7 Life Changing Things to Try This Month

We all get stuck in a rut sometimes, and the hot, heavy days of midsummer are a prime time for choosing to lay around and be lazy instead of challenging ourselves with something new and different. If you choose to do the latter, though, you just might change your life – and these 7 things can help give you a much-needed boost.

#7. Swap your hat or sunglasses for a visor.

Photo Credit: Amazon

I know, a visor? But seriously, consider these pros: it not only keeps the sun off your face (and more), but you won’t get sunglass tan lines, you won’t have to squint, and it may even discourage street harassment, since it hides most of your face.

Seriously, give it a try.

#6. A thought-provoking book.

Photo Credit: Amazon

May I recommend The Art of Gathering: How We Meet and Why It Matters, by Priya Parker. It’s a smart, interesting nonfiction that looks at why and how human beings get together, and why most of the time the meetups are uninspiring at best. It gives you practical tips and new ways to think about our gatherings that can really make a difference in the quality of the relationships in your life.

#5. A magical headache cure.

Photo Credit: Amazon

Headaches are the literally worst pain in the neck, and even worse is when you can’t find a way to shake a particularly bad one. Enter the Migrastil Migraine Stick. It includes 3 oil scents -peppermint, spearmint, and lavender – and rolls right on to your forehead, temples, or the back of your neck. People say they get relief in as little as 30 seconds, and if you catch it early enough, their headaches disappear entirely.

#4. A new (boozy) beverage.

Photo Credit: Truly

A drink never made anyone’s month worse, and if you’re over beer, liquor, and sweet cocktails, you’ve got to try alcoholic seltzer. Truly contains only 1g of sugar and 5% alcohol per can, which pretty much makes it the perfect midsummer, poolside drink. They’ve also got tons of delicious flavors to choose from, so dive in!

#3. A bra that transitions from day to night.

Photo Credit: Walmart

You can sleep in this bra from Walmart (if that’s your thing) without skipping a beat, and better yet – it’s super cheap. Game. Changer.

#2. A Potterhead Podcast

Photo Credit: Binge Mode

If you find yourself missing Harry Potter but don’t have time for a tenth (or twentieth) reread, check out Binge Mode, a Spotify podcast with hosts Mallory Rubin and Jason Concepcion. Each episode does a deep dive into 5 chapters of a book (in order) and then each week ends with an episode recapping the movie version and a bonus episode about a specific topic in the HP universe.

You’re welcome.

#1. A happy sponge.

Photo Credit: Bed, Bath, and Beyond

Sure, dishes suck, but they suck less with a happy face smiling back at you from the bottom of the sink. Maybe it won’t change your life, per se, but it certainly isn’t going to hurt!

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July 3, 2018

10 Easy, Everyday Hacks for Lazy Geniuses

We all have lazy days now and then, but if you have more lazy days than not, then you’re definitely going to want to adopt a few of these amazingly easy, super applicable, hacks for getting through your everyday life.

#10. DIY life vest. (Not Coast Guard approved).

Photo Credit: Imgur

#9. Why let those hot pans go to waste?

Photo Credit: Imgur

#8. Like a bike lock but better.

Photo Credit: Imgur

#7. How to trick your kid into mowing the lawn.

Photo Credit: Imgur

#6. No trash can? No problem!

Photo Credit: Imgur

#5. When emptying the trash requires too much lifting and walking so you just…

Photo Credit: Imgur

#4. Let your doormat do the dirty work.

Photo Credit: Imgur

#3. DIY iPad holder.

Photo Credit: Imgur

#2. A brownie for everyone.

Photo Credit: Imgur

#1. When you don’t want to wait for your soup to cool…

Photo Credit: Imgur

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June 19, 2018

8 Cool, Surprising Ways to Use Banana Peels

Who knew bananas could be good for more than eating? More than that – who knew there were 8 (or more) reasons to not chuck the peel as soon as you’re done?

Read on, my friend, because now the answer is YOU.

#8. Whiten your teeth

Photo Credit: Pixabay

The potassium in ripe banana peels can help reduce yellow stains from things like coffee and tea. After brushing, rub the inside of the banana peel on your teeth for two minutes and then rinse. For the best results, you’ll want to repeat the process every day.

#7. Fight acne

Photo Credit: Pixabay

Bananas peels contain vitamin C, E, potassium, zinc, iron, and manganese, all of which calm inflamed skin and can help reduce breakouts. They also contain lutein and carotenoids, fat-soluble compounds that fight inflammation.

Just rub the peel over your skin, then let it sit for 5-10 minutes.

#6. Reduce the appearance of scars

Photo Credit: Pixabay

We’ve talked about the vitamins and fatty acids contained in the peels, and those things are the same reason they can reduce the swelling and redness associated with scarring. Apply the banana peel to the affected area, leaving it for an hour or overnight, and repeat daily.

#5. Fight wrinkles

Photo Credit: Pixabay

Like the fight against acne, the vitamins and minerals in banana peels can help battle signs of aging. Leave the peels on affected areas for as long as you can stand (even overnight) and repeat 3x/week.

#4. Treat your headaches – even migraines!

Photo Credit: Brightside

Place a banana peel across your forehead and/or the back of your neck and let the potassium do its job. Even better if you can freeze the peel first and then leave it on until it warms up.

#3. Remove splinters

Photo Credit: Pixabay

The enzymes in banana peels contain a pulling acting that helps draw foreign objects to the surface of the skin. Simply apply a ripe banana to the affected area and let it sit for 15 minutes and your splinter should be easier to grab/extract.

#2. Tenderize your meats

Photo Credit: deposit photos

Place a banana peel (or a few) in your roasting pan for both flavor and moisture. The peel acts as a blanket, keeping fluids underneath!

#1. Composting

Photo Credit: Pixabay

Banana peels will add calcium, magnesium, sulfur, phosphates, potassium, and sodium to your compost pile. Cut them into pieces and bury them, then water soon afterward.

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June 18, 2018

These 8 Natural Weed Killers Will Do the Trick and Leave Your Garden Healthy and Happy

If you have a garden, then you do daily, weekly, and monthly battle with weeds. The best way to get them is down on your hands and knees, of course, but it doesn’t have to have some help along the way.

If you’re someone whose concerned about chemicals around your children or pets, then these natural weed killers are going to be right up your alley.

#8. Boiling water

Photo Credit: Brightside

What could be more natural and chemical free than simple water? Boil it and pour it right on the weeds and watch ’em die!

#7. Baking Soda

Photo Credit: Linar UK

This little miracle in a box may not kill weeds, but if you sprinkle it in the cracks and crevices ahead of time, it will stop your weeds from popping up.

#6. Homemade herbicide

Photo Credit: Brightside

If you’ve got some super stubborn weeds, try this combination of equal parts vinegar, table salt, and dish soap in a spray bottle.

#5. Table Salt

Photo Credit: Brightside

You can either pour the salt directly on the weeds or you can mix a cup of salt with 2 cups of water, boil it, and spray the still-hot solution onto the weeds.

#4. Mulch

Photo Credit: Brightside

It smothers the weeds by depriving them of sunlight, and once they’re dead, the mulch covers the dead plants. Win-win!

#3. Cornmeal

Photo Credit: Brightside

Like with baking soda, you can sprinkle it ahead of time to prevent weeds or sprinkle it on weeds you need gone.

#2. Vodka

Photo Credit: Brightside

I mean…you probably don’t want to waste good alcohol, weeds don’t like it as much as we do. Add 30ml of vodka to a few drops of liquid dish soap and 2 cups of water and spray away! It does only work in direct sunlight, though, so don’t try it in the house.

#1. White vinegar

Photo Credit: Brightside

Don’t dilute the vinegar (apple cider vinegar works, too), and spray it on the flowers or midsection of the weeds. The acid shrivels them right up, but try not to get it on your flowers or other plants.

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May 23, 2018

12 Life Hacks That Could Improve Your Health

Everyone is looking for simple ways to be healthier every day – here are 12 options that could slip right into your daily routine!

#12. Freeze dying herbs in an ice cube tray.

Photo Credit: Listoic

When they’re starting to wilt, don’t throw them out. Instead, toss them in an ice cube tray filled with olive oil and pop them in the freezer.

#11. Give your onions, shallots, and garlic a longer shelf-life.

Photo Credit: The Yummy Life

They’ll last up to three months if you punch holes in a brown paper lunch bag and secure it with a paper clip.

#10. Start your day with a glass of lemon water.

Photo Credit: Pixabay

Use can use fresh-squeezed or a drop or two of essential oil to mine the many benefits of lemon water, including more energy, a reduction in inflammation, and a boost to your digestive system.

#9. Use your essential oils for cleaning.

Photo Credit: Pixabay

There are tons of recipes here, but I love dropping lemon oil on my sponges to keep them fresh between uses and combining baking soda, vinegar, and lime oil for scrubbing out the tub and sinks.

#8. Get rid of your headache with yoga.

Photo Credit: Pixabay

Putting your head below your heart can help cure a tension headache. Check out these yoga poses that could relieve your headache – they can also improve circulation, stretch tension out of your neck and shoulders, and help you relax.

#7. Avoid bad eggs with this simple trick.

Photo Credit: Food Hacks Wonder How To

No one likes to get a bad egg, but it can be hard to tell how fresh the last few in the container are (or are not). It turns out that all you have to do is drop them in a bowl of water. Fresh eggs will sink, bad eggs will float. If they do a little side-sink, maybe give them a hard boil instead of eating them over-easy.

#6. Make a DIY travel cup.

Photo Credit: Glad

How many times have you been dying to take a water or smoothie in the car only to find the travel cups in use or in the dishwasher (or missing, if you have kids!)? Well, no more – just put a hole in some Glad Press N Seal wrap, stick in a straw, and go on your way!

#5. Make your salad last longer.

Photo Credit: Pixabay

Simple trick: a paper towel on top of your salad lettuce before sealing the container can help them stay crisp up to a week. You’ll just need to replace the paper towel every few days as it absorbs the excess moisture.

#4. Clean your produce with baking soda.

Photo Credit: Pixabay

We’re al keen on rinsing away the pesticides, dirt, and various other specks from our fresh produce, but you don’t need to buy anything special. A few teaspoons of baking soda in 1-2 cups of water will do fine – dump it in a spray bottle and go to town.

You’ll still want to give them a final rinse afterward so nothing gets in the way of the fresh taste.

#3. Always buy a good avocado.

Photo Credit: Pixabay

Flick the dry stem off the bottom at the grocery story. If there’s a brown patch underneath, put it back. If it’s bright yellow-green, take it home.

#2. Chew gum to curb excess snacking.

Photo Credit: Pixabay

Many times, we reach for something to eat out of boredom as opposed to hunger. If you think that might be the case for you, pop in some gum first to see if your mouth just wants something to do.

#1. Stretch.

Photo Credit: Get Healthy U

If you’re feeling depleted in the middle of the day and can’t grab a coffee or a walk, try a quick, 5-minute stretching session. Here are 7 simple ones you can do at your desk!

h/t: Get Healthy U

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May 23, 2018

10 Hacks That Are Guaranteed to Simplify Your Life

We’re all looking for ways to simplify our lives these days, and these 10 hacks are simple but useful – and guaranteed to work!

#10. Clean your toilet without scrubbing

Photo Credit: Brightside

Dump in a can of Coke and let it sit overnight. Then just give the bowl a quick swipe and flush!

#9. Waterproof your shoes

Photo Credit: Brightside

Melt beeswax on your shoes with a hair dryer until it’s no longer visible. Voila!

#8. Unclog your drains without a plumber (Liquid or otherwise)

Photo Credit: Wikimedia

All you need is baking soda (1cup) followed by vinegar (1 cup) and some hot water. Save time AND money!

#7. Dry your clothes more efficiently

Photo Credit: Brightside

Roll clothes inside a dry towel, then wring it out and hang them to dry. You save the energy of the dryer and keep your clothes in better shape, besides!

#6. Clean your shower head (and faucets)

Photo Credit: The NY Melrose Family

All you need is some white vinegar in a plastic baggie, and a rubber band to secure it in place. Let it sit overnight, then the metal will be as good as new!

#5. De-smellify your shoes

Photo Credit: Brightside

If they’re just stinky, put a tea bag inside them to soak up the stench (try something good-smelling, like peppermint!). If they’re wet, too, put baking soda and rice inside and leave them for a few days.

#4. Kill body odor

Photo Credit: Brightside

Who among us hasn’t run out the door without deodorant (more than we’d like to admit)? If you’ve got an orange (or other citrus fruit) in your lunch bag, rub some of it one your skin. No more smell!

#3. Stretch out your shoes

Photo Credit: Pixabay

We’ve all bought a pair of shoes on a whim because they’re super cute, only to admit after a single wear that they’re too tight. Instead of relegating them to the back of the closet, try shoving wet newspapers inside and waiting for them to dry.

#2. Keep your cooler cold longer

Photo Credit: Flickr

Just add salt to the ice, and you’ll have cold beer and soda longer than before.

#1. Start a fire in a pinch

Photo Credit: Hackable

Use your chips – they’re excellent sources of fat, oil, and chemicals (all necessary to make a fire).

h/t: Brightside

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May 14, 2018

10 Tricks That You Shouldn’t Knock Until You Try Them

Sure, all of these sound totally weird, but some folks over at Brightside tried them all and are here to say – do it with an open mind.

You might be surprised.

#10. Sub soy sauce for caramel on vanilla ice cream

Photo Credit: Brightside

Apparently it tastes the same? You first!

#9. Change your socks

Photo Credit: Brightside

Having a bad day? Change your socks. Transitioning from work to play? Swap out your tights. It feels so good it will give you a whole new outlook on life.

#8. Eat your pizza wet

Photo Credit: Brightside

Seriously. Before you heat it up, put a wet paper towel on top or spritz it with water.

#7. Put vinegar on your fries along with salt

Photo Credit: Instagram

The Brits are definitely onto something.

#6. Add a melted marshmallow and peanut butter to your burger

Photo Credit: Facebook

These are so popular they’re on the menu at some burger joints these days.

#5. Take a sun bath

Photo Credit: Reddit

Turns out cats are onto something – 15-20 minutes in a warm, sunny spot will liven up the rest of your day.

#4. Feeling lazy? Take a shower.

Photo Credit: Brightside

It’s better than coffee when it comes to washing the stress away and giving you a boost of energy.

#3. Rub salt or stainless steel on your hands to get rid of a garlic smell

Photo Credit: Brightside

It works on your breath, too – hold a spoon or fork in your mouth for 30 seconds to diminish an overload of garlic.

#2. Put salted peanuts in your coke

Photo Credit: Reddit

It’s a delicious salty-sweet beverage AND a snack, all in one.

#1. Salt is magic!

Photo Credit: Brightside

Put it on fruit or in hot chocolate to cut the sweetness, and into your coffee to dissolve some of that unpleasant (to some) bitterness.

h/t: Brightside

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May 14, 2018

10 Ways To Stop Wasting Time Today

I’m writing this article mostly because boy, could I waste less time while trying to work on the internet. Technology, man. It gives and it takes away – like, it sucks more of your life away than Count Rugan dreamed was possible.

Photo Credit: did you know?

Let’s not waste anymore and get on with it, shall we?

#10. Get enough sleep

Photo Credit: Pixabay

I know, it can be easier said than done to press pause on Netflix, but time management really begins with having a fresh, rested body first thing in the morning.

#9. Beware of the time suck

Photo Credit: Pixabay

Facebook. Television. Cable News. Podcasts. We all have our secret vices, the things that end up stealing more time from our day than anything else. The easiest way to make sure they don’t derail your productivity is to recognize yours and avoid starting/opening it at all.

#8. Put time in your planner for planning

Photo Credit: Pixabay

Carve out 10-15 minutes per day to make a to-do list, bullet journal, or whatever works for you so that you’re ready to tackle whatever needs to be done.

#7. Use the alarms on your phone

Photo Credit: Pixabay

Alarms will jolt you out of whatever you’re focused on and remind you that it’s time to move on to something else. Bonus tip: listen to them!

#6. Schedule yourself free time

Photo Credit: Pixabay

No one can work every waking hour of every day. Make sure you’re giving yourself time to stare off into space, check out a movie, or take a walk – you’ll end up being more productive because of the break.

#5. Break your goals into chunks

Photo Credit: Pixabay

Instead of thinking “I need to get ready for work,” start with “I need to brush my teeth” and then move onto “I need to get dressed,” and so on.

#4. Assume a worst-case scenario

Photo Credit: Pixabay

If there is somewhere you absolutely have to be on time, like an airport or a meeting, think through the worst-case scenario when deciding when to leave. If you account for things like potential traffic or your outfit not coming together just right, you’re more likely to have the extra time that can help you relax.

#3. Focus on a specific time

Photo Credit: Pixabay

Instead of thinking “I need to leave for work at 8:30,” retrain your brain to think about 8:00 as your deadline instead.

#2. Mix up your alarms

Photo Credit: Pixabay

If you’ve been using the same generic tone for everything, your brain might be getting to the point where it can tune it out as something unimportant. Try picking a different sound or song for differing tasks, or just a new sound to help jar you out of your complacency.

#1. Adjust your clock

Photo Credit: Pixabay

Some people set all of the clocks in their house ahead, but in the age of cellphones, this doesn’t work quite as well. Another trick to try: switch the clocks in your house to the kind that actually tick. There’s something about watching the time literally tick away that can spur you into action.

h/t: AddituteMag

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