Some of our most popular national parks are currently overrun with trash and human feces As the partial government shutdown enters its third week-making it the third-longest in U.S. history-the shutdown is taking a harsh toll on some of our country's most beautiful places: national parks The Trump administration chose to leave national parks open during the shutdown, which began on December 21, and parks are operating with a skeleton staff of law enforcement and emergency personnel. In previous government shutdowns, as in 2013 and 2018, national parks were closed, resulting in a barrage of social media posts showing angry park visitors in front of shuttered gates. Before he left office, Department of Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke outlined a policy that advised parks to stay open during a shutdown in order to support local businesses who rely on national park traffic for their revenue. But safety, health, and environmental concerns over the past three weeks are now degrading both the national parks and the experiences of visitors. Why? Because many parks remain open-free of charge-without staff to support them. In total, some 16,000 national park employees have been furloughed, leaving no one to manage overflowing toilets and pile of trash, or to prevent trespassing. At Joshua Tree National Park in Southern California, volunteers have hauled away garbage, and cleaned restrooms and restocked them with toilet paper. Visitors have let their dogs roam off leash or gone off-roading in the fragile desert ecosystem. Campsites at Joshua Tree were even forced to shut down last week as pit toilets reached capacity. In Yosemite, human excrement has devastated habitats next to roads, and locals have organized work crews to manage trash. On Saturday, the Tuolumne County Visitors Bureau handed out courtesy garbage bags, but excessive waste and trash has caused parts of the park to close. Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks were also closed due to unsanitary and unsafe conditions. In Oregon, employees were forced to close the last four miles of the road to the iconic Crater Lake because the shutdown is preventing them from emptying the park's toilets. Forest rangers worried that human feces could overflow into the lake. Elsewhere, non-federal entities are footing the bill to keep parks running. New York City Governor Andrew Cuomo is spending $65,000 a day on the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, in large part because those landmarks bring in approximately a million dollars each day in tourism revenue. A nonprofit donated more than $50,000 to keep 15 rangers temporarily on the job at Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Tennessee and North Carolina, but that funding has since ceased and the park has closed. Grand Canyon National Park is open thanks to the state of Arizona, which is paying about $64,000 a week to cover restroom cleaning, trash removal, and snow plowing. Likewise, Utah paid $7,500 a day over Christmas to maintain facilities at Zion, Bryce Canyon, and Arches National Parks, with the nonprofit Zion Forever Project stepping up in the new year. But the situation is tenuous, with some parks on the brink of closing due to the aforementioned trash issues and an inability to plow and maintain snowy roads. To mitigate the situation, the National Park Service has decided to use entrance-fee funds to pay for expanded operations during the shutdown. The revised contingency plan, as reported on by The Washington Post, did not say which employees might return to work or which parks would receive additional funding. In a press release Sunday, the National Park Service said the funds would not be for fully re-opening parks, and most of smaller parks would remain closed. Critics say that the move may violate appropriations law, since park fees collected under the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act are designated towards visitor services, not towards operations and basic maintenance. Others fear that using park fees might deplete funds for future park services.
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The basement is often one of the most underutilised spaces and most homeowners simply use them as large laundry rooms. Instead of letting the basement collect moisture and lint, you should think about basement finishing. Affordable Solution for Adding More Usable SpaceDenver basement finishing provides a cost-effective way to add more space to your home. Compared to the cost of an addition, basement finishing is relatively affordable and requires less structural work. In many cases, these projects can be completed quickly and efficiently, providing minimal disruption to your normal routine. Basement Finishing May Increase Your Property ValueFinishing your basement adds an extra room, helping to boost the overall value of your home. Whether you use the finished space for a bedroom, office, or living room, the new room may count as another bedroom for property valuations and assessments. Along with increasing the property value, basement finishing often provides a greater return on investment compared to other renovation projects. In fact, for every $1000 that you put into the project, you may increase the value of your home by up to $700. Accommodate Your Growing Family with an Extra RoomWith basement finishing in Denver, you may not need to move when the size of your family grows. You can add an extra room in the basement, ensuring that you have the space you need. If you want to add more space to your home, consider the advantages of basement finishing in Denver, CO. It is affordable, is efficient, and may boost the value of your property. The basement does not need to be a dark, damp place. With a finished basement, you can gain an extra bedroom, bathroom, home gym, or storage space. 1/7/2019 0 Comments My honeymoon in IndiaI always talk about living my version of a Rich Life, and I'm so excited that I get to share a small window into that with you in the form of my six-week honeymoon. There were multiple stops. My wife Cass and I got to share an experience of a lifetime with our parents in Rome, Italy. Then… We'd always dreamed about going on a safari. And now? This was a really special part of the trip for me. I always knew that I'd take my wife here on a honeymoon (even before I met Cass). It's where I went with my parents to visit when I was a kid, and it's where I learned about seeing a different part of the world, a totally different culture, about getting comfortable with being uncomfortable. I couldn't wait for Cass to experience it with me - and for us both to see a different side of India that we'd never seen before. We started in Amritsar. As I walked around, I noticed families and friends standing around and catching up. I loved how warm it all felt. It reminded me of my family visits to our Sikh temple every Sunday when I was a kid. A couple of interesting things I'd like to share with you about Indian culture: A “langar” is a free meal that every Sikh gurdwara serves to anyone - no matter what religion they follow - everywhere in the world. Here in the langar hall, people of all socioeconomic backgrounds and gender - rich, poor, men, and women - sit together and eat the same food that is served for free by volunteers. About 50,000 people eat here on an average day - 100,000 on a busier day! On my visit to the langar hall, we got to take a peek in the kitchen where I've never been before: Cass had the chance to help make roti as well. By the way, they actually have a roti-making machine that makes 6,000 rotis per hour (!), but people still make them by hand because they want to volunteer. It's as simple as that. What an amazing testament to the power of community service. This experience made me realize that I had been eating this food all my life and am just now getting to appreciate them in a whole new light. This was an amazing part of our Rich Life - to be able to share culture and food and religion together. And that was just the first day! Now … allow me to introduce you to my new favorite hotel in the whole world. Fun fact: Many top hotels in India were actual palaces that kings once lived in. This one is different: it was intentionally created to be a hotel. WOW. Plus, something amazing happened when we checked into our room the first night… I love it. At every hotel we are getting the royal treatment because they know we're on our honeymoon, so they send us champagne and gifts, and put us in a secluded part of the hotel - amazing attention to detail. On my Instagram stories, I showed some of the behind-the-scenes amenities at these hotels. I used to skip the things they offered because it was too expensive, they were ripping me off, I could do it myself … etc. I ended up not doing them at all. Now, if I know there's something I want to do and they'll create an unforgettable experience, I do them - even if they cost a little more. Put another way, I had someone write me and ask, “How do I find deals on a luxury trip like this?” My answer: If you're taking a luxury trip, you're not looking for a deal. And of course, let's not overlook all the amazing food I had here. Here are a few of the specialty Indian dishes I want to share with you: The way you eat golgappa is to take one of the crunchy fried balls, fill it up with the chutney, and eat it - it's sweet and spicy at the same time. Most non-Indians haven't tried this, but you'll love it. And one of my favorites… So good that I was getting delirious! If you watch my stories, I could barely talk. I mentioned we wanted to balance luxury and local culture. One of the things we did in Udaipur was visit a local woman's home for a Rajasthani cooking class (we call her Auntie out of respect, though we're not related). Rajasthan is a northern Indian state that borders Pakistan. Because of the climate and for historical reasons, Rajasthani food was often traditionally made so it could last for days and eaten without heating. We sat with this Auntie for hours and had a chance to hear about her life - how she arranged a marriage with her daughter, how life in Udaipur is different from Delhi (where I'm used to), how they eat. It gave us an awesome insight into her day-to-day life. One thing I want to show you is the crowds in India. Your first reaction might be overwhelm or chaos. My take: If you look closely, there is charm in the chaos and throngs of people. During my time here in India, I showed you a juxtaposition of having absolute luxury against bustling local street culture. Why? You can decide what your Rich Life is. If you want to stay in a luxury hotel, you can. If you want to eat street food, you can. If you want to do BOTH, you can. I want to show you that a Rich Life can be multi-dimensional and complex … because it's YOURS. YOU get to define what your Rich Life looks like. If you enjoyed this, I'll be posting the last of my Honeymoon Diaries in Thailand next. You can also follow along in real time on Instagram (@ramit). One of my goals is to show you how I live my Rich Life - and to encourage you to decide what your Rich Life is. Maybe it's a long honeymoon, or working from home, or starting a business. You decide. Let me know what you think by posting a comment below or DM'ing me on Instagram (@ramit). My honeymoon in India is a post from: I Will Teach You To Be Rich. One of the most interesting areas of finance is called behavioral finance, which is the study of how our behaviors can influence the outcomes of our portfolios. According to H. Kent Baker and Victor Ricciardi in The European Financial Review, there are several behavioral biases that can impact your investment portfolio and result in lower returns. Here are two of those biases: 1. RepresentativenessAccording to Baker and Ricciardi, this bias results when you label an investment “good” or “bad” based on recent performance - rather than looking at the fundamentals. An investment might be considered “good” if its recent performance has been positive. As a result of this bias, an investor might buy something even if it's overvalued. Representativeness encourages you to buy high. On the other hand, this bias can also cause you to overlook good deals because of a recent poor performance. As you can see, this bias can lead to you missing out on investments that have solid growth potential, while paying too much for investments that might be at their peak. Instead of basing investment decisions on recent performance, it's a better idea to look at investment fundamentals to get a better idea of the true value of an investment. Look at “big picture” items such as management, balance sheet, and potential growth. You can also look at figures like P/E ratio to get an idea of whether or not the investment is overvalued or undervalued. If an asset with solid fundamentals is doing poorly in the short-term, it might actually be a good deal. 2. FamiliarityAnother bias that Baker and Ricciardi tackle is familiarity, which is the idea that you prefer investments you recognize. You might choose to invest in a company you've heard of over one you don't really know. Familiarity also manifests as a preference for domestic assets over foreign assets. As a result, familiarity can lead to a lack of diversification in your portfolio. While it's true that you should understand the assets you invest in, it's also true that you need to go beyond a few assets. Familiarity might lead you to invest too heavily in one industry, sector, or geographical location - and you need more diversity than that for a well-balanced portfolio. The good news is this doesn't need to be all that risky. If you want to diversify, but are wary of foreign investments, consider using index mutual funds and ETFs. It's possible to invest in an all-world ETF that provides you with exposure to foreign assets without as much risk or individual stock picking. While there's no way to completely eliminate risk from your portfolio, you can invest smarter when you're aware of your behavioral biases. Examine your investing style for these biases, and then make changes to improve your portfolio. Do you have either of these behavioral biases? How have you controlled them? This article originally appeared on MoneyNing.com. Let us know what you think (or read what others thought) here. Pest control in the winter? Absolutely! Pest control isn't just something you should have during the summer months. Pests can be a serious problem all year long. In fact, some pests become more of an indoor problem when temperatures outside become undesirable. Let's take a look. RodentsWe have many species of rodents in Tennessee. The most common are mice, Norway rats, and roof rats. These critters can get into your home during any part of the year, but dropping temperatures and a reduction of food options gives them even more reason to come inside. When they do, they can spread harmful bacteria and diseases. They can contaminate stored foods, dishes, silverware, food-prep surfaces, and more. As they explore your home from top to bottom, they can spread parasites around as well. Flea and tick infestations are commonly linked to rodent infestations. These secondary pests bring with them their own list of diseases. Rodents don't just enter homes during the warm months. They can get in any time of the year. SpidersCommon house spiders become even more common when the cold temperatures of fall arrive. While spiders have the ability to create a sort of antifreeze that protects them from freezing to death, most of the food they eat doesn't have this ability. When their food goes inside, the follow. So, when you see overwintering insects during the cold winter months, don't be surprised to see those spiders too. AntsMost ants in Tennessee disappear during the winter months. They hide in their nests underground and wait for conditions outside to become favorable again. But, when an ant species as established itself inside a home, where it is warm, they can be active all winter long. This is especially true of carpenter ants because carpenter ants are much more likely to create a nest inside a man-made structure than other species of ant are. When they do, they can weaken the wood they inhabit. This can be bad news for a property owner looking to protect their equity. Year-Round Pest Control is the Way to GoTennessee pests have a way of getting into our homes and causing trouble all year. The best way to keep them out and reduce the threats they can pose is to have a licensed and experienced service professional apply appropriate treatments in each season and guide you in steps you can take to reduce the impact pests can have on your health and your property. If you need help with this, remember, the team at All-American Pest Control is always available to assist you. It's Christmas as the studio! Since we can't put life on hold, let's ignore the unfinished projects and enjoy a festive look at the holiday cheer in a mostly finished space. A place where we share DIY home ideas and creating a beautiful home begins with a healthy environment. Remember that Succulents & Spruce Christmas tree? It's a beautiful focal point to the studio living room area. I love the colors and rustic nature vibe in this space. A grapevine star against a window in the daytime is hard to photograph but trust me, it makes for a perfect topper! And I love the pop of color from these coppery-orange ornaments. Gold glitter feathers! My favorite sparkle accent for this nature themed tree. There's lots of extra leafy garlands to give it a fuller look too. Did you notice? And there's Northern Lights Black Spruce essential oil in the diffuser ornament giving it a beautiful pine scent! When you can't have fresh pine, this is a great option! Smells amazing! A fluffy comfy throw as a tree skirt makes me want to curl up under there to enjoy the starry-night glow! The mantel is all decorated for celebrating Happy Holidays! Isn't it gorgeous? Those fairy lights in glass ornaments are my favorite tucked into lush pine forest garland is just so magical! And the porch and stairs are on the 'to-do' list but a grapevine wreath with holly berries and red velvet bow with poinsettias greets our guests at the door. Oh! The first sneak peek! There is now vinyl decal lettering on the windows to share with our community what's going on! Wellness Inspired Living is what it's all about, creating a home that promotes a better you and a healthy home environment for your family. Well-being. You can learn more about my story and what that means to me HERE. The entryway still needs painted (or maybe even a pretty wallpaper accent wall with a bench and decor – so many ideas!) but I used what I have on hand to give it a welcoming atmosphere. The studio is a place in our downtown where we gather for discussing living above the wellness line, to get together to support one another, for education and fun times. It's also an available meeting space for small/home business//women in business. My 4-year-old grandson took this next photo. I think he did a pretty good job! I love the antique door knob from a little one's perspective. With lots of holiday events on the calendar, a “Selfies with Santa”//holiday photo backdrop and props is getting lots of use and laughs! So fun! Before the photo backdrop…this wall featured the quote scroll but was moved to the entryway. Aroma Freedom Technique happens in this room (although via video chat too) – achieve your goals! xo Time for entertaining my friends! Some photos, ideas and settings from some recent events: Wine and chocolate. This photo might represent entertaining AND for personal use as well. hahaha! Yay! Another sneak peek. You saw them from the outside above and I haven't revealed the workshop area yet but this grid of windows is amazing for it's natural light! The shelving area above a hot beverage station…this room has no natural light but I love it's function. Beverage center, back door, coat room, hallway. Mantel deer…did I mention I can't get enough of GOLD lately. How about you? Okay, friends! THIS IS THE BEST SNEAK PEEK….I am in LOVE with how the workshop area is coming along. This table gathers friends for DIY craft time, make & takes, wellness education, iTOVI scans and small parties! Those dark moody walls paired with the barn wood walls (not shown below) and that grid of 9 beautiful windows that sold me on this studio and tempt me to want to LIVE in this room! I'll share more specific details in the upcoming before/after reveal but wow, right? So so pretty! Or maybe you need to see the before to appreciate it like I do. You'll have to stop back soon. ::wink wink:: This Desert Mist diffuser is amazing! I absolutely love the candle flicker mode and diffusing settings. You can get it HERE. You need it! You'll LOVE it! I don't miss burning candles one bit. That's saying a lot! I was a brand name candle junkie! I love that I can easily and frequently change up the scent, mood, health benefits…just take a look at more info. I'm so grateful a friend shared with me and feel compelled to pass it on. You control what you bring into your home and a diffuser and essential oils was that first baby step towards a healthier me, family and home. Another photo from a 4-year-old's perspective. Setting up for an essential oil make & take party and there's a glimpse of that gorgeous barn wood. I love handmade gifts and making them so pretty and festive with all the trimmings. See more about essential oil infused gift ideas HERE. What's an event without some light refreshments? I love making up a tray with fresh fruit, cheese and crackers and some essential oil infused goodies. fresh fruits, crackers and cheese ketogenic pumpkin muffins with Cinnamon Bark Vitality infused cream cheese frosting Rosemary Vitality and Lemon Vitality essential oil infused roasted cashews So, what do you think? Isn't it cute? So cozy and comfy. C'mon over and we'll catch up over a glass of hot cocoa or mulled wine! I'll save a mini-muffin for you! love spending time here with friends! Next up:The workshop transformation. It's my favorite! The building has so much historical charm. It's about one block from our town's Main Street. The bus stop is literally steps away. There's a gorgeous Butler, PA Bed & Breakfast across the street called Suite Retreat (how cute is that?!) and an antique shop nearby. There are breweries, the YMCA, shops, restaurants, salons, florists, candy/coffee shop, holiday parades and festivals within walking distance. So fun! If renovation from blah to ahhhhh is your thing, stay tuned! So subscribe and be reminded of updates as the renovations progress! I'll share before and after photos, projects underway and updates, plans and design boards, sources and links as they relate as well as fun events going on in and around the downtown area. I'll be using a specific hashtag on social media to keep things all neat and tidy and organized. I welcome your thoughts and ideas! And as always, thanks for your encouragement and support and for sharing in my joy and vision! Watch for #helloredreno! Project Diary Entry #1 – Hello Red Reno!Project Diary Entry #2 – Efficiency ApartmentProject Diary Entry #3 Color Passive PaintProject Diary Entry #4 – Full Bathroom Demo DayProject Diary Entry #5 – Sealing A Wood Plank / Shiplap WallProject Diary Entry #6: Bathroom FlooringProject Diary Entry #7: Sealing BrickProject Diary #8: Hardwood FloorsProject Diary #9: Carpeted StairsProject Diary #10 Vinyl Floor TilesProject Diary #11 – Living Room Before & After
1/5/2019 0 Comments How to Get Sideline Passes for NFL Games (Our Exclusive Team Experience with Barclaycard)This experience was sponsored by Barclaycard. However, all content and opinions expressed here are my own. Wouldn't it be cool to be on the sidelines at an NFL game? This could be a dream-come-true experience, especially for long-time or young fans. Who doesn't want to get close to their heroes down on the field? I'd love to one day bring my kid(s) down on the field. Not many people get to experience being that close to the action of arguably the greatest sports spectacle in the world: an NFL game. The intensity, athleticism, and excitement are unmatched. Outside of suiting up and getting in the actual game, being on the sidelines at an NFL game is as close as you're going to get to the action. But how do you get down there? Unless you're a player, coach, a former player, member of the media, or some other type of employee/contractor of the team or stadium, you're not going to easily get down there. I certainly don't recommend trying it without permission. And I don't know of any way to actually make it on the sidelines during the actual game unless you fit into one of those categories above (media, family, etc.). However, there are a few not-so-well-known ways I've discovered to make it to the sidelines just before (pre-game) an NFL game. Here they are: 1. Buy Premium Season Passes or a SuiteEach separate NFL team has some flexibility in what they offer with their premium packages. Buy a premium season pass package and it might just come with complimentary sideline field passes to one or more games. This isn't something the NFL requires to my knowledge. Nor is it something every team is going to bother with. However, teams are always looking for ways to add extra value for their biggest supporters. Exclusive experiences like a sideline pass is a great way to close the deal on their premium ticket sales. Season pass packages and suites aren't cheap, obviously. Your average low-end suite in the NFL goes for around $65,000! That's a pretty expensive way to make your way to the sidelines. But hey, now you know it's possible. One can dream. #goals Related: The True Cost to Attend the Super Bowl 2. Buy a VIP Package from Premium Seats USAPremiumSeatsUSA.com is an online broker that allows people to resell their tickets. They are very similar to a Stubhub or Ticketmaster but they put an emphasis on premium seats and VIP packages you can't get on standard broker site. I was able to find four pre-game field passes to an upcoming Giants-Cowboys game for $549 each. 3. Win Sideline Field Passes in a GiveawayThe NFL or individual NFL teams use sideline access as a giveaway in occasional promotional giveaways. There's no central repository or email list to join to discover these giveaways (that I know of). However, if you're a real fan then you'll probably be tied into the media/communications to ensure you'll find out about this stuff. I'm a Saints fan and if I were a part of the Saints Insider program then I would have discovered this sideline pass giveaway for the last season. I'm not that hardcore, so I had no idea. Make sure you are signed up to your local fan community. 4. Redeem Your Barclaycard Extra Points for NFL ExperiencesBarclaycard holders are well aware of this method for gaining access to the sidelines. If you have a Barclaycard NFL team credit card, you can turn your reward points in for exclusive NFL experiences. Super Bowl tickets, playoff tickets, and yes, even pregame sideline passes. I asked my contacts at Barclaycard what the reward point value was of the different experiences? Here's what they said:
That's not bad! Considering you get 10,000 bonus points (after required spending) when you sign up for the NFL Extra Points Credit Card, you could quickly have enough points to cash in for this experience. I got to experience a portion of the VIP Game day and you can read about my experience below. Side note: If you have another Barclaycard, like the Arrival Plus, you can use your points for other (non-NFL related) experiences like getting the CityPASS in the city you are visiting for the game. 5. Take a Stadium Tour the Day BeforeIt's not the same as being on the field during the game, but it's still a fun experience to actually be down on the field at an NFL stadium. It feels special. If you take a stadium tour (offered by several stadiums) then you can be on the sidelines AND on the actual field. When the Cowboys opened their new stadium a few years ago, a friend and I toured the stadium and got to go on the field and even in the locker rooms. The field tour was great because we could run around, throw a football, and even do a foot race (which I won, of course). What to Expect from Sideline PassesIn most instances, sideline passes will mean you and your fellow ticket holders will get to be down on the field (in a little roped off area on the sidelines that you cannot leave) BEFORE the game. You typically don't get to be there during the actual game. You'll get to watch the teams warming up, see all the pre-game hype up close, and then head off to your seats for the kickoff. Notable Youtubers BFvsGF got to have an experience like this thanks to a family friend and thankfully they recorded it all for us to experience, too. Here ya go: Our Saints Exclusive Team Experience with BarclaycardAs I shared above, you can turn in Barclaycard points for exclusive NFL game day experiences. This is something only offered by Barclaycard through their reward points program and their relationship with the NFL. As a Saints fan, I've always wanted to try one of these out. We try to go to at least one game each year and typically game in the game (from the cheap seats) and enjoy all that New Orleans has to offer. When Barclaycard approached me, an arrival card user myself, about getting to do the game day experience (complimentary) this year I jumped at the chance. We were able to request specific games and I initially chose the Saints-Cowboys game in Dallas but ended up with Saints Rams tickets instead. Boy am I glad I did. We just returned from the trip and had just an absolute blast. Not only was it a great game (the Saints won) but the extras that came with the game day experience package made it super memorable. VIP Tailgating at Club 44Club 44 is open to the public before the games. It's a great place to grab and drink and hang out with friends before the game starts. There are TVs lounge areas and of course a big bar in the middle. Like any nightclub, there is a VIP area. The VIP section has a bar with complimentary drinks and a food buffet. We got to be in the VIP section, of course, had a nice time. They served pulled pork sandwiches at the buffet. Then we went to the game and had the chance to sit at the club level where we enjoyed one of the best saints games I've ever attended. We won! Post-Game Press ConferenceAt the end of the game, we headed down to the press room adjacent to the Saints locker room. There we stood in the back and listened to reporters ask questions to coach Payton and Drew Breeze. We were the only non-media people in the surprisingly small room and it was fun to experience the behind the scenes. Thank you, Barclaycard, for making this possible! It was fun to feel like VIPs for a day and get to be behind the scenes for what was a great game day for the Saints. If you are a Barclaycard holder and an NFL fan, it's a no-brainer to take advantage of this perk. The post How to Get Sideline Passes for NFL Games (Our Exclusive Team Experience with Barclaycard) appeared first on Part-Time Money. 1/5/2019 0 Comments Double Broccoli QuinoaThis double broccoli quinoa bowl is a favorite of mine. And it's quite simple. I cook up lots of broccoli, then puree half of it into a pesto. The other half is cut into little florets. Tossed with some quinoa, sliced avocado, and a drizzle of feisty chile pepper oil, it makes a nice, nutrient-packed meal to kick off the new year. VariationsHere's the thing, if you don't have quinoa, don't get deterred. You can certainly swap in a pasta or any number of other foundation ingredients. Farro would be nice, millet might work. Or, you could go with barley, pearled barley, orzo, or your favorite brown rice. If you're in the mood for something a bit more substantial, you can serve this over an omelette or frittata. Other times I might have it with a poached egg on top. Or I toss in some baked tofu, or pan-fried tempeh. Legit – it's hard to screw up. Any leftover broccoli pesto is A+ on your snappiest, crunchiest crackers. Leftovers!For easy left-overs I make extra quantities of each of the main components, and use them throughout the week – the broccoli pesto, chile oil, quinoa (you can freeze it if you don't use it). This broccoli pesto is also great as a slather on your favorite veggie burger. Enjoy! And I hope you like this as much as I do. xx, -h Continue reading Double Broccoli Quinoa on 101 Cookbooks On average, people spend 26.3 years out of their lives sleeping or in bed. Making sure you're comfortable in your bed should be a no-brainer. Typically we should be replacing our mattresses every 8 years, but why is it that some of us never get new mattresses? Maybe it's budget, maybe it's the fear of change. However, there are some tell tale signs that it's time to upgrade to a new mattress. Let's explore them today. When did you buy your current one?As we previously stated, mattresses should be swapped at least once every 8 years, but this isn't set in stone. You may have to pick up a new one earlier if you notice a decline in your quality of sleep or if you are waking up with general soreness. If you go more than 3 or 4 days with the same body part aching in the morning, then it's time to visit the mattress store. Is your current mattress comfortable?
Do you have unwelcome guests inside the mattress?Think of your mattress like a sponge. When you go to bed, your mattress gradually absorbs all of your sweat and dead skin. Tiny critters like dust mites and bedbugs can potentially move in and feed off of this organic material that settles into your mattress and box spring. While dust mites are mostly harmless, bedbugs are a major concern. You'll need to make sure they're fully gone before shopping for a new mattress. Do you toss and turn all night?General restlessness and fatigue can be directly attributed to the quality of your bed and mattress. Sometimes it takes longer to fall asleep than other nights, but if it takes you an hour or more to fall asleep or to find the best resting position, then it is time for a change. Also, make sure to pay attention to your spouse's sleeping habits. They may not mention it to you but they may be struggling through their night's rest as well. I'm sure they'll appreciate having a fresh bed to sleep on instead. What color is it?As was previously mentioned, your mattress absorbs all of your sweat and dead skin (among other things, for those of us that eat or drink in bed). Over time, your mattress may become discolored because of this. The color of your mattress is a great indicator of its lifespan. Generally speaking, if your mattress is more coffee colored than white, then it has to go. If you are unhappy with how you've been sleeping lately, then definitely consider going shopping for a new mattress. Hopefully these tips have given you some pointers on what to look for when it's time for a change. The post How to Tell It's Time for a New Mattress appeared first on King of Maids Blog. If you consider cleaning your home before an occasion or celebration, it is a good idea, but don't schedule the cleaning only before a festival. Consider your health, well-being and staying fit. Cleaning is an integral part of keeping your home away from harmful bacteria and germs. But cleaning of your entire home is not an easy task as well. It is difficult to manage time after a whole week of busy work schedule for routine cleaning. Hiring house cleaning maids can let you take a sigh of relief. Meanwhile, you can arrange a checklist for the maids to keep your home clean with the help of a maid from a reputed cleaning service. Here is some help for you to make the checklist separately. Bedroom
Bathroom
Kitchen
Other AreasApart from the above-mentioned areas, you can ask the maid for cleaning service for the cleaning of other areas including carpets, electrical switches, appliances, handrails etc. For reliable house cleaning maids, you can contact us at Home Maid Better. We only provide our customer with the experienced and trained maid. Here, you just have to tell them about your requirements and that's it. You will give you a sparkling home without spoiling any of your weekends. The post Checklist for Your Maid to Clean Your Place appeared first on . |