Archives for August 2016

The Most Common Home Mistakes That Are Costing You Money!

August 31, 2016 By
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Running a home is expensive. First, there’s the mortgage and all the bills to pay. Then all the other stuff like furnishings, decoration, and repairs. But did you know there are some common mistakes that most people make around the home that is costing them unnecessary money? Read on to find out what they are so you can avoid them.

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Wasting Water

If you are on a water meter then wasting water is costing you directly. But even if you are not on a meter, it still costs to collect, filter and distribute the water to your home. The more water you use, the more it costs the water company. This means that they will pass this onto the consumer in higher prices.

Typical wastes of water are washing only one item, instead of a full load. Having dripping faucets, and letting gray water drain away instead of using it in the garden.

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With a few small changes, you can stop wasting water in your home. Take a shower instead of a bath. Put the plug in so you can see how much water you are using. This will help you use less.

Use gray water from your washing machine or baths to water the garden. If you don’t like the idea of this, then get a water butt and collect rainwater to do this instead.

Wasting Heat

Another common waste of money is heating a home that is not insulated correctly. As fast as you are pumping heat into your property, it is escaping. This means it doesn’t hold a stable temperature, so you use much more energy to keep it as a temperate heat.

Deal with this by checking for any draft or cracks and sealing them with caulking. Check that your windows are double or even triple glazed. This is a very effective at holding heat in because between each layer of glass is a heat insulating gas.

Relying on Traditional Energy Methods

If all of your electricity come from the grid, then you are probably paying more than you have to.

A way around this is to install an alternative method of harvesting power in your own home. Some people choose solar panels like the ones available from Semper Solaris. While others prefer to install wind turbines to generate their power.

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Not Cooking Efficiently

Now we have ovens that heat up quickly; it’s very easy just to use it to cook what we need at that time. However, a lot of this heat that we are paying to produce is getting wasted. In the old days, they used to cook puddings in the residual heat of the oven, which ensure that it was all being used efficiently.

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They also just bought the food they needed, so they rarely had leftovers. Even if they did, they would all be used for another meal. Applying these principles can save you a packet on food waste, which is great for your pocket and the environment too.

 

 

Filed Under: Saving Money- Coupons, Deals, Sales
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Don’t Get Sold A Bum Deal By Service Providers – Inform Yourself

August 30, 2016 By
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We all like to think that we get what we pay for. This is a world in which there is seemingly endless choice, and if we shop around we can be confident of getting a good deal. And there is not a single one of us who likes to think that they are easily taken for a ride by providers. Nonetheless, there are times for all of us when we look at what we have paid for and think that we’ve been robbed. It’s easy to be angry about it.

It’s one of the great skills of the salesman to tell the customer exactly what they want to hear, to get them to part with their money. As much as we would like to think we’re impervious to that, it works. This is most obvious not in products that are sold, but in services. We can look at a product and judge a lot from what we see, but a service needs to be good all the time.

Possibly the best example of a service that we can have an issue with is a cable communications package. We pay out for a web provider (for example) and expect the service they give us to be up to scratch. We tell them what we need and they offer us a package to suit. Most of the best deals we can get bundle a few services together – we pay for TV, broadband and phone line from the same provider. They give us a bulk discount – what’s not to like?

Convenience Can Hide Quality Issues

We all know the phrase “Jack of all trades, master of none”. This is something that can arise with a service where you have paid for a bundle of options. While two out of the four services you have paid for are great, the third is just average and the fourth is poor. You stay in the deal because you don’t want to change cable provider – but your digital TV will continue to frustrate you.

Paying For Things You Don’t Need: A False Economy

So many of us pay for services we are offered because they sound so good it would be stupid not to. However, it is worth remembering that most salespeople work on commission. It may be on top of a base salary, but this affects how they work. As seen at http://www.inc.com/aaron-skonnard/why-sales-commissions-don-t-work-in-the-long-run.html, it’s a flawed system.

You may be offered fast internet and generous download allowances and simply not need them. If there is a saving to be made by buying only what you need, stand firm and get the best deal for you.

Anyone Can Be Blinded With Science

As much as we all like to think that we are bullet proof when it comes to cable sales jargon, it’s a fanciful idea. We all have our Achilles heel, and so it is worth looking at consumer guides to make sure you’re not being sold snake oil. Useful online guides like http://cutcableinternet.com/suddenlink-internet/, for example, go through the pros and cons. Let them provide some guidance.

Tech services are a growth industry at the present time, and people will get locked into deals that sound too good to be true. It’s not a failure on your part. Just know that the right guidance will allow you to make the smartest decisions.

 

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Where Will Your Next Family Vacation Take You?

August 24, 2016 By
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Family vacations can become a little bit stale and boring at times. It’s so easy to get stuck in a rut and do the same kind of thing over and over. When it comes time to think about your next family vacation, why not approach it from a different angle? There are lots of different ways to travel, and plenty of different things to see. Perhaps one of these ideas will become your best vacation yet:

Under The Sea

If your kids love the idea of being under the sea (who doesn’t love Dory and Nemo?), then you could take a vacation that gives them that view. You can try a glass bottomed boat ride. Or maybe you fancy walking under the sea with the fish swimming above you? There are lots of different SeaWorld Centers all over the world to delight your little ones. All you need to do is pick the one you want.

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Of course, if you’re an active family, you might choose to take a snorkeling or even a diving vacation. You can all learn and qualify as divers if the kids are old enough. Little ones can learn to snorkel as soon as they’re safe to swim. Choose warmer climates with plenty of tropical fish to make these vacation memories last a lifetime.

Up In The Sky

Hot air balloons are one of those things you can’t help but stare at up in the sky. Even though they take ages to drift from view, your gaze is fixed. Most kids would love the chance to fly in a hot air balloon, so why not make that the focus of your next vacation idea? Of course, the more adventurous families might fancy a helicopter ride weaving in and out of the grand canyon. Or how about a bungee jump?

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Parachute jumps are one of those experiences that you never forget. You can take on a little training so you can jump solo, but your kids will need to be pretty grown up to join in. Alternatively, you can enjoy the feeling of flight by taking one. Airplanes fascinate kids and adults alike. Why not book a flight on something extra special like a wartime bomber?

Across The Land

When it comes to vacations, the road trip is what springs to mind for many. The vehicle you choose depends on how many of you are going. If you need a trailer, it makes sense to look for a good RV. But motor vehicles aren’t the only way to enjoy the landscape. Active families may enjoy taking on one of the hundreds of great cycle routes America has to offer. It’s also a great way to get fit!

Hiking is another pastime families enjoy when they’re on vacation. This is particularly good fun when you’re camping. You can ramble across the country and camp when you’re tired. There are dozens of excellent trails. Or you might prefer a well-trodden path near a large camping area. Just make sure you take along all the proper camping supplies. What will your next vacation look like?

 

Filed Under: Travel
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Turn Your Second Home Into A Money-Making Asset By Renting It Out Like A Pro

August 24, 2016 By
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With interest rates so low, many people are now turning to the property market to make a return on their savings. But very few people actually know how to navigate the buy-to-let market safely. The following is both advice and warnings for those looking to enter the rental market.

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Choose A Great Area

Right now in the US there are several cities which are real up-and-comers. In Seattle, for instance, average home prices are rising at the rate of about 5 to 15 percent a year. In Portland, thanks to a thriving tech community, that number is even higher. Cities like these are the places that you’d ideally like to buy-to-let a second home. That’s because, as prices rise, rents also go up to match. In the first year, you might only make a few percent return on your investment by renting. But as the years go by, and rents continue to increase, you could see your return breaking out.

Investing in an up-and-coming area might require looking a little further away from home. You’ll have to do your research first too. The trick here is to identify places that have a sustainable economy. You don’t want to start investing in areas that are in a bubble. Find out what is driving the local economy and ask yourself, can it last?

Be More Hands-Off

Landlords like to be intimately involved in the process of who rents out their properties. And who can blame them? There are a lot of risks involved. But landlords themselves aren’t always the best people to do this. After all, they usually aren’t experts in the matter. Rental property managers, on the other hand, are. And, because of this, they’re able to ensure that renters actually cough up.

What’s more, they’re excellent at vetting potential tenants. Recently, there has been a spate of reports of nightmare tenants, ruining the livelihoods of landlords. Landlord Glenn Schofield got a shock when he finally managed to evict some nuisance tenants from his four bedroom property. The house was effectively destroyed. The toilet had been obliterated. The kitchen was ripped out. And there was paint splashed all over the walls.

Consider Your Target Tenant

Lastly, do a bit of research on your target tenant. Think about what your target tenant would like from your property. If it’s the student market you’re after, the property doesn’t have to be luxurious. You just have to make sure that it’s clean and offers the basics. If your target market is young professionals, you’ll need to upgrade the decor and facilities to match. Students might put up with doing the washing up, but young professionals with hectic schedules will want a dishwasher. Finally, if it’s the family market you want to attract, make sure there is plenty of storage. Families always seem to have no end of stuff and are always in need of somewhere to put it. Remember, tenants who are happy with the facilities are more likely to stay longer.

 

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Staying Healthy After 50: The Steps That You Need To Take!

August 22, 2016 By
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You may think that 50 is a long way off, but the truth is it will come around all too quickly. Of course, they say that 50 is the new 30, and today, people who are in their fifties still look just as good as they did two decades ago. Take Madonna, for example, she’s in her late fifties and just as gorgeous as she was 20 years ago. Even if 50 is the new 30, when you reach this milestone age, it’s important to make more of an effort when it comes to your health. The fact is, as you get older, your health becomes even more important. This is because you become more prone to a range of ailments and health conditions. And so, it pays to take your health a little more seriously.

To help you to stay healthy at 50, here are some of the steps that you should be taking. These aren’t just for your body, but also your mind, because your mental health is just as important as your physical health.

Staying active is essential

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As you get older, your body will change. However, this doesn’t have to mean that you can’t stay active. In fact, the more physical activity you do, the better shape your body will be in and the more mobile you’ll be. A Swedish study has found that people who exercise regularly tend to lead longer, healthier lives. You can find out more about this study at bmcpublichealth.biomedcentral.com. Exercise helps you to keep your bones and muscles strong and allows you to have a better quality of life. It’s just a case of finding a form of exercise that agrees with you. This could be anything from swimming or cycling to practicing martial arts or yoga – it just needs to be something that you enjoy doing. Not only does exercise aid your physical health but it’s also been proven to improve memory and help to maintain a healthy mindset. So, staying active is crucial for both your physical and mental health.

Have a suitable health plan in place

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It’s always important to have access to high-quality medical care, but as you get older, it becomes even more crucial. The good news is that there are plenty of health plans available, so there’s sure to be one that’s suitable for you and your needs. To find out a little more about what your options are, check out floridamedicareadvantageplans.com and have a browse. The reason you need to have a good health plan in place is because otherwise, should you need medical care it may be too expensive. Find a good health plan and invest in yourself. The peace of mind this will give you will make the investment more than worthwhile. As you’ll know if you become unwell, you’ll be able to get all the medical care that you need.

Ensure that you have a busy social life

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If you want to spend your golden years enjoying life to the full, it’s crucial that you have a busy social life. Right now, you’ve got another 15 or so years of work ahead of you, but that doesn’t mean you can’t start thinking about when you don’t have to work. Just think, the more friends you make now, the busier your social life will be during your retirement. If you work in a job where you don’t get to meet many people, find new ways to build friendships. Perhaps you could join a new club or start a new hobby? Maybe you could volunteer at a local project or organization? Try new things and you’ll build some amazing new friendships.

Eat well

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You’ve probably been told time and time again the importance of eating well. However, eating well is another thing that becomes even more important as you age. As you get older, you may find that your metabolism slows and that how your body processes foods changes. This means that you may need to adapt your diet to meet your body’s changing needs. Find foods that work for your body and stock up on them. Just make sure that some of your daily intake is from fresh fruits and vegetables and lean meats and fish. Cook meals from scratch and make them taste great, and eating well as you age shouldn’t be an issue.

Of course, no one wants to get older – it’s the part of life that most people dread. However, your golden years don’t have to be a bad part of life, if you take the steps to stay healthy, they can be just another part of an amazing life.

 

Filed Under: Health, Fitness, Weightloss, and Wellness
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Key Largo Princess Glass Bottom Boat

August 20, 2016 By
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Disclosure- We received cruise admission on the Key Largo Princess in exchange for my review. All opinions are 100% my own.  20160720_133945Last week my family and I went to Islamorada in the Florida Keys for a few days. I was looking for a fun adventure and I found the Key Largo Princess Glass Bottom Boat. The Key Largo Princess sails 3 times daily (10am, 1pm, 4pm) from Key Largo Holiday Inn through coral reefs in John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park and the Key Largo National Marine Sanctuary. It’s a great way to see lots of fish, sharks, coral, and other sea life while staying dry.
P1260211When we first got on board the boat we went into the air conditioned salon where the glass bottom is to cool off for a bit because it was so hot outside. Once we began to sail my husband and older daughter decided to stay below and relax in the A/C while my daughter and I went up on deck to the front of the boat to enjoy the breezes and beautiful ocean view. 20160720_130950It was so gorgeous and relaxing. Here are some of the houses, boats, and more that we saw while we sailed to the reef.

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P1260222I think this is my favorite view: 20160720_132354The boat is 70 feet and holds 129 passengers. It has a bar on deck that serves sandwiches, snack, soft drinks and alcoholic beverages for the adults. We had already eaten lunch so we didn’t get anything from the snack bar but other passengers looked happy with their purchases. The staff was really friendly and informative.P1260240
P1260242The ride out to the reef is about 45 minutes. Once we arrived on the reef we all went down to the glass bottom salon part of the boat. Viewing windows of the glass bottom total 280 square feet in area. The crew was so knowledgeable of all of the marine life we were seeing. 20160720_135730The staff made sure to point out the marine life and give us great information on everything we were seeing. It was so cool to see various types of coral, fish, rays, and sharks right below us. The kids had fun dangling their feet over the railing as we all sat on the floor watching the sea life go by. We saw a nurse shark right under the boat. It would have been the perfect picture but unfortunately my camera closed when I clicked to take a picture. I was so bummed!

128_519016624548_2864_nThe trip around the reef lasted about 30 minutes before we sailed back to dock. Once again I went up on deck to enjoy the outside view and breeze as we sailed back.
20160720_144648The cruise was so much fun and a great taste of the underwater beauty of Florida but I want to mention that if you get sea sick, this might not be the activity for you. Unfortunately my husband got sea sick about half way through the trip. The crew was really helpful coming around with cups of ice water for anyone that wasn’t feeling well. If you usually get sea sick I suggest bringing along some sea sick preventative. My girls and I didn’t have any problems with being sea sick and really enjoyed the cruise.
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Filed Under: Local/South Florida, Travel Tagged With: , , , , , ,
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From A House To A Home: Making Your Place Feel More Homey

August 19, 2016 By
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However similar the two words might be, you know that there is a very big difference between a house and a home. While a house is a place to rest your head and put your stuff, a home is a place that you actually want to be! It is a place you are proud of that you want to welcome friends and guests into.

That being said, just because you can define the difference doesn’t mean you know how to put that difference into practice.

It could be that you’ve just moved into a new place, and it is yet to give you that special feeling when you’re there. Or, perhaps you’ve lived in your house for a while now, and it’s lost some of its charm and sparkle.

Whichever the case may be, there are some pretty much foolproof ways to make your place feel more homely. This guide covers use of color, as well as an idea for surrounding yourself with memories of happy times. It also looks at showcasing parts of your personality, and a note on rule breaking! Keep on reading to find out more!

Don’t be afraid of colors

There is a plethora of advice out there telling homeowners and renters to steer well clear of color when decorating. It comes from a place of logic of course. If you are selling in the future, it could put buyers off, for instance. However, color can make all the difference if you think your home feels a tad cold and lacks personality! Hire the help of local painters so you get a professional finish.

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Surround yourself with happy memories

A particularly big problem when you first move into a new house is that it can feel like it is not your own. You can kind of feel like you must be staying with a friend, or even on holiday. Once the initial sheen of excitement was worn off, this can leave you feeling detached from the place emotionally. It is also common to feel homesick for your last house. After all, there is a great deal of joy and comfort of waking up in your own bed and home. Actively try, then, to fill this new place with joy and comfort. A way you can do this is to make a photograph wall. Don’t hide it away somewhere you hardly even pass. Put it somewhere you can take it in every day, and so can everyone else who lives in the house. Your entrance or hallway, or above your sofa, for example! This is also a great way to make your house feel more family friendly!

Showcase the things that make you you.

Perhaps you love to read and write, and have a huge collection of books that would be the first thing you’d save in a fire! Or maybe you have a musical instrument that is your pride and joy. Well, don’t have these things stored away in boxes or rarely used rooms. Have them out on display. This way you are displaying a little bit of your personality throughout the house!

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Know when to follow rules, and when to scrap them

There are so, so many rules out there about decorating and designing your home. Don’t let yourself feel restricted by them. If you like a rule, follow it. If you don’t, scrap it. It really is that simple. After all, this is your home to do what you wish with!

Filed Under: For The Home
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Gorgeous Engagement Party Ideas You’ll Love

August 15, 2016 By
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Falling in love is so romantic. It opens up so many possibilities in our lives too. So when you both decide that you want that love to last forever, it makes sense to discuss marriage. Getting engaged is just one part of the celebration of your union. When you know you’re coming together in matrimony, it could be the perfect excuse for a great party too!

Engagement parties can be big, or they can be small. They can be an opportunity to announce your intentions to marry. Or they might just be a pre-wedding celebration. Whichever way you want to announce your engagement, there are a few things to prepare first. If you have children, you will probably want to include them in the celebrations. This means you may be looking for some child-friendly party ideas.

When you announce your engagement, the first thing people will look for is the engagement rings. You can find some very beautiful designs online. If you’re looking for designer options like Tacori engagement rings, it might be a nice idea to inscribe it. Even heartfelt sentiments of love can be hard to put into words sometimes. Why not take a look online for some ideas?

A truly romantic engagement party will feature a romantic playlist. You can find a list of some of the most romantic songs ever made on a special CD or Spotify playlist. Perhaps you both have a couple of favorite songs you’d like to include. When it comes to the announcement or toast, you might want your special track playing in the background.

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Some couples like to bring their friends and family together without them knowing about the engagement. This gives you an opportunity to propose in front of all your loved ones. Alternatively, announcing it during a toast could be just a wonderful. You may want to order plenty of champagne for the toast and the celebration! Of course, there are plenty of soft drinks that will be ideal for drivers and kids.

Food is often served in a buffet style arrangement. You might choose a small, intimate party with a full sit-down meal, though. There are plenty of recipes for nibbles as well as more elaborate dishes. Some people like to have a photo cake showing the happy couple. Others look for ornate displays of cupcakes or eclairs. Perhaps a chocolate or champagne fountain is in order!

Many of your guests will naturally ask about the date for your wedding. If you’re not sure, or you haven’t booked, you could suggest a season. Honeymoon destinations and dress designers may also be hot topics of conversation. If you haven’t had time to choose, or you’re simply not in a rush, just offer vague answers. Perhaps you’re looking forward to the opportunity to hear a few suggestions?

The decor for your party might be themed. Romantic heart shapes may recur in your food platters, your garlands, and even your floral displays. Why not hire a photographer to document the night? Bring all your closest friends and family together to celebrate your engagement.

 

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Summer Salad Recipes, With A Twist

August 11, 2016 By
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Now that we’re all trying to eat a little healthier and it’s summer, it seems like the perfect time to eat salad. But as we know, salad has a bit of a reputation. And it isn’t a good one. Thanks to the low calorie, low fat craze, salads have become associated with denying oneself pleasure.

Of course, if you stick to a bowl of lettuce and nothing else, you are going to be denying yourself. Otherwise, check out these incredible salad recipes.

Cuban Avocado, Watercress and Pineapple Salad

Recently on this blog, we investigated how to cut up pineapple. So now seems like the perfect time to include this ingredient in a salad. This Cuban salad incorporates some of the favorites of today’s foodie culture. That includes, of course, the avocado. From a health perspective, the salad is second to none. Watercress is one of the most nutrient-dense foods in the world, except for perhaps kale. And avocados are full of minerals, as you probably already know. Plus, the fat in avocado actually helps the body to digest the rest of the salad leaves. From a taste perspective, the combination of pineapple and avocado is pure genius. Whoever thought of combining roasted pineapple with the other ingredients needs a medal.

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For the salad, you’ll need two bunches of watercress, a large pineapple, a large avocado, and a small red onion. For the dressing, it’s 3 cloves of crushed garlic, ¼ cup of extra virgin olive oil, ¼ teaspoon of pepper. 1\8 teaspoon ground cumin, 2 tbsp cider vinegar and one teaspoon of salt. You’ll also need one tablespoon of sugar.

Start off by cutting up the pineapple. You’ll need a decent knife for this from somewhere, like knifeista.com. First, cut off the skin of the pineapple. Then cut off the leaves and the base. Next, grab a corer and bore a hole through the middle (Don’t worry if you don’t have one of these, you can just cut it up into chunks). This is to get rid of the woody center. Then cut the pineapple into rings. Here’s where the magic starts. Put the pineapple rings on a baking tray and dust them with sugar. Then put the pineapple in the oven for about 20 minutes. During this time, the sugar on top with caramelizing, making the pineapple more delicious.

Next, put the watercress into a bowl. In a separate bowl mix all the dressing ingredients and then pour over the watercress and mix. Put this into a serving bowl and sprinkle on top the cooked pineapple and cubed avocado. Lastly, cut thin strips of red onion and place on top of the salad.

Lentils, Roasted Pepper and Goat’s Cheese

We all want our summer salads to have a bit of substance and a bit of bite. So why not try one that’s made from lentils? Lentils in many ways are the perfect superfood. They’re high in minerals and fiber. And they help with digestion, which for many of us can be a little sluggish. Plus they’re an excellent way to fill up on plant protein, thanks to their high protein content.

For this recipe, you’ll need three red peppers, 170 grams of dried lentils, one clove of crushed garlic. A bay leaf, four tablespoons of sundried tomatoes and 100g goat’s cheese. You’ll also need chopped parsley, olive oil, salt, and pepper.

 

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The Safe & Easy Way To Prepare For Your Child’s Birthday Party

August 11, 2016 By
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Throwing a birthday party for your children is one of the great joys of being an adult. This is the one kind of occasion where you get to genuinely go all out and just do what you can to make them happy. However, that is not to say that it is always a walk in the park. Let’s be honest: parties of this kind are almost always at least a little stressful. There is always more to prepare than you initially thought, and you end up getting bogged down in it all. But that doesn’t mean it has to be that way every time. In fact, you can find ways to easily prepare for your children’s birthday party without getting stressed. In this post, we will share some top pieces of advice for doing just that. Let’s take a look, now, at what those might be.

Keep Decorations Simple

Sure, it goes without saying that you want the party to be well-decorated. However, that doesn’t mean that you have to go over the top. Especially if you have particularly young children, over-decorating might be a little pointless. Instead, work hard to keep the decorations nice and simple. That way, you can make sure that you definitely have enough time to get them all up in time. And you are much less likely to get stressed about the whole day if the decorations only take you half an hour. This is also the kind of activity where you can get the kids involved. They will enjoy it, and you will have a little more time spare to prepare everything else.

Make All The Food In Advance

Of course, the food is always a huge part of any party. This is often especially true of parties for little children. As such, the last thing you want is to get it wrong. You need to ensure that you are successfully catering to both children and adults alike. That is no small feat, but it can be done. The main thing to bear in mind here is that you should make all of the food well in advance. That way, if anything goes particularly badly, you have time to rectify it. You should at least make the birthday cake well in advance, as that is arguably the most important part. Take a look here for some recipe ideas to help speed things along: cakejournal.com.

Send Out Invitations As Early As Possible

There is nothing worse than the nightmare of nobody arriving to your party. Of course, it is unlikely that this will happen. But it is much more likely to happen if you send out the invitations too late. No matter how many or how few you are inviting, be sure to do so nice and early. This gives people a chance to get themselves ready, and makes it more likely that they will actually turn up. What’s more, getting the invite out of the way clears some space in your mind. Then, you can focus more on getting the party ready. For more on getting a party organised, see http://www.netmums.com.

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