Eating healthy can be hard, especially when you don’t want to eat your vegetables. But knowing and understanding what they can do for the body might change your mind on this matter. Certain types of food and drink are healthier than what you usually consume. And what you regularly eat may be the opposite of healthy. So, here is a guide to help you out on your food and beverage choices from now on.

​Dark green leafy vegetables
Dark green leafy vegetables are rich in foliate, fibre, vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients. They also contain chlorophyll, which alkalizes the blood and cleanses it. The fibre contained in it helps cleanse the colon efficiently. A half cup of healthy greens such as kale, spinach, lettuce, mustard greens and collard greens everyday will keep you away from nutrient deficiencies, illnesses and disease.
 
Different fruits
Fruits are great sources of vitamins and minerals and eating them daily has plenty of health benefits. One is for preventing Vitamin A and C deficiency. A decrease in the risk of getting chronic diseases such as stroke, Type II diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. Fruits are also a great source of potassium, and folic acid too, which keep the heart and blood healthy. It can also keep you from developing certain cancers.
 
Whole grains
Whole grains are great sources of complex carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals. They are found to be rich in fibre and very low in fat. It is a healthier choice because it can lower the risks of heart disease, diabetes, cancer and other chronic diseases. The best whole grains you could try are brown rice, oatmeal, whole wheat flour, and others.
 
Water
Water is essential for the body’s hydration when a greater percentage of body water is lost through perspiration, digestion and urination. It is recommended that a person drinks eight to ten glasses a day to obtain the benefits of water. One of the many benefits is that it keeps the balance of body fluids, which is important in maintaining body temperature. 

Green tea
Green tea is a potent antioxidant that can prevent the development of cancer, osteoporosis, and heart disease. Due to its flavanoids and polyphenols, which can neutralize free radical in the body, cancer cell growth is inhibited. Green tea also contains fluoride for healthier and stronger teeth. It prevents tooth decay and will possibly give you teeth whitening effects as a result.
 
Hot chocolate
Hot chocolate can help improve mood and prevent the risk for heart ailments. It improves mood by increasing the production of the neurotransmitter serotonin known to be a mood stabilizer. Low levels of this neurotransmitter are often linked to depression. The cocoa is rich in polyphenols which are potent antioxidants in protecting cells against free radicals.
 
Tomato juice
Tomato juice is rich in lycopene, which is an antioxidant that is known to prevent lung cancer, pancreatic, stomach, colorectal, oesophageal, oral, breast and cervical cancers. It is also known to protect the heart and lungs from oxidative damage caused by environmental factors.
 
 
The right kind of food and drink in the right amounts can do so much for your body. Not only will you enjoy optimum health, but be assured that in your old age, you would not worry about heart diseases, cancers and other chronic illnesses. You might even look like you have never aged at all.
 
Author Bio:
 
Andy Bell is an American content writer. He belongs to a health and beauty expert family. His writing skills are descriptive and meaningful. He enjoys reading and writing health and fitness blogs so he has written many oral health care blogs too. He is the person who likes to stay fit and healthy, so always keeps him updated about the recent health and fitness tips.

A well-supplied toolbox is essential for completing various everyday jobs around the house and yard. Depending on your particular line of work, or a healthy hobby that you have, you have a set of your own favorite tools. Therefore, here are some of the tools every homeowner should have around the house. 

​
Screwdrivers

A good set of screwdrivers is simply a must-have tool; you will need a screwdriver for everything from opening childproof battery compartments to prying the lids off paint cans. Look for flat and Phillips-head screwdrivers in different sizes; in fact, you can often buy these in kits. Magnetic tips and comfortable grips should make screwing and unscrewing easier, so look carefully when you are buying. 

Claw hammer

No toolbox is complete without a reliable hammer – a good, small hammer can be used for driving nails into wood and even for small demolition jobs. In general, you will need one with a 16-inch handle, weighing about one pound, because it is heavy enough for basic home repairs and light enough for carrying around. It does not matter if you get a hammer with a plastic, vinyl or a rubber handle – all of them offer nice shock absorption and a good grip.  

Locking pliers

​Vise Grip (or locking) pliers are useful when you need an extra hand, but you only got two mitts to work with. Vise Grip pliers can lock in place, some use a mechanism that allows one-handed release of the locking mechanism while others use two hands to disengage. One of the best things about this type of pliers is that they are versatile tools – you can use them as pliers (of course), an adjustable wrench, wire cutters or a clamp. If you have a lot work around your house and garage, a standard 5-10WR model should do the job.

Utility knife

When you need to cut some drywall, slice the duct tape or sharpen your carpenter’s pencil –you have to have a quality utility knife by your side. If you are looking for comfort, pick one with a rubber-covered handle. After 26 hours of research and 22 different utility knives, The Sweet Home team concluded that the Milwaukee Fastback II is the best one on the market for general around-the-house use.

Tape measure

You've probably heard the old saying “Measure twice, cut once”. Whether you are building a medicine cabinet or measuring to see if the TV will fit in your den, a reliable 25-inch retractable tape measure is necessary.  Tape measures come in various widths (from ½ inch to 1-inch), but you should know that wider widths are easier to support with one hand when extended.

Flashlight

A simple flashlight is far more useful than emergency power outages. When selecting a flashlight, you should look for a freestanding swivel-head model for brightening dark work areas. If possible, choose one with a built-in magnet to adhere to steel beams, pipes or the inside of an appliance that you are repairing. Some industrial-quality LED flashlights are rated for falls as high as 30 feet, so opt for an LED light with as high a drop-test as possible.
 
From doing major home improvements to simple gardening - you never know when you will need a handy spray hose or a set of socket wrenches, so it's always wise to have your tools ready.  Every handyman loves his stuff organized and available at all times. I can vouch for this last part. When I find a tool in its place it is a unique piece of an unaware serenity. Unaware, because I know how stressful it can be when you misplace one. Keep your toolbox organized, folks!

John Stone is a DIY enthusiast who occasionally likes to put his ideas down to paper and share them with like-minded people. He is a contributor at Smooth Decorator blog. His fields of interest include home improvement, sustainability, new technologies, and pretty much all-things-DIY.  In spare time, he enjoys playing guitar and watching Formula 1

​Ever wonder why sometimes our food doesn’t look or taste as good as someone else’s? Or even be different from the last time you made it?

​Whether you’re a beginner or have been cooking for years, there’s plenty of cooking mistakes we make over and over again.  

Here’s what we’re doing wrong:

1.  We don’t read the recipe all the way through:

​We look at the recipe, get the ingredients and then get started. What we don’t do is read the recipe all the way through to see any prep work that needed to be done beforehand.

To avoid this, read the recipe all the way through and look for things that need to be done. Does anything need to be at room temperature? Does anything need to be brined, marinated, or pre-soaked? Do all your chopping first before cooking.

2. We put too much into the pan:

We try to do everything in one go. The problem with overcrowding the pan is that instead of browning and searing the meat, we steam it. Steaming the meat doesn’t lock in the flavors, get a nice char on it, or keep it juicy.

Instead, either use two pans or cook in batches. Allow a few inches between the meats to allow heat to circulate. If you’re cooking in batches, put the first batch on a plate or cooking sheet in the oven at a low temperature.

3. We’re Not Preheating the Pan

We don’t let the pan get hot enough to cook properly. When this happens, food sticks to it, doesn’t brown properly, and can get soggy.

To be sure the pan’s preheated, just sprinkle a few drops of water in and watch for it “dancing” across the surface. Then you can add your butter or oil. When the butter starts bubbling, or the oil starts shimmering, the pan is ready for your food. If you’re using a non-stick pan, put the butter or oil in first before heating it up as an empty non-stick pan releases contaminants when heated.

4. We’re not tasting while we’re cooking

We throw all the ingredients in according to the recipe, but we’re not tasting the food as we go along. Food ends up being either bland or too spicy.

While chopping, taste the food (except raw meat) to see if it’s fresh. Taste the pot for flavor combos and saltiness.

5. We’re not letting food rest

​We pull the meat out and cut it up and serve it right away. We take out casseroles and other dishes out and bring it to the table.

When this happens we end up with dry meat or a runny casserole. Allow time for the meat or dishes to rest for at least 5 to 10 minutes to adsorb juices and to firm up.

6. We’re turning the food too often

We have a tendency to turn, flip and poke our food before it’s ready. When we do this, the food won’t get a nice sear, get crusty, sticks to the pan, or lose its coating.

When you poke the meat with a fork or prongs, this releases the juices and thus the meat gets dry.
Leave the food alone in the pan for the stated amount of time. It’s ready when you can slide a spatula clearly under it without sticking.

7. We check on the food too often

When the food is covered, or in the oven, we open the lid or oven door to check on the food often. When this happens you lose precious heat or steam. Food then ends up being underdone.

Save the checking to only once or twice closer to the end of the cook time instead.

8. We’re doing the math wrong

When the recipe has a large serving size, such as serves 6, but want to cut it down to only 3 servings, we often get the measurements wrong.

Fractions sometimes throw the best of us off. To remedy this, look up and print off a recipe fraction chart, such as this one from Pinterest.

9. We’re overcooking

We tend to overcook our food. Overcooked vegetables tend to get mushy, lose their flavor and color. Overcooked meat gets tough, chewy and chalky.

To preserve vegetables fresh flavor, taste a bit throughout the cooking time, also most vegetables can be eaten raw, so it doesn’t hurt to leave it a bit on the firm side.

To ensure meat is cooked thoroughly, but not overcooked, is to use a meat thermometer. Pull the meat off the heat when it’s a few degrees underdone. The residual heat will finish it off.

10. We’re not using fresh ingredients

We sometimes wonder why our recipe taste alters the different times we’ve made it. 

This can be due to not using fresh ingredients. Frozen vegetables doesn’t offer the same taste or texture as fresh ones do. Sometime vegetables that aren’t so fresh have lost or changed their flavors.

Sometimes our spices on our spice rack don’t get used as often and becomes stale and that alters the taste of the food too.

To avoid this problem, keep an eye on expiration dates, use fresh food quicker, and even use fresh herbs and spices instead.


Following these tips will go a long way to having a great meal experience and less surprises.

Tracy,
​​"One finds limits by pushing them" ~ Herbert Simon

This will resonate with so many Deaf people.

I can't count how many times I've requested an "escort to the gate" from airlines and end up getting a wheelchair! "My legs work FINE!"

"I'm Deaf and can't hear the PA System, can you get me when it's time to board please"
"Do you need a wheelchair?"

"It says here you're deaf and blind, where's your caretaker?"
"I'm traveling alone"
"Ok we'll get you a wheelchair"

Just ONCE I'd like an agent just give me my boarding pass, circle the gate on a map and let me go on my merry way!

Tracy,
​​"One finds limits by pushing them" ~ Herbert Simon
​

Today's Welcome Wednesday is Cuzzin Willard TV. I recently came across his Facebook page and have really enjoyed his humor, his positive outlook, and spirituality.

His videos are both spoken and signed, I don't know if he's Deaf, Hard of Hearing, or just a helluva fun signer.

Watch one of his videos here and then check out his page please.

Enjoy the rest of the week!

Tracy
​​"One finds limits by pushing them" ~ Herbert Simon

 This past Tuesday we were watching NCIS as usual, as it's one of our favorite shows. In this episode called "Sister City Part One" had the team searching for Abby's brother.

It showed that Abby and her brother Luca were adopted by Deaf parents. Which makes them CODAs (Child of Deaf Adults). They were signing in the interrogation room, which also revealed that Gibbs knew sign language too.

​From what I've read online, this isn't the first time Abby and Gibbs have signed to each other. (Gawd I've gotta binge watch it on Netflix 'cuz I can't remember)

So now we have the backstory on why Abby learned sign language, now we need NCIS writers to give us the back story on why Gibbs signs.

We also need more Deaf awareness on Television and Movies and more Deaf roles as well. Check out #DeafTalent on Twitter for amazing actors, actresses, writers and directors and the like.

Tracy,
​​"One finds limits by pushing them" ~ Herbert Simon