Lifestyle

Simple DIY Centerpieces and Decorations for Your Next Party

October 7, 2014 by francis

Planning a party can be expensive, but all it takes is a bit of time and creativity to make DIY decorations that hardly cost a thing. Here are some festive centerpieces and décor ideas that will spice up your next party on a budget.

Romantic Table Runner
This vintage-inspired table runner is ideal for casual weddings, anniversary parties and any other time that you want to add a look of romance to a celebration. By simply attaching antique lace doilies in a haphazard row, you can create a truly custom table runner.

Pennant Bunting
Long strings of retro pennants are some of this year’s most popular décor crazes because they’re so simple to make. Collect some scrap fabric or bunting in colors that match your party’s theme, and then cut them into pennant shapes for a designer-inspired decoration without spending a dime.

Metallic Flower Vases
Turn some old coffee canisters into luxurious centerpieces with the addition of a bit of metallic spray paint. Simply spray the canisters in alternating shades of gold, silver or bronze and fill them with your favorite flowers.

Floating Balloon Vases
For a truly festive birthday party centerpiece, try filling a clear glass vase with colorful mini balloons. Best of all, there’s absolutely no helium required.

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr/Phil Hawksworth

Filed Under: Lifestyle Tagged With: Apartment Living, DIY, Parties

Trader Joe’s!

September 18, 2014 by francis

We are so excited at The Lakes at Cinco Ranch to see even more attractions being built just walking distance from our property!

La Centerra at Cinco Ranch is expanding with what they call 'Phase III' that will consist of a brand new Trader Joe's grocer and more! Phase III has been estimated to be completed sometime this fall.

Trader Joe's started off way back in the 50's as a chain of convenient stores called Pronto Markets. Years later the founder 'Trader Joe' changed the name and the concept of the company.

"We made the stores bigger (if you can imagine), decked the walls with cedar planks and donned our crew in cool Hawaiian shirts. Most importantly, we started putting innovative, hard-to-find, great-tasting foods in the "Trader Joe's" name. That cut our costs and saved you money. Still does."

The store focus' on making sure the VALUE of the products they put in their store is the number one priority when stocking the shelves!
They strive to put more and better quality, organic, and natural products in your home while taking less out of your pocket.

Filed Under: Lifestyle Tagged With: Attractions Near Katy, The Lakes at Cinco Ranch, Things To Do Near Katy, Trader Joes

Five Ways to Tell if It’s a Cold or the Flu

September 4, 2014 by francis

It's that time of year again, when the sniffling and sneezing starts up. Telling the difference between a cold and the flu can be difficult, so here's a list of five tips to help you distinguish between the two.

1. In general, the flu is more intense than a regular cold and lasts for much longer. If you’ve been experiencing symptoms for a few weeks and have been completely exhausted, it's most likely the flu.

2. During a cold, your appetite will likely stay the same, even if you can’t taste correctly due to a stuffy nose. During a flu virus, you’re probably not going to be hungry at all.

3. Flu viruses can spike fevers to 100 degrees or higher. Pay attention to your temperature and if it gets to that point, it's probably the flu, so schedule an appointment with your doctor.

4. Sneezing is typically a cold symptom. It's rare to sneeze due to the flu.

5. If you felt fine one day and bad the next, the flu is most likely to blame. Colds tend to build up over a period, while the flu can hit you all at once.

Cold Versus Flu [CDC]
Is It The Cold or the Flu [Kids Health]
Is It the Flu or Just a Cold [Des Moines University]
The Common Cold Vs the Flu: What You Need to Know [Syracuse University]

CC-BY-SA-2.0/Flickr/cyclonebill

Filed Under: Lifestyle Tagged With: Cold, Flu, Health, Sickness

Three Equestrian Enthusiast Websites

August 5, 2014 by francis

Riding horses is a beloved pastime for many people around the country, and owning horses is even a way of life in some areas. Whether you’re a longtime horse owner or a beginning rider, these informative and beautiful websites will quickly become your online resources for horseback riding information.

Equestrian Mag
An online magazine designed for the serious equine enthusiast, Equestrian Mag is dedicated to providing the very best information and resources to the riding community. Users can browse the website by riding topics like competition, training, or racing, or even other topics from breeding to diet. Equestrian Mag also contains long-form articles that horse lovers will find interesting and thought provoking.

Horse & Rider
Horse & Rider is one of the most popular print magazines for horse enthusiasts, and its online version is just as helpful. Here, you’ll find horse care guides, riding and training tips, and reviews of the latest tack and apparel items for riders of every focus. The website also contains online extras that aren’t in the magazine, so even subscribers will find something new.

HorseChannel.com
If you simply can’t get enough horse discussion, HorseChannel.com is an online resource full of discussions, tips, and news from all areas of the horse owner community. The site is divided into English and Western disciplines, so there’s something for every type of rider to enjoy.

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr/willg willg.photography

Filed Under: Lifestyle Tagged With: Equestrian, Fitness, Horses, Sports

4 Potato Salad Recipes for Your Next Picnic

July 8, 2014 by francis

With fluffy potatoes and tangy seasonings, potato salad is a decadent side dish that complements many summer barbecue entrees. While you may only be familiar with traditional potato salad, there are a variety of unique ways to prepare this classic recipe. Here are four potato salad recipes that will pleasantly surprise everyone at your next picnic.

Potato Salad [Inspired Taste]
With a traditional base and creative additions, this potato salad recipe blends the best of both classic and modern tastes. The mayonnaise, potatoes, and onion are the same, but dill pickles, hard-boiled eggs, and yellow mustard add a surprising burst of zesty flavor.

Perfect Potato Salad [Pioneer Woman]
This potato salad looks more like thick mashed potatoes, but it offers the same tangy flavor that you love from your favorite barbecue side dish.

Potato Salad [Martha Stewart]
Thick chunks of red potatoes and simple mayonnaise are the main ingredients in this classic potato salad recipe, and salt and pepper, lemon zest, and fresh chives are all you need to finish off your delicious dish.

Authentic German Potato Salad [AllRecipes]
Get back to the roots of potato salad with this authentic German recipe. It uses white sugar and bacon to add uniquely powerful flavor, and the lack of mayonnaise and other heavy dressings make it much lighter than the American version.

Public Domain/Public Domain

Filed Under: Lifestyle Tagged With: Cooking, Food, Potato Salad, Recipes

Channel Your Inner Chef With These Culinary Terms

June 3, 2014 by francis

It’s fun to try new recipes in the kitchen, but that fancy new dish may involve a few cooking techniques that make you scratch your head. Here are a few helpful definitions of some kitchen terms that you might encounter in a gourmet-style recipe.

Crème Fraiche. Crème fraiche is a sort of sauce with a tangy, sharp flavor. You can purchase it in most high end grocery stores, or you can make your own using 1/2 cup of whipping cream and 1/2 cup of sour cream. Cover the mixture and let it sit for at least two hours to thicken.
Fillet. If the word is used as a verb, fillet means to remove the bones from meats like steak or fish. As a noun, this is the piece of meat after the bones have already been removed.
Glaze. A glaze is a thin coat of sugar syrup that’s applied before cooking. After cooking, the glaze turns to a hard finish that’s almost to the point of cracking.
Gratin. Gratin is literally the French word for “crust.” This is usually used for oven-baked savory dishes, which are prepared in a shallow, oval-shaped gratin dish and covered with a browned crust of breadcrumbs or cheese.

Glossary of Basic Cooking Terms [Les Petites Gourmettes]
Cooking Terms [Recipe Goldmine]
Glossary of Cooking Terms [UMN]
Glossary of Cooking Terms [Better Homes & Gardens]
Culinary Terms [About.com]

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr/Joy

Filed Under: Lifestyle Tagged With: Baking, Cooking, Food, Kitchen Terms

Quick and Easy Meal Ideas to Put on the Dinner Table Tonight

May 6, 2014 by francis

"What's for dinner tonight?" It's a question we ask ourselves on a daily basis, which is probably why it's so easy to run out of ideas! With the promise of short prep time and bold flavors, these four meals are deserving of a spot in your recipe box. Bonus: They can feed a family for just pennies on the dollar.

Easy Calzone Rolls [Disney Family]
With all the flavor and fun of take-out pizza without the expense, these cheese and meat roll-ups cost just $1.10 per two-roll serving. Kids will love helping to make this recipe, which can go from start to finish in 30 minutes.

Braised Chicken With Red Onion and Carrots [Martha Stewart]
This recipe from Martha Stewart feeds four people with a four-pound chicken and one pound of carrots. It only requires 25 minutes of prep time.

Bacon Pierogi Bake [Cooking Light]
For a mere $1.84 per serving, this hearty casserole relies on a package of ready-made pierogies, two types of cheese, and bacon.

Easy Chicken and Dumplings [Southern Living]
The beloved comfort food is given a quick and easy makeover through the use of canned biscuits, a can of cream of chicken soup, and pre-cooked shredded chicken.

CC-BY-SA-3.0/Flickr/The Culinary Geek

Filed Under: Lifestyle Tagged With: Cooking, Food, Meal Ideas, Recipes

Decode That Recipe With This Glossary of Common Cooking Terms

April 1, 2014 by francis

Even the most experienced chef gets stumped by a recipe every now and then. To prevent road blocks during your next cooking session, memorize these three common cooking terms.

Baste
You've probably come across this term when cooking that Thanksgiving turkey. Simply put, to baste is to keep meat or other foods moist during the cooking process by spooning over a sauce, water, or its own juices. This adds flavor, while preventing the meat from drying out.

Roux
Used as the foundation of thicker sauces and gravies, a roux is a mixture of equal parts butter and flour that's stirred constantly over low heat until smooth.

Macerate
Commonly applied to dessert recipes, macerating entails covering fruits or veggies in liquid, then letting them marinate until the fruits and veggies soften and the liquid's flavor has been absorbed. Said liquid is typically a mixture of lemon juice and sugar.

Cooking Terms [Recipe Goldmine]
The Basic Kitchen: Glossary of Cooking Terms [Les Petites Gourmettes]
Glossary of Cooking Terms [BHG]
Glossary of Cooking Terms [Cookery]

CC-BY-SA-3.0/Flickr/The Culinary Geek

Filed Under: Lifestyle Tagged With: Baking, Cooking, Food, Recipes

Pedal Power: Tips for Beginning Cyclists

March 4, 2014 by francis

Whether you want to bike to and from work or go on competitive, long-distance rides, there are a few universal truths about beginning cycling. When you take the precautionary measures and keep yourself safe, cycling can be an incredibly fun sport or mode of transportation, but you need to consider these tips before you get started.

Start slowly.
You may think that because you already know how to ride a bike, you can jump right into things. This can be very dangerous, however, and all beginning cyclists should start out with simple, two- or three-mile rides at a steady but leisurely pace. This gives your muscles time to strengthen and you some time to find your footing (or rather, your wheels).

Stay safe.
Even if you’re aware of your surroundings, that doesn’t mean that drivers in cars are as attuned. Wear protective headgear and brightly colored clothes, cover your bike in reflectors, and be sure to only ride during daylight hours. Also make sure you know the traffic laws.

Understand how your bike works.
Become familiar with the three front gears, the seven back gears, and how to shift from one to the other. Make sure you know where your brakes are, and always carry a small repair kit that attaches to the bike in case of a flat tire or other mishap.

Beginner Cycling Tips [Bicycling]
Beginner's Guide to Cycling [zenhabits]