How to Get the Most Storage Space Out of Your Refrigerator

Organizing your fridge doesn’t just keep things in their right place, it also lengthens the lifespan of the foods inside. Here are a few smart ways to get the most storage space out of your refrigerator.

  1. Start by going through your entire refrigerator and throwing away anything that is past its expiration date. Wipe out the shelves and drawers and prepare to put things back inside.
  2. Consider your storage and see where you can add more. If there is a particularly large shelf, purchase additional shelving or bins from your local home goods store.
  3. Organize food items by size, leaving the larger items in the back and the smaller ones in the front so that you can easily see everything at first glance.
  4. Place the vegetables in the designated vegetable drawer, as this is often a so-called “crisper” that is designed especially to keep delicate vegetables fresh.
  5. Only store condiments on the door, as this is the warmest part of the refrigerator and can cause other items to spoil.
  6. Store raw foods, such as meats, on the bottom shelf so that they don’t contaminate other items.

Fridge and Freezer Organization [The Container Store]
The Best Way to Organize Your Refrigerator [The Kitchn]
How to Store Food in the Refrigerator [Real Simple]

Keep Up With Your Favorite Football Teams With These Websites

Football is one of the most popular sports in the country, and for many people it’s a Sunday afternoon staple. If you want maximum football coverage even when there’s not a game on, these entertaining websites are great resources.

NFL
It might seem obvious, but the NFL’s official website is home to some of the most detailed football coverage available online. You’ll find news headlines from both college football and around the NFL, plus transactions, playoff coverage, and injury reports to keep you more informed than all of your football fanatic friends. The NFL website also features crystal clear video footage, league schedules, stats, and scores for every team from the Broncos to the Bills.

ESPN
The reliable television sports network also offers its extensive football coverage online, with in-depth analyses and articles that you won’t find anywhere else. ESPN offers weekly projections, rankings, and scoring leaders from all of the most popular teams as well as fantasy football resources that will help to make you the top team in your league.

How to Host an At-Home Book Swap

Do you have a group of book-loving friends who love to talk about their latest literary endeavors? Get them all together for a book swap at your home! These fun gatherings are great opportunities for you to trade books that you’ve read and loved and receive new recommendations. Here are a few simple tips for planning your first book swap.

  1. Set a minimum. In order to ensure that everyone brings enough books (it wouldn’t be much of a swap with just a few titles, after all), set a minimum for each person. For a group of around 10 people, 10 books per person should do the trick.
  2. Bring books that are in good condition. While you may want to get rid of your college philosophy books with notes all through the margins, your friends likely won’t appreciate receiving these in the swap.
  3. Give out tickets. The easiest (and fairest) way to run the swap is by giving everyone a ticket with his or her name on it for each book that they bring. Toss all of the tickets into a hat, and then draw names to decide who picks next.
  4. Add descriptions. If you want to get really in-depth with your swap, instruct your guests to write a short description of each of their books on a Post-It note (think “Recommended if you liked…”).

How to Throw a Book Swap Party [Reader’s Lane]
How to Host a Book Swap Party [One Good Thing]
How to Host a Swap Party [Real Simple]

How to Get the Most Mileage Out of Your Vacuum Cleaner

Your vacuum cleaner is one of the most expensive tools in your home’s cleaning arsenal, which is why it's important to keep up with its maintenance. Whether your vacuum is brand new or a decade old, here are a few tips to help you get the most mileage out of your vacuum cleaner.

  1. Check the bag frequently. One of the easiest and most straightforward ways to keep your vacuum in top condition is by replacing the bag as soon as it is full. You won’t know if it’s full unless you check it, however, so be sure to open it up every couple of weeks.
  2. Clean the brush. This often-overlooked part of the vacuum is essential for its performance, so be sure to remove it and clean it as well. Take scissors to any hairs that are wrapped around it, and remove fuzz with your fingers.
  3. Lubricate any spinning parts. The wheels and the bearings in your vacuum take a lot of pressure with every use, so keep them spinning smoothly by adding a common lubricant every few months.
  4. Check the belt. Many vacuum problems stem from a worn-out belt, so check yours frequently. If it is stretched out or broken, you can easily replace it with a brand new version.

How to Maintain a Vacuum Cleaner [WikiHow]
How To Maintain Your Vacuum Cleaner [Housekeeping Channel]
Vacuum Cleaner Maintenance: How to Clean a Vacuum [Cleanipedia]

Learn About Starting or Managing a Small Business with These Tips from the SBA

Whether you’ve always dreamed of opening your own coffee shop or you’d like to own and operate a roofing company, these helpful tips from the U.S. Small Business Administration can help you on the path to getting started.

Thinking About Starting a Business?
This SBA website offers an informative guide full of tips for anyone thinking of starting a small business. Here, you’ll find articles that will help you decide if entrepreneurship is for you, lists of questions to ask yourself before making any business decisions, and guides to necessary steps to take to ensure the success of your new business.

Create Your Business Plan
Once you decide to jump in and open that boutique or start that design firm, the Small Business Administration can then help you to create a lucrative business plan. This webpage can aid you in developing medium term goals for your new business, and it offers advice for writing the business plan, too.

Find Food Co-Ops Near You With Help From These Two Websites

Shopping at a food co-op in your area is one of the best ways to obtain healthy, fresh foods and support your area’s local farmers and purveyors. Many people in small towns assume that they don’t have a food co-op in their areas, but they are actually more common than you might think. Here are two online tools to help you find co-ops near your home.

Co-Op Directory
This expansive website enables you to search by state in order to find the closest food co-ops. Each listing includes an address, phone number and links to the store’s website for additional information. Co-Op Directory also provides a short description of many of its stores, including the types of food that each store sells, its mission statement and other details.

Local Harvest
Local Harvest is one of the most popular websites for all types of fresh, local and organic foods, and it also offers a large directory of food co-ops in every state. You can search for your area by using the site’s interactive map, which offers pinpoints for each store. Once you find a co-op near you, Local Harvest provides all of the necessary driving directions, phone numbers and more.

How Pinterest Can Help You Streamline Your Skincare Routine

Whether you’re 16 or 60, everyone needs a great skincare routine to keep their skin looking its best. Pinterest is an entertaining resource for everything that you want to know about skincare, including the best products on the market today. Here are three Pinterest boards that will help you to streamline the way you care for your skin.

Organic Skincare
If you want to improve your skin without using harsh chemicals, the Organic Skincare board is filled with all natural remedies that really work. These tips recommend organic products like pure coconut oil and raw cane sugar to cure just about any ailment of the skin, and it also offers recipes for masks and cleansers that you can make at home.

Care Tips
From superfoods to help improve your skin from within to the best sunscreens to use on acne-prone skin, this board features tips for improving your skin at all ages. There are also a number of recommendations for the best drugstore skincare products so that you can care for your skin without emptying your wallet.

Skin Tips
Browse the Skin Tips Pinterest board by sections like homemade skincare, the best beauty products, and beauty secrets to find the best ways to care for any type of skin. Whether your skin is dry, oily, or acne-prone, this board has a remedy that will improve its look and feel.

How to Start Jogging — Safely!

You might not think of yourself as much of a runner, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t start. Jogging is a great way to get outside, build your endurance, and maybe even drop a few pounds, and these expert tips will show you how to start doing it in a safe and enjoyable way.

  1. Check with your doctor. If you’re unsure about your health, it’s always smart to check with a doctor before beginning any new exercise plan. Tell your doctor about your plans for jogging and work together to create a safe, accessible workout routine.
  2. Wear the right clothes. Be sure to wear sturdy, well-fitting running shoes so that you don’t injure yourself while jogging. Stay cool and comfortable with loose shorts or pants, and stay warm in layers if the weather is chilly.
  3. Warm up. Warming up helps you to gradually increase your heart rate, so be sure to walk or slowly jog for at least 20 minutes before jogging.
  4. Stretch. Avoid cramping muscles and prevent injury by stretching your limbs before you set out, but after warming up. At this point, your muscles will be warmed up and stretch more easily.
  5. Cool down. Walk to cool down your muscles for at least five minutes after jogging to prevent lactic acid build-up in the legs.

How to Start Jogging If You Have Never Done It Before [Healthy Living]
Jogging for Beginners [FitDay]

Stealthy Meets Healthy: How to Sneak More Fruits and Veggies Into Your Child’s Diet

Many parents worry about whether or not their child is getting the proper vitamins and nutrients. Until your picky eaters are old enough to fully understand the benefits of healthy eating, you may need to adopt a tactical approach to their meal prep — one that involves sneaking in some fruits and veggies! These recipes are so tasty, they’ll be none the wiser!

  1. Make your own ice pops. Instead of giving your kids sugar-laden, store-bought ice pops, replace them with homemade versions that are just as delicious. Make your own using 100 percent fruit juice and frozen berries in an ice pop mold.
  2. Stir spinach into your pasta. If you make a family-sized pot of pasta for a weeknight dinner, stir spinach into the sauce for a full serving of veggies that the kids likely won’t even notice. You can even add the mild tasting green to macaroni and cheese!
  3. Make a cauliflower pizza crust. If your kids refuse to eat pizza topped with vegetables, cut calories and incorporate a sneaky serving of veggies by using a recipe for cauliflower crust.
  4. Top burgers with fresh veggies. For children who are less squeamish about veggies, make treat meals like cheeseburgers a bit healthier by topping with fresh vegetables. Add fresh spinach, sliced tomatoes, and even onions in addition to the burger patty and melted cheese.

Cooking Tips [Fruits & Veggies More Matters]
5 Ways to Sneak Veggies into Family Meals [Eating Well]
Sneak Vegetables Into Your Kids' Food With These Tasty Recipes [All You]

Put a Spring in Your Step With These Springtime Decorating Tips

After spending an entire weekend checking off items on your spring cleaning checklist, you’re likely ready to add a few fun, spring-themed touches to your freshly cleaned home. It doesn’t take a big budget to decorate your home for the changing season, however; all it takes is some creativity and these adorable decorating tips.

  • Use natural items wherever possible. Go outside and gather blooming branches, pebbles, and other organic objects to use in your DIY decor. Arrange them in a clear bowl on the center of the table, or corral them in a wicker basket for a chic, natural look.
  • Switch out your throw pillows. Add a burst of citrus-inspired color to your living area just in time for spring by replacing your usual throw pillows with bright, cheerful alternatives.
  • Add a bit of green. Nothing says springtime like live plants in the home, so make a stop at your local nursery to pick up a few for your home. Ferns are an especially good idea because they make a big impact and are easy to care for.
  • Change your doormat. If your current doormat looks a bit worse for the wear from all of those heavy winter boots, switch it out for something fun and colorful or even a mat with a cheeky greeting.

Easy Spring Decorating Ideas [Midwest Living]
Inspired Spring Décor [Better Homes & Gardens]
10 Decorating Ideas for Spring [Style at Home]

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