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Calling All Artists: Check Out These Drawing Tips and Tutorials on Pinterest!

June 18, 2015 by

You love to draw, but taking an art class might be too time-consuming. Just like with most things, you can find everything you need to improve your art skills right on the Internet! Pinterest boasts a number of drawing tutorials, painting tips, and other ways to connect with experienced artists without leaving the comforts of your own laptop.

Drawing Tutorials
If you’re a visual learner looking for a bit of assistance improving your sketches, the Drawing Tutorials board on Pinterest can help. This board is filled with links to videos that will show you the mechanics of drawing landscapes, sketching the details of a person’s lips, and even creating beautiful drawings on a chalkboard.

Draw
You don’t particularly need to watch instructional videos, but you could use a bit of guidance when it comes to drawing. This board contains endless sources of drawing inspiration, as well as diagrams and daily assignments to help you improve your drawing skills. You can also use the additional tabs at the top to browse the Draw board by doodles, anime, sketches, or whichever type of drawing that you’re most interested in.

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Two of Houston’s Favorite Spots for Sweets and Frozen Treats

June 4, 2015 by

The next time you feel a hankering for something sweet after dinner, you’ll be happy to know that Houston is filled with places to satisfy your craving. From artisan ice creams to made-from-scratch pastries and gourmet chocolates, Houston’s dessert scene offers something for every sweet tooth. Here are two beloved dessert spots within city limits.

Hank’s Ice Cream Parlor
Although Hank’s offers the traditional chocolate and vanilla ice cream flavors, you’ll be much more intrigued by flavors like sweet potato, rose petal, and banana pudding. No matter which type of ice cream you choose, however, the incredibly creamy, rich texture and premium ingredients will win you over after the first bite. The shop itself is tiny and quaint, but that only adds to the old-fashioned ice cream parlor charm. Hank's is cash-only, so be sure to hit the ATM before visiting.
9291 Main St., Houston, TX 77025; (713) 665-5103

The Chocolate Bar
Houston chocolate lovers, rejoice! The Chocolate Bar is a dream come true for chocoholics, boasting a menu that is positively packed with chocolate creations in all forms. Chocolate covered strawberries, decadent cakes, rich cocoa ice creams, and even the classic brownie are all well represented, and the shop’s adorable interior creates a fun, lively place to enjoy your chocolatey treat.
1835 W. Alabama St., Houston, TX 77005; (713) 520-8599

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How to Fight Insomnia and Get a Better Night’s Sleep

May 21, 2015 by

If you spend most nights tossing and turning for hours, you likely spend your days feeling tired, irritable, and unable to concentrate. Insomnia affects more people than you might think, but these proven tips can help you get a good night’s sleep.

  1. Set a schedule. If you often go to bed at very different times, it could be a cause of your insomnia. Try to set a bedtime for yourself and stick to it so that your body gets used to falling asleep at the same time each night.
  2. Give yourself 15 minutes. If you can’t fall asleep within 15 minutes of going to bed, get up and do something else. Lying awake for hours could cause you to stress out more, so try to tire yourself out by reading or washing the dishes.
  3. Change your diet. Don’t eat right before you go to bed, but try not to go to bed hungry, either. You likely already know that you shouldn’t drink caffeine before bedtime, but try to avoid alcohol, as well.
  4. Create a comfortable sleep space. If you still have trouble sleeping, it may be your surroundings. Wear earplugs if the outside noise is too loud, replace your blankets to suit your temperature needs, or add a mattress pad if your bed is uncomfortable.

20 Ways To Sleep Better Every Night [Prevention]
Sleep tips: 7 steps to better sleep [Mayo Clinic]
How to Sleep Better [Help Guide]
Healthy Sleep Tips [National Sleep Foundation]
How To Get A Better Night's Sleep [Sleepless in America]

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Fresh Cilantro Is Celebrated in These Seriously Yummy Recipes

April 17, 2015 by

Flavorful cilantro is a staple herb in many Southwestern and Mexican dishes, but it also complements a number of other types of foods as well. From butters to desserts, there are a whole slew of creative new recipes that incorporate the unique taste of cilantro. Here are three out-of-the-ordinary recipes for cilantro lovers!

Tropical Cilantro Smoothie [The Kitchn]
Though it may seem unusual, the flavors of tropical fruits pair very well with cilantro. This cool and refreshing smoothie blends pineapple, banana, and orange juice with a whole cup of cilantro, creating a summery taste that also contains a number of beneficial nutrients to make you feel energized and healthy.

Avocado Cilantro Sherbet [Martha Stewart]
Avocado is an unlikely addition to a cool sherbet, but then again, so is cilantro. Both ingredients are surprisingly delicious when combined with lime juice and whole milk in this fresh and tart dessert.

Cilantro Herb Butter [Simply Recipes]
Whether you spread it on bread or use it to flavor chicken, this cilantro herb butter is a great multipurpose way to add cilantro to any dish. The combination of cilantro and lime give it a classic Southwestern flavor, but the buttery texture is something completely unique. Best of all, this recipe takes just four ingredients and a few minutes to make.

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How to Get the Best Prices on Furniture

April 16, 2015 by

Purchasing furniture can be a big investment, and it can take quite a toll on your bank account no matter your budget. Here are a few smart ways that can help you save money on furniture while still investing in high quality pieces that will last for years to come.

  • Don’t fall for zero percent down. Many furniture stores offer deals like this in order to get you to purchase all of your furniture at once, but it usually isn’t worth it. Instead of paying a large markup for zero percent down, be patient and space out your purchases to get what you really want.
  • Visit estate sales. If you’re searching for bargains, estate sales are a great option. You can often find gently used furniture that was once very expensive at a markdown, provided that you don’t mind hunting for buried treasure.
  • Seek out floor sample sales (and ignore most other types). While most furniture sales are gimmicks or hardly very helpful, you’ll get the best bang for your buck from a floor sample sale. Because these items are technically “used” (though only in the store), they’re always marked down significantly.
  • Shop at furniture outlets. Instead of shopping at discount furniture stores full of poor quality pieces, shop high quality items with very minor damage at a furniture outlet.

Furniture Shopping Tips: The Best Secrets For Furnishing A Home On A Budget, From Real People [HuffPost Home]
How to Save Money When You Buy Furniture [About Home]
How to Buy Furniture [WikiHow]

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How to Identify the Freshest Fruit at the Supermarket

April 10, 2015 by

Fresh, ripe fruit plays an important part in any healthy diet, but it can be frustrating when your juicy apples get brown and bruised just days after purchasing them. If you'd like to select the ripest, freshest produce at the grocery store, check out these four tips!

  1. Feel the weight. Fruits like melons, oranges, and lemons feel heavier when they’re ripe with juice, so pick them up before choosing which ones to buy. The fruit should feel heavy for its size if it’s truly ripe.
  2. Test the texture. The above fruit should also feel firm to the touch, but not so firm that they feel dry and hard inside. Give them a gentle squeeze to check for bruising, as well.
  3. Use your sense of smell. Fruits like berries, grapes, and nectarines begin to smell sour or rotten when they’re past their prime, so be sure to give them a good whiff before purchasing. Most fruits will give off a light, sweet scent when they’re ready to consume.
  4. Inspect the whole surface. If all else fails, use your best judgment by simply inspecting the fruit. Turn over a melon or apple to check for bruising or discoloration, take a quick peek through a bag of grapes or oranges to see if any are mushy or rotten, and consider the color of the fruit’s skin, as this can often tell if it is too ripe.

How to Select Fresh, Ripe Produce [Lifehacker]
How to Pick Fruits & Veggies [Good Housekeeping]
Raw Produce: Selecting and Serving it Safely [FDA]
Choosing Fresh Fruits and Vegetables [Family Circle]

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Enjoy These Sweet Lava Cake Recipes

April 3, 2015 by

With warm, gooey chocolate inside of a moist cake exterior, molten lava cake is a chocolate lover’s dream. This decadent dessert may look like a gourmet treat, but it’s actually surprisingly easy to make. Here are two sweet and simple molten lava cake recipes!

Paula Deen’s Molten Lava Cakes [Food Network]
Everything that Food Network host Paula Deen makes is delightfully sinful, and these Molten Lava Cakes are no exception. They take just 30 minutes to prepare, and the mix of bittersweet and semisweet chocolate with orange liqueur adds a unique taste that your guests and family will love.

Healthier Molten Lava Cakes for Two [Texanerin Baking]
If you want to cut calories while still maintaining the indulgent taste and texture, this Healthier Molten Lava Cake recipe from Texanerin Baking is the perfect choice. It makes just enough for two people so that you can share with a friend, but you won’t be tempted with leftovers. Plus, the dark chocolate and espresso powder add major chocolate flavor without the added sugar of milk chocolate.

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4 Health Benefits of Napping

April 2, 2015 by

While you may think of napping as a luxury reserved for the weekends, taking quick power naps throughout the workweek is not without its benefits — just make sure your boss is okay with it first! Here are four of the most important health benefits of napping:

1) It increases your level of alertness.
Even a 40-minute nap will increase how alert you are by a full 100 percent. Just think of the ways that extra energy will improve your work performance or help you tackle chores around the home!

2) It boosts memory retention.
If you take a mid-afternoon nap when you start to feel tired, once you wake up you’ll be able to remember more facts and deliver a better performance without feeling sluggish.

3) It prevents disease.
That’s right: napping regularly not only improves your brain function, it also improves your overall health. Napping for just 30 minutes a day a few times a week is said to decrease your risk of heart disease and diabetes and help your body to heal itself more quickly.

4) It makes you happier.
It may seem like common sense that you feel less grumpy after a nap, but there’s more to it than that. Napping increases your brain’s production of the mood-enhancing neurotransmitter serotonin, which increases overall feelings of well-being and decreases stress.

Napping: Do's and don'ts for healthy adults [Mayo Clinic]
The Health Benefits Of Napping: Resting Can Help Reduce Stress And Protect Immune System [Medical Daily]
Unleash the Power of the Nap [The Art of Manliness]

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Just Like Mom Used to Make: Chicken Pot Pie Recipes

March 27, 2015 by

With its light, fluffy exterior and its thick chicken stew inside, chicken pot pie is a classic recipe that will make you feel warmer and cozier with every bite. If you want to adapt this time-honored dish for your own friends or family, here are three great recipes to show you how.

Ina Garten’s Chicken Pot Pie [foodnetwork.com]
You can be sure that the Barefoot Contessa herself will have a few things to add to such a classic dish. Ina Garten’s pot pie gets an elegant makeover with the addition of fresh parsley leaves and chicken bouillon cubes, and serving it in miniature bowls makes it even more chic.

Impossibly Easy Chicken Pot Pie [bettycrocker.com]
If you’ve been dreaming of chicken pot pie but you’re short on time, this six-ingredient recipe is the perfect solution. It uses frozen vegetables, cream of chicken soup, and biscuit mix to make pot pie easier than ever.

The Epicurious Chicken Pot Pie [epicurious.com]
When you have the time to make the crust, chicken, and filling all from scratch, this is the recipe to use. This pot pie is perfect for a dinner party with your foodie friends, as it incorporates complex ingredients like black peppercorns, dry white wine, and dried chanterelle mushrooms along with the usual meat and veggies.

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How to Help Preserve the Health of Your Eyes

March 20, 2015 by

You lift weights for your muscles and use fancy creams for your skin, but what do you do to protect your eyes? The eyes are often overlooked, but they are some of the most important parts of the body. Here are a few simple things that you can do to help ensure good eye health for years to come.

  1. Have a comprehensive exam. If you don’t wear glasses or contacts, you might go for years between eye exams. The only real way to know how healthy your eyes are is by having a comprehensive dilated exam administered by an eye care professional, so be sure to schedule an appointment.
  2. Eat the right foods. Yes, it’s common knowledge that carrots are good for your eyes, but other foods that can help improve the health of your eyes, as well. Dark, leafy vegetables, fruits, and fish high in omega-3 fatty acids have all been linked to improving eye health.
  3. Keep them protected. Sunglasses don’t just look cool, they also serve a very important purpose. Wearing sunglasses helps to shield your eyes from the harmful UV rays from the sun, so be sure to choose ones that block 99 to 100 percent of UVA and UVB radiation.

Eye Health Tips [Information for Healthy Vision]
10 Eye Health Tips to Protect Your Vision [Real Simple]
Five Tips For Eye Health [Eating Well]

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