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The Essentials Every Home First Aid Kit Should Contain

August 21, 2014 by

Accidents happen. Any given day could present you with slips, scrapes, burns, and bruises, which is why a first aid kit is something every home should have within easy reach. Here are a few essentials that every home first aid kit should contain.

  1. Adhesive bandages. Most people have the traditional bandage strips on hand, but make sure to stock up on larger and smaller types for cuts of different sizes and for awkward locations.
  2. Tweezers. You’ll never know the importance of owning tweezers until to rub your foot against the rough wood on a deck or patio. Ouch!
  3. Thermometer. If you’re worried that you might be running a fever, a reliable thermometer can tell you for sure. If you have children, be sure to invest in a children’s thermometer, as well.
  4. Aspirin. From soothing a headache to relieving aching muscles, aspirin is a necessity for all kinds of ailments. Once again, children need their own type of aspirin, so stay well-stocked on both types if you share your home with little ones.
  5. Topical antiseptic. To reduce the risk of infection, clean any small cuts with topical antiseptic or antiseptic wipes.

First Aid Kit Essentials Checklist [Real Simple]
Anatomy of a First Aid Kit [American Red Cross]
First Aid Kit Essentials [Johnson & Johnson]
First-Aid Kit Essentials [Parents]

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Make Rice Pudding Tonight With These 4 Simple Recipes

July 24, 2014 by

Rice pudding brings to mind cozy winter days in front of the fireplace, enjoying its sweet and creamy taste with friends and family. The old-fashioned dessert favorite takes on new life through a few simple and unique recipes, and it's incredibly easy to make at home. Here are a few of the best rice pudding recipes from around the web.

Rice Pudding [Simply Recipes]
Unlike the heavy cream and other fattening ingredients in traditional rice pudding recipes, this one offers a lighter take on the dessert dish. Combine whole milk, white rice, one egg, and a few sweet spices to create this simple treat.

Baked Rice Pudding [Food Network]
While most rice pudding is boiled, Paula Deen's recipe bakes the rice mixture for a thicker consistency. The result is rich, fluffy, and lightly browned on top.

Gingered Crème Caramel Rice Pudding [Fine Cooking]
If you want to add a gourmet flair to your usual rice pudding, this is the recipe for you. It features a sticky caramel coating and fresh ginger to add an extra spicy kick.

Joy of Cooking Rice Pudding [Joy of Baking]
For the visual learner, this rice pudding recipe includes a video tutorial that will help you to perfect each technique involved.

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Easy Ways to Incorporate More Potassium Into Your Diet

June 19, 2014 by

While most people think of bananas when they think of sources of potassium, there are actually a wide variety of other foods that contain even more of the beneficial mineral. Potassium helps to keep your heartbeat regular and your muscles, kidneys, and other organs working to their fullest potential, and it’s even been proven to work better than sports drinks at providing energy before a workout. These great foods can help to ensure that you get enough all-natural potassium.

  1. Sweet potatoes. Along with their numerous other health benefits, sweet potatoes are also very high in potassium. Just one average sized potato contains an impressive 646 milligrams, making it one of the absolute best sources of this mineral. At just 131 calories per sweet potato, they’re also very low calorie side dishes that won’t derail your diet plans.
  2. Tomato sauces. The zesty marinara sauce that you toss on your linguine is an even better source of potassium than a fresh tomato. Just 1/4 cup of tomato paste contains 664 milligrams of potassium, and plain old tomato juice offers over 400 milligrams.
  3. Beans. Whether you prefer fresh green beans or kidney and lima beans, all types of these beans are wonderful sources of potassium. Half of a cup of white beans contains just about 600 milligrams of the necessary mineral, and they’re good for your heart as well.

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

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Edit Your Coffee Table Display to Include These 3 Items

May 14, 2014 by

One of the main focal points in every living room, coffee tables can walk a fine line between perfectly styled and cluttered mess. To help ensure your coffee table is making the right statement, limit your display to include these three design pro-approved elements.

1) Books and trays
Oversized hardcover books work best here, as they help create the foundation for your display while also providing something for guests to page through. Similarly, decorative trays add to your display's bottom layer and provide a platform for collectibles.

2) Natural shapes and textures
Think potted plants, pebbles, or a floral arrangement. The organic feel of these items will help offset sharp corners and chrome finishes while providing a pop of color. Don't forget the candles!

3) Personal collectibles.
Prevent your display from becoming generic by spotlighting a few of your favorite collectibles, whether they be quirky or chic. The goal is to incite conversation among your guests.

How to Style Your Coffee Table Like a Pro [House Beautiful]
How to Style a Coffee Table [The Everygirl]
Styling a Coffee Table With Kimberly Hughes [West Elm]
How to Style Your Coffee Table [Style Me Pretty]

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Train for Your Next Race With Help From These Triathlete Websites

April 17, 2014 by

Triathlons combine running, biking, and swimming to create some of the most physically demanding competitions in the world. If you’re a competitive triathlete, you know how important it is to stay in the know about training tips, safety advice and nutrition information. These informative websites are great resources.

Triathlete
The Triathlete website consists of news, training and plans, and the latest gear to help with preparing and competing in your next triathlon. Reading Triathlete’s stories from other triathletes can help motivate and inspire you to push yourself harder. The site’s route finder tool is a fast and easy way to plan training routes in your area.

Beginner Triathlete
Are you running your very first triathlon? If you’re unsure of where to begin training, the informational Beginner Triathlete site will show you how to prepare safely and effectively to make your upcoming race a success. If you sign up, the site even offers free tools such as training logs, custom training plans, and forums to discuss your progress and get advice from other triathletes.

220 Triathlon
220 Triathlon is an online magazine dedicated to competitive triathlons around the world. It offers the latest news from top races, swimming, biking and running gear to help you stay cool and comfortable, and in-depth training guides for everyone from beginners to more experienced triathletes.

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Make Breakfast More Fun With These French Toast Recipes

March 20, 2014 by

Dipped in batter and drizzled with sweet, warm syrup, French toast is a breakfast comfort food that eats like a treat. While many people order French toast out at restaurants, there are many simple and creative ways to make the traditional morning dish at home. Check out some of these recipes sites for a bit of breakfast inspiration.

All Recipes
All Recipes has a whole collection of unique French toast recipes that just about anyone will love. The Crispy French Toast is covered in corn flakes for an added crunch, while the Easy Pina Colada French Toast gives the usual recipe a little island flavor. Pumpkin Pie French Toast is even great for the fall and winter holiday season, and it’s an easy way to get the whole family to gather around the breakfast table.

Martha Stewart
No one does comfort foods better than Martha Stewart, and her French toast recipes certainly won’t disappoint. Banana French Toast is a sweet and delicious way to get your kids to eat their fruit, and it’s just as easy to make as your regular recipe. If you’re feeling fancy, the Brioche French Toast with Asparagus and Orange Beurre Blanc is a savory brunch dish that will impress even your foodie friends. No matter your guests, you’ll find a French toast recipe for every occasion on the Martha Stewart website.

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Tips for Easing Public Speaking Anxiety

February 20, 2014 by

Have to give a big presentation? Terrified of speaking in front of groups? These confidence-boosting tips will help soothe your public speaking fears and help you to get your point across effectively.

  • Know your material. The more familiar you are with the subject, the less anxious you’ll feel when it comes time to step in front of a crowd.
  • Keep notes short and concise. Writing a detailed script and following it exactly can lead you to speak in a stilted way. Instead, use concise notes to help jog your memory as you talk.
  • Don’t apologize. If you feel like you sound nervous or you stumble over a word or two, don’t apologize; it’s likely that the crowd didn’t notice nearly as much as you did.
  • Speak slowly. Even if if feels better to rush through your remarks, you should aim to speak slowly so that your audience can understand your words.

Public Speaking Tips [MIT]
18 Public Speaking Tips [HowStuffWorks]
10 Tips for Public Speaking [Toastmasters International]

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Happy Presidents’ Day

February 17, 2014 by

Remembering the courage and vision of past and present leaders, we honor and share the spirit of Presidents' Day together as a nation.

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Happy Valentine’s Day!

February 14, 2014 by

Wishing everyone a day filled with fun and happy memories!

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Determine How Much Physical Activity You Need With This Helpful Guide

January 22, 2014 by

Sure, we all know we should exercise, but how much exercise does a person actually need? It depends on your weight, age, how much you eat, and a number of other factors. This informative guide from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention can help you determine how much exercise you should get each day, and then it recommends activities that are virtually painless and even a little fun.

Once you get enough physical activity, it starts to burn off more calories than your body needs, resulting in weight loss. Though lowering the number of calories you consume is the best way to lose weight, exercising is the only way to maintain your goal weight, and it prevents things like heart disease and diabetes.

The best part about exercise is that it takes a lot to initially lose weight, but it becomes much easier to maintain your goal weight once you get there. For most people, a simple 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity physical activity per week is enough to ensure that you don’t gain weight from the foods you eat. Things like light yard work or brisk walking are considered moderate intensity, while swimming laps or jogging are great ways to get more vigorous intensity physical activity.

When you consult this helpful guide to see how many calories your favorite physical activities burn, managing your health becomes easier and more effective.

Physical Activity for a Healthy Weight [Centers for Disease Control and Prevention]

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