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Indoor Plants: Great Reasons You Should Have Them

May 16, 2012 By Leave a Comment

If you’re looking to spruce up your living space, a great way to do that is to invest in one or more indoor plants. You’ll enjoy the burst of color, the fresh scent, and the improved air quality. Read on to learn more about the many health benefits of indoor plants:

Stave off Colds
A little-known fact about indoor plants is that they can help people fight colds and related illnesses because of their air purifying qualities. In fact, some studies have even shown that they can reduce the frequency of colds a person experiences by as much as 30%. This is largely because they increase humidity levels and reduce the amount of dust present in the air. 
 
Clear the Air
Indoor plants can improve the air quality in your home in a variety of ways. The can remove airborne pollutants that contribute to headaches and allergies, reduce the level of drowsiness-causing carbon dioxide in the air, and help offset other airborne chemicals. They can also act as natural humidifiers so that you don’t have to buy a machine to add moisture to the air.
 
Get Happy
Studies have shown the indoor plants can help people fight depression. They can contribute to a feeling of well-being, calmness, and optimism. Also, studies have revealed that, because indoor plants often require regular tending, they can give people a healthy sense of purpose and responsibility that comes with caring for a living thing.
 
Less Stress
Researches have argued that greenery calms human beings down, an evolutionary response dating back to our earliest days on the planet. Some indoor plants, like Chinese evergreens, Arrowhead vines, and Devil’s Ivy have even been shown to cause a measurable decrease in systolic blood pressure levels. 
 
Boost Productivity
Indoor plants can not only improve your home but they can also have major positive benefits for your workplace as well. More and more major corporations and work environments have been including indoor plants in their office décor because studies have shown that they can boost employee morale and overall productivity. 
 
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Best Family-Friendly Resorts Around The Country

April 25, 2012 By Leave a Comment

If you’re planning a vacation with the whole family, you need to make sure that your destination has activities for adults and kids alike. Thankfully, there are a number of awesome resorts that have something for everyone. Here are five of the best.

The Inn At Schoolhouse Creek
This awesome Mendocino Coast bed and breakfast is set in some of the most gorgeous country in California. With nine acres of lush gardens and forests, lodgings are split up across a number of cottages and cabins. It’s the perfect mix of pampering and wilderness.

Beaver Creek
Winter vacations are magical at Beaver Creek. Widely regarded as the best family ski resort in the country, this Colorado paradise features a wide selection of terrain for skiers and snowboarders of all skill levels.

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge
Outside of Disney World in Kissimmee, Florida, this is a destination for any family that loves the wild kingdom. The hotel replicates the thatched-roof look of an authentic safari lodge, and the surrounding park boasts wildebeest, giraffes, and more.

The Breakers
Florida luxury is everywhere at this sumptuous Palm Beach resort. Even better, it boasts tons of activities for kids to do at the attached kids camp, from arts and crafts to outdoor fun. Spend the days doing grown-up activities and then get the whole family back together for dinner at one of the excellent restaurants.

Enchantment Resort Mii Amo Spa
Located two hours north of Phoenix in the striking town of Sedona, this is one of the most beautiful resorts in the country. A huge range of activities are available, from hikes in Boynton Canyon and Native American art classes to spa-style pampering.

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Best Foods to Nourish a Healthy Lifestyle

April 11, 2012 By Leave a Comment
You’ve likely heard the maxim “you are what you eat.” Research shows that this notion applies not just to the internal health of your body but also to your outward appearance. Here are five foods proven to nourish your healthy lifestyle, inside and out:
 
Blueberries
Blueberries are loaded with antioxidants, which help combat aging and sickness by keeping your body’s level inflammation in check. Studies have also shown that antioxidants boost the production of collagen, which is a natural protein in your skin that gives your dermis resiliency, texture, and a youthful appearance. Other varieties of dark fruit offer the same benefits as blueberries  - for example, cherries, blackberries, and pomegranates.
 
Almond Milk
This is an especially great option if you need to avoid dairy products because of lactose intolerance or other reasons. Almond milk has high amounts of magnesium, potassium, copper, vitamin E, and calcium. It also contains omega-3 and omega-6 essential fats acids to keep the mind at its peak and give your skin a healthy glow. In addition, the high-quality protein in almond milk can give your hair a lush and radiant shine.
 
Salmon
Salmon is bursting with omega-2 fatty acids, which enhance blood flow and contribute to healthy skin. This delicious lunch and dinner option also possesses an anti-aging carotenoid that protects cell membranes, as well as containing nutrients that improve facial muscle tone and help keep wrinkles at bay.
 
Sea Vegetables
Sea vegetables like kelp, arame, wakame, dulse, and spirulina are packed with minerals and phytochemicals that aid in detoxifying the body and rebuilding damaged cells. Their health-giving properties counteract the unhealthy foods, polluted environmental factors, and high levels of stress that cause our cells to age prematurely in the contemporary world. 
 
Mustard Greens
Dense green foods like mustard greens have many benefits for your general health and appearance. They help keep the liver cleansed of heavy metals and toxins, which aids the body in functioning more efficiently, and they also yield beauty benefits like brighter eyes and tighter skin. Other green foods will similar anti-aging qualities are turnips, dandelion greens, spinach, and broccoli. 
 
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Best Foods For Healthy Teeth

March 28, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Brushing and flossing every day is essential for good dental care, but did you know that your diet can also make a big difference in the health of your teeth? Here is a quick list of foods that are positive for your enamel and gums, as well as some to avoid.

One of the best foods for your mouth is celery. The stringy vegetable actually contributes to good dental care in a pair of ways. To chew it thoroughly requires you to produce extra saliva, which washes away bacteria. It also helps massage your gums and clean between your teeth.

If you’re looking for a beverage that has positive oral effects, green tea is a great choice. This drink contains chemicals called catechins that naturally kill plaque-causing bacteria in your mouth before they can attach to your teeth.

One interesting thing to note about our ancestors is that they had remarkably healthy, powerful teeth. Doctors attribute this to a diet heavy in seeds, which are great for naturally abrading teeth to clean away other food residue. Sesame seeds are great for this.

And, of course, the absolute best thing you can put in your mouth to prevent tooth decay is lots and lots of water. Water keeps your gums moist, washes away food residue and nasty bacteria, and hydrates you as a bonus.

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What Are Your Favorite Movies Set In Texas?

March 14, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Texas has wide open spaces, a laid back attitude. and a unique culture. It has always drawn storytellers in all mediums to the state. Here are just a few of the films that have been set and filmed in the Lone Star State:

Rio Bravo
As gimmicky as the starring lineup of John Wayne, Dean Martin, and Ricky Nelson might seem, Rio Bravo is a classic Western with heart, humor and, of course, some killer musical interludes.

The Last Picture Show
This stark and beautiful film is based on the semi-autobiographical novel of the same name by Larry McMurtry. The film follows the coming of age of a young ensemble cast in a bleak and declining 1950s Texas town.

Blood Simple
The Coen brothers’ neo-noir about a Texas bartender sending a PI after his wife has so many twists and turns you won’t be sure what the truth is by the end. The Coens always seem to return to this genre, and their stellar first outing may explain why.

Smokey and the Bandit
Nothing personifies the Texas spirit like the lure of the open road. In Smokey and the Bandit, Jackie Gleason is in hot pursuit! This romp is a heck of a lot of fun as Burt Reynolds leads Smokey through what seems like most of the state.

Paris, Texas
Considered one of Wim Wenders’s masterpieces, this slow and meditative film captures the state of mind of a man who wanders out of the Texas desert not sure where or how he has spent the last 5 years. It's a film that rewards patient viewing.

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Cream Of The Crop: Essential Farmers’ Market Eats

February 22, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Farmer’s markets are cropping up all over the country, as people become more and more interested in getting food from local sources. Producers are bringing fresh food at great prices. Here are five foods you should certainly try from the farmer’s market next time you go:

Eggs are one of the best things to get fresh. The difference in consistency and flavor between a store-bought egg and one fresh from the hen is jarring. The yolk is brighter, firmer, and much tastier. If your farmer offers duck eggs, try those too – they fluff up amazingly and are great for baking.

Potatoes might seem like a funny thing to buy from a farmer’s market, but they are amazing. Usually much smaller than store-bought spuds, fresh potatoes are deeply flavorful and complex. Slice them thinly and roast them with onions.

Seasonal tomatoes are some of the best things to buy at the farmer’s market. In the late summer and early fall, when they’re coming fresh off the vine, you can get enormous heirloom tomatoes that are great for sandwiches or just eating with a little salt and pepper.

One of the best things to do with farmer’s market produce is teach yourself about pickling and canning. If you’ve never made pickled beets, they’re a delicious treat – sweet, tangy, salty, and savory all at once.

Local cheeses can be delectable as well. Many dairies produce artisanal cheeses that are robust with flavor. They also often provide samples to try before you buy.

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Happy Valentine’s Day!

February 14, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Best wishes for happiness on Valentine's Day and every day.

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Top Five Fabulous Ski Accessories

February 8, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Whether you’re a bunny-hill beginner or a veteran skier, you can enhance the exhilaration of the slopes with these fun and useful accessories:

Heated Gloves
This is the ultimate luxury item for people who like to spend long hours on the mountain. Skiers rave about the Venture Heat Battery Heated Gloves, which have heating panels that warm each individual finger and a rechargeable lithium battery pack. Click here to learn more.

Adaptable Ski Goggles
With regular ski goggles, you have to change the lenses frequently because of ever-shifting mountain conditions. You can solve that problem by getting photochromatic ski goggles with lenses that change automatically according to light on the mountain. Click here to learn about the popular Zeal Optics Link SPPX Goggle brand.

SKI GPS Trackers
If you’re someone who likes to keep track of your mountain stats – how many miles you’ve traversed or how many vertical feet you’ve skied – then a Ski GPS tracker is a great accessory for you. Many of the devices can also be enabled with add-on mapping systems. Click here to learn about the Garman Forerunner 405 HRM, a top brand.

Hot Gear Bag
This insulated boot bag has an electric heating pad that will dry and warm your boots overnight. The bag can also be plugged in during your car ride to the slopes, keeping your boots warm and toasty until you’re ready to put them on. Click here to learn about the Ski Gear US Hot Gear Bag Brand.

Booster Strap
If you’re the kind of skier who doesn’t want physical fatigue to slow down your day on the slopes, then this item is a must-have. It replaces the regular straps on your skis with a special elastic device that increases your boot flex and rebound. Click here to learn about the much in-demand SkiMetrix Booster Strap.

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How to Make Broccoli You’ll Love

January 25, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Broccoli gets a bad rap from kids and adults alike as the archetypal "yucky" vegetable. If you want to stop avoiding this super nutritious veggie and learn to appreciate it's flavor, check out the following ideas.

1.     Everything gets better when you roast it, and broccoli is no exception. Toss broccoli spears in olive oil, salt, and pepper and roast 20-25 minutes in a 375 degree oven, until they start to brown. Add lemon juice and parmesan cheese, mix well, and enjoy.

2.     Once you’re hooked on roasted broccoli, try coating the spears with olive oil, one part chili powder, and one part hot or sweet paprika before roasting. This spicy alternative is sure to please!

3.     Grate broccoli stems into your favorite slaw recipe for intriguing color, flavor, and texture. You can even completely replace the cabbage with broccoli if it suits you. Introducing the veggie in small doses will allow your palate to assimilate to its flavor.

4.     Try broccoli Sicilian style and sauté florets with cauliflower, onion, and fresh parsley, then add chopped anchovies, provolone cheese cubes, and Greek olives, dry red wine to cover, and simmer covered for 45 minutes. No need to add salt as the olives, cheese and anchovies add plenty. This recipe might not be the best for kids, but makes for a wonderful "grown-up" side dish.

5.     Make broccoli kid-friendly by steaming it, chopping into small florets, and mixing it into homemade or store bought mac & cheese. Adding a little bit of broccoli to foods kids already love is an easy way to slowly introduce them to healthier foods.

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Five Great Visual Artists You Should Know

January 11, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Have you ever found yourself fascinated by a painting, drawing, or sculpture, eager to learn more about visual art but uncertain of where to start? A great way to get your feet wet is to become acquainted with the work of these five celebrated artists:

Salvador Dali
This Catalan artist (1904 – 1989) was a major figure in the movement of surrealist art, and his work continues to have a far-reaching influence in the contemporary art world. Dali’s paintings are known for their highly innovative content, vibrant colors, and use of visual symbolism. Learn more about him here.

Pablo Picasso
It would be impossible to talk about modern art without mentioning Spanish-born artist Pablo Picasso (1881 – 1973) prominently in the discussion. Known as one of the most influential and innovative artists of the 20th Century, he is famous for having set in motion the Cubist movement. Click here to learn more about Picasso.

Vincent Van Gogh
Van Gogh (1853 – 1890) was a post-Impressionist Dutch artist known for the emotional charge, visionary originality, and roaring color palette of his paintings. He is considered one of the main forerunners of the Abstract Expressionist movement. Though he died at age 37, he left behind a huge body of work that has influenced generations of artists. Click here to learn more about Van Gogh.

Claude Monet
This French painter (1840 – 1926) is known as the father of the Impressionist movement in modern art. His paintings are famous for their emphasis on capturing movement, adapting unusual visual angles, and showing how light changes over the passage of time. Learn more about Monet by clicking here.

Leonardo da Vinci
Leonardo da Vinci (1452 – 1519) was an Italian Renaissance artist gifted with genius in many areas, including painting, sculpting, engineering, architecture, and invention. His primary area of accomplishment was in the realm of painting, where he produced work that is widely considered some of the greatest visual art of all time. Click here for more about da Vinci.

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