These Chili Recipes Help Warm Chilly Evenings

All it takes is a homemade dinner of something warm and comforting to get you into that cozy fall feeling. Here are a few chili recipes that you’ll love to make on those chilly autumn evenings.

Pumpkin Chili [oliviascuisine.com]
While you’re likely used to seeing pumpkin in every cookie, coffee, and pie as soon as summer is over, this recipe for pumpkin chili will show you a new and exciting way to use everyone’s favorite fall gourd. It can be made on the stovetop or in the slow-cooker if you’re pressed for time, and it becomes even more festive if you serve it inside of a small, hollowed pumpkin.

Slow-Cooker Chocolate Chili With Three Beans [bhg.com]
If chocolate in chili seems too good to be true (and maybe a little bit strange), you’ll become a believer once you taste this unique recipe. Best of all, you can make it in the slow-cooker, so you’ll come home from a long day at work to a warm, home-cooked meal.

Slow-Cooker Turkey Chili [allrecipes.com]
A healthy turkey chili cuts down on fat and calories compared to the traditional beef version, and this one is also very easy to make. Just toss all of the legumes, veggies, and spices into the slow-cooker and you’ll have a hearty and nutritious meal in just over four hours.

Cooking Without Eggs? Bookmark These Webpages!

Eggs are a staple in just about every recipe, but many people can’t consume eggs due to food allergies or a vegan diet. If you want to cook the delicious foods that you love without eggs, these websites offer simple tips and clever substitutions that can help.

Chef In You
The Chef In You Egg Substitutions page features just about everything you need to maintain an egg-free kitchen. A detailed chart describes things that you can substitute for eggs in a variety of dishes, including products like tofu, bananas, and commercial egg substitutes. There are even recipes that show you how to make desserts, breakfasts, and entrees without using eggs.

Kids With Food Allergies
Whether you have a child with a food allergy or not, this informative website will show you how to cook without eggs. The detailed articles describe alternatives for using eggs as a binder, a leavening agent, or a glaze, and there’s even a list that tells you some uncommon foods to avoid if you have an egg allergy. If you want to make an egg-free dish at home, Kids With Food Allergies also provides a few free recipes for baked goods without eggs.

3 Interior Decorator Secrets Everyone Should Know

So you’re not an interior decorator by trade? No sweat! When it comes to decorating your rental, all it takes are a few tricks from the professionals to make your home look like it belongs on the pages of a design magazine. Here are a few secrets that interior decorators don’t mind sharing.

  1. Arrange furniture in the way that makes the most sense. If you’re constantly tripping over furniture or struggling to reach things on shelves, you likely don’t have your room arranged in the most functional way. Don’t be afraid to rearrange the room until it works — or even to get rid of pieces that you don’t really need.
  2. Add good lighting. If you’re lucky enough to have lots of windows in your apartment, play up the natural light with sheer curtains or neutral-colored blinds. If you don’t have much natural light, fake it with daylight-imitating light bulbs.
  3. Use light or neutral colors. Choose furnishings in light or neutral colors to create an airy, open feeling.
  4. Add art. Adding framed art to every wall is a great way to decorate your apartment without taking up precious space. Create an eclectic gallery wall or add a series of three large frames to create the illusion of depth. Don't forget to add mirrors!

11 Foolproof Decorating Tips [This Old House]
20 Decorating Secrets [House Beautiful]
9 Interior Decorator Secrets [Woman’s Day]

Have a Penchant for Color? Here’s What Your Home’s Decor Says About You!

Whether you love the chic, soothing touch of relaxing neutral shades or you're partial to bright, bold pops of color, your home’s color scheme says a lot about your personality. Use this guide to find out exactly what your color choices mean for your lifestyle.

  • Orange. If you notice a lot of bright bursts of orange throughout your living space, it means that you’re confident and expressive. Orange expands your mindset and fosters creativity.
  • Pink. Pink is the color of romance and sensitivity, which makes it a perfect choice for a bedroom or a warm, cozy living room.
  • Blue. If you’re partial to blue, it likely means that you’re organized and driven. This color helps to limit clutter and encourages deep thinking.
  • Green. The color green is often related to money, but it is also the color most commonly found in nature. People who are partial to green are likely in tune with life’s riches, both physical and emotional.
  • Red. Red is one of the most stimulating colors, and it is often attributed to people who are self-confident and fearless.
  • Yellow. Those who prefer yellow in the home are deeply intelligent and conversational. This color helps to enhance positive thinking.
  • White. Often associated with freshness and simplicity, white is perfect for those who view their home as a respite from the outside world.

How to Fix Your House with Color [House Beautiful]
Color Meanings [Interior Designpedia]
Room Color and How it Affects Your Mood [Freshome]

Three High-Potassium Foods Beyond the Banana

Potassium has many important health benefits beyond preventing muscle cramps after a workout. This essential mineral helps prevent hypertension and fatigue, and it also regulates your heart rate. Here are three foods that are high in potassium for you to add to your diet:

  1. White beans. Cook up one cup of these beans to get 29 percent of your daily value of potassium. Add them to your soups or make hummus for a healthful boost.
  2. Avocado. Here’s a good excuse to go in for seconds on the guacamole: 1/2 cup of pureed avocado contains 16 percent of your daily value of potassium.
  3. Mushrooms. Add them to stir-fry or saute them alone; mushrooms pack in the potassium in small doses. One cup of sliced white mushrooms gives you 12 percent of your daily value.

Top 10 Foods Highest in Potassium [Healthaliciousness]
15 Foods That Are High In Potassium [Health.com]
Food with More Potassium than a Banana [Huffington Post]
Potassium and Your CKD Diet [National Kidney Foundation]

How to Style an Apartment Entryway Like the Pros

If you want to create a stylish entryway in your rental home, there are a number of smart, design-savvy ways to use furniture to achieve the look you love. Here are a few tips from the pros that will help you to style an entryway like you see in the design magazines.

  1. Begin with a surface. To create a separated entryway, you’ll need to use some type of table as a focal point. Measure your space and invest in a side table, credenza, sofa table, or even a bench in a size that fits the area.
  2. Add storage. A good entryway has a place for everything: your keys, shoes, coat, and all of the things you find when you empty your pockets. Add a low bench or bin for shoes, a few simple hooks, and a tray to corral any loose items.
  3. Place a mirror. A mirror is especially helpful for those last-minute checks before you dash out the door. Place one directly above your table, or stagger it next to a matching frame.
  4. Finish with a small rug. To tie everything together, add a long runner-style rug or a small doormat, depending on your space. Don’t be afraid to use color here, especially if the rest of your color scheme is fairly simple.

How to Style an Entryway [The Everygirl]
Small Apartment Entryway [Pinterest]
21 Ways to Enhance an Entryway [Real Simple]

Must-Know Rules for Decorating With Area Rugs

Whether you want to preserve the look of hardwood floors or add more color to your space, incorporating area rugs into your decor is a great way to create a put-together look in any room in your home. Here are a few must-know tips for decorating with area rugs.

  • Choose the right size. Be sure to measure your entire room before purchasing a rug, even though the rug will only fill part of the space. As a guide, try to choose one that will sit just underneath the front of your furniture.
  • Choose the rug first. Unless you already own the rest of your furniture, it’s smart to choose the rug first, since it likely has the boldest color and pattern.
  • Choose something natural. If you’re stuck and just can’t seem to find a rug that works, opt for something made from natural jute or hemp that goes with anything.
  • Add a rug pad. If you have hardwood floors, keep your rug from slipping and sliding by adding a high quality rug pad underneath.
  • Don’t be afraid of color. If the rest of your furniture is fairly simple, you can get away with a bright color and a big, bold pattern in the rug. Just be sure that one color ties the room together.

7 Rug Mistakes to Never Make [Good Housekeeping]
Timeless Home Decorating Tips [Real Simple]
How to Choose the Right Rug [How to Decorate]
Top 10 Tips for Decorating With Rugs [About Home]

High Fructose Corn Syrup Hides in These Common Foods

While you might suspect that packaged foods like sodas and candies contain high fructose corn syrup, this processed ingredient actually lurks in many places that you wouldn’t expect. Here are a few surprising sources of high fructose corn syrup that you should avoid if you’re trying to eat healthfully.

  1. Yogurt. While most people consider yogurt a healthy food, when it’s packed with sticky sweet high fructose corn syrup, it’s a whole different story. Many flavored yogurts in the grocery store contain the sweetener to give them their fruity flavors, and even a large number of low-fat and fat-free yogurts are filled with it.
  2. Salad dressings. No matter how healthy you think your salad dressing may be, its positive traits don’t matter if it’s filled with high fructose corn syrup. If possible, making your own salad dressing is a surefire way to know exactly which ingredients are used.
  3. Breads. Even if you avoid all of the sweet, dessert-style baked goods at the grocery store, high fructose corn syrup may be sneaking into your diet through your plain old bread. Even breads made with wheat and whole grain often contain the syrup, so be sure to check the ingredient list before you make your purchase.

Corn Syrup in Unexpected Foods [HuffPost Healthy Living]
Surprising Products that Contain High Fructose Corn Syrup [Divine Caroline]
(Not So) Sweet: Surprising Foods Containing High Fructose Corn Syrup [Babble]
6 Popular Foods with High Fructose Corn Syrup [FitDay]

Keep Your Home Office Squeaky-Clean (and Germ-Free) With These Handy Tips

Is your home office one of the messiest spaces in your rental home? Here are some easy ways to clean your gadgets and electronics — and keep your office tidy and germ-free.

  1. Start by organizing your pesky wires and cords. This will help prevent fire hazards and eliminate the unattractive mess.Invest in some sturdy clips from office supply stores to keep them neatly wound.
  2. Clean your keyboard. You can’t exactly spray your keyboard with disinfectant, but you can clean it by unplugging it and shaking out the loose dirt. Use canned, compressed air to remove the rest of the dust from between the keys, then give it a wipe-down with a cloth dampened with cleaner.
  3. Wipe off your computer screen. Use a bit of water and a lint-free cloth. Don’t use cleaner, as it may damage the screen.
  4. Disinfect your cell phone or landline phone. Do this regularly, as the germs from your mouth spread very easily. Use a disinfectant wipe all over the phone, being careful that no drips get inside of the phone itself.
  5. Dust. If you have allergies, be sure to dust shelves, floors, and your desk regularly to prevent dust particles from infiltrating your home office.

How to Keep Home Office Equipment Clean [HGTV]
Step-By-Step: Keep a Clean Keyboard [PCWorld]
How To Clean Your Filthy Gadgets [Gizmodo]

Don Your Thinking Caps to Learn About Tour Puzzles Online

If you’re addicted to puzzles, you’ve probably already tried all of the jigsaw puzzles, Rubik’s cubes, word games, and logic problems that you can get your hands on. If you’re tired of your usual puzzles and want something new, tour puzzles are a fun and exciting alterative.

Tour puzzles use one token that represents a traveler.
The token is you, the person attempting to solve the puzzle, or you may have numerous different tokens that you must control. These are the objects that move around the board.

There is usually a designated beginning and end to a tour puzzle.
The player starts at the starting line and attempts to make it to the finish, and there are sometimes certain items to retrieve along the way. Some tour puzzles have special rules at different points in the puzzle.

Tour puzzles come in a variety of forms.
Mazes and labyrinths require the player to navigate through a series of confusing twists and turns without crossing the walls or borders. A knight’s tour uses a chessboard and attempts to visit every square at least once, and logic mazes are mazes with special rules and requirements for completing them.

To learn more about tour puzzles and to find out where to play them, visit here.

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