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Green Meets Clean in These Recipes for All-Purpose Cleaners

October 16, 2014 by

With all of the chemicals and hard-to-pronounce ingredients in commercial cleaners today, it’s no surprise that many people are opting to make their own cleaners instead. Here are two effective—and surprisingly simple—recipes for homemade cleansers made with only natural ingredients.

All-Purpose Vinegar Spray [greencleaning.about.com]
This simple, aromatic spray is incredibly easy to make, and it can be used on just about any surface in your home. Vinegar offers powerful disinfecting properties that are on par with any store-bought cleaner on the market today, and it smells a whole lot more natural, too. Simply combine it with water and your favorite essential oils, pour it all in a spray bottle, and you’ll instantly have a versatile cleaner that you can really feel good about.

Glass Cleaner [Good Housekeeping]
You don’t like the laundry list of chemicals on the back of your name brand glass cleaner, but it seems like making your own just won’t produce the same results. This simple recipe is here to prove you wrong. By using only water, white vinegar, rubbing alcohol, and some essential oils to mask the strong scent, you’ll get the same streak-free shine on every window or mirror in your home. Best of all, all of the ingredients used are environmentally friendly and safe for pets and humans.

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How to Improve Your Penmanship at Any Age

October 10, 2014 by

Having good penmanship is an invaluable life skill, and even if it’s been decades since you first learned to write in cursive, it’s something that you can always try to improve. Here are a few helpful tips to help you improve you handwriting or teach your children the proper way to write.

  1. Point out the flaws. Write a few sentences and evaluate them to see where you’re going wrong. Is the slant uneven, or are the letters spaced too far apart? Do you write with straight, bold lines or are they shaky and fine? Deciphering where your handwriting needs improvement will help you to make it better.
  2. Use the right muscles. Most people with less-than-perfect handwriting draw the letters on the page with only their fingers instead of using their full arms to write properly. Try writing with your entire arm and shoulder in order to put the right amount of force behind each letter.
  3. Go back to the basics. Many bad habits begin when people start writing letters in a way that is different than the proper formation. Using a kindergarten-style alphabet worksheet, re-train yourself to write each letter the way it should look. This will help you to make your writing more consistent and, in turn, more legible for those who have to read it.

How to Improve Your Handwriting [wikiHow]
8 Easy Tips to Improve Your Handwriting [Matador]
Improve Your Handwriting by Writing With Your Shoulders, Not Your Fingers [Lifehacker]

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Reserve at Garden Oaks Halloween Party

October 9, 2014 by

Please come out and join us for our 1st Halloween Party/ Yappy Hour on October 30, 2014 from 6pm to 8pm…

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Norton Fitness: Personal Trainers That Go Above and Beyond

October 9, 2014 by

Looking to get into shape? Consider signing up for fitness sessions with Norton Fitness, a personal training company serving Houston, Texas. The personal trainers at Norton Fitness undergo rigorous screening and training before they meet with clients. Each trainer must not only be nationally certified, but also insured, highly educated in the field, and personable. Having met these initial requirements, trainers are still required to pass another Norton exam that encompasses all the fundamentals of personal training, from diet and weight lifting to rehabbing bodies and medicinal approaches to fitness. And they must re-take the test every six months in order to stay on as a trainer, thus proving they haven't fallen behind as the various fields continue to advance.

Needless to say, Norton Fitness's trainers are more than equipped to propel any client toward their fitness and health goals. After an initial assessment, trainers create a one-of-a-kind workout plan designed specifically for the individual. They always take into account existing health conditions and other potential roadblocks, so clients only partake in safe exercises. With continuing education from nutritionists, doctors, a chiropractor, and even a psychologist, the trainers always come up with fresh ways to make fitness fun.

Norton Fitness
Houston, TX 77008
(832) 779-1902
www.nortonfitness.com

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Boo! Read About the History of the Jack-o’-Lantern

October 3, 2014 by

Carving pumpkins is a beloved tradition in most households, but this history of the jack-o’-lantern dates back much farther than just your own family’s Halloween festivities. Here are a few interesting points about the history of the spooky, silly jack-o’-lantern.

  • The name “jack-o’-lantern” is derived from a 17th century British term that described a man carrying a lantern, usually a night watchman. Townspeople began to call the mysterious lights that they often saw over the wetlands "jack-o’-lanterns" because they thought that they were ghosts or spirits.
  • Irish tradition also uses the term jack-o’-lantern in a story about Stingy Jack, a man who was forced to wander the earth for all eternity with only the light from a dull ember.
  • In some parts of Great Britain, it became customary for children to carry jack-o’-lanterns door-to-door on All Saints Day to represent the souls of deceased relatives.
  • Irish immigrants brought the tradition of the jack-o’-lantern with them to the United States, and they soon began to use the more readily available pumpkin instead of the turnip.
  • Pumpkin carving and the jack-o’-lantern didn’t become a part of Halloween tradition until the late 19th century, almost 200 years after it was initially invented.

History of the Jack-O’-Lantern [History Channel]
What’s the Origin of Jack-O’-Lanterns? [Mental Floss]
Why Do We Carve Pumpkins on Halloween? [About News]

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

October 2, 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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What Is 3D Printing? Get the Facts Here!

September 26, 2014 by

You've likely heard some buzz about 3D printing, a new form of technology that's anticipated to have a major influence on our world. These printers are not just putting ink to paper; instead, they are building an object by layering material, like plastic, and then fine-tuning the design with lasers. The result is a three-dimensional, fully functional object! Read on to find more facts about 3D printers.

1) Add and subtract. 3D printers are classified as additive manufacturing because, quite simply, successive layers of material create the finished product. Conversely, manufacturing techniques such as sawing and milling are known as subtractive manufacturing.

2) The possibilities are endless. From mugs, models, and jewelry to machine parts and toys, many things can be created through 3D printing. In fact, the health care industry has already embraced this technology to create replacement jawbones and hips. Resin, metal, and plaster represent some of the materials used in 3D printing.

3) Pros and cons. 3D printing begins to raise the question of intellectual property. Since you can print whatever you want, what is stopping someone from recreating something that's already on the market? In the future, if printers are made more widely available, this might become an issue. A less pressing drawback of 3D printing is that it takes time: Even small items can take up to two hours to print!

What is 3D printing? [3DPrinting.com]
What is 3D printing? [ExtremeTech]

Public Domain/Public Domain
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The League of Extraordinary Brewers: Unique Brews and Delicious Eats

September 25, 2014 by

Craft beer enthusiasts might enjoy The League of Extraordinary Brewers in Houston. A true celebration of small breweries from Texas and beyond, this gastropub also serves beer brewed right on the premises. Local beers include Nitro Lone Pint and Brazos Valley alongside Texas labels such as 512 and Rogness. The selection changes to include new and seasonal taps, a reason to stop back frequently to see what’s offered.

A fresh pint of your favorite style of beer goes great with the small plate selection on the menu, including cheese plates and the favorite beer cheese pretzel. More substantial fare includes hand-stretched pizzas topped with Meyer’s Elgin Sausage, a regional craft meat. Settle in beside other beer connoisseurs in this cozy yet comfortable brewery accented by exposed brick and wall length windows. Visit the gastropub's website to learn more about The League of Extraordinary Brewers!

The League of Extraordinary Brewers
907 Franklin Street
Houston, TX 77002
(281) 406-0652
leaguebrewpub.com
www.yelp.com/biz/the-league-of-extraordinary-brewers-houston

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Please Picky Eaters With These Healthy Fast Food-Inspired Recipes

September 19, 2014 by

You love the burger and fries at your favorite fast food restaurant, but you also know that too much grab-and-go food can take a toll on your health—and your waistline! If you’re dealing with a brood of picky eaters, these recipes will satisfy those fast food cravings, without all of the saturated fat.

Oven-Fried Chicken Tenders with Five Spice Barbecue Sauce [Good Housekeeping]
While regular fast food chicken tenders are deep fried and served with sugary sauces, this oven-baked alternative is just as tasty, but a whole lot healthier. Use Panko bread crumbs, sesame seeds, and a Chinese five-spice powder to create a crispy, Asian-inspired breading for the chicken, and then serve them with your own homemade barbecue sauce that’s free of unnecessary fat and calories.

Healthy Chocolate Banana Shake [abeautifulmess.com]
A thick, creamy milkshake from the local drive-through is a truly delicious indulgence, but it certainly isn’t the best thing for your waistline. This fruit-filled alternative is made with a whole banana, but it still packs that chocolatey punch that you love about traditional shakes.

Spicy Barbecue Chickpea Burgers [ohsheglows.com]
Instead of grabbing an artery-clogging burger, try this flavorful veggie burger. Hearty, protein-rich chickpeas hold the whole thing together, but the spicy barbecue sauce gives it a boost of flavor that's so good, you won’t even miss the meat.

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Check Out These Surprising Health Benefits of Autumn’s Favorite Crop, Apples!

September 18, 2014 by

Apples are some of the most delicious types of fall produce, but they’re also packed with vitamins and nutrients that do your body some good. If you needed another reason to justify that second (or third) piece of apple pie, you’ll love this list of the many health benefits of apples.

  1. Cardiovascular health. The beneficial phytonutrients found in apples function as antioxidants and decrease the oxidation of cell membranes in the cardiovascular system. Quercetin, which is found mainly in the apple’s skin, is its main phytonutrient, but apples also contain chlorogenic acid, kaempferol and myricetin.
  2. Blood sugar regulation. The polyphenols in apples are also thought to help regulate blood sugar because they influence digestion and absorption of carbohydrates, reduce glucose absorption and stimulate the pancreas to produce more insulin.
  3. Cancer prevention. Amazingly, apples have also been shown to prevent several types of cancers. They are even the only fruit or vegetable that’s been shown to prevent lung cancer.
  4. Asthma treatment. If you suffer from asthma, you may want to reach for an apple before your inhaler from now on. Apples contain a number of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory nutrients that work wonders on human lungs and have even been shown to decrease asthma symptoms.

What's New and Beneficial About Apples [The World’s Healthiest Foods]
5 Health Benefits of an Apple [Eating Well]
10 Reasons to Eat an Apple a Day [Care2]

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