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Laundry and Clothing Care Basics Everyone Should Know

January 22, 2015 by

Doing the laundry is a necessary annoyance, but modern amenities have done a lot to make this weekly chore a less daunting. Here are the basic rules for properly washing and caring for your most essential articles of clothing.

  1. Sort by color. You’ve likely heard that you need to separate your lights from your darks, but this step is especially important when washing denim or new clothes that have yet to be washed.
  2. Use the right water temperature. As a general rule, wash delicate clothing that could shrink or bleed in cold water. For heavily soiled items, whites, and towels, use hot water instead.
  3. Use the proper detergent. Not all detergents are created equal, so choose a type specially formulated for cold water, hot water, or even a brand made with color-safe bleach to remove stains from colored clothing. As a bonus, using the right type of detergent can even extend the lifespan of your clothes.
  4. Secure buttons. Dab a bit of clear nail polish in the center of shirt buttons to help prevent them from loosening. Even better, learn how to replace one yourself if you frequently wear button-down shirts.
  5. Keep zippers smooth. Rub zippers with wax every few weeks to keep them from catching or sticking.

Laundry Basics – Sorting it Out [For Better Living]
How to Care for Your Clothes [How Stuff Works]
Keep Your Clothes Clean and Bright [She Knows]
4 Clothing Care Skills Millennials Probably Don’t Know (But Need to Learn) [Real Simple]

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History Meets Adventure at These National Parks Near New York City

January 15, 2015 by

Beyond the hustle and bustle of New York City lie two national parks that were built to commemorate unique moments in American history. One is the home of a beloved First Lady, and the other is a former haven for artists seeking refuge outside of the city.

Eleanor Roosevelt National Historic Site
Amidst the 180-acre rural sprawl lies "Val-Kill," the only property that Eleanor Roosevelt ever owned. She purchased this modest cottage with encouragement from her husband, Franklin, to use the home and land as a means to develop her numerous endeavors. During the Great Depression, she used the cottage as a furniture factory to teach young men the trade. The house and its surrounding units are now open year-round to visitors for walk-through tours. There are also trails throughout the land nearby.

Weir Farm National Historic Site
Weir Farm National Historic Site is located in Ridgefield, Connecticut, 60 miles northeast of New York City. This structure was once home to a legendary artist community started by famous impressionist painter J. Alden Weir. Take a guided tour through the house where Weir and other painters, like Childe Hassam, Albert Pinkham Ryder, and John Twachtman, developed the skills that would later define the period. There are even art supplies provided free of charge for guests to make paintings of their own, if the house and its history should inspire you.

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How to Reduce Your Daily Caffeine Intake

December 18, 2014 by

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]

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How to Stick to a Healthy Diet During the Holiday Season

December 4, 2014 by

Your diet has been going well for months, but with the holidays coming up you may start to worry about overeating or consuming too many unhealthy, sugary sweets. With a bit of self-control and a few smart tips, you can navigate the holidays while still sticking to your diet. Here are some ways to do it.

  1. Eat healthy foods first. Fill your plate with a mixture of healthy vegetables and even a few not-so-healthy indulgences like carbs, starches and sweets. Eat the healthy foods first to prevent you from overeating afterward.
  2. Eat slowly. Many people get so excited about a delicious holiday meal that they stuff themselves before even realizing it. Cut your food into small pieces and eat slowly, stopping as soon as you’re full, to ensure that you fully enjoy your meal without overdoing it.
  3. Go easy on the toppings. If you’re already allowing yourself to cheat with a piece of pie, sacrifice the sugar-heavy whipped cream or ice cream topping to cut calories.
  4. Don’t skip your other meals. To avoid overeating at a holiday celebration, be sure to eat filling, nutritious meals throughout the day beforehand.
  5. Stick to your current weight. Instead of attempting to continue losing weight during the holidays, it’s more realistic to simply maintain your current weight.

Holiday Healthy Eating Guide [American Heart Association]
9 Healthy Holiday-Eating Strategies [Real Simple]
Tips for Healthy Holiday Eating [Sutter Health]
12 Ways to Survive a Holiday Eating Frenzy [Better Health USA]

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Photography 101: Basics a Beginner Photog Should Know

November 20, 2014 by

So you just purchased your first DSLR camera, and now it’s time to learn how to use it. Here are a few essential digital photography tips that every aspiring shutterbug should know.

  1. Hold your camera properly. In order to avoid shaky, blurry photographs, hold your camera with your left hand supporting the lens and your right hand around the body. For action photos, you might even want to use a tripod.
  2. Use the rule of thirds. Imagine a grid of nine equal sections (three horizontally, three vertically). Place the most important focal points of the photograph, such as a person’s face or a house in the distance, in the places where the grids intersect. It is believed that these types of photos are the most appealing to the human eye.
  3. Use linear shapes to direct the eye. To draw the viewer’s eye where you want it to look, place your subject between linear objects, such as at the end of a pier.
  4. Switch up your perspective. Instead of always photographing your subject straight on, try shooting from above, below or at an angle to create visual interest.
  5. Try the Sunny 16 rule. To shoot outdoors on a sunny day, set your camera at an aperture of f/16 and 1/100th of a second shutter speed to avoid over or underexposure.

Top 10 Digital Photography Tips [Exposure Guide]
Basics of Photography: Composition and Technique [Lifehacker]
How To Hold A Camera [About Home]

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How to Reap the Health and Beauty Benefits of Coconut Oil

October 16, 2014 by

If you keep up with natural beauty blogs, cooking magazines, or even just browse the racks at your local grocery store, you’ve likely noticed that coconut oil is having a moment in the spotlight. This all-natural oil is positively full of different uses, and these are just a few of the best.

  1. Cooking. Coating a frying pan with coconut oil is a wonderful alternative to using fattening sprays or butters. It gives your food a slightly nutty taste, but it usually doesn’t interfere with the taste of the food itself. You can also use coconut oil to replace shortening or vegetable oil in any recipe.
  2. Lotion. Although most DIY lotions require mixing a few ingredients, coconut oil can be used all on its own. Simply massage a bit into your knees, elbows, or anywhere else that you notice dry skin.
  3. Face wash. Washing your face with coconut oil is much less drying than using a traditional store-bought product, and it helps to remove makeup with ease.
  4. Hair conditioner. Take advantage of coconut oil’s numerous moisturizing benefits by rubbing it into your scalp and hair. Let it absorb into the strands for about two hours, and then shampoo out as usual.

101 Uses for Coconut Oil [Wellness Mama]
Everything You Need to Know About Coconut Oil [Shape]
31 of My Favorite Uses for Coconut Oil [Thank Your Body]
21 Miraculous Uses for Coconut Oil [Wonder How To]
10 Genius Ways to Use Coconut Oil [Michelle Phan]

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Learn About Endangered Animals Near You on the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Website

September 18, 2014 by

Since its inception in 1973, the Endangered Species Act (ESA) has demonstrated success in its mission to "protect and recover imperiled species and the ecosystems upon which they depend." Administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) and the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), the ESA separates dwindling species into two categories: Endangered, which means it's in danger of extinction; and Threatened, which means the species might become endangered in the near future. In the U.S., the ESA has been instrumental in restoring the populations of the Grizzly bear, Steller sea lion, Atlantic leatherback and green sea turtles, and the whooping crane, to name a few. However, there are still more than 1,500 endangered and threatened species in the United States.

If you want to learn about said species—some of which might even be right outside your front door—surf over to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service website. There, you'll find an interactive map that spotlights threatened and endangered species in all 50 U.S. states. Click any state of the map to find an alphabetical list of a state's periled species, info about where a species is commonly found within a state, plus intel on the species' recovery plans. Success stories are highlighted, too, showcasing the positive impact of the ESA initiative.

Get to Know Your Species [U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service]
Endangered Species Act Overview [U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service]
ESA Basics [U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service]
110 Success Stories for Endangered Species Day 2012 [Center for Biological Diversity]

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4 Heart-Healthy Desserts That Won’t Ruin Your Diet

August 21, 2014 by

Even when we’re dieting, it can be hard to resist having dessert every now and then. The key isn’t cutting out dessert completely; it’s about changing the desserts you decide to indulge in. These decadent-tasting recipes will satisfy your sweet tooth without ruining your diet.

Frosted Cake
Perfect for birthday parties or family dinners, this sweet frosted cake tastes just like the original, without all of the added sugar. By using things like low-fat cream cheese and skim milk, this cake becomes a smart alternative to the traditional bakery variety.

Tropical Fruit Compote
Because it has a fruit base, this fresh and summery dessert is a much smarter option for an after-dinner treat that’s also low in calories.

Crunchy Pumpkin Pie
Serve this traditional treat for Thanksgiving dinner and your guests won’t be able to tell the difference from its high-calorie original. Whole wheat flour and ground almonds make for a healthier crust, while canned pumpkin is a nutrient-rich base for its creamy middle.

Mousse a la Banana
If you’re looking for a delicious dessert that’s also low in saturated fat, cholesterol, and sodium, this is just the thing. At under 100 calories per serving, this sweet banana mousse is one dish that won’t make you feel guilty for indulging.

For more healthy dessert recipes, visit the NIH website here.

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Take Your Best Photo Ever With the Help of Photoshop

July 24, 2014 by

Let's face it: Pictures don't always present us in the best light. We all have those moments when we wished a photo came out just a little bit better. Photoshop is a great program for retouching photos, but it can be daunting for those of us who aren't too tech-savvy. You don't have to be a computer wizard to create beautiful photos; just follow these five easy tutorials.

1. Make your eyes pop in three easy steps.

2. Add Instagram-like filters to make pictures stand out.

3. Shave off a few pounds with the shear filter.

4. Enhance the features in your photo.

5. Remove blemishes and spots for flawless skin.

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Caffeine Hides in These Two Common Foods

June 19, 2014 by

Caffeine can give you a great boost of energy in the morning, but it can also cause headaches and annoying jitters when you drink too much. If you already cut out coffee but still feel the side effects of caffeine, you may be getting it from a different source altogether. Here are two surprising sources of caffeine that you may not know about.

  1. Decaf coffee. While you may think that switching to decaf is a solution to your caffeine problems, you still can’t go wild with your coffee intake. A cup of decaf coffee contains about five milligrams of caffeine, which is much less than a normal cup of regular, but it can still cause you to feel some side effects if you drink too much.
  2. Chocolate-flavored foods. Even if you opt for a plain old cup of hot chocolate instead of the espresso flavored truffles, many chocolate flavored foods contain a great deal of caffeine. Instant breakfast drinks can have about nine milligrams of caffeine, while powdered hot chocolate mix can also contain around nine milligrams. Be sure to check the label on any chocolate products that you purchase.

12 Surprising Sources of Caffeine [Health.com]
7 Hidden Sources of Caffeine [Eating Well]

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