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Love Typography? Check Out These Boards on Pinterest!

March 19, 2015 by

Typography is a type of design that makes words and letters more appealing to readers, turning a design’s text into a work of art in itself. Using a variety of carefully chosen typefaces, varying line lengths and thoughtful letter spacing, typography changes even the most basic text into something beautiful and exciting. Here are three inspiring Pinterest boards for fans of typography.

Hand Lettering
Hand lettering is a particular type of typography in which designers sketch their own typefaces by hand. This Pinterest board features some of the best examples of hand lettering from around the web, as well as prints and posters available for purchase from those designers.

Typography
The main Typography Pinterest board is filled with a variety of different types of typography that will provide some major inspiration for designers, bloggers, and other creative types. It also includes downloadable fonts to help you spice up any project.

Calligraphy
If you prefer typography that’s a bit more elegant and decorative, the Calligraphy Pinterest is a very aesthetically pleasing source of inspiration. This board is ideal for wedding planning, fancy parties, or simply for those who want to pick up calligraphy as a hobby. It also includes links to online calligraphy classes and shops filled with decorative calligraphy prints.

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Craving Adventure? Check Out These National Parks in South Florida

March 5, 2015 by

Southern Florida is home to some of the few tropical national parks in the country. Travel to one or both of these neighboring areas to enjoy all the beauty they have to offer.

Big Cypress National Preserve
Big Cypress National Preserve lies 45 miles west of Miami and neighbors the Florida Everglades. This tropical national preserve is home to the Big Cypress Swamp, a truly unique natural environment. Take an airboat tour through the trails of the swamp to spot unique vegetation and wildlife, or go off-roading on an airboat of your own. If you prefer something a bit more relaxing, the preserve also offers a wide variety of traditional park activities like camping, hiking, and canoeing.

Everglades National Park
Everglades National Park accounts for 20% of the Florida Everglades. It was the first national park established to protect a complex ecosystem, and it's home to many endangered species like the manatee and the Florida panther. Visit the park year-round to enjoy activities like canoeing, fishing, and hiking, or spot an alligator along one of the airboat tours. The park, which is the third largest in the contiguous US, offers a wide array of activities that are suitable to nearly anyone.

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Pass the Time With Help From These Two Android Apps

February 19, 2015 by

Whether you’re waiting in the doctor’s waiting room or riding the subway to work, you may feel like you do a lot of waiting around. Luckily, your smartphone offers endless entertainment for those boring occasions. Here are two great Android apps that will help you to pass the time.

Trivia Crack
Test your knowledge in six different categories on this fun and challenging app. Trivia Crack is a colorful game that blends trivia with strategy, beginning with a wheel that you must spin to determine which category you’ll compete in first. Collect the characters that correspond to each of these categories, and even steal characters from your opponents by challenging them to a duel.

Word Search
Your favorite old-fashioned word game gets updated for the Android operating device in this brainteasing app. Choose from seven different categories that include animals, American presidents or even kids’ questions, and then set the difficulty to suit your skill level. Word Search also gives you the choice to find the maximum number of words possible or to simply search for a limited number of words. Once you find a word, the attractive app creates a colorful bubble around it on the board.

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Three Tasty Veggie Burger Recipes

February 5, 2015 by

Whether you’re a vegetarian or you simply enjoy the health benefits of meat-free meals, veggie burgers are a delicious alternative to your regular greasy beef patty. These simple, nutritious veggie burger recipes offer a variety of different takes on the classic vegetarian dish.

Open-Faced Falafel Burgers [MyRecipes]
Middle Eastern falafel is normally stuffed inside of a pita, but this recipe adds an American spin by preparing it like a burger. The falafel patties are filled with nutritious veggies and spices like cumin and coriander. Top the patties with a light, refreshing tahini sauce for a unique dish that will excite your taste buds.

Best-Ever Veggie Burger [The Kitchn]
Most veggie burgers lack the protein-fueled umami taste stimulated by meat burgers, but not in this particular recipe. Even vegetarians can enjoy the hearty, savory flavor that meat provides with this complex veggie burger, created by roasting the ingredients and using the perfect blend of smoky spices.

Homemade Black Bean Veggie Burger [AllRecipes]
Add a taste of the Southwest to your burger night with this flavorful black bean version. It takes just a few common ingredients and 35 minutes to create these healthy, delicious veggie burgers right in your own kitchen. You can even toss them on the outdoor grill for a traditional summer barbecue taste without the usual meat.

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Lactose Intolerant? Steer Clear of These Surprising Lactose Food Sources!

January 22, 2015 by

Though milk is the only food that naturally contains lactose, many prepared or packaged foods contain lactose because of the ingredients added to them. This could potentially be very harmful for someone who is lactose intolerant, and it would be equally unpleasant to a person who abides by a strict vegan diet. Here are two surprising sources of lactose that you should avoid.

  1. Breakfast cereals. Even if you opt to use a non-dairy milk, like almond or soy milk, on your morning breakfast cereal, you could still be ingesting harmful lactose through the cereal itself. Quite a few brand-name breakfast cereals contain lactose in their ingredients, though it’s not always apparent. Check the label for items like lactate, lactic acid, and casein before you make a purchase.
  2. Potato chips and other snacks. While it may seem like the only ingredients in potato chips are, well, potatoes, that’s not always the case. Many brands of snack foods contain small amounts of lactose in either their flavoring or the manufacturing process, which can make those who are lactose intolerant very sick. Once again, check the label before you buy!

8 Surprising Sources of Lactose [Best Health]
Lactose Intolerance [NIDDK]
Learn to Detect “Hidden” Lactose [Cornell Women’s Health]
Hidden Sources of Lactose [Lactose Ninja]
What is “Hidden” Lactose? [Lactaid]

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Dip Into Something Sweet With These 4 Dessert Fondue Recipes

December 18, 2014 by

Fondue restaurants are trendy and tons of fun, but they’re often quite expensive for such simple ingredients. Here are a few recipes for restaurant-quality fondue that you can make right in the comfort of your own kitchen.

Chocolate Fondue [Rachael Ray]
All you need is a fondue pot, bittersweet chocolate, heavy cream, and some fruit and other dipping items to make this traditional fondue recipe.

Chocolate Bar Fondue [Real Simple]
This recipe is perfect for anyone who wants to make fondue using basic ingredients that you already have at home. Use angel food cake or strawberries for dipping, and you’re good to go.

Milk Chocolate Fondue [Betty Crocker]
While some chocolate fondues can be a bit bitter, this one uses milk chocolate for a sweeter, creamier taste.

Chocolate Fondue [Williams Sonoma]
Adding some vanilla extract gives this chocolate fondue recipe a hint of extra flavor that your guests will love.

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Plan a Beautiful Brunch with These Websites

December 4, 2014 by

If the in-between brunch is your favorite meal of the day, you might simply adore the sweet and savory recipes on these great websites.

Food Network
Your favorite Food Network show hosts offer their own favorite brunch recipes on the network’s website. They offer tips and tricks for how to plan a beautiful brunch, ideas for food themes, and, of course, detailed recipes for how to create tasty dishes. The Sausage Bread Brunch Sandwich from the Sandwich King Jeff Mauro is great for a causal weekend breakfast, while the Ted Allen’s Brunch Tart with Spinach, Olives and Leeks is a great main course for a more sophisticated meal. Whatever your brunch style, you’ll find something for everyone on the Food Network's website.

AllRecipes
Browse by type of food, plan a breakfast buffet or search brunch foods by ingredient on the AllRecipes Breakfast and Brunch section. Each of these simple recipes are rated by users and feature the complete nutritional information, so you can plan your brunch right down to the smallest detail.

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Essentials for Your at-Home Wet Bar or Bar Cart

November 20, 2014 by

Adding a bar cart to your home enables you to make fancy cocktails for your guests and adds a bit of vintage charm to any room. If you have the bar cart but don’t have the supplies to go on it, this list of home bar essentials can help.

  • Cocktail shaker. Invest in a high quality cocktail shaker made of a durable material like stainless steel. This will help you to mix drinks thoroughly and to pour them without spills.
  • Bottle opener and corkscrew. If you or your guests prefer wine and beer to a complex cocktail, these basic tools will come in handy.
  • Wine glasses, martini glasses, highballs, and tumblers. These are the necessary glasses for just about any drink you’ll make.
  • Blender. It’s not possible to make an icy margarita without a high quality blender, so be sure to keep one stored under your bar cart.
  • Cocktail strainer. These tools strain out pulp, ice, and other solids from cocktails while letting your booze pass easily into a glass.
  • Cutting board and knives. If you frequently garnish drinks with lemons, limes, and other fruits, keep an arsenal of sharp knives and a reliable cutting board on hand.
  • Coasters. You’ll never worry about guests ruining your wooden furniture when you have a supply of coasters in your bar cart.

The Guide to A Well-Stocked Wet Bar [Esquire]
25 Essentials for a Legit Home Bar [Complex]
10 Things You Should Have in Your Home Bar [Buzzle]

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How to Use Rubbing Alcohol Around the Home

October 16, 2014 by

You likely rely on rubbing alcohol to treat cuts and scrapes, but did you know that this medicine cabinet staple has uses beyond the bathroom? Here are three lesser-known uses for rubbing alcohol:

1) Tackle tough ink stains
Pre-treat ink stains by dabbing the area with rubbing alcohol. It's also said that rubbing alcohol can prevent ring around the collar: Simply swipe your neck with a cotton ball dampened with rubbing alcohol before dressing. Note, though, that this can be drying to the skin, so apply sparingly.

2) Clean your gadgets
You probably already use alcohol to disinfect your toothbrushes and thermometers, but you can also use rubbing alcohol to clean your electronics. Dampen a lint-free cloth with a small amount of rubbing alcohol, and use it to wipe down your cell phones, keyboard, computer mouse, and tablets.

3) De-grease the kitchen
Rubbing alcohol makes easy work of removing grease from around the kitchen. Pour a small amount of rubbing alcohol onto a paper towel, and wipe down countertops and stovetops. The rubbing alcohol helps dissolve the grease and grime left behind by cooking.

12 Ways to Use Rubbing Alcohol [Reader's Digest]
25 Alternative Uses for Rubbing Alcohol [Daily Finance]
35 Uses for Rubbing Alcohol [Fluster Buster]
Rubbing Alcohol Uses: Ideas For Using The All-Purpose Household Cleaner [HuffPost Green]

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Fete the Fall Season With These Sweet Apple Recipes

September 18, 2014 by

Give your tried-and-true apple pie recipe a rest and experiment with some new apple recipes this fall season. These three creative culinary ideas offer just as much sweet apple flavor as a traditional pie, but they come in a variety of different forms to last you all season long.

Caramel Apple Cupcakes [southernliving.com]
Caramel apples are delicious, but they’re not exactly practical to bring to social gatherings. This adorable cupcake recipe combines the classic combination of caramel and apples in a handheld form, and they’re topped with toasted pecans and miniature crab apples to give them an extra special appearance.

Mile-High Apple Pie [marthastewart.com]
Most baking enthusiasts are loyal to one apple pie recipe, but this one might just give your usual recipe a run for its money. The deep-dish crust makes the pie incredibly dense, and best of all, it tastes even better the next day.

Apple Squares [allrecipes.com]
All of the flavors of apple pie are packed into conveniently cake-like squares in this simple recipe. Apples and nuts make each bar taste hearty and rustic, while the vanilla and cinnamon will fill your home with a mouthwatering aroma while they’re baking. Slice them into oversized portions and pack them in the kids’ lunches, eat them for breakfast or serve them as a dessert at your next holiday party.

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