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How to deodorize your home
A lot of people look for the cosy decor and earthy tones to come home to, a haven from the outside hustle and bustle. And while cosy decor is important, nothing is more inviting than a fresh smelling home. There is something about a clean smelling home that reassures us we can relax in a healthy environment. So where do we start? Step 1: Declutter This might sound like an overwhelming and daunting task, but our advice is to consider it as a long term goal, a bit like losing weight :). You have accumulated those things (weight) over a long period of time and it is logical that it…
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Do we need a skin care routine?
The internet has been buzzing lately with hundreds of video of celebrities (and non celebrities) skin care routines. It can consume anywhere between 5 and 25 minutes of your time, and incurs the use of soaps, lotions, serum, exfoliants, moisturizers…etc. So you need to invest both time and money to protect your skin from aging? Is there there another way to have a fresh complexion? Eat well Maintaining a healthy looking skin comes mostly from the inside. You have to ensure the intake of daily essential nutrients to stay healthy and have a healthy skin. Vitamin A,D, E, iron, iodine, magnesium, potassium …etc. are a few of the micronutrients that…
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When should my teen start a summer job?
There comes an age when kids don’t feel like spending their summer attending summer camps. Also, playing outside becomes a thing of the past. This leaves room for more screen time, mostly spent on social media platforms. But we, as parents, are always looking for a good balance of screen time and outside activities. Every person is different, and teens do not all mature and are not all ready at the exact same age to start tackling their first job. Forteen might be a good age for some to start mowing lawns, watering neighbours’ gardens, walking dogs, baby sitting…etc. These are an excellent start for your teen to experiencing more…
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Weight loss, back to basics
Science has long proven that being lighter (BMI between 18.5 and 24.9) is how human bodies were meant to function in an optimal way. Weight loss seems to be on the top of wish lists for many people around the globe which make it a multibillion dollar business. But do we have to be rich to be thin? We’ve been confused and dispersed lately between all the latest theories about weight loss: from caloric density (voluminous food that packs less calories), to low carb and low fat diets (putting certain foods off limit), to intermittent fasting, to calorie trackers…etc. Coming across each method brings us to think that we found…
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Easy Caramel Walnut Cheesecake
I like the simplistic approach to cooking and baking, where you skip a few steps and strip the process to the bare minimum without affecting the integrity and deliciousness of the end result. This is exactly what we’re doing with this variation of a caramel walnut cheesecake recipe. We will skip covering the bottom of the pan in foil and baking in bain marie (which is a tray half-filled with water) for over an hour and opt for a lower temperature and less baking time. The point of this (skipped) step is mostly to avoid cracking at the surface of the cheesecake, which we will be covering with oozy walnut…
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How to create a gallery wall
It was found that people living in a beautiful scenic space are indeed happier and that our space affects how we feel. Thankfully we can always turn to the internet for endless inspiration without having to afford a professional interior designer. One way to improve our interiors and adding warmth to our homes is by giving special attention to our walls: Enter the Gallery wall. Having a gallery wall in a room is a simple way to decorate like a pro. In this article we share a few tips to help you build your own gallery wall. Choosing the right wall Choosing a windowless wall, with the least furniture is…
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Ghirardelli Red Kidney Bean Brownies
The fudgy dark brownie is definitely one of the most popular desserts among chocolate lovers. The texture and the intense taste of chocolate are always satisfying, especially if enjoyed with a nice cup of cappuccino. I stumbled upon the Ghirardelli Triple Chocolate brownie mix and was compelled to try it, since I’m a fervent fan of their chocolate squares. I also took the liberty of replacing the egg and 1/3 cup of oil called for on the box, with a can of red kidney beans. Kidney beans are quite high up on the list of fiber rich foods which brings the fudginess to the final product. It is becoming more…
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Rich Dad Poor Dad
By Robert T. Kiyosaki In this book, Robert Kiyosaki exposes the failures of an outdated schooling system and the inflation that took the world by storm, especially since going off the Gold Standard. He shows us that with the right mindset, we can reach our ultimate goal of financial freedom. It’s true that money can’t buy happiness, but having control over your time which is your most valuable asset can sure bring you happiness. Spending time with your loved one and getting to pursue your passions is what financial freedom allows you to do and is all what life is about. The author tackles how the 19th century schooling system,…
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My take on Circassian Chicken
I have a deep appreciation for the cuisine that emerged from Circassia, a historical country in Eastern Europe (near the black sea) where once lived the Cherkess or the Circassians. This nation was dispersed at the end of the Russian-Circassian war in 1864 and had to fled to Turkey and the Middle East, bringing along their food heritage and tradition. Circassian chicken tops my list of comfort foods. It’s is a chicken dish covered with a rich walnut gravy (walnuts mixed with stale bread, paprika, garlic and chicken broth) and served with pasta. The egyptian version serves the chicken on a bed of rice covered with coriander seasoned walnut gravy.…
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How to lose weight when you’re over 40
We all know the old adage that it gets harder to lose weight as we age. Herman Pontzer author of “Burn” talks about how our metabolic rate stays pretty much the same between the ages of 20 and 60, after which it starts slowing down. His studies also show that menopause does not slow metabolism. We simply pile on the pounds as we tend to consume more palatable foods in which the calories tend to pile high (think processed foods, refined sugars and fats). So how can win this fight? Follow these 4 recommendations: Stick with low calorie density foods The key to fat loss is to be in a…
