10 Burgers for National Burger Day

Yesterday was National Burger Day, and in case you missed out on it (or if you just really like burgers) we've found some recipes for delicious burgers that you can make. Most of these are meat-free, so herbivores delight! But don't worry carnivores, there's some down there for you too. Check them out!

I really don't know who designates days to be all about a certain food. The industry? Intensely enthusiastic fans of Nutella, Fig Newtons, and Peach Melba? Well, whomever decided that today is National Burger Day seems both a little late and right on time. Memorial Day is over, and with it a lot of burger grilling action. But the holiday kicks off a whole summer of burgers — are they in your menu plans? 

From a tutorial on grilling the juiciest burger ever, to homemade hamburger buns, to lots of vegetarian burgers (including my own favorite, black bean and edamame burgers — yum!), we have 10 recipes to get National Burger Day off to a good start! 

Burgers with Meat

1. How to Grill Really Juicy Burgers
2. Beef & Bacon Burger Blend
3. Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall's Spiced Lamb Burgers

Meat-Free Burgers

1. Best-Ever Veggie Burgers
2. Black Bean Edamame Burgers
3. Beef-Free Bean Burger 
4. Wild Rice Burgers 
5. Tofu-Hijiki Patties 
6. Jared's Portabella Mushroom Burger
7. How to Make Your Own Hamburger Buns 

What's your favorite burger? Do you have any tips for making a really stellar burger — with meat or no? 

And a few more tips and recipes...

• How To Build A Better Burger 
• Homemade Ketchup
• How To Make Mayonnaise: The Video 

(Images: See recipes for full image credits)

Original Article Here: http://bit.ly/13WVe8N

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7 Simple Tips To Help You Declutter

Sometimes we sit down in our homes and think "How did I end up with all of this stuff!?" Whether its a lack of organization, or just a lot of trinkets here and there, clutter can build up over time. If you've decided that you've had enough, check out "7 Simple Tips To Help You Declutter" below!

1. Set the mood. 

If you have a diffuser, fill it with uplifting essential oils such as grapefruit, lemon, or Elevation blend. These pleasant aromas will help you tackle the emotions that would otherwise distract you and keep you from accomplishing your goals. Our sense of smell is the only sense directly related to our brain, and aromatherapy can really change your mood!

2. Get the tunes going. 

What kind of music will get you revved up or in great spirits?

3. Set a goal. 

Begin small. One room, one closet or even one pile at a time. If you think about the entire picture, you may get overwhelmed. At least I do.

4. Take inventory. 

Get a piece of paper and take note of what you have and what you can get rid of. My rule of thumb: if I haven't worn it, or used it in at least a year, it's time to say bye-bye.

5. Think about the most efficient way to organize. 

How would you like things to be displayed? Do you need hangers or organization mechanisms such as dividers, shelving, boxes or crates? Get those before you start so that you have somewhere to put your items. (It's imperative that you plan ahead and get what you need before you tackle that clutter).

6. Complete one project at a time. 

Stay put and complete one project at a time. Don’t move into a second area before you finish the first. If you're reorganizing a pantry, stay there. If you're reorganizing the folders in your mail program, don’t go into the pantry. Starting in smaller piles will again, keep you from getting overwhelmed.

7. Don’t get distracted. 

Leave your phone out of the room. Leave all media out, with the exception of music. Keep the tunes flowing. Only leave for bathroom breaks and do it until it is done.

Photo Credit: Shutterstock.com

Original Article Here: http://bit.ly/19VysOu

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5 Ways To Sneak Exercise Into A Busy Day

In today's fast paced world, sometimes people feel that there aren't enough hours in the day to get everything done! If you're one of them, and you're still trying to find a way to exercise and stay physically active, then check out "5 Ways To Sneak Exercise Into A Busy Day" below!

Here are some tips to workout no matter what comes your way: 

1. Ten minutes is better than nothing. 

Instead of an hour-long workout, you can break it up by doing 10-minute bursts of physical activity throughout the day. According to the American College of Sports Medicine, both approaches (continuous, or in spurts) are just a good for your health.  The recommended amount of exercise is 30 to 60 minutes of moderate intensity exercise, five days a week, or 20 to 30 minutes of vigorous exercise three days a week.  

2. Use the stairs instead of the elevator. 

Before you know it, you've worked out for 10 minutes. 

3. Take a brisk 20 minute walk. 

To be considered heart healthy, your heart rate needs to be in your target range for 20 minutes. A very general guideline for target heart rate is: 200 - your age = Maximum Heart Rate. Take 50% and 80% of your Maximum Heart Rate to get your Target Heart Rate. If you're pressed for time, consider taking some calls on your cell phone and going for a walk. 

4. Perform some chair/desk exercises. 

Exercises like leg lifts, calf raises, squats, and push-ups (using a wall or desk) are effective in getting your blood flowing and moving your body when space is limited.

5. Stretch! 

This can actually increase muscle strength by 19%. It also promotes flexibility in your muscle, reducing risk on injury and muscle tightness.

If you injured your foot, focus on upper body or core (abdominal and lower back) exercises. If you have a shoulder injury, you can still do lower body exercises.

Original Article Here: http://bit.ly/18FP92E

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Before & After: A DIY Desk For Two Topped With a Surprise Surface

Do you dare to DIY? Here's an interesting project we came across on apartmenttherapy.com! "A DIY Desk For Two Topped With a Surprise Surface" looks great and is rather creative with some of its materials. Check it out below!

Erin and her husband wanted to overhaul their craft room into something special – a place where both of them could work from their laptops, focus on craft projects, and even play with their child. And from all appearances, they were quite successful in hitting all those requirements with their craft room makeover. They also used an unexpected material...

Erin's finished room is a harmonious and soft-soothing space, where functional needs are balanced by Erin's keen decorator's eye. Kitchen cabinets from Lowe's were topped with plywood sheets to create a side by side desks setup with plenty of storage space for both Erin and her husband's needs. The framed pegboards above each work area offer easy to access storage for crafting and also work nicely as a decorative elements.

But the real hidden detail is the desk top itself...

...laminate flooring! 

Erin: I found some Allure laminate flooring on clearance and paid $12 for a box that covered the entire desk…with plenty to spare! I just followed the interlocking edge design to install. To cut where I needed, I just scored with a utility knife and snapped off the excess pieces. No need to glue down, those gray edges above are super sticky.

As-is, clearance, scrap, and returned items section sales at home improvement stores, online flooring discounters, and IKEA are a great place to bargain hunt for flooring, but we had never considered using interlocking laminate flooring as a desk surface. Scuff-resistant and easy to clean, laminate flooring makes for an ideal work surface (and affordably replaceable). This is a great DIY idea for adding a veneer of finished wood, with laminate's additional durability, all without the requirement for serious woodworking tools.

More details, resources, and photos of the makeover: How To Nest For Less

(Images: Erin/How To Nest For Less)

Original Article Here: http://bit.ly/17Inw7G

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Africa Yoga Project

Yoga isn't just something that goes on in gym studios and homes of so-inclined individuals, it's something that is practiced the world over! The Africa Yoga Project is dedicated to healing and empowering individuals through yoga. Take a look at these inspiring pictures from Robert Sturman below!

As a man, yoga is a practice I use to clean out the unnecessary and walk with mindfulness in our world.  As an artist, yoga is a poetic human expression celebrating our sincere desire to be better human beings. I found Africa Yoga Project a few months ago and knew, without question, I wanted to be of service to this remarkable organization. 

The following images are of my first few days as a resident artist for Africa Yoga Project, whose work is dedicated to healing and empowering individuals. If these pictures inspire you, pass them on. I want the world to know about Africa Yoga Project.

Check out all the pictures and the full article here: http://bit.ly/1541JcM

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