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Road trips can be a fun, family-bonding experience, but they can also feel hectic. If you need to get to your destination in a hurry, or want to avoid the unhealthy snacks lurking off of every highway exit, it may be best to pack some fun snacks from your own kitchen.
1. Peanut Butter “Quesadilla”
The first snack is a peanut butter “quesadilla.” Spread a generous amount of peanut butter on one side of a tortilla. This snack is especially fun, and convenient, since you use whatever you might happen to have in the kitchen. Some good topping ideas would be raisins, chocolate chips, nuts, M&M’s and finely chopped apple pieces. Once you’ve added your toppings apply a thinner layer of peanut butter to the second tortilla and place it on top of the first. Use a pizza cutter to slice into triangles.
2. Turkey and Cheese Rolls
Turkey and cheese rolls are a good choice for a more filling snack. Take some whole wheat pitas or tortillas; add cheese, turkey, lettuce, and a bit of mayonnaise. For a more compact, travel-friendly sandwich, roll it up instead of keeping it flat. To make pita easier to wrap, stick it in the microwave for about fifteen second.
3. Trail Mix
Another option is a fresh version of trail-mix. To start, gather some zip-lock bags or plastic containers. Chop apples, and pears and put them in the container. Next, add some hard cheese that has been cut into small cubed pieces. Next, add other small treats like assorted nuts, chocolate chips, raisins and sunflower seeds. A treat like this has variety, and will keep kids occupied on the road.
4. Ants on a Log
The standard ants on a log is another good food to travel with. Simply spread peanut butter on cut celery and add raisins if desired. For a new twist, spread low-fat cream cheese on celery instead of peanut butter. A few imitation-bacon bits can be added on top to spice things up.
5. Cupcake Macaroni and Cheese
If you have time to cook before leaving, try baking macaroni and cheese in cupcake holders. After being baked, the mac and cheese has a crispier texture which can be enjoyed hot or cold. The compact shape given by the cupcake holders, make this snack ideal for travel.
While it may seem daunting to get yourself packed and get the kids sitting happily in the car, hungry bellies don’t need to be a challenge on the road! Now the number of “Are-we-there-yet”s is an entirely different story!
Getting married in Singapore is easy and simple once you understand the requirements, rules and information for weddings and marriages in Singapore. Once you have these down, then it will be a breeze to pick a wedding venue Singapore offers its newlyweds.
Everything you need to know about getting married in Singapore is available on-line at the Registry of Marriages (ROM). Any marriage taking place in Singapore, and a few that don’t, must be registered with the ROM. Here are a few tips on how to do that:
First, choose your location: If you plan to have the solemnisation outside of the ROM, then you must choose your own solemniser. If you don’t know of one, you will find a list of authorized officiates on the ROM website; they all work on a voluntary basis.
Second, you need to file a notice of your intended marriage. To do this, you need a valid passport and you must meet the same eligibility requirements that citizens do. You will also need to include the details of your two witnesses in you application. At least one of you must have been a resident in Singapore for at least 15 days before filing a notice of marriage. Regardless of citizenship, this legal rule applies to all. The earliest you may solemnise your marriage is 21 days from the date of application and the latest is 3 month.
Third, when your application is successful, both of you are required to go to the ROM on the date and time specified, there’s usually three days before solemnisation, for verification of documents and administration of statutory declaration.
Last, your Solemensation: this is your actual wedding ceremony, the place where you’ll be saying you ‘I do’s’ and receive your marriage certificate.
Marriages that take place in Singapore are recognized in most countries, but it is wise to check with your embassy and make sure if it is legal in your home country.
Pregnancy is an exciting, joyous, emotionally charged time for new parents-to-be. It can also be a bit intimidating knowing that the health of your baby depends so much on how you take care of your own health. Most of the time, pregnancy goes smoothly for both mom and baby. To maximize your chances of a successful pregnancy, however, there are a few tips you should follow:
- Early Medical Care. As soon as you find out you are pregnant, you should schedule an appointment with an OB/GYN. Studies have shown that women who obtain early pregnancy care have healthier babies.
- Get Your Rest. Your body goes through an unbelievable amount of changes during pregnancy. Fluctuating hormones can cause you to feel easily fatigued, especially in the first and third trimesters. Make it a point to get in bed on time at night, and go ahead a nap during the day if you need it.
- Eat Healthy. As your baby grows and develops, extra nutrients and minerals from your body are redirected to assist with this development. It is most important that you are eating healthy, nutritious foods throughout your pregnancy to maintain both yours and your baby’s health.
- Take Your Vitamins. Sometimes, getting adequate nutrition during pregnancy can be challenging, especially if you are suffering from morning sickness. Prenatal vitamins are designed to make sure your body is getting everything it needs to sustain a successful pregnancy. Vitamins like Vitamin C, Vitamin D, and folic acid for pregnancy is important.
- Get Some Exercise. Exercise during pregnancy is healthy for both you and your baby. You will, however, need to discuss any exercise program with you OB/GYN before beginning, especially if the program features abdominal exercises. Daily walking is an excellent exercise you can do safely while pregnant.
- Plan Ahead. Most women naturally experience a phenomenon known as “nesting” when they approach their due date. This is an almost uncontrollable urge to prepare the nursery, purchase and put away baby clothes, and generally make sure everything is ready for baby’s arrival. It is easy to over exert yourself when nesting strikes, however. Try to do little things throughout your pregnancy so that when the nesting impulse does hit you, you will be less likely to overdo things; there won’t be much to do.
It should go without saying, also, that if you experience any abnormal symptoms you should contact your doctor immediately. Things such as preterm labor can be stopped if they are treated promptly.
Posted February 29th, 2012. 3 comments
Excess belly fat is a problem for many women. Its the type of thing that can creep up on you – and suddenly its there… And you say to yourself – “where did that come from??” For some reason fat in this area seems to be harder to get rid of. Well the solution is to target belly fat with a combination of exercise and diet.
There are only two things you need to do to eliminate belly fat:
- Undertake a regular cardiovascular exercise program
- Eliminate all processed foods
Cardiovascular Exercise
Cardiovascular exercise also known as aerobic exercise or cardio is the type of exercise that increases your heart rate for an extended time period. Be aware that abdominal exercise alone will not get rid of belly fat. It may strengthen your muscles – but they will be hidden behind a layer of fat. Cardio involves exercising to the point of being out of breath and keeping going. Examples are running, bicycling, aerobics, swimming etc. Before undertaking a cardio program always consult a doctor.
You should attempt to do this type of exercise on a regular basis – five days per week and for around 40 minutes. If you do this you will burn off calories and strengthen your heart and major muscle groups. It will also do wonders for your mind and help to relieve stress.
Eliminate Processed Foods
Processed foods start of as regular foods which are then treated and altered to give them a longer shelf life and to make them more palatable to consumers. Vital nutrients such as fiber and vitamins are removed and often they are enriched with preservatives, trans fats, sugar and sodium. All processed foods should be eliminated as it encourages belly fat and general ill health.
Replace processed foods with natural, organic, healthy foods including nuts, fruits and vegetables. There are certain foods that are natural fat burners and these include citrus fruit, almonds, walnuts, oats, salmon and eggs. Be wary of the amount of carbohydrates that you ingest and always stick to whole grains. Drink lots of pure water as this is essential to your daily health and essential for a detox diet.
Make these changes and make it part of your new healthy lifestyle. Shed that belly fat and enjoy health!!
Always check with a medical doctor before dieting or starting any type of exercise program. As a last resort if you have tried everything you can also consider cosmetic surgery / liposuction as a way to get rid of fat
Image via Creative Commons.
Posted December 29th, 2011. 2 comments
Welcoming a baby into your life is a very exciting time yet a time filled with concerns, fears and decisions. Not only do you have to make decisions such as whether you will use pacifiers, or what type of diapers you will use — you will face decisions that are much more serious such as cord blood banking.
Five important decisions you will make before the baby is born are:
1. Names – On the surface this does not seem to be a decision that scoots to the 5 important decisions, however, you must keep a few things in mind when deciding on your child’s name. Can the name be shortened in any way to create teasing? How about the initials? Darryl Owen Gibney might seem fine on first glance, but the initials create DOG which could also result in hardship as the child grows.
2. Baby Equipment – Refuse the temptation to buy baby equipment solely based on looks and appearance or a color scheme. Check the safety ratings of the car seat you will be using. Each car seat is rated for safety.
3. Banking You Child’s Cord Blood – Cord blood is retained after your baby is born and is collected via the umbilical cord and placenta. Choosing the right cord blood bank can be a huge decision for you and you’re your baby.
As parents we hope and pray our child will never face a serious medical condition but the truth remains that children face these illnesses each and every day. By saving your child’s cord blood, you are saving stem cells that will be a perfect match for your child should he face a medical condition that can utilize the stored stem cells.
Additionally, research continues on cord blood and stem cells. In the future, stem cells may be used for a much wider range of medical conditions. Perhaps one day an organ can be grown from these stem cells.
4. Banking – The cost of raising a child and college education continues to rise. Decide on the type of account for your child, and determine a set amount to deposit on a regular basis.
5. Immunizations - The first immunizations will be given to your baby before he leaves the hospital. Research the pros and cons of immunization and determine the course your family will take prior to the birth so you are prepared when the immunizations are offered.
Posted November 14th, 2011. Add a comment
There are plenty of ways to save money- coupons, sales, buying in bulk. But Apple brings to you a whole new level of money saving. With apps that are downloaded by millions of users per day, it’s guaranteed you would benefit from them as well of the rest of the Apple community. The majority of the best apps that can help you save and organize your spending are free.
Economy Shopping Lite App for iPhone- An app that’s absolutely free- yet absolutely amazing. It replaces your old pen and paper shopping list, and even better, it will tell you in what store the item is being sold for the cheapest. It helps you stay organized, and can definitely help you save money.
BillMinder App for iPhone- At the cost of $1.99, it’s completely worth every penny. An app that teaches you how to handle your spending. It lists all the bills you have to pay for the month, and places a check or X next to it, showing whether or not it has been paid already. Amazingly enough, it even manages the money you have left in your bank account. It alerts you when you are in risk of low balance or going into overdraft, until your next payday.
Coupon Sherpa Mobile for iPhone- Talk about technology! This app not only helps you keep organized, save money, and get great use out of tons of coupons, but it even uses the GPS services on your smartphone to locate where you are, and find the closet (and cheapest) place to buy your desired project. It has a feature that lets you favorite certain stores that you like, and arranges the coupons based on your liking of each store.
Pennies App for iPhone- For $2.99, some people hesitate to buy it, but that doesn’t stop it from it’s position in the most downloaded money saving Apps for iPhones. With the Pennies App, you enter your monthly budget. For those of you who wonder “where all the money goes,” this app is perfect for you! Whenever you’re confused, refer back to the app and it will tell you (penny by penny…) where and how you spent your money. It even sorts out what most of your money is spent on, with a feature called “Top Expenses.”
There are tons of money saving apps for iPad and iPhone, but these were a few of the most downloaded, and most helpful ones. Also, keep in mind that there are many other money saving options available, so be sure to check and be sure you are getting the best rates on your insurance with Policy Expert.
Posted November 1st, 2011. Add a comment
Planning for a wedding encompasses a lot of details. A bride’s biggest decision to make is the dress she is going to wear on her big day. Unfortunately, wedding gowns can be extremely expensive, costing thousands of dollars for something a bride will wear for a few hours. Choosing to purchase a used wedding gown can save a lot of money. You can also sell your wedding dress instead of having it preserved and stored in your basement, where it likely will never be seen again. Some locations that girls can buy and sell used wedding dresses include:
Consignment shops. Consignment shops can be found in almost every city and town. The process of working with these shops requires you to take your wedding dress in so they can look at it and determine its value. The shop will decide how much they could ticket the dress for and they will offer you a percentage of that price if it sells. Sometimes a consignment shop will pay you upfront for your dress and worry about selling it later, while others require you to leave your name and contact information. They will contact you whenever it sells and you can come pick up the money. If it doesn’t sell in a set amount of time the shop will either ask you to drop the price or pick up the item. You can also purchase a used wedding dress from a consignment shop at a very fair price. This allows you to see the dress in person, try it on and decide whether or not it’s something you like.
Online. The internet is a great place to purchase or sell used wedding dresses. With sites like eBay, online consignment shops and even websites dedicated to buying and selling used wedding dresses, the options are endless as to where you can buy or sell your dress. Some sites will charge a fee, especially those that utilize a bidding process to sell items, but others will buy your dress straight up. If you are purchasing a dress you will usually have to pay shipping and possibly insurance to confirm that the dress arrives undamaged.
Wedding boutiques. Local wedding dress shops carry the latest and greatest wedding dress designs on the market but sometimes they will also have used dresses stashed away for brides who ask for them. The best way to find a boutique or store that buys and sells gowns is to call around and ask individual stores. If the location you call doesn’t necessarily buy or sell used wedding dresses, they may know where you can look instead.
Thrift shops. Some of the best deals can be found at a local thrift shop or community donation center. If you are looking for a used wedding dress, you may want to spend a day visiting some of the shops in your area. You can also call around and ask if there is anything currently in the store before heading out there. If nothing is currently available but you have some time before the wedding, you may want to leave your name and number and ask that the store notifies you if something happens to come in.
Purchasing or selling a used wedding dress can be a big money saver. While a bride wants to look beautiful on her wedding day, when that day comes to an end, the dress will never be worn again. To minimize the money spent, taking advantage of these places you can buy or sell to can be a great option.
Posted October 24th, 2011. Add a comment
