You are here: Home / Archives for Miscellaneous

The Best Sports Drink for Your Workout

June 12, 2013 by Leave a Comment

Today, there are countless sports drinks on the market. If you’re wondering which is the best for you, check out our list below to help you make your decision.

Regular Sports Drink
These are good for before, during, or up to 60 minutes after you workout. If you’re looking for a drink such as this, try Gatorade. It’s “the original sports drink”, and provides 14 g of carbs and 110 mg of sodium per 8 oz serving.

Low-Cal Sports Drink
If you’re looking for a beverage that cuts out the calories, try PowerAde Zero. This drink has calories, but that also means “zero energy”. This may taste better than water, but all it will do is keep you hydrated – nothing more.

Enhanced Sports Drink
A lot of new sports drinks add in extra nutrients like vitamins, caffeine, or amino acids. If this sounds like your cup of tea, try Accelerade which offers a  4:1 carb-protein ratio. This beverage has been shown to minimize muscle damage during exercise, and also accelerate recovery compared to carb-only drinks.

Recovery Sports Drink
These drinks are designed to help with post-workout recovery. A great option is Muscle Milk which has complete nutrition recovery, and offers a balance of carbs, fat, and protein, along with a substantial list of vitamins and essential minerals.

Filed Under: Miscellaneous Tagged With: , , , ,

4 Tools That Will Make Laundry Day Much Easier

May 22, 2013 by Leave a Comment

If laundry is one of your least favorite chores, check out these helpful gadgets that will help you to pick up the pace in the laundry room. 

Handheld Steamer
Don't feel like dragging out the ironing board? Instead, get a portable steamer for smaller jobs and delicate fabrics. It heats efficiently in just 30 seconds, so it's great if you need to quickly touch up your outfit before you leave.

Sock Clips
What happens to socks in the dryer? How do they disappear? To prevent this from happening to you in the future, invest in some sock clips, which you can find online or at your local home goods store.  

Salad Spinner
Yes, you read right — get a salad spinner to "spin dry" delicate items. Plus, it also prevents the stretching that can occur when you hang up a wet garment to dry. If you already have one, you still may want to think about getting an extra one specifically for laundry.

Sweater Drying Rack
A simple drying rack is one of those under appreciated items that makes your life easier. By enabling the air to circulate around the sweater, it cuts the drying time in half! 

Filed Under: Miscellaneous Tagged With: , , , , ,

Classic Cartoon Characters

May 8, 2013 by Leave a Comment

The history of animation has featured thousands of unique and charming characters, but to make the list of the best is a tough prospect. Here are some of the most influential and interesting cartoon characters of all time:

Mickey Mouse
Walt Disney had ventured into the world of animated shorts several times before he made Steamboat Willie, which featured the first appearance of Mickey Mouse, but once he drew those iconic ears he knew he had something special.

Bugs Bunny
Created by Tex Avery and other animators at Warner Brothers, Bugs provided an aggressive, fast-paced alternative to the Disney style. His shorts helped define the rhythm and look of American animation for decades.

Fred Flintstone
The Hanna-Barbera formula may have played itself out over the decades, but the Flintstones opened the door for animation during prime time, taking inspiration from The Honeymooners and transporting it back to the prehistoric era.

Gumby
Created by Art Clokey, the genial green clay boy showed that animation isn’t just drawings on paper. His adventures in a fantastic world helped advance animation into a new generation.

Bart Simpson
Matt Groening’s long-running prime time cartoon has become one of the world’s universal cultural touchstones, and the wise-cracking Bart fits perfectly in the lineage of characters we’ve established here.

Filed Under: Miscellaneous Tagged With: , , ,

Funniest American Writers Past and Present

April 24, 2013 by Leave a Comment
What’s better than reading a book that makes you laugh out loud on almost every page? American literary history is full of writers blessed with a gift for humor. Here are five of the funniest writers, past and present, who are sure to tickle your funny bone while stimulating your intellect:
 
James Thurber, 1894 – 1961
James Thurber was a celebrated American author and master of wit, best known for his cartoons and short stories published in the New Yorker. The book that put him on the map was My Life and Hard Times, an innovative comedic work combining autobiography and fiction. Some of his must-read short stories are “The Dog That Bit People” and “The Secret Life of Walter Mitty.” 
 
Dorothy Parker, 1893 – 1967
Dorothy Parker was a poet, critic, satirist, and short story writer, celebrated for her searing wit. She became one of the most renowned members of the Algonquin Round Table, a famous group of New York City writers, artists, actors, and critics who would gather at the Algonquin Hotel and exchange witty remarks. She is best known for her brilliantly funny verses, which include the classic light verse poems “Resume” and “Bohemia.” 
 
Mark Twain, 1835 –1910
Though Mark twain was most known for his novels, he was also famous for his funny short stories, satirical writings and speeches, and witty sayings. His laugh-out-loud short story “The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County” became an early classic of American humor writing. He traveled around the country giving humorous talks and lectures, and many consider him to be pre-cursor to today’s conception of a stand-up comedian.
 
David Sedaris, 1956 – 
David Sedaris is one of the most celebrated contemporary humor writers at work today. Particularly famous for his funny personal non-fiction writings, he has authored several bestselling essay collections, including the highly popular Me Talk Pretty One Day and Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim. He is also known for his radio readings and hilarious public appearances. 
 
Ogden Nash, 1902-1971
Ogden Nash was a renowned writer of light verse, famous for his verbal dexterity, wit, and inventiveness. He was particularly noted for coming up with highly original, surprising, and funny-bone-tickling uses of rhyme in his poems. His poems frequently appeared in major publications like The New Yorker and he also toured the country making appearances in comedy shows and radio programs. 
 

Filed Under: Miscellaneous Tagged With: , ,

Car Buzz: Tips to Help You Get the most Gas Mileage for Your Money

April 10, 2013 by Leave a Comment

Are you looking to cut back on your monthly budget of living expenses? One smart way to do that is to get the most out of your gas mileage before you have to fill up the tank again. Here are some great tips to help you do that: 

Planning and Combining
When it comes to maximizing gas mileage, small daily decisions can go a long way. So try to plan ahead in terms of knowing where you need to drive throughout the day and what errands you will need to complete, and then make every effort to combine your tasks into single driving trips rather than multiple trips. Several short trips can use over twice as much fuel as a longer multipurpose trip. 
 
Lighten Your Load
Because excess weight in your car can reduce your MPG, make sure you avoid keeping unnecessary items in your vehicle, especially if they are heavy. In a nutshell, the more weight your car has to carry, the more fuel it burns. It doesn’t take much for an extra fifty pounds of stuff to accumulate in your car so, if you stay on top of cleaning it out on a regular basis, you can make strides toward having more efficient gas mileage usage.
 
Drive With Smarts and Skill
There are small daily driving habits that can go a long way toward maximizing your gas mileage. One of these habits is to develop a light foot when it comes to acceleration. If you hit the gas pedal hard when you accelerate, you will use more fuel than if you apply steady pressure to the pedal. Another driving tip that will help you preserve gas mileage is to simply slow down. The faster you drive, the quicker your vehicle’s gas stores become depleted. A good rule of thumb is to try to drive within the speed limit whenever possible rather than pushing to go five or ten mph over it. 
 
Take Care of Your Car
A key way of ensuring that you get the best gas mileage for your money is to regularly check the features of your car to make sure they are working properly. One important aspect to stay on top of is your tire pressure – under-inflated tires have more rolling resistance, which requires your car to burn more fuel in order to stay in motion. Another feature to check is your air filter. If the filter is dirty, the airflow to the engine becomes restricted, and your car’s fuel economy suffers. 
 
Be Smart About Purchasing a New Vehicle
If you’re in the market for a new car, make gas mileage efficiency a major consideration in the buying process and you’ll save lots of money down the line. One of the best ways to ensure that your new car will have great fuel economy is to go for the smallest vehicle possible (as long as the size still suits your needs, of course). You might also consider going for a hybrid, which is a car specially designed for fuel efficiency and low environmental impact; in a nutshell, hybrid cars use two or more distinct power sources to move the vehicle. There are many excellent hybrid models on the market today. 
 

Filed Under: Miscellaneous Tagged With: , , ,

Five New Visual Artists You Should Know

March 27, 2013 by Leave a Comment

Like the visual arts but haven't kept up with the latest hot artists? Here are five new artists making images and sculptures that are as striking as they are moving:

Beth Kamhi
Juxtaposing great strength with delicacy, Kamhi creates sculptures of woven steel that explore identity. Her work also includes stunning ceramics and hand forged copper, among other materials, and is both beautiful and meaningful.

Philip Denker
With intense geometry that draw you into a strange world of color and pattern, Denker's origami-like creations are expertly crafted and intricate. His works feature pen and marker work over paper that's shaped into stunning artwork that's one of a kind.

Marcelo Gomes
This Brazilian photographer creates images with lush color saturation and quiet mystery. His beautiful portrait work has appeared in numerous magazines, and has often been sought out when fashion shots require some singular allure.

Angel Otero
By pouring paint onto glass and then peeling it off, Otero creates "oil skins" which he then applies to canvas or sculpture. When combined with other materials such as spray paint and silicone, the result is beautifully colorful and tactile art that shouldn't be missed.

Nathan Hylden
Like a number of modern artists before him, Nathan Hylden uses a regulated process to create interesting variations within each piece. Hylden paints over identical aluminum panels, finding freedom to experiment with geometry and spontenaity in this serialized format.

Filed Under: Miscellaneous Tagged With: , ,

Five of the Planet’s Healthiest Foods

March 13, 2013 by Leave a Comment
As the New Year swings into motion, many people make resolutions to lead a healthier lifestyle. Whether or not you’ve put “better health” at the top of your resolutions list this year, you’ll benefit from adding some of these nutrient-dense superfoods into your diet:
 
Kale
Kale is a dark green leafy vegetable that is a nutritional powerhouse, packed with Vitamins K, C, and A, as well as many other health-enriching vitamins and minerals. It is noted as a particularly strong food source in the prevention of cancer, due to its antioxidant properties and anti-inflammatory nutrients. Kale is easy to grow, wash, and prepare, and can be used in a variety of dishes. 
 
Blueberries
Blueberries continually land on the top of healthy food lists, known for having one of the highest antioxidant capacities among all fruits, vegetables, seasonings, and spices. Many studies have shown that their unique phytonutrient content has a positive effect on the human cardiovascular system. They can be delicious when eaten in pies and other cooked dishes but are particularly beneficial to one’s health when consumed raw.
 
Garlic
Garlic is an undeniably scrumptious and aromatic enhancement to countless dishes and it has the added benefit of being one of the healthiest foods you can consume. Studies have shown that garlic can lower blood triglycerides and total cholesterol while also protecting blood cells and vessels from inflammatory stress.  
 
Spelt
Spelt is a highly nutritious grain with a rich nutty flavor. Think of it as wheat’s much healthier cousin. In fact, it can often be used as a smart alternative for wheat in products such as pasta and bread. Packed with manganese, protein, copper, and zinc, spelt can help with lowering cholesterol, protecting against heart failure, contributing to cancer prevention, and even combatting childhood asthma, among a host of other notable health benefits.
 
Beets
Beets possess a unique phytonutrient content that makes them strong providers of antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and detoxification support. Beets help protect against heart disease, certain cancers, and birth defects, and recent studies have shown that the lutein and zeaxanthin in beets make them particularly effective at maintaining eye health. Beets can make tasty and colorful additions to salads and main dishes.

Filed Under: Miscellaneous Tagged With: , , , ,

Wonderful Illustrated Kid’s Books

February 27, 2013 by Leave a Comment

When looking at books for children, you can’t help but be enthralled by the superb artistry that goes into every page of an illustrated book. Below are a few of the most visually breathtaking illustrated children’s books of all time.

The Polar Express
Made into a major motion picture a few years back, the outstanding, realistic art in Chris Van Allsburg’s holiday classic enchants the eye, hiding incredible amounts of detail and expression on every single page.

Where The Wild Things Are
Maurice Sendak’s tale is illustrated in a manner that manages to be both expressive and extremely detailed. Every feature of Max’s nighttime adventure is artfully rendered — truly a monumental achievement.

Anansi The Spider
Gerald McDermott’s boldly-colored, geometric illustrations are the ideal complement to this folktale. The images are deceptively blocky at first, but soon you see the incredible care that went into creating each and every one.

Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs
This ageless classic by Ron and Judi Barrett is filled with detail and tons of amusing sight gags that pair perfectly with the surreal story of a town where food falls from the sky instead of rain.

Filed Under: Miscellaneous Tagged With: , ,

Three Unusual Hotels Across the Country

February 13, 2013 by Leave a Comment

You don’t have to travel across an ocean for a one-of-a-kind hotel experience — in fact, some of these hotels might only be a day trip away. Need a vacation? Check into one of these gems:

Turpentine Creek in Eureka Springs, Arkansas
You may have never imagined Arkansas could have something in common with Africa, until you check into Turpentine Creek. Originally a lodge for big cats found in peoples’ homes and the black market, Turpentine Creek now allows guests to sleep among big cats like lions and tigers, so long as guests don’t mind being awoken by growls in the night.
 
Jules Undersea Lodge in Key Largo, Florida
After providing scuba lessons and room keys, Jules Undersea Lodge invites guests to dive in and swim to their hotel rooms. Take about rooms with a view: the Lodge lets you get upclose and personal with fascinating sealife.  

Earthship Biotecture in Tres Peidras, New Mexico
To get prepared for the future and deep space, reserve a sustainable space pod in Earthship Biotecture. Made of sustainable materials, the pods also recycle gray water, grow food, and let you stream Netflix to your television.

Filed Under: Miscellaneous Tagged With: , , ,

Five Snacks Under 200 Calories

January 23, 2013 by Leave a Comment

If you’re on a diet, snacking can seem like a no-no, but denying your hunger can make you overeat later. Instead of ignoring your rumbling tummy, reach for one of these healthy snack options. With under 200 calories per serving, these small bites won’t wreck your diet! Consider keeping them on hand in your kitchen at Windsor Lofts at Universal City:

Peanut Butter & Celery
This childhood favorite deserves to be revisited. Top your virtually calorie-free stalks with two tablespoons of peanut butter. If you want to make it really old-school, add a bit less peanut butter and sprinkle on a few raisins, instead.

Yogurt & Fruit
Top 6- to 8-ounces of plain Greek-style yogurt with a handful of fresh berries. This delightful snack is loaded with antioxidants, fiber, calcium, probiotics, and other vitamins and minerals. When you shop, remember that not all yogurts are created equal, so educate yourself by reading the labels and avoid artificially sweetened or high-sugar varieties.

Cheese & Crackers
Portion control is key when snacking. Instead of sitting down with the entire box of crackers, plate up 4 to 5 baked whole grain crackers with 1-ounce of your favorite cheese. Sit down and enjoy!

Popcorn
Three cups of air-popped popcorn comes in at under 100 calories! After you pop it, spray with a little cooking spray, and then sprinkle with two tablespoons of grated Parmesan. This voluminous snack comes in well below the 200 calories mark and will also visually fill you up! For a sweet variation, spray with cooking spray and then top with a sprinkle of ground cinnamon and 2 teaspoons of sugar.

Turkey Sandwich
Yes, your eyes did not deceive you: half a turkey sandwich is a great, hearty snack option if you’re really feeling hunger pangs. Take one slice of whole wheat bread, cut in half and fill with 2-ounces of turkey breast, 1/2-ounce of cheese, and a few tomato slices. This filling option also provides you with a lovely combination of lean protein, complex carbohydrates, and minimal fat.

Filed Under: Miscellaneous Tagged With: , , , ,
«Older Posts