Meal prepping is a great way to save time and money by preparing your meals ahead of time and eating them gradually throughout the week. While meal prepping takes a little bit of planning, it doesn't have to be hard! Here are 6 tips for meal prepping for those just starting out. 1. "Don't Bite Off More Than You Can Chew" The key when meal prepping for the first time is to start out small. Don't overwhelm yourself with all your options. Since you have to cook and prepare multiple servings at once, it can be a lot of work at first to get comfortable in the kitchen. Start by prepping a few days at a time, and then move up to a full week. As you get more comfortable with the process, expand your horizons to more recipes or more variations! 2. S…

Do you feel like your home is too cluttered? It is important to keep your home neat and organized, but many people do not know where to start. That's why we're providing 11 small ways that you can organize your home in one day! From organizing a closet to cleaning up the kitchen, these are small changes that will have a big impact on how clean and orderly your home feels. 1. Pick Up and Put Away Clothes One of the easiest places to start is with your clothes. If you have clothes lying around your home or waiting in the dryer to be folded, pick them up and put them away in the hamper, dresser, or closet. This little thing can make a world of difference! 2. Clean Out Your Fridge and Pantry Another area that only needs about 15-30 minutes of y…

Day hiking is an excellent way to get outside and enjoy nature. It can also be a great opportunity to exercise, explore new hiking trails, and spend time with friends or family. If you are planning a day hike soon, we've compiled a list of 10 must-haves that will make all the difference! 1. Good Shoes or Hiking Boots This one might seem obvious, but many hiking beginners simply forget to wear good footwear. It's important that you have a sturdy hiking shoe or hiking boot with adequate ankle support and enough tread on the bottom for any type of terrain—whether it be dry dirt trails or rocky mountain paths. 2. Backpack If you don't have a backpack for your hike, you'll want to find one. A hiking backpack should be large enough for the day's…

Entering the search for a new job can be an overwhelming and difficult task. You may find yourself spending hours on job sites, applying to job opportunities that you are not quite qualified for, or feeling like there are just not any good jobs out there. But before you start doubting your own abilities and giving up, take some time to read this post about six tips to help you confidently approach the job search. 1. Set a Goal Before you start job hunting, set a goal or multiple goals for yourself. This can be anything from "I will apply for 5 jobs today" to "I will make a list of 10 things that are important to me in a job." Take the time to think about what your ideal job would look like. It can be helpful to write down your goal and keep…

Privacy is an important part of any outdoor space. There are plenty of ways to create more privacy outdoors, whether it's for your backyard, patio, or even an apartment balcony. In this post, we'll cover some simple solutions that will help you get started! Grow Ornamental Grasses Ornamental grass is a wonderful option to create some privacy around your outdoor space, and it's also relatively easy to maintain. Some ornamental grasses can grow to be over 8 feet tall! Pair these with some tall wildflowers or shrubs and you'll be good to go. Utilize Tall or Hanging Plants Strategically placing plants that grow tall on trellises or arbors can help increase your privacy from the general on-looker. Hanging plants can also be a great option for th…

Finding a new primary care provider can be tough. There are many factors to take into consideration, and the "right" primary care provider looks different for every person. Here are a few factors you should consider when choosing a new primary care provider for yourself or your family. Location How far away is the potential primary care provider from your home or work? Do they take appointments after hours or on weekends in case of emergencies? If you have kids, what do their office hours look like for sick visits and routine checkups? Having a primary care provider near your home or workplace removes the barrier of inconvenient travel time and makes it easier to regularly prioritize your health. Primary Specialties Primary care providers t…

Many people are unaware of the benefits public libraries provide to communities. From free Internet use to library programs for all ages, the library has something for everyone! Let's discuss 6 great reasons why you should visit and support the library in your community. 1. Free library cards It's true—most public libraries offer free library cards! Supporting your local library means supporting the love of reading and learning for people from all walks of life. Most library cards are free and offer access to thousands of books, magazines, and even DVDs. Libraries also typically offer free library cards for children, which can help foster an early love of reading. 2. Library programs and events for all ages Many libraries have programs and…

Do you find yourself with clothes overflowing out of your closet and dresser? Are you frustrated with the lack of storage space in your home? If the answer is yes to either of these questions, these tips are for you. Let's discuss 5 ways to help maximize your closet space in order to keep everything organized and looking great. 1. Add Shelves Adding shelves inside your closet can greatly expand your storage space. You can install shelving on the walls of your closet or simply add a bookshelf. Stacking upward can utilize any empty space you have between the ceiling and the floor. 2. Utilize Bins or Baskets Bins and baskets are great for storing smaller pieces of clothing such as socks, underwear, or jewelry. These will allow you to have ever…

Fire season is in full swing in the United States and Canada, and it's never too soon to take action. Even if you're not in an active evacuation zone, the air quality outside can become unhealthy in a matter of hours. Your home should be a refuge from the smoke, but what if it isn't? Here are a few easy ways to help improve air quality inside your home during fire season. Inspect and Upgrade Your HVAC System One of the best ways to prepare for potentially unhealthy air quality this fire season is to have your HVAC system inspected by an HVAC professional and upgraded if needed. An HVAC system that is not working 100% can cause smoke or debris to get inside your home, which can be very unhealthy for you and your family. Contact your local HV…

Back to school season may be coming right around the corner, but summer break isn't over yet! To ease your kids back into school mode, we came up with a list of five educational summer activities you can squeeze into your schedule before your child returns to the classroom. 1. Summer Reading Club or Reading Challenge A summer reading club is a summer program that keeps children engaged with books and can get children back into the mindset of learning. You can visit your local library to see if they have a program to join, or you could create your own "club" in your home or neighborhood! Make a tiered list of fun rewards or achievements for the amount of time, pages, or books your child reads through the end of the summer. 2. Neighborhood Sc…

Plastic is a very common material found in our everyday lives. From grocery bags to plastic containers, this material can be upcycled and reused in many different ways. If you have any old plastic containers that you want to reuse instead of toss out or recycle, read on for a few clever ways to upcycle them! 1. Plastic Bottle to Self-Watering Bulb Why buy a new self-watering bulb when you can reuse old plastic bottles? You can upcycle any size plastic bottle to make self-watering bulbs for your garden or potted plants. Simply empty and clean the bottle, use a pushpin to make five or six small holes in the lid, and voila! Fill up the bottle, put on the lid, and place your new self-watering bulb lid-down in the dirt by the plant(s) you want t…

Swimming is a great form of exercise that is often overlooked, but it can be an excellent way to stay fit, strengthen your body, and relieve stress. Let's discuss a few benefits of swimming as a form of exercise! Swimming is Easy on the Joints Swimming is considered a low-impact exercise, which means it puts very little pressure on your joints. Compared to running or other high-impact cardio, swimming puts less stress on your body while still giving you a good workout. The buoyancy of the water If you have any injuries or joint pain, swimming can be a great exercise option for you. Swimming Engages the Whole Body Swimming engages all of the major muscle groups in your body, which helps build strength and toning. The swimming motion is uniqu…

Discovering local history and culture is a fantastic way to spend your spare time and learn about where you live. Whether you are looking for something fun to do with kids or friends or want to find out more about the neighborhood you live in, here are a few activity ideas to get you started: 1. Look for Local Tours One of the best ways to learn about the history of your town is to find local museums, historic sites, and other attractions that offer local tours. You may also find walking tours that take you through the town, city, or neighborhood on foot! Walking tours are great for exploring your neighborhood and learning about nearby places of interest (some places even have underground tunnel tours). 2. Visit Local Art Galleries and Exhi…

Growing your own vegetables is not only a great way to save money, but gardening can also be very therapeutic and rewarding. However, if you live in an apartment or have a small yard, gardening might seem impossible. With some creativity and clever gardening techniques, it's possible to grow some of your favorite veggies even if you've got limited space! In this article we will discuss five vegetables that are perfect for gardens of any size. Tomatoes Tomatoes are a gardening staple and can be grown in almost any size of garden. Most types of tomatoes need at least six to eight hours of full sunlight each day, so be sure your small garden or planter gets enough light. You could try growing smaller tomatoes in a hanging planter, or use trell…

Do you have trouble drinking enough water throughout the day? Drinking water is one of the most important things you can do for your health, yet many people struggle with drinking water regularly because they don't feel like they have time, they forget, or they don't enjoy it. Let's go over 10 simple ways to make drinking water an easier task! 1. Carry water with you Our first tip is to carry water with you in a water bottle or water jug so that you always have water to drink. You can also keep a water bottle on your desk or in your car so it's easily accessible! 2. Drink a large glass of water right after waking up Drinking water right when you get out of bed is a great way to start the day with hydration. It can also help you wake up quic…

If you have a pet, regular grooming is essential to keep them happy and healthy. While grooming might just seem like a nice bath and a fresh haircut, there are many underlying benefits you might not realize. Let's discuss five of the main reasons why regular pet grooming is necessary for your pet's wellbeing. Prevent Tangling and Matting One of the biggest reasons to have your pet groomed regularly is to brush out tangles and prevent matted fur. If never brushed or maintained, medium-to-long pet fur can get caught in mats and cause severe skin irritation, foul odors, and other general discomfort. At a grooming appointment, the groomer will brush out your pet's coat to remove tangles before bathing them. This keeps matted fur from ever formi…

Wondering why your dishes aren't getting as clean as they used to or why your dishwasher smells weird every time you open it? That usually means it's time for a deep clean! Cleaning your dishwasher regularly will help extend the life of your dishwasher and make it run more efficiently. Signs to Look For There are a few telltale signs that mean it might be time to clean your dishwasher. You notice staining in places on dishes that weren't there beforeThe water doesn't drain away after you run a cycleFoul smells start coming from inside the dishwasher even after it has been runItems are not drying as well on the dishwasher's top rack As standard practice, you should probably clean your dishwasher every month to every few months to keep it fro…

While 4th of July is all about celebrating the United States' independence (and eating good barbecue), it can become dangerous once fireworks are involved. During unprecedented dry weather and in places where wildfire danger is high, it might be best to skip the fireworks during your festivities this year. Luckily, there are plenty of fun and safe 4th of July activities you can try instead. Celebrating at Home Set up an outdoor movie theater at home and watch your favorite summer movieMake homemade ice cream with red, white, and blue sprinkles or toppingsSet up an old-fashioned game of croquet on the lawnGo camping in your backyard Take a Little Trip Visit a local water park or splash padSpend the day cooling off at the beach or by the rive…

With heat waves becoming more common and more extreme, it's vital to find ways to stay cool. Unfortunately, for those without air conditioning, it can be a difficult task. Whether you're worried about heat exhaustion or simply can't get comfortable, here are our top 5 tips to help keep your body temperature down during the heat. 1. Close and Cover Your Windows Heat easily sneaks into your home through windows. To keep the hot air out, close all of your windows and keep curtains shut to minimize the amount of sunlight shining into your home. If you want to block out the light completely, use blackout curtains or hang up a blanket over your window. If the temperature goes down at night, open your windows to let the cool air inside. 2. Keep Yo…

When you compost your food scraps or yard debris, you can feel good knowing that you are recycling your food waste and providing rich nutrients for plants and soil. Even if you don't use your compost in a garden, composting now can help reduce methane emissions from organic waste in landfills. Composting is one small way to care for the environment while helping your garden grow! Let's get into more about how (and why) you should start composting. What is Composting? Composting is the natural process of decomposition that occurs when organic matter, such as compostable kitchen scraps or leaves and grass clippings, are broken down in a controlled environment such as a compost pile, tumbler, or bin. The compost can be used to enrich the soil…

Smart locks are a relatively new technology taking the home security industry by storm. These smart locks use Bluetooth and/or WiFi to communicate with your phone, allowing you to lock and unlock your door from anywhere, anytime. There are many benefits to having smart locks for your home, but the new technology can also bring some downsides and concerns. What is a Smart Lock? Smart locks are smart home accessories that let you secure your home without the need for a physical key. Most smart locks allow you to lock and unlock the door from the smart lock's corresponding app. Some smart locks can be programmed to automatically lock when you leave the house and unlock when they detect your smartphone being waved in front of it. Others have di…