2012 April

How to Never Lose Your Car Keys…Or Anything Else Again!

Scientists have reported that Americans spend approximately 16 minutes on average per day searching for lost items, which adds up to a full year of our lives.

That means that over the course of your lifetime you will spend one full year in frustration, searching desperately around your house for your car keys, remote control, cell phone, or other important belonging.

Is there any way that you can reduce the amount of time that you spend looking around for your stuff?

A Place for Everything and Everything in Its Place

You can reduce the likelihood of losing things if everything that you own has a proper home.

Create a pencil jar for the writing implements on your desk, put up a coat hanger for your coats, and create a filing system for important documents.

When you are finished with an item, make sure that it goes to where it belongs. The habit of putting things away in the right place will take a while to form, but after a while it will become automatic.

The Usual Suspects

Make a list of the 5 items that you lose the most frequently. Examples of common items that most people spend time searching for are key rings, cell phones, remote controls, and wallets.

Once you have identified these common missing items, make double sure to designate an extra special spot for them.

You can put a cute little container or key hook near your entrance way where you will always put your keys from now on.

Make a special spot on your bedside table where your cell phone can charge while you sleep.

Making a conscious effort to create a special space for these items will ensure that you are mindful whenever you put them down in the future.

Clear Clutter Away

One of the most common places where we find missing items is buried under a pile of papers, receipts, and other clutter on our counters and tables.

Having cluttered surfaces creates many places for missing things to hide. If you can keep your living spaces clear and free of clutter it will be much easier to find the items that you are looking for.

With a little bit of organization and mindfulness, you will cut down on the time that you spend searching for your wayward belongings.

Strange and Quirky Facts about Mexico

Mexico Facts Are you heading south of the border for your next holiday?

Mexico is a unique and fascinating country, with a diverse range of inhabitants and a long and complex history. There is a lot to know about Mexico, and learning a bit about this country can make your holiday a lot more interesting.

Here are some facts about the country, some strange, some funny, and some intriguing. Perhaps they will spark your interest and get you curious to learn more about Mexico during your travels:

Did you know that Mexico’s full name is actually “Estados Unidos Mexicanos?” This translates to “United Mexican States”.
Mexico was where many types of food were first eaten, such as chocolate, chilies and corn.
In 1539, Mexico was where the very first printing press in North America was used.
The border between the United States and Mexico is the second longest border in the world. Which is the longest you might be wondering? That would be the border between the US and Canada.
You probably knew that the Chihuahua is the smallest breed of dog in the world, but did you know that it is named after a Mexican state?
Mexico City is the oldest city in North America, and it is also the one at the highest elevation. It was actually built on a lake, and it is sinking approximately 6-10 inches per year.
The ancient Mayans used to use hornets nests full of angry hornets to throw at their enemies during battle.
Mexico is the most populated Spanish speaking country in the world.
The sacred drink of the Aztec people was hot chocolate. They also used to add chili pepper to this drink, making it a spicy chocolate concoction. (Give it a try, its good!)
Mexico is the largest producer of salt in the world. Their other major export is petroleum.
Mexico was where the very first ever astronomer’s convention was held, in 700 AD.
The world’s smallest volcano is only 43 feet tall, and has a staircase inside, and it is located in Mexico. It is called Cuexcomate and it is located near the city of Puebla. Near the volcano you can find the rare species of Volcano Rabbit which thrive near volcanic activity.
When it comes to flora and fauna, Mexico has been designated a “mega-diverse” country because it has over 200,000 different species of plants and animals living within its many varied ecosystems.
More than 60 indigenous languages are spoken within the Mexican territory, mostly by small communities of indigenous people separated from the mainstream society.
20 million tourists visit Mexico every year, and one million United States expats have moved here and now call it home.

These are just a few facts about the fascinating country of Mexico to get you excited about travelling to this beautiful destination.

How to Stay Fit Without a Gym Membership

Quick Exercise Tips Do you want to get in better physical shape, but hate the high costs of a gym membership and the intimidating atmosphere of big sweaty guys grunting over weights?

Don’t worry; belonging to a gym is not the only way that you can get your exercise fix.

There are many ways that you can get in great shape without ever having to set foot in a gym.

Here are a few ideas to get you started:

Go Jogging

You don’t need a fancy treadmill when the only equipment you need to get a great cardio workout is attached to the ends of your legs!

Strap on your running shoes, put a great song on your iPod and hit the trails for an invigorating power walk or jog.

Besides, you will have a much more interesting view than just the backside of the person on the other treadmill in front of you!

Play a Game

Get together a few friends for a game of baseball, basketball, football, or soccer.

Make it a challenge by making a bet, like the losing team has to buy a round of drinks for the winning team the next time you go out on the town together.

Running around catching and kicking a ball is a great cardio workout and you will also be able to enjoy some fun time with your friends.

Jump in the Pool

Swimming is an excellent full body workout, because you are using all of your muscles at once in their full range of motion.

Also, the water provides a natural resistance to your movements so that it is more challenging.

Most swimming pools at local community centers only cost a few dollars for a swim and many even offer cheap memberships.

Hit the Library

Did you know that you can rent videos from your library for free?

This also includes exercise DVDs which you can use to do yoga, Pilates, Zumba, martial arts, or any other type of fitness class in the privacy of your own home.

The advantage is that you can follow along with the workout in private at home so that you are not embarrassed by your uncoordinated moves in a crowded classroom.

These are just a few ways that you can get your exercise in without having to join a gym.

Now get out there and get active!

Branching Out – How to Celebrate Arbor Day

Fir Trees Trees are amazing living things.

They can live for hundreds of years, they can grow under all kinds of extreme conditions and they quietly cleanse CO2 from our atmosphere and provide us with oxygen.

They sway in the breeze, freeze in the winter and offer us welcome shade on a hot summer’s day. Trees give us everything from a perch for our childhood clubhouse to the wood in our pencils to the heat in our fireplace.

We should celebrate trees every day of the year, but the official holiday to honor these leafy wonders is Arbor Day.

The name Arbor Day comes from the Latin word “arbor” which means tree.

This holiday is dedicated to the planting and care of trees and it originated in Nebraska in 1872.

The holiday is observed in the springtime and the date changes according to the suitable planting conditions. In 2012, Arbor Day will be held on April 27^th.

Here are a few ideas of what you can do on Arbor Day:

Teach your children about trees. Take a walk in a forest and look closely at a tree with your child. Show them how the roots go into the ground to gather nutrients and the leaves capture light from the sun and convert it to food. If you find a fallen tree, teach them how to count the rings and find out how old it is.
If your community is having an Arbor Day celebration, join in the festivities! Many towns and cities will have music, events and more.
Volunteer at a local tree-planting organization and help out with a community beautification project.
Give someone you love a seedling as an Arbor Day gift, so they can plant it in their backyard and think of you.
Look for recycled paper alternatives to your paper purchases, such as notebooks, paper towels and printer paper. If you can get in the habit of using recycled paper you can save more trees!
If the climate in your hometown allows, plant a fruit tree in your yard such as an apple or orange tree. In a few years you will be able to eat the delicious fruit.

These are just a few ways that you can celebrate Arbor Day this spring and show your thanks for all that trees do for us.

How to Write Tweets That Get Attention

You might think that tweets are easy to write. They’re only 140 characters, how hard can it be?

However, because tweets are such small tidbits it is even more important that we pay attention to how they are written.

There are only so few words that can go into a tweet, so it’s crucial that you make sure these words are the right ones!

When your tweets are well written, Twitter can be a great tool to drive more traffic, gain followers, make contacts, and spread the word about you and what you do.

Here are some tips for writing attention-getting tweets:

Keep It Simple

You only have 140 characters, so don’t try to explain anything that is too complicated. A tweet is a small idea, more like a headline than a story itself.

It should not say too much, but tell the reader enough so that they want to click and find out the rest of the story.

Trying to cram too much into a tweet leads 2 ppl talkin lk ths and this is annoying and confusing to read.

Tease Your Readers

Ask a question that gets people thinking, or make an outlandish remark that really makes people curious. Use phrases like, “Find out the secret to…” or “Have you ever wondered why…” to lure intrigued readers back to your blog for the answers.

A Tweet Should Be Able to Survive On Its Own

If your thought is too big to be contained in one tweet, don’t try to span it over two.

Each tweet will be separated in your follower’s timeline and will likely not be read together, and therefore the meaning will be lost.

Eliminate Unnecessary Words

Get rid of all adverbs and superfluous adjectives to make your tweets pop. You can also cut out words like “that” and “which”.

For example, “the restaurant that we went to on my birthday” can be “the restaurant we went to on my birthday”.

Humor Works

A funny quote or a joke will make your followers giggle as they are scrolling through their twitter feed, which will make them more likely to click on your tweet and follow it to your profile or even your blog so that they can find more of your clever wit.

Use Popular Hash tags

If you can find a hash tag that is relevant to what you are tweeting about, use it in your tweet to make sure that more people see what you have to say.

Good luck and happy Tweeting!

Get Some Sunshine For Cheaper: Budget Beach Destinations

Although winter snow can be lovely, there comes a point after your hands have gone numb from scraping the ice from your windshield and your back is sore from shoveling, when you wish that you could just lie back on a hammock under a palm tree and soak up some sun for a change.

If your budget is a bit tight this year you might be thinking that a beach holiday to a warmer climate is outside of your price range.

However, there are many cheap and hot travel destinations that can be reached from the USA for a lot less than you might think.

Here are a few ideas:

The Los Roques Islands, Venezuela

This archipelago of 42 lush islands is a protected national park and home to a dazzling array of fish and bird species.

Los Roques is a popular destination for scuba diving and snorkeling and you can also take day trips to the many uninhabited islands. The warm trade-winds blowing through will also make windsurfing and sailing a breeze.

It’s hard to believe that this isolated island paradise can be so affordable, but you can book in a pleasant bed and breakfast for as little as $75 per night.

If you want the full treatment it is possible to find package deals at the friendly Posada Movida for $120 per night which includes all meals, wine and even an island boat tour!

Bocas Del Toro, Panama

Most people who take a beach holiday in Central America head to Costa Rica, but if you are on a budget you might want to consider this hidden gem instead.

The costs of all-inclusive vacation packages to Panama are usually around 30% cheaper than Costa Rica.

The islands of Bocas Del Toro can be found on the Caribbean side of Panama and offer the prospect of lazy days spent lounging on the beach and island hopping on water taxis to explore private coves and beaches.

You could even go snorkeling in Dolphin Bay and have a chance to swim with dolphins!

Here is a video about things to do in Bocas Del Toro:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R4Igzt76aKY&feature=related

Tulum, Mexico

High end all-inclusive resorts have taken over Playa del Carmen and driven out the budget traveler.

However, you can get the same gorgeous beaches just slightly south in the smaller town of Tulum for a fraction of the price. At Cabanas Tulum you can get a room on the beach for as little as $60 per night.

This part of Mexico has many fascinating Mayan ruins to explore as well as plenty of cheap and delicious authentic Mexican food to enjoy while sitting outside in the warm ocean breezes.

A vacation in the sunshine might be more affordable than you think with these budget travel destinations! Don’t forget to pack lots of sunscreen and have a great time!

It’s Time for Spring Cleaning!

In some places the snow is starting to melt, the sun is starting to come out of hiding and the birds are starting to sing in the trees.

Soon the flower buds will begin to open and the grass will transform into a lush carpet of green.

Spring is on the way and this time of rebirth and renewal is a great time to give a “spring cleaning” to all aspects of your life.

You might do a spring cleaning on your home every year, getting rid of clutter and brushing away the cobwebs.

However, have you ever thought about giving a metaphorical spring clean to your lifestyle?

Taking some time to spring clean your life can help you eliminate old stresses, set new goals and approach the summer feeling fresh and energized.

Clear Out the Clutter of Old Worries and Bad Habits

The first thing to start with is to throw away the thoughts and habits which you don’t need anymore and are holding you back.

Sweep away all of the garbage of bad habits, toxic relationships and negative thoughts. Do you find yourself still letting something that happened long ago bother you?

Give yourself permission to forgive and forget and move on from the things that you can’t change.

Next, take a look at your habits. Think about everything you do on a daily basis and ask yourself if it is bringing you joy and happiness or not. If it isn’t, is there a way to change this behavior?

Redecorate Your World

Think of your life as a room, which you can fill with any interesting decor that you choose. The “decor” is the things that you think about and focus on in life, such as goals, hobbies, career, friends and other pursuits.

Now is the chance to give your life a bit more color by learning something new, trying a new lifestyle, or working towards a new challenge.

Giving your life a spring cleaning is a great way to eliminate old clutter which might be holding you back, so that you can get a fresh start and work towards your goals.

Celebrating National Volunteer Month

Did you know that April is National Volunteer Month?

Volunteering is the art of giving your labor or expertise for free and many charities and local programs could not exist without the help of volunteers.

This month is the time to think about how you can give some of your time and efforts away to help your community.

Reasons to Volunteer

Here are a few reasons why volunteering is a great thing to do no matter what month it is:

You get a warm feeling inside from giving your time and skills to help people.
It’s a great way to meet people and make friends.
It is also a great way to feel like you are part of your local community.
You can learn something new and gain valuable work experience.
You can make someone’s life easier or more enjoyable.
Volunteering looks great on university applications or resumes.

How Can I Volunteer?

There are many ways that you can volunteer your time and efforts during National Volunteer Month and throughout the year.

The first step is to think about what you enjoy doing and what you are good at and how those skills can help your community. For example, if you are really good with children you could volunteer to be a mentor with a Big Brothers and Big Sisters organization.

If you are a carpenter you could lend your building skills to construct houses for low income families. Even technological skills such as web design can come in handy, as you might offer to design the website for a local charity organization.

If you do a quick search for volunteering opportunities in your local area you will be sure to find many positions available. You can also look on a website such as http://www.volunteermatch.org which allows you to search for your local area and identify which type of volunteering you would like to do.

Many people think that they don’t have the time to volunteer, but you don’t have to make volunteering your full time job.

Many organizations will be happy to have your help for a few hours per week or even one day a month. It is up to you how much time you are able to commit to helping out.

Have fun volunteering and helping out your local community!

How to Keep Your Car Organized

Auto Interior Your car is your important mode of transport between point A and B, but if you are like many people you might also be in the habit of using it as a trash can on wheels.

Are you embarrassed when you offer someone else a ride in your vehicle because of the detritus of empty bottles, pieces of paper and food wrappers that litter the floor?

If you have children, do you have to clear an entire army of toys and stuffed animals from the back seat before anyone can sit down?

If your car is becoming a disaster zone, here are some tips for regaining control of the clutter.

Everything in Its Place

One of the main reasons why your car is such a mess is that nothing has a rightful place to be. You eat a granola bar while you are driving, and then stuff the wrapper in the cup holder thinking that you will dispose of it later and then usually forget.

The trick is to create a system where all of the garbage and junk in your car has a place. Keep a small trash bag in your car at all times, so that you can discard things in it rather than letting them get lost on the floor. Every few days you can throw the bag away and replace it with a new one.

Do Quick and Frequent Cleans

If you are waiting outside for five minutes to pick up a friend, use that time to do a quick tidy of your car. Gather all of the garbage and throw it away in a nearby garbage can, as most public places will have one.

If you can get in the habit of clearing out the junk in your car every few days, the problem will never build up to a point where it becomes overwhelming.

Organize the Back Seat

When you are driving around with your little ones, it’s great to have toys and books in the back seat to keep them occupied. To keep the mess under control, there are clever little organizers that you can buy which hang over the back of the front seat and include pockets for books, magazines, and small toys.

When you are a couple of minutes from arriving at your destination, give your kids the heads up to start putting their toys away so that they get in the habit of tidying up after themselves in the back seat.

These are just a few things that you can do to keep your car organized and tidy!

Exploring the Historical Sites of Puerto Rico

The Caribbean island of Puerto Rico has a long and fascinating history. Because it is located right in the middle of the “New World” it has been a target of conquest for many centuries.

Christopher Columbus landed on the island in 1493, on his second voyage of discovery. It was later settled by the Spanish explorer known as Ponce de Leon and was under possession by the Spanish for over 400 years.

At the end of the Spanish American war, the island of Puerto Rico became United States territory due to the Treaty of Paris.

There are many battlements and fortifications throughout Puerto Rico, built to protect the island from its many invaders.

These are very interesting places on the island that reveal fascinating stories about the past. Here are some of the best historical sites:

Castillo de San Cristobal

This Spanish fort is the largest ever fortification built by the Spanish in the New World. It was constructed in 1783 to protect the city of San Juan from attacks, and it covers approximately 27 acres of land wrapping all around the city of San Juan.

The fortress is perched upon a hill called the Cerro de San Cristobal, named after the Spanish victory ejecting the English and the Dutch interlopers from the island of the same name in the Lesser Antilles.

This fort is truly an amazing historical building to explore, and includes an extensive underground tunnel system, an artillery observation post, and real 200 pound mortar shells.

Fort San Felipe del Morro

Also known as Morro Castle, this is a 16^th century citadel that makes a great day trip from any Puerto Rico resort as it is located just within the city of San Juan.

The fortification, named after King Phillip of Spain, was designed to guard the city of San Juan from enemy attacks from the sea. Over two million people per year visit this historical site, making it one of the major attractions in Puerto Rico.

The castle is considered an official UNESCO World Heritage Site and as a “must-see” while you are in Puerto Rico.

Fortin San Juan de la Cruz

This tiny fort is not as large as the other historical sites, but it is just as interesting. It is located on Isla de Cabras, right at the entrance to the San Juan bay.

It was placed here to create a strategic location for crossfire at any invading ships, and its location ensured complete artillery coverage of the area.

Apparently, there used to be a long chain which was stretched from Fortin San Juan de la Cruz to the Fort San Felipe del Morro, which would create a physical barrier and stop ships from coming into the harbor.

The fort was also in an important location for guarding the Bayamon River. The square building was built in the 1600s and although the interior is closed to the public you can walk around the walls.

These are just a few of the fascinating historical sites that you can visit while exploring the beautiful island of Puerto Rico.