacti and succulents! These low-maintenance plants are used to living in dry desert environments, which means they require little watering. Use these simple tips for keeping your succulents happy and healthy.

  1. Keep them in a sunny spot. Because both cacti and succulents like a lot of sunlight, try to position them in the sunniest spot in your home.
  2. Use well-draining soil. These plants are very sensitive when it comes to watering, so use well-draining soil and a pot with a drainage system in the bottom to help prevent root rot.
  3. Rotate frequently. To ensure that each side of your succulent gets an equal amount of sunlight, rotate the plant once a week or so.
  4. Water according to the soil. Instead of watering them on a set schedule, water your succulents only when their soil is bone dry. Soak them completely by letting the pot sit underneath the showerhead for a good ten minutes.
  5. Promote dormancy in the winter. While your cactus should be watered frequently in warmer months, allow the soil to go almost completely dry in the cold winter months to help the plant go dormant.

Cacti And Succulents Inside Your Home [Gardening Know-How]
Cultivating Cacti and Succulent Plants [HGTV]
Growing Guide – Cactus [Cactus Land]

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