Weight Watchers Blue Zero Point Foods

Weight Watchers Blue Zero Point Foods

Steve Mack/Getty Images

I'm trying to lose weight, so I'm drinking protein shakes for breakfast. Is this a good choice? I've heard pros and cons.

Maria Patino, Lake County, IL

Protein (meal replacement) shakes are perfectly fine, and for some people, the convenience of having the same shake for breakfast every day makes dieting mindless and less of a hassle. If you do decide to go this route, it's simple enough to make your own shake in a blender instead of buying a premade version. You get to control what goes in (for example, adding fresh produce gives you fiber, antioxidants, vitamins and minerals) and what doesn't (packaged shakes can contain preservatives, sugar or corn syrup, and unnecessary added vitamins and minerals). Here's the recipe for my Protein Power Smoothie. It's perfect for breakfast or lunch: It has plenty of filling protein to curb your appetite, plus colorful frozen berries for fiber, vitamins, minerals and natural sweetness.

Joy's Protein Power Smoothie
305 cal, 31 g protein
¾ cup milk (skim, soy, or almond)
½ banana
½ cup frozen raspberries
½ cup frozen blueberries
1 scoop vanilla whey protein powder (may sub soy/rice/pea protein)
5 ice cubes

I'm confused about how much fish oil should be in my fish oil supplement.

Lorna Stapula, Allendale, MI

Fish oil capsules contain a blend of different types of fatty acids. You want to zero in on the total amount of the omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA, not the total amount of fish oil. If you don't eat fish, I recommend a daily combined dose of 1,000 mg of EPA and DHA to protect your heart and overall health. Read the label closely and add up the EPA and DHA counts; you usually have to take more than one pill to reach 1,000 mg. (Talk to your doctor before taking fish oil, since it can interact negatively with some medications or conditions.)

How do I pick a healthy butter substitute spread? I'm confused by all of the choices at the grocery store.

Dawn McLean, Riverview, FL

The most important thing: Choose one that's trans fat–free. On the Nutrition Facts panel under Total Fat, be sure it says Trans fat 0 g; also, there should be no partially hydrogenated oils in the ingredients list. If a product has less than 0.5 g trans fat per serving, manufacturers can round down to 0 g, even though the product may have some partially hydrogenated oils.

Also check calories and saturated fat. Choose spreads with no more than 2 g sat fat per serving. If you're watching your weight, choose a "light" one, which has about half the calories and fat of the regular types. If you have high cholesterol, consider spreads with plant stenols or sterols, which can help lower cholesterol. Crave the taste of real butter? Try whipped butter. It's butter made with lots of air, which cuts sat fat and calories. Still, it has 3.5 g sat fat per serving, so use it in small amounts.

Joy's Healthy Spreads
All of these have 0 g trans fat and are free of partially hydrogenated oils. For 1 Tbsp:

Brummel & Brown Spread Made with Yogurt
45 cal, 5 g fat, 1.5 g sat fat
The nonfat yogurt (10%) gives this spread a creamy texture.

Promise Light
45 cal, 5 g fat, 1 g sat fat
Good source of omega-3 fats from soybean and canola.

Smart Balance HeartRight Light
50 cal, 5 g fat, 1.5 g sat fat
Made with plant stenols, as well as EPA and DHA.

Land O'Lakes Whipped Butter 50 cal, 6 g fat, 3.5 g sat fat
Half the calories and 45% less fat than regular butter.

JOY BAUER, RD, is the health and nutrition expert for the TODAY show and bestselling author of Joy Bauer's Food Cures. For more info, go to JoyBauer.com.

This content is created and maintained by a third party, and imported onto this page to help users provide their email addresses. You may be able to find more information about this and similar content at piano.io

Weight Watchers Blue Zero Point Foods

Source: https://www.womansday.com/health-fitness/q-and-a/a40137/best-foods-for-weight-loss/

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Cozy Living Room Decor

Cozy Living Room Decor

Living Room Decorating Ideas

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The living room is one of the most important areas in your house for a great hosting experience. It's likely you and your guests will spend countless hours in this room, discussing and entertaining.

Decorating your living room properly will deliver deeply satisfying living for your leisure time. To get there, however, you must pay attention to all of the following areas:

1. the colors that you select

2. material and quality of seats and furniture

3. wall decorations and art

4. lighting and light fixtures

Below we show you some great ideas for decorating your living room.

The Best Colors for Your Living Room

One area that will have a disproportionate impact on the mood of your living room is the color you choose for the walls. While you can install wallpaper to change the look of certain walls, there are areas that wallpaper cannot cover. Getting the wall color right, therefore, gives you the best shot at creating a remarkable effect.

Some of the best color palettes for living rooms include:

1. White - White walls add a touch of class. They are the perfect backdrop for decorating with upscale furniture.

2. Turquoise - This color is great for creating an informal but refined feel. Your kids and family will love the refreshing mood this color creates.

3. Cream - Striking a balance between formal and informal, cream-colored walls create a quiet, soothing effect.

Furniture Choices

With your wall color selection made, you should select furniture that pairs well with the colors you've already chosen. For example, combining white couches with white walls will create resonance in your room design.

Make sure to provide ample seating to avoid crowding. Add multiple sofas, easy chairs and other seats that can accommodate a complete roomful of people, depending on the size of the room.

Furniture like TV stands and tables should generally blend in with the colors of the room and ceiling. There are some natural materials, however, that can work regardless of the colors on the walls. For example, wooden table surfaces look good whether your walls are white, blue or another color.

Lighting Ideas

You can greatly improve the aesthetics of a living room with bright lighting and impressive light fixtures.

To start, you can consider a beautiful chandelier in the center to provide light around the whole room. This central masterpiece ensures adequate lighting throughout the living room while adding an air of elegance.

You can then add to the light sources in the living room with individual lights on tables and around the walls in areas where people will not knock them down.

Carpeting

Consider adding carpeting to your living room to create a comfortable walking area. Carpeting lets you and your guests go barefoot if you choose. The living room almost demands this since you will want to take off your shoes and kick back on occasion. Warm plush carpets provide a good, comfortable surface for this. There are many choices when it comes to carpet size.

If your living room is very large, you can opt for wall-to-wall carpeting. On the other hand, if it's smaller, you can add just an area rug in the place where you will sit. For example, you can have a rug around the sitting and TV area where your kids will play.

The advantage of area rugs over wall to wall carpeting is, mainly, lower costs and ease of replacement. You can completely change the area rug and create a new aesthetic in a fraction of the time it would take to begin installing new wall-to-wall carpeting.

Art Ideas for Your Living Room

Many homeowners like to have some wall art in their living room. If your living room is spacious, it can accommodate a good-sized piece of art mounted alongside one wall. In some instances, you can consider multiple art pieces. Invariably, tasteful art adds to the sophistication of a living room. It adds an interesting item that sparks many conversations from impressed guests.

Selecting art is an opportunity to express your unique personality. If you are fairly conservative, you can select some classical type pieces that portray a quiet life. If you are more adventurous, you can experiment with a post-modern impressionist piece that others might consider risky. It's your space, and so feel free to decorate it to express who you are.

Cozy Living Room Decor

Source: https://www.life123.com/home-garden/decor/living-room-decorating-ideas?utm_content=params%3Ao%3D740009%26ad%3DdirN%26qo%3DserpIndex

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Small Living Room Ideas 2019

Small Living Room Ideas 2019

30 Tips for Living Large in a Small Space

Photo Courtesy: Gabriel Beaudry/Unsplash

A small living space can still be stylish. All you need are the perfect products and accessories to liven up your studio or one-bedroom apartment, while maximizing your space. Of course, efficiency and comfort are important as well, and don't worry — we haven't forgotten your tiny kitchen and bathroom. Here are 30 products that will help you live large in your small space.

Get Creative with Storage Space in Your Bedroom

Photo Courtesy: Amazon

If you don't have a lot of closet space, you can always put things under your bed — unless, of course, your frame sits too low to the floor. If that's the case, it's time to place DuraCasa's bed risers under the legs to gain an additional boost of 3 inches of space for boxes, suitcases and anything else you want to keep hidden away. The risers are built to hold up to 2,000 pounds distributed across your bed.

"This is exactly what I was looking for," says one satisfied Amazon customer. Others praise the risers as "sturdy" and "nice and thick and strong." Something worth noting: A few people say the risers don't always stay put on hardwood floors.

Don't Just Throw Everything Under the Bed

Photo Courtesy: Amazon

StorageLAB's shoe organizer can help you keep shoes tucked away in an orderly fashion. With two of these containers, you can pack up to 24 pairs of shoes and adjust the size of the compartments to accommodate larger shoes or shoes with long heels. This handy organizer is also great for scarves, gloves and numerous other things.

"I wanted something that looks good and keeps its shape," says one reviewer. The firm siding on these containers ensures they hold their form, and handles make it easy to pull the unit out from under the bed. The clear zippered top allows you to easily find the shoes you want. "An A++ for design!" raves another happy owner.

When You Don't Have Room for a Nightstand

Photo Courtesy: Amazon

Sauder's Orchard Hills bookcase headboard fits a queen-size bed frame snugly or leaves a bit of space on each side for a full. Constructed of "very sturdy" particle board, the headboard attaches directly to the rails of your frame, providing additional stability while taking up minimum floor space.

It arrives unassembled, and although reviewers say it is "easy to put together," many also mentioned that the package is quite heavy and hard to move from the front door to the bedroom. Once the headboard is put together, however, you have plenty of room for an alarm clock, reading lamp, a stash of books (or a reading device) and stuffed animals or room decor.

The Extra Fancy Bed Storage Space Solution

Photo Courtesy: Amazon

If throwing boxes under a regular bed frame feels too basic, take a look at the Dakota platform bed with drawers from DHP. It sits on an elegant frame, with an upholstered headboard and two drawers on each side, allowing you to store just about anything in an orderly, efficient manner.

"We were concerned about the sturdiness," one reviewer admits, "but were quickly relieved once the bed was tested." Others praise the easy-to-follow assembly instructions, and one reviewer is particularly fond of the time it saves on cleaning, noting, "There's no space under the beds for dust bunnies to gather."

A Small but Powerful Vacuum Cleaner

Photo Courtesy: Amazon

The 2-in-1 vacuum cleaner from VonHaus is "not much larger than a broom," but it has more than enough power to keep your entire place clean. You can go over all your floors, just like any other vacuum cleaner, or you can remove the floor vacuum head to turn it into a handheld for cleaning furniture and spills on tables and countertops. When you're finished, just detach the container and throw away the dust and debris.

"I can't believe how good the suction is on this little vacuum," says one buyer. Other owners are delighted with its light weight and small size for easy storage. Several, however, suggest the filters need to be cleaned more frequently than the once-a-month routine VonHaus recommends.

A Classic Modern Storage Solution

Photo Courtesy: Amazon

Over the door shoe organizers like the one from MISSLO have become classic features in modern home storage design — so simple and obvious, once you think about it. Of course, many people use them for more than shoes. "I have one in my linen closet that I use for medicines, lotions, extra toothpaste, special hair creams — you name it," one reviewer reports. "I've gained an entire shelf for towels."

The organizer is "easy to hang," with four metal hooks that fit most standard-sized doors. Once in place, "It doesn't slip or slide around," and the 24 large mesh pockets can hold 12 pairs of shoes easily — more if the shoes happen to be sandals!

Keep Your Drawers in Order

Photo Courtesy: Amazon

"No matter how neatly I fold my bras and underwear," one reviewer complains, "they always seem to become a big jumble in the drawer." The solution? Simple Houseware's organizer set comes with four cases designed to hold ties, scarves, underwear, bras or socks in individual compartments, allowing you to easily spot items at a glance.

No more losing a favorite pair of socks in the back of the drawer, where it could stay buried indefinitely. "My only complaint," one reviewer says, "is that I would like to be able to get another 24-compartment organizer without having to buy the whole set."

Create Shelf Space in Your Closet

Photo Courtesy: Amazon

The hanging closet organizer from Simple Houseware is "easy to set up and super lightweight, but extremely durable," according to a satisfied buyer. When hung on the clothing rod in your closet, the fabric drops down to reveal five shelves, with an extra three pockets on each side.

You can put a lot of weight on the shelves, including jeans, sweaters, bath towels, bed sheets and pillow covers. (The lower compartments can even hold heavy boots.) This organizer is "the hardiest I've seen," says one reviewer, adding, "It does not strain at all."

Store All Your Jewelry in One Place

Photo Courtesy: Amazon

Are you constantly hunting through several different boxes on top of your dresser to find the necklace or pair of earrings you need to match an outfit? Maybe you need AOOU's jewelry cabinet and dressing mirror combo. The full-length mirror on the front opens to reveal enough storage space (including hooks) for just about any jewelry collection, with additional shelves for makeup and perfume.

"It is made well, very sturdy and hangs very neatly on my closet door," one reviewer says. (It can be wall-mounted as well.) Magnets keep the door securely shut, and a set of blue LED lights along the top light up when the door opens, making it easy to find what you need.

Take All the Hassle Out of Laundry Day

Photo Courtesy: Amazon

When floor space is at a premium, a full-sized hamper can be a bulky eye-sore. Smart Design's pop-up hamper can sit unobtrusively next to your dresser or tucked away in the closet. The mesh siding allows damp and sweaty clothes to dry faster, reducing the risk of funky odors.

"These hold waaay more than I thought they would!" exclaims one reviewer — enough to do two loads of laundry in a single trip, in fact. Plus, when laundry day does come around, the sturdy handles make it easy to carry, and there are side pockets for detergent and fabric softener.

It's a Lamp! It's a Display Case!

Photo Courtesy: Amazon

The Etagere floor lamp with shelves from Simple Designs Home is the sort of thing you never think about until somebody points it out — then you can't get over what a great idea it is. It's a floor lamp that stands just over 5 feet high and features sleek, sophisticated lines, but it also sports three shelves perfectly spaced for holding a telephone, small planter, cherished figurines and more. In the bedroom, it could easily double as a nightstand and a reading light.

"It took me all of 15 minutes to assemble by myself," one reviewer reports, adding that you need to have a Phillips screwdriver on hand. "You can't go wrong with this one," another reviewer adds. "It really does bring the room together." Some owners, however, note that the electrical cord can dangle awkwardly down the length of the lamp stand.

You Can't Go Wrong with a Good Rug

Photo Courtesy: Amazon

Home Dynamix offers a variety of rugs that feature soft, Persian-inspired decorative motifs in neutral colors. The Royal Clover contemporary rug is one example that blends nicely with nearly any decor. Whether you're looking for an area rug to pull the living room together, a runner for the hall or a small round rug for the bedroom, the company offers the size you need.

Many reviewers are delighted with how easily these rugs can be cleaned, with many stains coming out using only a damp cloth and some spray. "They vacuum really well," a reviewer adds, even in a household with multiple pets.

It's Okay to Drink on the Sofa Now

Photo Courtesy: Amazon

If you're watching TV and you want to enjoy a drink but don't have a coffee table, what do you do? Maybe it's time to consider the CoachCoaster, a gadget that fits easily over the arm of your sofa or armchair to provide a secure base for everything from beer cans to coffee mugs.

The sleeve is weighted on both sides for stability, and the drink holder keeps containers firmly in place — even if you accidentally brush it with your arm. (Although one reviewer did mention that it's still vulnerable to jumping cats.)

No More TV Dinner Trays

Photo Courtesy: Amazon

Maybe you'd like to have something to eat while you're watching the big game. You could put your plate on the coffee table and bend over to eat, or you could hold your plate and risk spilling food on the couch. Sauder's lift-top coffee table offers a better solution. The table top is actually a lid that raises several inches and slides forward, allowing you to eat — or work — comfortably on the couch with the top in front of you. Underneath, the table has plenty of storage space that is perfect for stashing items you don't want out in the open.

Reviewers describe this coffee table as "very sturdy and heavy." They also recommend you have somebody on hand to help you put it together.

The Comfortable Way to Sit Up in Bed

Photo Courtesy: Amazon

Do you spend a lot of time hanging out in your bedroom — reading, watching a movie on your tablet or checking on social media? You could jam a bunch of pillows against your headboard or wall to support your back — or you could get the ComfortSpa reading pillow. A comfortable 18 inches high, the foam pillow provides excellent back support.

"This helps me feel like I'm more laying on the couch than in bed," says one happy reviewer. "It's very comfortable, no matter how you lay on it!" The armrests even have pockets so you don't have to leave your glasses or smartphone on the bed, where they could be crushed if you roll over.

The Comfortable Way to Work on Your Lap

Photo Courtesy: Amazon

They call it a laptop computer, but have you ever tried actually holding one in your lap? They sit uncomfortably, and you have to keep your head bent to read the screen, potentially causing back and neck pain. The adjustable laptop desk from Mind Reader takes care of several problems. It's cushioned along the bottom, so it rests comfortably and smoothly on your legs. The smooth plastic surface can be adjusted to eight different angles, accommodating whatever position you choose, from sitting up to lying on the couch.

Although it's designed to work with laptops and tablets — and comes with a clip to keep them from sliding off when the desk is angled — it also makes an excellent writing desk. "No more hunching over for long periods!" one buyer says. Many note the plastic material is thin but say it's more than sturdy enough to hold various electronic devices, even a thick hardcover book.

Start Your Wine Collection in Style

Photo Courtesy: Amazon

Maybe you want to be a wine connoisseur — but you can't find anywhere in your cramped kitchen to store more than one bottle. Take a look at the Sorbus wall-mounted wine rack. Many customers describe the rack as "easy to install," although they also recommend that you use longer mounting screws than the screws that come with the product, especially if you're hanging it on drywall.

Once it's on the wall, people love the "clean, functional, simple design" of the metal rack, which holds up to nine normal-sized wine bottles securely. If you're not a wine drinker, you can also use it for cooking oils or set it up in the bathroom as a towel rack.

Plan Everything Out on Your Fridge

Photo Courtesy: Amazon

"We have almost always had a white board on our refrigerator for grocery lists and messages," says one consumer. Another says the magnetic whiteboard from cinch! is "the absolute best one we have ever had." It comes in two sizes (17 inches by 11inches and 20 inches by 13 inches) and includes markers — also magnetized to stick to your fridge — in four different colors.

The dry erase board cleans easily, even if you leave something written on it for a month, and the thin design, with "clean and smooth" edging, means it blends seamlessly on a white refrigerator, an effect another buyer describes as "almost disconcerting!"

Declutter Your Pots and Pans

Photo Courtesy: Amazon

Are you fed up with taking every pan you own out of the cabinet to get to the one pan you need? Maybe it's time to get rid of your frustration with the Simple Houseware pan rack organizer. Place the rack on its side to hold four pans in a row, or stack five pans horizontally without worrying about scratching them.

"You could not even see the bottom of my cabinet before," one reviewer says, but the unit still leaves rooms for pots in many cases. The racks are strong enough to hold heavy cast iron pans, although deep frying pans will only fit on top. It can also be screwed into the cabinet wall or the bottom for additional stability.

Give Your Pantry a Simple, Streamlined Look

Photo Courtesy: Amazon

One of the biggest problems with keeping your kitchen organized is everything comes in different size boxes and bags, forcing you to create improvised pyramids on your pantry shelves. DRAGONN's 10-piece airtight food storage containers set offers an elegant alternative, with containers in a variety of sizes to handle everything from spices to spaghetti.

Shoppers praise the containers as "high quality and very durable" and note they also look great on the kitchen counter and are easily hand washable. The airtight seals keep everything fresh and dry and are an excellent deterrent against ants and other insects that could invade your kitchen.

Have You Ever Looked Under Your Sink?

Photo Courtesy: Amazon

When it comes to kitchen storage, the cabinet under the sink is the space most people don't like to think about. It's easy to just throw all the bottles of different cleaners in there and slam the door, but the adjustable shelf organizer from STORAGE MANIAC offers a better solution. You can return order to the chaos and make it easy to find what you need when you need it.

Reviewers say this two-shelf unit is "very well made," noting that the length is adjustable to fit the size of your cabinet. The shelf's surface consists of steel panels, which can also be moved to make space for the sink's pipes. "Under my kitchen sink looks wonderful now!" one owner declares. It's also perfect for under your bathroom vanity.

Use Your Kitchen Wall to Establish Mise en Place

Photo Courtesy: Amazon

Great chefs run their kitchens with an impeccable sense of mise en place — the principle that positions everything exactly where you need it before you start so you can prepare any dish smoothly and efficiently. An empty kitchen wall provides a big opportunity to pull essentials together in one easily accessible spot — with the help of Wall Control's pegboard organizer.

It's the same kind of metal pegboard you might use to hang tools on the wall over a workbench, which ensures the board is sturdy enough to hold even your heaviest pans. "If you want something that will last a lifetime," says one reviewer, "then I highly recommend Wall Control boards." You can choose from a range of colors.

A Colorful Foundation for Food Prep

Photo Courtesy: Amazon

A well-stocked kitchen needs an assortment of mixing bowls and measuring tools.

Joseph Joseph's nine-piece set features all the basics, including four measuring cups and a tablespoon. The set is made of colorful plastic that will brighten up any kitchen, and the bowls don't lose their sheen, even after multiple trips through the dishwasher.

The mixing bowls are extremely sturdy, with no-slip bottoms. "On family movie night," one reviewer reports, "three bags of microwave popcorn fit in the large mixing bowl." The small mixing bowl can hold a dozen eggs at once, with no problem.

Get All Your Spices in Order

Photo Courtesy: Amazon

The hard part of becoming a more adventurous home cook isn't finding unique ingredients — it's keeping track of them once you pack them away in your pantry. YouCopia's Chef's Edition SpiceStack has drawers that slide out from their frame and tilt forward so you can view the contents at a glance. There's enough room for up to 30 regular-sized spice bottles.

Reviewers call the SpiceStack "a total dream," praising the "sturdy plastic drawers" for their "amazing spice storage." It even comes with blank and preprinted labels for the front of the drawers if you want to take immediate stock of your inventory.

You've Got to Hide Your Knives Away

Photo Courtesy: Amazon

When you've got a small kitchen counter, a chunky knife block can take up a lot of valuable space. Wusthof's under-the-cabinet knife block is the perfect solution, giving you easy access to eight knives (and a honing steel), then swiveling out of the way when you're done.

The beechwood block screws into the underside of a kitchen cabinet with just three screws, and many reviewers describe it as "very solid" and "excellently detailed with a smooth finish." They also note that the knives are held in their slots magnetically, but "they will fly out if you're not careful." Then again, you would always be careful with knives, right?

No More Fumbling for the Conditioner

Photo Courtesy: Amazon

"This shower caddy is epic!" raves one user who bought Simple Houseware's hanging shower head organizer. It has a deep basket for shampoo, conditioner and other bottles, with a shelf beneath that can hold razors, sponges and bars of soap, plus hangers for a loofah or a back brush.

When you don't have a window ledge next to your shower or space in the corners of your tub to hold stuff, just hang this caddy over your shower head to keep everything in reach. Other customers praise it as "super sturdy" and "very stable... exactly what my husband and I needed."

Making Bath Time Lots of Fun

Photo Courtesy: Amazon

If you don't feel comfortable hanging a caddy on your shower head, you can always try the mesh shower curtain organizer from Yihoon. It hangs securely on your shower rod or towel rack and has mesh pockets big enough to hold everything you need, from washcloths to shampoo bottles.

"We have a small shower, and I hate the look of bottles all over the place," says one reviewer. This organizer offers an ideal solution. The mesh pockets dry quickly, and you can always throw it in the washer if it gets a little funky.

Keep Your Cool — and Your Quiet

Photo Courtesy: Amazon

In a small room, every inch of floor space counts. Bulky fans take up too much room — and usually make too much noise. Lasko's oscillating tower fan stands discreetly in a small space and boasts a woodgrain finish that blends in with most decors.

More importantly, as one reviewer observes, "It's quieter than any tower fan I've ever owned," even at its highest speeds. A remote control allows you to change settings without getting up, and a nighttime mode allows you to slowly taper from high to low while you drift off to sleep.

So Many Cables. So. Many. Cables.

Photo Courtesy: Amazon

The TV, the cable box, the DVD player, the video game console, the high-speed modem, the base for the wireless phone — you've got tons of devices to plug in and very few outlets. Belkin's 12-outlet power strip and surge protector can help you keep everything up and running.

The power strip has six outlets running down the middle and another three on each side, especially designed to hold those oversized power adaptors that always cause you to lose the adjoining outlet on normal power strips. The internal circuitry can even gauge how much power each device is using and spread the voltage accordingly. "If I need more power bars in the future," says one satisfied reviewer, "these are what I will buy."

Get All Those Cords Out of Sight

Photo Courtesy: Amazon

Even if you have a power strip big enough to handle all your electronic devices, you still have to deal with all those cords and cables, which can create an unsightly mess along your floor and walls. A few cable concealers from SimpleCord can take care of that problem. The plastic units are designed to blend with most wall colors, leaving a streamlined path from devices to an outlet.

Reviewers praise these concealers as "easy to install" and "very sturdy." Once you have your wires laid down in the raceway containers, slide the plastic cover on, and you're all set. Add-on units allow you to turn corners easily, and you can even lock them into place along your baseboards with adhesive strips or mounting screws.

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More From ConsumerSearch.com

Small Living Room Ideas 2019

Source: https://www.consumersearch.com/home-garden/tips-living-large-small-space?utm_content=params%3Ao%3D740007%26ad%3DdirN%26qo%3DserpIndex

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Modern Pillows For Living Room

Modern Pillows For Living Room

 Photo Courtesy: [BakiBG/Getty Images]

There are many wonderful things about getting older, but going through the aging process also means you might start experiencing bodily fatigue, achy muscles and joint pain more often than you used to. Because of this, you might have difficulty moving and exercising. But you don't have to let that slow you down. It's vital for older adults to get regular physical activity — the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends 150 minutes a week of moderate-intensity activity — but what if you want to gently ease into more movement without exacerbating aches and pains?

One way to get started is to practice chair yoga. Chair yoga exercises are a perfect way for you to stretch and get moving, all while you're safely seated in a chair — no need to get down onto the floor. This type of yoga can help loosen your muscles, improve circulation, build strength and even relieve stress. Even better? You can do it any time from the comfort of your own home.

Photo Courtesy: [SilviaJansen/E+/Getty Images]

Chair yoga, or sitting yoga, for seniors is a modified version of traditional hatha yoga to help relieve body aches and stay healthy in a safe and accessible way. Hatha yoga is a form of this type of exercise that's more gentle and more slowly paced with a focus on stretching and breathing. It's ideal for anyone who lives with pain that could make more complex yoga poses difficult, such as chronic pain, osteoporosis and multiple sclerosis. Additionally, chair yoga can also be ideal for people who spend long hours sitting in a chair.

Many seniors find their lives become sedentary with each passing year because movement may become more tiring, uncomfortable or painful. Practicing chair yoga regularly can provide a way to prevent or relieve those issues. It's a low-impact way to get the blood in your body flowing and stretch your muscles.

In terms of equipment, all you need for chair yoga is a stable, armless chair. Make sure the chair is resting on a flat, stable surface and that you're wearing comfortable clothes that allow for a generous range of motion. Chair yoga can also be ideal if you're a wheelchair user.

Benefits of Chair Yoga for Seniors

 Photo Courtesy: [RyanJLane/Getty Images]

Getting regular exercise can add years to your life and slow the aging process. However, many types of exercise can become more difficult to perform with age. High-impact exercises like weightlifting, running and other types of intense cardio can be particularly hard on your joints and muscles. Chair yoga provides a way to get your body moving without stressing your joints with hard impacts like running does. Practicing chair yoga for 20-30 minutes per session several times a week can provide significant health benefits.

First of all, it can help manage and reduce pain. One recent study from the Journal of American Geriatrics Society found that chair yoga effectively helped relieve pain associated with osteoarthritis. Furthermore, chair yoga involves stretching the neck, upper back, lower back, shoulders, arms, legs, knees and ankles without much impact on the joints. This not only reduces stiffness, tension and pain, but it can also help to improve mobility in the long run.

Another potential benefit is improved flexibility, which can make it easier to perform regular movements as you go about your everyday routine. Being flexible also can improve muscle coordination and posture and lower the risk of future muscle soreness and injuries. Chair yoga helps improve your strength and balance as well, meaning falls become a lot less likely. Having a strong body also increases your ability to withstand injury.

Chair yoga even has benefits for your mental wellbeing. As with traditional yoga, chair yoga involves a lot of deep breathing, which can help clear your mind similarly to meditation. This often results in reduced stress, a better mood, less anxiety and a calmer state of mind.

Try These Great Chair Yoga Routines

 Photo Courtesy: [Fitness With Cindy/YouTube]

There's no need to leave your home, join a gym or go to chair yoga classes at a fitness studio — plenty of outstanding chair yoga routines are available online. Some are written out with pictures, while others are instructional video workouts you can follow along with.

If you're unsure about the idea of following along with a chair yoga video, you can simply make your own routine consisting of exercises sitting in a chair. Here are some great options for all skill levels:

The Forward Bend Pose involves bending over so your chest is resting on your thighs and your hands are reaching towards the floor. If you can, place your palms fully on the floor. To get the most out of this stretch, hold for 30 seconds or more, taking slow, long, deep breaths.

The Chair Pigeon Pose is another great chair yoga stretch. Sitting up straight with your knees aligned above your ankles, bring your left ankle to your right thigh. If you can, try bending forward as low as possible to make the stretch more intense. Hold here for several deep breaths before doing the same pose with the opposite leg.

For the Chair Spinal Twist, begin by sitting sideways on your chair facing right. Twist your torso to the right while grabbing the back of the chair with both hands to anchor yourself in that position. Stay here for several deep breaths. Then, switch to the left side.

The simple Overhead Stretch starts with you sitting up straight in your chair, facing forward with your arms relaxed and hanging by your sides. As you take a deep breath in, slowly begin to raise your arms up towards the ceiling. Once they're fully extended upward, take a moment to engage your core and ensure your back is straight. Hold this position for a few seconds. Let out a long exhale while slowly lowering your arms back down. Repeat this a few more times.

You might find it easier and more convenient to follow an exercise video routine that provides instructions and demonstrates the different positions for you. There are plenty of free chair yoga classes and routines for seniors to choose from. Here are some that come highly recommended:

• Chair Yoga for Seniors With Adriene: Adriene is a master of making yoga fun and easy for everyone. In this 17-minute chair yoga video, she guides you through the moves slowly and clearly so that it's easy to follow along and enjoy learning the basics.
• Gentle Chair Yoga With Mary Beth Kealy: This gentle, stimulating 41-minute chair yoga practice is great if you want to spend a little bit of extra time stretching. The background of the video incorporates soothing, meditative music to make the experience especially relaxing.
• Chair Yoga for Lower Back Pain With Cindy: Cindy walks you through 18 minutes of sitting yoga for seniors. The stretches are specifically designed to ease lower back pain while helping you build strength at the same time.

Resource Links:

https://www.cdc.gov/physicalactivity/basics/older_adults/index.htm

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3410195/

https://www.allinahealth.org/healthysetgo/move/exercise-is-key-to-living-longer

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28008603/

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Modern Pillows For Living Room

Source: https://www.symptomfind.com/health/chair-yoga-for-seniors?utm_content=params%3Ao%3D740013%26ad%3DdirN%26qo%3DserpIndex

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Books About Living A Simple Life

Books About Living A Simple Life

The Life of Sacagawea — and What Your History Book Didn't Tell You

Photo Courtesy: Larry Gerbrandt/Moment/Getty Images; Alice Cooper's "Sacagawea and Jean-Baptiste," 1905 via Wikimedia Commons

If you learned of Sacagawea in your high-school history class, it's likely that you think of her as a key part of the Lewis and Clark Expedition. But the common depiction of Sacagawea is thoroughly whitewashed; many truths about her, and her circumstances, have either been twisted or left out entirely in order to suit a particular narrative. That is, the expedition was meant to be a heroic, American endeavor, and, as such, it's often romanticized by historians.

However, romanticizing the colonization of Indigenous peoples and lands is harmful — and using Sacagawea as a symbol of this alleged "heroic" mission is even more damaging. With this in mind, we're delving into the aspects of Sacagawea's life, and the Corps of Discovery, that are often left out of our history books.

Sacagewea's Early Years

Born around 1788 or 1789 into the Lemhi Shoshone band of the Northern Shoshone, Sacagawea was part of the Agaidika people, or "Salmon-eater" Shoshone, and grew up in what is present-day Idaho. Although some accounts suggest that her name is Hidatsa in origin, with "sacaga" meaning "bird" and "wea" meaning "woman," many Shoshone people maintain that it's a Shoshone name that means "boat launcher" and is pronounced more like "Sacajawea" (via National Women's History Museum).

Photo Courtesy: Charles M. Russel/Wikipedia

"Cagaagawia'sh, in Hidatsa, or Birdwoman, in English, has become an important figure in both American Indian history and identity and as an icon of the women's suffrage movement," Alisha Deegan (Hidatsa/Sahnish), a citizen of the Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara Nation in North Dakota, and the interpretation and cultural resource program manager at Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Site, told Teen Vogue. Deegan goes on to note that, "There are many questions about Cagaagawia'sh and her life, but what we do know demonstrates that she was an amazing and strong woman."

Around 1800, when she was just 12 years old or so, Sacagawea and several other young Shoshone girls were kidnapped by Hidatsa warriors and, later, enslaved. Over the next few years, Sacagawea became fluent in the Hidatsa language, a form of Siouan language spoken in what is now considered present-day North Dakota.

It's around this point in her story that details get a bit murkier. However, it is known that around 1803 or 1804, Sacagawea was sold as an enslaved person to, or "won" by, a French-Canadian fur trapper named Toussaint Charbonneau. Along with several other unknown Indigenous girls, Sacagawea was made to be one of Charbonneau's "wives." Although many history textbooks shy away from the truth, playwright and activist Carolyn Gage does not, writing that this was "a formalized child-rape arrangement brokered by adults," adults who also enslaved said child.

Sacagawea & the Corps of Discovery

In 1803, President Thomas Jefferson purchased western territory that had been claimed by French colonizers. Known as the Louisiana Purchase, this act nearly doubled the size of the United States. At that point, much of the middle of the continent had gone unexplored by white settlers. In order to map a safe route from the East Coast to the Pacific Ocean, Jefferson hired explorer Meriwether Lewis and frontiersman William Clark to lead an expedition of roughly 40 men up the Missouri.

Photo Courtesy: Charles Marion Russell/Wikipedia

While spending the winter months at an encampment near the Hidatsa-Mandan villages, Lewis and Clark met Charbonneau, who angled to join the expedition as an interpreter. The explorers allowed Charbonneau to join them, but it was clear that they saw Sacagawea, who was just 16 or 17 years old at the time, as more of an asset to their colonialist expedition than Charbonneau, who Lewis later called "a man of no peculiar merit" in his writings.

Not only was Sacagawea an interpreter herself, but she was also pregnant at the time, and it's clear that Lewis and Clark felt the optics of having an Indigenous mother with them — an expedition of mostly white men — was beneficial. That is, the Corps of Discovery likely thought that Indigenous people they encountered wouldn't think of them as a war party if Sacagawea was with them. While Sacagawea's abilities (and very presence) were deemed important by the Corps, it's important to note that she didn't have any agency over joining or not joining the expedition.

In addition to guiding the Corps of Discovery, Sacagawea was able to identify edible plants, communicate with other Indigenous people they encountered, and, in one instance, ensured the survival of the expedition's documentation. That is, when a boat nearly capsized, Sacagawea collected all of the journals, navigational tools, and provisions that might have otherwise been lost — all while carrying her baby, and Jean-Baptiste (nicknamed "Pompey"), on her back. Indebted to her efforts, Lewis and Clark named the Sacagawea River, which flows through present-day Montana, after her.

In July of 1805, the expedition reached the three forks of the Missouri River, which Sacagawea recognized. About a month later, the Corps encountered Shoshone peoples and, in a twist of fate, Sacagawea realized that the chief, Cameahwait, was her brother. By that fall, the Corps reached the Pacific Ocean, thanks in large part to the horses the Shoshone people provided them.

Needing a place to set up their winter encampment, the Corps once again leaned on Sacagawea's knowledge. But determining where to install Fort Clatsop wasn't the last time Sacagawea's insights proved invaluable. In fact, on the return journey, it was Sacagawea who safely guided the group she was with through what's known today as the Bozeman Pass, an act that caused Clark to note that she had been "a pilot through this country."

Despite the instrumental role she played, Sacagawea was not given any compensation; the same was true for York, the enslaved Black man who also made the roundtrip journey with the Corps. Sacagawea's captor, on the other hand, was given $500 and over 300 acres of land, despite Lewis' dislike of him.

Sacagewea's Legacy Today

There isn't much in the way of written documentation when it comes to Sacagawea's life after the expedition. It is well documented that Sacagawea's son was left in the care of Clark, who was (strangely) eager to oversee the boy's education in St. Louis. After that, Sacagawea seemingly went on fur-trading expeditions and gave birth to a daughter, Lisette, in 1812.

Photo Courtesy: Judy Chicago's "The Dinner Party" (Sacajawea place setting), 1974–79, Brooklyn Museum; Alice Cooper's "Sacagawea and Jean-Baptiste," 1905 via Wikimedia Commons

When it comes to her death, there's quite a bit of uncertainty, too. While records from a fur-trading post note that she died of typhus in 1812, other accounts indicate that she didn't pass away at just 25 years old. The National Women's History Museum points to Indigenous oral histories, some of which suggest that "Sacagawea lived for many more years in the Shoshone lands in Wyoming, until her death in 1884."

Cultura Colectiva points out that, "In 1925, Dr. Charles Eastman, an Indigenous physician, was sent by the Bureau of Indian Affairs to look for the remains of the great Sacagawea." In retracing Sacagawea's steps, Dr. Eastman learned of a Shoshone woman, who went by the name Porivo and lived on a Comanche reservation; Dr. Eastman believed this elder to be Sacagawea.

"Though it is known that she separated from the abusive Charbonneau, little else is certain about the remainder of Sacajawea's life," the Brooklyn Museum notes. "Most Native people believe she died in 1812 at Fort Mandan and is buried somewhere on the Standing Rock Sioux reservation lands, North Dakota, while some evidence states that she lived with the Shoshone tribe for many years afterwards."

In fact, Sacagawea has two "official" burial sites. One, in Corson County, South Dakota, aligns with the story that she died at just 25 years old. This site, located at Fort Manuel, was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1978 as the final resting place of Sacagawea, but this completely discounts the oral history collected by both Dr. Eastman and Dr. Grace Hebard. The second site is located at Fort Washakie in the Wind River Reservation in Wyoming.

According to the National Park Service, there are more statues dedicated to Sacagawea than any other woman in American history. Unveiled in 1905, Alice Cooper's Sacagawea and Jean-Baptiste is one of the most notable monuments. Often, the sculpture is credited with inspiring now-controversial author Eva Emery Dye, who, in writing, cemented the romanticization and colonialist depiction of Sacagawea.

Additionally, the National American Woman Suffrage Association, perhaps not realizing the full story, saw Sacagawea as a symbol of women's independence. And, in 2000, the U.S. Mint aimed to honor her with a golden dollar coin, but printing the likeness of someone who was enslaved by white men on currency is, to say the very least, a problematic choice.

But attempts to honor Sacagawea go beyond monuments, misguided coins and named natural landmarks. In fact, she is the only Indigenous woman represented in feminist artist Judy Chicago's installation The Dinner Party, which features place settings for prominent, history-making women. "The circumstances surrounding her life have become the stuff of legend, prompting interpretation by historians, writers, and filmmakers," the Brooklyn Museum, which houses The Dinner Party, notes. "In an era in which women, particularly Native American women, were considered either weak and helpless or dangerous, Sacajawea proved to be an icon of bravery."

In a letter entitled "To the Youth / OUR FUTURE," Canadian First Nations artist George Littlechild ponders Sacagawea's complicated, but important, legacy. "It is a known fact that America glorifies historical figures such as Lewis and Clark, that they are commemorated for opening up the West to 'Progress,' thus 'Civilizing' ancestral lands," he writes. "They have become cultural icons for their deeds…. In fact what did they truly do for this land known as America?"

Venerated by some but rightly despised by others, Lewis, Clark and the whole expedition were harbingers of the destruction, disease, and death that was yet to come with the United States' westward expansion. "It is up to us to rewrite the history books," Littlechild writes, "to make change and above all to have respect for all humanity…" And, in part, that can start with looking beyond whitewashed history to understand historical figures like Sacagawea more honestly.

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Source: https://www.reference.com/history/sacagawea-life-story?utm_content=params%3Ao%3D740005%26ad%3DdirN%26qo%3DserpIndex

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Decorative Columns For Living Room

Decorative Columns For Living Room

Living Room Decorating Ideas

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The living room is one of the most important areas in your house for a great hosting experience. It's likely you and your guests will spend countless hours in this room, discussing and entertaining.

Decorating your living room properly will deliver deeply satisfying living for your leisure time. To get there, however, you must pay attention to all of the following areas:

1. the colors that you select

2. material and quality of seats and furniture

3. wall decorations and art

4. lighting and light fixtures

Below we show you some great ideas for decorating your living room.

The Best Colors for Your Living Room

One area that will have a disproportionate impact on the mood of your living room is the color you choose for the walls. While you can install wallpaper to change the look of certain walls, there are areas that wallpaper cannot cover. Getting the wall color right, therefore, gives you the best shot at creating a remarkable effect.

Some of the best color palettes for living rooms include:

1. White - White walls add a touch of class. They are the perfect backdrop for decorating with upscale furniture.

2. Turquoise - This color is great for creating an informal but refined feel. Your kids and family will love the refreshing mood this color creates.

3. Cream - Striking a balance between formal and informal, cream-colored walls create a quiet, soothing effect.

Furniture Choices

With your wall color selection made, you should select furniture that pairs well with the colors you've already chosen. For example, combining white couches with white walls will create resonance in your room design.

Make sure to provide ample seating to avoid crowding. Add multiple sofas, easy chairs and other seats that can accommodate a complete roomful of people, depending on the size of the room.

Furniture like TV stands and tables should generally blend in with the colors of the room and ceiling. There are some natural materials, however, that can work regardless of the colors on the walls. For example, wooden table surfaces look good whether your walls are white, blue or another color.

Lighting Ideas

You can greatly improve the aesthetics of a living room with bright lighting and impressive light fixtures.

To start, you can consider a beautiful chandelier in the center to provide light around the whole room. This central masterpiece ensures adequate lighting throughout the living room while adding an air of elegance.

You can then add to the light sources in the living room with individual lights on tables and around the walls in areas where people will not knock them down.

Carpeting

Consider adding carpeting to your living room to create a comfortable walking area. Carpeting lets you and your guests go barefoot if you choose. The living room almost demands this since you will want to take off your shoes and kick back on occasion. Warm plush carpets provide a good, comfortable surface for this. There are many choices when it comes to carpet size.

If your living room is very large, you can opt for wall-to-wall carpeting. On the other hand, if it's smaller, you can add just an area rug in the place where you will sit. For example, you can have a rug around the sitting and TV area where your kids will play.

The advantage of area rugs over wall to wall carpeting is, mainly, lower costs and ease of replacement. You can completely change the area rug and create a new aesthetic in a fraction of the time it would take to begin installing new wall-to-wall carpeting.

Art Ideas for Your Living Room

Many homeowners like to have some wall art in their living room. If your living room is spacious, it can accommodate a good-sized piece of art mounted alongside one wall. In some instances, you can consider multiple art pieces. Invariably, tasteful art adds to the sophistication of a living room. It adds an interesting item that sparks many conversations from impressed guests.

Selecting art is an opportunity to express your unique personality. If you are fairly conservative, you can select some classical type pieces that portray a quiet life. If you are more adventurous, you can experiment with a post-modern impressionist piece that others might consider risky. It's your space, and so feel free to decorate it to express who you are.

Decorative Columns For Living Room

Source: https://www.life123.com/home-garden/decor/living-room-decorating-ideas?utm_content=params%3Ao%3D740009%26ad%3DdirN%26qo%3DserpIndex

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Living In A Single Wide Mobile Home

Living In A Single Wide Mobile Home

Image Credit: Mario Tama/Getty Images News/Getty Images

Mobile homes, also called manufactured homes, are a popular low-cost housing choice for many people. Mobile homes have improved greatly since their inception and some now look almost identical to traditional homes. Double wide mobile homes are the width of two single wide mobile homes placed side by side. They provide more interior living space than single wide homes. When purchasing a double wide mobile home, there are several key factors to take into consideration.

Step 1

Get preapproved by a bank so you know how much you can afford to pay for a mobile home and the land, if needed. Save money to use as a down payment.

Step 2

Select the land where you want to place the double wide. Purchase the land if you don't already own it. Check with your city and county zoning departments to verify that you can place a double wide mobile home in that location.

Step 3

Use a tape measure to determine the size of the tract of land on which the mobile home will be placed. Ensure that there is enough space for the double wide mobile home, plus at least an additional 6 feet on each side.

Step 4

Decide what features the home's interior should have, such as number of bedrooms and bathrooms, custom cabinetry, garden tubs and more.

Step 5

Visit several manufactured home dealers and walk through the display homes. Check the quality of the construction, such as wall thickness, whether the home shakes as you walk through it and the overall interior appearance.

Step 6

Insist on getting a warranty from the manufacturer or dealer if the home is new. The warranty should cover structural flaws as well as plumbing, heating, air conditioning and electrical guarantees. Verify that the appliances are also covered by either the home manufacturer or the appliance manufacturer. Make sure the warranty covers leaks and defects around the main seal down the center of the double wide mobile home.

Step 7

Ask about other fees included in the price--including delivery and installation fees--before purchasing your double wide mobile home.

Tip

Just as with a mortgage on a traditional home, the homeowner must pay a down payment of at least 20 percent of the purchase price to avoid paying Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI).

A double wide mobile home can include just about any interior feature that a traditional home has. Of course the more features you request, the higher the cost will be.

Living In A Single Wide Mobile Home

Source: https://www.sapling.com/5859345/buy-double-wide-mobile-home

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