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Did You Resolve to Lose Weight for the New Year? Here’s How to Start!

December 26, 2014 by

So you’ve decided to cut out the snacking and get healthy in the New Year, but now you don’t know where to start. If your New Year’s resolution centers around losing weight and getting in shape, these smart and simple tricks will help you to make it happen.

  1. Choose a specific goal. Although you don’t want to choose a weight loss goal so lofty that it’s actually dangerous, it's beneficial to have a concrete number in mind. Work with a doctor to develop a realistic weight loss goal that you can work toward throughout the year.
  2. Create a schedule. For most people, lack of time is the main thing that stands in the way of weight loss goals. By scheduling your meal prep or workout like a job, you won’t be as likely to put them off.
  3. Start slowly. You’ll probably be full of energy and excitement about becoming the newer, healthier you, but it’s important to start a routine slowly so that you’re more likely to stick with it.
  4. Prepare yourself. Your weight loss won’t be easy, but it will be much more bearable if you make the necessary preparations before New Year’s Eve. Join a gym, research healthy recipes, or even make a trip to the health food store.

Fitness 101: The Absolute Beginner's Guide to Exercise [WebMD]
14 Tips for Starting and Sticking with a Workout Routine [SparkPeople]
How To Start Working Out When You Don’t Like To Exercise [Summer Tomato]

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How to Hem Pants Like an Expert Tailor

December 19, 2014 by

If you’ve ever tried on a pair of pants and thought, “These would be perfect if only they weren’t so long,” it may be time for you to learn how to hem. Hemming is a fairly simple sewing technique that just about anyone can learn, and it can save you a great deal of money on tailoring. Check out these smart tutorials for hemming at home.

How to Hem Pants [about.com]
This accessible tutorial offers both high quality images and an instructional video to help beginning sewers learn how to hem. It also describes the types of tools that you’ll need and what to do every step of the way.

How to Hem Dress Pants Like a Pro [manmadediy.com]
The DIY Tailor offers a wide variety of genius tips for mending and altering clothes at home, but the site’s tutorial about hemming dress pants is one of its most brilliant. This tutorial is designed specifically for business professional pants.

How to Hem a Pair of Pants [wikihow.com]
WikiHow is beloved for its straightforward, photo-heavy tutorials for how to do just about anything, and this hemming lesson is just as simple. It even describes how to rip out the old hem before beginning.

How to Hem Jeans (And Keep the Original Hem) [sewmuchado.com]
By keeping the original hem in a pair of jeans that need hemmed, this tutorial will make your hemming much easier and more professional looking.

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Limit These Three Foods, Which are High in Saturated Fat

December 12, 2014 by

Saturated fat is known to be the type of dietary fat you want to eat in limited amounts. This fat has been associated with high cholesterol, which can lead to heart disease. The American Heart Association recommends that only 5 to 6% of your daily calories come from saturated fats. To make sure you know what to cut back on, here are three foods that contain saturated fat.

  1. Animal products. Lard and shortening are two common examples of animal fats used in food preparation. They contain high amounts of saturated fat and should be used sparingly. Try substituting olive oil instead.
  2. Cheese. This popular dairy food is delicious as an addition to a dish or enjoyed on its own. Unfortunately, too much cheese can greatly increase your saturated fat intake. Be sure to keep your cheese consumption to a minimum and select low-fat options.
  3. Whipped cream. Even though its just a light, fluffy topping, whipped cream is actually about 14% saturated fat. So try not to overdo it when you add whipped cream to your dessert—just one tablespoon provides you with 2% of your daily value.

Top 10 Foods Highest in Saturated Fat [Healthalicousness]
Saturated Fats Are Primarily Found in What Groups? [Healthy Eating]
Saturated Fat [CDC]
Fats and Oils [Better Health]

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The Best Air-Purifying Indoor Houseplants

December 5, 2014 by

Even better than store-bought air fresheners, common houseplants are an all-natural way to freshen up the air in your home. Here are some of the best plants to improve the air that you and your family breathe every day.

  1. Aloe. Not only does aloe help to soothe cuts and burns on the skin, it also helps to purify the air that goes into your lungs. This low-maintenance succulent clears harmful chemicals found in many household cleaners from the air.
  2. Spider plants. The long, drooping spider plant is very resilient and very skilled at battling substances like carbon monoxide and formaldehyde.
  3. Golden pothos. You may notice this popular plant in many homes, offices, and businesses, and that’s not only because it’s attractive, but also because it wicks formaldehyde from the air.
  4. Chrysanthemum. This bright, blossoming flower filters out benzene from the air. Benzene is a chemical commonly found in glue, paint, and many brands of clothing detergents.
  5. Weeping fig. If you’re looking for a larger houseplant that still effectively cleans the air, the weeping fig is a beautiful choice. This small tree is a bit finicky, but it’s worth it because of how well it clears formaldehyde and benzene from any room.

15 houseplants for improving indoor air quality [Mother Nature Network]
Best air-filtering houseplants, according to NASA [Mother Nature Network]
10 Clean-Air Plants for Your Home [This Old House]
10 Best Plants to Grow Indoors for Air Purification [True Activist]

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How to Take the Stress Out of Home-Cooked Meals

December 2, 2014 by

For as long as you can remember, there’s always been a certain pressure to provide your loved ones with a nightly “home-cooked meal.” Although it may sometimes feel like it’s impossible to prepare an elaborate dinner on busy weeknights, these smart tips will show you how to take the stress out of the classic home-cooked meal.

  1. Start meal planning. Sure, making a home-cooked meal is difficult if you don’t have all the ingredients or don’t know what to make. By planning a week’s worth of meals on Sunday evening, you can get your cooking schedule under control.
  2. Make preparations. Many at-home chefs use their weekends as a time to prepare the bases for the week’s meals. You can cook a dozen chicken breasts, bake a casserole, or even begin to marinate a steak to save yourself time the night of.
  3. Choose basic recipes. If you don’t have time to experiment with fancy recipes from cooking magazines, choose recipes that you already know and love. Just because your favorite spaghetti and meatballs is pretty basic doesn’t mean that it’s not home-cooked.
  4. Make it from scratch, but not entirely from scratch. Don’t feel like you have to crush your garlic by hand or chop each vegetable individually for your meal to count as home-cooked. Buying frozen veggies or garlic powder works just as well.

10 Secrets of Home Cooks (And How You Can Become One, Too!) [Real Simple]
6 Tips for Stress-Free Family Meals [Right @ Home]
How to Plan Your Weekly Meals, Stress Free [Lifehacker]

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Create Something Great With These DIY Blogs

November 28, 2014 by

DIY-ers know that there’s no shortage of online instructional videos and websites showing you how to make everything from a bed made of wood palettes to your own beaded jewelry. If you’re a crafty girl or guy who loves to build things from scratch, these two creative websites are full of ideas to get your gears turning:

Pretty Handy Girl
Though the name implies that it’s a site for females, Pretty Handy Girl is full of ideas that all types of people will love. From complex home renovation projects to simple arts and crafts ideas, this site will help you make your house look as chic and stylish as a page in a magazine. It also features a peek inside the blogger's toolbox, helping beginning DIY enthusiasts learn which tools are necessary for just about any project.

Makezine
Makezine is a complete online resource for all things DIY, from project instructions and tutorials to meet-ups with other makers in your area. The main page offers interesting articles about incredible projects that other people have made, as well as the latest news from the DIY world. There’s also a database full of how-to guides, video tutorials, and even categories dividing projects by various subjects. Whether you’re a recreational DIY-er or an amateur inventor, Makezine has something for everyone.

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Popular Vegetarian Restaurants in Austin, Texas

November 14, 2014 by

Austin is quickly becoming one of the most buzzed about food cities in the country, and its growing vegetarian restaurant scene is a major part of that growth. Here is just a sample of the area’s favorite meat-free restaurants.

Mother’s Cafe
With a casual atmosphere and convenient take-out and delivery services, Mother’s Cafe is one of Austin's go-to eateries for fast and affordable vegetarian and vegan food. One vegan and one vegetarian soup option is prepared daily, and the menu also includes a variety of fresh, colorful salads to choose from. Enchiladas and sandwiches are just as hearty and delicious as their meat-filled counterparts, and Mother’s Cafe also offers a weekend brunch that’s very popular among locals.

Mr. Natural
This impressive restaurant includes a bakery, juice bar, health food store, and even a yoga studio all in one place. The bakery offers cakes and pastries in gluten-free, vegan, and sugarless options to suit any diet, and the restaurant’s regular menu features creative vegetarian dishes for its weekly lunch specials, weekend brunch, and any other time of the day.

Swad Indian Vegetarian Restaurant
Indian restaurants are already popular among vegetarians because of their many meat-free options, but Swad Indian Vegetarian Restaurant is one of the only ones in Austin to offer an entirely meat-free menu!

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Make Your Own Jewelry With These Easy Tutorials

November 7, 2014 by

Making jewelry is a stylish, creative craft beloved by people of all ages. Crafters love that they can customize each piece to their exact preferences, and it also saves you money if you’re a bit of a jewelry addict. Here are three helpful tutorials that will show you how to start making your own jewelry right in your own home.

Suede and Chain Woven Bracelet [yesmissy.com]
This DIY jewelry project is worlds away from the braided friendship bracelets from your youth. With a bit of glitz from the metal chain and a touch of neutral color from the suede rope, these bracelets rival the ones that you would buy at a pricey jewelry boutique.

Bobby Pin Earrings [themetricchild.blogspot.com]
You may not have ever considered using bobby pins as jewelry, but once you see this adorably edgy jewelry DIY you’ll wish that you had thought of it sooner. Painting the pins with nail polish also enables you to add a bit of color to coordinate with the rest of your wardrobe.

Polymer Clay Bead Necklace [delightedmomma.com]
Polymer clay necklaces have been floating around the blogs for quite some time now, but this completely customizable version is one of the best. You can mold the clay beads into exactly the sizes that you want, and you can also choose paint colors to create your favorite palette.

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Tasty Turkey Alternatives for Vegetarians

November 4, 2014 by

Thanksgiving isn’t traditionally the most vegetarian-friendly holiday, but there are now a number of ways to make your feast enjoyable for vegetarian guests. These meat-free alternatives to the usual Thanksgiving turkey are both delicious and easy to make.

Acorn Squash Over Penne [health.com]
Who says that you can’t have pasta on Thanksgiving? This autumnal entree includes sweet acorn squash and nutrient-dense kale seasoned with crushed red pepper for a bit of warming spice, and it is served with whole wheat penne for a boost of fiber.

Glazed Lentil Walnut Apple Loaf [ohsheglows.com]
Although this hearty vegetarian dish seems more like meatloaf than Thanksgiving turkey, it’s so delicious that your vegetarian guests won’t mind one bit. Lentils and breadcrumbs give it a texture that’s much like meat, while the unique balsamic apple glaze is perfect for fall.

Ricotta and Fontina Stuffed Shells [foodandwine.com]
This veggie take on traditional stuffed shells is made with two types of rich cheeses and more vegetables than you can count. Simply pop the whole pan in the oven for 40 minutes and you’ll have a quick and easy entree that vegetarian guests will love.

Roasted Parsnip Bread Pudding [marthastewart.com]
Instead of the usual stuffing, which is usually cooked in chicken broth, this vegetarian version is seasoned with grated cheese and fresh thyme. Use it to stuff the Thanksgiving tofurkey and you won’t miss the meat at all.

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3 Recipes for Pumpkin Seeds

October 24, 2014 by

Even if you make roasted pumpkin seeds every fall, there are so many different recipes for this autumn snack that you probably haven’t tried them all. Here are three unique pumpkin seed recipes that will give a new taste to one of your favorite fall foods.

Roasted Pumpkin Seeds [AllRecipes]
Two hefty teaspoons of butter help to bring out the natural flavor of the pumpkin seeds in this simple, basic recipe. Whether you buy a bag of seeds from the grocery store or extract them from the pumpkin yourself, you just can’t go wrong with this fall snack.

Pumpkin Seed Pesto [Whole Foods]
Fans of pesto will adore this unique recipe, which combines the fall flavors of pumpkin seeds with the unexpected taste of cilantro pesto. Store the finished product in your refrigerator to spread on sandwiches, drizzle over pasta, or use as a topping for baked chicken.

Asparagus, Potato and Spinach Galette [Woman's Day]
Galettes are very popular because of their versatility and their beautifully rustic appearance, and this one incorporates pumpkin seeds in a way that you’ve likely never tried before. Fill the rolled pie crust with Gruyere cheese, asparagus, and Yukon gold potatoes to create a truly filling meal that’s pretty enough to serve at parties or holiday gatherings.

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