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Make Your Own Molten Lava Cake with These Two Recipes

April 21, 2016 by

"Sinful" may be the only way to describe the dessert known as molten lava cake. This decadent treat combines chocolate cake with a warm liquid chocolate center melts in your mouth. There are many ways this cake can be made, some healthier than others. Try one of these two recipes for molten lava cake.

  1. Healthier Molten Lava Cakes for Two [Texanerian]
    This dairy-free, whole-grain lava cake recipe is a healthier attempt at the usual dessert. It uses half the amount of butter and sugar that most recipes call for, yet loses nothing in taste and texture.
  2. Molten Lava Cakes [Food Network]
    Here is the classic molten lava cake recipe you’ve been looking for. Indulge in the full flavor of chocolate, butter, and sugar baked to perfection.

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How to Brew the Perfect Cup of Tea

March 17, 2016 by

Even if you drink tea every day, you may not be brewing it properly. Don’t sweat it, however; simply read up on these simple tips for brewing the perfect cuppa.

  • For hot teas, such as black tea, you’ll want to first bring cold, filtered water to a boil to ensure the best possible taste. Add the tea bag to the cup first, and then gently pour the now-boiling water on top of it, using wide circular motions. Let the tea brew for three to five minutes, no more, and then serve with milk, sugar or by itself.
  • For large batches of iced teas, bring one quart of cold water to a rolling boil in a pot or kettle. Remove it from the stove and add eight to ten tea bags, depending on how dark you like your tea. Let it brew for three to five minutes, and then immediately pour it over a large quantity of ice cubes. You’ll also want to pop the whole thing in the refrigerator to get it completely cold.
  • For green tea, there is an entirely unique process. Because this tea is much more delicate, it can easily burn. Once the water starts boiling, you’ll want to let it sit for about 10 minutes to cool off. Then, pour it over the tea bag and let it brew for just one minute before serving.

How to Steep Hot Tea [The Republic of Tea]
Tea 101 [Teavana]
Brewing Tea [Tea Association]
Make a Perfect Brew [UK Tea & Infusions]

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Resources for Entrepreneurs from the Small Business Administration

March 3, 2016 by

You’ve always dreamed of owning your own business, but becoming an entrepreneur is a huge undertaking! These helpful articles from the U.S. Small Business Administration can help you figure out whether and how to start your own business.

Is Entrepreneurship for You?
This SBA article discusses both the benefits and pitfalls of becoming your own boss, and it paints a realistic picture of what it’s like to be an entrepreneur. Read the list of character traits necessary to become a successful entrepreneur, like independence, risk taking and creativity, to determine whether or not you would make a good business owner.

20 Questions Before Starting
These 20 questions will help you decide if you have all of the necessary tools to get your new enterprise up and running. On topics ranging from market research and customer service to sales, pricing, and financing strategies, this list of questions can help you think about the realities of running a business.

10 Steps to Starting a Business
A great deal of planning goes into starting a successful business, and the Small Business Association offers these 10 important steps to take to get your new company off the ground. Including everything from choosing a location to writing a business plan, these informative steps will help you become more prepared.

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Keep Your Taxes Accurate with the IRS Withholding Calculator

February 18, 2016 by

If your W-4 form's out of date, it may be worthwhile to adjust it. This handy online calculator from the IRS will help you determine the necessary information to check your withholding form and, if necessary, learn how to fill out a new W-4 form.

Who can benefit from using the calculator?
Employees who would like to change their withholding, whose situations are only approximated by the worksheets, or those with non-wage income who would prefer to have tax on that income withheld are all good candidates for the withholding calculator.

What do I need to use the calculator?
Be sure to have your most recent pay stubs, income tax return, and estimates that are as accurate as possible on hand before using the calculator.

If, after using the calculator, you find that you need to change your withholding, simply use the results to help you complete a new W-4 form and give it to your employer.

IRS Withholding Calculator [IRS]

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Where to Shop Handmade Jewelry from Indie Artists Online

January 21, 2016 by

Whether you’re shopping for an engagement ring or simply looking for something sparkly to add to your own jewelry collection, pieces from indie designers exude a unique quality that sets them apart from the rest. These handcrafted jewelry items are often made in more environmentally friendly ways, and they usually cost much less than name-brand jewelry. Here are three great online sources for indie bling.

Catbird
Since it first opened the doors of its Brooklyn brick and mortar store almost 10 years ago, Catbird has been one of New York City’s most popular destinations for unique, affordable jewelry from independent designers. Now the shop also offers an expansive online store that allows web surfers to shop its signature dainty gold necklaces, stackable rings, and engagement rings at all price points.

Etsy
Etsy is democratizing the way that jewelry is sold by enabling independent designers to set up their own shops through the site’s online marketplace. Whether you’re searching for woven friendship bracelets or hammered gold rings, you’ll find it all via the simple search tools.

Bario Neal
Although many jewelry companies obtain their diamonds through the diamond trade, Bario Neal uses only ethically sourced stones and reclaimed precious metals that are cruelty-free and eco-friendly. This Philadelphia-based jewelry boutique and studio sells engagement rings, pendant necklaces, enamel bracelets, and much more.

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How to Play Host or Hostess — Without the Stress!

January 7, 2016 by

Whether you're throwing a dinner party, planning a birthday bash, or having family over for the holidays, these simple tips will teach you how to play host or hostess without the unnecessary stress.

  • Start early. At least a few weeks ahead of time, start to think about the major details: the number of guests, the menu, and anything that you may need to rent. This will start to ease you into party planning mode and avoid any last-minute surprises.
  • Prepare ahead of time. Make as much of the food ahead of time and refrigerate or freeze it so that you don’t spend the entire day in the kitchen. This way, you’ll just have to reheat and add the finishing touches.
  • Create enough seating. Even if you don’t have a large dining room table to fit all of your guests, you still want to make sure that everyone has a place to sit. Borrow chairs from a neighbor or invest in floor cushions for a more casual affair.
  • Set the mood. Play fun music, clear out any unnecessary furniture to create more space for socializing, and plan a few games in case of any awkward lulls in conversation. These are tried-and-true tricks that will prevent your party from hitting a slump.

Dos and Don’ts of Hosting a Dinner Party [Rue Mag]
How to Host a Dinner Party so Everyone Enjoys It [Lettuce Eat Kale]
101 Party Dos & Don'ts [House Beautiful]
Entertaining [My Home Ideas]

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How to Lose Weight — Without Going Hungry!

December 17, 2015 by

Sure, a diet involves cutting back on fat and calories, but that doesn’t mean that you should ever feel hungry. Here are some tips for losing weight without going hungry.

  1. Don't fast. Trendy cleanse diets involve drinking only water, juice, or not eating anything at all in order to shed pounds. While you might lose a bit of weight at first, fasting actually slows your metabolism down and causes you to gain more weight once you start eating again.
  2. Always eat breakfast. Breakfast really is the most important meal of the day because it fuels you for the rest of the day. Try something with whole grains, protein, and fresh fruits and veggies to stay full without adding unnecessary calories.
  3. Stay away from starches. While foods like potatoes and breads will make you feel full very quickly, these food are filled with little more than carbs. Opt for whole grains or sweet potatoes instead.
  4. Plan your meals. If you plan your meals ahead of time, you won’t have to choose what to eat once your hunger starts to set in (which can lead to overeating).

Diet Myth or Truth: Fasting Is Effective for Weight Loss [WebMD]
10 Easy Ways to Lose Weight Without Starving [Men’s Health]
Losing Weight [CDC]

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Holiday Tree Trimming Tips From the Pros

December 3, 2015 by

There’s nothing more fun during the holidays than decorating the tree with the whole family, but you may want to make this year’s tree a bit more stylish. Instead of haphazardly placing ornaments all over its branches, check out these tips for decorating a truly chic and elegant holiday tree.

  1. Real or artificial? First, you must decide if you want to invest in a real tree or stick with an artificial option. While a real tree is a bit more rustic and will make your house smell divine, an artificial tree is much easier to manage.
  2. Choose a color scheme. One of the easiest ways to make your tree look more professional is by setting a color scheme. Reds and greens are always a great choice, but all-over gold or sparkling silver are also beautiful when accented by the twinkling lights.
  3. Hang small lights first. To create a base for your tree’s decorations, first hang small, white lights evenly all over.
  4. Add solid colored ball ornaments. Next, invest in multipacks of ball ornaments in your chosen color. Hang them all over the tree, leaving even amounts of space in between each one.
  5. Add personal ornaments last. To display more personal or keepsake ornaments without them looking too cluttered, add them in the empty spaces once all of the other ornaments are already in place. Voila—the perfect holiday tree.

How to Decorate a Christmas Tree Elegantly [WikiHow]
15 Christmas Tree Decorating Ideas [HGTV]
How to Decorate a Christmas Tree [Better Homes & Gardens]

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Autumn Has Arrived! Fun Craft Ideas the Whole Family Can Make

November 19, 2015 by

Once the weather gets cooler and your family spends more time indoors, you might want to find fun and creative ways to keep everyone occupied. Luckily, there are a number of fall-ready craft ideas that the whole family will love to make. Here are just a few.

Tree Branch Coasters [countryliving.com]
If someone in your family is handy with a saw, you can make these tree branch coasters that you’ll use every day. This rustic craft is made using slices from a tree limb, and once the sawing is done, everyone in the family will have fun sanding them down and adding cute leaf motifs.

Gourd Birdhouse [marthastewart.com]
Give birds a place to nest this fall with this creative birdhouse made out of a gourd. Simply create a tunnel-like opening for the birds to enter, add some comfy nesting materials inside and hang the whole thing from a sturdy branch or pipe.

Fall Terrarium [midwestliving.com]
Turn summer’s popular succulent-filled terrariums into something festive for fall with this fun DIY project. Add some mounded moss as the base inside of the terrarium jar or other glass vessel, and then top it with small pumpkins, gourds, twigs, and other foraged finds from outside.

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Safety First! Read These Tips Before Preparing Raw Meat

November 5, 2015 by

Lean meats are a healthy part of any nutritious diet, but it’s very important to handle them properly to avoid illness. Be sure to follow these important tips for buying and preparing raw meat.

  1. Purchase only high-quality meats. When shopping for steak, chicken, fish, or other meats, always look for the Safe Food Handling label on the package. Also, use your own discretion to examine meat before purchasing, and be sure that it’s wrapped tightly and packaged in a bag away from other foods.
  2. Store meat safely. Meat must remain at a cold temperature until you’re ready to prepare it, so store it in your refrigerator and put it in the refrigerator’s meat bin if possible. Fresh meats should be used within three to four days, while meats like sausage and ground beef should be used within two days.
  3. Keep yourself (and your counters) safe. Always wash your hands thoroughly before and after handling raw meat. It’s also important to only use cutting boards and utensils for meat to avoid cross-contamination.
  4. Cook meat completely. Be sure to defrost meat in the refrigerator or the microwave; never let raw meat sit on the countertop to defrost. Once it’s time to cook your meat, use a food thermometer to see that ground meats reach at least 160°F and that beef and pork reach 145°F.

Food Safety: How to Handle Raw Meat [Beef Retail]
Keeping Your Meat Safe [Home Food Safety]
Meat [FoodSafety.gov]
Safe Food Handling: What You Need to Know [FDA]

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