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Easy and Effective Ways to Combat Stress

January 7, 2016 by

Everyone gets stressed out from time to time, but if it starts to interfere with your day-to-day life, you could be dealing with something a bit more serious. The next time you start to feel those overwhelming feelings creeping on you, try these simple tips for combating stress naturally.

  • Don’t let it go too far. It’s much easier to manage stress when it first begins than when it starts to spiral out of control, so watch out for the warning signs early. If you can tell that it’s going to be a stressful week, prepare in advance so that you can manage your tasks without becoming overwhelmed.
  • Address the physical side effects. While stress itself is mental, its side effects are often physical. When you start to get jittery or your feel your heart racing, do some relaxing stretches, practice breathing exercises, or simply close your eyes and count to 10 to counteract those feelings.
  • Watch your diet. Before you start stress eating or grabbing unhealthy fast food while rushing to work, stop and plan your meals. What you eat can have a big impact on your mental state, so be sure to try to eat fresh fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins to stay energized. Try to steer clear of caffeine!
  • Do something silly. Take a break from life (even if it’s just for five minutes) to laugh at a silly video or dance it out. Sometimes that’s all you need!

Top 10 Instant Stress Busters [Lifehacker]
7 Best Ways to Bust Stress [SheKnows]
15 Easy Ways to Bust Work Stress [Men’s Health]

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Keep Up With Your Favorite Football Teams With These Websites

December 17, 2015 by

Football is one of the most popular sports in the country, and for many people it’s a Sunday afternoon staple. If you want maximum football coverage even when there’s not a game on, these entertaining websites are great resources.

NFL
It might seem obvious, but the NFL’s official website is home to some of the most detailed football coverage available online. You’ll find news headlines from both college football and around the NFL, plus transactions, playoff coverage, and injury reports to keep you more informed than all of your football fanatic friends. The NFL website also features crystal clear video footage, league schedules, stats, and scores for every team from the Broncos to the Bills.

ESPN
The reliable television sports network also offers its extensive football coverage online, with in-depth analyses and articles that you won’t find anywhere else. ESPN offers weekly projections, rankings, and scoring leaders from all of the most popular teams as well as fantasy football resources that will help to make you the top team in your league.

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Turkey 101: The Basics of Cooking a Thanksgiving Turkey

November 19, 2015 by

If you’re hosting Thanksgiving dinner for the whole family, you want to make sure that the turkey comes out perfectly. It may take a bit of effort, but cooking a browned, flavorful turkey is possible if you adhere to a few strict guidelines. Here are some basic instructions for cooking a Thanksgiving turkey.

  1. Buy the right size bird. Allot 1 to 1.5 pounds for each dinner guest. For example, if you’re hosting 10 family members for dinner, a 12-pound turkey should be just the right amount.
  2. Thaw completely. Cooking a turkey that is still frozen inside is one of the most common turkey mishaps, so be sure to let your turkey thaw for at least one full day for every four pounds. If it’s still frozen on the day of, soak it in cold water for 30 minutes for each pound of meat.
  3. Remove the neck and giblets. This is the most unpleasant step of the process, but it will be much more unpleasant if you forget to do it.
  4. Roast. You should roast a 12-pound turkey for about 3 to 3.5 hours, less time for a smaller bird and more time for a larger one. Test the turkey’s doneness by using a food thermometer. Once the inside meat reaches 180 degrees F and the stuffing reaches 165 degrees F, it’s completely done.

Cooking Questions: Thanksgiving [AllRecipes]
How to Cook a Turkey Perfectly [How to Cook a Thanksgiving Turkey]
How to Roast a Turkey [Martha Stewart]
How To Cook a Turkey: The Simplest, Easiest Method [The Kitchn]

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How to Display Your Child’s Artwork—Creatively!

October 22, 2015 by

If your budding artist creates so many priceless paintings that your refrigerator is looking a bit cluttered, it may be time for a new way to display his or her art. There is a wide variety of ways to hang kids’ art in your home, and they’ll still even help you to stick to your current design scheme. Here are some of the top things to do with kids’ artwork.

  1. Hang a clothesline of art. Using a thin, clothesline-style rope, you can easily hang your little one’s paintings on the wall and transition them as often as you please. Simply fasten the rope at either end, attach a few clothespins and hang the artwork freely throughout.
  2. Turn a painting into a postage stamp. If your home is already filled with your child’s artwork, why not show his or her paintings off in other creative places? There are a number of different sites that enable you to scan and upload any photo you choose to a fully functional, U.S. Postal Service-approved postage stamp.
  3. Create a matching series. Give your child some watercolor paints in a few complementary colors and let him or her go wild. Afterward, frame the paintings in elegant white frames to create a gallery-worthy series that’s perfect for display.
  4. Turn it into a large canvas. Through the magic of the Internet, you can now scan your children’s artwork and have it printed on a large, high quality canvas in any shape you choose.

3 Ideas for Displaying Kids’ Artwork [Real Simple]
Kids + Art! [Babble]
What to Do with Kid Art [Parents.com]

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How to Create an Inspiring Home Office

September 17, 2015 by

Whether you work from home or you simply need a quiet space for catching up on emails, many people value having a designated home office space. This area should inspire you to do work free from the clutter of everyday life, and these organizational tips will show you how to create a workspace that promotes productivity.

  1. Use only functional furnishings. If you have a desk that is far too small, switch it out for something larger that you’ll actually use. The same goes for that uncomfortable chair and the rest of your outdated home office furniture.
  2. Add framed photos. Frame a few photos that inspire you, whether they’re works from famous artists or simply clippings from your favorite magazines. Create a gallery wall of eclectic frames that you can look at when you need a boost.
  3. Block out distractions. Whether that means switching your office into a different room or simply adding a room divider, it’s important to create a space that is free of distractions.
  4. Find the view. If possible, position your home office in an area with a window so that you can gaze outside as you brainstorm.

Stylish Home Offices & Decorating Ideas [House Beautiful]
10 Tips for Designing Your Home Office [HGTV]
7 Tips for a More Productive and Inspirational Home Office [The Real Estate Book]

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Crazy About Cosmetics? Check Out These Makeup Boards on Pinterest!

August 20, 2015 by

If you’re a fan of makeup, even the most average day can feel like playing dress up. From the latest cat eye looks to bold-hued lipsticks that add a dramatic flair to your look, there are always new makeup trends to try. Here are three great Pinterest boards that cosmetic enthusiasts will love.

Nail Art Designs
Your face isn’t the only thing that you can doll up with cosmetics. This Nail Art Designs Pinterest board is filled with fun and exciting ideas for your fingernails and toenails, and it even includes seasonal designs that will help you to coordinate your nails with the current holiday. Try out a classic chevron print or add lace decals to make your nails look professionally done right from your own home.

Makeup Looks
Whether you’re looking for something edgy and high fashion or a look that’s more natural and feminine, this Pinterest board has a makeup look for every mood. There are even costume makeup ideas with instructions that go along with them, so you can create the perfect cat whiskers or scary Halloween makeup for your next costume party.

Lip Colors
This board is dedicated entirely to the latest lip colors from your favorite makeup brands, including MAC’s dramatic mattes, classic Chanel shades, and more affordable options from Maybelline and Cover Girl.

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Seriously Tempting No-Bake Desserts to Try This Summer

July 23, 2015 by

If you can’t even imagine turning on the oven during the summer heat, no-bake desserts are the perfect alternatives to your usual fresh baked cookies. These oven-free desserts are just as delicious as more traditional options, and they’re often much easier to prepare, which leaves you with more time for lounging by the pool! Here are three no-bake dessert recipes to try at your next potluck dinner.

7-Layer Ice Cream Cake [marthastewart.com]
Cool off after a summer dinner with this colorful ice cream cake. Pound cake creates a sweet, dense base stacked between layers of tasty vanilla ice cream, while thick meringue is a wonderfully fluffy replacement for the usual heavy icing.

Creamy Layered Lemon Squares [snackworks.com]
Swap out your usual lemon square recipe for something much quicker — and cooler. Basic graham crackers create a crunchy crust, and the addition of ripe strawberries makes this dessert perfect for the summertime.

Hawaiian Cookie Balls [kraftrecipes.com]
The kids will adore these fun and tasty cookie balls made with sweet, crushed pineapple and flaky coconut. You can also decorate them with colorful gel icings and sprinkles to turn them into fun ducks or chickens for a child’s birthday party.

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Fill Your Tank: What to Eat Before a Workout

June 18, 2015 by

The foods that you eat before your workout can make all the difference when it comes to feeling energized and seeing results. If you’re unsure about what types of foods to eat for an added boost of energy, check out these great snack and meal ideas.

  1. Wheat toast with peanut butter and banana. Slice up a banana and sprinkle it on top of peanut butter toast for a healthy boost of carbohydrates for energy and healthy sugar from the fruit.
  2. Greek yogurt with fruit and nuts. Greek yogurt is packed with protein, while the energy-boosting nuts and sweet fruits will give you a little boost of energy.
  3. Fruit smoothie. If you don’t have time to sit down for a meal before the gym, pack a fruit smoothie in your gym bag. Add some Greek yogurt for protein and granola for carbohydrates.
  4. Apple slices with almond butter. This on-the-go snack is easy to prepare and easy to eat. It also offers just the right amount of healthy sugars and hearty protein.
  5. Oatmeal. Oats are packed with fiber, which slowly release carbohydrates into your bloodstream throughout the course of your workout. Eat one cup at least half an hour before working out.

Best Pre-Workout Foods [Men’s Health]
What to Eat Before and After a Workout [Fitness]
What to Eat Before, During, and After Exercise [WebMD]
The Best Foods to Eat Before and After Your Workout [Shape]

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How to Set a Household Budget — and Stick to It!

May 21, 2015 by

It can be difficult to manage the money for your entire household, especially if you have children. Consider these money-savvy tips for creating a household budget — and sticking to it!

  1. Know your net income. This is the hardest part: tallying your total household income and really taking control of how much you have to spend. Remember to deduct things like taxes, social security, and your 401(k).
  2. Set some goals. First, consider short-term goals such as paying off your credit cards each month and budgeting for groceries. Once those are taken care of, factor in long-term goals, like planning for a vacation or putting money aside for your child’s education.
  3. Consider your daily spending. Record everything that you spend money on for a few days in order to see where you can cut back (and where you can afford to splurge).
  4. Make a plan. Divide your income into fixed expenses (like your rent or car payment) and variable expenses, which change from month to month. Subtract your fixed expenses from your total net income, put 10 percent of the amount left over into your savings, then feel free to spend the rest on your variable expenses.
  5. Check back frequently. Be sure to continually check to see if your budget is working for your family.

Creating a Budget [Bank of America]
Secrets to creating a budget [Bankrate]
10 steps to making a financial budget [CNN Money]

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Have Some Spare Time? Check Out These Popular Shows on HGTV

April 16, 2015 by

If the phrases “hardwood floors” and “granite countertops” get your heart racing, you’re sure to love HGTV’s endless list of entertaining home design programs. Here are two of the network’s most beloved shows that make for hours of weekend binge watching.

House Hunters International
Have you always wondered what it would be like it live in a villa in Barcelona or a centuries-old apartment in Paris? House Hunters International follows equally adventurous house hunters as they give into their wanderlust and move thousands of miles away from home. The show explores all corners of the world and gives you a taste of the local culture, as well as the local real estate market.

Love It or List It, Too
This remake of the popular Love It or List It features the same competitive edge with a duo of new hosts. Love It or List It, Too follows a family who is tired of their current home as they decide whether to renovate what they already have or move somewhere entirely new. Realtor Todd competes with designer Jillian as he attempts to find the couple a new house, and Jillian attempts to re-work their current one.

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