div img class=”category-img” src=”http://ftper.newsusa.com/Thumbnail/StyleQuiz.jpg” alt=”" width=”180″ //divdiv class=”category-listcontent”div class=”category-body” id=”ArticleBody” style=”display: block” (a href=”http://www.newsusa.com”NewsUSA/a) – You often hear that you should match your home’s design to your personality and interests, but few color swatches come with names like quot;Reads …/div/div
Do-It-Yourself Projects That Offer Big ROI
div img class=”category-img” src=”http://ftper.newsusa.com/Thumbnail/LightSaw.jpg” alt=”Five words or less” width=”180″ //divdiv class=”category-listcontent”div class=”category-body” id=”ArticleBody” style=”display: block” (a href=”http://www.newsusa.com”NewsUSA/a) – The road to homeowner bliss may involve necessary upgrades, but don’t rush into large home improvement projects. Small upgrades can significantly …/div/div
Fall and Winter Maintenance Preserves Looks of Composite Decks
div img class=”category-img” src=”http://ftper.newsusa.com/Thumbnail/CareForDeck.jpg” alt=”Five words or less” width=”180″ //divdiv class=”category-listcontent”div class=”category-body” id=”ArticleBody” style=”display: block” (a href=”http://www.newsusa.com”NewsUSA/a) – Many people choose to build decks with composite materials because of the low-maintenance characteristics of the product. Although composite …/div/div
When It Comes to Your Health, Your Heart Is in Your Mouth
div img class=”category-img” src=”http://ftper.newsusa.com/Thumbnail/HeartinMouth.jpg” alt=”Five words or less” width=”180″ //divdiv class=”category-listcontent”div class=”category-body” id=”ArticleBody” style=”display: block” (a href=”http://www.newsusa.com”NewsUSA/a) – For years, you may have overlooked a handy tool in the fight against cardiovascular disease — your toothbrush.
Studies link tooth and gum …/div/div
Deep Sea Fishing Offers Unforgettable Fun
 NewsUSA) – For a truly unique vacation experience, try deep sea fishing in one of the world’s best areas for the sport — Costa Rica.
Costa Rica offers one of the healthiest fisheries in the world, where 20-fish days are not uncommon, and fish simply don’t come in small sizes. Los Sueños Marina, which is home to an extensive charter fleet certified by the Costa Rican Ministry of Tourism, reports that dorodo average 40 pounds, and yellowfin tuna often push past the 300-pound mark. Other fish, including wahoo, roosterfish and snapper, as well as sailfish and marlin, also call the coast of Costa Rica home. The good fishing might explain Costa Rica’s ranking as one of the happiest places on earth. Vacations and sportfishing at Los Sueños Resort and Marina can be accommodated by Stay In Costa Rica (www.stayincostarica.com), a tourism group that has 10 years planning fishing charters with boats ranging from 25 feet to 65 feet. Want in on the action? Stay In Costa Rica offers the following tips for first-timers: * Look for an experienced deep sea fishing charter. A qualified deep sea fishing boat will take you to the best fishing spots and provide the correct bait for the fish that you want to catch. Fishing licenses are required and cost $25 per year. All good boats practice catch and release on all bill fish to ensure good fishing to the future generations. There are restaurants that will cook your catch when you bring in Mahi Mahi or Tuna. There are also chefs who will cook your catch in the privacy of you accommodation. * Guard against seasickness. Even if you’re fishing in Costa Rica, which is known for its gentle, smooth waters, you might get disoriented on the boat. If you get sick, stay above deck and concentrate on the horizon line. Avoid strong smells, like that of the bait, until the nausea passes. Taking motion sickness medication before you board can help you avoid the issue altogether. * Come prepared. Bring sunglasses and a hat or visor. Be sure to drink plenty of water while on the boat. Don’t forget sunscreen; even if you stay in the shade, the glare off the water can give you sunburn. And don’t forget to bring your camera. After all, you’ll want photographic proof of your big catch! For more information, visit www.stayincostarica.com. |
Extend Summer Clothing Through Multiple Seasons
 NewsUSA) – While beach and traffic conditions might be out of your hands, your choices in the laundry room do affect the fit and feel of your favorite bathing suit.
Swim and athletic wear are meant to stay comfortable during activities. Those serious about the outdoors can invest a lot in durable, versatile clothing, making proper laundry care essential. The wrong wash cycle or dryer setting can cause swim and athletic gear to lose its strength or stretch — the qualities swimmers and runners need in clothing. “Bathing suits and gym shorts are designed to take a beating and get tossed into lockers or beach bags,” said Tremitchell Wright of the Institute of Fabric Science. “However, even the nicest athletic gear can’t survive the wrong laundry cycle or additive. People should maintain their summer clothing like they would their favorite jeans or dress.” The Institute of Fabric Science provides the following tips for athletes hoping to keep their clothing in good shape: For Swimwear: Always follow the label’s instructions. In general, swimwear is best washed in warm or cold water on a gentle cycle, if not by hand. Chlorine bleach should only be used when necessary, as it may cause yellowing. You can toss swimwear into the dryer, but choose a low heat setting on a permanent press cycle that includes a cool-down. Promptly remove the swimsuit to prevent wrinkling. “In regards to swimwear, the key is to prevent shrinkage and wrinkles, since it is composed of nylon,” said Wright. For Athletic Wear: Wash athletic wear in warm water, and tumble it dry on a low heat setting while the dryer drum is cool. Avoid liquid chlorine bleach, as it can lead to fiber breakage. “Athletic wear is composed of lycra and spandex materials, so proper care maintains a comfortable stretch and elasticity,” explained Wright. For All Lightweight Fabrics: The right laundry machine can make all the difference. For families who plan to spend long weekends near the water, the Maytag Performance 2000 may be the ideal fit. The washing and drying pair is compact in size and can be stacked, making it perfect for smaller apartments or summer homes. Its cleaning action wipes out common summer stains, like sweat and fruit juice, while being gentle lightweight fabrics. For more information, visit www.instituteoffabricscience.com. |
Weekend Warriors: Don’t Become Weekend Wounded
 NewsUSA) – You enjoyed your long run Saturday, but it’s been four days, and you still feel sore and tired. As the saying goes, there’s no gain without pain, so you should still fit in a workout, right?
Well, no. No matter your sport, chronic fatigue and soreness are signs that your body needs a break. When you exercise, you break down muscle tissue, which can only rebuild with downtime. Sore muscles are muscles that haven’t rested enough to recover — pushing through the pain increases the risk of injury. Instead of forcing your body to perform, do everything possible to help your muscles recover. The faster you recover, the more miles, laps, rounds and innings you’ll be able to complete. Here are some tips that can help you improve your recovery time after workouts: * Pay attention to what and when you’re eating. You can’t fuel workouts without, well, food. Carbohydrates are the body’s primary source of energy, so it’s important to consume them prior to and, in some cases, during, exercise. After exercise, you need to consume easily digested carbohydrates to restore your muscles’ glycogen levels and a protein to jump-start repair. You don’t need expensive protein powders or bars — a fruit smoothie made with milk or yogurt will accomplish just as much as a supplement. And don’t forget to drink water before, during and after exercise. * Have a sports massage. Massage increases circulation, which helps muscles recover faster. A short, stimulating massage before an event may improve performance, while a massage within an hour of a workout can help normalize body tissues. Restorative sports massages help prevent injuries during training, and rehabilitative sports massage can relieve pain if injuries occur. Athletes in training should aim to get a sports massage at least once a month. Look for massage franchises, such as Massage Envy (www.massageenvy.com), which can offer affordable pricing and convenient locations. * Take a break. It’s okay to push yourself — that’s how you improve. But the greater the frequency and intensity of your exercise, the more likely you are to sustain serious injury. Take care to structure rest days into your exercise schedule, and don’t increase your exercise by more that 10 percent a week. Try too much too soon, and you can find yourself sidelined for months. |
Tips to Plan a Fun Family Reunion
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:
Ordinary Products Go High-Tech
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.
Three Tips That Will Get Your Pool Ready for Summer
As much as you look forward to enjoying your pool this summer, you don’t enjoy contemplating its upkeep. But spring is the perfect time to upgrade pool equipment to save money and energy during pool season.
Hayward Pool Products, a company that makes reliable, energy-efficient products designed to enhance the pool and backyard experience, offers the following tips:
