- Page 2 of 331 - Good food, good company, good advice from Grandma

How You Can Create a Low-Maintenance Yard

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Gardening might be fun for some people, but not everyone wants to spend hours outside pruning, mowing, watering, and more. If you much prefer to spend your time in your yard relaxing, you don’t have to have a yard that requires a lot of upkeep. The right design in your yard can help to make it low-maintenance so that you can avoid the need to do too much work. There are various tricks that you can use if you’re looking for a yard that requires minimal work, allowing you to enjoy it in other ways. Try some of these ideas if you want to create a yard that works for you.

Have Fewer Plants

If you’re looking for a low-maintenance yard, it just makes sense to have fewer plants. The more plants you have, the more care they may need. And it’s not just pure numbers that you should think about. The variety of plants that you have can also make a difference if you want to do a minimal amount of work in your yard. When you have lots of different varieties, they can all have different care needs. Remember what you need to do for each type of plant and when can be time-consuming in itself, and that’s before you actually do any of the work.

create a maintenance free yard — Image from Pixabay – CC0 License

Choose the Right Plants

When you do choose plants for your yard, you should be careful about which ones you select. You can keep your yard low-maintenance by choosing the right plants, and you still have a broad range of options available. One possibility is to choose plants native to your area, which will more easily survive and thrive without you having to care for them as much. Another option is to plant perennials, which will flower each year so that you don’t have to replant them. Plants that flower all season are also a good choice because they add color to your yard for longer.

Make Your Lawn Easier to Maintain

For a very low-maintenance yard, you might want to forego having a lawn, as they can require a lot of maintenance. However, if you want a lawn, there are ways to make it easier to care for. Firstly, a small lawn will naturally be simpler to look after than a larger one. The right lawn care products can make a difference too. A good phosphorus-free fertilizer 15 0 15 can help your lawn to flourish and stay green. Choosing the right grass is a good idea, too; you can select grasses suited to your climate. If you want to go really low-maintenance, consider using artificial grass.

Prevent Weeds

Weeds can make your yard look untidy, but dealing with them can be a pain. To make it easier to deal with weeds, it’s best to prevent them from occurring in the first place. You can use a weed-suppressing membrane to plant your garden. Shrubs are a great option to plant with these and don’t require regular watering. A mulch layer on top can help to keep weeds away too. Choosing plants that help to discourage weeds is useful, or you could ditch planting altogether and choose borders with gravel, pebbles or paving so that you can get rid of weeds.

Create A low maintenance yard — Image from Pixabay – CC0 License

Use Hardscaping

Focusing on hardscaping is a great way to keep your yard low-maintenance. Instead of having to worry about grass or plants, you can use the space that you have available for outdoor living spaces, paths and other non-living elements. If you want to add some greenery, a few potted plants can brighten things up for you. However, even if you don’t want to have any plants, you can still make your yard look lively and vibrant. You can build various elements into your yard, from a patio to walls and fences, a pool, and more.

Install Mulch Beds

Using beds of mulch is a good low-maintenance trick for your yard. Mulch breaks down and fertilizes your yard, and it also helps to prevent weeds at the same time. There’s no need to take care of it in the way that grass requires care and it’s inexpensive too. You only need to replace it once a year, in the spring, and it even produces a pleasant scent in your yard. It’s a good choice to have around your outdoor living area if you’re looking for alternatives to grass.

If you don’t want to do a lot of gardening in your yard, choose a design that’s low-maintenance to keep it looking good without much effort.

7 Common Cooking Mistakes to Avoid for Dinner Parties

Karen · Leave a Comment

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Are you having people over for dinner for a meal you are cooking for the first time? Here are common cooking mistakes you should avoid for dinner parties.

common cooking mistakes

We’re seeing a trend where more people are cooking meals from home. This rise in at-home cooking had been gaining traction even before current world conditions forced many to get more crafty in their kitchens.

If your at-home cooking game has grown to the point that you feel confident tackling a dinner party, good on you! Hosting a dinner party can be a ton of fun and is certainly worth trying at least once in your career as an amateur chef.

To get the most out of your event, we’ve listed 7 common cooking mistakes that you’ll want to avoid during your event! Keep reading to find out what they are…

Not Planning for Dietary Restrictions

We get that accommodating everyone’s dietary needs can be a bit of a pain. Still, if you’ve invited somebody to your dinner party, chances are they’re your friend and your friends are worth going the extra mile for! Send out a note to all invitees asking if there are certain foods they can’t eat. If you get feedback, do what you can to make sure everyone has something they can munch on during your big day!

Forgetting to Taste As You Go

You don’t want to be surprised by what your food tastes like when it hits the table. The best way to avoid that is to taste elements of your dish as you’re cooking. Just make sure you use a clean utensil when doing so!

Skimming Recipes Leads To Common Cooking Mistakes

Following recipes is a great way to serve outstanding food without necessarily having to be a world-class chef. The only way recipes work though is if you follow them closely. We recommend pre-reading recipes before using them so you’re not surprised by any prep-work or confusing steps. Then, follow your recipe closely as just a single missed ingredient can change the DNA of a dish.

Cooking Non-Room-Temperature Meat

Putting cold meat on a hot pan is a big no-no as this can cause portions of it to remain uncooked. Always do what you can to get your meat as close to room temperature as possible before you begin cooking it. Not only will it cook faster but you’ll also run a lower risk of getting people sick.

Your Oil Game Is Off

You shouldn’t be using vegetable oil to cook everything that comes out of your kitchen! Different dishes call for different oils including olive oil, coconut oil, grape-seed oil and more. Get your oil game right and your dinner party dishes will shine!

Meat Isn’t Sitting Before Being Eaten

This is one of the most common cooking mistakes we see and it’s ruining your meat! Serving meat fresh off the fire makes it so its juices spill out which leads to a dry bite. Instead, let meat sit for 10 minutes so it can soak everything up properly.

Not Paying Enough Attention to Your Pasta

Pasta is an easy dinner ideas staple! To make sure yours comes out right, pre-season your pasta’s water with salt and olive oil. Then, ensure your pasta comes out of the boil when it’s al dente as it will continue cooking to some degree even after it’s strained.

Being Aware of Common Cooking Mistakes Will Take Your Food to the Next Level

All it takes to lift your cooking from good to great is to be aware of a few common cooking mistakes and work to side-step them. If you do that, you can be sure your friends will love the food you put out and will be clamoring to attend your next dinner extravaganza.

For more helpful insight on all things food, read the latest content I have on my blog!

Why It Pays To Wear Stylish Workout Clothes

Karen · Leave a Comment

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Workout clothes constitute whatever you can throw together at the drop of a hat. Sure, you have a few essentials, but most of your clothes are pretty basic. After all, breathable tees and built-up running sneakers are incredibly expensive. Waiting until you can afford them, or buying them all at once, could prevent you from exercising. And, working out should be accessible to everybody. However, the term “dress for success” exists for a reason. It’s true of the professional world, where you’d never turn up for an interview in shorts. So why would it not apply to exercise? Here’s why it pays to wear stylish workout clothes.

stylish workout clothes — Image From Pexels – CC0 Licence

Enclothed Cognition

Enclothed Cognition is a fancy term that relates to your apparel and its impact on your brain. In short, if your new vest is trendy and fun, the theory states that you may experience these emotions. Scientists and studies have proved this, so it’s worth treating with respect, especially when a selection of strategic purchases could transform performance. Items don’t get more enjoyable than Disney socks or a printed tee with your favorite lyrics. The great thing about the EC theory is that you don’t have to spend a fortune to improve results.

Manufacturing Quality

There is a trade-off when you buy cheap products. You don’t have to pay as much upfront, but you don’t get the same quality, either. Sometimes, the latter isn’t an issue, and you’re happy to make the trade. However, depending on the activity, it could be a massive mistake. You wouldn’t go hiking in a crappy pair of shoes with no waterproof materials or cushioning. Therefore, you shouldn’t go for a jog without a top pair of running sneakers. After all, they are built for the purpose and will push you through a session.

Color Clashes

People who workout by playing group sports have to worry about the opposition. If they are focused and ready to play, it will be a tough, physical game. The good news is that your outfit can give you a psychological edge. Donning all black clothing, for instance, shows the opposing team that you’re aggressive and up for a battle. Red is the same as it’s the shade of anger. So, opting for vivid items should put fear into the other team’s minds, helping you to be victorious.

Stylish Workout Clothes May Help Prevent Injuries

Finally, stylish workout clothes are usually safer and more secure. This is because they come with the latest trends, from reinforced ankle support to sweat-wicking material. Alternatively, you may require thermal fabrics to keep your body warm in colder climates. Whatever the specifications, you must invest in clothing designed to keep you safe and free from injuries. Otherwise, it’s pointless working out knowing you’re likely to be icing some part of your body. Plus, it’s always worth spending a few extra bucks for the sake of your well being.

Don’t forget that stylish exercise clothes boosts self-esteem and makes you more likely to workout!

3 Best Low Maintenance Lawn Ideas for Everyone to Handle

Karen · Leave a Comment

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Not everyone has the ability to spend life slow and steadily enjoying every aspect of it and savoring moments. For most of us, life is hectic, and schedules keep becoming tighter, especially for folks who are crafting something innovative and millions-making inside their garages. While gardening is a healthy activity and essential for the wellbeing of home residents, it may not be the most important thing to do in most people’s to-do lists. Nobody has to live with an empty beautiful, and potential garden space and just keep dreaming of having a lush lawn and exotic plants on it when they can’t. Everyone should enjoy nature’s gifts equally and make their landscape more curb appealing and comforting. So, look for a low maintenance lawn to simplify your life.

If you think you will never have time to build a whole lawn from scratch and keep up with it regularly without it looking like a burned forest then the following tips might help:

low maintenance lawn

Choose Grasses For Low Maintenance Lawns

The first thing that a lawn must have to cover it up with lushness is evergreen grass. A well-maintained grass on a garden can be enough for giving the home a fabulous and relaxing look and feel. However, grass needs watering twice a week, food, and sun to grow. Also, mowing is necessary to keep it in shape without weeds and other things coming out of it.

For that reason, there exist several other low maintenance lawn options in the market that prepare a green lawn in minutes and never have to be touched again. The alterations are low or no-mow seeds and sod rolls. With the former, you will still have a lawn of an exotic grass needing seeding and planting. And with the later, the work will be automated and mowing, gardening and watering will be at a minimum. As this is a new method, when laying sod, you have to be careful about choosing the correct time and place. It’s best to consult a professional website or get help prior to doing it.

Choose Lawn Plants That Are Indestructible

Roses and lilies are excellent landscaping choices to turn your home into a palace-like dwelling but are too hard to keep. And instead of seeing your favorite flowers ending up dead for not keeping up, you can install diverse species of plants that don’t succumb to different environments easily. In this rhythm of things, come draught-repulsive wildflowers, creeping thyme, and various perennials. These are extra low maintenance options for lawn covers and plants that may need little care in the beginning and sitting back and watching for the rest for the life after.

Turn to Non-Living Options For Low Maintenance

The new kind of landscaping is hardscaping. People are building stunning themes and structures for their front and backyards. These consist of well-organized paths, enchanting fountains, sheds, and much more instead of lawns.

You can do the same with your yard to make it look appealing and comforting. Add in a theme inspired by the Mediterranean, Asian or indigenous style and place some plants here and there to get the green flowing. Layout rocks or pave paths, whatever suits your taste and make your lawn one of a kind.

Caring for a Senior Cat: 5 Healthy Habits You Can Adopt Today

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All cats deserve the best level of care, but senior cats require special attention for their complex health issues. As cats get older, their health requirements will change, so introducing healthy lifestyle habits can help keep your feline happy and content. If you aren’t sure where to begin, here are 5 measures that you can take today for caring for senior cat.

Keep Your Senior Cat Indoors

One of the best habits that you can practice is to make sure your senior cat is not allowed outdoors without being supervised. Cats who are kept indoors exclusively tend to live longer and healthier lives than an outdoor cat. Senior cats can learn to be satisfied indoors as long as you provide plenty of opportunities for them to be alone, as well as give them an environment they feel comfortable in.

Keep Track of Your Senior Cat’s Weight

With 58% of cats estimated to be obese or overweight, not looking after your cat’s weight can be detrimental to their health. Overweight cats will have extra stress on their body and put them at an increased risk of developing joint pain, liver problems, diabetes, and many other serious health conditions. To keep your senior cat in good shape, feeding them a balanced diet is key.

Schedule Regular Veterinary Visits

Another important habit to keep your senior cat healthy and happy is by scheduling regular veterinary visits. It’s recommended that older cats should be examined once every six months. The reason for this is so your veterinarian can identify when something is abnormal. Cats are known to be great at hiding diseases, and while they may appear well and healthy, they could have a range of underlying health problems. Your cat’s veterinarian will be trained to look for body condition problems, skin, and coat quality problems, as well as oral health problems.

Consider Taking Out Insurance

While it’s recommended to take your cat to the veterinarian, frequent visits can soon become costly. Taking out pet insurance from the beginning will ease the amount of money you have to pay out. There are websites like Quotezone.co.uk that you can use to compare pet insurance. When you compare pet insurance via their site, you’ll find plenty of different providers to pick from to help you find the best deal on the market.

Keep Your Senior Cat Active

In geriatric cats, osteoarthritis is a common condition. However, it may occur in cats who are suffering from a joint injury or abnormality. Regular exercise can be great in reducing discomfort, helping to keep your senior cat happy. There are a range of exercises that your senior cat can do to maintain activity and mobility, as well as therapeutic intervention such as massage.

It is estimated that 24% of UK adults own a cat, and if you fall into this statistic, doing everything you can to ensure your senior cat has the best level of care is important. All the advice above can help in keeping your feline happy and content in your household as they age.

6 Fun Family Activities to do While Quarantined

Karen · Leave a Comment

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The world may be on pause, but life really doesn’t have a stop button and neither do children. Families are confined in close quarters and there is really no end date in sight, so the idea of coming up with different activities to achieve a work-life balance much less one that will keep every occupied can seem daunting. Here are 6 fun family activities to do while quarantined so families can stay busy and maybe get some work done and shower while they’re at it.

Check-in on the Animals

There are live streams at most zoos and aquariums that will give your family the pick-me-up they need. You can pick a daily time to check out whatever animals you want to see for that day and maybe that will peak you or your children’s interest to adopt a zoo animal! You can also make these streams part of your homeschooling and have your kids take notes on the animal’s behaviors and even have them give a report on an animal of their choosing.

Turn Math into Dessert

Math isn’t always the most fun, for kids or adults. However, dessert is always a good time. Whether it be a family cookie recipe or just one out of the box, have your family pick a recipe and prepare the measurements for either a smaller or bigger serving size so they have to also do some math other than just measuring. It will be some school work and a great end to the night all at once.

Make Masks

Masks are becoming a mandatory accessory for any trips outside the home to help protect people from COVID-19. However, masks are hard to come by or are being sold at ridiculous prices. You also don’t want to take the medical-grade masks away from our nurses and doctors, so the best way to help out is to make your own. All you need is fabric, elastic, and time. If you have a sewing machine you are one step ahead and can find some patterns online for sewing or even hand-making.

Have a Campfire in Your Backyard

You can make or buy a fire pit for the family to sit around and make s’mores and tell campfire stories. It may even give some parents the time to have a relaxing glass of beer or wine. You can even cook some meals over the fire if you want to be adventurous. If your family is having a blast in the backyard, you can keep the good times rolling and have a “drive-in” and even camp in the backyard.

Build a Lego Community

Lego’s are always fun for kids and adults. You can get some more difficult kits for you and your significant other to relive your childhood. If your kids have a Lego bin, you can have a contest on who builds the best community or whatever it is you decide on.

Go for a Walk or Hike

If you leave your home, remember to practice social distancing. Fresh air and exercise are great not only for your physical health and mental health. You can walk around your neighborhood or even go hiking or jogging. However, you should avoid playgrounds, they are all closed during quarantine and not as sanitary as you would think. If you don’t live in a great neighborhood for walks, you can always check out Banff Homes for Sale to see where the best places are. These six family activities to do while quarantined will get your spirits up, and make for a happier family.

7 Ways to Save Money No Matter Your Situation

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Whether you’re a fab grandma, mother, student, or any other individual, this post is for you! Together, we’ll go through 7 different ways to save money regardless of your situation. Some of these tips, tricks and tactics may already be things you do, while others may be completely new to you. Let’s see what the ideas are!

Buy on sale

Duh… Sounds really obvious, but most of us only buy items on sale when we’re at the store and we happen to see that they’re on sale. When was the last time you planned your groceries based on what’s on sale where? Thought so…! So, next time you’re getting ready to go grocery shopping and are making your shopping list, be sure to check out some of the weekly offers. Check out the Lowes Food flyer if you’re in the US or the discount flyer for FreshCo if you’re in Canada. It’s worth going in prepared when you’re looking to save money!

Track your income and expenses

This may just be the most effective tip on this list and is one that I can’t recommend highly enough to everyone. Whether you’re old or young, small or large, have a large family or are living alone, tracking your income and expenses is a fantastic way of saving money. Now, you might be thinking: “How will knowing what I spend and how much I earn help me save money? Surely this just takes up my valuable time that I could be using to watch Netflix or use to do an odd errand or two so I can buy another $10 coffee at the local coffee shop…”

This is one of those tips that doesn’t seem like it would have any impact on how much you save but is actually extremely effective for pretty much everyone. The reason it’s so effective is that you can see where your money is going. Getting one of those expensive $10 coffees everyday may help you get a little more work done, but it is costing you $300 per month. If you have Netflix, Spotify, YouTube music, Hulu, HBO plus and five to ten other subscriptions, you’ll see that each $5 or $10 subscription quickly adds up to hundreds of dollars per month.

By understanding where your money is going, you can save a lot of money in the long run. Try it out for a week or two and see what happens to your expenses.

Budget, Budget, Budget!

Once you’ve been tracking your income and expenses for a little while you’ll be in a great position to create a budget. By budgeting, you prevent yourself from spending too much. It also gives you the opportunity to save for something you’ve been wanting to do or buy for a long time. It may be the perfect opportunity to pay off your mortgage a little faster or save up for that vacation you’ve been wanting to go on for the past few years.

Reduce waste

Cut down on the subscriptions, buy only what you need and stop with those $10 coffees! As you track your expenses, you’ll be shocked at how much you spend on a yearly or monthly basis on things you don’t need, or worse, don’t use. By tracking your expenses, you are in a better position to recognize where your money is being wasted. On a yearly basis, these costs can add up substantially.

Reduce your debt

Debt can seem very useful until you realize that you’re paying way more money back than you’ve borrowed. The more debt you have, the more you pay in terms of fees. It’s important to think about how much you’re paying on your debt.

Although a mortgage is a huge debt, you only pay a small amount of interest on it compared to say, a credit card debt. This means that paying off $1000 worth of your mortgage is going to save you less money than paying off $1000 on your credit card debt. Pay off your most expensive debts first before moving on the less expensive ones. The more you pay off, the more you’ll have left over at the end of the month. Find out what the interest rates are on your credit card debts, and pay off the ones with the highest interest first.

Think about your subscriptions

All companies want to get you on some form of subscription. There are companies sending you groceries everyday for inflated prices, automatically send you razor blades and many offering online subscriptions for music, TV, and other forms of entertainment.

The subscriptions and monthly expenses you actually use aren’t really wasted. If you spend each night watching Netflix for three hours, it’s not going to be worth saving the $20 (although, you could be doing something more productive with your time… Just saying!). However, do you really need five different video subscriptions? Is it really worth paying for all three of those music applications you have?

Any cost that returns weekly or monthly is going to add up to a pretty penny on a yearly basis. Every $10 you save per month will mean you’re left with another $120 by the end of the year!

Use coupons, royalty programs and cash back programs

If I offered to give you $100, would you want it or not? Unless you believe that money is the root of all evil and that you’re better off living a life completely free of material things, you’re probably going to accept the generous gift. So, why, when a company offers to give you a discount of $100 by using a coupon, do so many people let the chance of free money pass by?

Sure, not all coupons are going to save you a great deal, and it’s important not to buy anything you don’t need. However, it can save you an arm and a leg if you do use the coupons at your disposal. Check the weekly flyers that stores give you and use all promo codes you can!

A few dollars saved each day can add up to thousands saved per year!

Conclusion

As you can see, saving money each month doesn’t have to be all too difficult. By keeping track of your expenses and preventing waste, you can save thousands of dollars per year with very little effort! Hopefully, after reading this post, you’ll be more inclined to spend a little less to ensure you save a little more.

How to Choose Bedroom Furniture: Tips & Tricks

Karen · Leave a Comment

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Description: One of the essential rooms in every house is the bedroom. A poorly designed bed can lead to severe backaches and discomfort. The design and colors of our bedroom can also affect your sleep quality. These tips will guide you in how to choose bedroom furniture, even on a limited budget.

A bedroom should be a safe place. It should encourage you to sleep, and allow you to get enough rest to face your grind the following day. Sprucing up your bedroom with new items can be very refreshing.

Like any other household products, asking yourself the right questions before shopping can make your decision easier instead of just clicking on “order now” on every furniture online.

The following tips will help you decide on the bedroom furniture that you need before making the hefty investment.

Understand the Personality of the Bedroom Owner

Are you looking for furniture for your master bedroom? A child’s room? Or a teen’s room? The bedroom furniture ideas vary depending on the personality of the bedroom owner. Decide on the theme, color, scheme, and furniture depending on their likes.

For example, your teenage son may not be very receptive to white bedroom furniture. Consider discussing the taste and preference of the furniture with the occupants.

Determine the Decorating Style

You can either go for modern bedroom furniture if you’re into a contemporary look or go for the traditional look. Both designs have their pros and cons.

The contemporary look can be somewhat expensive. To maintain the look, you may have to change the style after every decade. That said, some elements of the modern look remain constant. For example, it’s usually modular, clutter-free, and sleek.

On the other hand, the traditional style is classic. The look can have elements such as a four-poster bed with curvaceous posts, French provincial floral wallpaper, ornamentation, and decorations.

If you’re not drawn to a single look, you can go for a transitional look, which is a little bit of everything.

Set Your Budget

how to choose bedroom furniture

The last thing you want is buying bedroom furniture and ending up broke or in debt. Shopping without a plan may end up putting you in a financial fix.

Here is what to do if you want more than your budget allows:

Buy second-hand furniture because it’s cheaper.
Buy piecemeal. Start by buying the most important furniture and buy the rest as time goes by.
Think economically. If the bedroom furniture is for a guest room or a kid’s bedroom, buy low quality furniture, which is low-priced. This is a brilliant idea for a toddler’s room that will be renovated one he reaches school-age.

The Size of Your Furniture

Before you go shopping, have an idea of how to arrange bedroom furniture, this is determined by the size of the room. The size of the furniture should be in balance with the space of the room.

It’s easy to see furniture in a showroom and assume that it will fit in your space. Make sure you check clearance dimensions for tight corners of the room as well as the door.

This may lead to huge losses if you custom-order furniture with non-refundable policy, only to be hit by a rude surprise on the delivery day.

Consider Matching Bedroom Furniture Sets

When buying a complete set may work in some cases, it may not be the best in certain instances.

If you go for a traditional look, then that’s fine.

But for a contemporary look, too much matchy-matchy may seem boring.

Instead, go for furniture pieces that complement each other.

Number of People Sharing the Room

If the bedroom furniture is for the master bedroom or two siblings, think of how the furniture may be shared to avoid congestion.

For example, can siblings share a toy box, desk, or bunk bed? Use the dimensions of the room and list down all the possibilities.

Final Thoughts

How you choose your bedroom furniture really matters, the bedroom is where you spend the majority of your time.

Therefore, you must treat your body to proper support and enjoy the rest you need.

If you need to save on anything, focus on the headboard, nightstand, or anything else that doesn’t directly affect your sleep.

What is your favorite tip for buying bedroom furniture?

Author’s bio:

After working as a real estate agent for ten years, Kay decided to start a blog for new homeowners. Through his blogs, you can learn how to furnish your living room, bedroom, and kitchen. Kay also talks about all the emerging home décor designs and plumbing.