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Volunteering: Use Your Skills to Help People

brock — Fri, 11 Mar 2011 18:20:44 +0000

Those of us with specialized skills should use them to help our fellow man in times of need. We may not be experts or certified, but our knowledge is useful.

Watching and listening to the reports of the devastation caused by the earthquake and tsunami in Japan reminded me that skills such as ours are greatly need by people throughout our communities. We don’t have to go all the way to Japan to find people who need us. Your local Habitat for Humanity needs volunteers who know how to patch holes in drywall, connect the wiring to a ceiling fan and help put up a frame of a house.

Charities often don’t have the money to hire people to fix things, so they depend on volunteers with knowledge to fix their leaky pipes and repair their air conditioners. You don’t get money out of it, but you will make a difference in people’s lives.

I remember volunteering for Habitat for Humanity one year, and we were at an elderly person’s house that needed some significant work. She had a dishwasher, but it stopped working a few months earlier, and she didn’t have the money to fix it. The woman was forced to hand-wash her dishes despite having severe arthritis in her hands.

She talked about having to stop every few minutes because her hands were hurting so bad. It turned out the dish washer had a minor problem that I was able to fix while I was there. She came by when I first turned it on and actually cried when it worked. I made a difference in her life with something as simple as fixing a dishwasher. I helped make her life a little easier.

Charities like Habitat for Humanity, American Red Cross and United Way provide the things that people need to live. They help people when they are down, and I know that if I ever needed their services I would have them. There is no reason, if they need my services, that I shouldn’t offer it to them.

The news spends all its time talking about the devastation, but the real stories come from the people like you and me, using the skills we learned to help others.

Deliciously Addictive Foods: Your Health, Brain, and Calories

Ritika Puri — Mon, 29 Mar 2010 17:20:54 +0000

Over the weekend, CNN Health released an article discussing a new lab study that revealed a potential link between addiction and high-calorie food. According to the report, high-calorie foods can produce similar neurological effects as highly addictive drugs. Deliciousfoods, when consumed in high quantities, can create a sensory overload in the pleasure centers in the brain. As with drugs, higher amounts of food are necessary to achieve the same effects, and when this amount is not consumed, the pleasure centers will experience a “crash.”

The lab test involved rats in a controlled setting. Paul J. Kenny, Ph.D., at the Scripps Research Institute examined three groups of rats for 40 days. One group received regular rat food, the other received controlled amounts of high-calorie food, and the third group had unlimited access to high-calorie food. The rats that ate uncontrollably in the third group became obese and demonstrated substantial changes in the brain.

Of course, it is important to interpret these results with caution. First, animal studies do not necessarily apply to actual human behavior. Secondly, people handle addiction differently – how much is too much? The answer to this question differs drastically for rats and humans.

In any case, Dr. Kenny’s research certainly encourages us to think about our own eating habits. Pleasure center or no pleasure center, we must take the time to eat right and remain balanced in our diets.

For me, creating a balanced diet is a challenge. I don’t always have time to cook, and I’m out of ideas quickly. I’ve been working really hard to eat right, and I’ve found that the task is much easier when I have a well-stocked cabinet of bakeware and cooking supplies. When I have supplies that I like, it’s easier to eat right, pack lunches, and make things from scratch that I actually enjoy. It’s so much more effective to watch what I’m eating when I can keep track of everything that’s going into my food, and with the right supplies, cooking becomes a joy rather than a chore.

Even though Dr. Kenny’s study raises controversy, it also makes me more aware of what I’m eating and how important it is to exercise self-control. Once I get into a routine, it’s definitely tough to bring back the good habits.

Interested in Dr. Kenny’s study? Read more from CNN Health.

Image Source: flickr.com/photos/pinksherbet/3210346904

Chatroulette, College Style?

colleen — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 19:41:34 +0000

The Chatroulette hype is rippling through the digital world: everyone and their creepy uncles seem to be logging on in the hopes of finding…well, we’re not exactly sure. Most of the interest seems to be in performance: performing the piano and of course, everything that gets me biting my nails when I think of my little brother and sister’s unlimited and unmonitored access to the Internet.

Some other wary adults are afraid of the Chatroulette potential to destroy innocence and have decided to make a network of just college kids, called RandomDorm. Like the Facebook to the Myspace jungle, RandomDorm is offering a social network that limits access to those with .edu e-mail accounts, in the hopes of 1. creating a safer pool of networkers 2. raising the intelligence level 3. keeping the parents at bay (at least, that’s my reading on the situation). While Chatroulette is open access (at least to those who have Internet access) and aims for serendipitous interactions, RandomDorm is compared to matchmaking and college dating networks. Creator of the RandomDorm network, Josh Weinstein, has managed several dating networks in the past.

Well, if you want to look good for your RandomDorm (or Chatroulette) date, you want to clean up your dorm room. Or, at least clean up the wall behind your computer desk, so the picture on the shot is nice and colorful. Make sure you’ve got a dorm chair for long hours in front of the computer. You’ll also need a webcam.

Image Source: flickr.com/photos/gordontarpley/4396984312

Don’t Let the Recession Get You Down

colleen — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 18:04:45 +0000

So everyone is in tough spots right now with money. I read an article this morning about how even Conde Nast’s most privileged and elite magazines, Vanity Fair and Vogue, are going to have to cut back on their thousand-dollar dinners and car service just to make the bills. If Anna Wintour has to start thinking frugally, where does that leave the rest of us? According to Washington Post-interviewed interior designer Barbara Barry, it leaves us with the simple pleasures of warm silk sheets and a beautiful cup to drink tea out of in the morning.

While the Washington Post heralds Barry as being more than an interior designer but a “life coach”, I think there is some truth to the statement that “simple pleasures” are the way to live, but I don’t think Barry coined the phrase. Simple pleasures are defined everyday by people like you who want to enjoy some special and treat themselves with small graces instead of material gluttony and excess. Look for sumptuous fabrics or blankets to make you feel warm and toasty, or a certain beautiful cup or dishware for those lazy Sunday brunches that make you a little less haggard about the thought of work the next day.

Some simple pleasure items:

Colored Water Goblets : $34.98

French Press Coffee Maker : $34.99

Satin Sheet Sets: $39.99-49.99

Do all your discount shopping at Smarter.com!

Ingenious Ways to Cool Down in the Summer

colleen — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 20:18:20 +0000

I was absolutely thrilled by the New York Times article this weekend about a group of artists who turned a dumpster in the city into a community swimming pool. The hidden rented lot was turned into a summer oasis with three connected pools in dumpsters, a boccie court, lounge chairs, grills and cabanas—of course, in Brooklyn. Awesome concept, awesome design; the project was designed by Macro-Sea, a company that designed the pools, in the effort to think about new ways to use underused city spaces and materials. The project required a lot of manual labor: filing down the edges, filling in the dumpsters will comfortable liners and sand at the bottom, wood decks above the pools, sandbags to keep it from tipping over, and over 18, 000 gallons of water brought in from New Jersey. Sounds like a job and a half, but ultimately very inspiring. Macro-Sea’s opening made me think about what little things I could do in my summer in the city to cool down. Here are some options and products I want to share with you!

Ray Padula Rain Dance Oscillating Sprinkler: $19.99

How can you say “no” to a “Rain Dance” sprinkler? With 32-position dial adjustment knob, this sprinkler is ready to rock and at such an affordable price! Just make sure you have a good working hose, and you’re good to go.

Bubble Spa: $449.00

A little bit more of an investment, but this product looks outstanding and jaw-droppingly affordable, considering what you get: Luxurious spa treatment in your own backyard! Fits 4 people comfortably and can hold and maintain both warm and cool water, making it ideal for summer and winter months!

CLEARANCE ALERT: Banzai 3-D Shark Bite Waterslide at Walmart.com: $22.00!

Little bit of a catch: this product is only available at select stores at the clearance price, so check online at the store locator to find which ones still have the product near you. This is a steal for both the kids and the adults to enjoy: pummeling head-first into the gaping mouth of a shark on a slippery slide? Sounds incredible! And look at the architecture: the shooting water arches and the water whirlpool below make this a game for the ages!

Find at Smarter.com: Shop for more sprinklers, spas and water toys.

Accent Your Home with NiteLites

colleen — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 19:05:49 +0000

At the Palm Beach County Home & Interior Design Show, the company NiteLites took the spotlight. Nitelites, “The Landscape Lighting Professionals”, specializes in low-voltage lighting which the company personalizes for every home or garden. The lighting installations are elegant, smart and practical. They illuminate the home you are proud of, and brighten pathways to keep your family and visitors safe. All of the fixtures are made with solid brass or copper and comes with a 5-year warranty.

Special Inside Tip: NiteLites will provide free demonstrations at your home before you have to commit to an installation!

One downfall: The company is still expanding its locations. While NiteLites has the East Coat from Massachusetts to Florida covered well, service becomes a little sparse once you get past Tennessee and non-existent once past Texas.

When considering installing architectural or landscape lighting around your house, remember to consider:

1. Entrance ways, door ways, and exit points: These are the portals to your home, so every doorway should be welcoming and well-lit so it is easy to spot. Well-lit doorways help during that late-night search for keys in the purse, for example. But, take lighting at the doorway with caution. While you certainly want the light to be bright on the outside (even to make sure that you recognize who is knocking at the door) but you do not want the light illuminating the inside of your house for the whole world to see. Keep this in mind if your doorway has glass and consider having it frosted if you have not already.

2. Privacy: You have taken good care of your home and you deserve to beautify it even more with special, tailored lighting. Nitelites can help you pick out the perfect set up to illuminate and show off the assets of your home. However, don’t forget to consider your family’s privacy. You do not want your home to be visible from space. Make sure that the lights will not be shining into your windows and keep the direct light on the house to a minimum. Instead, if you are just starting to consider installations, start small with pathway lighting, or maybe a little around the outdoor pool or garage. Remember, this lighting is meant to benefit your family first.

Nitelites.com has a very interactive and image-heavy site that can give you plenty of ideas about how to improve your home with lighting installation. Check it out, and even if you are on the fence about the idea, contact NiteLites for a free consult. You never know what will spark your imagination!

Find at Smarter.com: Shop through a variety of affordable outdoor lighting.

Foreclosed Homes in Florida Might Become Hurricane Shelters

evette — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 21:28:45 +0000

Well, they are known for their hurricanes! It’s nice to see that someone’s trying to make the best of the crappy real-estate market (crappy for sellers, that is). I stumbled upon this article from the Miami Herold that explains that recently foreclosed homes in Florida might be put to use as temporary hurricane relief shelters. After conducting a drill of a Category 4 storm, they realized that not looking into this as an option would be foolish. From the article:

“The drill’s scenario: a Category 4 storm nearly bankrupts the state, displaces one million residents, destroys homes and schools, and even frees zoo monkeys that terrorize Floridians.

During the weeklong exercise, Almaguer said, it didn’t take long for the 250 state, federal and local officials to figure out that neither Florida nor FEMA has enough shelter space to house the newly homeless.”

I think after the fiasco in February of this year with that Connecticut “domesticated” chimp, we wouldn’t any zoo monkeys to roam the streets freely. We all know what monkeys are capable of! Lol!

Read the full article here.

Image Source: AP Photo

More Awesome ‘Decorating on a Dime’ Ideas

evette — Thu, 21 May 2009 17:33:10 +0000

I love people who have such creative ideas for ways to save money! You can look like you spent a lot without actually spending a lot. Elizabeth Mayhew was on The Today Show on NBC to give tips on the best ways to make your dining room the most practical and functional. She sort of gives a preview on what her new book Flip! for Decorating covers: how to transform your home without spending a ton of money. Check out the video below.

Get the book online at Barnsandnoble.com for $19.20.

New Home & Garden Blogger – Introducing Maureen!

evette — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 16:07:41 +0000

I just wanted to take a moment and introduce Maureen our New Home & Garden Blogger!

Maureen says:

Ok, about me. Where do I start? I’m a physical therapist by trade but a wannabe interior designer by heart. In a space, I see color, textures, focal points & the symmetry (or asymmetry for that matter) of things. I love both the charm of vintage & the clean lines of modern décor. I’m an eternal multi-tasker & insanely believe that every minute should be productive. Not to say that I don’t enjoy life. I love traveling! My dream career? Travel the world a la Samantha Brown chronicling the design & décor of each destination. (Hey how come Andrew Zimmerman can feature brain curry in Delhi? Then I can narrate how camel bone mirrors in Morocco are made).

I maintain another blog at http://www.inglenookdecor.blogspot.com/ & also recently opened an e-shop for urban cottage home décor at http://www.theinglenookdecor.com/.

There’s a lot to know & learn about design & décor but I’d love to share my thoughts & ideas with you. I enjoy writing about this topic & hope that you enjoy reading them. Contact me anytime at info (at) theinglenookdecor(dot) com.

Maureen is an awesome asset to the Smarter Home and Garden Blog and will provide great insight into the vast realm of design and decor!

Define Irony? Martha Stewart Trapped in Closet with R. Kelly!

evette — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 13:00:40 +0000

It’s well known on the streets that since Martha Stewart was released from prison in 2004, that she earned instant street cred and thereafter went by the name of Homemaking Gangsta, Da’ OG Home-makah, and Martha “Ghostface” Stewart!

She started hanging with a tougher crowd, developing a rough and tumble posse’ that consisted of Suge Knight, DMX, Ice Cube, Mister Magic Don Juan, and R. Kelly!

In a stroke of irony, she had her homeboy R. Kelly over at her crib one hot afternoon and asked for his assistance setting up a closet organizer. He was happy to oblige, unfortunately while maneuvering the large rod into place he accidentally slammed the self locking door shut.

Local sources state they were found several hours later, severely dehydrated and cradled in one another’s arms.

Moral of the story, be wary of the long winded, urban operettas you inflict on the populace, you might find yourself in one someday!

To read the full article Martha Stewart Trapped in the Closet with R. Kelly, click here.