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Four Great Political Documentaries

April 5, 2013 by

In an election year, it’s always a good idea to look back at past events to guide us in our future decisions. These four films tell stories of political events that we can still learn from today.

Feed
Cobbled together from footage filmed just before and after candidates in the 1992 presidential election went on the air, this often funny documentary lays bare the very human personalities that emerge when candidates think no one is watching.

The Fog of War
Using his distinctive documentary style, Errol Morris coaxes 85 year old Robert McNamara to give an interview for the ages, giving a surprisingly frank account of his time as Secretary of State during the Vietnam War.

Street Fight
A mayoral race in Trenton, New Jersey sets the stage for a gripping tale of a young, idealistic candidate going up against a seasoned political machine.

Please Vote for Me
In 2007, a class of third graders in China held the country’s first democratic school election, for the position of class monitor. The film provides a glimpse into Chinese society and the very nature of democracy.

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Low Sodium Cooking: 4 Great Tips To Add Flavor, Not Salt

March 29, 2013 by

If you suffer from high blood pressure, or are just trying to get healthier by cutting back on your salt intake, check out these great tips for low sodium cooking from WebMD. Try incorporating them into your diet, and you'll feel better in no time!

  • Stick with real food. Processed stuff often stays good by (surprise!) incorporating lots of extra salt as a preservative. It's often healthier to stick with homemade recipes than to use stuff from boxes, cans, or jars.
  • Ignore some directions! When you're prompted to add salt to a recipe, season with another spice instead, such as cumin or garlic.
  • Watch your butter! Sure, salted butter tastes great on its own, but in some recipes you won't notice much difference if you substitute unsalted butter.
  • Avoid additives like MSG, baking soda, and sodium benzoate. They're all sodium compounds, with similar effects as salt.

You can read more by visiting WebMD's page on Low Sodium Recipe Tips!

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Have You Heard These Up-and-Coming New Musicians?

March 22, 2013 by

These new, up-and-coming musicians show real promise, so be sure to keep an eye on them. Their talent and style is getting them recognized, and before you know it, they’ll be mainstream! If you like being the one to introduce your friends to the best new artist, get to know their music now, before they are household names.

Lana Del Rey
Lana has received accolades and criticism thus far in her career, but her hit single "Video Games" was a top 10 pop song!. Despite the controversy, she is definitely one to watch out for!

Ed Sheeran
A recent breakthrough artist, Ed Sheeran's song "The A Team" rose high on the pop charts.

Karmin
This tandem started out releasing covers of some popular rap songs, but charted in 2011 with their own song "Crash Your Party."

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Five of the Planet’s Healthiest Foods

March 15, 2013 by
As a New Year swings into motion, many people make resolutions to lead a healthier lifestyle. Whether or not you’ve put “better health” at the top of your resolutions list this year, you’ll benefit from adding some of these nutrient-dense superfoods into your diet:
 
Kale
Kale is a dark green leafy vegetable that is a nutritional powerhouse, packed with Vitamins K, C, and A, as well as many other health-enriching vitamins and minerals. It is noted as a particularly strong food source in the prevention of cancer, due to its antioxidant properties and anti-inflammatory nutrients. Kale is easy to grow, wash, and prepare, and can be used in a variety of dishes. 
 
Blueberries
Blueberries continually land on the top of healthy food lists, known for having one of the highest antioxidant capacities among all fruits, vegetables, seasonings, and spices. Many studies have shown that their unique phytonutrient content has a positive effect on the human cardiovascular system. They can be delicious when eaten in pies and other cooked dishes but are particularly beneficial to one’s health when consumed raw.
 
Garlic
Garlic is an undeniably scrumptious and aromatic enhancement to countless dishes and it has the added benefit of being one of the healthiest foods you can consume. Studies have shown that garlic can lower blood triglycerides and total cholesterol while also protecting blood cells and vessels from inflammatory stress.  
 
Spelt
Spelt is a highly nutritious grain with a rich nutty flavor. Think of it as wheat’s much healthier cousin. In fact, it can often be used as a smart alternative for wheat in products such as pasta and bread. Packed with manganese, protein, copper, and zinc, spelt can help with lowering cholesterol, protecting against heart failure, contributing to cancer prevention, and even combatting childhood asthma, among a host of other notable health benefits.
 
Beets
Beets possess a unique phytonutrient content that makes them strong providers of antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and detoxification support. Beets help protect against heart disease, certain cancers, and birth defects, and recent studies have shown that the lutein and zeaxanthin in beets make them particularly effective at maintaining eye health. Beets can make tasty and colorful additions to salads and main dishes.

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What Are The Best Hybrid Cars?

March 8, 2013 by

As the price of gas continues to rise, hybrid cars have become one of the fastest-growing markets in new car sales in the United States. As you have probably seen, a number of manufacturers now have hybrid models on the market — ranging from compacts to trucks. Below we'll share some of the most popular hybrids available, and see how they stack up for efficiency, comfort, and utility.

Ford Fusion Hybrid
Ford’s newest modification of their Fusion sedan has won it a number of prestigious awards. This hybrid offers higher fuel efficiency than many other hybrids out there, however, several models had to be recalled due to software errors, so do your research.

Toyota Prius
The Prius was the first mass-produced hybrid vehicle. The Prius now has had over a decade to develop into the poster child for hybrid vehicle. This compact is surprisingly roomy and very comfortable, and gets excellent mileage and has great performance, making it the best all-purpose hybrid car.

Hyundai Sonata Hybrid
This fabulous family sedan is a new contender on the market, and it delivers great performance, remarkable fuel efficiency and a lengthy warranty. The one complaint some drivers have is that it lacks headroom for very tall people, so be sure to test drive and see for yourself.

Chevrolet Volt
The Volt has had a rougher start on the market, as it combines a pure electric drive with an optional gas engine. Unlike the other cars on this list, it has a plug-in battery that’s good for about 40 miles, then the internal combustion engine recharges it beyond that. Some complain that the required premium fuel is annoying and costly.

Lincoln MKZ
This luxury hybrid is a step up from some of the other more economical cars on this list. The MKZ boasts an impressive powertrain, plenty of passenger space, and is an excellent value for the money. It has a very smooth ride and unbeatable fuel economy.

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Can’t Seem To Find The Perfect Place To Store Your Spices?

February 27, 2013 by

Are you looking for the best place to store all of your spices?

Spices seem to take up a lot of space. Whether you have them stored in a drawer, cabinet, or on the counter, couldn't that space be used for something better?

Try attaching a cookie sheet to the bottom of a kitchen cabinet. Next, glue magnets to the top of all of your spices. Your spices will now attach to the bottom of your cabinets and free up whatever space they had been taking up!

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Needing A Little More Storage?

February 20, 2013 by

Who couldn't use a little more storage space in their apartment home? Well, maybe you already have the space.

Check out some of these cool ideas that help you store some household items using the backs of doors. From cabinet doors to pantry doors, you already have storage space that is just waiting to be used!

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The Big Clean: What To Tackle To Get Your Home Spick-And-Span

February 15, 2013 by

If your home's in need of a "big clean", and you're feeling a bit overwhelmed, check out the list below that breaks down the major tasks that need handling to leave your home wonderfully spick-and-span. Like any big project, breaking it down into manageable tasks can make it far easier to tackle. Apartment Therapy's "Stress Free Plan" to pre-party cleaning offers a guide to stuff that you'd probably should be cleaning about once a month, regardless of how often you have company. You can accomplish everything on their "Big Clean" list in just about five hours, including such tasks as:

  • Cleaning kitchen stuff like your cabinets, sink, stovetop, and refrigerator.
  • Scouring nooks and crannies like windowsills, doorjambs, and the spots behind and beneath furniture.
  • Scrubbing the tub and toilet, and cleaning your shower curtain.
  • Discarding built-up clutter, like recycling or stuff for donation.

Want to learn more? Click here to visit Apartment Therapy.

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Save on Your Utility Bills in 3 Steps

February 7, 2013 by

Who doesn't like saving money? And, if we can save while also protecting the Earth, then everybody wins! Below are a few tips to save money and protect resources by reducing your utility bills at home at Marquis at Barton Trails.

Switch your standard light bulbs over to compact fluorescent (CFL) bulbs. CFLs take a fraction of the power and last much, much longer. 

Turn off lights, appliances, and technology when you leave a room. Forgetting to turn off the lights or unplug unused chargers in an unoccupied room wastes a lot of electricity and money! The same goes for televisions and computers. A quick flip of the switch can take dollars off your electric bill.

Insulate your windows in the winter with plastic sheeting. This will keep more warm air inside the house. And, in the summertime, try to rely on the use fans and open windows to maintain cross breezes for natural cooling as much as you can.

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Most Memorable Movie Theme Songs

January 31, 2013 by

A great theme song can get you into a film right from the beginning. Some soundtracks have even transcended the movies they came from and become cultural icons in their own right. In this article, we’ll share five examples of catchy movie theme songs:

"The Pink Panther"
This legendary smooth jazz theme by Henry Mancini written for the 1963 crime caper won three Grammy awards and hit the Billboard Top 10, and for good reason – it’s ridiculously catchy and you’ll have a hard time getting it out of your head.

"As Time Goes By"
Written by Herman Hupfield in 1931, this classic became famous in 1942 when Sam, played by Dooley Wilson in the film Casablanca, made it the film’s lyrical motif. An interesting bit of trivia is that “You must remember this / A kiss is just a kiss” isn’t the song’s opening – the film cut an entire verse before the chorus.

"My Heart Will Go On"
Celine Dion’s worldwide hit was originally composed as an instrumental by James Horner, but director James Cameron did not want vocals to be added to it. Writer Will Jennings composed lyrics anyways, and when Dion was convinced to do a demo tryout (a rarity for a singer of her stature), one of the most memorable movie songs ever.

"Mrs. Robinson"
Composed by Paul Simon for The Graduate, this was a rare occurrence of a pop star putting together a new song directly influenced by the plotline of a movie. Director Mike Nichols was a huge Simon & Garfunkel fan, paying big bucks for Simon to write three new songs for the movie. He only delivered one, but it was a classic.

"Theme From Shaft"
Isaac Hayes’s soundtrack to 70s classic Shaft is probably more famous than the film itself, replete with shimmering strings, funky drums, and one of the most famous call and response vocal parts of all time. 

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