clips
Click on link to view article. Where there is no link, full article is available upon editor request.
7 Ways to Boost Your Metabolism (eDiets)
Ready to transform your sweet self into a lean, not-so-mean, fat-burning machine? You may be surprised to find that you don’t have to overhaul your lifestyle.
10 Fat-Burning Foods (tip sheet of foods that help your body burn fat) (eDiets)
Stoke your metabolic fire and burn calories faster with diet-friendly foods and beverages. Post this list on your fridge next to the photo of you in your “skinny jeans” and make a copy to bring with you the next time you shop for groceries.
Just remember: calories count, portion control rules and there’s no substitute for a well-balanced diet and regular exercise. So get moving!
For a Better Body … Say Cheese! (eDiets) *
Jumpstart weight loss and shed belly fat with what may be the latest weight loss secret weapon: calcium-rich dairy foods. In a recent study that appeared in Obesity Research, overweight adults on a calorie-restricted diet that included three to four servings of dairy foods lost more weight and abdominal fat than those who cut calories but consumed little or no dairy foods on the same type of diet.
Replace Bad Fats With Good Fats: 10 Ways (eDiets) *
Quick — name a good fat. OK — name a bad fat. Now, identify two types of fat.
If you struggled with the answers you are not alone, according to a recent “Facts about Fats” consumer survey conducted by Hellmann’s Real Mayonnaise. A whopping 96 percent of those surveyed checked off the “bad fat” box for heart-healthy monounsaturated fats, which help lower LDL (bad) cholesterol and raise HDL (good) cholesterol. A little over a third of the respondents believe that artery-clogging trans-fatty acids are a good fat. How can a nation that is preoccupied with diet and nutrition be so confused about fat?
7 Ways to Beat Bloat (eDiets)
Beach parties, picnics, weddings … are you ready for hot fun in the summertime?
Cellulite-Blasting Secrets (eDiets)
Cellulite. An estimated 90 percent of women have it, experts say. And most women fear it. Can you get rid of it or not? eDiets wanted to know.
10 Calcium-Rich Foods (eDiets)
Study after study shows that a calcium-rich diet not only builds strong bones and teeth but also may help prevent osteoporosis, reduce the risk of colon cancer, control blood pressure, ease PMS and calm your nerves. The latest research suggests it could also act as a serious fat-burner. Are you getting enough of this essential mineral?
Rx for Energy (energy-boosters for low-carbers) (eDiets) *
Six high-octane tips from Stuart Trager, M.D., medical director of Atkins Nutritionals, Inc., who is also a triathlete.
10 More Meatless Snacks & Meals (eDiets)
eDiets readers liked our original meatless meals article, so we came up with more fresh vegetarian ideas for you. This time we consulted Robin Robertson, author of 12 vegetarian cookbooks and a regular contributor to VegNews magazine and Vegetarian Times. Her latest book, Carb Conscious Vegetarian, features 150 low-to-moderate-carb vegetarian recipes that contain no refined carbohydrates.
10 Meatless Snacks, Meals (eDiets)
Looking for a change, low-carbers? Think vegetarian!
Summer Dining Out Guide (eDiets)
VH1’s Celebrity Fit Club Shape-Up Tips From Harvey Walden, Jr. (eDiets)
The tough-talking, no-nonsense drill sergeant on the hit VH1 show Celebrity Fit Club is actually a polite, thoughtful man who embodies the very essence of American values for which a U. S. Marine stands. Who knew?
HEALTH (National Safety Council – Family Safety & Health magazine):
Fatigue and Driving Don’t Mix
5 Safe and Healthy New Year’s Goals
Plan Now for a Healthy Retirement
————————————————————————–
SHELTER (home and real estate):
What’s New in Ranges (blog)
Today’s kitchen is the heart of the home. As cooking makes a comeback, home buyers desire more sophisticated equipment and higher end design details. Kitchens are growing larger and more lavish and appliance manufacturers are jumping on the bandwagon to meet consumer demand. The range you buy today is not the one your mother bought. Designer touches such as stainless steel finishes and commercial-grade equipment are hot. Burners that accommodate several pot sizes, double ovens, easy-clean ceramic smoothtop ranges, and convection ovens are available in designs that complement most any style kitchen. And you can look forward to more time-saving and luxury features in the future. Here’s a glimpse at your options:
Polishing Your Home for a Faster Sale (blog)
Ready to sell? To get the best possible price for your house, start now to get it into pristine condition. A light and bright “stage” will give you the edge of instant home appeal. Here are some tips to get you started:
How to Hire a Plumber (blog)
A plumber is like a mechanic — hire the wrong one and you’ll end up throwing money down the drain. A good tradesperson usually doesn’t come cheap, but if you do a little research and ask the right questions, you can find find who will give you good value for your money. It pays to be selective when choosing a plumber and we’ve got some tips to help you find a professional you can count on.
Some other titles (blog) :
- Decorating Guide: 2007 Color Palettes
- 2007’s Hottest Home Decorating Trends
- 2007 Home Resale Trends
- How to Find an Interior Designer
- Siding Replacement Still Good Value in 2007
- Working With a Contractor? 3 Tips You Should Not Ignore
SHELTER, continued – Chicago Tribune :
Feeling Squeezed? First Declutter, Then Maximize Space (Chicago Tribune)
For apartment dwellers, multifunctional use of space and equipment is essential, says interior designer Marie Busch of Busch and Associates in Chicago. Furniture pieces that serve double duty are ideal. For example, she says, a parsons table or any simple four-legged table can be used as a dining table and also as a desk. Simply roll file cabinets on casters under each side of the table. Roll file cabinets away when entertaining.
Mix ‘N’ Match — What to Expect From a Roommate Service (Chicago Tribune)
Abstract:
The solution may be a roommate referral service, which will screen and pair you up with a potential roommate either personally or via computer.
Since then the Evanston resident has turned more than once to roommate services-sharing her three-bedroom apartment with three different roommates over the last five years, all of whom she found through the Roommate Connection.
A smaller percentage of roommate seekers are newly divorced people, empty nesters with housing to share, or senior citizens. Jan Keltner, owner of Roommate Connection in Chicago, and Leslie Anderson, president of The Roommate Service in Arlington Heights, have noted an increase in these categories over the last three years.
Getting and Keeping Good Tenants (Chicago Tribune)
You’ve bought a three-flat-your first income property. Now, you can sit back in your home on the first floor and let the rent from upstairs help pay your mortgage. All you need is a couple of good tenants, right?
It may look easy, but Ed Sacks, author of Chicago Tenants’ Handbook and The Renters’ Survival Kit, says owning a building is work. “Whether he likes it or not, the new landlord is now in the residential real estate business, and he will either perform and deliver or he will not be successful,” says Sacks.
————————————————————————–
TRAVEL (including U.S. city, state and regional profiles)
(a small sampling of hundreds) (blog)
Snippets (full copy provided upon editor request)
Casa Casuarina aka Versace’s Mansion (Miami Beach)
Have you ever wondered what happened to Gianni Versace’s lavish mansion? Since the celebrated designer was killed at his doorstep in 1997, we haven’t heard much about the sumptuous villa that is incongruously nested in the heart of Miami Beach’s historic Art Deco district. After Versace’s passing, his family put the 19,000-square-foot, 12-bedroom, 13-bath estate on the market for $25 million. The Italianate-style house was snapped up for a mere $19 million by telecommunications billionaire Peter Loftin, who in 2005 obtained permission to turn it into a private club. The glittering stars are back to the delight of ubiquitous camera-toting tourists, who have clung to the idea of the villa as a symbol of the opulent lifestyles of international celebrities.
The ornate space is often booked for shindigs and music video shoots by A-list celebs like Sean Combs (aka Diddy, P. Diddy or Puff Daddy depending on the year and/or country), Jamie Fox and Colin Farrell. The membership rolls boast names such as boxer Lenox Lewis, director Oliver Stone and Bon Jovi, who gave a spur-of-the-moment jam session there recently. Members pay a $40,000 one-time fee and “temporary memberships” are now available.
Spotlight on … Fort Myers Beaches (Florida)
Fort Myers area is home to beaches that dreams are made of. From down-to-earth Fort Myers Beach to the trendy shores of its northern neighbors, Sanibel and Captiva Islands, to the pristine, remote barrier islands to the south, Lover’s Key State Park, it’s all here. If you’re into a laid-back Jimmy Buffet style that’s easy on the budget, Fort Myers beach is for you. Young families and singles gravitate toward the action-packed intersection of San Carlos and Estero Boulevards, dubbed “Times Square” for its tourist-beachy atmosphere. Every square inch of the boulevard is packed with bars, souvenir shops, beach-apparel boutiques, seaside eateries and kitschy motels. For those in search of a “quiet state of mind,” head toward the southern end of the island. There you’ll find a peaceful beach community promoted as “Estero Island,” though technically it’s still Fort Myers Beach.
Just a short drive north and you’ll set foot on the powdery white sands of the enchanting and more affluent “Shelling Capital of the World,” Sanibel and Captiva Islands. A few more miles to the north and you’ll discover one of Florida’s most amazing beaches in the wildlife haven known as Lover’s Key State Park.
Spotlight on … Sunset Celebration at Mallory Square (Key West, Florida)
The most worshipped of all the exotic festivals and attractions in Key West is probably the fabled Sunset Celebration at Mallory Square in the historic district. Every evening, locals and visitors alike stand side-by-side at water’s edge to witness the magnificent descent of a tropical sun into the shimmering turquoise waters of the Gulf of Mexico. Night after night, a hush comes over the island crowd as the quiet but dramatic explosion of a glittering watercolor-splashed sky illuminates the shoreline. The event begins approximately two hours before sunset and ends two hours afterwards. Revelers can also enjoy unique arts and crafts exhibits, a world-famous daring feline show, poi fire spinning, escapists, living statues, live music and more. Note: Key West is known for showcasing the talents of some of the finest street performers in the world.
Spotlight on … Ybor and Cuban Cigars (Tampa)
Cigar-making is one of Florida’s oldest professions and it all began in Ybor City. Founded in 1886 by Cuban exiles Vincent Martinez Ybor and Don Ignacio Haya, the town was once known as the “Cigar Capital of the World.” Lured by West Central Florida’s mild clime and a land offer, they established the largest cigar factory in history at that time. Ybor and Haya built a prosperous city by offering other manufacturers financial aid to build their factories. Cuban, Spanish and Italian immigrants worked hand-in-hand to create a diverse workforce that resulted in a thriving community.
The men and women who painstakingly produced the hand-crafted premium cigars were considered artisans. During its boom days, some 700 million cigars were created annually in more than 200 factories. The cigar industry in Ybor City flourished for 50 years, but with the advent of modern manufacturing technology came the decline of the industry. By the 1950’s, many of the area’s cigar factories had shut down. The culture is experiencing a revival, however, and once again you’ll find tabaqueros rolling fresh cigars by hand from their carts or in the specialty smoke shops along the boulevards of Ybor Square .
Overview (Amarillo, Texas)
Wide open spaces, spectacular sunsets, four-and-a-half-pound steaks – it’s easy to see why the largest city in Texas is celebrated in song by George Strait in “Amarillo by Morning.” Situated along legendary Route 66, Amarillo is the cultural and economic hub of the Texas Panhandle. Founded in 1887, it was named for the yellow soil found along the banks of nearby Amarillo Lake and Amarillo Creek. (Amarillo is the Spanish word for yellow.) The city has a total population of 175,000 with an estimated 220,000 people residing in its metropolitan area. (more)
A Cowboy State of Mind (Amarillo, Texas)
If you have a fondness for the Old West and the cowboy lifestyle, here are three fun things to do in Amarillo:
-
Spotlight on … Cowboy Morning Breakfast
While the moonlit sky still shines over Palo Duro Canyon, you can hear the sound of pan-fried bacon sizzling in an iron skillet over an open mesquite fire at the Figure 3 Ranch. Freshly baked sourdough biscuits, known throughout the county, are laden with what might possibly be the thickest, creamiest gravy in Texas and served up by the same chuck wagon “cookie” (aka cowboy cook) who’s been preparing them for more than 30 years. Tom Christian and his wife Anne have been hosting these hearty, traditional breakfasts for nearly three decades on their Armstrong County ranch. Also on the menu: scrambled eggs, hot fried sausage, orange juice and cowboy coffee. (more)
Some other titles (blog):
Spotlight on … :
-
- Fort Meyers Beaches (Florida)
- Sanibel and Captiva Islands (Florida)
- Lover’s Key Park (Florida)
- Shelling on Florida’s Lee Island Coast
- South Beach (Florida)
- The Spa at the Mandarin Oriental (Miami)
- Sunset Celebration at Mallory Square (Key West)
- South Beach (Florida)
- Deco Miami Beach
- The Sea Turtles of Daytona Beach
- Rodeo Drive Shopping (Beverly Hills)
- The Original Los Angeles Farmer’s Market (LA)
- The Grove (LA)
- Austin’s Famous 6th Street (Texas)
- Amarillo Livestock Auction (Texas)
- The Golden Light Cafe and Cantina – “Good music damn near every night!” (Amarillo, Texas)
————————————————————————–
CAREER (National Safety Council – Today’s Supervisor magazine):
Are You a Type A manager?
* Contact me if you wish to view full article.
