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Did You Know Fish Is Good For You?

Did You Know Fish Is Good For You?

Fish is a low-fat high quality protein. Fish is filled with omega-3 fatty acids and vitamins such as D and B2 (riboflavin). Fish is rich in calcium and phosphorus and a great source of minerals, such as iron, zinc, iodine, magnesium, and potassium. The American Heart Association recommends eating fish at least two times per week as part of a healthy diet. Fish is packed with protein, vitamins, and nutrients that can lower blood pressure and help reduce the risk of a heart attack or stroke.

Eating fish is an important source of omega-3 fatty acids. These essential nutrients keep our heart and brain healthy. Two omega-3 fatty acids found in fish are EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid). Our bodies don't produce omega-3 fatty acids so we must get them through the food we eat. Omega-3 fatty acids are found in every kind of fish, but are especially high in fatty fish. Some good choices are salmon, trout, sardines, herring, canned mackerel, canned light tuna, and oysters.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids:

  • Help maintain a healthy heart by lowering blood pressure and reducing the risk of sudden death, heart attack, abnormal heart rhythms, and strokes.
  • Aid healthy brain function and infant development of vision and nerves during pregnancy.
  • May decrease the risk of depression, ADHD, Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, and diabetes.
  • May prevent inflammation and reduce the risk of arthritis

Source – Washington State Department of Health

Eddie Pile
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Benefits of Online Grocery Shopping

Benefits of Online Grocery Shopping

Trying to find time in your busy schedule to make dinner is one thing. Trying to find time to go to grocery store is a whole other. There are plenty of strategies you can use to make grocery shopping more efficient. One of the most recent trends is to take advantage of online grocery shopping. Whether you order for pick-up or delivery, online grocery shopping can not only make your weeknights less hectic, but it can even help you save on groceries too!

Here are five benefits of online grocery shopping that might make you consider trading in your squeaky shopping cart for a digital one:

1. Groceries from the comfort of your own home

This is the most obvious benefit, but it’s still worth talking about. Instead of trying to squeeze into a parking spot or running into someone you know when you are definitely not up for it, you can get everything you need for dinner while finally catching up on episode of your favorite tv show. And if you have kids at home, need I say more.  Grocery shopping with young children is not for the faint of heart.   If you’re not going to be at home at a convenient time for the delivery, check to see if your store has pickup.  Then you can just order your groceries for a set pick up time, pull up to the store, and they will come load your groceries into your car.  Magic!

2. Less time wasted walking up and down aisles

Unless you’ve got a Fitbit goal you’re trying to meet, nothing is more frustrating than getting all the way down to the produce aisle – before realizing you forgot to get milk way back in the dairy aisle. Or when the cashier is ringing you out and you remember you never grabbed eggs. When you’re shopping online, you don’t have to worry about making such mistakes. Instead of wasting several minutes, it just takes a couple clicks to make sure the contents of your cart are perfect.

3. Lighten your paper trail

Depending on what service you use, a lot of online grocery services will have sales from your local grocery store right there in the interface. Some will even let you filter groceries by what’s on sale and what isn’t. This is a simple way to take advantage of all the great deals your grocery store has to offer.

4. Shop by history

Imagine if every time you went to your grocery store, your favorite products were already waiting in your shopping cart for you. This can be a reality when you shop online. Once you’ve used an online grocery website once, the next time you order you may be able to select groceries from what you’ve previously purchased. This is especially convenient for essential items that you have to buy every week.

5. Keep track of how much you’re spending

Another great advantage to shopping online in general is that the total cost of your cart is easily visible at all times. It’s easy to go over budget when you’re buying dozens of different items at once, especially when math is not your strong suit. Impulse purchases are just too tempting in the store and can be a big add to cost. Or, if you are hitting the stores with kids, they can often sneak in a few packages of this and that when you are not looking.  When you’re shopping online, you know what your total is at all times, and it’s easy to remove something if you later realize you don’t need it. And it’s totally kid proof. Double win!

While there are definite advantages to shopping in store, shopping online may be the perfect antidote to your busy life.

 

Source – The Dinner Daily.

Eddie Pile
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6 Benefits of Homemade Meals

6 Benefits of Homemade Meals

  1. Saves money

Eating homemade foods is usually much cheaper than eating at a restaurant or buying processed foods from the market. 

Ben’s advice: “When we eat at a restaurant, we pay for not only the food, but also the costs of running that business. The lights, the water, the building, and the staff — in addition to the meal we are eating. The same goes for the pre-made or frozen meals at grocery stores.” 

Here are some additional ways to save money: 

  • Plan several days of meals. We’ll be less likely be tempted to eat something else if we have a plan or something already made. 
  • Make a grocery list and stick to it to avoid buying extra food. 
  • Save leftovers in the refrigerator or freezer. Once you get a stock of leftovers stored, you can reheat them at a later date when you don’t have time to cook. 
  1. Saves time

It might seem like grabbing something to eat at the local supermarket or driving to get take-out at the closest restaurant might be a quick solution when you’re in a hurry. In reality, many times it can be much faster to cook something at home, especially when you plan ahead. There are so many meals that can be made in less than 30 minutes. And if you choose a more complex recipe, you can always cook in bulk and eat the surplus later in the week or freeze it. 

  1. Healthier ingredients

Many commercially prepared foods are high in fat, salt, and sugar. When we prepare our own food, we know exactly which ingredients and how much of each are going into our food. 

  1. Avoid food allergies and sensitivities

Preparing your food at home can be especially beneficial if you or a family member has a food allergy. Because you are in control in your own kitchen, you can reduce the risk of an allergic reaction. 

  1. Portion control

Many restaurants and fast food joints offer portions that are much larger than necessary. And the problem is, when food is in front of you, chances are you’ll eat it. When you dine in, you can regulate the amount of food served for dinner, eliminating unnecessary temptation. 

  1. Brings family together

Eating at home gives the entire family time to talk about their day. 

Ben’s advice: “Studies show that when we eat together, our kids and family are much healthier. Eating together is linked to less obesity, kids doing better in school, and less substance abuse within the family.” 

Involving your children in food preparation (maybe by asking them to read the recipe out loud or mix ingredients) is not only a fun thing to do, but also a great way to teach them healthy eating habits. 

Thanks to Ben for filling us in on the benefits of cooking at home! 

Source – University of Washington

Eddie Pile
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Ways to Make Tough Meat Tender

Ways to Make Tough Meat Tender

I think we’ve all been there: a new recipe or an unfamiliar cut of meat leaves us with a tough, chewy meal. It feels wasteful and it can be pretty embarrassing if it happens during a dinner party. So how do you make tough meat tender?  

Well, tenderizing meat isn’t as difficult as you might think! With a few tricks, like the ones we’ve got below, you can have even budget-friendly and unfamiliar cuts super tender with just a little extra effort. Find out how below 

  1. Physically tenderize the meat

For tough cuts like chuck steak, a meat mallet can be a surprisingly effective way to break down those tough muscle fibers. You don’t want to pound it into oblivion and turn the meat into mush, but a light pounding with the rough edge of a meat mallet will do the trick. If you don’t have one, you can lightly score the surface in a crosshatch pattern with a knife or use a fork to poke tiny holes into the meat. 

  1. Use a marinade

Cuts like flank or skirt steak make excellent grilling steaks, but they’re so tough you won’t want to eat them without a little marinade action. Using acidic ingredients like lemon juice, vinegar or buttermilk not only add flavor but also break down tough proteins, giving the meat a “pre-cook” before it hits the grill. Just make sure you don’t let it sit on the marinade for too long (30 minutes to two hours should be sufficient), or it’ll become soft and mushy. 

  1. Don’t forget the salt

Whether you’re marinating or not, at least make sure to salt the meat before cooking. Salt draws out moisture from inside the meat, concentrating the flavors and creating a natural brine. You know it’s working because the meat will take on a deeper, red color. Unlike marinades, you can salt your meat for up to 24 hours in advance. 

  1. Let it come up to room temperature

This is especially important with grass-fed beef and other lean cuts of meat. Since there’s not a lot of fat on these cuts, they’re less forgiving if slightly overcooked. Letting the meat sit on a room temperature counter for 30 minutes before cooking will help it cook more evenly. 

  1. Hit the right internal temperature

Overcooking can make your meat dry but undercooked meat can be quite chewy. Don’t be afraid of an instant-read meat thermometer and pull your meat when it’s ready. For naturally tender cuts like beef tenderloin, that can be as rare as 125ºF, whereas tougher cuts like brisket should be cooked to 195ºF. 

  1. Rest your meat

No matter how well you prepare and cook your meat, it will turn out dry and tough if you don’t let it rest. A general rule of thumb is five minutes per inch of thickness for steaks, or ten minutes per pound for roasts. This allows the juices to redistribute within the meat instead of spilling out onto the cutting board—that means your meat will be dry and tough. 

  1. Slice against the grain

All cuts of meat have long muscle fibers that run throughout them. If you make cuts parallel to the muscle fibers, you’ll end up using your teeth to break through them as you chew. That sounds like a workout! Instead, cut crosswise against the muscle fibers so they come apart easily and effortlessly. 

Source – Taste of Home 

Eddie Pile
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Healthy Recipes

 Health is wealth. Today we are sharing some wealthy recipes with you.

Eddie Pile
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How effective are Citronella Candles?

How effective are Citronella Candles?

Citronella oil is one of the many oils that blends well with most waxes, and can be used to make effective candles for repelling mosquitoes, alongside providing a number of beneficial effects to the skin and respiratory system. Citronella oil has a characteristic soothing smell that is both sharp as well as has a healing aspect to it. Citronella oil candles emit strong antiseptic, antimicrobial and antifungal substances to the environment which help drive away insects effectively. Citronella oil candles are often used as garden candles in seasons when mosquitoes create quite a havoc to families looking for a relaxing day out from a busy schedule. The method in which Citronella oil works is by disorienting the insects’ ability to detect and get attracted to the scent that helps it find and attack its victim. Candles made from Citronella oil are a safe and effective option to enable a small quantity of scent to be inhaled by the body and help your body, mind and soul process the natural ingredients contained in it slowly and effectively. 

Citronella oil is very easily dissipated in the environment and the right amount of Citronella oil is contributed to the environment by way of burning candles made from Citronella oil. Citronella oil candles, when burned, provide relief from mosquitoes for a number of hours, according to popular research studies. In this way, a number of diseases carried and transferred through the lethal blood of carrier mosquitoes can be avoided effectively. These diseases include dengue fever, chikungunya and yellow fever. The hour protection from mosquitoes and a number of insects are quite in line with the amount and duration of the mosquito repellant effect from DEET-based chemical agents. Hence, it is competitive in every sense to all the mosquito repellent products available in the market. 

The warming and activating effects of Citronella oil derived from the plant parts of Ceylon Citronella or Java type Citronella and Candles which are blended to release the essential oils of Citronella override all effects that might be manifested on the human body due to the strength of Citronella when ingested or inhaled directly. These include depression of the nervous system, irritation of the eye and the skin and plant and animal toxicity and possible risk of flammability, especially in dry environments. Encapsulating the right quantity of Citronella oil in candles is the best way to resolve the damaging effects of an overdose of Citronella. 

Eddie Pile
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How to Identify Red Herring, Bloaters and Kippers

How to Identify Red Herring, Bloaters and Kippers

Red herrings, bloaters and kippers all begin life as herrings but are transformed by being cured in different ways. Before electrical refrigeration, curing fish by salting and smoking was an important method of preservation. 

Of the three, red herrings have the strongest taste. They are made by soaking whole herrings in brine for up to three weeks and then smoking them for another two or three weeks. This turns the flesh red. Red herrings have been made for centuries.   

These strongly flavoured fish have fallen out of favour but they live on in the phrase “red herring”, i.e. a misleading and irrelevant distraction. 

Bloaters are a lot like red herrings in that they are not gutted or split before being cured, but bloaters are only lightly salted and lightly smoked. The cure for bloaters is considerably quicker than for red herrings. This produces a mild tasting soft fish.   

John Woodger is credited with inventing the kipper in Northumberland during the 1840s. His innovation was to split the herring along its back (not along the belly) and remove the guts. Once this is done the herring is soaked in brine for 20-30 minutes and then smoked for 12-20 hours. Regional variations mean that there are lots of different types of kipper. 

To summarise, 

  • Red herrings – an old cure for whole herring that produces salty and highly smoked fish.  A good keeper. 
  • Boaters – lightly salted and lightly smoked whole herrings.  Mild tasting. 
  • Kippers – a 19th century innovation.  The fish are split, gutted and smoked. 

 Source – Food Heros & Heroins 

Eddie Pile
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Apple and Peanut Butter Smoothie Recipe

Apple and Peanut Butter Smoothie Recipe

INGREDIENTS 

  • 1 cup unsweetened almond milk 
  • 1 small apple, chopped 
  • 2 tablespoons natural peanut butter 
  • 2 teaspoons honey (optional) 
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 
  • ÂĽ teaspoon ground cinnamon 
  • 4-6 ice cubes 

 

DIRECTIONS 

Combine almond milk, apple, peanut butter, honey (if using), vanilla, cinnamon and ice cubes in a blender. Puree until smooth. 

 Source –Eating Well 

Eddie Pile
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Cooking Methods Using Oil #1 - Sautéing

Cooking Methods Using Oil #1 - Sautéing

Sautéing, defined. To sauté is to cook food quickly in a minimal amount of fat over relatively high heat. The word comes from the French verb sauter, which means "to jump," and describes not only how food reacts when placed in a hot pan but also the method of tossing the food in the pan. The term also refers to cooking tender cuts of meat (such as chicken breasts, scaloppine, or filet mignon) in a small amount of fat over moderately high heat without frequent stirring―just flipping it over when one side is browned. 

What sautéing does. The browning achieved by sautéing lends richness to meats and produce. And because the food is cooked quickly, the integrity of the flavor and texture remains intact; asparagus, for example, retains its slightly grassy punch, as well as a pleasing crisp-tender bite. 

Equipment. Use either a skillet (a wide pan with sloped sides) or sauté pan (a wide pan with straight sides) for this technique. Both have a large surface area, so food is less likely to become overcrowded. Choose a pan with a dense bottom that evenly distributes heat. Nonstick, anodized aluminum, and stainless steel options work well. 

Best foods to sauté. Whether it's meat or vegetables, time in the pan is brief, so it's important that the food be naturally tender. Cuts such as beef tenderloin, fish fillets, and chicken breasts are good candidates; tougher cuts like brisket or pork shoulder are better for long cooking over low heat. The same principle holds for produce. Asparagus tips will be more successfully sautéed than beets. Many other tender vegetables, including baby artichokes, sugar snap peas, mushrooms, and bell peppers, lend themselves to this technique. That's not to say that denser, tougher vegetables can't be sautéed―they just may need to be blanched (briefly cooked in boiling water) first to get a head start on cooking. 

Size matters. Cutting food to a uniform thickness and size ensures that it will cook evenly. Vegetables should be no larger than bite-sized, meat no larger than portion-sized. Meat that is too thick or vegetables that are too large run the risk of burning or forming a tough, overly browned outer crust in the time that it takes to completely cook them. Have the ingredients prepped before heating the pan. 

Heat the pan. Be sure to warm the pan over medium-high heat for a few minutes. It needs to be quite hot in order to cook the food properly. If the heat is too low, the food will end up releasing liquid and steaming rather than sautéing. 

Add fat. Fats such as butter, oil, or bacon fat are used to coat the food and prevent it from sticking to the pan, aid in browning, and add flavor. Once the pan is hot, add the fat, and swirl to coat the bottom of the pan. (Heating the fat with the pan may cause food to stick.) Heat the fat for 10 to 30 seconds―until oil shimmers or butter's foam subsides―and then add the food. 

Don't overcrowd. It's crucial that only one layer of food cooks in the pan at a time. When sautéing cuts of meat, there should be at least a half-inch between each piece. Food releases steam when cooking. If that steam doesn't have enough room to escape, it stays in the pan, and the food ends up steaming rather than sautéing and won't brown. If you've ever tried to sauté a large amount of cubed beef for a stew, you may have experienced this problem. The solution is simply to sauté the food in smaller batches. 

Toss and turn. When sautéing tender vegetables and bite-sized pieces of meat, stir frequently (but not constantly) to promote even browning and cooking. Dense vegetables such as cubed potatoes, though, should be stirred once every few minutes so that they don't fall apart as they grow tender. Portion-sized cuts of meat (chicken breasts, steaks, or pork medallions, for example) should only be turned once so they have enough time to form a nice crust, which will also keep the meat from sticking to the pan. 

Stir-fry vs. sauté. Stir-frying and sautéing are techniques that share some similarities. Both methods cook food quickly in a small amount of fat. But stir-frying cooks food over intensely high heat, stirring constantly. Sautéing involves only moderately high heat, and the food is not in continuous motion. 

Source – Cooking Light 

Eddie Pile
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6 Tips for Keeping Your Kitchen Clean

6 Tips for Keeping Your Kitchen Clean

Start with a clean kitchen

If at all possible, don’t start cooking until your kitchen is relatively clean. If you start cooking and your kitchen is already a disaster, you’ll just get depressed and throw up your hands in despair after cooking a meal.

If you start with a clean slate, you’ll be more motivated to keep it clean.

Clean while you wait

If you find yourself with some free time in the kitchen, use it wisely! For example, if you’re waiting for a pot of water to come to a boil, instead of standing around, do a bit of cleaning. Start unloading the dishwasher. Put away cooking utensils that you’re done using. Wipe down the counters. You’ll be amazed at how much you can get done during the in-between times of cooking.

Clean up spills ASAP

This is another one that we all know we should do, but neglect when we are in a hurry. The reality is, if you get to a spill as soon as possible, it will be so much easier to clean up. Dried-on gunk has to be soaked or scraped first, when it could have been cleaned up with a simple wipe.

Have a compost/trash bowl

Instead of throwing your food scraps onto the counter, it’s much more efficient to place them in a dedicated compost bowl. This way you don’t have to wipe up the food juice, and you can quickly dump the scraps all at once. You can even peel carrots, potatoes, cucumbers, etc. directly into the bowl to save time.

A place for everything

Have a place for everything

Instead of having things scattered here and there about your kitchen, it’s much better to have similar things all in one spot. For example, I have a large plate on which I keep all of my non-refrigerated fruit. I also like to keep all of my cooking utensils on one end of my kitchen. That gives me a long expanse of counter with nothing on it. Glorious!

Have set days and times for doing things

I have found that forgetfulness is one of my main reasons for not getting certain chores done. When you have set days for doing certain things, it’s much easier to actually remember to do them!

For example, my stove used to get so grimy because I never remembered to wipe it down. Now that I have a set day for doing it, it’s much more likely to get done. I don’t always get to it on exactly the right day, but just knowing that it needs to be done once a week really helps.

You can also have certain times of the day for specific chores. For example, I like to unload the dishwasher after breakfast. That way, it’s ready to be filled throughout the day. And I like to wash dishes right after supper whenever possible. Then I can wake up to a clean kitchen!

So there you have it: tips for keeping your kitchen clean. I hope these inspired you to make the effort to keep your kitchen neat and tidy.

If you have any tips of your own, make sure to leave them in the comments!

Source – The Pioneer Woman

Eddie Pile
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Lotion Vs Cream - What is the difference?

Lotion Vs Cream - What is the difference?

Whether you usually shop for organic skincare products or synthetic ones, you may wonder what the difference is between lotion and cream. After all, they look the same; you put them both on your skin, so surely, they do the same thing? Believe it or not, both lotion and cream serve different purposes, and you’re best to work out what they are to ensure you get as many of the benefits as possible. 

What is Lotion? 

Body lotion is something that you may find more benefit in using in summery weather, or when your skin is feeling only a little bit dry – or entirely okay. Lotion tends to be more water than anything else, with just a little bit of oil and other ingredients thrown into the mix. These ingredients differ depending on whether they are natural body care products or synthetic. 

Lotion is lightweight, quickly absorbed into the skin, and isn’t greasy. What’s more, you will find it is generally sold in bottles which makes it easy to squeeze into your hands. The downside to lotion is that it doesn’t last long on your skin. 

What is Cream? 

Whether you buy synthetic or natural body care products, you will find that most creams on the market are in tubs instead of bottles. This is because they are thicker with more oils and less water. They are also denser and richer, with a thick consistency that works better with dehydrated skin, or for use during the colder months such as winter. 

Cream also works better to keep your skin hydrated for more extended periods, which is why it’s usually a recommendation as a night lotion for anti-ageing. 

Which Should I Choose? 

There are many things you need to consider before you purchase either cream or lotion. However, you can go ahead and buy both if you feel like you can use them for different purposes. In summer, you may like to stock up on lotion, which can help to keep your skin beautiful, revitalized, and fresh in the warmer weather. However, you will need to reapply it more than you would with cream. 

When the colder weather sets in, or you find yourself with exceptionally dry skin, then cream may be your natural body care product of choice. It’s thicker, creamier, and creates a protective barrier for your skin that lasts longer than lotion. 

 Source – Women Work – The National Network for Women 

Eddie Pile
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Dish Washing: How to Make It Fun

Dish Washing: How to Make It Fun

Choose fragrant suds 

Think of washing the dishes as a form of aromatherapy. Select a favorite fragrance, like cucumber or lemon, and let your mind wander as you submerge your hands in the warm, soapy water and inhale the enticing aroma. 

Clean as you go 

This likely isn’t new advice, but it’s worth considering. If you clean cups, dishes and utensils immediately after use, you won’t have to contend with an overwhelming heap of dirty dishes. And washing fewer dishes at a time totally makes the task more manageable. 

Wash in spurts 

Not a fan of the “clean as you go” method? Not a problem. Instead, set aside a few time slots each day to scrub some dirty dishes. Grab a soapy sponge and wash as many items as you can until the lather runs out, leaving the rest for later. Breaking up household chores, like dishwashing, can make them seem less daunting! 

Divide and conquer 

Believe it or not, doing the dishes can double as bonding time with your significant other, children or roommates. You wash while they dry (or vice versa) and take advantage of your togetherness by catching up on the day’s events while crossing this necessary task off your to-do list. 

Stick to a system 

To alleviate some of the stress—and set yourself up for success—devise a dishwashing system. For instance, invest in a dish rack instead of stacking clean dishes precariously on your countertop, and make it a point to always put away clean dishes before you start cooking so you’ll have sufficient space to tend to the newly soiled ones.   

Create a playlist 

Make a compilation of your all-time favorite tunes and only allow yourself to listen to them while you’re washing dishes. Pretty soon you’ll actually find yourself looking forward to scraping caked-on residue off your dinner plates! 

Listen to a podcast 

Taking in a podcast while tackling your dirty dishes can take your mind off the chore at hand. Choose a topic that interests you, and before you know it, you’ll be eyeballing a collection of clean plates, cups and silverware. 

Race to the finish 

Set a timer for five (5) to ten (10) minutes and see how many dishes you can wash in your chosen timeframe. Next time, try to break your record. Or, split your dirty dishes in half and challenge a significant other, child or roommate to see who finishes first. Who knew that cleaning could be so much fun?! 

Challenge yourself 

And speaking of fun, create other enjoyable challenges like using only your non-dominant hand to scrub pots and pans or having a partner instruct you as you wash the dishes while blindfolded. Don’t be afraid to get creative! 

Unwind while washing 

Try to clear your mind while you’re washing the dishes. Because this chore is simple and requires very little brainpower, it will allow you an opportunity to meditate, relax and escape from everyday concerns.   

Reward yourself 

Silly as it may seem, set a dishwashing goal and determine an appropriate reward for achieving it. For example, if you wash dishes for two weeks without hesitation or complaint, buy yourself a bouquet of flowers. At the two-month mark, reward yourself with a massage. Associating the task (and its achievement) with a prize can automatically increase its fun factor!   

Source – Vitacost 

Eddie Pile
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