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The Truth About the Five-Second Rule

January 6, 2015 by

You've probably all heard about the five-second rule at some point in your life. This "rule" states that if you drop a piece of food on the floor and pick it up in under five seconds, the food is still safe to eat. Many of us might even be living by this rule, but does the five-second rule have any basis in science? In short, no!

The origins of the five-second rule are unknown, but science has proven that the rule simply doesn't hold water. In 2003, Jillian Clarke, a high school senior, performed an experiment at the University of Illinois during a school internship. Her experiment proved that E. coli bacteria can transfer to food well under the five-second mark. Researchers at Clemson University took this experiment a step further in 2007. The scientists applied a large amount of salmonella to various types of surfaces to see how long the bacteria could survive. After three weeks, a good amount of salmonella was still living on the surfaces. The longer food was left on these surfaces, the more germs the food acquired. In just five seconds, the number of germs measured on a piece of food was between 150 and 8,000.

So, the next time you drop that beloved cookie on the floor, just throw it out and go buy yourself a new box of cookies. You never know what could have attached itself to your treat!

The Five-Second Rule [Kids Health]
5 Second Rule With Food On Floor [MythBusters]
Fact or Fiction?: The 5-Second Rule for Dropped Food [Scientific American]

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Learn to Cook with Kale with These Recipes

December 2, 2014 by

Kale is certainly having its moment in the spotlight, made popular because of its “superfood” status and its large amount of vitamins and nutrients. If you want to get on board with the kale trend but don’t know where to start, these healthy and delicious recipes will help.

Rich Italian Sausage and Potato Soup
Though many kale recipes seem like they’ll leave you feeling hungry, this rich and creamy soup certainly won’t. Its Italian seasonings give it a zesty taste, while the cream base makes it a warm comfort food for chilly days. Pieces of spicy sausage add protein without adding much fat, and the strips of kale become tender and soft when cooked in the hot broth.

Garlic-Roasted Kale
Because kale is so thick and hearty, it makes a great side dish all on its own. This recipe roasts the kale until it’s soft on the inside and crunchy on the edges, with a delicious garlic taste that just about anyone will love.

Chicken and Kale Casserole
This chicken casserole may taste indulgent, but its low-fat ingredients and coarsely chopped kale make it a healthy take on the classic dinner dish. Because it serves up to 8 people, you can even turn your friends and family into kale enthusiasts when you serve it at your next dinner party.

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Easy Ways to Incorporate More Folic Acid Into Your Diet

November 4, 2014 by

When you think of the necessary vitamins and minerals that you should be getting from the foods that you eat, folic acid likely isn’t one of the first things that come to mind. It is a very important element in everyone’s diet, however, especially women who are pregnant and those who are susceptible to Alzheimer’s disease. Here are some of the best ways to incorporate more folic acid into your diet.

  1. Broccoli. You already know that you should eat your vegetables to get the proper nutrients, but broccoli contains a great deal of folic acid as well. Just half of a cup of broccoli contains 52 micrograms of folic acid, which equals approximately 13% of the average person’s recommended daily value. Steaming broccoli or eating it raw is one of the healthiest ways to consume this veggie, but you can also add it to salads or stir fries for a more flavorful taste.
  2. Sunflower seeds. These tiny, toasted snacks are not only tasty, they’re also a very impressive source of folic acid. Just one ounce of sunflower seeds provide 20% of your recommended daily intake, and they also provide Vitamin E, beneficial fats, and other essential nutrients.

Surprising Sources of Folic Acid [Yahoo! Shine]
Foods High in Folic Acid [Prenatal Vitamin HQ]
15 Foods High in Folic Acid [Global Healing Center]
18 Foods High in Folic Acid to Prevent Cancer & Birth Defects [Bembu]

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Three Awesome Craft Ideas for Washi Tape

October 7, 2014 by

Washi tape is beloved by craft enthusiasts because it’s easy to use, comes in a number of adorable patterns, and is completely temporary. If you want to incorporate washi tape into your crafting, here are three fun DIY projects to get you started.

Washi Tape Shelf Edging [Aunt Peaches]
This is possibly the simplest craft project that you’ll ever do. In just minutes, you can make a plain old bookshelf look chic, feminine, or even a bit edgy by simply applying washi tape to the front of each shelf. Just choose the pattern that best suits your design scheme and start sticking.

Washi Tape Switchplates [Crab and Fish]
Improving your home with washi tape is easy, especially if you seek out forgotten decorating possibilities such as updating your lighting switchplates. The hardest part about this project is lining up the pattern so that everything looks uniform, but the process is still incredibly easy—even the most novice crafter!

Giant Geometric Washi Tape Jewels [Curbly]
These giant geometric washi tape jewels aren’t for the faint of heart, but they are a whole lot of fun for fans of home decor with a bit more personality. Make a few jewels in different colors, or use neutral washi tape to create a more subtle effect that still has a whole lot of bling.

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Three Unique Ways to Enjoy Iced Tea

September 3, 2014 by

From Southern-style sweet teas to berry-infused varieties, there is a seemingly endless number of ways to enjoy iced tea. This cool, refreshing beverage is as versatile as it is delicious, and it’s usually very simple to make. Here are three creative ways to enjoy iced tea.

Smooth Sweet Tea [AllRecipes]
Timeless and traditional, this recipe for Smooth Sweet Tea shows you just how to properly prepare the Southern favorite. Steeping black tea bags in boiling water creates a rich, aromatic base, while white sugar gives it that wonderfully sweet flavor.

Pomegranate and Lime Iced Tea [Real Simple]
Hot summer days call for a drink that will really quench your thirst, and this tart, fruity recipe does just that. Pomegranate juice gives the tea a real fruit flavor, while thinly sliced limes add a zesty taste that really complements the sweetness.

Green Jasmine-Mint Iced Tea with Lemon [Eating Well]
A wide assortment of flavors go into this simple tea recipe, but they all work together seamlessly. The jasmine green tea is light and mild, while the mint adds a cool flavor that will help you to unwind after a long day. Lemon juice and honey also provide a bit of added sweetness and tart flavor that’s more typical of green tea.

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Cooking 101: Fail-Proof Recipes for Pasta Sauce

August 5, 2014 by

Making your own pasta sauce may seem like something reserved for only the most skilled chefs, but you’d be surprised to know how simple it really is. Forgoing the store-bought sauces in favor of making your own is also beneficial to your health, as it eliminates the added sugars and preservatives that are often found in jarred pasta sauces. If you want to try your hand at preparing a zesty, flavorful sauce at home, here are three fail-proof recipes.

World’s Best Pasta Sauce!
This traditional pasta sauce is a versatile option that you can use for years to come. It includes the staple ingredients like tomato paste and a variety of Italian meats, plus flavorful spices ranging from dried basil to fennel seed. Once the ingredients are blended together, everything gets cooked slowly in a large Dutch oven.

Great Grandma’s Pasta Sauce
If your own grandmother wasn’t much of a sauce maker, feel free to adopt this tasty recipe as your own. It uses simple ground beef, tomatoes, and Italian spices to give it a hearty texture that tastes straight out of the old country.

Roasted Garlic Pasta Sauce
If you want to create a sauce that tastes like gourmet without the gourmet cooking skills, this recipe is the one to use. Celebrity chef Emeril Lagasse shares his unique recipe that includes unexpected ingredients like hot sauce, balsamic vinegar, and an impressive amount of garlic.

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Plan a Visit to These Must-See Parks Near Houston, Texas

July 8, 2014 by

There's more to Houston that just bright lights and a little Western flair. In fact, you'll find that many of Houston's attractions lie just outside the city. Case in point: These two must-visit parks near Houston. One park lies on the river, while the other is known for its vast biological diversity. Either way, both make for a memorable getaway.

Big Thicket National Preserve
Big Thicket National Preserve is located about two hours outside of Houston. Here, you can find species from very different habitats living among each other in a relatively small area. Take a hike on a variety of different trails, ranging from a brisk boardwalk stroll to an extreme 15 mile trek. The preserve is also a popular destination for birdwatching, as approximately 185 migratory bird species make Big Thicket their home between March and early May. Canoeing and kayaking enthusiasts travel to Big Thicket year-round to cruise the Neches River and Village Creek.

Stephen F. Austin State Park
You'll find Stephen F. Austin State Park just 30 minutes from the outskirts of Houston, so it makes a quick day trip for anyone looking to get outdoors. This scenic retreat offers traditional camping activities such as hiking and fishing, as well as the more modern geocaching. If you'd like to keep it simple, go fishing for catfish along the Brazos River. There are wide variety of campsites to accommodate your camping needs, whether they be a place to hook up your RV, a cabin for shelter, or just a little spot to put your tent.

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4 Banana Muffin Recipes for Tomorrow’s Breakfast

June 3, 2014 by

Banana muffins are warm, sweet, and always a breakfast favorite. From the healthy to the indulgent, there’s a banana muffin recipe for just about everyone. Here are a few of the best.

Banana-Cinnamon Muffins [Betty Crocker]
A healthy dose of spicy cinnamon gives these muffins a bit of a kick that’s perfect around the holidays.

Banana Crumb Muffins [All Recipes]
Crumb toppings on muffins makes them taste more like a strudel, which is exactly what makes this recipe so special.

Banana Muffins [Martha Stewart]
You can’t go wrong with Martha’s banana muffin recipe, which combines vanilla extract and sour cream for added flavor and moistness.

Skinny Peanut Butter Muffins [Sally’s Baking Addiction]
Enjoy the comforting taste of banana muffins even when you’re on a diet with this healthy, gooey recipe.

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No Time to Keep a Journal? Try These 4 Apps

May 6, 2014 by

Diaries seems to be becoming a thing of the past, but keeping track of what happens during your day-to-day can prove useful later on when trying to recall memories. Plenty of smartphone apps are now available to help you track your life while on the go. Use these great apps to keep a journal on your phone, and don't worry about anyone finding your dairy under your bed!

STEP
Track where you've been, what you did, and how you felt with this private journal app. Self-described as a "smart journal," users can add pictures, express feelings with emoticons, and add text. It's easy and quick to use.

InFlow
We spend a good portion of our lives trying to figure out what makes us happy. InFlow lets you track your emotions during different times of the day. When the automatic reminder pops up, record your feelings. You can then see when you're happiest and commit more time to those activities.

Chronos
Let your phone do the journaling for you. Chronos will record your everyday activities, like when you wake up, travel to work, go to the grocery store, and any other activities you participate in. Look back to see exactly what you did during the day and mark favorite activities.

Everyday.me
This app collects all your social media activity in one place. Updates from Twitter, Facebook, Foursquare, and Instagram are stored so you have a complete picture of what happened during your day. You can add thoughts directly to Everyday.me along with smiley faces to record your mood.

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4 Shoe Organization Tips to Reclaim Your Closets

April 1, 2014 by

From high heels to running sneakers, shoes have a habit of overtaking closets. They tumble off of shelves, get lost under the bed, and fill the entryway with unmanageable clutter. Here are four simple tips to help you tackle your shoe collection for good.

  1. Turn them into a display. If you have a too-big shoe collection and a too-small closet, make the most of your addiction. Treat your shoes like invaluable art by displaying them somewhere unexpected, like along a windowsill or in a credenza.
  2. Maximize space with flat shoes. While boots or heels can be clunky and hard to store, things even out with flats and sandals. These shoes can help you save a bit of precious storage space, so invest in a hanging shoe rack with flat pockets, or tuck them into an unused drawer.
  3. Stow fancy shoes away from the others. If you have a pair of expensive heels or leather tuxedo shoes that you only wear on special occasions, keep them in clear shoeboxes on a high shelf to make room for everyday pairs.
  4. Create DIY storage. Shoe storage units can be expensive, so why not get crafty and create your own? Bend some wire hangers to hang flats and sandals from sturdy cords.

25 Ways to Store Shoes in Your Closet [HGTV]
Shoe Storage Tips [The Container Store]

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