6 Ways To Make Smoothies Extra Healthy

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6 Ways To Make Smoothies Extra Healthy

Have you hopped on the smoothie train yet? Smoothies are all the rage lately as they offer a ton of health benefits without a lot of work. You also can customize them with any food or liquid you want, making your smoothie exactly how you like it. If you are looking for ways to boost your smoothie and make it more healthy, this list is perfect for you. We have highlighted 6 ways to make smoothies extra healthy, check out some of the ideas and your smoothie might just pack an extra punch:

1. Greens: One of the biggest keys to boosting the health level in your smoothie is to add more greens. You can add anything from kale, spinach, parsley or even swiss chard.
2. Seeds & Nuts: A great way to add protein to your smoothie is to add different nuts and seeds. Chia is a great, versatile seed that can go in before or after blending and will leave you feeling full. For other nut options you can add whole almonds, peanuts, cashews etc.
3.  Coconut Cubes: If you already add ice to your smoothie try this trick! Make ice cubes out of coconut milk or almond milk and freeze it. Use these cubes for blending in the smoothie and it will add extra nutrients and protein then regular ice would.
4. Avocado Power: Avocados truly come packed with health benefits and healthy fats. So why not add this super food into your daily smoothie? Not only will it thicken the smoothie base it will also make for an extra smooth drink. 1 half per smoothie should be more then enough.
5. Nut Butter: To make sure you are filling yourself up for the day, make sure to add some kind of nut butter. Depending on your preference you can add peanut butter, almond butter or cashew butter.  Add extra if you want to make a thicker, filling smoothie.
6. Fruits Galore: Last but not least, don’t limit yourself when it comes to adding fruits. The options are endless for what you can add to your daily smoothie and smoothies give you a  great way to use up over ripe fruit. Some of the best smoothie fruits are: bananas, blueberries, strawberries,  apples and even pineapple.

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How To “Unshrink” T-Shirts 

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How To “Unshrink” T-Shirts 

There is nothing worse than pulling clothes out of the dryer, only to find that your favorite t-shirt or sweater has shrunk 3 times smaller than it was. Many clothes shrink naturally when they are washed and dried, but there are certain materials that shrink way smaller than wearable. Luckily, there is a solution to this problem. You can easily get your shirts back to size with a few materials and some drying time. Check out the instructions below to “Unshrink” your favorite T-shirts:

Materials Needed:

• Warm Water
• Baby/Gentle Hair Conditioner
• Towel

Instructions:

1. Start by filling up the sink or a bucket with warm water making sure it’s not too hot or cold.
2. Add about 1 Tbsp of conditioner for every 1 liter of water.  Baby conditioner or shampoo will work the best.
3. Soak the item in the mixture for 30 minutes making sure it is completely soaked.
4. Wring the garment out but do not rinse. The product will work away at the shirt to stretch it out.
5. Lay out your shirt on the towel and roll the shirt and towel together. Use the towel to squeeze out moisture and let it sit for 10 minutes.
6. Using a second dry towel, lay out the shirt and start gently stretching the direction you want the shirt to go. Secure the stretched out garment with heavy objects and let dry.
7. Once dry, your shirt should be stretched back to its original size.

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15 DIY Gift Ideas

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15 DIY Gift Ideas

As Christmas slowly approaches, it’s time we start thinking about gift giving. Now, you don’t have to turn to retail this year for your gifts if you want to save some money! You can simply create your gifts at home with a little creativity and elbow grease. DIY gifts are not only great for saving money they also make the gift giving process really special, as you are giving something handmade with love.  Check out the list below for some easy DIY gift ideas:

1. Cupcakes In A Jar: These make great gifts as you can bake directly into the jar and dress it up however you want!
2. Homemade Beauty Products: There is no lack of recipes out there for DIY beauty products. You can make anything from a sugar scrub to homemade shaving cream.
3. DIY Bath Bombs: Rather then spending a ton of money on retail bath bombs, you can make your own! Wrap them in pretty paper and they make the perfect gift.
4. Homemade Chocolates: Who doesn’t love chocolates? They make a great gift to open on Christmas morning.
5. Sauces & Oils: For the foodie in your life, you can bottle up your favorite homemade sauce or oil.  A great gourmet gift for anyone on your list.
6. Hot Chocolate Jars: Layer your favorite dry hot chocolate ingredients in a large jar. Add a pretty bow and you have a great gift for those cold winter night.
7. Flavored Vodka: There are so many options when it comes to flavoring vodka! You can personalize this yummy gift with add ins such as orange, vanilla and even peppermint!
8. Personalized Wine Glasses: Whether it be a chalk board base or a monogrammed wine glass, this is a great gift to go with their favorite bottle of wine.
9. Sharpie Plates & Mugs: All you need is your favorite colored sharpie, a dish and the oven! You can write any message on your dish of choice and bake it to create a super personal gift.
10. Heating Pad: If you are comfortable with a sewing machine, you can make super cute heating pads! All it takes is a little material and some rice to make a gift that will keep the recipient warm all year!
11. DIY Coasters: Whether it be photo coasters or decorated with scrabble letters, this is an easy DIY gift to create!
12. Painted Cooking Tools: Take a wooden spoon or something similar and get creative! You can dip the end into a glossy paint colour to make it stand out or even add glitter for a special touch.
13. Room Scents: You really can give the smell of christmas as a gift this year. There are so many options like pine or sweet cinnamon for creating the perfect room scent to give as a gift.
14. Christmas Crafts: Feeling extra crafty this year? Why not make your favorite sock snowman or Christmas ornament and give them out as gifts.
15. Coupon Book: Make up and print coupons to give to friends and family. It can be anything from one free hug to a coupon for a home cooked meal!

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I have a fetish for decorating…. In fact it’s kind of a habit that use to be a bad habit since I would spend so much money on decorating a room but then get tired of my decor and want to re-decorate. I then would spend more money to re-decorate that same room that I just spent money on a couple months ago. See how that can be a bad habit?

Since then, I have figured out how to make this work for me. I am now able to re-decorate as often as I want and not feel guilty about it since I am saving a ton of money doing it.

Check out my tips below on Where to Shop while decorating on a budget (or addicted to changing up your decor too often  ;-)).

Refinishing your furniture – 

This is actually one of my favorite tips because you essentially do not have to pay a thing to do this (other than a few bucks for paint and supplies). If you’re not crafty or creative (or heck, even if you are) then I highly recommend checking out Pinterest (look under “Home Decor” or “DIY & Crafts” categories) where there are thousands of ideas, tips and tricks on how to paint furniture, change it, fix it, etc! Bored of your entryway table, how about painting it a different color and just swapping out the gadgets sitting on it. This is an easy way to change things up and you’d be surprised at the difference it makes!

Garage Sales –

People get tired of things…like I mentioned above  😉 and sell their decorations and furniture at garage sales! Or they are moving and need to get rid of bulky furniture, fragile glass decor and more. Garage sales are a great way to pick up some really nice stuff (and you could even use my tip above about refinishing things if needed).

Tired or your furniture/decor….Think about this idea; why not have a garage sale to sell the items you are tired of and then spend the money you make to purchase “new” decorations from a different garage sale. 😉

Thrift/Donation Stores –

This is kind of the same idea as above but since thrift stores are a little pickier on what they choose (since they only have a limited amount of space to display things), you may have an easier time finding some really nice things. Plus, you save gas money since you don’t have to drive around to each garage sale. You may pay a little more at a thrift store but you are still getting a huge discount off of retail prices!

Craft Stores –

And I don’t mean to make your own crafts for decor (although this is a great idea too)…I mean check out Michaels or Roberts craft stores for decorations. Since a lot of people don’t know they carry home decor, they often clearance out items that don’t sell. They also carry fake plants, rocks, vases, etc and if you get creative, you can piece together some really cute decorations.

One more thing you could do, head over to the scrapbook paper section and pick out some really cute paper (I like light blue Chevron, stripes, etc) and use them as the background of a picture frame. For example, if you have an 8×10 frame, buy 1 scrapbook paper and tape a 5×7 photo in the middle of it then place it in the frame. It really adds a cute touch to an entry way or hallway table top decoration.

TJ Maxx –

Not much to be said here other than, they have really, REALLY cute stuff! I buy a LOT of my home decorations here. In case you didn’t know, TJ Maxx Homegood stores (and even the normal TJ Maxx stores) get decorations from large department stores then they drastically mark them down. I have also found a LOT of really cute stuff in the clearance home decor section which is marked down 2 times (once from the department store and once from TJ Maxx’s price)!

Here are some things they carry….picture frames, bathroom decor, towels, toothbrush and soap holders, vases, kitchen towels, fake plants, furniture, mirrors, rugs, pillows, lamps, pictures (large ones too for around $40!), kid’s room decor, kitchen decor and signs AND they even have a TON of pet items!

Clearance Sections –

I highly recommend finding out where each store puts their clearance items. For example, Target usually puts clearance items on end caps, Walmart sometimes puts them in the garden section or right by it. Clearance sections are always a great place to find some cute decorations at a great price.

Craigslist (Online) or Facebook –

Craigslist is a GREAT place to find all kinds of really neat stuff people are selling. There are a ton of different categories so be sure to check them all and you can search “decorations” too! It’s kind of like an online garage sale. Speaking of online garage sales, a lot of people have started creating “Online garage sales” for nearly every city/state on FACEBOOK! You can search words like “San Diego Garage Sales” or something to that effect. They are usually groups you will need to ask permission to get into but they are free and an easy way to see pictures of items people are selling in your area (including lots of cute decor).

Roadside –

Find out when the roadside pick up is in your area (some areas do not do this but a lot do) and spend a little time that day driving around to see what treasures you may be able to find. I actually found a really nice Fisher Price outdoor slide and playset for little ones when driving home one day. I am guessing the families kids got too big for it and this was an easy way for them to get rid of it. You know how that saying goes…”One man’s trash is another man’s treasure”.  😉

Trading with Friends or Family –

I LOVE this idea and have not tried it yet but I seriously think it is so smart! Trade some furniture you are tired of with a neighbor or family member! You can either trade it for good (that way they can paint it or whatever) or you can simply “borrow” the decorations or furniture. You trade your couch for their couch or whatever items it may be. LOVE this!

Consignment stores –

Once again, this is similar to the thrift stores but a little different. Here is the difference, a thrift/donation store is where people simply give their items to the store to sell and the store only profits from it and the “donator” does not get anything from it because they donated their items.

A consignment store is where people take their stuff to sell and the store will give them a percentage of what it sells for.

You can find some really nice decor in consignment stores. You may pay a little more than you would in a thrift store or at a garage sale but there is a pretty good chance the store will be filled with really nice treasures and at AWESOME prices still!

I would love to hear some of your ideas on where to shop when decorating on a budget!

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3 Tips For Cleaning Your Bathroom Fast

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3 Tips For Cleaning Your Bathroom Fast

When it comes to house cleaning, the most dreaded task is usually cleaning the bathroom. Between having to clean the toilet, scrub the shower and sanitize the bathroom, it can take a lot of work and time. Luckily, we have some easy, time-saving tips to make bathroom cleaning a breeze and hopefully take the dread out of cleaning day! Check out the tips below for 3 easy tips to cleaning your bathroom fast:

1. Supplies At Hand: To save time when cleaning the bathroom and to avoid running around the house, have your cleaning supplies at the ready! The best way to keep organized is to have a plastic caddy under your sink that holds all your cleaning supplies that you need for a full bathroom clean. Pull this out when you need to do a quick clean or a deep clean, regardless you will save time by being prepared!
2. Spray First: When you are tackling a room like the bathroom, most surfaces needed to be cleaned with cleaning solution to be sanitized properly.  So start by spraying all your surfaces with the appropriate cleaner before you even start to clean anything else. This will give your shower, toilet and sink time to soak in the cleaner and allow it to do a better job overall. Then while these places are soaking, turn your attention elsewhere in the bathroom while they soak to save time!
3.  Clean Often: It may be surprising that if you clean your bathroom on a regular basis, you’ll actually save time in the long run. The reason for this is because cleaning often eliminates any hard dirt or grime without letting it build up. When it has the chance to build up, cleaning actually takes longer and takes more effort. So try to get yourself on a rotation for cleaning the bathroom on a regular basis or create a weekly or daily schedule to keep on top of dirt.

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7 Ways To Naturally Whiten Your Teeth

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7 Ways To Naturally Whiten Your Teeth

Teeth whitening has become more popular in the last few years and most people have tried one method or another. There are so many ways to whiten teeth, how do you decide what works best? Well, you can get it done professional but that isn’t always the most frugal option. You can also buy at home kits, which work but are still quite pricey. So what’s left? Well, believe it or not you can whiten teeth in your own home without buying any kits, you just need a few select household items. Check out the list below on 7 ways to whiten your teeth naturally and at home:

1. Baking Soda: Mix half a teaspoon of water with a half teaspoon of baking soda to make a paste. Brush for two minutes or until you have gone over all teeth and rinse. Repeat every other day.
2. Olive Oil: After brushing your teeth normally, put a few drops of olive oil on your brush. Run the brush over all of your teeth for a minute or two. Repeat this daily for whitening results.
3. Lemon Peels:  Use lemon peels or orange peels to whiten your teeth. Simply rub the peel over all your teeth and give your mouth a good rinse.
4. Strawberries: For a quick whitening session, mash 4-5 strawberries in a bowl. Then apply the mixture to your teeth and let it sit for a few minutes. Once it has soaked in, give your mouth a good rinse to remove the berries. This method is great if you are looking to whiten teeth fast!
5. Apple Cider Vinegar: Dip your toothbrush in the vinegar and brush normally, paying attention to the most stained teeth. Once you have brushed, rinse well and brush teeth with toothpaste to clear out any left over vinegar.
6. Apples: The best way to whiten teeth with apples is to eat one a day and brush directly after. If it is not possible to brush, make sure to rinse with water right away. Apples naturally work away at the plaque and build up on your teeth and whiten them over time.
7. Seeds & Nuts: Seeds and nuts aren’t just a yummy snack, they also whiten your teeth! Try and eat a small handful everyday as the nuts and seeds will work away at the plaque and stains left on your teeth.

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5 Ways To Use WD-40

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5 Ways To Use WD-40

WD-40 is a great tool to have inside and outside the house. Because of its many uses, one small bottle can go a really long way. WD-40 can be used as a cleaning product, a greasing product or even as a protector for certain items! Check out the list below for 5 new ways to use WD-40:

1. Grout  Cleaner: If you find you have really dirty lines showing where there is grout, try using WD-40! Spray a small amount directly on to the tiled grout and let it sit for a minute. Once it has sat, scrub with a scrub brush or toothbrush.
2. Stuck Lego: Isn’t it the worst when Lego pieces sticks together and refuses to be pulled apart? Luckily, there is an easy way to get them apart using WD-40. Simply, spray a small amount right in between the blocks so they loosen and come apart. Rinse off any remaining oil.
3. Crayon Cleaner: Crayon marks seem to show up just about anywhere. The great new is WD-40 can remove it from almost any surface around the house. Just spray a small amount of WD-40 onto the crayon mark and wipe it off for instant results!
4. Refrigeration Help: If you find you have stuck on food around the edges of your refrigerator or build up from overtime, try using WD-40. Spray a very small amount on a soft cloth and rub it around the edges. This will not only remove stuck  on food, it will also lift any build up within the seals.
5. Golf Shine: If you happen to be an avid golfer, try this trick to make your clubs look there best! Spray a small amount of WD-40 on your golf clubs to make them shine. Not only will it remove any dirt or grime from playing, it will leave them looking brand new for your next game!

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How To Quickly Make Your Own Air Freshener 

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How To Quickly Make Your Own Air Freshener 

Do you ever find yourself buying countless air freshening products, only to find out they aren’t effective or you forget about them in the back of your cupboard? I know I have experienced this problem and with pets in the house keeping the air fresh is a must! But what do you do if products on the market don’t work for your house or you just find them overly expensive? Well, the next best thing would be to make your own, luckily there is a recipe for that! The best part about this DIY air freshener is that it actually works and only takes a few household ingredients to createit! Check out the instructions below to quickly make your own air freshener:

Ingredients:

• Small bowl or Jar
• 1/4 cup of Baking Soda
• 9 Drops of essential oils (Any scent you like)
• Tinfoil

Instructions:

1. Combine baking soda and oils in the container of your choice.
2. Mix well, until combined.
3. Cover container with tinfoil tightly and then poke a few holes in the top.
4. Your air freshener is ready to be used! Place anywhere in your house to combat odors.

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9 Ways To Naturally Sleep Better

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9 Ways To Naturally Sleep Better

Most of us can agree, we could all use more sleep and more time to sleep in. But most times that is not as easy as it sounds and we don’t end up getting the right amount of sleep that our bodies require. So what’s the solution? If you can’t sleep in or sleep for a longer amount of time, you can try to improve the sleep you are already getting. Check out the 9 ways below to naturally sleep better and start catching those zzz’s:

1. Sleep Schedule: One practice that can really help is setting a sleep schedule. Try and go to sleep at the same time and get up at the same time everyday. A regular schedule like this will help your body wind down faster and wake up feeling more refreshed.
2. Relax: If you can manage it, give yourself an hour before bed to slow down and relax. Make sure to avoid electronics and get your body into a relax state. Spend the last 20 minutes or so  in bed and start preparing to fall asleep with meditation, reading or even just deep breathing. You might just be surprised how fast you start snoozing.
3. Bath Time: A bath or shower can really help when trying to get better sleep. Not only will the warm water relax you, it will help regulate your body temperature for bedtime.
4. Shut Out The Lights: The most important factor regarding sleep quality is the amount of lights in your bedroom. Make sure to eliminate all lights, TV screens or electronics when you are heading to bed. Otherwise you might find the lights keeping you up and keeping your brain active.
5. Make The Bed: It may seem like a simple chore, but surprisingly it can affect your sleep quality. Make your bed appealing by washing the covers, freshening the sheets and fluffing pillows. By doing this you will be more inclined to crawl into a relaxed made bed and it will help you fall asleep faster.
6. Eating Rules: Try to avoid eating 3 hours before bed. The simple reason for this is digestion can actually wake you up at night and interrupt your sleep cycle.
7. Work Out: Working out is the perfect way to fall asleep faster, get a deeper sleep and improve sleep quality. Just make sure to work out morning, noon or early evening but not right before bed as it can keep you up.
8. Cut Caffeine: One thing that might be keeping you awake is that late night cup of java. If you must be drinking coffee, switch to decaf. The effects of caffeine can last up to 12 hours, so if you can avoid it you might just sleep easier and with less interruptions.
9. De-Stress: One of the most common reasons for not sleeping involves stress. Find what relaxes you at night and stick with it. Maybe it’s a chat with an old friend or a cup of tea and a good book. Whatever it is, use it to relax your body and mind so your able to find a few hours of restful sleep.

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