Businesspeople, students, kids, seniors – these days, everyone has a mobile phone. But phones are designed to suit different lifestyles and personalities, so you need to do your research and compare wireless phones before making your purchase.
Not sure where to start? Here are some tips to help you find a cell phone that you’ll love:
 NewsUSA) – You’ve read the articles, seen the news stories — you know that cooking from scratch means feeding your family healthier, less expensive meals. But when you’ve just left the office and need to get home so you can drive the kids to soccer practice, opening a few jars, much less turning out a gourmet meal, seems impossible.
Creating quick, healthy meals at home might be easier than you think. The right equipment can certainly speed things up. For example, one blender, the Vitamix 5200, is so powerful that it can liquefy whole fruits and vegetables, including their peels and seeds, in seconds. Those using the Vitamix 5200 (www.vitamix.com) can make homemade smoothies, sauces, pestos, hummus and soups in minutes, so convenience is no longer an excuse for choosing the drive-thru. And while high-end blenders aren’t inexpensive, they will eventually pay for themselves, as families stop buying jarred tomato sauce and canned soup — even peanut butter and mayonnaise. As fresh, seasonal produce hits farmer’s markets, families should take advantage of the naturally delicious food available. Try serving a whole-wheat pasta with Pesto Sauce, followed by a healthy Peach Sorbet for dessert. If you don’t have a Vitamix, you can still make the recipes using a blender or food processor. Pesto Sauce Makes 1 1/2 cups (enough for one pound of pasta) 1/2 cup olive oil 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese 3 medium garlic cloves 2 cups fresh basil leaves 3 tablespoons pine nuts salt and pepper, to taste Place all of the ingredients, except for salt and pepper, into the Vitamix container in the order listed and secure lid. Select Variable 1. Turn on the machine and quickly increase the speed to Variable 7. Blend for 1 minute, using the tamper to press the ingredients into the blades. Peach Sorbet Makes three cups 3 fresh peaches, ripe, halved, pitted 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract 3/4 cup sugar 4 cups ice cubes Place all of the ingredients into the Vitamix in the order listed and secure lid. Select Variable 1. Turn the machine on and quickly increase the speed to Variable 10, then to High. Blend for 30 seconds. The sound of the motor will change and four mounds should form. Stop the machine. Do not overmix or melting will occur. Serve immediately. |
The Roman emperor Nero ate flavored ice to get through Italy’s stifling summers, and frozen treats have only become more popular since the 4th century B.C. According to the International Dairy Foods Association, the United States produced 1.5 billion gallons of ice cream in 2008, and 90 percent of the population enjoys the sweet treat.
Americans also like to stick with the classics – vanilla accounts for over 25 percent of all ice cream sales. But there’s far more to ice cream than vanilla in a cone. Cold Stone Creamery , an ice cream parlor known for its customizable offerings, has a few tips for exploring more unique possibilities:
• Think beyond chocolate sauce and cherries. Cereal, chocolate chips, fruit, jams, sprinkles, pie fillings, cookies crumbles, brownie chunks, chopped nuts and whipped cream are only the beginning!
Staring at gray cubicle walls doesn’t exactly lift your spirits, but you don’t know how to decorate your office so it looks like you without looking unprofessional. Here are some tips on creating an organized, professional and attractive workspace, whether you have a home office, a corner office or a cubicle.
PlaqueMaker Plus, a company that specializes in custom frames, signs, trophies and other items, offers the following tips:
• Ask about your company’s policy on desk decorations. Obviously, you have considerable decorating freedom if you work from home. But your company may have restrictions — find out what they are before you’re required to remove family pictures or that piglet calendar.
 NewsUSA) – There is no single factor that causes weight gain, and there is no single secret to weight loss. Instead, the most successful weight-loss plans target multiple factors that may contribute to weight gain.
A weight-loss plan should include eating healthy, balanced meals and getting regular exercise, as well as regular supplements. The makers of Diet 360 tablets provide a multidimensional approach to weight loss through four key ingredients: - Ashwagandha extract. An herb used in Ayurvedic medicine that can help regulate cortisol levels in the body. High levels of cortisol contribute to stress, which can contribute to weight gain. - Fucoxanthin. An antioxidant derived from brown seaweed that may help to improve metabolism, which can help the body burn more calories. - Blueberry leaf/bayberry bark extract. The combination of these two plant extracts has been associated with maintaining healthy blood sugar levels and promoting glucose metabolism. - Slimpure. A trademarked green coffee extract that is designed to help increase lean muscle mass. In addition, these ingredients can help promote weight loss by targeting many of the factors that contribute to weight gain. Some common factors that can contribute to weight gain include: - Stress. Stress has been associated with binge eating, carbohydrate cravings and poor sleep, all of which can play a role in weight gain. - Low energy. If your metabolism is slow, you may burn fewer calories, and you may be more susceptible to weight gain. - Lack of lean muscle mass. A lower percentage of lean muscle mass can foster weight gain; increasing lean muscle mass can help with weight loss. - Unhealthy blood sugar. Unhealthy blood sugar may be associated with weight gain by promoting the creation of new fat cells. For more information about how to simplify your weight-loss plan, visit the Diet 360 Web site: www.thebetterhealthstore.com/diet360. To order Diet 360 quickly and easily, visit the Better Health Store: www.thebetterhealthstore.com. |
 NewsUSA) – Kids love flight-simulator video games — looping, diving and soaring through scenery can provide hours of entertainment. The problem is that many flight games contain elements inappropriate for younger children, such as bombing or shooting targets. Due to the lack of great children flight games, some parents end up buying games too violent or difficult for their aspiring pilots.
D3Publisher’s new “Kid Adventures: Sky Captain” game for Wii was created to fill that void. Children and adults alike will enjoy the fun and easy steering that allows them to explore colorful environments and complete the game’s 40 diverse missions. Players can unlock several types of aircraft in the game, including a cow-abducting UFO and speedy jet, and engage in sky racing, stunt flying, target shooting, treasure hunting and more! The weaponry in “Kid Adventures: Sky Captain” proves harmless, because in place of shooting bullets, the planes take pictures or launch water balloons. In one mission, players must use their shooting skills to put out a forest fire. Other exhilarating missions include races against other pilots, snapping photographs of dinosaurs, and helping pirates recover their missing treasure. The missions are challenging enough to keep children entertained, but not difficult to the point that players become frustrated. The game has two multiplayer options. Two players can work together through missions, a capability that encourages cooperative play, or compete head-to-head in exciting races and aerial battles. While the game’s colorful, unique environments and easy-to-learn controls appeal to children; adults will find themselves hooked as well. The perfect game for kids and a pilot-in-training, “Kid Adventures: Sky Captain” is enjoyable for the entire family. For more information, visit www.d3publisher.us. |
As extended families spread out throughout the country, it becomes more difficult to get everyone together. Holding a family reunion, then, gives everyone a chance to meet, catch-up and learn a little more about their family history.
Arranging a reunion can be a massive undertaking, and it’s easy to become overwhelmed. But with a little planning, anyone can pull off a successful family reunion.
Follow these tips to ensure a fun, rewarding family reunion experience:
Lightbulbs, televisions, toaster ovens – all three inventions changed the way that Americans live and work. Today, scientists still use technologies to improve home products. Appliances have become increasingly efficient. New smart homes will even allow people to lock their house or adjust their thermostat with their cell phones.
But the products that use advanced technology don’t always seem like science fiction. For example, painters tape doesn’t usually cause excitement. But Frog Tape, which won a Best of What’s New award in Popular Science’s Home Tech category in 2007, does exactly what old tapes failed to do – create clean edges around paint jobs.
With friends and relatives renting cars while they visit and vacationers renting in sunny vacation spots, summer brings many people into car rental offices — some who might not have much experience car rental.
Rent-A-Wreck has some tips to help consumers get the right car and the best value:
• Research car rental companies before your trip. Find out what companies are in the area, their rates and their policies. Always ask for hours of operations and return policies. Many rental locations offer a key drop or off-hour returns, but don’t assume that all do.
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(NewsUSA) – It may be vacation time for kids, but most adults work through the summer months. Firestone Complete Auto Care recommends some commuting tips for everyone who is spending the summer driving to work instead of heading out on vacation:
* Keep Your Vehicle in Tip-Top Condition. It is important to keep your vehicle properly maintained. For example, check your tires regularly since they are the only thing connecting your vehicle to the road. You can check your tires’ tread depth with the “penny test.” Insert a penny in the tread with Lincoln’s head down. If you can see the top of Lincoln’s head, the tread is worn, and the tire probably needs to be replaced. If you are not certain, have it checked by a tire professional. You should also have your automotive technician make sure that your tires are properly inflated and rotated. In addition, have them check under the hood to evaluate your vehicle’s other major systems. * Commute Comfortably. Wear shoes that are comfortable and safe to drive in — flat shoes with some grip on the soles are ideal. Make any adjustments to your seat or mirrors before you start on your way. * Don’t Be Distracted. Stay focused and do not multitask. Make your daily commute your “quiet time” for the day by turning off your cell phone. Even if your local laws do not require it, if you must talk on your phone invest in a headset so you can focus on the road. Make sure that you can still hear honking horns and sirens while using your headset. * Keep Calm. Consider leaving earlier or researching an alternative route to miss rush hour traffic, holiday traffic or bad weather. If you know that you’re going to be late, accept the delay. Slow down and keep your distance in heavy traffic. Unsafe driving habits such as changing lanes right before or after an intersection or in a school zone, not signaling before a turn, making illegal U-turns and other activities can put you and others at risk. If you are still facing the daily grind this summer, take the time to make your commute a safe and pleasant part of your day. |
