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Tingle-Worthy Avocado Recipes That’ll Blow Your Mind

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Avocadoes never seem to be out of the news. It’s either the fact that their prices are going up every week because they’re so popular, or it’s because they’re a superfood for one reason or another. Just on the superfood side of things, researchers recently discovered that avocado contains a chemical that actually helps to slow the aging process. So not only is avocado highly nutritious, but it’s also able to fundamentally change your biology.

Besides the health benefits, avocado is also delicious. The world has been obsessed with avocado toast for a long time, but there are all sorts of other ways to enjoy this delicious Central American fruit. Here’s how.

Burrito Buddha Bowl

Burritos bowls are making a bit of a comeback, thanks to sites like Feastie and Yummly. What’s more, they’re super easy to make.

First off, get some parboiled brown rice and follow the instructions on the packet. You’ll either have to put it in the microwave for a set period of time or boil it in some water for about 10 minutes.

Tingle-Worthy Avocado Recipes That'll Blow Your Mind

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Next, grab a tin of beans, a tin of chopped tomatoes, some garlic paste (or freshly crushed garlic), some cumin, oregano, paprika, chili flakes, salt and pepper and bung it all in a pan. This is to make the bean chili. Leave it to simmer for as long as you like to tenderize the beans and cook the tomato.

Chop up avocado in half using a decent knife from a company like Kamikoto. Then grab a fork and mash it into a rough avocado paste, adding lime juice and coriander to taste.

Finally, add a cup of cashews and a cup of water to your Nutribullet – or similarly powerful blender – and make some sour cashew cream to go with it. If you want your sour cream to taste a little cheesy, add nutritional yeast.

Once you’ve done all that, all that’s left to do is to chop a few pieces of lettuce and cucumber, sprinkle with salsa and assemble the whole thing in a big old bowl.

Avocado Portabello Sandwiches

This is one of the easiest, yet delicious, ways to eat avocado. And it’s good for you too. Portobello and spelt bread go together perfectly. Spelt, for those of you who don’t know, is a type of ancient wheat which is richer and nuttier in flavor.

spelt rolls

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First, make the spelt rolls. This is really easy. Put the spelt flour in a bowl and add yeast and a tiny bit of sugar and salt. Mix it all together and then add some lukewarm water. Keep adding water until the spelt is doughy. Spend a couple of minutes kneading the dough and then leave it for about 30 minutes to rise. When you come back, chop it into about six rolls and put in the oven at 200C for 20 to 25 minutes.

While the rolls are cooking, mash up the avocado and put the portobello mushrooms in the pan with some oil, pepper, and garlic. Once the roll and portobello mushrooms are cooked, you’re ready to assemble. This recipe is perfect for the barbecues.

Vegetable Recipes That Will Add Colour to Your Barbeque

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Vegetables are fantastic for a lot of reasons. They’re healthy, low in calories and delicious if cooked properly. However, they generally don’t get much love when it comes to grilling and barbecuing. There are lots of meat-free alternatives for vegetarians and vegans that still enjoy the sound and smell of grilling on a hot summer afternoon, but let’s not forget about vegetables themselves and how they can add a lot of colour to your barbeque.

Veggies on the grill

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Grilled Romaine

It doesn’t sound like much, but grilling hearts of romaine lettuce can be delicious when served with some sauce or accompanied with a grilled steak. The romaine lettuce takes on the flavour of whatever sauce or juices it soaks in, and it has a sweet smoked flavour thanks to the coals. Simply coat the romaine in a light drizzle of oil and shake some seasoning onto it. You can use steak seasoning if you’re serving it with steak, some salt and pepper, or even some cayenne pepper. You only need to grill it for roughly five minutes until it’s wilted or charred. To add a bit of sourness, simply squeeze a bit of lemon over it. If you’re eating it with salty meats, then a bit of soy sauce could also work.

Corn on the Cob

Corn is a fantastic classic that we all add to our barbeques. Nibbling on the cob and biting into the sweet bursts of juice is satisfying, but you can make it a lot more special with just a few ingredients. Lightly oil the cobs of corn and peel back the husks. Spread a single tablespoon of butter over the corn. While it’s grilling, paint on more butter and lightly sprinkle some salt and pepper as you rotate them. They need to be cooked for roughly 30 minutes on a high heat, but some corn cooks faster. Just keep an eye on them as you turn them and wait for the corn to be tender. If you want a little more kick, then add some grated cheese over the corn as it’s close to being finished and sprinkle some paprika over it. Garnish with lemon or lime juice and you’ll have the perfect grilled corn.

Vegetable Skewers

Fantastic served on their own or with accompanying meats, grilled vegetable skewers are another staple at any barbeque. Simply get some bamboo skewers and pierce diced or chunked vegetables. You can typically add anything that you like, but for some ideas, try alternating zucchini, bell peppers, mushrooms, onions and tomatoes. Sprinkle some herbs and spices over them as you see fit. A good mix would be dried basil, oregano, salt, black pepper and some paprika. If you want a little sweetness in the mix, add some fresh cut pieces of pineapple. If helps if you soak the skewers for a while in water before piercing the vegetables. Grill them over a medium heat and gently oil them before seasoning. If you prefer, mix the seasoning into the oil and gently brush it over the skewers as they grill. It should take no longer than 10 minutes to cook them thoroughly.

Meat-Free BBQ Food To Try This Summer

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It’s tough for hardcore meat lovers to go meat-free at any time, but it can feel especially difficult during summer, aka peak BBQ weather. When the aroma of succulent beef patties and sizzling pork sausages is in the air, you are confronted with endless reasons to stick with your current meat-inclusive diet. But perhaps you have to cater for friends or family members who have already completely converted to a vegetarian diet? If so, you should take the opportunity to see what kind of food they eat at BBQs so they don’t miss out on the fun. Ask if you can sample some of their meat-free products. Your may find yourself pleasantly surprised.

Veggie burgers and hot dogs

You don’t need to be make your own vegetarian patties to enjoy a burger at a BBQ. With vegetarianism growing in popularity, there are now a wide range of veggie patties and meat-free sausages available in supermarkets to make your burgers and hot dogs delicious and meat-free. Lentil, or chickpea, burgers have a texture that is meaty and rich, and they crumble deliciously in the mouth. There are even a few meat substitute patties that are quite passable for the genuine product. Once they’re in a bun with all the usual fixings, you’d be hard-pressed to find any fault with a veggie burger.

Fish kebabs

Some people slowly ease meat out of their diet by only eating fish. Instead of indulging in chicken kebabs, they might enjoy a salmon kebab with a sweet chilli and honey marinade. Simply use a sharp chef’s knife, such as Kamikoto, to cut a salmon fillet into cubes. Cover them in marinade, stick them on a skewer, and pop them on the grill; no different to grilling chicken. Some may choose to grill a whole fish and use that to fill their burger buns.

Halloumi kebabs

Others that have completely cut all meat from their diets may prefer a halloumi and vegetable kebab. Once grilled, halloumi has a texture that is not too different from chicken, do you might enjoy sampling this instead of opting for a grilled chicken kebab. Try the halloumi with some spicy seasoning to give it a kick, but don’t add any salt as this cheese already has a bit of a salty taste.

Grilled vegetables

Meat is usually the star of BBQs, but that doesn’t mean that they have always avoided including vegetables. No one can resist a freshly grilled corn cob season with a melting knob of butter. Charred asparagus works well as part of a main meal with rice and potato salad. All these vegetables are a lighter food option than heavy BBQ food, so you may appreciate them solely because they don’t make your stomach burst.

Veggie pizza

Next to a traditional Italian pizza oven, the heat from the BBQ grill is perfect for making delicious pizzas. Prepare some dough in advance, and make a pizza station full of vegetables, so everyone can enjoy their own veggie pizza.

Light Foods For A Bright Summer

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During winter, we all like to fill our boots. Gravy dishes are the name of the game. Nothing beats a hearty shepherd’s pie to warm the cockles. Oh, and don’t forget the roast dinners. Most winter dishes are stodgy and have heat at their heart. If you can’t get warm on the outside, it’s worth warming your belly. But, these carb-heavy dishes don’t do any good for our waistlines. Quite the opposite. When spring rolls around, the majority of us are an awful lot heavier than we were in the autumn. The goods news is that spring brings sunshine with it. And, nobody wants big plates of food when the sun is shining down. Instead, summer leaves us craving fresh food. You know the drill – salads and light dishes are usually all you can cope with in the summer. That makes it the perfect time to get a hold of those weight issues you developed over the winter. But, what foods are best for keeping your summer light in every way?

SMALLER PORTIONS

This may seem an obvious point, but it’s a good place to start on your journey. During winter, we pile our plates high with everything we can get our hands on. All the better for warming ourselves with. During summer, full plates can become a thing of the past. Instead, you’ll crave small meals to keep you going. Eating too much will leave you feeling uncomfortable in the sun, which no one wants! The benefits of smaller portions are obvious. They’ll help you shake that bloated feeling. Plus, they’ll take you far in your weight loss journey! So, embrace the sun and keep in mind that a big plate of food will leave you feeling horrible. Eating outside can help to bear this in your mind. Eating in the sun is a different experience, and you’re sure to cut down on the amount you consume this way.

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GET GREEN

Greenery is always a good idea at this time of year. Summer is the season for salads, after all. If you avoid salads like they’re poison, now is the perfect time to overcome your fear. They’re the perfect summer choice because they’re light and refreshing. Plus, there’s no risk of eating too much or overheating this way. If you think salads are a boring meal choice, you haven’t been doing them right. It’s not hard to make this an exciting choice if you know a few tricks. Sites like www.onegreenplanet.org can help you in your quest. For the most part, getting creative with what you include is all it takes. A plain bowl of lettuce will be uninspiring for anyone. Including nuts, fruit, and beans in your salad is sure to jazz things up. Salad dressing can also make all the difference. It’s true that these can increase the calorie content, but you can guarantee it’ll still be low. If you don’t want to take the risk, you can make your own, oil free dressing. This is simple and will ensure you aren’t eating anything bad. Recipes, like the ones found here are sure to serve you well.

LOVE TO BE BESIDE THE SEASIDE

Who doesn’t dream of being by the sea when the sun is shining? At the first sign of sun, we flock to the beach like our lives depend on it. But, the sea offers more than sunbathing benefits. It also provides a variety of food that can liven up your summer diet. You don’t need us to tell you about the health benefits of seafood. From weight loss abilities to helping with heart health, the list goes on. The main health benefit of fish is the omega-3 content. Many people are put off by this because it’s classified as a fat, but that’s a misconception. Saturated fats may be bad for us, but omega-3 fatty acids couldn’t be more different.

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Seafood selections can make an exciting summer dish that you can enjoy. First, it’s important to note that not all fish will help in your weight loss journey. Though all are ultimately good for you, and that’s most important. Even so, halibut, tuna, and fresh salmon are your best bets. The way you cook these also makes a difference. Steaming is the best option. Wrap your chosen fillet in foil with any flavorings you fancy. Then, steam it for six minutes in boiling water. It’s sure to taste good on a couscous salad.

It’s not only fish that you can enjoy, either. If you’re bored of your options, branch out and try something different. Oysters and clams, like those found at https://www.citarella.com/shop/oysters-clams, can make a nice change. Again, they’re a low-calorie option that packs a punch. These are also a perfect choice if you’ve got guests coming. Oysters have a real wow factor!

Light Summer foods

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FRUITS FOR YOU

It wouldn’t be a summer diet if we didn’t mention fruit. Thanks to advances in growing and preserving, it’s now possible to get most fruits all year round. But, they’re never better than when they’re naturally in season. There’s a reason they call it summer fruits! Plus, few of us are inspired to eat fruit during the long winter. But, as soon as summer hits, you might want to stock your fruit bowl. Fruits to look out for include nectarines, plums, and watermelons. Get into the habit of eating these as snacks during the day. Until you’ve tried it, you won’t believe the energy boost these high in sugar snacks offer. Don’t worry, though; it’s natural sugar! You would have to eat an awful lot of it to do any harm.

As well as being the perfect snack, fruit is an excellent way to add a sweet kick to your other summer dishes. Including small chunks of fruit in a salad can add a real taste sensation. You could even add a little into that couscous salad you’re serving your fish on. If you find healthy food boring, fruit could be the answer you’ve been looking for!

Gadgets And Gizmos To Bring Cooking Flare To Your Kitchen

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If you love cooking, then chances are you love trying out the latest gadgets and gizmos to help you prepare all those delicious dishes. There are so many to choose from these days! Some make the more menial kitchen jobs a little easier and quicker. Others make the nearly impossible much more practical to achieve. From motorized carving knives to smoothie blenders – we’ve all had a go at one or two. Have you any favorites?

For those that strive to live a healthy life, the healthy diet is essential. Preparing fruit and vegetables is what puts many of us off from eating our five a day. Thankfully, there are plenty of gadgets out there to make life a bit easier. There are automatic fruit squeezers for fresh, zesty juice. There are electric food blitzers for a whole-fruit smoothie (and the odd nut butter). If you’re just looking to peel an apple, there are machines that will create one long spiral of fruit skin for you too. Aren’t they all a pain to clean!

Aside from preparing fresh produce, you may have the odd gadget to cook it too. We’ve all had a microwave at least once in our lives, although some people strive to live without one these days. There are plenty more ways to heat and cook food. Steaming is very popular as it preserves so many of the nutrients. The trouble is evacuating the steam! With the excess moisture comes the smell of everything you’re cooking, from fish to broccoli. Needless to say, steamers are best used with open windows.

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If you love the crunch and flavor of deep fried foods, you might be on the lookout for a device that offers the taste without the fat. There are several options available, and you can visit here for more info on some of the ones out there right now. When you’re searching for the healthiest approach, it doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice flavor. Steam, baking, and low oil frying can deliver the taste as well as the texture you want. Why not experiment with different approaches to see which is best for you?

For those that love the healthy approach, why not invest in an oil sprayer or spritzer? Rather than drizzling from a bottle, or bathing your food in tablespoons of oil, you simply spray. This delivers very little oil, but excellent coverage – just enough to cook with a crispy coat. Have you ever used any apps for your cooking? Why not check out your app store to find some?

Of course, it’s not just the health conscious that can enjoy awesome gadgets and gizmos in the kitchen. If you love cocktails, then a refrigerator with built-in ice chipper is a must! They deliver a whole cup of crushed ice ready for your spirits and syrups (and half a strawberry) to be added. Many also deliver cubed ice. This is perfect for those drinks on the rocks too. If your kids love slushies, then a homemade drink topped with fruit juice makes the best option available. What do you have in your kitchen that you simply couldn’t live without?

Wellness 101

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Wellness is the trendy new term which basically means taking care of ourselves. What was once seen as an indulgence is now being touted as the latest answer to all our prayers. Taking our overall ‘wellness’ into consideration our skin, stress levels, and bodies could all improve. The goal is to live a happier healthier life by taking care of ourselves. We can do that through our diets, exercise, and free time…

What To Eat For Ultimate Wellness

Wellness

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You are what you eat is an age old adage which makes a lot of sense. Eating saturated fats and sugar all the time leaves us feeling sluggish. There is some evidence to suggest that our skin can also start to look worse on this kind of diet. Not to mention we gain fat and have no energy.

It’s worth incorporating some fruit and veg into your diet. These types of foods are full of antioxidants which help our bodies to look and feel great. Vitamins and minerals are essential for our bodies. They help with repair can boost our energy, and can even protect our skin. Vitamin C in particular, found in citrus fruits, is able to help bolster our skin’s defenses. This is good news for those whose skin is looking blotchy, dull, and a little less taut because of overexposure to the sun.

Wellness is about fueling our bodies for the day, with the right things. Salads are great but can be a little boring. Look up some new ideas like cucumber salad recipes. The idea is to use your greens as a base and build on them. So choose lettuce, watercress, rocket, or spinach as your base layer. They add something meaty. This can be chicken, fish, or even mushrooms. Garnishes include figs, mozzarella, olives, and sundried tomatoes.

How To Workout For Ultimate Wellness

Wellness 101

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Working out may seem like a chore but exercise is a big part of wellness. Going for a run is a great workout for our heart, it can also reduce stress, and help us to lose weight. If you prefer a more social workout try cycling or gym classes. These are a great opportunity to catch up with friends whilst doing something productive.

And Relax…

Wellness

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Relaxing is a huge part of wellness. It’s becoming more and more clear that with the stresses of everyday life we need to take some time for ourselves. Whether you’re moving house, busy at work, or simply burnt out, relaxing is important. This can be anything from having a relaxing soak in the bath, meditating, or reading a magazine. Just take some time to think about the day and move forward with the rest of your week. It’s a great chance to refocus our minds on what’s important and let the negativity go.

Transform Your Fussy Eater Once And For All

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If one of your children is a fussy eater, it can be really frustrating. You want your kids to be happy and healthy, and you know that one of the best ways to ensure that is to feed them healthy, nourishing foods. Yet they won’t eat anything you put in front of them! It definitely isn’t healthy for your child to live on things like chicken nuggets and chips, cake, or just one type of food for the rest of their days. Here are some tips that should finally help you to transform your fussy eater once and for all!

Figure Out What Kind Of Fussy Eater Your Child Is

Did you know that there are a number of different reasons your child may be a fussy eater? There are a few different kinds! Finding out which type yours is will help you to stop it once and for all.

Texture Phobic

This kind of fussy eater doesn’t like different textures. They don’t like the texture of certain foods on their tongue, and may also be the kind of kids who are very sensitive to touch and other sensations. They may like smoothies and having vegetables pureed, as they are easier to eat and this will help them get lots of nutrients and good stuff in their diets.  

Supertaster

Did you know that a quarter of the population has more taste buds than average? This means they can actually smell and taste things more intensely than others! If your child says that grapefruit is too bitter and broccoli smells gross, they could be telling the truth. Just because you can’t taste it or smell it as much doesn’t mean they can’t.

The Snacker

If you let your child snack regularly, they’re not going to be so hungry come dinnertime. Many snackers eat a diet high in simple carbohydrates, and that can wreak havoc on blood sugar levels, affecting energy, hunger, and mood. If they’re eating things like crisps and other kiddy style snacks, it will definitely affect their meal times. Try to have healthy snacks on hand, such as chopped up vegetables. If they’re really hungry, they’ll eat them.  

Transform Your Fussy Eater

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The Control Freak

Your child could be a control freak if your meal times are always a power struggle. This child likes to have total control over what they eat and don’t eat. The more you reinforce their negative behaviour and give it attention, the more likely they are to do it. Offering choice is a good approach, for example: would you prefer cooked vegetables or salad with your dinner? This can help them feel as if they have some kind of control over what they’re eating.  

The Heavy Drinker

A child who has to have juice or milk with them all day can be full up for meals. Give them smoothies packed with nutrition and it’ll help them get their veg and fruit intake up. Try to just give them water outside of mealtimes, and they should feel more able to eat their meals. Milk and juice are full of calories, not to mention the sugar in juice! It’s no wonder they don’t want to eat it.

An Underlying Medical Issue

Don’t rule this out. Your child could have an underlying medical issue that’s stopping them from eating their food. It could be anything, such as a digestive disorder, a food allergy, or even autism. There are also possible psychological causes. If you’re confused, visiting a doctor could help you to get to the bottom of it.

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Don’t Call Them A Picky Eater

Calling your child a picky eater gives attention to their eating habits, and they might even try to live up to their label later on down the line. Even if they want to try something new, they may not try it because of this label they feel they have to live up to. Avoid calling your child a picky eater, in front of them or to other people.

Sit Down To The Same Meal Together

Sitting down to the same meal together is the best way to help fussy eaters. Avoid giving them ‘kid food’ and eating separately.  This will allow them to explore a wide variety of foods. They won’t develop a taste for any if you’re not all sitting down together to try them.  There are so many more benefits to eating as a family too. Studies show that kids who eat with their parents do better at school, and are happier in general.

Have A Little Flexibility

This doesn’t mean you should always eat perfectly as a family. Of course you should allow for some flexibility. For instance, if you develop a system where your kids eat lots of portions of fruit and veg per day and you can track it, then maybe you can allow them a small dessert after dinner. Try to take a 90/10 approach to eating. Eat well 90% of the time, and have a treat 10% of the time. Teaching your kids to be healthy is really important, but so is teaching them to be balanced. You want them to grow up into well rounded adults who can make smart choices and live a balanced life. Going too far one way or the other is not healthy. Kids soak up more than you realize when they’re young!

Picky eating

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Stop Power Struggles For Good

A lot of the time, fussy eating is all about a power struggle. You need to put a stop to these power struggles as soon as possible if you want everybody to live healthy, happy lives. Kids will refuse food sometimes to exert their independence and get attention. By making sure you give more attention for the positive, you’ll reinforce that behaviour rather than the negative behaviour. However, it’s usually best to keep your emotions under wraps as best you can. Making it too obvious that you’re anxious about meal times or that you’re super happy they tried a new food can change the way they eat and behave too. Staying neutral most of the time with a little praise is a really good way to reinforce their good habits.

Giving a choice between two healthy options, as mentioned before, is always a good way to stop power struggles.

Have Fun At Meal Times

Start having fun at meal times! Dinner shouldn’t be a time they dread because they have to practice perfect table manners and clear their plates. It should be a time you spend together as a family, sharing happy stories and bonding. How about creating a dinner time ritual? You could go around the table and share something great that happened to you that day. You could even light candles and make it a special occasion. Cut food into fun shapes. Encourage kids to peel their sprouts with their fingers. Who cares about mess if they’re enjoying their vegetables?

Of course you should probably not encourage too much mess if you’re eating in a restaurant. The main thing is to make sure you all look forward to your meal times.

Don’t Scare Them

Some things may scare your kids when it comes to food. You shouldn’t threaten them with punishment for not eating their dinner. Educate them instead. Give them short explanations about which foods are good for us and why. It’s probably best not to talk too much about things like the listeria outbreak, especially if they scare easily. However, depending on how old they are you could talk to them about things like that too. The more your kids know, the better!

Many people, even adults, don’t make the correlation between eating rubbish and feeling rubbish. If you educate your kids early on, they’ll know the best foods to eat to feel great.

Cook Food Together

Chances are, if your kids have helped you prepare something for dinner, they’re going to want to try it. This can be a great bonding experience for you both, and it can help them to break through the things that make them not want to try certain foods.

Don’t Give Up

Don’t give up on trying to feed your kids a variety of healthy foods. Food refusal doesn’t mean dislike. Sometimes, they just aren’t ready to try something new, especially if they haven’t had anything like it before. Always offer them lots of choice, and have a positive attitude around their meal times.  You shouldn’t force them to try something new, but having a defeatist attitude towards feeding them won’t get you very far.

Consider Hypnotherapy

This may be a last ditch attempt to help your kids, but hypnotherapy could potentially be a powerful way to help them change their eating habits. A woman who would only eat chicken nuggets for 24 years was recently cured by this technique!

Start using some of these tips now and you could transform your fussy eater once and for all. The sooner you start, the better. Studies have shown that many adults with strange eating habits picked them up as children.

Moving Day: The Cans And Can’ts

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So, moving day is coming up? Good for you; the hard work is nearly over. But, we would be lying if we said it’s all plain sailing from here. In truth, it doesn’t get much harder than the day itself. The good news is, by that point, the end is so close that you don’t mind. The best way to ensure the day goes smoothly is to plan.The more you know about how things are going to progress, the better. One thing to note is that there are some things you can do yourself, and some things you most definitely can’t. It’s important you know which is which. How else can you get things right?


CAN


Let’s look first at the things you can do. These are going to be a huge help, because you don’t have to rely on anyone else. You don’t have to book an appointment with yourself or wait until a particular time. You can get on and get to work! One thing you can do is, of course, the packing. In fact, nobody but you can tackle this one. You can also stock your boxes. Moving companies do provide them for you, but they come at a cost. Where possible, find your own. Ask at local shops, and see if your friends have any hiding away. Then, get to work.

It’s also down to you to develop a packing system that works.Your best bet is to take things step by step. Make sure to keep a pen with you, and write down which room each box needs to go in. Doing this will save you an enormous amount of hassle at the other end! Else, you’ll spend the first days in your new home searching through never ending boxes.

CAN’T

As we mentioned, there are a few things you can’t do. Yes, you may have packed yourself. But, there’s no way you can get everything to your new home. For one thing, there’s going to be some heavy lifting involved. This is not a one-woman job. Plus, you’re going to need a van big enough to carry everything. That’s why you need to contact a company like Chess Moving to do that part for you. Having a few hands on board will be a huge help. Plus, you’ll be able to rest easy that your belongings are in the hands of the professionals.

If you’re not keen on hiring a company, you could ask around any friends who have vans. Then, ask you other friends, or family members, to provide some extra pairs of hands. Bear in mind, though, that your friends may not have done this before. You won’t be able to sit back and know that your belongings are safe as can be. On the plus side, this does mean you have hands on deck for helping unpack at the other end. Although, that’s one of the things you can do yourself. And, in all honesty, it may be easiest if you do!

Entertainment for Less

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Keeping your budget in check and having a good time often don’t go hand in hand and if you’re not careful, all those trips to the movies and restaurant meals can put a serious dent in your bank balance, but it doesn’t have to. It is perfectly possible to keep yourself, and your family entertained without it costing the earth.

Here are some ways you can enjoy your favorite forms of entertainment for less:

Sign up for Dining Deals

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Many restaurants and food chains periodically offer deals and vouchers to the people who are signed up to their newsletters. So, log on to your favorite eateries’ websites, give them your email address and wait for the deals to roll into your inbox.

Host a Game Night

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If you live for spending time with your friends, but you’re finding it difficult to afford all those theater trips, late night drinking sessions, and bowling battles, why not host your own game night instead? Most of your friends will have a few board games or console classics, so ask them each to bring one along, buy some cheap booze and have yourself a good old time that won’t cost you more than a bottle of wine or two.

Change Your TV Subscription

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Switching from cable to a bundle internet and DIRECTV subscription, or getting your TV solely from streaming sites will cut the cost of your home-based entertainment significantly, which means you will have more money to play with it comes to outside entertainment, or you’ll be able to put more money aside each month.

Potluck Dinners

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If eating out with friends is your thing, you’ll all save a small fortune by switching to regular potluck dinners. As each guest to bring along a course and you’ll be able to eat like kings on a budget. Just be sure that you each take turns to play host so that none of you end up shouldering the bulk of the cleaning up or the utility costs.

See a Show at a Second-Run Theater

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Instead of rushing to see the latest superhero movie the second it hits the theaters, wait for a few weeks and see it at the second-run theater. You’ll save several dollars, which will add up over time if you’re an avid theater goer and help you save for those important things you want in life.

Take Advantage of Free Rentals

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If you’re signed up to Google Play, Redbox, and other rental companies, you will find that they often send you free rental codes or money off vouchers, which you can use to see a great movie for free.

Buy Humble Bundles

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If gaming is your entertainment of choice, you can make huge savings by joining Steam and buying their humble bundles, which give you access to multiple games for just a few dollars. You’ll be able to have hours of entertainment and build up your collection for a fraction of the price the average console game would set you back.

What do you do when you want to save money on entertainment?

 

DESTINY 2 Game Announcement And Game Trailer

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I just received Some exciting news I wanted to pass on to my gaming friends:

“Bungie and Activision Publishing, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Activision Blizzard, Inc. (NASDAQ: ATVI), announced Destiny 2, the sequel to the internationally acclaimed Destiny, a first-person action game that takes the player on an epic journey to defend humanity from annihilation.

The official Destiny 2 reveal trailer, “Rally the Troops,” debuted a character-driven glimpse at Destiny 2’s story today. Additionally, the first hands-on gameplay reveal livestream will be broadcast around the world on May 18. The broadcast will showcase a variety of fun, action-oriented activities within Destiny 2, and will highlight the brand-new, epic adventure waiting for players. With a fresh start for all players right from the opening cinematic, Destiny 2 will expand across the globe with a worldwide release on September 8. Destiny 2 will be available on PlayStation®4 systems with additional, timed exclusive* content, Xbox One(PlayStation®Plus or Xbox Live Gold subscription, respectively, required for significant features), and for the first time inDestiny’s history, a new platform to enjoy this universe will be offered. Destiny 2 is coming to PC!

Destiny 2

In Destiny 2, the last safe city on Earth has fallen and lays in ruins, occupied by a powerful new enemy and his elite army, the Red Legion. Every player creates their own character called a “Guardian,” humanity’s chosen protectors. As a Guardian in Destiny 2, players must master new abilities and weapons to reunite the city’s forces, stand together and fight back to reclaim their home. The official Destiny 2 reveal trailer, “Rally the Troops,” shows two of the Vanguard, leaders of the Guardians, inspiring the people of the last city in an impassioned (and occasionally sarcastic) call to arms. In Destiny 2 players will answer this call, embarking on a fresh story filled with new destinations around our solar system to explore, and an expansive amount of activities to discover. There is something for almost every type of gamer in Destiny 2, including gameplay for solo, cooperative and competitive players set within a vast, evolving and exciting universe.

 

Destiny 2 is currently Rating Pending (RP) by the ESRB and will be available at a suggested retail price of $59.99. The product line-up will also feature the Destiny 2 – Game + Expansion Pass Bundle at $89.99 SRP, the Destiny 2 – Digital Deluxe Edition featuring premium digital content at $99.99 SRP, the Limited Edition at $99.99 SRP, and the Collector’s Edition, featuring a fully-wearable Destiny 2 – Frontier Bag, Expansion Pass, premium digital content and a Cabal-themed Collector’s Box for $249.99 SRP.

 

For more game information, visit www.DestinyTheGame.com and follow the official Destiny social channels on Facebook and @DestinyTheGame on Instagram and Twitter. The community can interact directly with the developers atwww.Bungie.net, Facebook, @Bungie on Twitter, and www.Twitch.tv/Bungie on Twitch.

 

About Bungie

Bungie is an independent, employee-owned game development studio dedicated to creating hopeful worlds that inspire passionate player communities. For more than two-and-a-half decades that purpose has led to the creation of some of the industry’s most celebrated gaming franchises, including Marathon, Myth, Halo, and Destiny. Today, Bungie is focused on developing the next highly-anticipated release in the Destiny universe, Destiny 2.

 

About Activision Publishing, Inc.

Headquartered in Santa Monica, California, Activision Publishing, Inc. is a leading global producer and publisher of interactive entertainment. Activision maintains operations throughout the world and is a division of Activision Blizzard (NASDAQ: ATVI), an S&P 500 company.  More information about Activision and its products can be found on the company’s website, www.activision.com or by following @Activision.