What To Do When The Power Goes Out

Beyond that, the American Red Cross recommends keeping a three-day supply of non-perishable food on hand and at least one gallon of water per person per day. Finally, have a Plan B in place for family members who require electricity for medical reasons. Follow the lists below for what to do when the electricity goes out, so you’re prepared for power outages whenever they happen. What to Do When the Power Goes Out Gather flashlights....

December 10, 2022 · 3 min · 635 words · Beau Conda

What To Donate To Food Pantries And Food Banks

“We get a lot of cookies and pastries,” says Maria Silva, a registered dietitian nutritionist who manages the Family Wellness Program at the Society of St. Vincent de Paul in Phoenix, a nonprofit that manages charity dining rooms and food boxes for the homeless and working poor, among many other services. “We’re grateful for people thinking of us and these are delicious, but they’re not nutritionally dense.” That’s why it’s important to consider the nutritional value of the food you’re donating....

December 10, 2022 · 4 min · 740 words · Shirley Daniels

What You Should Know Buying A Vacation Home

Although the flexibility of having multiple homes allows owners to pull off geographic arbitrage and unlock a variety of tax benefits, many people are intimidated by having another mortgage (and managing a rental property). But the reality is that owning a second home can be a highly lucrative venture and, in most states, really straightforward. This guide will explain the benefits of buying a vacation home as well as three options to consider before you make a purchase....

December 10, 2022 · 6 min · 1148 words · Crystal Perry

Why You Should Never Microwave Tea Plus The Right Way To Brew It

Teas Require Drastically Different Brewing Temperatures Many times, microwaving a mug heats the water way too much. This, in turn, makes lifting it from the microwave a task that can come with finger-burning and potential spilling of scalding water. Additionally, when the water gets too hot, you’ll have to wait longer to drink your fully-steeped tea—tea that won’t be brewed correctly. Why? Because different teas require different water temperatures. Green tea (including matcha) and white tea should be steeped between 170 and 180 degrees....

December 10, 2022 · 4 min · 787 words · Betty Merkle

Witch Cauldron Cupcakes For Halloween

With Hocus Pocus 2 just coming out, my mind has just been totally witch crazy. I shared a fun Hocus Pocus movie night bucket on TikTok that blew up plus these spellbook brownies, so I’m guessing most people are also in the witching mood. These fun cauldron cupcakes are part cupcake, part rice krispie treat, and part witch’s potion. They’re not only delicious, they’re really cool to look at. And for me, that’s a huge part of Halloween – cute Halloween party foods!...

December 10, 2022 · 7 min · 1460 words · James Johnson

You Can Wear This 45 Velvet Wrap Dress To Winter Weddings And Holiday Parties

The Miessial velvet ruffle wrap dress is made from 97 percent polyester and 3 percent elastane. Even though velvet typically has a heavier feel, this dress is still designed to feel lightweight and flowy, according to the brand. Most importantly, shoppers seem to agree: The dress has 2,000 five-star ratings and hundreds of positive reviews. To buy: $45; amazon.com. “Overall, I loved, loved, loved this dress! I wore it to a fall wedding, and I received a ton of compliments on it,” wrote a five-star reviewer....

December 10, 2022 · 2 min · 306 words · Paul Gatlin

10 Brilliant Spring Cleaning Shortcuts

Get multi-function supplies: Microfiber cloths, a microfiber mop, non-abrasive cleanser (like Bon Ami), baking soda, white vinegar, vacuum with long-bristle and edger attachment, and steam cleaner. Start simple: Tackle a low-traffic space like a dining or living room first—your speed and success will motivate you to keep going! Go top-to-bottom and back-to-front: Avoid backtracking by working with gravity—when you dust high surfaces like ceilings and furniture, it falls to the floor....

December 9, 2022 · 3 min · 515 words · Robert Williams

10 Ideas To Turn A Boring Backyard Into A Summer Oasis No Pool Necessary

December 9, 2022 · 0 min · 0 words · Rodney Webster

10 Low Cost And No Cost Ways To Help The Planet In 2022

Here are just a few of the most recent and startling developments: Last year was the warmest on record for the heat content of the world’s oceans and it was the warmest year on record in 25 countries, and in areas where 1.8 billion people live, according to CarbonBrief. The Arctic, in particular, is warming almost three times faster than the rest of the planet. 11 million metric tons of plastic pollution enters the ocean every year, and by 2030, the plastic pollution in rivers, lakes, and the ocean could increase to as much as 53 million metric tons....

December 9, 2022 · 10 min · 2060 words · Kristine Strader

11 Ridiculously Fun Minute To Win It Games For Groups Of All Ages

If you couldn’t tell already, I love me some minute to win it games. I’ve come up with minute to win it games for pretty much every holiday, every occasion, and every theme I could think of. That’s the true beauty of minute to win it games – you can really make them work for any theme, any group, and any age! Even my 5-year-old loves to play! How to Play These Team Minute to Win It Games While I am calling these minute to win it games for groups or team minute to win it games, really there are three different ways you can play these games, and they don’t necessarily have to be played in groups or on teams of any kind....

December 9, 2022 · 8 min · 1578 words · Jacquelyn Cochran

11 Tasty Nachos Recipes Better Than Just Chips And Cheese

Homemade nachos can be just as tasty as the stadium or restaurant thing, and they can be healthier, too. Again, it’s all in the topping choices, and with the right ones—think butternut squash—you can turn this indulgent Super Bowl food into a full meal for a crowd. While Asian nachos offer a delicious spin on the classic chips-and-cheese base, there are plenty of other ways to change up your nachos dish....

December 9, 2022 · 1 min · 149 words · Nadine Martinez

12 Best Portable Closets For Every Budget

Bedrooms aren’t the only areas that can benefit from portable closets. You can use one to store linens in the bathroom, boxes of papers in your home office, or even just to hold miscellaneous items safely out of the way in your garage, basement, or storage room. Whether you care more about closet style or price, here are some of the best portable closets to suit all of your needs....

December 9, 2022 · 1 min · 120 words · Ruby Cain

12 Funny Printable Valentine S Day Cards

We created these adorably clever Valentine’s Day cards that you can download and print in five minutes flat. They are perfect for a last-minute alternative (just in case the middle of the month crept up on you unexpectedly) or if you’re doing a budget celebration this year. Check out our printable Valentines below, and rest easy knowing you’ll never run out of cards this year. Don’t worry, though: These aren’t extensive or complicated Valentine’s Day crafts....

December 9, 2022 · 1 min · 108 words · Joan Wagner

12 Kitchen Island Ideas With Seating And Storage

Kitchen islands come in various designs and sizes, so there’s a fit for every type of space, whether it’s a farmhouse kitchen or a modern one. We’ve rounded up several kitchen island ideas and designs to inspire you, no matter your budget or footprint, along with expert tips from designers. How to Add a Kitchen Island to Your Home For a kitchen lacking a lot of square footage, you can opt for a rolling kitchen island or small kitchen islands—these can add additional surface and storage space without taking up more precious room....

December 9, 2022 · 6 min · 1278 words · Shannon Azcona

15 Easy Recipes For Homemade Food Gifts

Food gifts also check lots off your list at once. You can bake a big batch of biscotti or blondies, drop them in baggies, and seal them with bows in less time than it would take you to find a parking spot at the mall during the holidays. With homemade edible gifts, everyone gets taken care of with minimal money spent—though there are free gift ideas if you’re low on cash....

December 9, 2022 · 1 min · 103 words · Mike Vail

16 Genius Products To Pack For The Ultimate Beach Day Including A Magical Sand Remover

December 9, 2022 · 0 min · 0 words · Andre Dotolo

16 Of The Best Cozy Finds Are On Sale For Cyber Week At Nordstrom

Even though I’m never eager for winter’s arrival, the one thing that keeps me going throughout the coldest months of the year are items that promise to keep me comfy and warm. This is the time to stock up on fuzzy socks, ultra-soft robes, throw blankets, and coats—and the best news is all of these items can serve as wonderful holiday gifts in a pinch. Biggest Sale: Zella Live-In High Waist Pocket 7/8 Leggings, $24 (was $59) Sellout Risk: Barefoot Dreams CozyChic Lite Circle Cardigan, $78 (was $116) Ideal Stocking Stuffer: Nordstrom Butter Crew Socks, $6 (was $9) Best Hostess Gift: Neom 6....

December 9, 2022 · 8 min · 1526 words · Krysta Grant

2 Hacks For Peeling Winter Squash Or Pumpkins

But how to peel it yourself—in a reasonable amount of time? Squash recipes sometimes call for using a Y-shaped peeler. While the vertical handle certainly speeds up the process, you’ll still spend at least 20 minutes trying to scrape off the squash’s woody exterior. No, thank you. These two brilliant tricks will help allow you to peel squash less than five minutes. Let the microwave do the work. Poke the squash or pumpkin all over with the tines of a fork....

December 9, 2022 · 2 min · 240 words · Hazel Mitchell

20 Fun Valentine S Day Cards For Kids

This post contains affiliate links to products for your convenience. If you purchase via my links, I may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. Non-Treat Valentine Ideas I have a preschooler and it seems like every class party is the same – we end up with a bag full of treats, most that he doesn’t like because he doesn’t like chocolate. Crazy right? And when he gets sugar at school, he seems to think that means he gets to eat it all that same day....

December 9, 2022 · 4 min · 666 words · Leola Johnson

20 Small But Mighty Self Care Challenges To Try

Some aspirations seem truly impossible to start, let alone maintain forever. Rather than put too much pressure on yourself, consider taking on more bite-size, micro-challenges to foster wellness in every aspect of your life. We asked experts in a variety of fields—mindfulness, mental health, nutrition, business, and more—to recommend their favorite manageable, yet meaningful, mini-goals for everyday wellness. RELATED: 6 Stretching Exercises to Help Your Whole Body Loosen Up RELATED: It’s Probably Time for a Self Check-in—Here’s How to Do It Plan a brief morning routine that’s just for you, and remember that everything on your phone will still be there when you decide to pick it up more consciously....

December 9, 2022 · 3 min · 578 words · Sarah Rinck