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Three Cookware Essentials for Every Kitchen

October 28, 2014 by

Whether you're a trained chef or your cooking experience is limited to burning a piece of toast, these are the cookware essentials to have in your kitchen arsenal.

1) 10-inch skillet
This particular piece will likely become your go-to piece of cookware. When shopping for the skillet, look for medium- or heavy-weight pans, and opt for pans with a non-stick finish. A well-seasoned cast iron skillet in the same size is another good tool to have; it'll enable you to create a nice sear on steak, chicken, and other proteins.

2) Two- to three-quart saucepan with lid
You'll use this pan for boiling pasta and rice, steaming veggies, heating soups, making sauces, and much more. If you regularly prepare large-batch soups and stews for freezing, consider also purchasing an eight-quart stockpot, or, for stove-to-table dining, a four-quart dutch oven.

3) Eight- or nine-inch chef's knife
Spring for the most high quality knife that your budget will allow, and note that this is one piece you'll want to shop in person. Head to a kitchen supply store to "try out" a few knives; that is, hold a few and decide which one feels the most comfortable.

The Well-Equipped Kitchen [Good Housekeeping]
Essential Kitchen Tools Checklist [Real Simple]
The Kitchn's Guide to Essential Cookware [The Kitchn]
Equipment: 9 Essential Pots and Pans [Serious Eats]

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Check Out These Surprising Health Benefits of Autumn’s Favorite Crop, Apples!

October 24, 2014 by

Apples are some of the most delicious types of fall produce, but they’re also packed with vitamins and nutrients that do your body some good. If you needed another reason to justify that second (or third) piece of apple pie, you’ll love this list of the many health benefits of apples.

  1. Cardiovascular health. The beneficial phytonutrients found in apples function as antioxidants and decrease the oxidation of cell membranes in the cardiovascular system. Quercetin, which is found mainly in the apple’s skin, is its main phytonutrient, but apples also contain chlorogenic acid, kaempferol and myricetin.
  2. Blood sugar regulation. The polyphenols in apples are also thought to help regulate blood sugar because they influence digestion and absorption of carbohydrates, reduce glucose absorption and stimulate the pancreas to produce more insulin.
  3. Cancer prevention. Amazingly, apples have also been shown to prevent several types of cancers. They are even the only fruit or vegetable that’s been shown to prevent lung cancer.
  4. Asthma treatment. If you suffer from asthma, you may want to reach for an apple before your inhaler from now on. Apples contain a number of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory nutrients that work wonders on human lungs and have even been shown to decrease asthma symptoms.

What's New and Beneficial About Apples [The World’s Healthiest Foods]
5 Health Benefits of an Apple [Eating Well]
10 Reasons to Eat an Apple a Day [Care2]

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Helpful Tips for Cleaning Leather and Suede

October 17, 2014 by

Suede leather items like shoes, bags, and wallets are beautiful and last a very long time, but they’re also quite expensive. Because these items are so valuable, it’s important to take great care when cleaning them. Here are a few tips to help you properly clean suede.

Take precautions. One of the best ways to protect your suede leather belongings from staining is by treating them before you even use them. Stains and waterproofing sprays for suede can be purchased from your local shoe store. By carefully applying them to your purse or shoes before wearing, you can shield them from rain, food stains, and even stains from your own hands.

Brush away scuffs. Instead of attempting to remove scuffs with wet or damp cloths, use a dry, soft brush meant for suede. Gently yet firmly brush back and forth to remove dried mud, scuffs, and other debris.

Properly remove stains. If your suede items do become stained with oil (and they likely will), don’t panic. Simply sprinkle the stain with baby powder or cornstarch and wipe it away gently once it becomes oily. For wet, non-oily stains, blot away the moisture with a clean cloth, then use a suede brush to restore the texture.

Save Your Shoes & Purses! How to Clean Suede and Leather [iVillage]
How to Clean Suede [HowToCleanStuff.net]
How do I Remove Stains from Suede Leather? [AboutHome]

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How to Display Your Child’s Artwork—Creatively!

October 10, 2014 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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Fete the Fall Season With These Cranberry Bread Recipes

October 3, 2014 by

It’s never too early to start incorporating cranberries into your baking, and these tart fruits taste just as delicious in the fall as they do during the cold winter months. Here are three recipes to motivate you to give your usual pumpkin a rest and mix things up with a sweet cranberry bread this autumn season.

Cranberry Orange Loaf [allrecipes.com]
Cranberry and orange flavors go together like a bit more sophisticated version of peanut butter and jelly. This zesty loaf is filled with holiday charm, and it even makes a deliciously sweet breakfast when paired with your morning coffee.

Classic Cranberry Nut Bread [oceanspray.com]
For a heartier take on cranberry bread, this recipe uses your choice of chopped nuts to add a delicious crunch to the flavorful cranberries. The taste is rustic and classic, and it’s sure to be a hit at your next family gathering.

Orange Glazed Cranberry Bread [sallysbakingaddiction.com]
Adding a sweet glaze to cranberry bread gives it a boost of flavor that feels a bit more like a dessert. This recipe involves making a simple, homemade orange glaze that has the added advantage of giving your bread a truly gourmet look. But that’s not all: It also includes a cinnamon streusel topping that makes it even more decadent and delicious.

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Check Out These 4 Stress-Busting Tips and Tricks

September 30, 2014 by

Occasional stress is normal for all people, but too much stress can start to become a hindrance on both your work performance and your happiness. Here are a few simple ways that you can beat stress before it even starts to happen.

  1. Catch it in advance. Take note of things that make you feel stressed so that you can handle them before they get worse. For example, if you frequently feel stressed out about your email inbox because you know how quickly it can build up, set aside a few minutes each morning to devote to tackling those emails.
  2. Control your body language. Your physical behavior plays a large role in your stress levels. If you chew your fingernails, you encourage more stress, but if you sit up straight, take deep breaths and fake a smile, it can have a positive effect on your mood.
  3. Unplug. If you obsessively check your phone all day at work, that behavior can carry over into your personal life. Turn off your phone after you leave the office, and avoid checking your email until you go back to work the next morning.
  4. Be decisive. If you’re stressed out about the thought of making an important decision, get it out of the way. The more you let something stew the more it can build up in your mind, so do whatever you can to decide on a solution and move on.

15 Easy Ways to Bust Work Stress [MSN]
7 Ways to Bust Stress [SheKnows]
Easy Ways to Bust Stress [Bubblews]
Top 10 Instant Stress Busters [Lifehacker]

Public Domain/Public Domain
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Why We Crave Junk Food—and How to Outsmart That Craving!

September 26, 2014 by

It happens to even the most disciplined of dieter: You're going about your day, when, all of sudden, you develop an intense craving for a sweet or salty snack. If this sounds like you, you're not alone! In fact, junk food is created with the intention of inciting a snack attack! The makers of your favorite potato chip or chocolate bar spend countless hours developing their product to impart just the right amount of crunch, sweetness, and creaminess to ensure you come back for more. What's more, giving in to your favorite junk food releases feel-good receptors in the brain, causing an immediate boost in mood.

Now that you're aware that there's a science to junk food, you're likely still wondering how you can combat cravings. To outsmart a craving, you need to first identify the craving and the reason behind it. Are you stressed at work? Instead of reaching for the comfort foods Mom used to make, call a friend to talk about your situation. Are you dieting and being too restrictive with your meal plan? Instead of cutting out pizza or chocolate forever, allow yourself to indulge in a piece of chocolate or pizza every so often. Moderation is key.

The most effective way to stop over-indulging is to limit your access to junk food. Keep your cabinets clear of cookies, candies, and chips, and after abstaining for a certain amount of time, you'll likely find that you no longer crave junk food as much as you used to!

The Facts About Food Cravings [WebMD]
Why Your Brain Craves Junk Food (and What You Can Do About It) [Lifehacker]
Know Why You're Craving Food [Women's Health]

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How to Take the Stress Out of Back-to-School

September 19, 2014 by

From the school supply shopping to the transportation planning, going back to school can be stressful on both you and your little one. Luckily, these helpful tips will take the stress out of the beginning of a new school year.

  1. Instill a positive attitude. First and foremost, it’s important to help your child to think positively about the beginning of school. Ask a lot of questions about how he or she feels, and be sure to speak encouragingly whenever discussing school. Even the most confident child likely has a few butterflies about starting a new grade level, so be positive enough for the both of you.
  2. Create a back-to-school routine. After staying up late and sleeping in all summer, it can be difficult for children to get back into the swing of things once fall rolls around. A week or so before the first day, start instating a reasonable bedtime and serving a wholesome breakfast a bit earlier than usual to create good habits once school starts.
  3. Get organized. Purchase only the essentials when school shopping and pack them into a backpack a few days ahead of time. Obtain a bus assignment or other transportation information, and spend some time going over your child’s new schedule. Finally, be sure to set out a reliable camera to snap that priceless first day of school photo.

Ease Back-to-School Stress [School Family]
What Not to Take Back-to-School? Stress. It’s Toxic! [Healthy Child]
Ease back to school stress with these six tips [Good to Know]

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How to Overcome a Fear of Flying

September 12, 2014 by

Having a fear of flying is very common, but this phobia can be quite a hindrance when it comes to traveling for work or taking a cross-country trip. If you’re afraid of airplanes and can’t seem to calm your nerves, these tips will help you to overcome your fear.

  1. Become familiar with the plane. Many people are afraid of plane crashes, but these are incredibly uncommon. Learning how an airplane works will help you to feel more secure once you’re on board, and finding out facts like how a plane can continue to fly even after an engine failure will make you feel much more trusting about traveling on one. Research facts about your specific type of airplane, and even ask to meet the pilot before boarding.
  2. Allow yourself plenty of time. Airports are known for being hectic and stressful, and this will only intensify your fear. Be sure to arrive at the airport a few hours early so that you have time to get to your terminal and relax before it’s time to board.
  3. Choose an aisle seat. If you’re afraid of flying you probably don’t want to look down at the ground from the plane’s window. Choosing an aisle seat will eliminate this stressor, and you can even wear an eye mask to close off your view entirely.
  4. Avoid caffeine. Stimulants like caffeine will only make your anxiety worse. Avoid drinking your morning latte the day of a flight, and be sure to stay hydrated to keep yourself from feeling fatigued.

Fear of Flying [Independent Traveler]
How to Overcome Your Worst Fears [Lifehacker]
10 Tips for the Fearful Flyer [NBC News]
How Can I Overcome My Fear of Flying? [ADAA]

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Love to Cook? Master These Must-Know Knife Techniques

September 5, 2014 by

If you love to cook, you know how important it is to use the proper cutting techniques in every recipe. Many people don't know the proper names of these techniques, however, which often leads to using the wrong one. Here are three important types of cutting that are essential for everything from entrees to desserts.

  1. Julienne. To julienne, you want to cut vegetables or other food items into stick-shaped pieces that are long and thin. Start by cutting the item into a square, then slice it into rectangular-shaped pieces lengthwise. Repeat the same step on each of the rectangles until you're left with pieces that resemble matchsticks.
  2. Chiffonade. This type of cut sounds fancy, but it actually just refers to cutting herbs or thin leaf vegetables. Roll the herbs up into a tight tube, then roughly chop across with a sharp knife. It doesn't matter how the cuts look, just that the pieces are small enough to sprinkle throughout a dish.
  3. Dice. Dicing is similar to chopping, but it creates entirely uniform pieces for dishes like stews or fruit salads. Begin with a rectangular shape and continue to cut it both directions until you're left with uniform pieces in the size that you desire.

Knife Skills: Different Types of Cuts [The Culinary Cook]
Top 10 Knife Skills [How Stuff Works]
Perfect Your Knife Skills With This Chef's Guide to Knives [Lifehacker]

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