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Three Fast Facts About Benjamin Franklin

February 18, 2016 by

Upon mention of Benjamin Franklin, you probably think of that famous kite-flying incident and Franklin's ties with Philadelphia. However, there's more to the life of this renowned inventor. Here are three facts to help you learn more about Ben Franklin:

1) Franklin's name is synonymous with the City of Brotherly Love, but Franklin was actually born in Boston in 1706. (At the time, Boston was a British colony.) Franklin was one of ten children.

2) Despite having little formal education, Franklin was an avid reader and captivating writer. He penned newspaper articles under pseudonym, Silence Dogood, and eventually established his own print shop in Philadelphia, which also housed a general store operated by his wife, Deborah. In 1729, Franklin took ownership of Pennsylvania Gazette, a popular newspaper for which he also provided content.

3) Franklin possessed a lifelong interest in science. His inventions include the library chair, bifocals, Franklin Stove, lightning rod, swim fins, and many more.

The Electric Ben Franklin [US History]
Benjamin Franklin [History]
Benjamin Franklin FAQ [The Franklin Institute]

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Interesting Facts About Music Icon Ray Charles

January 21, 2016 by

One of soul music’s most influential pioneers, Ray Charles overcame a number of personal and professional battles during his rise to stardom. Here are some of the most important highlights from his lengthy musical career.

  1. Though Ray Charles is known for being blind, he wasn’t born that way. Charles began to gradually lose his sight as a child, and he didn’t become fully blind until age seven.
  2. When he moved to Seattle at age 16, Charles befriended Quincy Jones. The legendary songwriter, trumpet player, and music producer often credits Charles for getting him into music. The two remained lifelong friends.
  3. Just one year after his first record deal with Atlantic Records, Charles saw his first number one single with “I Got a Woman." The song is now one of his most legendary.
  4. Charles has had a lot of nicknames throughout his career. When he first started to become successful, fellow musicians called him “The Genius” because of the previously unheard of way in which he blended musical styles. Later, he became known as “The Father of Soul."
  5. Charles was among the first group of musicians to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. In 1986, he received the honor with fellow musicians like Elvis, Chuck Berry, and James Brown.

Ray Charles [Rolling Stone]
Ray Charles [Biography]
Ray Charles Biography [Rock and Roll Hall of Fame]

Public Domain/Public Domain
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Bottoms Up! How to Drink More Water Every Day

January 7, 2016 by

Did you know that there's a miracle drink that helps to improve your skin tone, promote weight loss, and even prevent headaches? It’s true—and it’s water! Drinking enough water is very important, and not just to keep dehydration at bay. Here are a few simple ways to drink more water every day.

  1. Invest in a refillable water bottle that you’ll actually want to use. There are a number of different kinds on the market today, and some even contain cages in the middle that you can fill with fresh fruit to make your own all-natural flavored water.
  2. Replace your coffee with an herbal tea. Because teas like chamomile and mint don’t contain caffeine, they won’t detract from your water intake in the way that coffee does.
  3. Replace soda with sparkling water. You’ll still get the same refreshing, bubbly taste without all of the added sugar and calories.
  4. Eat more fruit or drink fresh fruit smoothies. Because fruit is filled with water, you’ll get a double dose of healthy each time you eat it.
  5. Make your own infused ice cubes by filtering fresh herbs and fruit through some water using a strainer or French press, then freeze in your usual ice cube tray. Pop them into your glass of water for an extra kick of flavor.

How to Get More Water in Your Daily Diet [Healthiest Life]
How-To Get More Water Into Your Diet [Skinny Ms.]
Benefits of Water: How to Incorporate More Water into Your Diet [P&G Everyday]

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Where to Shop Holiday Gifts for Foodies

December 17, 2015 by

If you have a foodie friend or family member, there are a number of great online shopping sites that provide great gifts for the holiday season. From cooking supplies to tasty ingredients and even creative cookbooks, these food-centric online stores have everything you need to find the perfect gift for any foodie.

Lette Macarons
Colorful Parisian macaron cookies are a favorite of any food lover, and this smart website makes it so that you can ship your choice of macaron flavors to anywhere in the country. Order a box of Caribbean chocolate or Sweet Wedding Almond and have them delivered just in time for the holidays.

Uncommon Goods
Just like the name suggests, Uncommon Goods offers hard-to-find kitchen supplies and foods that are perfect for the avid foodie. Shop unique gifts like herbal tea kits, Himalayan salt planks and varietal honey flights.

Williams-Sonoma
The popular home goods store is well known for its impressive selection of cookware and cooking supplies, so just about anything that you purchase from its vast inventory is sure to be a hit with a food loving friend.

Murray’s Cheese
Just about everyone loves cheese, and most foodies would agree that the more pungent, the better. Murray’s is the perfect source for foreign and gourmet cheeses that make delicious gifts.

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Food Safety Tips Everyone Should Know

November 19, 2015 by

Whether you’re cooking for your family or planning a potluck for a whole group, it’s always important to prepare and store food properly to avoid foodborne illness. Here are a few smart tips that will keep your food tasting great while also keeping you out of harm’s way.

  1. Be mindful of leftovers. As a general rule, leftovers should only be kept in the refrigerator for three or four days before they start to go bad. Keep yourself safe by storing all leftovers in airtight containers, and if you don’t eat them in within the recommended time frame, consider it a loss and toss them in the trash.
  2. Use a meat thermometer. When cooking meat, always use a meat thermometer to ensure that it is fully cooked. Beef should be at least 145°F, while poultry should be at least 165°F.
  3. Know your eggs. If you frequently cook eggs, be aware that they have a fairly long lifespan in the refrigerator of three to five weeks. Dishes containing eggs, however, should be discarded after three or four days.
  4. Stay informed about outbreaks. Always watch the news to learn about recent foodborne illness contaminations, such as E. coli or salmonella. Throw away any foods that might be contaminated immediately.
  5. Always wash your hands. The most important thing that you can do when handling any type of food is to wash your hands.

How long can you safely keep leftovers in the refrigerator? [Mayo Clinic]
Learn the Basics to Keep Food Safe at Home [Food Safety News]
Storage Times for the Refrigerator and Freezer [FoodSafety.gov]

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Stylish Footwear Ships Free of Charge on These Three Websites

October 22, 2015 by

Ordering shoes online offers you a much wider selection and more convenience than shopping in stores, but the shipping fees can make it very expensive. Once you add up the cost of the shoes, taxes, and shipping and handling fees, those new shoes often end up costing you much more than they would in the store. Here are three popular online stores that offer the shoes without the shipping costs.

Zappos
Zappos is widely known for its vast selection of name brand shoes at affordable prices, but many shoppers don’t realize that the site doesn’t charge for shipping. Men’s, women’s and children’s shoes from brands like Nike, Steve Madden, and Sperry all ship entirely free of charge—and arrive at your doorstep within five business days. Better still, if that new pair of sneakers doesn't fit, a free return shipping label is provided.

Piperlime
Piperlime is a stylish sister site of Gap, and it offers designer women’s shoes with the same fashionable feel. There are a wide variety of trendy styles like wedge booties, wide leather sandals, and ballet flats, as well as clothing and handbags to go with them. Best of all, Piperlime also offers free shipping and returns on any order.

Shoebuy
This site operates similar to a discount warehouse, but it also offers the convenience of shopping from your computer. Shoebuy carries brands like UGG, Frye, and Clarks, and the site offers free shipping, free return shipping, and no sales tax on any purchase.

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Budget-Friendly Ways to Decorate for Fall

October 8, 2015 by

You might be tempted to hit the home decor store as soon as that first leaf falls from the tree, but why not try your hand at some DIY projects? If you want to get in the fall spirit without draining your bank account, use these budget-friendly tips to make your home an autumn wonderland.

Fall Pumpkin Tableau [southernliving.com]
Welcome your guests into your home with a fantastic fall vignette right in the foyer. This once uses a few seasonal gourds and miniature pie pumpkins, which only cost a few dollars at the grocery store. The rest you can get for free by simply using your own clear vases or bowls and some leafy branches from the trees outside.

Gourd and Pumpkin Lights [bhg.com]
Light up the night either inside or out by creating a stylish, chic version of the classic jack-o'-lantern. Instead of carving a face into a pumpkin, simply hollow out a few in varying sizes and place tea lights inside their openings.

Pinecone Lamp Finial [marthastewart.com]
Incorporate fall decor into even the tiniest touches in your home, such as the small piece that screws into the top of a lamp. Simply glue pinecones to the tops of all of your finials for a festive look, or even spray paint them gold or silver for a bit more glamour!

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Sample These Acorn Squash Recipes This Fall

September 17, 2015 by

Acorn squash is a type of winter squash with a unique dark green rind, longitudinal ridges and a yellowish-orange inside that tastes sweet and mild. This squash is so versatile that even the most novice home chef can easily prepare it in a variety of different ways. Here are just three ways to try your hand at serving acorn squash this fall.

Baked Acorn Squash [allrecipes.com]
To really get a good idea of how acorn squash tastes, you should first prepare it all by itself. This simple recipe involves baking a halved acorn squash with just a bit of butter and brown sugar to create a healthy side dish or even a unique dessert.

Acorn Squash Soup with Kale [marthastewart.com]
With a hearty texture and autumnal flavors, this soup is perfect for those chilly fall evenings. Pureeing the acorn squash is one of the best ways to prepare it for use in a soup, while adding crispy bacon and finely chopped kale adds a darker, smokier flavor that contrasts the sweetness of the squash.

Spinach and Acorn Squash Ravioli [myrecipes.com]
Acorn squash makes a wonderful filling for pasta, and in this creative recipe it’s blended with creamy ricotta cheese and chopped spinach for added flavor. Plus, using wonton wrappers instead of the usual pasta dough saves on calories, and it’s much easier than rolling out that dough by hand.

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5 Interesting Facts About Frank Sinatra

August 20, 2015 by

Frank Sinatra’s voice made him quite possibly the most popular singer of the 20th century, delivering personal lyrics and irresistible melodies with command and flair. He was a tough guy with a softer side, and American audiences simply couldn’t get enough of Ol' Blue Eyes. Here are some of the most interesting facts about Frank Sinatra.

  1. Frank Sinatra was so inspired by Bing Crosby that he dropped out of high school to pursue singing as a career. He performed at local nightclubs in the Hoboken, New Jersey, area and even got some air time on the city’s radio stations.
  2. After noticing his local success, bandleader Tommy Dorsey invited Sinatra to join his band. Sinatra and Dorsey enjoyed two years of hit songs together, but eventually Sinatra quit to pursue a solo career.
  3. In just three short years between 1943 and 1946, Sinatra released 17 Top 10 singles.
  4. In addition to his incredible voice, Sinatra was also a talented actor. He made his film debut in 1943 with the movie Higher and Higher, and in 1953 he won an Oscar for From Here to Eternity.
  5. Though Sinatra was signed to Capitol Records for the beginning of his recording career, he left the label to start his own label, Reprise, in the late 1950s. Warner Bros. bought Reprise, and Sinatra then started his own film production company, Artanis.

Are you a Sinatra fan? Tell us which song by Ol' Blue Eyes is your favorite!

Frank Sinatra [Biography]
Frank Sinatra Biography [Rolling Stone]
About Frank Sinatra [MTV]

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Creative Uses for Paper Towel and Toilet Paper Tubes

July 23, 2015 by

Instead of throwing away those empty paper towel tubes and toilet paper rolls, you might want to keep them around. There are a number of fun projects that you can create using these cardboard tubes, and best of all, they even help to keep them out of the landfill!

  • Cut a toilet paper roll in half and use it to plant seedlings. Simply fill the roll with soil, cover one end with plastic wrap, and plant your seedlings. When it’s time to transplant, you can bury the whole thing.
  • If you’re an avid crafter, use a toilet paper roll to store tangled string by cutting a notch into one end of the roll, slipping the string through and winding it up inside. Cut another notch into the other end to keep the whole thing in place.
  • Prevent creases in your pants from the clothes hanger by cutting a paper towel tube in half lengthwise and sliding it over the length of the hanger. The next time you hang your pants, the tube will help minimize creasing.
  • Make cute (and cheap) napkin rings for your next get-together by cutting a toilet paper roll into smaller rings and covering them with leftover fabric scraps.

18 Incredible Uses for Cardboard Tubes [Reader’s Digest]
10 Unconventional Ways to Use Old Paper Towel and Toilet Paper Rolls Around the House [One Green Planet]
15 Surprising Uses for Toilet Paper Tubes [Care2]

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