Category: Lifestyle

  • How to Save Money When Buying Appliances

    How to Save Money When Buying Appliances

    I know some moms and wifes wish, hope and pray that there appliance will go just so they can shop for a new one. Back in the day you just went to Sears, looked for your color and the gentlemen there took care of it all from there. Times have changed, and appliances seem to go right at the worst time. So saving as much as you can when you need to replace these major house hold items is vital. Lets talk about How to Save Money When Buying Appliances.

     

    There are some very crucial steps that need to be taken before you start shopping. First, Budget. This should be the first step with almost any purchase. Appliance have a huge range of cost, a new stove could run you north of $6000 on some of these new high end options. Find your budget, then i’ll teach you how to maximize it. Here are some quick tips on How to save money when buying appliances.

     

    When it comes to shopping for home appliances, quality matters. Buying a product with helpful reviews saves you future money that other products require for maintenance. Look for the best products and see the top brands of home appliances. Find the quality brands, Kenmore, Maytag, GE, ect.

    Measure and know your needs. Find the options and types you need. In stove ranges, gas or electric? Fridge, French doors? Bottom freezer? which way will the walls allow the doors to open? Plan out your exact needs

    Dents Lower the Price

    Some customers return products after they notice tiny dents or scratches. Of course, these are unaesthetic. However, they don’t interfere with how the product works. Some scratches might bring substantial savings, without being noticeable.

    Stores usually discount products with dents with 30 – 60% of their regular price. Yet, this doesn’t always depend on the side of the dents. Some even discount them for a side dent that your furniture covers.

    Buy Smart

    Of course you want to make a smart buy, but that’s not what im talking about. Buy smart appliances. Ive talked about this many times before. Smart Appliances give you the option of managing all of your home devices from one place. The convenience factor here is enormous. With Increased energy efficiency and improved appliance functionality, maximizing home security, the benefits are endless. The real reason is the value smart appliances and smart tech add to your home. The return on investments is huge.

    Buy Local

    The owners of local appliance stores are usually families or small-sized companies which aim to have costs which are than the ones of large stores. Also, small stores might receive discounts to include specific old products in their offer.

    Local stores however also have an inconvenient: they’re small. Clients may not find what they need in the first store. So, finding the right product might take time. However, it also saves money. They are usually

    Look For Open Box or Scratch and Dent

    Though you wouldn’t think twice about buying a toaster or a coffee maker online, ordering a large appliance online takes a bigger leap. But it’s one that more and more shoppers are willing to make, especially if they visit a store first.

    After all, you’ll probably want to get a firsthand look at the materials and controls of the refrigerator or dishwasher you’re considering. Ordering online often comes with free shipping, though you probably can’t skip out on tax. And you can still attempt to barter by contacting a customer-service rep either by phone or in an online chat.

    Check OnLine

    Though you wouldn’t think twice about buying a toaster or a coffee maker online, ordering a large appliance online takes a bigger leap. But it’s one that more and more shoppers are willing to make, especially if they visit a store first.

    After all, you’ll probably want to get a firsthand look at the materials and controls of the refrigerator or dishwasher you’re considering. Ordering online often comes with free shipping, though you probably can’t skip out on tax. And you can still attempt to barter by contacting a customer-service rep either by phone or in an online chat.

    Note JCPenney Rebate Program

    JCPenney is quietly and excellent place to buy appliances. They have a rebate program that gets you cash back on large purchases. Unlike most appliance you don’t have to purchase multiple appliances.  The benefit of JCPenney’s rebate program is you can get cash back on a single dishwasher instead of needing to buy an entire kitchen’s worth of appliances in order to qualify. Not to mention aggressive pricing and all kinds of sales.

  • Have You Heard of CoolSculpting? The Coolest New Way to Fight Fat

    Have You Heard of CoolSculpting? The Coolest New Way to Fight Fat

    CoolSculpting is a new, noninvasive procedure that uses cold to help eliminate fat from the body. It’s not quite like liposuction, as it’s not a surgery and is much less invasive. Today we’re going to tell you everything you need to know about the coolest new way to fight fat: CoolSculpting.

    Facts You Should Know about CoolSculpting

    Why CoolSculpting?

    Many people like CoolSculpting because it helps them target specific areas they may feel insecure about. It’s not invasive like liposuction and people feel more confident in this FDA approved procedure. After all, you can’t help how you body stores fat, and exercise can’t isolate areas where you want to lose weight. That’s where this new procedure, utilizing cold temperatures, comes in!

    How Does it Work

    The procedure utilizes a process called cryolipolysis to freeze fat cells. The clinician applying the procedure uses a device to apply cold to the skin above the targeted fat cells. This causes the fat cells to die due to the low temperature.

    Your body then undergoes a process to eliminate the dead fat cells naturally over the course of weeks or months. The process takes about an hour in the clinic and then you’re good to go! People often see 20 to 25 percent reduction in fat content in a given area. This allows for targeted weight loss in problem areas that you can’t seem to get!

    Is it Safe?

    The CoolSculpting procedure doesn’t require anesthetic, takes only about an hour and has been approved by the FDA since 2012. There are a few side effects, like bruising, swelling, cramping, pinching sensations and itchiness that could occur. However, the process is otherwise considered quite safe.

    Reminders

    This process isn’t for weight loss: it targets specific areas of fat to help those near their weight goals burn down the last little bit of fat. You’ll have to keep up a healthy diet and exercise regiment to stay at your target weight.

    People who have CoolSculpting done have to put in the maintenance to keep the fat off. That said, if you’re struggling to shed the last little pocked of fat somewhere, consider this procedure to help get rid of it.

  • Facts You Need to Know about Adult Asthma

    Facts You Need to Know about Adult Asthma

    There are people who erroneously think of asthma as the sort of thing you grow out of. The fact of the matter is, there are many adults with asthma. In fact, some even develop new or worsening asthma symptoms as they get older. Here are some important facts you need to know about adult asthma.

    Facts You Need to Know about Adult Asthma

    Symptoms

    Asthma is caused by a constriction of the bronchi while breathing. This often manifests as shortness of breath, wheezing, chest pain and/or tightness in the chest. For many adults, they notice these symptoms most strongly when they are exerting themselves, whether they are working out or simply have a physically demanding job.

    Many adults don’t even know that they have asthma, especially those who aren’t active often. They get short of breath and simply brush it off. If you feel like something is wrong with your breathing, don’t be ashamed to see your doctor.

    Risks

    Those who had asthma as children are at a naturally higher risk of developing adult asthma. People with severe seasonal allergies are also more susceptible to asthma symptoms than those without. Women who are pregnant or going through menopause may be at higher likelihood of developing asthma as well. The hormones released during these experiences can inflame the lungs.

    Those with GERD, or acid reflux, could be at a higher risk for asthma as well. The presence of acid can trigger a bronchial spasm and cause irritation that leads to asthma. Some people are at higher risk due to their jobs. Those who work around fumes or dust that they can inhale may find their lungs inflamed and develop adult-onset asthma.

    Treatment

    If you think you have asthma, see your doctor. People who are diagnosed with asthma carry inhalers that are full of medicine to help your lungs relax when experiencing bronchial spasms. This can be life-saving, as asthma attacks could cause you to fall unconscious.

    Asthma is a serious thing. If you feel like you are constantly short of breath and can’t ever catch up, you may be living with asthma. There’s nothing wrong with seeing a doctor.

  • Planning on Painting? 5 Tips When Painting Your Home

    Planning on Painting? 5 Tips When Painting Your Home

    A fresh coat of exterior paint can transform even the most run-down “fixer-upper” into a stylish “classic,” dramatically boosting curb appeal and adding thousands of dollars to your home’s resale value. Even if you’re not trying to sell your house, a professional-grade exterior paint job can protect it from the elements — wind, rain, mold and mildew — or at the very least, make your neighbors jealous. If you are planning on painting,  Ive got 5 tips when painting your home Id like to share with you.

    I spent a few of my youthful years painting for a living. I picked up a lot of tips and tricks, that not only save time but improve the end result. Lets go through some of these learned lessons and painting tips to make this task simpler.  With good preparation and a few tricks of the trade, painting interior ceilings and walls is a simple process that can yield professional results. Lets take a look at my 5 Tips When Painting Your Home

    Sand, Caulk and Prep

    To get a super smooth finish on your doors, windows and timber trim, give each coat a light sand before applying the next coat. The undercoat raises the grain on raw timber and sanding will knock this off and flatten out any brush strokes. If you’re using gloss paint, sanding after the first finishing coat will knock off some of the shine and help the final coat stick. I always recommend sanding and using a caulk to fill in any small blemishes. Use good caulk, the cheap stuff shrinks.

    Quality Equipment

    Good paint brushes feel ridiculously expensive so for a long time I wouldn’t spend the money. Then, I bought one of these rubber gripped edging brushes, and the difference was amazing. The biggest tip you can give a painter is to buy the best quality brushes and rollers you can afford. Good quality brushes leave less brush marks and give you better coverage. Cheap equipment is more likely to drop bristles and fibres, so you have to spend time picking them out and going over the job again. They’ll also last a lot longer, saving you money in the long run. Properly cared for, quality painting equipment will last for years.Good paint brushes feel ridiculously expensive so for a long time I wouldn’t spend the money. Then, I bought one of these rubber gripped edging brushes, and the difference was amazing.

    Good Paint, 2 Coats

    number 2 on my 5 Tips When Painting Your Home is get good quality paint and enough for two coats of paint, then paint in the same order as you applied the primer—ceiling first and then walls. Brush or roll from top to bottom. If the primer you chose was of good quality, you may need only one coat of paint. You will always want 2 coats of paint, this is a rule you can’t bend. Primer 1 Paint 2. With good high quality paint you can get away with just 2 coat and skipp the primer.

    Use a Rolling Screen in a 5 Gallon Bucket

    You can try to Line your roller pan by putting a plastic grocery sack or trash sack (inside out if it has writing on it) on the paint tray. Then you can just invert the sack when you’re done and throw it away. You can also line with foil, but the plastic bag is quicker, easier and results in less mess. If you’re taking a break or switching to a different task, you don’t have to spend time washing out the brush or roller, just wrap it up in cling wrap. Load it up with paint first and make sure the air can’t get in, which will dry out the paint. I always just go straight for a roller screen in a 5 gallon bucket, its quick and easy.

    This doesn’t mean you need to buy five gallons of paint. Instead of pouring from a gallon into a tray, you can dump the whole gallon into a five-gallon bucket with a paint screen. It’s far easier and less messy to load paint this way. I still use a tray if I’m doing a small space—like a hallway or bathroom—but if I know I’m going to use a gallon or more of paint, a bucket is the way to go.

    Use a Lined Pail for Cutting In

    last of the 5 Tips When Painting Your Home is on cutting in. “Cutting in” is when you use a brush to paint all of the edges and corners of a room. It often requires being on a ladder or step-stool for the edge around the ceiling, and you have to reload your brush with paint quite often. While I try to avoid any tools that feel “gimmicky” I’ve found the HANDy Paint Pail or similar lined paint pails to be quite useful.

    They use liners which, yes, are more expensive, but it’s one less thing to clean so I find the expense is worth it for me. It also has a handle which, for my small hands, is way easier and more comfortable than trying to grip a quart of paint in one hand while climbing up and down a ladder. That scenario has ended in disaster for me more than once.

     

     

  • This Years Best Deals on Speakers

    This Years Best Deals on Speakers

    It is the time of year you always wish you had a better sound system. It is also the time of year you can get the best deals on implementing your new sound system. Ive gone and summed up the best ways to boost your music and entertainment sound system and the best deals on those speakers. First lets start with the best option the Sonos Sound System.

    The Best Buy For an Expandable System; Sonos Sound System

    Sonos, Look no further then Sonos. Quality, Price, Performance and Customization. You get this all with the Sonos Sound System.

    Sonos is the wireless Home Sound System that can fill many rooms simultaneously with immersive sound. The easy-to-use wireless home system has impressive sounding speakers giving users a rich, crystal-clear sound; enhancing TV and movie experience with just a tap. The Sonos line includes the Sonos One, Sonos Play, Sonos Beam and Sonos Playbar, all streaming over wi-fi, so the music never stops.

    The Sonos Play:1 is so good, that it easily earns the best budget title. Although there’s no way around the WiFi-only aspect of the Play:1, it’s hardly a deal breaker and, in fact, might be a strong benefit. The design is a little clunky, with some comparing it to a coffee can, but at 4.7 inches wide, 6.4 inches deep and weighing 4.1 pounds, it’s not designed for portability.

    Setup is a snap. Just download the free Sonos app for Android or iOS, run the app, follow the instructions and play. One caveat is that music must be played back from the Sonos app since it doesn’t utilize either Airplay or Bluetooth. However, given the wide range of streaming choices (Spotify, Google Play Music and Prime Music), you shouldn’t run into a problem. Unfortunately, Apple Music doesn’t work with Sonos, but you can utilize your full iTunes library through the app.

    The 3.5-inch woofer and two amps are powered by a wall outlet connector and can easily fill up a room with volume and sound. For the price tag, the Play:1 is not just the most affordable Sonos speaker to date, it’s also a great choice if you’re looking for something simple and easy without having to spend a lot of money on a huge audio system

     

    Build Your Sonos System

    To get the Best deal and best sound for your music and entertainment system your best bet is to start your Sonos system with a Play:5, the big brother of the bunch, and work your way down.  Once you have the center component measure out your rooms and build accordingly. Lastly add the final peice the Sonos Sound System Playbar and a Play One is a great pick for kitchens, bedrooms and studies. If you want the latest and greatest from Sonos, check out the brand-new Sonos Playbase – it’s a speaker and TV stand all in one package.

    Right around the holidays, mostly, but do happen sporadically  throughout the year as well you can find great deals on the Sonos Sound System components. What makes DOnos the best deals is you can build as you go and capitalize on the right sales. Wait for the Bogo offers on the Play 1 around Thanksgiving and Christmas. Throughout the year look for the $50 and $75 off to snag your soundbar and Home Base.

     

     

    Best System for the Money

    Bose advertises the SoundTouch 30 Series III as their “best-performing one-piece wireless music system”. This means it’s on the more expensive side, but well worth the splurge. Colors come in black and white. While I have not seen any great fall deals on this yet, they are sure to come. At a reasonable $499 this is the best one shot system money can buy.

    The Bose SoundTouch 30 Series III will capture every riff, beat, and note from your music playlist. Its patented technology is engineered to fill any room, large or small, with deep and robust sound. best part is it’s just a one-piece system. Out of the box to music is a simple quick set up. Bluetooth-enabled and wireless, additional Bose speakers can be added on, meaning you can turn a warehouse into an acoustic heaven.

    Worth Mentioning The Apple HomePod

    Apple’s awesome-sounding smart speaker has two major knocks. Siri still isn’t as good a voice assistant as Alexa and Google, and the $350 price is just too high. This Best Buy discount nicely addresses the second issue, getting it to a much more reasonable $250. If you want a great deal on a high end and affordable music speaker, grab one or two of these. Unbox, plug in, power on, sign in and jam. Nuff said

  • 5 Things Every Man Needs to Know About Blood Thinners

    5 Things Every Man Needs to Know About Blood Thinners

    If your doctor prescribed a blood thinner, read this first! About 2 to 3 million people take blood thinners, but many patients aren’t as well informed as they should be. Here’s what you need to know about how these drugs work—and common side effects to expect.

    What’s in a Name?

    The name “blood thinners” isn’t quite accurate. Drugs such as warfarin don’t actually make the blood thinner. Instead, they help prevent your blood from forming clots. Blood clots are extremely dangerous. They can form anywhere in the body and then travel to the heart or brain, causing heart attack or stroke.

    How Blood Thinners Work

    Blood cells known as platelets like to clump together, forming clots. That’s great if you have a cut and need the bleeding to stop. It’s not so good if you have arteriosclerosis or at risk for deep-vein thrombosis. Vitamin K is an essential player when it comes to forming blood clots. Blood thinners interrupt the vitamin’s ability to coagulate the blood. These drugs can stop new clots from forming and reduce the size of existing clots.

    Who Can Benefit from Blood Thinners?

    If you’re at risk for a heart attack or stroke, your doctor might prescribe one of these medications. People with heart disease are most commonly prescribed anticoagulants. Patients who have an abnormal heart rhythm known as atrial fibrillation may also be prescribed these drugs. If you’ve recently had surgery—especially heart valve replacement—you’ll likely be given a prescription for one of these medications.

    Risks and Side Effects

    One of the biggest risks in taking blood thinners, even for a short period of time, is injury. Because your blood can’t clot normally, your chance of bleeding or bruising is much higher. Head injuries are especially dangerous while you are taking blood thinners. You should also keep an eye on any abnormal bleeding, and tell your doctor right away if you notice any issues.

    Some people may experience headaches while taking blood thinners. But don’t reach for that bottle of Aleve or Advil quite yet! Non-steriodal anti-inflammatory drugs (also known as NSAIDs) can increase your risk of bleeding. You should also avoid certain herbal supplements, like St. John’s wort, while taking prescription anticoagulants.

    How to Live Your BEST Life on Blood Thinners

    While taking a prescription anticoagulant, it’s important to be mindful of your health. You can still do most of your normal activities. The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality recommends following the BEST method:

    • Be Careful—Don’t put yourself in unnecessary danger of falls or injuries
    • Eat Right—If you’re taking warfarin, don’t eat foods high in vitamin K such as broccoli, kale, and cabbage. You should also avoid alcohol while on blood thinners.
    • Stick to a Routine—Now is not the time to shake up your routine or take on major responsibilities. Your health is your top priority.
    • Test Regularly—Your doctor will order regular tests to make sure that the medication is at the right level for you.

    Whether you’re only on blood thinners for a few months or the long haul, as long as you follow these tips and your doctor’s orders, you should be able to maintain a normal, healthy, and active life.

  • Tired All the Time? Here are the Best Natural Ways to Increase Your Energy

    Tired All the Time? Here are the Best Natural Ways to Increase Your Energy

    It’s not normal to feel tired and exhausted all the time. No matter how rough your job is, a healthy person shouldn’t always feel like they’re about to fall over. If you feel this way, you might be making it through your day only with help from coffee and energy drinks. Here are some natural ways to increase your energy. These methods are way better for you than energy drinks, too.

    Best Natural Ways to Increase Your Energy

    Eat Better

    Stop eating junk food, stop drinking soda and cut processed sugars out of your diet. Processed foods are worse than just being bad for you, they drain your energy. If you’re always filling up on empty calories and junk then you’re not getting the nutrients you need. Similarly, if you drink to excess often then your body will rarely be getting good rest.

    You get out what you put in. If you put good, clean food into your body then you’re going to just feel better. That’s really all there is to it! While fatty junk foods might taste great, are they worth your health?

    Work Out More

    This one goes hand in hand with the previous point. If you’re eating better then you can start working out to up your natural energy. By building up your muscles and getting into better shape you’re naturally going to just feel better. If you’re constantly eating junk and letting yourself laze about all day then you’re absolutely going to have lower energy.

    Consider getting a workout buddy to keep you committing to hitting the gym. People naturally work harder when their friends are keeping them accountable. While you’re at it, consider quitting any harmful lifestyles you may have with the help from your gym buddy. This includes smoking and heavy drinking.

    Get More Sleep

    This one sounds like a no-brainer, but it bears pointing out. If you’re eating better and working out more, the final pillar of good health (and natural energy) is good sleep. Sleep at least eight hours every night and try getting to bed (and getting up) earlier. It might sound lame to go to bed at 10 PM, but when you awake at 6 and crank out a great workout before work, you’re going to feel so much better.

  • Top Five Whitening Toothpaste

    Top Five Whitening Toothpaste

    A big bright white smile is the first thing most people notice when they meet someone. There are many teeth whitening systems and products including whitening toothpaste, over-the-counter gels, rinses, strips, trays, and whitening products obtained from a dentist.

    Teeth whitening is ideal for people who have healthy, unrestored teeth (no fillings) and gums. Individuals with yellow tones to their teeth respond best. But this cosmetic procedure is not recommended for everyone. I’m here to help you Find out if teeth whitening is right for you. While there are many ways to go about whitening your teeth, lets look at the easiest t methods. Toothpaste, Her are the Top 5 Whitening Toothpaste.

    Whitening Toothpastes

    All toothpastes help remove surface stains, because they contain mild abrasives. Some whitening toothpastes contain gentle polishing or chemical agents that provide additional stain removal effectiveness. Whitening toothpastes can help remove surface stains only and do not contain bleach; over-the-counter and professional whitening products contain carbamide peroxide or hydrogen peroxide that helps lighten the color deep in the tooth. Whitening toothpastes can lighten the tooth’s color by about one shade. In contrast, prescription strength whitening conducted in your dentist’s office can make your teeth three to eight shades lighter.

    Fluoridex Enhanced Whitening Toothpaste

    Fluoridex® offers an Enhanced Whitening formula that is the first professional strength fluoride toothpaste enhanced to provide the additional benefit of whitening. It offers the same anticaries benefits of the original Daily Defense formula, Plus silica to help remove surface stains without the use of hydrogen peroxide. Prescribe to patients who have recently undergone a whitening treatment, for ongoing shade maintenance.

    Cali White Activated Organic & Charcoal Whitener

    Infused with antiseptic and the remineralizing properties of Diatomaceous Earth, Tea Tree Oil, Coconut Oil, Xylitol and Peppermint Oil. All the ingredients your Mom would want you to have in an everyday toothpaste. This stuff is great! I get excited when it’s time to brush my teeth. I’m not sure how many times a day I should use it, but for now I used it in the morning, and regular toothpaste at night, and it’s working fabulously!
    It is using activated charcoal teeth whitening; a reheated, oxidized version of the stuff you buy for summer cookouts, like a natural tooth whitener. Activated charcoal’s natural adhesive qualities let it bind with surface-staining culprits like coffee, tea, wine, and plaque, and take them off your teeth for good when you spit it out. However, its whitening power stops at stains

    Crest 3D Radiant Mint Whitening Toothpaste

    This is the toothpaste that is in everyone’s bathroom. Its cheap, available and it works. Crest 3D White Radiant Mint Whitening Toothpaste uses a patented enamel-safe teeth whitening ingredient that polishes away stains to gently whiten teeth. Its unique formula creates foaming action to clean, protect and whiten teeth with a cool blast of mint as part of your complete dental health regimen. 3D White fluoride toothpaste also strengthens your tooth enamel and helps protect against cavities

    Arm & Hammer Advanced

    Getting back to the basics, the old school way. Baking soda. IT has nice packaging and easy to find. I used to do the old school method of actual baking soda, so this is a healthier way ! Exceeded my expectations and is very effective. It not only whitens your teeth and freshens breath, but it really is great on your gums . I like to keep things simple with my teeth.. and this toothpaste changed things for me. Using crest I had horrible issues going on. Once I switched, the difference was almost immediate.

    FineVine Charcoal Mint Flavor Whitening Toothpaste

    The FineVine charcoal whitening toothpaste is an ideal option for both women and men with sensitive teeth. Its activated charcoal coconut formula is specially designed to eliminate the toughest impurities and stains inside your mouth while cleaning and polishing your teeth. What’s more, it is able to improve your enamel, boost the gum health, and removing harmful bacteria for a better and fresher breath. Last but not least, this is an all-natural product so you can be sure to use it frequently without worrying about any effects of chemicals.

  • 5 Great Ways to Make Iced Coffee at Home. 

    5 Great Ways to Make Iced Coffee at Home. 

    When my sister introduced me to iced coffee, I didn’t think I’d like it. Not only did I like it, I decided I could learn how to make iced coffee on my own. I became obsessed with iced coffee. You need to get your cold caffeine on. Now the fix just got so much better. Let me tell you 5 great ways to make Iced coffee at home.

     

    Iced coffee is my life. When I wake up, often around the time party animals on the west coast are just heading home, I start each day not with a cup of freshly brewed hot java, but with a tall, blessed glass of creamy iced coffee in a glass. I’ve been an iced coffee junkie for years and years. To say I couldn’t live without it is an understatement. It gives me the tools I need to cope.

    Iced coffee is a complicated thing, and there are many different approaches. One would think that one could merely pour brewed coffee into a glass full of ice and call it a day…but I find that method extremely flawed. First, no matter how packed with ice the glass is, once the hot coffee hits, some of the ice is bound to melt. This has two disastrous results. First the The overall strength of the coffee flavor is diluted. Then iced coffee isn’t as cold as it could (or should) be. The finished glass of iced coffee should be frigid, not sorta cold with half-melted ice cubes floating around. Do I have a Solution, yes cold brew.

    Cold Brew

    First, find a bag of the strongest coffee you can find. I like to use Cafe Busto’s dark espresso. Pour in the coffee to a large container, 3 gallons at least. Add 2 gallons of cold water. cold water… Mix and cover the container. Let this sit in your fridge for 12-24 hours. When the time has passed, grab a separate container and place a fine mesh strainer over the top.Place a couple of layers of cheesecloth inside the strainer. Slowly pour the steeped coffee through the strainer. Be patient it will take a little while to seep through. Use a spoon to gently press/force the last of the liquid through. Transfer your coffee gold to a new container. This amount of coffee concentrate lasts me a good three weeks to a month if kept tightly covered in the fridge.

    Flash Brew

    Not your cup of coffee? we you are wrong, but try the Flash Brew method and see if that is more your unrefined style. People who love the nuances of hot coffee and those who drink their coffee black will gravitate towards flash brew for keeping the same profile of a hot cup of coffee while adding that extra oomph. Here are a few tricks to getting the perfect iced coffee, flash brew-style:

    Brew your hot, fresh coffee. Make it stronger than usual; you’ll be diluting it with ice. The strength of the brew depends on how many ice cubes you plan to use.
    If you want sugar in your coffee, add it now as the granules tend to dissolve more easily in hot liquid.Transfer your freshly-brewed coffee into a carafe. Let the coffee cool to room temperature (approximately one hour), then move into the refrigerator for a further two hours to thoroughly chill.Fill a tall glass with the chilled coffee, add a few ice cubes plus milk or cream, if preferred. Stir well and serve.

    • Use a full-bodied coffee to avoid tartness
    • For an iced coffee with a sweet, creamy, and/or chocolate flavor profile, go with a roast from Guatemala, El Salvador, Costa Rica, and Honduras. Think cream soda on the rocks!
    • For a refreshing tea-like iced coffee with fruit notes go with an Ethiopian or Kenyan roast. The fruit flavors will pop on ice.

    Vietnamese Iced Coffee

    Vietnamese Iced Coffee is a very strong coffee. This intensely brewed concentrate is creamy, rich, smooth in texture and has a bold flavor. Here is how to make Vietnamese iced coffee without using Vietnamese coffee filter.To make this coffee, any type of coffee grounds can be used. In Vietnam, the Cafe Du Monde French Roast Chicory is usually appreciated as the benchmark. But, as long as the coffee is light to medium coarse, it can be used in the preparation of this coffee. It is easy, Fill a tall glass with ice cubes. Pour the freshly brewed coffee in the glass.Pour 2 tbsp condensed milk on top and mix gently. Serve immediately.

     

    Not Enough Time, Try Instant Iced Coffee

    You know how you’ve always been told that instant coffee had to be made hot? Well it also makes iced coffee! Just mix cold water with instant coffee grounds, add some creamer, and stir. It can take a minute or two for the coffee to dissolve, but it does!

     

    Keitel Style

    I hoped you picked up some good Iced coffee ideas and skills. Iced Coffee on a hot day can pick you up and set you free. Lets be honest though, There is only one way to drink coffee, Keitel style. Hot, lots a cream, lots a sugar.

  • If You Have Type 2 Diabetes You Need to Avoid These Foods

    If You Have Type 2 Diabetes You Need to Avoid These Foods

    Type-2 diabetes affects as much as ten percent of the adult population of the United States. If you’ve recently been diagnosed with diabetes it can be scary to figure out what you should do. Always listen to your doctor’s advice and follow medical guidelines. While you’re at it, make sure you avoid these foods.

    Foods to Avoid if You have Type-2 Diabetes

    Milkshakes

    As much as you may love them, you need to avoid milkshakes. The classic milkshake is full of carbohydrates, sugar, calories and fat and is absolutely terrible for people with diabetes. There’s also not a version of this classic that doesn’t have these things. Even non-dairy milkshakes are loaded with sugar and fat, so just avoid them altogether.

    Biscuits and Gravy

    Southerners love this traditional breakfast, but diabetics need to stay away from it. This dish has your entire daily allotment of saturated fat if you’re diabetic. That’s not to even mention the calories and salt content. If you really want a similar dish, consider tofu sausage replacement, low-sodium biscuits and vegan gravy! Still, keep in mind that this is a heavy dish and don’t go crazy on it.

    Fried Chicken

    Fried anything is bad news for diabetics. We know that comprises about half of all American cuisine, but, trust us, it’s bad for you. Your body will thank you for avoiding fried chicken, French fries and corn dogs. Cards, sodium, fat, cholesterol and calories are a few of the alarmingly-high bad things found in most fried foods.

    Snack Cakes

    Companies like Twinkie and Little Debby make pre-packaged snack cakes that are downright awful for diabetics. Sugar, sodium, white flour and tons of preservatives comprise most of these snack cakes, all of which are awful for anyone, especially a diabetic. Here’s the good news, though: you can make your own pastries at home and restrict the amount of sugar, fat and other harmful things that go into them. That way you can have your cake and eat it too!

    In general, remember that your condition is serious and you need to heed your doctor’s advice. If something feels wrong, don’t hesitate to contact a medical specialist. Eat healthy, be careful and stay safe!