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Spring Into Shape With These Outdoor Exercise Tips

April 21, 2016 by

The dreary winter cold can leave you in a bit of an exercise rut, but the springtime sun makes everyone more motivated to get outdoors and get in shape. These exercise tips will help you get in your best shape ever—all while experiencing the great outdoors.

Buddy up.
There are a number of different reasons why working out with another person is helpful, but the number one reason is because it’s more fun! You’ll look forward to working out much more if you have a friend by your side, and being outdoors will be that much more motivation.

Improve your gear.
It’s beneficial to have the proper shoes and workout attire, especially when you’re exercising outdoors. Warm thermal shirts are important for the days when it’s not quite springtime weather, and breezy, breathable fabrics help once the temperature reaches its full potential. Having the proper outdoor running shoes can also prevent injuries and make you feel more comfortable on the pavement.

Experiment with exercises you haven’t tried before.
You probably haven’t jumped rope since gym class, but this fun and simple outdoor activity burns up to 208 calories in just 20 minutes. Swimming is another fun outdoor activity, and starting slow with a few leisurely laps makes it much less intimidating.

Spring Training Fitness Tips [Shape]
Great Spring Exercise Ideas [Fitness.com]

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How to Add a Touch of Springtime to Your Home’s Decor

March 17, 2016 by

If you’re bursting with excitement about the warmer temperatures, longer days, and cheery sunshine that come along with the changing seasons, you can channel that springtime energy into your home by using just a few simple decorating tips. Here are some of the best ways to fill your living space with the bright, bountiful look of spring.

Lavender Linens [southernliving.com]
While you may have stocked your bathroom with plush, white towels to keep warm during the winter, the springtime calls for something lighter and more colorful. Invest in some lavender colored linens in the bathroom, and imagine yourself enjoying a warm weather getaway at a quaint B&B.

Milk Pail Garden Pots [marthastewart.com]
Use this gardening DIY to incorporate rustic milk pails into your springtime decor. Old-fashioned milk pails are commonly found at flea markets and agriculture supply stores, and they gain a chic look when filled with full, green ferns.

Bountiful Spring Bouquets [designsponge.com]
One of the best ways to add the feeling of spring to your home is by displaying fresh flowers, and this expert tutorial will show you how to arrange a florist-quality bouquet. Place them in a wooden crate for a country-inspired look that’s perfect for spring.

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Did You Know These Foods Are Rich in Antioxidants?

February 18, 2016 by

You’ve likely heard about the health benefits of antioxidants, but do you know where they come from? If you’re one of the many people who would say that they aren’t entirely sure how to get that daily dose of antioxidants, these antioxidant-rich foods are great places to start.

  • Raisins. Dried fruits, like raisins, contain well over 2,000 total antioxidants per serving.
  • Blueberries. These sweet, plump berries have more antioxidants than a whopping 40 other types of fruits.
  • Strawberries. One of the next best berries is the delicious strawberry, which helps to protect your body’s cells.
  • Plums. Plums contain more than 4,800 antioxidants per serving, and dried versions offer even more.
  • Oranges. Oranges are rich in the antioxidant beta-cryptoxanthin. It helps to lower your risk for arthritis.
  • Spinach. That’s right—some veggies contain antioxidants, too. Spinach is packed with the types that promote healthy eyes and prevent blindness.
  • Brussels sprouts. This tasty vegetable is becoming increasingly popular, which is a great thing because it is packed with isothiocyanates antioxidants that help to prevent cancer.
  • Beets. Pink beets not only look pretty on top of a salad, they also deliver a hearty dose of antioxidants.
  • Eggplant. Eat eggplant to take in the antioxidants that protect against plaque buildup in the arteries and prevent cancer.

20 Common Foods With the Most Antioxidants [WebMD]
Which Antioxidant-Rich Fruits and Vegetables Should You Be Eating? [Reader’s Digest]
8 Foods Rich in Antioxidants [FitDay]
10 Antioxidant-Rich Foods [Food Network]

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How to Clean Your Microwave Without Harsh Chemicals

January 21, 2016 by

From reheating leftovers to warming up bowls of canned soup, your microwave sees a whole lot of messes from its various daily tasks. You may think that you need to use a store-bought cleanser to get out those tough, caked-on stains, but if you want to avoid those harsh chemicals, you can actually make your own cleanser at home. Follow these steps for cleaning your microwave in an all-natural way.

  1. Pour one cup of vinegar into a microwave-safe bowl, and then add one cup of hot water and stir the two together.
  2. Place the bowl with its vinegar solution in the center of the microwave and turn it on. Let it run on average power for 10 minutes.
  3. Keep an eye on the bowl and remove it from the microwave when you notice it starting to boil (likely somewhere between 5 and 10 minutes). Note: Be sure to use an oven mitt, as the bowl will be very hot.
  4. Wet a rag with lukewarm water and give the inside a good wipe-down to remove the now-loosened debris inside.
  5. Once all of the debris is steam cleaned away, create a simple solution of lemon juice and water. Dip another rag into the homemade cleanser and give the microwave another wipe-down to freshen things up.

How to Clean Your Microwave Naturally With Just a Lemon [The Kitchn]
How to Clean and Shine Your Microwave Without Cleaner [One Good Thing]
Use a Lemon to Make Cleaning the Microwave Easy [Lifehacker]

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How to Keep Your Fridge at Broadstone Towne Center Clean and Fresh

January 7, 2016 by

Looking for easy ways to help keep your refrigerator clean and fresh? These smart and simple household items will help you to get out even the toughest food smells and leave your fridge smelling like new again!

  • Baking soda. This one isn’t just an old wives’ tale; baking soda really does help to absorb unpleasant scents and remove them from the air. Start by sprinkling some baking soda around your refrigerator and scrubbing with a damp sponge. Once you’re done, place an opened box inside to absorb any additional smells that might happen in the future.
  • Lemons. Lemons are also all-natural deodorizers. Soak a cotton ball in a small bowl of lemon juice, and then leave it inside the refrigerator for several hours to permeate every inch of the interior.
  • Salt. Scrub the inside of your fridge with a simple salt and water solution, leaving the coarse granules for extra scrubbing power. This is a great way to do a heavy-duty clean without chemicals.
  • Liners. If you frequently find yourself scrubbing foul-smelling spills from condiments, leftovers, and other unsavory items, you might want to try lining the shelves of your fridge with paper towels. That way, you can simply remove them if (and when) a leak happens.

Clean and Deodorize Your Refrigerator [Reader’s Digest]
How To Clean & Organize a Refrigerator [Apartment Therapy]
Cleaning Your Fridge [Martha Stewart]

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Think Beyond the Mug With These Delicious Recipes Using Eggnog

December 17, 2015 by

Translate your love of eggnog into everything from cookies to puddings this holiday seasons with a bit of creativity in the kitchen. Although the tried-and-true winter beverage is decadent and delicious, it may start to get a bit stale after so many years. If you want to experience the old seasonal favorite in a brand new way, these sweet recipes will provide the perfect inspiration.

Eggnog Coffee Cake Muffins [twopeasandtheirpod.com]
Enjoy your eggnog first thing in the morning—in the form of delicious coffee cake muffins, that is! This recipe features an eggnog-flavored base, a perfectly crumbly topping, and an eggnog icing drizzle for a bit of extra sweetness.

Frosted Eggnog Cookies [tasteofhome.com]
Instead of handing out your usual holiday sugar cookies, try something different this year with these frosted cookies filled with eggnog flavor. Because there is eggnog in both the frosting and the cookie itself, this recipe offers double the delicious winter taste.

Eggnog Pudding [foodnetwork.com]
Rich, creamy and just a bit spicy, this unique eggnog pudding is the perfect dessert to finish off any holiday meal. Sprinkle freshly grated nutmeg on top to add even more spice.

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Extraordinary Dessert Recipes Using Fall’s Favorite Crop, Apples!

November 19, 2015 by

You love apples, but you’re getting a bit tired of making the same apple pie year after year. Luckily, fall’s favorite fruit is incredibly versatile, making it easy to create all kinds of different desserts with apples. Here are three great options perfect for your next dinner party or even just a cozy Sunday afternoon.

Spicy Apple Cake [allrecipes.com]
If you’re looking for a recipe that pairs perfectly with your morning coffee, this one is a great option. This moist cake is packed with two cups of Gala apples,plus cinnamon and nutmeg, giving it a flavor that’s undeniably autumnal. Add a creamy cinnamon frosting on top and this will quickly become one of your go-to dessert recipes.

Souffled Apple Pancake [foodandwine.com]
For something a bit more elegant and unique, this souffled pancake will impress even the most cultured dinner guests. It’s inspired by similar old-fashioned German recipes, and it makes just as great a breakfast as it does a dessert. Simply top with your favorite maple syrup and enjoy!

Spiked Apple Crisp Shooters [bettycrocker.com]
When you need a dessert recipe that’s good for a large group of adults, single-serving dessert shooters are always a good idea. Tart apples give them a great fall flavor, while butterscotch schnapps, whipped cream, and a caramel drizzle make them taste truly decadent, despite their small size.

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Interested in Modern Architecture? Explore Your Interest on Pinterest!

November 5, 2015 by

With its sleek, clean lines and open design scheme, modern architecture is fascinating even to those with no architectural experience. Here are two Pinterest boards with so many photos of modern homes and buildings that the possibilities for browsing are practically endless.

Modern Architecture
This particular Pinterest is dedicated to the more traditional styles of modern architecture. Frank Lloyd Wright homes feature wall-to-wall windows and natural elements that bring the outside in, while minimalist buildings designed by more current architects offer a tour of some of the very best modern structures from around the world.

Futuristic Architecture
If you take your love of modern architecture a step further, this board features homes so unique that they’re almost futuristic. Some of these buildings actually exist in cities around the world, while others are simply dreamed up and drawn in a cartoon-like way. Buildings like the twisted Cayan Tower in Dubai and the proposal for the open Hong Kong Alternative Car Park Tower, with its sides cut open in a way that almost looks like the building is sliced in half, are just a few of the fascinating buildings on this board.

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Follow These Tutorials to a Cool and Kitschy Macrame Plant Hanger

October 22, 2015 by

Macramé may have originally gained popularity back in the 1970s, but the kitschy weaving craft is coming back in a big way. If you love plants and you’re always looking for fun new ways to display them, you may even want to try making a macramé plant hanger of your own. Here are a few tutorials to help you get started!

Colorful Polyester Rope Hanger [hgtv.com]
With this tutorial, you’ll learn how to make a macramé hanger using only a few colors of polyester rope, a carabiner, and a screw hook. The actual plant hanger itself is fairly simple, but wrapping the multicolored string around the top adds a fun pop of color.

Sturdy Macramé Plant Hanger [lowes.com]
If you’re looking for something that’s a bit sturdier to hang a particularly heavy plant, this is a great tutorial. It uses clothesline instead of the usual yarn or polyester rope, as well as 18-gauge steel wire and a chain ring for added reinforcement.

Mini String Planters [blog.freepeople.com]
For something quicker and easier, this cute tutorial from the Free People blog uses standard yarn that you might already have stashed away at home. This is a fun tutorial to do while you relax in front of the TV, and the finished product is a great way to hang small air plants or succulents in miniature pots.

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Here’s Where Families Can Find Halloween Costume Inspiration

October 8, 2015 by

Get creative this Halloween by putting together a group costume to wear as a family. Whether you’re going to a Halloween party, a costume contest, or just door-to-door while trick-or-treating, these websites will provide you with major inspiration for a family-style costume.

Popsugar
Popsugar assembled 33 group costume ideas that can accommodate both the adults and the kids, and they range from sweet and cute to witty pop culture references. Ideas include a whole family of Raggedy Ann-style dolls, a super family of comic book characters, and even creepy costumes from your favorite scary movies.

HalloweenCostumes.com
This one-stop shop for online Halloween costume shopping offers both inspiration for family costumes and links to where you can buy them on the site. Sizes range from the smallest babies all the way up to adults to accommodate every member of the group. Ideas include characters from Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Star Wars, and much more.

Huffington Post
This popular news site is also a great place to search for the perfect Halloween costume for you and the little ones. Ideas include Greek gods and goddesses, the Westminster Dog Show, and the characters from the Mario Brothers video games.

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