You might feel like you simply can’t function without your morning coffee, but that boost of caffeine may be doing you more harm than good. Caffeine addiction causes you to rely on drinking coffee, soda, and energy drinks throughout the day, and it is also proven to contribute to stress and anxiety. If you want to cut back on the amount of caffeine you consume per day, these simple tips will make it easier.

1. Examine your intake. Studies show that 200 milligrams of caffeine or less is a healthy amount for the average adult to consume per day. This translates to about two strong cups of coffee, so this is an easy way to decipher how much you need to limit yourself. If you can’t make it through the workday without that third cup in the afternoon, that’s a good place to start.
2. Gradually cut back. Quitting caffeine cold turkey is just as painful as quitting any other bad habit. To prevent headaches, grogginess, and other signs of caffeine withdrawal, mix your usual coffee with a bit more decaf every day, or work your way down to just two cups of coffee instead of your usual amount.
3. Be smart about caffeine. Once you know that you can only have two cups per day, you should choose when to drink them wisely. If you feel most tired early in the morning and around 2 p.m., plan on drinking your cup of joe about an hour before those times.

Easy Ways to Reduce Caffeine Intake [U.S. News]
How to Lower Your Caffeine Intake Without Headaches [Fitday]
10 Ways to Start Your Day Without Caffeine [Everyday Health]
Caffeine [McKinley Health Center]

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr/Anna Loverus

When you think of Austin’s food scene you likely think of barbecue before gelato, but South Austin’s Dolce Neve is aiming to change that. This gelato shop uses a variety of creative, local ingredients to create some of the best gelato that you’ll have in the Lone Star State, and the regulars report that customer service is exceptional.

Each gelato flavor is made from scratch on site every morning, and it is made 100 percent according to old-school Italian recipes. Gelato flavors include 18 handcrafted options that change daily, but some of the most popular include goat cheese and blueberry lime jam, ricotta pistachio, and dark chocolate with cayenne pepper. If that’s not enough to get your sweet tooth tingling, Dolce Neve also offers other frozen novelties such as granita, popsicles, gelato sandwiches, and affogatos.

Dolce Neve is open 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays and 11 a.m. to midnight Fridays and Saturdays. Note that the cafe is closed Mondays.

Dolce Neve
1713 S. First Street
Austin, TX 78704
(512) 804-5568
www.dolcenevegelato.com
www.yelp.com/biz/dolce-neve-austin

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr/Joy

It’s important for your little one's bedroom to be a reflection of his personality, but you want the room to look nice, too! If you’re searching for some fun, affordable ways to decorate your child's room, these creative tips can help.

1. Add a gallery wall. If your son or daughter is a budding artist, encourage him or her to paint a few pictures on a variety of different paper sizes. Frame the artwork in colorful frames and hang them in a group to create an eclectic gallery wall that your child will be proud of.
2. Restore hand-me-down furniture. It seems silly to invest in expensive furniture that the kids will outgrow in a few years, so give that old dresser a fun facelift instead. Sand down the existing paint or stain and paint it your child’s favorite color.
3. Add removable wall decals. Most home goods stores today sell wall decals in a variety of different styles, so let your child pick the one he or she likes best. They’re a fast way to add personality to the room, and they dress up the wall without painting.
4. Mix patterns. From throw pillows to rugs, mixing patterns based on the same color scheme creates a funky look while still coordinating perfectly.
5. Invest in simple storage. Things like low dressers and cubed shelves with removable bins keep the room organized, and they’re simple enough to encourage the kids to put away their own toys.

Affordable Kids' Room Decorating Ideas [HGTV]
10 Decorating Ideas for Kids' Rooms [HGTV]
Decor Ideas for a Kid's Room [Real Simple]
DIY Kid's Room Decor Ideas [Babble]

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr/supernico26