Beach Day Snacks

Image courtesy of Pixabay

Vacations to the beach or day trips to the beach are incomplete with something delicious to snack on throughout the day. But not everything is good for the beach! You need the perfect treats to fuel you for more fun all day in the sun. What do you like to snack on at the beach? Here are some great ideas and recipes from the Kitchn.

Packing food for a picnic in the park is pretty easy. But when your picnic happens to be on the beach, there's a new set of rules and a few more factors to consider before filling your basket or cooler.

For starters, there's the sand. It's totally obvious, but no matter how hard you plan and how many precautions you take, it inevitably ends up everywhere. Including your sandwich. There's also the wind — the beach can be breezy, which means that sand and salt swirl around, attaching themselves to anything that's remotely sticky, wet, or, let's face it, edible.

Keep that in mind the next time you're packing up for a day at the beach, and remember that even when you have a cooler, some foods hold up better than others. Of course you can always pack the basics, like crackers, chips, nuts, and dried fruit, but it's good to have something a little more substantial.

8 Foods to Pack for a Day at the Beach

1. Wraps

I always opt for wraps over regular sandwiches when packing lunch for a day at the beach. For one, it's just fun to coil things up in a tortilla or collard leaf. But more importantly, when the fillings are tucked away on the inside, they're better protected — plus wraps are easy to eat with one hand.

• Recipe: Spicy Lentil Wraps with Tahini Sauce
• Recipe: Roasted Sweet Potato Wraps with Caramelized Onions and Pesto

2. Fried chicken

The only thing better than hot and crispy fried chicken, is leftover cold fried chicken the next day. Especially when that "next day" happens to be at the beach. Fried chicken is a summer staple; it holds up well in a cooler, and it's pretty easy to eat without getting mouthfuls of sand.

• How To Make Finger-Licking Fried Chicken

3. Skewers

Because food on skewers is always more fun! Whether you go for fruit, veggies, or meat, kabobs make great beach fare. This is a hands-off (read, sand-free!) meal that's utensil-free and easy to eat, with even easier cleanup.

• Recipe: Tomato & Mozzarella Caprese Skewers
• Recipe: Bryant Terry's Grilled Vegetable and Tofu Kebabs

4. Whole fruit

As much as I love fresh cut-up fruit, sandy fingers diving in and out of the bowl puts a big damper on the party. Whole fruit is much more suited to a day at the beach. Peaches, nectarines, apples, and grapes all make a sweet choice.

5. Couscous or pasta salad

I've had a lot of experience with these two, and they tend to hold up well in the heat. Also, even if a few grains of sand make their way in, they'll easily get lost in a jumble of couscous; you might not even notice.

• Recipe: Broccoli and Feta Pasta Salad

6. Charcuterie

True, cheese and salami might not be great choices if you're going to be out for hours in the heat of the mid-afternoon. But if you're eating right away or going at sunset, these bites are easy to pack, require no assembly, and can be eaten without utensils.

7. Lettuce wraps

These may seem overly complicated, but this is our suggestion in lieu of a salad. Wrap up some chopped vegetables or other components in big, oversized leaves of iceberg lettuce. Then wrap in foil, so you can just peel it back and eat.

8. Cookies

Don't forget dessert! Cookies are a simple finger food to curb your post-lunch sweet tooth. You won't hear me say this often, but it's probably best to skip anything chocolate to avoid a melty mess.

• Recipe: Peanut Butter & Jelly Icebox Cookies
• Recipe: Reverse-Engineered Biscoff Cookies

What are your go-to foods for a day at the beach?

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Saving Water During Droughts

Image courtesy of Wikipedia

Since the cutback on California is stretching out, we have to make do with using less water. It can be difficult to cut those showers short and letting the lawn turn brown and dry but there are some ways to cut back on water that aren’t that difficult. These tips from Lompoc Record will help you scale back your water usage.

Ripping up the lawn is the single best way to save water in drought-stricken California, but doing that can takes weeks, if not months, of consideration and planning. And then there’s the cost.

Many of us are just not ready to take that step.

Even if you’re not trying to help fulfill California Gov. Jerry Brown’s executive order mandating a 25-percent cut in urban water use, what can any household do to be responsible about water usage, drought or no drought?

We’ve compiled more than 40 wallet-friendly tips for reducing your water footprint that go beyond ditching the lawn. Some of these steps are obvious but bear repeating, like No. 25 (don’t walk away while your shower heats). And we know that some of these tips save water at the expense of using another energy source.

But water conservation expert Tracy Quinn of the Natural Resources Defense Council said that making just a few small changes to our daily habits can result in big water savings.

“Every little bit helps.”

In the kitchen

• Post reminder notes over all your sinks, beginning with the kitchen.
• Don’t rinse scraps of food down the sink after dinner. Scrape them into your garbage pail. (This is a good use for all those takeout napkins that seem to clutter everyone’s “junk drawer.”)
• It won’t kill you to do dishes in cold water. Pretend you’re glamping.
• While waiting for the dishwater to warm up, use the cooler stream to fill up your pet’s water bowl, fill the ice cube trays, fill reusable water bottles or a water pitcher that you keep in the fridge.
• If you absolutely need hot water, consider heating up a teakettle at dish time and supplementing it with the cooler water right out of the faucet. (Rubber gloves are recommended.)
• Got ice cubes left over in water glasses after a dinner party? Toss them onto the lawn.
• Fix that leaky kitchen faucet and any other leaks around the house. That drip, drip, drip may not seem like a lot but could waste hundreds of gallons a year, Quinn said.
• Not ready to spend big on a water-conserving dishwater, washing machine or toilet? How about efficient new faucet aerators and shower heads? Many cities offer rebates, and some may even give them away.
• Your dishwasher is its most efficient when you’ve got a full load.
• Some dishwasher models, however, offer a half-load option, which can be helpful if you live alone or rarely cook.
• No dishwasher? Consider paper plates and cups if you’re hosting a huge bash. (Before you buy, find out which ones can go in your compost bin or your city’s recycling bin.)

In the laundry room

• Wait until you have a full load before washing clothes. But if that is not an option, readjust the load-size control.
• Stop and think about the age of your washing machine (and dishwasher). If they’re 10 years or older, they’re not as water efficient as they could be, said Ron Voglewede, global sustainability director for Whirlpool Appliances. The technology has changed dramatically. Newer machines “use significantly less water and less time, and less energy,” he said.
• If your washing machine is old enough to drive, consider using a coin laundry. It just might save you money.
• Use the Internet to check out appliance rebates offered by your water and energy suppliers.

In the bathroom

• Place a cup and refillable water bottle in the bathroom for toothbrushing.
• Don’t walk away while the shower is “warming up.” Be brave. Meanwhile, position a sturdy plastic bucket or pitcher in your shower to collect the cooler water and then use it to fill a watering can for your potted plants, to clean the shower stall or to fill the toilet tank for flushing.
• Aim for a three-minute shower. (Pretend you’re in the military.) Here’s the drill: Get wet. Shampoo. Condition. Scrub down. Rinse off. Bonus points if you turn the water off during your shampoo and scrub down.
• Use a kitchen timer in the bathroom to track your shower time. The timer function on your smartphone works, too.
• If your bathroom sink takes forever to warm up, use a splash of heated teakettle water combined with tap water in a bowl to wash your face before bed.
• Don’t let the water run while you’re shaving.
• Use this simple test to make sure your toilet tank is not leaking into the bowl: Put a few drops of food-safe dye in the tank, Quinn said. Give it 15 minutes. If that color becomes visible in the bowl, you’ve got a leak.
• Don’t flush the toilet bowl just to throw away stuff, like a tissue. That’s what the trash can is for.
• Beyond the front door
• Shower at the gym two or three times a week.
• Don’t wash your car in the driveway. Why? It can use up to 100 gallons of water, Quinn said. Worse: Runoff sends debris and toxins into the storm drains and, in turn, the ocean.
• Stop servers before they just plop down glasses of water at your table, unless you intend to drink them.
• Wash your dog at a self-serve pet wash, or take Buster to a groomer.

In the yard

• Talk to a gardening expert about whether aerating your lawn — punching little holes through the compacted soil below — can help you cut down on the water it needs. (Do-it-yourself aerator sandals cost about $20.)
• Make sure your sprinkler heads are water thrifty. (Some cities offer rebates on water-efficient replacement heads.)
• Adjust sprinklers so they only hit the lawn, not the sidewalk, the front porch and your neighbor’s front porch.
• Skip one or two lawn waterings a week.
• Scale back your sprinklers’ run time by two to three minutes.
• Sweep sidewalks instead of using a hose to do the dirty work.
• Shop around for rain barrels now, so you’re ready when the rain finally hits. Many cities offer discounts.
• Make sure hoses have water-efficient spray nozzles, and get rubber washers to fix any leaks. Quinn said hoses without nozzles can waste 8 gallons or more of water by the time you walk back to the spigot to turn them off.
• If you know you want to tear up the lawn but just don’t have a design yet, consider letting it go brown until you make up your mind. (You might want to let your neighbors in on your plans.)
• Price pool covers. The average pool loses a jaw-dropping 40,000 gallons a year to evaporation, Quinn said.
• Use mulch or composting around plants, reducing how much water they need.

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Cleaner Habits, Cleaner Home

Image courtesy of Pixabay

Cleaning your whole home can be difficult. But cleaning in smaller sections can make it easier. If you adopt these 4 cleanly habits, you can cut down on your cleaning time. These 4 tips from Apartment Therapy can help you become a cleaner person.


Want a cleaner home? One that gets cleaner easier, stays cleaner longer, and doesn't feel like the act of cleaning dominates your life? There are four habits that can be life-changers; could they change yours?

Carve out (and schedule) your cleaning chunk

We have provided you with a lot of different cleaning schedules over the years. What they've all got in common is that at some point in time you've got to carve out time where you pull out cleaning supplies and do a little scrubbing. The trick is knowing what excuses you're using (→ How to Motivate Yourself to Clean Regularly, For People Who Hate Cleaning), plan treats/fun/blackmail for yourself accordingly and then actually physically schedule your time chunk in your calendar/phone. And then you want to keep that cleaning date. It'd be great if you can make it a regular block of time you keep at the same time each day/week/month, but you've got to work with what complements your lifestyle.

Find the tools that work for you (no judgments)

Hey, if keeping an identical set of cleaning supplies in every room of the house (so you don't have to walk all.the.way.across.the.house when you want to clean a room) helps you keep your home clean, then you do you, you know? Or, if keeping those-really-expensive-but-super-handy cleaning wipes on hand helps you keep on top of things in between deep cleanings, no judgment on our part. We encourage you to try cleaning alternatives, but don't be afraid to go back to the tools and styles that work for you.


Don’t fall in love with (all) your stuff

This is pretty much the definition of "easier said than done." But think about trying on — and practicing — a home mindset of recognizing which core things really make a difference in your home - and which are just taking up space. Love your most treasured items such as your art, family heirlooms, and the items that have stories to them. But then work on cultivating a don't-give-a-flip attitude about the other small things in your home that aren't really special to you and might be better off in the outbox for donation day. Continuously working on that kind of in-or-out mindset will make it easier to make decluttering decisions in the future.

Put things back

There are a lot of variations of this idea in keeping a home clean. There's the grab-something-every-time-you-leave a room trick, ensuring that items always eventually make their way to their homes in your home. There's the act of pausing after finishing an activity like cooking and taking a minute to tidy up before sitting down to eat. The result is the same any way you want to approach the idea: Your home will not get as messy or cluttered if you fold in the simple act of putting things back where they belong immediately after using them.

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Cool Down with a Frosty Treat

Image courtesy of Cathy on Flickr

Summer can get hot so you’ll need some help cooling down. What’s better than a yummy popsicle? Not only is it delicious and chilling, but it’s healthy too! These fruit popsicles from Sally’s Baking Addiction will hit the spot and keep you cool on stifling summer days.

Ingredients:

• 1 large ripe banana, peeled, cut into chunks, & frozen
• 12 large strawberries, sliced in half
• 1/2 cup pineapple juice (or orange juice)

SPECIAL EQUIPMENT

• Popsicle mold (here is the one I own)

Directions:

1. Blend all of the ingredients together on high speed until smooth - about 2 minutes. Scrape down the sides of the blender as needed as you go.
2. Pour the mixture into popsicle molds. If your popsicle mold has slots for sticks, you can insert them before freezing - if not, freeze for 2 hours, then put a wooden popsicle stick in the middle (that is what I did). Continue to freeze for an additional 6 hours or overnight - overnight is recommended for easy removal.
3. Run popsicle molds under warm water to easily remove. Eat on a hot day. Enjoy!

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Happy 4th of July Weekend!

Happy Independence Day! We hope your weekend is filled with friends, family and fun!

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7 Ways to Stay Safe in the Sun

The first day of summer was yesterday and with this weather heating up, we’re in for a sunny summer! Keeping your skin protected from the sun’s rays is smarter than lying out and soaking them up all day. You can enjoy the sunshine while still staying safe. These tips and facts from Real Self will help keep you safe from the dangerous UV rays.

Summer's almost here, and you know what that means: outdoor festivals, backyard barbecues, and days at the beach! Unfortunately, there's nothing like a sunburn to put a damper on the fun, not to mention leave behind some pretty unsightly tan lines.

However, there's more to using sunscreen than preventing crazy patterns and itchy skin. Any time a RealSelf user asks our doctor community how to prevent wrinkles and other signs of aging, their #1 tip is to wear sunscreen daily. Not only is UV radiation the most common cause of facial aging, but 90% of skin cancer is caused by exposure to the sun. (An even scarier statistic is the fact that one in five Americans are expected to develop the disease in their lifetime.)

You may think your avoiding UV damage isn't always as simple as "my moisturizer has SPF 15." To help you avoid the risks of too much exposure, we turned to dermatologistDr. Susan Van Dyke and the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery (ASDS) to bring you these seven facts about proper sun protection:

1. Anything greater than SPF 50 provides the same protection
"A 50 SPF blocks 98.00% of UVB light (the burning rays) while a 100 SPF will block 99.00%,” says Dr. Van Dyke. “This level of benefit [to either] is of course contingent on applying enough and reapplying frequently."


2. Makeup and moisturizers with sunscreen aren’t always enough
Unless your makeup/moisturizer provides broad spectrum sunscreen and is reapplied throughout the day, it isn’t enough protection for all day sun exposure. According to ASDS, it’s fine if “you are only walking to your car from work or going into the store. But if you are going to spend a few hours outdoors, then you need to wear a broad spectrum sunscreen."


3. You need to reapply every 2 hours
"The active ingredients in sunscreen break down when exposed to UV light," says Dr. Van Dyke. "To maintain the SPF on the label, you need to keep reapplying as the ingredients lose effectiveness: every 2 hours, more often if you sweat or swim."


4. You should use one ounce to cover your whole body
According to ASDS, “Research shows that many people put on about half of the amount of sunscreen they need, so be sure to lather it on." And don’t forget the sensitive skin on your lips: Use lip balm with an SPF of 30 or higher.


5. It’s not a free pass to suntan all day
"Sunscreen is not 100% even in the best of cases," warns Dr. Van Dyke. "Realistically speaking, few of us follow guidelines perfectly. If you really want to save your skin, the best approach is to use sunscreen, cover up (hats, sunglasses, SPF clothing), and seek shade."


6. Tanning oil with SPF 10 doesn’t count
“Less than an SPF of 15 doesn't protect you from the cancer-causing side effects of sun exposure,” says Dr. Van Dyke.


7. Don’t wait til you’re in the sun to apply
“Sunscreen should be applied one-half hour before going outside, giving the skin time to absorb it,” says ASDS.


The next time you're picking out sunscreen, here's what you should look for:

Titanium Dioxide and Zinc Oxide
Minimum SPF 15, ideally 30-50
Broad spectrum UVA/UVB (UVB causes burns, but UVA is also damaging to the structure and health of skin)
Water resistance if you'll be swimming or sweating

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Happy Father's Day!

Happy Father's Day to all the dads out there doing their best to be role models for their children. Thanks for everything!

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