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Find Creative Thanksgiving Recipes Online with These Sites

November 20, 2013 by

Sure, the big turkey is a given, but planning the rest of your Thanksgiving menu can seem a bit daunting. If you’re looking for simple, easy-to-follow recipes for creative and delicious Thanksgiving foods, these popular websites can help:

The Food Network
The Food Network is a go-to choice for cooking shows and competitions, but the network’s corresponding website is also a great resource for all of your at home cooking needs. Their expansive Thanksgiving recipe guide features top-rated recipes from Food Network chefs like Ina Garten and Bobby Flay, including side dishes, festive appetizers, vegetarian options and more.

Food & Wine
The elegant, accessible dishes in Food & Wine magazine are also available online, and the site even has a Thanksgiving planning page that will be an endless source of inspiration. From how to make the juiciest turkey to classy ways to serve cocktails to table settings that will leave your guests in awe, Food & Wine is an inclusive source for all things Thanksgiving.

Saveur
Saveur is known for blending food with culture, and their Thanksgiving menu guide is a perfect example. With schedules for planning your spread days before the feast, complete Thanksgiving menus from the Chesapeake Bay to down South, and even tips for preparing meals for vegans or gluten-free guests, this a truly innovative take on the traditional holiday meal.

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Drive Smarter for Better Gas Mileage

October 24, 2013 by

With the raising price of gas, we're all looking for ways to save a little money and improve our car's gas mileage. You can actually get a little more out of each tank by driving more sensibly. Check out these helpful tips: 

  • If you speed up only to brake suddenly over and over again, you are greatly hurting your gas mileage. Driving at a more even pace will help your car.
  • Driving slower is better for your gas tank. Usually, after 50 mph your car's fuel economy starts decreasing at a rapid pace. Try to maintain an even speed by using cruise control.
  • Keep your car as light as possible. Remove anything you don't need, like those golf clubs that have been sitting in your trunk for months.
  • When your vehicle is parked, turn off the engine. Excessive idling can waste up to a half a tank of gas per hour.
  • Turning the car on and off in a short period of time can also have negative effects, so it's important to find a balance. Visit the website for more information. 

· Driving More Efficiently [U.S. Department of Energy]

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Two Day Trips From Austin, TX

June 19, 2013 by

Austin is full of enough culture to keep you quite busy, but if you're interested in venturing outside of the city, there are a few places worth visiting just a short distance away. Take a break from the hustle and bustle with one of these great day trips. Have a little fun, and explore all that Texas has to offer. 

Splish-and-Splash
Cool off with a visit to Schlitterbahn Water Park. Kids and adults can enjoy the numerous rides like water slides and raft rides. There is even a pool with a swim up bar for grown-ups. From April to September take a fun filled day trip to this amusement park located in New Braunfels.

Enjoy Great BBQ
Treat your stomach to something delicious, and visit the barbeque capital of Texas in nearby Lockhart. Stop by each of the four famous BBQ joints for a taste test, and see which is your favorite. Digest your food as you stroll through the nearby park, or play golf on the 9-hole course. Come during wildflower season to enjoy your food with beautiful scenery. 

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5 Household Uses For Mint

April 29, 2013 by

Did you know that there are a lot of uses for mint beyond a garnish for your iced tea? Well, read on for a few creative, household uses for this versatile plant. If you're intrigued, you can learn more about these and 10 other household uses for mint over at Mother Earth Living.

Bug Repellent
Did you know that mint deters pesky bugs like ants and flies. Bring a potted mint plant into your kitchen, or spray diluted peppermint essential oil (ten parts water to one part oil) around doorways and windows.

Pet Care
Keep your household pets flea-free with this homemade repellent: bundle two parts fresh spearmint, one part fresh thyme, and one part fresh wormwood, and place it inside a small pillow. Put the pillow near your pet’s bed, or favorite resting spot.

Cure Stomach Upset
Peppermint tea is a refreshing way to ease an upset stomach. This is because peppermint naturally serves to calm the digestive tract and alleviate indigestion, intestinal gas, and abdominal cramping.

Soothe Sunburn
Menthol cools and soothes skin, so mint is a great herb to have around in the warm weather. Rely on it to ease sunburn — make a strong peppermint tea, and then refrigerate the mixture for several hours. Then, carefully apply to the burned area with a clean cotton ball.

Home Fragrance
Keep your home smelling great with mint. Add a few drops of mint essential oil to your favorite unscented cleaner to infuse your home with a refreshing scent. 

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Make-Up Tips For Your Eyes

March 26, 2013 by

Your eyes are the window to your soul, and what better way to draw attention to one of your face’s most important features than with make-up? You don’t need a Hollywood professional to do a star quality make-up job at home, though. Here are some simple tips to get you started.

Eyelashes can provide a bold border to your eyes, drawing attention to the colors of your pupils and making them look bigger. One of the best things to do with your eyelashes is to curl them before applying mascara. This increases their volume, which the mascara will accentuate.

The jury is still out on whether to apply mascara to your lower eyelid. It depends on the shape of your face and the folds of your eye. Experiment with your makeup to see if it works for you or not.

Light eyeshadow is one of the biggest secrets in the makeup artist’s repertoire. Putting a small amount at the inside ridge of your eye where the upper and lower lids meet creates a highlighting effect that makes the whites of your eyes appear brighter and clearer.

In addition, keeping your eyebrows neatly trimmed can do a lot for the look of your face. Arched eyebrows attract attention to your eyes, and if they’re neat and carefully manicured, they’ll help your eyes pop more than ever.

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On the Go? Check Out These Easy, Healthy Snacks

December 11, 2012 by

Oftentimes, the biggest issue people face when trying to stick to a healthy diet is snacking. Most snack food (i.e. junk food) isn't good for our health, and is filled with sugar, fat, sodium, and empty calories. But with just a bit of planning, you can be prepared with delicious snacks that are tasty and great for you, too! Below are a few ideas:

1.     Nuts and Seeds. Nuts and seeds are one of nature’s most perfect foods. They contain lots of protein and vital nutrients in an easily portable size. The very best nuts and seeds for your health are walnuts, almonds, and pumpkin seeds. Enjoy them roasted with just a pinch salt, or try out other more exotic spices.

2.     Rice Cakes. If you like crunch, but don't like calories, rice cakes are ideal! They're large enough to give you some substance, but low-cal enough to keep your weight in check. Plus, they come in a variety of sweet and savory flavors to please any palate.

3.     Fresh Veggies. Prep carrots, cucumbers, and celery and but them into small baggies or tupperware so they're easy to grab on the go. Add a little salt and pepper and some fresh squeezed lemon, or dip them into a light vinaigrette dressing.

4.     Dried Fruit. Fruit is always a fabulous snack, and dried fruits are not only good for you, but they're very portable as well. Try to avoid excessively sugary items like pineapple and mango, and instead go for dried apricots and other stone fruits, which lose less of their nutritional value when dehydrated.

5.     String Cheese. Convenient and delicious, this ideal snack is individually wrapped, and can stay fresh outside of the refrigerator for many hours. And, it offers a great amount of protein and calcium that will help hold off hunger until your next meal.

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Balanced Breakfast: Healthy, Whole Wheat Pancake Recipe

October 31, 2012 by

Cereal, oatmeal, and toast are simple breakfast options, but if you're in the mood for something a bit heartier, why not enjoy a batch of homemade pancakes instead? If you tend of only indulge in pancakes when you dine out, you're not alone. Many are intimidated to try to prepare them at home, but this awesome whole wheat pancake recipe is easy to make and much, much healthier than your average diner pancake. Check out the recipe below from Food.com, which yields approximately 12 medium-sized pancakes. Eat them plain (yes, they're that good!), drizzle the with syrup, top with fresh, or even add chocolate chips to the mix.

Ingredients:
2 cups whole wheat flour
2 cups low-fat/skim milk
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1 tablespoon sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla
1 large egg
1 tablespoon canola oil
1 -2 cup fruit (i.e., sliced bananas, strawberries, blueberries…your choice) (optional)

Click here for prep instructions and recipe reviews: http://www.food.com/recipe/100-whole-wheat-low-fat-pancakes-151328#ixzz1BxbYGNxD.

 

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An Investor’s Education: Five Essential Books about Business and Finance

October 23, 2012 by

Whether you’re looking for personal investment tips, advice on running your business, or trying to understand the current global financial situation, these readable books on economic issues will help make an often confusing subject more clear:

On the Brink: Inside the Race to Stop the Collapse of the Global Financial System by Hank Paulson
You can’t get closer to the 2008 financial crisis than this account by former Secretary of the Treasury Hank Paulson. This no-holds-barred book lays bare the panic and desperation of the Fed in the face of a potential meltdown of our entire financial system.

Security Analysis by Benjamin Graham and David Dodd
This 1934 classic originated the concept of value investing, which is employed with great success by investors like Warren Buffet. Both the updated and original 1934 editions are available and offer advice that still applies today.

The Alchemy of Finance by George Soros
The Alchemy of Finance is a fascinating look into the thought processes of one of the most successful investors of our time. Soros’s unique investment strategies stand to change the face of finance as we know it.

This Time Is Different: Eight Centuries of Financial Folly by Kenneth S. Rogoff and Carmen Reinhart
This very readable book finds the commonalities across centuries of financial crises, including the 2008 crash.

My Years with General Motors by Alfred P. Sloan
Bill Gates's favorite book on business, this 1963 tome offers insight into business management and what makes a successful business, directly from the manager who helped make General Motors great.
 

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The Bodypump Fitness Craze: What is it and is it Right for You?

August 28, 2012 by
If you’ve been hearing the buzz lately about a popular new exercise trend called Bodypump, you’re probably curious to know what it entails. Read on to learn about the essentials of Bodypump so that you can decide whether or not it’s a good fit for you: 
 
Overview of Bodypump
Bodypump is an exercise method invented by Les Mills, one of the leading fitness companies in the industry. It is a barbell-based class that emphasizes a combination of cardio work and weight lifting, designed to sculpt, tone, and strengthen your entire body. Les Mills promotes Bodypump as one of the fastest ways to get in shape because it challenges all of your major muscle groups through movements like presses, squats, and lifts. Many gyms offer the class with certified Bodypump instructors and it has become a phenomenally popular fitness trend all over the country. 
 
The Rep Effect
One of the distinctive features of Bodypump is what Les Mills calls “The Rep Effect.” The Rep Effect is a method of resistance training that places a focus on low weight loads and high repetition movements. These kinds of reps are designed to maximize an exerciser’s success with burning fat, gaining strength, and rapidly building lean muscle mass. Since lean muscle mass burns calories, proponents of Bodypump tout its ability to transform your body into a lean and fat-burning machine by helping to replace your body fat with calorie-burning muscle. 
 
Bodypump Class
A typical Bodypump class features an instructor specifically trained in the Bodypump methods. He or she leads the class through a series of specific exercises and choreographed movements designed to hit all the body parts in a highly effective sequence. The class is accompanied by a playlist of chart-topping music that is kept constantly fresh based on what’s hot on the radio at the moment. The classes are usually large but not overwhelmingly so, and they are an ideal forum for you if derive motivation, inspiration, and energy from working out with a group of people. In a typical Bodypump class, you’ll perform 70-100 reps per body part for a total of up to 800 reps in one workout session. 
 
Additional Benefits of Bodypump
If you’re concerned about building bulk through weight lifting, Bodypump is a great option because the low-weight-high-rep approach will allow you to tone without adding significantly visible mass. It is also a good option for you if you’re looking for a low-impact form of exercise that will not put a significant amount of pressure on your joints. Bodypump has been designed to protect your bones and joints from injury. The class emphasizes proper form and posture so that you don’t tax your knees, shoulders, or other vulnerable areas. 
 
Other Bodypump Options
If you don’t think you’ll be able to commit to a full fifty-five minute class multiple times a week, many gyms also offer a 45-minute class that omits two of the smaller muscle groups (biceps and triceps) but still makes sure to include all of the major muscle groups throughout the class session. There has also been an upsurge in Bodypump Express Classes overseas and the trend has starting coming over here. The express version is a 30-minute long class that omits the biceps, triceps, and cool down session. Les Mills also has an at-home exercise DVD in the works that will soon be available for people who would rather do Bodypump at home than in a class setting.  
 
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Five Great New Board Games

August 14, 2012 by

It can take some digging to discover new board games other than your worn-out Scrabble or Monopoly boards. For kids and adults alike, board games are great to have on hand for rainy days or small gatherings. Here are some fun new games to try:

Settlers of Catan
Now in its fourth edition, this incredibly popular strategy game pits players against each other in a fight for control of the island of Catan. Accrue resources and create settlements to achieve dominance. Settlers of Catan has a fun trading dynamic that makes interaction between players a must, and fun.

Blokus
Blokus is akin a hands-on, multi-player game of Tetris: players place tiles of different shapes on the Blokus board. This game of strategy can be molded for beginner to advanced players. 

Risk: Legacy
The new version of the classic divide-and-conquer game seeks to drag out your competitive campaigns for even longer. One round of Risk: Legacy can continue for several nights, or even weeks, but with increasing changes to the rules to drive on your curiosity. 

Angry Birds: Knock on Wood
This board game takes the addictive smart phone application and turns into a physical, kid-friendly game. This version takes the same basic premise but employs Jenga-like dexterity and added challenges along the way.

7 Wonders Game
Another strategy game, 7 Wonders Game can be completed in less time than similar games  while retaining a fun and addictive competitive element. A group of up to seven players build competing civilizations.
 
  
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