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How and What to Pack for a Sightseeing Trip

August 15, 2014 by

After months of saving, you finally booked that sightseeing trip that you’ve always dreamed of. Whether you’re backpacking across Europe or taking a car trip through South America, you’ll need to know what to pack before you go. Packing these four items will help you be prepared for your sightseeing adventure.

  1. A sturdy backpack. This is an essential for long days of sightseeing as it enables you to tote your belongings around without straining your arms. Choose one with a large main pocket for clothing and supplies and smaller inner pockets to stow away money, your passport, and other essential items.
  2. Maps and guides. Maps are important in areas where you don’t have reliable cell phone service, and they cut down on the time you spend asking for directions. If you’re traveling to an area where you don’t speak the language, it’s also smart to bring along a foreign language dictionary.
  3. Proper clothes. Bring a rain jacket if you’re traveling to rainy London, and wear layers that you can easily remove if you’re in steamy Vietnam. Be sure to look up the climate beforehand to avoid clothing discomfort.
  4. ​A camera. Although a camera isn’t exactly an essential item, you’ll surely want to remember your trip for years to come!

Travel Tips and Packing Lists [Eagle Creek]
15 Things to Pack for Sightseeing [Sue’s Travel Tips]
How to Pack for a Sightseeing Vacation [Independent Traveler]

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Move Over, Dairy! These Foods Are Surprisingly High in Calcium

August 8, 2014 by

You learn from an early age that calcium builds strong bones and teeth, but it has a number of other health benefits as well. This beneficial mineral also helps to regulate your blood pressure, maintains healthy blood vessels, and even aids in preventing Type 2 diabetes. Now that you know why you should eat calcium, here are a few lesser-known ways to get it.

  1. White beans. Beans get a good reputation because of their high levels of protein, but white beans are also very high in calcium as well. In fact, just one cup of canned white beans provides 191 milligrams of calcium, which is about 19% of your daily value. These creamy, mild legumes are great in a hearty chili or mashed as a chickpea substitute in homemade hummus.
  2. Sardines. While these tiny fish may have made you squeamish as a child, sardines are actually one of the healthiest fish that you can eat. Like a lot of seafood, they’re rich in omega 3s, but they also provide 321 milligrams of calcium in just seven sardine filets. Many people choose to eat them plain, but if you prefer to cut down on the fishy flavor, you can also add sardines to a salad.

18 Surprising Dairy-Free Sources of Calcium [Greatist]
18 Surprising Dairy-Free Sources of Calcium [HuffPost Healthy Living]

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How to Care for Succulents and Cacti

August 5, 2014 by

Scroll through any design blog or flip through the pages of any magazine, and you're likely to come across images of succulents and cacti. These trendy, easy-to-care-for plants require minimal attention, but still deliver maximum impact when it comes to perking up a windowsill or shelf. Bonus: They're easily found at any home and garden store. Before you clear a spot in your apartment, here are two growing tips to consider.

· Water sparingly.
To check if your plant could use a drink, stick your finger into the soil. If it feels cold or damp, your plant doesn't need water yet. If the soil feels dry, soak the soil thoroughly, ensuring that excess water has a place in the pot through which to drain. Note that cacti and succulents prefer to dry out between waterings, and they won't tolerate wet feet. In general, these plants require more water during the spring and summer and less water in the fall and winter, when the plant goes dormant.

· Let the sunshine in.
Keep your plant in a spot that receives four to six hours of sunlight a day. However, be advised that most succulents and cacti prefer indirect light to direct light, as exposure to direct sun can cause scorch marks. Another sign that your plant is receiving too much sun is a yellowed, bleached appearance. Also note that your succulents and cacti will most likely need more water if they're placed in a very sunny spot.

Do you keep cacti and succulents in your apartment home? Share your growing tips below!

How To Care For Your Cacti & Succulents [California Cactus Center]
Care for Succulents and Cactus [Southeast Succulents]
Cactus and Succulent Care for Beginners [Southeast Succulents]

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How to Plant Your Own Terrarium

August 1, 2014 by

If you pay attention to interior design blogs, you’ve likely seen colorful terrariums popping up all over the place. These intricate indoor gardens may seem difficult to make, but with the right supplies and a few slow-growing plants, you can create your own terrarium to make your home look just like the pros’.

  1. Find the right structure. Terrariums should be built inside of a clear glass or plastic container so that you can see what’s going on inside. Something like a fish bowl, mason jar, or even a store-bought terrarium will work best. Do your best to choose the size based on how large you plants are.
  2. Form the garden bed. The success of your terrarium depends on the base. Start by lining the container with a one-inch layer of pebbles for drainage, and then add a ½-inch layer of activated charcoal. A 1 ½-inch layer of pre-moistened sphagnum moss goes over that to prevent the soil from slipping in between the pebbles.
  3. Plant your plants. Whether you choose succulents or herbs, they need to go on top of this well-draining garden bed. Remove your plants from their pots and cut away pot-bound roots. Place a layer of soil in your terrarium that’s just taller than your plants' roots, and plant the plants inside where the leaves won’t touch the glass.
  4. Decorate. Now that your terrarium is complete, it’s time to make it look pretty. Add some decorative rocks inside, and then place it in front of a well-lit window where your guests can easily see it.

How to Make Your Own Terrarium [HGTV]
How to Make Terrariums [About Home]
Terrariums: A Guide to Plants and Care [BHG]

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Make Way for Baby! Four Babyproofing Tips for New Parents

July 25, 2014 by

As a new or expecting parent, you’ve likely gotten so much advice about babyproofing your home that it might start to become overwhelming. These helpful tips will make it easier to make every room in your home safe for Baby, and they might even point out some places that you may have missed.

  1. Avoid plastic outlet protectors. While these outlet inserts are common in homes with babies, even they can easily become a choking hazard. Invest in sliding outlet covers instead to protect your outlets and avoid the risk of choking.
  2. Place covers on stove knobs. The knobs on your stove are incredibly easy for a toddler to turn on, and they’re right about his or her height. Keep them covered to avoid dangerous burns.
  3. Don’t store cleaners in lower cabinets. While you usually store cleaning products under the sink in your kitchen or bathroom, you’ll need to find a new space once baby arrives. If you don’t have anywhere else to keep them, invest in a secure, childproof lock.
  4. Add bumpers to the corners of low tables. The edges of your coffee table are just at a toddler’s eye level, and they could become dangerous for a baby just learning to walk. Minimize their impact with plastic bumpers.

20+ Tips for Babyproofing Your Home [Parenting]
Baby Safety [iVillage]
Childproofing Checklist [TotSafe.com]
Tips to Babyproof Your Home [Lowe’s]

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How to Strike the Ideal Work-Life Balance

July 18, 2014 by

Between housework, errands, family obligations, and professional duties, maintaining a healthy balance between work and home life is nothing short of a juggling act. If you feel as though you're being pulled in a thousand directions, read these tips to help refocus your priorities and help shed some stress.

1) Ask for help.
As they say, "It takes a village." Reach out to friends, family, and neighbors for help on days that you're stretched especially thin. For instance, you might trade off carpooling or babysitting duties with a neighbor, or assign chores and errands to family members.

2) Just say no.
Establish clear boundaries. Train yourself to ignore unimportant work emails when you're off the clock. Similarly, do your best not to bring personal issues into the workplace. If you're overloaded with work, tactfully relay the fact to your employer, and ask for more time if handed additional assignments.

3) Make yourself a priority.
When you're responsible for the welfare of others, it's easy to put your own needs and ambitions on the back burner. However, you'll likely find that a little "me time" will go a long way in helping you deal with everyday obligations. Be sure to schedule time for your own hobbies and interests every week.

The Top 10 Tips for Balancing Work and Family Life [Mom MD]
14 Steps to Achieving Work-Life Balance [Salary.com]
6 Strategies for Work-Life Balance [Oprah]
Get a good balance between work and life [Action for Happiness]

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These Apps Can Help You Stick to Your Diet Plan

July 11, 2014 by

You went into your weight loss plan with high hopes and determination, but somewhere along the way you started feeling pretty worn out. If your diet feels more frustrating than it’s worth, you may need a bit of help. These handy weight loss apps will help you to manage the foods you eat and count calories without taking the enjoyment out of eating.

MyFitnessPal
MyFitnessPal is one of the most popular diet tracking apps available today, and for very good reason. The app’s expansive database includes the nutrition information for just about any food imaginable, enabling you to enter each meal that you consume into the log and watch your calories without stress. You can deduct calories each time you work out, and there’s even a feature that scans the barcodes on packaged foods to make adding them even more convenient.

My Diet Coach
If you need a bit of motivation to get your diet back on track, My Diet Coach is the app for you. Just like a personal nutritionist, this app gives you helpful reminders about your nutrition goals and offers advice, such as to drink more water or fill half of your plate with vegetables at each meal. You can even record motivational photos to visualize your weight loss along the way.

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2 Shopping Apps for Bargain Hunters

July 8, 2014 by

Ever met someone who didn't like getting a great deal on a new purchase? We didn't think so. Bargain hunting has its rewards, but not everyone has the time for comparison shopping. These free apps do the grunt work for you, ensuring that you're getting the best possible deal on whatever it is you're currently in the market for.

RetailMeNot
Available for Android devices, this app scours its database to find you coupons and promo codes for countless stores and restaurants across the country. You have the option for either printing the coupons out or presenting them to the cashier right from your phone. Email alerts about promos at stores near you keep you in the loop about the best sales.

Barcode Scanner
This handy app lets you comparison shop at the press of a button. Or in this case, the read of a barcode! While in a store, simply use your phone to scan a product's barcode or QR code and see if another retailer is offering the product at a lower price. This app is available for Android devices.

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Channel Your Inner Interior Designer With These Helpful Tips

July 7, 2014 by

Whether you're working with the blank canvas of a new apartment or an outdated space that’s simply not functional, decorating your home is always intimidating. It may seem crazy, but by adhering to just two simple tips from professional designers, you can make your home look and feel a whole lot fresher. Here are two interior design rules that you should know.

  1. Make every room work for your needs. It seems simple enough, but many people get so caught up in the details that they forget about the function of the room itself. Is it an office? Make the desk the focal point, then worry about the wall hangings later. Are you decorating your living room? Get rid of that old chair that you don’t have room for, because it’s only taking up space. Focus on the things that you use every day, and the things that are pretty to look at will fall into place later.
  2. Maximize the lighting. Even if your apartment came with built-in light fixtures, don’t feel like you’re limited to the cold feel of overhead lighting. Add a few lamps with softening shades here and there to create a more flattering lighting effect, and always play up the windows to bring in as much natural light as possible. You’ll be amazed at the difference good lighting can make!

6 Basic Interior Design Rules [Suite]
The 3 Principles of Interior Design [HGTV]
The 7 Rules of Interior Design [Zillow Blog]
5 Rookie Mistakes You’ll Never Make Again [Apartment Therapy]

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Want to Become a Better Cook? Start by Learning These Culinary Terms!

June 27, 2014 by

When you encounter a recipe that’s full of complicated cooking terminology, it’s easy to feel intimidated. What if your chopping instead of dicing leads to a flop of a soufflé? These kitchen terms will teach you a few things about proper cooking techniques, and they’ll make you feel more confident about your next culinary endeavor.

  1. Beat. To beat a mix or batter is not the same thing as mixing it. Beating involves briskly whipping with a spoon, wire whisk rotary beater, or electric mixer, and it incorporates air into the ingredients in order to obtain a light, fluffy consistency.
  2. Blacken. Blackening a piece of meat or vegetables is a popular Cajun cooking technique that chars seasonings onto the food in order to give it a crunchy, spicy coating. This involves cooking over high heat in a heavy skillet.
  3. Fold. If a recipe calls for you to fold one ingredient into another, it means to combine them without decreasing their volume. Use a rubber spatula in vertical swipes across the mixture, pulling some of the mixture from the bottom to the top each time.
  4. Garnish. Once your dish is completed, you may garnish it by adding a decorative bit of fresh herbs, fruit or greens.

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]

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