You are here: Home / Archives for Miscellaneous

Boost Energy and Fight Cramps with These Potassium-Rich Foods

December 2, 2015 by

If you engage in high levels of activity, you already know that potassium from foods like bananas prevent cramps and stabilize your energy supply. Potassium is a vital mineral that also helps prevent hypertension and can be found in many other foods. Here are two other foods that are high in potassium:

  1. Potatoes. Grab a few spuds to get a huge boost of potassium. Red, white, or sweet, they make great sources of this nutrient. One medium potato contains 751 milligrams of potassium.
  2. Yogurt. This quick and delicious snack contains 531 milligrams of potassium in a mere eight ounces. For the healthiest choice, go for plain yogurt to avoid extra sugar hidden in the fruit.

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

Filed Under: Miscellaneous Tagged With: , , ,

Healthy Rice and Potato Dishes That Won’t Weigh You Down

November 3, 2015 by

Starches and whole grains are important for feeling energized, but if eaten in excess, they can make you feel heavy or weighed-down. These delicious and nutritious recipes from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute incorporate rice and potatoes into your diet in a way that benefits your body and provides proper portion sizes.

Delicious Oven French Fries
Though fast food French fries are anything but healthy, this oven-baked alternative provides the same classic taste without the added fat and salt.

Wonderful Stuffed Potatoes
By stuffing a baked potato with low fat milk and cottage cheese instead of the usual sour cream, you can save calories and still get the same savory taste.

Candied Yams
The holiday favorite gets a healthy makeover in this fast and easy recipe, with sweet brown sugar and tangy orange juice for a boost of added flavor.

Scallion Rice
The addition of green onions and bullion gives this simple, low-calorie rice dish a little something extra, and makes it perfect for eating with a variety of meats, vegetables or stir-fries.

Sunshine Rice
Perfect for pairing with grilled chicken or for eating on its own, this rice recipe contains unique ingredients like hot sauce, almonds, and lemon juice for a distinctly flavorful taste.

For more healthy rice and potato dishes, visit the NIH website by clicking here.

Filed Under: Miscellaneous Tagged With: , , ,

Healthy Recipes That’ll Curb That Chocolate Craving

October 6, 2015 by

Any chocoholic will tell you how difficult it can be to kick a chocolate craving. If you frequently dream about ice cream, chocolate bars, and decadent brownies (and just as frequently give into those cravings), you’ll appreciate these healthier chocolate recipes.

Dark Chocolate-Dipped Cherries [Whole Living]
The combination of chocolate and fruit is a true classic, and it tastes great in just about any pairing. This recipe uses tart cherries and rich, dark chocolate to satisfy your chocolate craving while still providing heart-healthy antioxidants and cancer preventative anthocyanins.

Chocolate Avocado Mousse [Fit Pregnancy]
It may sound strange, but the thick, creamy consistency of avocado makes a great base for an untraditional chocolate mousse. The dark cocoa inside masks the flavor of the avocado and leaves you with the chocolate-y taste that you know and love.

Chocolate Souflee [Eating Well]
These individual sized chocolate souflees help you to quiet your chocolate craving without overindulging. They also look as professional as a gourmet dessert, which makes them perfect for dinner parties.

Peanut Butter & Pretzel Truffles [Eating Well]
Few things go together better than peanut butter and chocolate, and this recipe is a wonderful example of that fact. These truffles are incredibly easy to make, and they also incorporate a salty taste from the crunchy pretzels.

Filed Under: Miscellaneous Tagged With: , , ,

Think Beyond the Bouquet With These Lavender-Centric Recipes

September 9, 2015 by

Though lavender is a flower, it’s also a deliciously fragrant herb that can be used to add flavor to many sweet and savory dishes. By simply cooking or garnishing with this beautiful flower, you can transform the taste of an entire dish. If you haven’t yet explored the culinary wonders of lavender, these two simple recipes will give you a bit of inspiration.

Lavender Shortbread [Food Network]
Shortbread is known for its rich, crumbly texture and buttery flavor, which makes it a perfect companion for the floral notes of lavender. This recipe uses only six simple ingredients and takes just 50 minutes to make, but after it’s complete your whole home will be filled with the sweet, delicious scent. Simply knead the ingredients together, adding dried or fresh lavender flowers, and bake in the oven until each bar reaches the perfect golden brown.

Pepita and Lavender Brittle [Martha Stewart]
Most brittle candies have a rich, caramel texture, but this particular brittle is uniquely earthy and fragrant. The recipe uses Martha Stewart’s basic brittle recipe to create a crunchy base, while the pepitas, or green hulled pumpkin seeds, offer even more texture. To top it off, dried lavender cooked throughout adds a floral flavor that only the small purple flower can provide.

Filed Under: Miscellaneous Tagged With: , , ,

Three Iron-Rich Foods You Might Not Know About

August 4, 2015 by

Consuming the right amount of iron each day prevents anemia, a condition that can lead to fatigue. This essential mineral also helps cells transport oxygen throughout the body. Adding more iron to your diet isn’t difficult when you know which foods to look for; here are three of them:

  1. Beef liver. Meat eaters have some delicious options when it comes to eating iron, with beef liver containing 5.8 milligrams per serving. Beef liver also boasts the lowest fat count in comparison to other beef products.
  2. Clams. Enjoy a tasty seafood meal while also getting your daily value of iron. Twenty small clams contain 53 milligrams.
  3. Pumpkin seeds. A great source for iron, pumpkin seeds contain 4.2 milligrams per serving. Eat them as a healthy snack in between meals.

Best Foods For Iron: 20 Foods Packed With Iron [Huffington Post]
Top 10 Iron Rich Foods [WedMD]
Top 10 Foods Highest in Iron [Healthaliciousness]
Iron Rich Foods [American Red Cross]

Filed Under: Miscellaneous Tagged With: , , ,

Meet Your Fitness Goals With These Plateau-Busting Tips

July 7, 2015 by

The dreaded exercise plateau is something that almost all people experience during their workout routine. You start seeing positive results after months of dedicated workouts, but then seemingly out of nowhere, the results just stop and you’re left wondering what to do next. If you’re in the middle of a workout plateau, use these simple tips to get back on track toward meeting your fitness goals.

  • Track your meals. If you used to eat whatever you wanted but started seeing results once you started eating a bit healthier, you might hit a plateau after you eat in a moderately healthy way for a few months. You’ll need to monitor your calorie intake a bit more thoroughly to continue losing weight.
  • Add intensity. When you continue doing the same workout for a few months, it will start to get easier as you become more fit. Ramp up the intensity of your cardio workouts and you’ll continue seeing results.
  • Elongate workouts. If your current workouts are 30 minutes or less of vigorous physical activity, try working out longer to increase results.
  • Cross-train. Many people love cardio while others love strength training, so combine the two into a cross training program to break out of your plateau.
  • Rest. Instead of working out every day, add a couple days of rest per week to let your muscles rebuild and become stronger as a result of your workouts.

Overcoming a Fitness Plateau [American Heart Association]
11 Reasons You’re Not Breaking Training Plateaus [Men’s Fitness]
What To Do When You Hit a Plateau [Nerd Fitness]
How to Break Through a Strength Training Plateau [Greatist]

Filed Under: Miscellaneous Tagged With: , , ,

How to Keep Your Apartment’s Entryway Neat and Clutter-Free

June 2, 2015 by

Instead of dropping your bag, shoes, jacket, and keys on the floor in front of your door, use these tips for creating a neat and clutter-free entryway.

  • Add hooks. Invest in some sturdy, attractive hooks and install them just to one side of your door. Larger ones can accommodate jackets and coats, while smaller ones are perfect for hanging a scarf or purse.
  • Add seating. Many people like to add seating where guests can sit to take off their shoes. Consider a compact bench with storage underneath to maximize your space.
  • Place a basket near the door. To avoid clutter around the doorway, add a small basket or decorative tray where you can toss your keys, mail, and other small items.
  • Consider the lighting. Do you often come home to a dark apartment at night? If so, you might also want to add a standing lamp to light the way when you enter the door.
  • Finish with a doormat. A doormat is essential for wiping muddy feet and keeping guests from tracking dirt through your home. Choose one in a bright color or with a witty greeting.

Maintain an Efficient, Orderly Entryway [Better Homes & Gardens]
Makeshift Mudroom: Tips to Keep Your Entryway Clear [Storage Pros]
11 Super-Organized Entryways to Clear the Way for Guests [Porch]

Filed Under: Miscellaneous Tagged With: , , ,

Knife Techniques and Tips Every Home Cook Should Master

May 5, 2015 by

Kitchen knives are a necessity for just about any type of cooking, but they can also be quite dangerous if used incorrectly. By learning the proper knife techniques, you can master the art of chopping, dicing, and slicing without risking injury.

  1. Start with a clean knife. Although you may think that cuts are the only dangers caused my knives, bacteria is also incredibly hazardous to your health. Be sure to clean your knife with hot water and dishwashing soap before using.
  2. Keep knives sharp. In order to guarantee fast, accurate cuts with minimal effort, you'll need to keep your knives sharp. You can do this by using a sharpening stone or by taking your knives to the store where you purchased them for sharpening.
  3. Learn to chop. Chopping involves roughly cutting a food item into pieces, and it is likely the most common cutting technique. To properly chop something, grip the knife securely and place either the knife's tip or the corner closest to your hand firmly against the cutting board. Use your wrist as a fulcrum to pull the rest of the knife up and down, keeping that end against the cutting board the whole time.
  4. Research other techniques. Dicing involves cutting into small, uniform pieces, while a chiffonade is how you properly cut herbs. You should also practice peeling things like apples or potatoes with a sharp knife.

Knife Skills: Different Types of Cuts [The Culinary Cook]
Top 10 Knife Skills [How Stuff Works]
Perfect Your Knife Skills With This Chef's Guide to Knives [Lifehacker]

Filed Under: Miscellaneous Tagged With: , , ,

Three Interior Design Rules Everyone Should Know

April 7, 2015 by

While you may not be an interior designer yourself, there’s no reason why your home shouldn’t look like you are. Even if you live in a rental, there are a few simple things you can do that will completely transform the look of your home. Here are three interior design rules that everyone should know.

  1. Move slowly. It’s very tempting to buy furniture all at once when you move into a new space, but that’s actually one of the most common interior design mistakes. Be thoughtful about the things that you incorporate into your home to ensure that you like them a few months (or years) down the line. Even if this means living with a bare living room for a while, it’s almost always worth it.
  2. Avoid buying sets or furniture all in one place. If you purchase furniture in a set or buy an entire room’s decor from one store, it’s always very easy to tell. To avoid creating a monochromatic room that looks like a child’s bedroom, mix and match materials, colors, and textures from a few different sources.
  3. Don’t fight against the quirks. Many spaces, especially rentals, have built-in architectural details that you simply can’t change. Rather than trying to hide them or “fix” them, purchase furniture that works with your home’s little quirks. For example, add a window seat against a bay window to maximize the views rather than covering it with a large sofa.

6 Basic Interior Design Rules [Suite]
The 3 Principles of Interior Design [HGTV]
The 7 Rules of Interior Design [Zillow Blog]
5 Rookie Mistakes You’ll Never Make Again [Apartment Therapy]

Filed Under: Miscellaneous Tagged With: , , ,

Three Fashion Websites for the Chic and Stylish

March 3, 2015 by

If you’re a real life fashionista who treats every sidewalk like a runway, you’re probably always looking for new outfit ideas. Luckily, fashion blogs provide endless inspiration that is a bit more accessible than that of more traditional fashion magazines. Here are three must-follow fashion blogs to bookmark on your browser:

Refinery 29
While it partially consists of witty pop culture stories and accessible world news, Refinery 29 is also packed full of shopping guides and celebrity outfit photos targeted toward the young stylista. Think of this smart and stylish website as your go-to for your morning dose of news and fashion.

WhoWhatWear
This mega popular fashion-blog-turned-online-magazine is a resource for many of the stylish regular girls just like yourself. Learn how to style a jumpsuit, where to find the best online sales and how to take better outfit photos in order to post your best creations to Instagram.

Fashionista
The name says it all at this sleek and stylish site, which takes a more thoughtful approach to the world of fashion. You’ll find news from behind the scenes at your favorite fashion magazines and news from around the world, all on one beautiful, image-heavy website.

Filed Under: Miscellaneous Tagged With: , ,
« Previous Page
Next Page »

Pin It on Pinterest