If you’re like many people, you want to kick off the New Year on a healthy note, right?  Most people make a New Year’s resolution each and every year, but a very high percentage of those resolutions are not accomplished. Why not increase the chances of success this year by trying one, or all, of these quick-and-easy resolutions to being healthier?

Here are some easy tips to conquer your New Year’s Resolutions:

• Choosing the stairs instead of the elevator is a quick way for you to add physical activity to your day.
• Instead of chips or crackers, try snacking on nuts. Nuts are an excellent source of protein as well as other healthy nutrients and will help keep you full.
• Switching from soda to water can seem hard, but it’s worth making the effort to make this a lifelong habit to be healthy, while also helping flush out your system.
• Getting all the nutrients we need on a daily basis can be a difficult task, so do your research and find the multivitamin that works for you!
• No time to floss? If you’re crunched for time, consider keeping some floss picks near your couch or TV for use while watching your favorite show. Or throw some in your purse or your pocket and use them on the go.  Dental hygiene is also an important factor to keeping you healthy.

There is nothing like a brand new year to inspire you to be happier and healthier. One or more of these tips might help to make your new year an absolutely great one so what do you have to lose? Do you have a quick and easy tip that you use? We’d love to hear them!

     Do you want to give Mom something special this Mother’s Day, but you’re on a budget?  Here are a couple ideas of inexpensive craft ideas that you can make for her:

Picture frame

-Buy an inexpensive frame at the dollar store

-Decorate it with stickers, puffy paint and other simple craft supplies

-Put a picture of you and your mom in it

Bookmark

-Use a popsicle stick, feathers, markers and other supplies of your choice to make a personalized bookmark for Mom

Coupon book

-Make a coupon book for Mom out of construction paper

-Have coupons that will help her around the house, such as “I’ll do the dishes for the day” or “I’ll vacuum the house”

Personalized awards

-A Greatest Mom award will fill her heart with joy!

Happy Mother’s Day!

     A toothbrush can do more than clean your pearly whites!  It has multiple uses when it comes to cleaning around the house.  It’s great to use for those spots that sponges just glaze over.  Here are some ideas on how you can use your toothbrush:

Edges- The bristles on a toothbrush get those hard to reach spots.  They’re great when cleaning the bathroom sink or the crevices in your kitchen sink.

Knobs- Using a sponge to wipe over the knobs on your stove or washer doesn’t really cut it.  With the help of a toothbrush, you can get behind the knob to get the pesky dirt that builds up faster than you know.

Hinges- Crevices on hinges can be tricky, especially on toilet seats, but toothbrushes can really get the job done.

Frames- Window frames collect tons of dirt and mold.  You can usually get a lot of it up with a cloth or a sponge, but it’s almost impossible to get the corners.  Use a toothbrush in those crevices and it will come right out!

     Start using a toothbrush when you tackle that dirt, just don’t confuse it for the one you use to brush your teeth. =)

     We all load the dishwasher with dishes, but do you throw in your sneakers, toys and hats along with them?  I didn’t, until I found out that there are several things you can put in your dishwasher!  It is a great way to sanitize items.  Here is a list of unthinkable items that are dishwasher safe:

-Hats

-Shoes- Any shoe that wouldn’t normally be damaged by water, like tennis shoes or flip flops

-Combs- Hair brushes and accessories are safe as long as they’re not too small and don’t have a lot of decoration on them

-Plastic toys

-Cup holders

-Kitchen brushes

-Stove knobs

-Soap dishes

-Refrigerator shelves

-Makeup brushes

-Sporting equipment

-Trashcan lids

     A lot of the small things can be put right into the cutlery tray.  Don’t be afraid to use your dishwasher in creative ways.  Have fun experimenting!

Don’t recycle?  It’s time to start.  Many people say, “I’m really going to start tomorrow.”  Why put something off until tomorrow that you can do today?  Recycling doesn’t take too much extra effort.  Here are some tips to help you get started:

-Place two paper bags next to your trashcan in the kitchen.  One can be for paper and plastic and the other for cans.  You don’t even have to put these in a recycling bin.  Put these bags on your curb and recycle them along with everything else. =)

-Get in the habit of rinsing everything out.  Finished with your soda can?  Throw it in the sink or rinse it out right away and toss it in your recycling bag.

-If you don’t want the clutter of the bags, simply take your recycling out right away or put it next to your sink.  In my house, we rinse out our plastics and jars and set them next to our sink.  When there’s a handful, we simply take them out to our recycling bin.  It only takes a minute.  Don’t be lazy!

-Don’t pressure yourself into recycling every little thing if you’re a beginner.  Every little bit helps.  The more you recycle, the easier it will become.  Eventually, it will be second nature and you’ll be recycling everything in sight. =)

Start recycling today!

Photo Credits: Barnetcouncil

Don’t throw away those empty paper towel and toilet paper rolls just yet!  Here are some fun craft ideas that you can do to reuse them:

Napkin Rings- Cut your empty cardboard rolls into smaller sections and cover them with fabric.  You now have an inexpensive and creative napkin ring. =)

Cord Holders- Cords can be messy.  They also take up a lot of space when we stuff them in a cabinet.  Cover an empty paper towel roll with a decorative fabric and use it to hold an extension cord together so it doesn’t get tangled up!

Gift Wrap- Hide your small gift in the tube!  Wrap it up, tie ribbon on the ends and you have a fun shaped gift. =)

Kids Crafts- Give them to your kids as a craft project of their own!  Let them use their imagination to make something fun. =)  You never know what they’ll come up with!

Get crafty! =)

My roommate got me addicted to an amazing peanut sauce she makes. Unfortunately, we’re moving out soon, so I was forced to learn how to make the fabulous sauce myself.  It’s great on rice, chicken, vegetables and pretty much anything else you can think of.  Try it out for yourself:

What you need:

-4 tbsp soy sauce

-3 tbsp sesame oil

-2 tbsp rice vinegar

-2 tbsps water

-2 garlic cloves, chopped

-3 spoon fulls peanut butter

-hot sauce to taste

How to make it:

-Combine all ingredients and top it on whatever you desire!

Enjoy!

Photo Credits: Sea Turtle

Worried about pesticides?  Want to be more resourceful?  Grow your own vegetable garden!  Here are some tips to help you get started:

-Decide on the vegetables you want to grow.  Choose ones that your family likes to eat the most.

-When buying seeds, look at how much room each vegetable needs to grow, so that you don’t buy too much and use up all of your space.

-When picking where in your yard you want to start your garden, choose a sunny spot to ensure that your vegetables have plenty of sunlight. =)  Mark off the area, prepare the soil and then plant your seeds.

-If you don’t exactly have a green thumb, start by planting a tomato plant because they are easier to grow than a seed.

Happy gardening! =)

Photo Credits: Steve Cornelius

Since Easter is this Sunday, I found some neat techniques to spice up the way you dye Easter eggs!  Check it out:

Rubber Bands:

-Wrap numerous bands around your hard boiled egg and then place it in the dye(s) of your choice

-You can take off a band or two before you place the egg in another color to make it different colors

-When you’re done, take off all of the bands to reveal your design

Thumbprints:

-Dip your thumb in paint and make a print on your egg

-You can then turn your print into a face, animal or any other creative idea you may have

String:

-Dip a piece of string into the dye and run it over your easter egg

-Repeat with multiple colors and you’ll have a cool design

Bubble Packaging:

-Cover a piece of bubble packaging with paint and roll your egg on it

-When it’s dry, you can repeat with as many colors as you’d like

Make your eggs unique this year!  For more ideas, visit this egg dyeing article.

Photo Credits: Stacey

If you’re a nature lover, then get your binoculars out.  Here is a list of wonderful nature locations:

-Oregon & Washington — small towns and big nature views along I-5 and beautiful pacific costal views.

-Northeast Indiana/Ohio farm country – classic Midwestern nature plain and simple.

-Appalachian Trail — 2,178 miles of mountain trails stretching from Maine to Georgia.

-North Carolina’s Pamlico and Albemarle Sound — great views and nice secluded harbors and beaches.

Watch our video for more of a visual explanation!

Baking soda isn’t just for cookies anymore.  Here is a list of things that you can use it for:

-Use it as an antacid.

-Deodorant.

-Sprinkle in shoes to eliminate odors.

-Wipe on your windshield to repel rain.

-Wash fruits and vegetables.

-Soak dried beans to make them more digestible.

-Remove scratches from walls and vinyl flooring.

-Clean dentures.

-Mix with water to remove corrosion from car batteries.

-Face-wash.

Click on this video link for more of a visual explanation:

There’s nothing positive about stress.  You lose sleep, gain weight and constantly feel like pulling your hair out.  When I’m stressed I either don’t eat or eat unhealthy food, both of which are bad.  Luckily, there are several foods that have been found to control stress and keep your metabolism at its best:

Whole grains- Pull out the pasta and garlic bread.  Carbohydrates can be your friend.  It’s alright to resort to your comfort food once in awhile, even if it’s not the healthiest.  Carbohydrates help to stimulate the brain’s “feel good” chemical that makes you happy and also decreases your appetite.  Remember though, oatmeal is also a good source of this, so if you can resist, choose this over those butter filled mashed potatoes.

Eggs- This protein filled food can help to boost your mood and maintain your appetite, so have a plate for breakfast. =)

Milk- Similar to eggs, the protein in a glass of milk can help calm you, so it’s a great thing to have before a big test or interview.

Wine- A glass of wine can be just the ticket after a long day.  It’ll make you feel calm and relaxed.  Stick to just one glass because alcohol is also a depressant, so you don’t want it making you feel worse!

When all else fails, get a massage. =)

Photo Credits: Alan Cleaver

     Part of being a parent is having the hope that your children will have everything you didn’t.  A way to help them out is teaching them about money.  When kids are given that glorious ten dollars, they want to spend it on that giant lollypop, but making them save a dollar can really add up.

Piggy Bank- Starting a savings account for your child will definitely benefit them when they’re entering the real world, but showing them how much saving a dollar here and there can add up to will teach them how to save for themselves.  Keep a jar or a good old piggy bank and encourage them to put their extra coins in it.  You can have them count it from time to time so they can see how fast it adds up.  I did this and I had over $200 when I finally counted it!

10/10/10/70 Concept- This is a great concept because it teaches children to not let money burn a whole in their pocket.  Encourage your kids to donate 10% of their earnings to a charity, put 10% in their savings account, save 10% incase of an emergency, and have the remaining 70% to live off of.  If they begin doing this, they won’t have to live paycheck to paycheck when they become a broke college student.

Hard work pays off- You can’t make money if you don’t work hard at it.  By instilling a strong work ethic in your children, they will work hard at everything they do.  In turn, they will respect the money they earn and not be so careless with it. 

Set Goals- Teach your children to set goals for themselves, whether they are short-term or long-term, it will give them something to work for.  If they have a set amount of money they are aiming for, they will work towards it in order to overcome the challenge.  In the end, it will boost their self confidence, make them set more goals and give them more encouragement for their next set of goals.

Happy saving!

On Super Bowl Sunday, a friend of mine made BBQ chicken dip and I haven’t been able to stop thinking about it, so I thought I’d share the recipe with you  =) :

What you’ll need:-2 tablespoons vegetable oil
-1 package cream cheese- softened
-2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
-1 cup cooked chicken breast- diced
-1/2 cup BBQ sauce (as spicy as you want)
-1/2 cup ranch dressingMake it:

-Heat oil in a medium skillet over medium-high heat
-Add chicken and cook until browned
-Add cream cheese and stir until mixed well
-Remove from heat and stir in the BBQ sauce and ranch dressing
-Top with shredded cheese
-Serve warm and use your favorite chips for dipping (I prefer Tostitos)

Enjoy. =)

Photo Credits: Alanagkelly

     The job market is tough, but that may not be the reason you’re not getting any callbacks.  It may sound crazy, but your resume could be hurting you by making you look overqualified!  There are many things that have changed when it comes to writing your resume.  Here are some tips on how to fix your resume:

 Word choice- Innovative is a great word, but it is overused.  Resist using common words, such as motivated, extensive experience and dynamic.  Instead, focus on words that were in the job description so you can make it past the automated scanning process.

Too many numbers- You may have multiple ways that people can contact you and that’s great, but no one cares.  A simple phone number and e-mail will do the trick.  Don’t let anyone know if you have a fax number because that’s a sure sign that you’re a little dated.

Format- Only recent graduates should put the months that they were employed next to their job descriptions.  Others should just stick to the years.  Also, make sure it’s after your job description on the right and not the left because that is an old format.

Dates- You may be surprised by your hiring manager’s age because the truth is, they may have graduated way after you.  To avoid looking as though you are past your prime, take the dates off.  After all, it’s the degree that counts.

Be confident!

“Hi, I would like to get headlight replaced because it went out.”
“Great, but you’ll also need a transmission flush, oil change, break fluid flush and whatever else your bank account can afford.”

     Luckily, my dad is a mechanic, so when I am away from home and he can’t fix my car, he can still usually give me an idea as to what is wrong.  Then when I get the laundry list from the mechanic of what I should fix, I can ignore it. =)  Unfortunately, the ‘My dad is a mechanic, so I’ll talk to him.  Thanks,” excuse doesn’t work for everyone.  You may not be able to become a car expert overnight, but there are a couple things that you can know how to do or know about that will make your trip to the local mechanic shop less stressful:

Check your oil- Check your oil twice a month. 
 -Check I when your car is off and your engine is cool.
 -Pull the oil dipstick out.  It is a long stick coming out of the engine with a loop at the end, usually in a bright color
 -Wipe off the oil using a paper towel
 -Stick the dipstick back in and pull it back out.  Look at the end to see how far the oil comes up.   
 -If it is below the full line, add a little bit of oil by unscrewing the oil filler cap.  This is located at the top of the engine.
 -After adding the oil, dip the dipstick all the way in and out again, checking to see if the oil is full yet.  If it’s not, add some more.  Repeat the process until it is full.

Check your transmission fluid- Check your transmission fluid once a month.
 -Check it when your car is on and your engine is hot.
 -Similar to your oil, there is a dipstick.  This one is located near the back of the engine.  Pull it out and wipe the end off with a paper towel.
 -Stick the dipstick all the way back in again and pull it back out. 
 -If it is below the full line, add transmission fluid to the dipstick opening using a funnel.

Brake fluid flush-
Brake fluid flushing is done when there is rust in the brake master cylinder.  An inspection of your brake fluid is good, but unless there is rust, it is not a clear color or has a burnt smell, this is not something that is included in the regular maintenance of a car.  Don’t let the mechanic fool you.

Overall, question everything and if something seems fishy, it’s alright to pretend that you know a mechanic. =)

Photo credits: Adam Sherer

     A lot of people are on an organic kick.  This is great, but you don’t need to buy everything organic.  There are several things however, that you should have at the top of your list.  If you’re going to buy organic, here are a list of items that should be your main priority:

 Beef- Studies show that many of the hormones given to cattle can make humans develop breast cancer, along with other diseases.  This goes for milk too.  Stay away!

Strawberries- Pesticides love to live in the little crevices on strawberries, so they are hard to wash off.  Go organic for this fruit and save yourself from numerous pesticides.

 Water Bottles- Many reusable plastic water bottles contain BPA, a substance that similar to the hormones found in beef, can lead to breast cancer.  Get your own stainless steel water bottle to use.  Just to be safe. =)

Tomato Sauce- Go for the glass instead of the can.  The can, like water bottles, may contain BPA, which can get into the sauce.

     Don’t be scared to buy things that aren’t organic, just be aware of the items that pose the most danger.  =)

Enchiladas are my favorite Mexican dish.  Since going to my favorite Mexican restaurant is taking a toll on my bank account, I found a quick way to make the tasty meal at home!  I’m thinking of starting Mexican Monday’s in my apartment. =)  Here’s the recipe, so you can make it at home too:

What you need:

-1 pound ground beef
-1 can refried beans
-1 can Campbell’s Condensed Cheddar Cheese Soup
-1 package taco seasoning
-1 package shredded cheddar cheese (I like to get the Mexican blend)
-1 can medium onion, chopped
-12 flour tortillas, warmed
-1 ½ cups prepared enchilada sauce

Directions:
-Preheat the oven to 350F
-Cook the beef in a skillet, until browned.  Be sure to poor out any fat.
-Stir in Taco seasoning mix, beans, soup and onion
-Divide the mixture evenly into the tortillas.  Roll the tortillas and place them in a baking dish.
-Pour the enchilada sauce over all of the tortillas and sprinkle them with cheddar cheese
-Bake for 20 minutes
-Top them with sour cream (my favorite part)

I’m hungry now!

Photo credits:  Joshua Bousel

The weekend is almost here!  It’s been a long week, so you want to do something fun, but are you tired of the same old account devastating activities?  Luckily, fun weekend activities don’t have to break the bank.  Here are some inexpensive weekend activities:

 -Rent a movie & do movie night at home

-Visit a local park or nearby beach

-Go out for afternoon coffee rather than late night drinks

-Volunteering is a very rewarding experience

-Host a cocktail party at your home rather than going out to the club

-Go picnicking somewhere close by or even in your living room

-Go bowling or play miniature golf

Watch this video for more of a visual explanation:

Finding your ideal apartment can be challenging because you want to make sure you move somewhere that is right for you.  Once you’ve found where you would like to live, there are several things you should be sure of.  So before you move, know the answer to these questions to make sure you are happy about your choice.

-When is rent due?

-How long is the lease?

-How much is the security deposit?

-What are the lease breaking fees?

-Are there noise level restrictions?

-What do you have to do if you want a roommate later?

-Is parking included or are there parking fees?

-Is the community pet friendly?

-How is maintenance done for the unit?

-Who to call in an emergency?

Watch this video for a more detailed explanation: