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2 Helpful Websites for Luxury Car Enthusiasts

April 16, 2015 by

The combination of speed and beauty makes luxury car brands like Bugatti, Maserati, and BMW covetable among car enthusiasts around the world. Whether you own one of these priceless automobiles or you’re simply a luxury car admirer, these informative and image-heavy websites will provide hours of eye candy for gear heads of all ages.

Motor Authority
Just like the name implies, the Motor Authority website is a respected authority for every type of luxury car on the market today. This site is filled with the latest news about new automobile models from Porsche, Mercedes-Benz, Lamborghini, and more, and it also features detailed reviews to give readers the most information possible before purchasing a new luxury vehicle. Motor Authority is a great resource for locating auto shows around the country as well, and the site’s Spy Shots section even allows visitors to take a sneak peek at prototypes of car models that haven’t been released yet.

U.S. News Rankings and Reviews
If you’re simply looking for detailed rankings of the world’s leading luxury cars without all of the extra features, the U.S. News’ Car Rankings page is one of the very best resources. This informative website ranks cars priced at $60,000 or more in order based on a consensus of the top automobile experts in the country and other safety and reliability data. The rankings take into consideration each car’s handling, braking, comfort, cargo space, critics’ ratings, awards, and many other features that might help car owners decide which model is best for them.

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New to Yoga? Check Out These Beginners’ Tips!

April 2, 2015 by

Yoga is a great way to center your mind, but if it’s your first time practicing it can also be a bit intimidating. If you’re unsure of what to wear to class or what to expect from your instructor, read these helpful tips before heading to the studio.

  1. Wear comfortable, close-fitting clothing. Instead of wearing loose shorts or pants like you normally would while exercising, you’ll feel more comfortable in something that fits closer to the body. Also, be sure to tie long hair back and remove your shoes before entering the studio.( See if your studio's website provides tips about what to wear to your first class.)
  2. Bring the proper supplies. You’ll need to stay hydrated throughout your class (even more so if it’s a hot yoga class), so be sure to bring a large water bottle. If you don’t own your own yoga mat, you can likely rent one at the studio for a small fee.
  3. Prepare your body. Most yoga experts recommend not eating large meals for up to three hours before class. To avoid low blood sugar, have a small snack right before class.
  4. Research. If you’re feeling nervous about your practice, look up basic poses like downward facing dog, child’s pose, and the sequence of warrior poses.
  5. Have the right attitude. Your instructor may adjust you during class, but it doesn’t mean that you’re doing a bad job. Stay positive, stay focused, and stay open to advice!

4 Essential Yoga Tips for Beginners [About.com]
7 Common Beginner Yoga Fails (And How to Avoid Them) [Women’s Health]
12 Yoga Tips for Beginners [Care2]

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Today is Waffle Day!

March 25, 2015 by

The Belgian waffle made its first American appearance at the 1962 World’s Fair in Seattle. Originally known as the Brussels waffle, named for the capital city from which it comes, the crisp-on-the-outside, airy-on-the-inside waffle was served two ways: the traditional fashion (plain) and with a slight embellishment of freshly whipped cream and just-sliced strawberries. However you enjoy your waffles, today is a great day to do so!

Information provided by http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/02/02/belgian-waffles-history_n_6535434.html

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Think You Know Your Geography? These Online Quizzes Put Your Knowledge to the Test!

March 19, 2015 by

Do you think that you’re pretty well versed in the world’s geography? Can name all 50 states and their corresponding capitals? Put your geography skills to the test with these fun and educational online games—you just may find yourself stumped somewhere around Eastern Europe!

Shepard Software’s U.S.A. Capitals
This challenging game combines both the state capitals and the state’s physical location in the country to test your geography skills all at once. Players are given a state capital and then asked to choose the corresponding state from a blank map of the U.S., which means that even if you know the right state, you still might not get the answer right.

Capitals of the World
Expand your horizons outside of the country as you attempt to identify all of the countries in the world. Begin by clicking a continent from the game’s colorful world map, and then answer questions based on countries within that continent.

Shepard Software’s U.S.A. States
Once you tire of the state capitals, move on to testing your knowledge of their geographical locations. This game from Shepard Software features a blank map of the U.S., and players must click on the proper location of each state presented.

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Today’s Imponderable: Why Can’t Oil and Water Mix?

February 19, 2015 by

You’ve likely heard the expression “like oil and water,” and you may have even witnessed this strange phenomenon firsthand if you’re an avid baker. Although it is fairly common knowledge, do you really know why oil and water can’t mix?

The main reason why these two liquids can’t mix is because they’re too into themselves—literally. Water molecules are very attached to one another and though they usually mix with other liquids, they’ve met their match with oil, which is also very attached to its own molecules. In more scientific terms, water molecules are polar in nature and can only dissolve other polar molecules. Because oil is non-polar, it cannot dissolve in water. This causes the two liquids to almost seamlessly separate, and the oil then floats on top because it has a lower density than the water.

In nature, you can observe this phenomenon on water birds or animals like beavers. Their oily coats and feathers repel water, which keeps them warm and dry in the winter!

Why Oil and Water Don't Mix [Science Project Ideas]
Why Oil and Water do not mix? [Let’s Talk Chemistry]
Mixing Oil and Water [Science Experiments for Kids]

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How to Tell the Difference Between a Cold and the Flu

January 22, 2015 by

Getting a little cold is fairly commonplace during the colder winter months, and it doesn’t usually require much treatment other than rest and chicken noodle soup. The flu, however, is a more serious issue, and although this virus usually requires antibiotics to kick, it can be quite difficult to tell the two apart. Here are a few smart ways to tell if you have a cold or the flu—and maybe even help you to catch it early on. (Remember to seek the professional advice of your physician!)

  1. A cold usually comes with a sore throat, runny nose, and sometimes even a cough in the fourth or fifth days. These symptoms are usually fairly mild and cause more discomfort than pain and misery. If it is a cold, these symptoms will last for about a week.
  2. The flu, on the other hand, comes with similar but more severe symptoms very early on. Your throat will be sore, your head and other muscles will ache, and you’ll likely have congestion and a cough. These symptoms could last for one week or longer, but they can turn into pneumonia if left untreated.
  3. While an everyday cold doesn’t usually come with a fever, the flu often does. If your temperature reaches 100 degrees or higher, you're likely looking at a case of the flu.

Is It a Cold or The Flu? [NIAID]
Cold, Flu, & Cough Health Center [Web MD]
The Common Cold vs. The Flu… What You Need To Know [Health.com]

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Sweater 911! How to Mend a Hole in That Favorite Sweater

December 18, 2014 by

Now that the weather is getting chilly, warm, cozy sweaters are an essential wardrobe staple. Unfortunately, months in storage or an accidental snag can inflict some major damage on the delicate weave of your favorite pullover. Instead of tossing it into the donation pile, mend that hole in your sweater with one of these simple tutorials.

Martha Stewart’s Easy Ways to Fix a Sweater
It’s safe to assume that Martha knows how to fix just about anything, and her sweater-mending tips are second to none. She’ll show you how to stock a knitwear first-aid kit and then use it to fix just about any type of sweater damage.

Darning or Felting a Hole in A Sweater
Whether you prefer stitching with a classic needle and thread or using wool roving and the more complex felting process, both of these options will make your sweater look good as new.

Fix a Hole in a Sweater With Thread
This tutorial from Black Spruce Hound will teach even those with little to no sewing skills how to mend a sweater using a needle and thread. With a few genius twists and turns of the needle, you can even avoid leaving behind those annoying bumps and bulges.

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Are You Washing Your Hands Correctly? Find Out Here!

December 4, 2014 by

Washing your hands thoroughly can help to prevent you from contacting diseases, reduce the risk of food borne illness, and can even stop you from spreading germs if you’re already sick. Here are a few tips that will show you the correct way to wash your hands.

  1. Apply soap and water. First, completely soak your hands with warm water. Apply as much soap as you need in order to cover both hands—remember, the more the better.
  2. Rub palms together. Vigorously rub your palms together in a circular motion to clean germs from the center of your hands.
  3. Clean between fingers. Clean the hard-to-reach places between your fingers by placing one hand on top of the other as if you were holding hands with another person. Rub the fingertips from one hand between the fingers of the other hand, and then vice versa.
  4. Clean fingernails. Rub the fingernails of one hand across the palm of the other hand to remove dirt and germs. Clasp the hands together with the backs of your fingers to the opposite palm, and then rub the hands back and forth.
  5. Rinse and dry. Rinse hands completely with water, and then dry them with a single-use paper towel. Don’t forget to use the towel to turn off the faucet in order to prevent contacting more germs, and then toss it away.

When & How to Wash Your Hands [CDC]
How to Wash Your Hands Properly by Mary Calvagna, MS [BIDMC]
Clean hands protect against infection [World Health Organization]

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If You’re Running Low on Eggs or Vinegar, Try These Substitutes Instead

November 20, 2014 by

When you’re running short on ingredients, you might have to get creative in the kitchen. There are a few well-known replacements for some common ingredients if you don't have everything you need on-hand. Here are four cooking substitutes for when you're in a pinch in the kitchen.

  1. If you're missing eggs: It might seem impossible to replace this unique ingredient, but you can do so with half a banana mashed with 1/2-teaspoon baking powder.
  2. If you're missing mayonnaise: If you’re whipping up a summer salad and find you're short on this condiment, substitute one cup of sour cream, yogurt or cottage cheese pureed in a blender for one cup of mayo.
  3. If you're missing vinegar: Don’t give up if you're running low and the recipe calls for 1/4 cup of white vinegar. You can use 1/4-cup of apple cider vinegar or 1/3-cup freshly squeezed lemon juice instead.
  4. If you're missing soy sauce: You won’t have to stop in the middle of your stir-fry to run out and by more soy sauce. Just use four tablespoons Worcestershire sauce mixed with one tablespoon water.

Top 3 Ingredient Substitutions [All Recipes]
Ingredient Substitutions [University of Nebraska]
Baking Ingredient Substitution Table [Joys of Baking]

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How to Find Pick-Your-Own Pumpkins Near You

October 16, 2014 by

The kids are already excited about carving pumpkins, but they’ll absolutely love to visit a pumpkin patch to choose their own before getting started. But wait, is there a pumpkin patch in our area? If you want to take your children to pick pumpkins but don’t know where to begin, these two websites can help!

PickYourOwn.org
This information-packed site is filled with great ideas for all types of farms and orchards, so of course its list of pumpkin patches is quite extensive. Simply choose our state’s name from the complete list and read up on the various pumpkin growers in our area. There are even maps that pinpoint the exact locations of pumpkin patches, orchards, and other local purveyors.

Local Harvest
This well-respected site is one of the most cumulative resources for all things fresh, organic and local, including pumpkins. Its interactive map offers markings for each of the possible facilities near us, and there are also ratings from other Local Harvest users so that you can decide which one seems like the best choice for your family. Choose the U-Pick option from the initial drop-down search bar to filter your results to only pumpkin patches.

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