Month: June 2022

There are many reasons behind the popularity of streaming services. Lots of people have gone away from cable and satellite TV service in favor of using one or more of the many streaming services available. However, there are a lot to choose from, and they all have their positives and negatives. Price is an important factor, especially if you’re on a budget, but the available channels and added features should also be considered when you’re choosing the best streaming service.

Consider what you enjoy watching

Some streaming services offer new releases while others may give you access to classic shows and movies. Many people enjoy using more than one streaming service, which can provide plenty of variety when it comes to different things to watch. Some streaming services also have exclusive content that’s not available elsewhere, and many of the shows and movies can become quite popular. If you enjoy watching sports, be sure to find a service that offers those channels.

Other important features

Many of the most popular streaming services offer a free trial, which can give you some time to try the service before you buy. Check out the cancellation process and understand how they will bill you each month, as many services bill and renew automatically. Some services may allow you to upgrade to premium channels, commercial-free shows and movies, along with allowing you to DVR your favorites so you never miss anything. If you have young children, there are services with kid-friendly channels, and most services allow you to lock certain channels or shows to prevent young kids from accessing them.

The downsides

Streaming services require a strong and constant internet connection. You may have issues streaming content during certain times or during extreme weather, especially if you have spotty internet. Plus, some services may require you to purchase special devices or equipment to allow you to stream their content.

Streaming services are great for many, especially if you don’t watch a lot of TV and you enjoy specific content. You can save a lot of money when compared to what you might spend on cable or satellite, but there are some negatives. If you want to try a streaming service, check out one that offers a free trial to see how well it works for you.

The summer season can be quite busy, but the warm weather can also cause many to feel a little lazy, especially when it comes to preparing meals. You may be involved in a lot of activities, especially if you have children, and no one wants to spend hours in the kitchen when the weather is so nice outside. Plus, cooking a lot can heat up your kitchen, which not only makes the inside of your home uncomfortable but can also make the AC work harder leading to higher cooling costs. Try some of these time-saving summer meal ideas to limit your time in the kitchen and keep your house cooler.

Think simple

Summer meals can be simple and easy. Think salads with grilled meats, Italian pasta salad and reinventing leftovers for simple meals that don’t require a lot of cooking. You can cook once to use those ingredients in different dishes throughout the week. This saves energy and time, and it ensures that you don’t have to heat up your kitchen every day. With the abundance of local produce available during the summer, it’s easy to put together a fresh meal using in-season fruits and vegetables.

Cook outdoors

Grilled food tastes great and it’s easy to prepare. You don’t have to put a lot of effort into cooking foods when you use your grill. Prep ahead some easy sides, or grill some vegetables, for a quick and easy meal. Kids can also have a great time with a meal cooked over the fire pit. You can use extendable roasting sticks to safely cook hot dogs outdoors and all you need to add is buns, hot dog fixings, and a veggie tray or potato chips for a fun and easy summer meal. End your cookout with roasted marshmallows or s’mores.

Summer is a busy season for many, and most people would prefer not to be in a hot kitchen every day preparing meals. There’s no reason to stress about summer meals and to feel that you must spend a lot of time cooking just to put a healthy meal on the table. Think simple and easy when it comes to summer cooking by including in-season produce, cooking outdoors and lessening your time in the kitchen by batch cooking certain foods to use them for several meals throughout the week.

As a child and as an adult, you may have always heard about the importance of eating breakfast. It has been called the most important meal of the day for various reasons. But is there truth behind this common statement? For some people, breakfast is very important, but for others, it’s not really necessary.

The value in starting your day with breakfast

Having a relatively healthy breakfast can help you wake up and feel energized for the day. Some observational studies show that people who eat breakfast daily may see an improvement in their overall health, especially related to heart health. Some people also claim that eating breakfast helps with weight loss. When it comes to kids, it may be beneficial for them to eat before starting the school day because it can help with concentrating on important tasks.

Easy breakfast options

If you are someone who prefers to eat breakfast but time is an issue, there are some easy options you can keep on hand. You can also meal prep to have breakfast ready to go each morning. Oatmeal, breakfast smoothies and cereal with fruit all provide you with some nutrients, and they can be prepared quickly. You can also spend some time on the weekend prepping breakfast sandwiches, burritos or overnight oats to have in the refrigerator or freezer.

It’s not for everyone

Some people just don’t wake up hungry, and the thought of eating first thing in the morning is off-putting. Forcing yourself to eat breakfast, even when you don’t want it, may not have the desired effect. For some, eating a late breakfast works, while for others, especially those who follow intermittent fasting, no breakfast at all is perfectly fine.

Eating breakfast every day is the norm for some; however, for many others, it’s not feasible or even desirable. There may be some health benefits to having a nutritious meal first thing in the morning, but it’s not the rule for everyone. Breakfast lovers can keep quick and easy meals on hand for rushed mornings. And for the non-breakfast crowd, skipping that morning meal is ok too.

Gadgets can make working easier, especially if you work from home. There are so many different tech products available, and some are more useful than others. But these gadgets can be expensive, so it’s important to consider how you spend your workday to keep from wasting money on things that won’t improve your efficiency or help you stay on task. Consider some of the following gadgets if you’re looking for a way to make better use of your time working at home.

Keep your workspace clean and organized

If you’re guilty of eating lunch at your desk, as many people are, you may have crumbs, spills and other debris on your keyboard. Plus, keyboards get grimy over time during regular use. The washable keyboard is a unique product that allows you to safely clean your keyboard when it gets dirty.
Another common issue that many people deal with is tangled cables and chargers. To keep all your chargers and cables organized, try one of the many cable organization options. They come in several styles and can be configured based on your workspace and the number of cables you have.

Create an innovative workspace

Sitting at your desk for hours without moving around can be monotonous and it’s not the best for you physically. Consider investing in a sit-to-stand desk or desktop attachment. They can be adjusted to several different heights so you can sit and stand comfortably while you work.

If your work requires you to research and copy information from written sources, a book-to-screen scanner can make light work. It helps you copy information from books or documents directly to your laptop or other device and takes very little time and effort. A Wi-Fi scanning wand, which is a small handheld device, works in a similar way by scanning documents to your computer so you can edit, share or use them as needed.

Working at home often means your personal life and work life can get jumbled together. This can create chaos in your work area and decrease your productivity. Fortunately, there are many new gadgets that make it easier to work from home by helping you stay neat and organized while allowing you to do needed tasks with less manual effort required.