9 Tips to Stop Food Cravings and Help You With Your Diet

Image source: http://mamasanity.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/food+cravings.jpeg

Most of us are "regular" people. We don't eat the perfect diet
all the time and have our struggles with food, same as everyone
else. But having an awareness of this fact and knowing a little
bit about our health and food nutrition can help when it comes to
making wise decisions.

Many people struggle with food "cravings." Studies tell us that
it's fairly common for food cravings to happen at certain times,
quite often at around bedtime. Your guard may be down, you may
have had an unusually hard day, and off you go on your
not-so-merry way to find that tasty treat. Fatigue and stress
often combine to take their toll on the best of intentions.

When food cravings are unconstrained, what starts out as a
bedtime snack quickly turns into a full blown feeding
frenzy...not something most of us fully understand or appreciate.
We head to kitchen and every other place where food can hide,
clearing a path as we go.

Most food cravings are not about satisfying a nutritional need or

imbalance. They seem to be more emotionally related, or God
forbid, are caused by plain old gluttony. Exactly why we
over-indulge is not completely understood, however our knowledge
about this subject continues to grow.

Listed below are some thoughts and ideas about food cravings:

- If the food isn't available, you can't eat it! Empty the cookie
jar and keep it that way! Keep healthy food choices on-hand.

- Recognize the feelings and emotions that lead-up to a food
craving. Do you have food cravings when you're bored, lonely, or
stressed? If you can identify a trigger, you can deal with the
emotion that's making you desire a certain food. Try to deal with
the triggers in the best way you can.

- Sometimes, even recognizing that a craving is about to happen
doesn't seem to help. Don't beat yourself-up. There is always
tomorrow. Call a friend, make good use of your support network
and share your feelings with someone.

- Get enough sleep. When you're tired, you're more likely to

crave things.

- Never give-up. When you "slip", press-in, bear-down, get a
grip, do whatever is necessary to re-gain control. Try to
practice restraint most of the time, but don't get legalistic and
un-balanced in your weight loss approach. Think moderation and
not abstinence at all times!

- Understand that self-control and discipline by themselves,
won't cut it! If you depend totally on yourself for control, you
will fail. Forming caring and supportive relationships is
required. If you do not currently have a support network, start
building one TODAY.

- Exercise. It increases feel-good endorphins that cut down on
your cravings. Try to get at least 30 minutes of physical
activity every day.

- Use moderation. Instead of stuffing yourself with every kind of
food hoping that your craving will go away, eat 100 to 200
calories of your "craved" food.

- Substitute with low-fat foods and complex carbs. If you're
hungry for chocolate, eat non-fat chocolate yogurt. Try fig bars
or raisins for a sweet craving.

- Never skip a meal. Eat every three to five hours. Try six
smaller meals or regular meals with nutritious snacks.

- Understand that hunger craving are oftentimes stress related.
Practice other ways to treat chronic stress - a walk in the park,
spiritual connections, a cozy fireplace, baths...all these
stimulate neurochemicals that activate regions of the brain that
stimulate pleasure. Relaxation techniques may work by reducing
the psychological drives on stress output, which can be the root
causes of stress. Bottom line, substitute pleasurable experiences
for comfort foods.

- Beware of certain medications. They can stimulate appetite.
Drugs used for the treatment of depression and bipolar disorder
can be appetite stimulants. Other drugs, both prescription and
over the counter, may influence appetite as well. If you are on a
medication, and troubled by food cravings, discuss this with your
doctor or pharmacist. You may be able to find an alternative that
doesn't send your cravings out of control.

- Distract Yourself. What's that old expression...idle hands are
the devils workshop? Get busy. Do anything other than cave-in to
your desire for food, and keep doing it until the cravings
subside.

- One final thought, take a look inside your refrigerator and
kitchen cabinets and do some general "house cleaning." Throw-out
all that unhealthy stuff that is waiting to sabotage your diet,
and start shopping more wisely. A little forethought and careful
planning will go a long way for improving your chances of
success.

Eat wisely, be happy, and live long!

The information contained in this article is for educational purposes
only and is not intended to medically diagnose, treat or cure any
disease. Consult a health care practitioner before beginning any
health care program.

9 Successful Entrepreneurs Tactics to Grow Business Widely

Image source: https://kellyalovell.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/Screen-Shot-2016-12-06-at-9.37.40-AM.png

Being an Entrepreneur means learning and progressing by own trial and error method. You do not always have a godfather or mentor to guide, and there is no one to tell the right way of doing business. Entrepreneurs have an open world in front of them where they can succeed or succumb to failures. Some sail through the challenges with their hard work and tactics while others lag.

An entrepreneur should be aware of the fact that they can learn from the mistakes made by someone before them. To make it easier, discussed below are tactics to help them avoid making the same mistakes and emerge as a successful entrepreneur.

1. Do not be a Reckless Risk Taker

 Often, we come across entrepreneurs whose ideas crash even before take off because of reckless executions and unwarranted risks they took. The first thing that should be considered is the feasibility of the idea. The idea might be a hit and dollar churner on paper but may not work that way when you implement it. Therefore, before transforming the idea into a business, it is very important to check the feasibility and expediency of the idea.

To know how good your idea is, you should start with a market research. Of course, a budding entrepreneur cannot afford to conduct market research on a massive level. At least knowing how people around you feel about your idea would be a good start.

2. Observe your competitors

Every business has a competitor, and a budding entrepreneur must understand how the competitor works. Hit those areas, where the competitor has not reached or ignored. One of the biggest mistakes that new entrepreneurs do is neglecting various important areas or factors thinking that the other companies are not tapping. The common idea is that if there was some potential, then the company in the business for many years would not have neglected it.

Remember, these neglected areas can be a game changer. For those who dread that it is difficult to stand up against an established company, should not forget how Facebook dethroned Orkut (a property of Google).

3. Well thought Marketing Plan

There are a few factors that should not be overlooked while designing a fail proof marketing plan. You should have a clear understanding of the target customers, who will be interested in the product. Businesses spend a lot of money and time in marketing their product, but still fail to garner sales, because of poor targeting.

Next, always define your business for yourself and the potential customers. For instance, if Starbucks did not describe itself as high-quality coffee, then half the potential customers would have been in oblivious about the product of the company. Convey the major and distinctive benefit that a customer gets after buying the product or taking your service.

Always remarket the products to the customers who are already aware and buy it. This might sound like a waste exercise to some, but they should take a cue from companies like Nestle. Nestle markets and remarkets its brand Maggi even when it has become the household name. The company does this to make sure that flood of new products does not fade the brand in the minds of the customers.

4. Be flexible to embrace changes

Biggest names like BlackBerry and Nokia fell like a house of cards as they kept on ignoring what customers wanted. Rather, these companies continued serving their own favorites to the customers. Never let go of the fact from your mind that customer is the king, and they are one to decide what they want.

A successful entrepreneur should be flexible enough to adapt the changes, preferences, technology and shift from the process if it is not what the customers want. To be successful, an entrepreneur should know when to ditch old practices, technology and retain the customers by offering them a new and relevant product or services.

For this, make sure to go through the feedback provided by the customers. It can help you in understanding their need, and transform the product or services accordingly.

5. No harm in taking inspiration from successful business ideas

Often, we hear that since the product or idea is already in the market, the very similar one would not work. However, it is not true as there are many companies in the identical businesses, and are highly successful. Of course, there are factors other than the product that determines the success of the business. For instance, there are dozens of online retailers offering apparels, but the buyer sticks to one that has variety, good after sale service and dedicated customer support.

The idea here is that even if there are products and services similar to what you want to bring, there are ample factors that decide the success of business. In a way, it is even better because you do not need to assess the demand for the product. Just make sure you include all those factors in your offering that customers have been asking for from other companies.

6. Do not get into price war too early

If you think that lowering the price will make a product popular then wait and give it a second thought. Make sure you charge what the product or service is worth. There have been massive failures where companies misjudged the price behavior of the customers. Do not enter into a price war (and definitely dont be the one to start it). So for Smart Money Spending make a Solid plan for pricing the product.

Take an example of BlackBerry, where the company started selling cheaper phones side by side the premium ones, to cater the masses. As a result, high-end customers were wiped off, and the mass went under the impression that the company has lowered the price because devices are not as good as their predecessors.

7. Do only what you are good at

 One of the most common mistakes that entrepreneurs make is doing all by themselves. While starting the business on a small scale, you can afford to market, sell, make the account all by yourself. As the business expands, you need experts who can handle each department of the business. As the business grows, you need an accountant, an HR person, someone for administration, and more professionals depending on the need.

8. Dont let go your day job

You have a wonderful idea and ready to work on it with the capital that you have built after years of job. In order, to focus on the business, some young entrepreneurs quit their jobs. However, this is not a very intelligent idea because you will need cash for day to day business apart from a one-time capital. Therefore, it is better to keep your day job until you find investors or funds for your business.

9. Build a strong network

Last but not the least, a network is a defining factor in the success of any business. Without a proper network, you will not be able to succeed in any business as word of mouth has been an evergreen tactic to promote a business. Big names such as Uber rely on networking to promote their business more than anything else. Advertisement and aggressive spending on the marketing come only when the company grows big enough. Therefore, build a strong network and share the developments with them that your business is making.

Every famous and rich businessman, about who you read today, started their ventures after calculating the risk and reward thoroughly. For instance, Google was started as a side project by two Standford students. Against the common belief that Bill Gates is a Harvard dropout, the man actually took leave of absence and was depended on his parents for financial support while he was in the process of building Microsoft. Therefore, it would be only wise not to be overwhelmed by what you read in a magazine about how these successful businessmen started. Instead, take a practical approach, and never lose hope.

9 Simple Safety Tips for Wood Chippers

Image source: http://www.gregsmallengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/5.-Echo-700x330.jpg

Wood chippers are commonly used to turn parts of wood into small bits and pieces. The machine may be used to clear an area of debris such as fallen branches and dead tree limbs, which can be especially common after weather events such as a storm. You might also use a wood chipper to clear a failed yard of overgrown bush and tiny trees. Now you have a clean lawn free of blockages along with a mountain of wood chips you can use as mulch.

Workers feed wood to the chipper where rotating knives moving at speeds of 1000-2000 RPM chop up the branches, tree limbs and trunk pieces till they are reduced into small thin chips. A wood chipper requires huge amounts of power to work, which comes from an internal combustion engine powered by petrol or gas.

Employing a wood chipper will save you lots of time and effort compared to individually chopping each piece to size using an axe or a chainsaw. All that raw power also requires a lot of responsibility on the consumer's part. Failure to prepare and follow safety guidelines can end in a grisly injury or even death.

Whether you're new to wood chippers or an experienced operator, it pays to educate yourself regarding the safe and appropriate functioning of a wood chipper. Here are a couple of safety tips for you to get started.

1. Always read the literature

You should read and understand the operator's manual as well as any other related literature. The manual contains everything you want to know about the machine: technical specifications, operational limitations, machine parts and safety instructions. A wood chipper has lots of moving parts and it is worth it to be aware of the usefulness and potential risks posed by each component.

2. Wear proper equipment

Wear tight-fitting, short-sleeved clothing when working on a wood chipper. Make sure your shirt and pants are properly tucked and remove anything that might get caught up in the machines like jewellery, belts, ties, straps and other hanging items. Ensure that your clothes are cuff-free as well.

Wearing personal protective equipment is essential if using a chipper, and in many states and authorities, required by regulations. Standard safety gear when operating a wood chipper includes a hard hat, safety goggles, ear protection, heavy-duty cuff-free work gloves and steel-toed boots.

The vast majority of wood chipper deaths occur when the operator becomes captured and destroyed by the feeding mechanism and cutting knives. Eliminate all chances where your clothes may get snagged in the timber being fed into the chipper.

3. Check before use

Make it a point to inspect every part of the wood chipper before surgery. Don't use the machine if you see any cracks or flaws like worn hinges and broken hood latches. Make certain all bolts and screws are tight. Test all safety controls and devices to verify they're in proper working condition.

4. Set a safety zone

Clear the area of bystanders, children and animals before starting the system. Establish a security perimeter of at least 10m in all directions around the wood chipper, and make certain that the perimeter is clearly marked by warning devices such as cones, barricades and signs. Immediately switch off the machine if you see someone coming.

5. Clean and clear the area

Remove all obstructions and tripping hazards around the wood chipper. Keep the area around the machine clean and free for simple and unobstructed movement.

Don't let the wood chips stack up, and turn off the machine if the heap has gotten too large so that it could be emptied and stored somewhere far from the chipper. This will reduce the risk of slipping and falling around the machine.

6. Work in tandem

Wood chipper operators should always operate in teams of two or more. Never run the chipper alone. While one is feeding wood to the wood chipper, the other one needs to be on alert near the console, emergency stop button or similar safety devices.

7. Start slow

When you're about to start operation of this wood chipper, run it at the lowest available speed first. Listen to the noise from the chipper. If you hear any unusual sounds, then there might be broken or loose components inside and you've got to immediately switch off the machine. Have it inspected and repaired by an expert.

8. Watch the load

Feeding the wood chipper too big and wide pieces of wood can increase the risk of harm to the employees and damage the machine. Only load material that falls within the limits of your wood chipper. If needed, cut the timber to size prior to feeding it into the chipper.

9. Keep distance

Don't linger close to the wood chipper and keep some distance away when the machine has grabbed the timber you just inserted. This lowers the chances of you getting caught up together with the wood and ground up into little pieces along with it.

8 Tips To Control Gout With Diet

Image source: http://image.slidesharecdn.com/reduce-uric-acid-level-naturally-gout-natural-treatment-140616013714-phpapp01/95/reduce-uric-acid-level-naturally-gout-natural-treatment-1-638.jpg?cb=1402883024

If you or someone you know is suffering from gout, you know how painful this can be. Finding ways to not only alleviate the pain and methods to control the onset of future bouts of gout can be a difficult task. It has been proven time and again that a person can control gout with diet. There are certain foods that will increase the chances of having an onset of painful gout, knowing what to eat and what to avoid can prove to be beneficial.

It is important that you have as much information as you can find about gout and put this information to good use. It is typical for a person that is suffering from an attack of gout to experience severe pain, burning sensation, swelling, redness and difficulties with movement in the joints. To minimize the discomforts of gout through diet, here are some tips for modifying your diet.

1. Foods with purines must be modified from the diet of a person that has been diagnosed with gout. Foods that are high in their content of purines have been linked directly to gout. Some of the foods that should be taken out of the diet are kidneys, tongue, red meats, tripe and liver. However, you should not completely take these protein rich foods out of your diet.

2. Fish is another food that should be excused from the diet of a gout sufferer. This includes scallops, roe and shellfish. These also have been linked to instigating a painful episode with gout.

3. There are also some vegetables that you should avoid. Among them are peas, lentils, beans, spinach, mushrooms and asparagus. These are all dangerously high in purines.

4. Alcoholic beverages will also need to become a thing in your past. However, if you are not having many episodes with gout you can limit your consumption of alcohol For men, it is possible you can continue drinking, but no more than two beverages per day. For women, it is best if the limit is set at no more than one alcoholic beverage per day. If you begin having bouts with the gout more frequently you should discontinue the use of alcohol altogether.

5. If you are overweight you should begin an exercise routine as well. Limit your food to smaller portions more frequently. Try to include some foods that are beneficial for you and not harmful or will trigger an episode with gout. Some of the snacks you can add into your diet and exercise routine are watermelon, celery and oranges to name a few. These will decrease your hunger without filling you up and not have a negative impact on your gout.

6. It might seem as if your options for food are limited, however you can still continue to eat foods that are tasty and not have a negative reaction with your gout. Among some of the foods you should add to your diet are low-fat dairy products, bread, cereal, rice, pasta, tuna, salmon, nuts, seeds, tofu, tomatoes and fresh fruits such as blueberries, cherries and strawberry.

7. Increase your daily intake of water. It is important for many health reasons that you drink a minimum of eight glasses of water each day. It has been suggested with an increase in water consumption to a daily amount of ten to twelve glasses per day with an alkaline level over seven that the gout will be kept at bay for longer periods of time. This can also assist you in weight loss because the increased water will give your metabolic rate a kick start.

8. Vitamin C amounts can be increased and put into regular daily servings. Try to have at least one serving of vitamin V each day. Here are a few foods that are loaded with vitamin C: red bell peppers, tangerines, red cabbage, potatoes, mandarins and tangerines.

For many people that have been diagnosed with gout, they begin to feel they have lost control of their lives. This is not only physically painful but also emotionally painful as well. However, there is a way for you to minimize the pain associated with gout. You can successfully control gout with diet. It might be a little difficult in the beginning to adjust your eating habits but your efforts will pay off.

8 Things in Your Kitchen You Clean Wrong

Image source: http://img.aws.livestrongcdn.com/ls-slideshow-main-image/cme/photography.prod.demandstudios.com/230c341d-f0b5-42a6-8f30-a0ca60bf60f8.jpg

A lot of rooms in your home need regular cleaning and nowhere is that more important as it is for your kitchen. And while you think you have it all under control, the reality is youre probably cleaning most of your kitchen items wrong. Here are some examples:

1. Dishes

Its so easy to buy a dishwasher and free yourself from the choir of having to wash your plates every night. The downside is most people over fill their dishwashers. While this doesnt matter much to the machine itself, it does contribute to a lower quality of washing. The more dishes and eating utensils you put inside, the harder it is for everything to get washed thoroughly. The solution to this cleaning problem is an easy one: never stack dishes on top of one another so everything would get cleaned as nicely as possible. Also, put forks with their tines up.

2. Cutting Board

The numerous cutting marks of your wooden and plastic cutting boards are home to numerous bacteria. Sadly a simple wipe down never helps remove any part of the germs. Although researches have tried to determine whether plastic is easier to sanitize than wood, results have shown there isnt a significant difference. According to NC State News plastic cutting boards should be cleaned with a solution of water and bleach (one tablespoon of bleach per one gallon of water), while wooden boards can use a solution of Mr. Clean and water. The softer the cutting board wood, the more marks it gets, thus the more you need to clean it.

3. Kitchen Sink

You might be very surprised to find out your kitchen sink is in many ways dirtier than your toilet. How so? Its because of all the food particles left over from all your dishes. They can easily become a breeding ground for all kinds of diseases like salmonella and E.coli. Sadly a simple wipe down of your sink never helps eradicate the bacteria. According to director of infection control at Long Island College Hospital of Brooklyn, New York Eileen Abruzzo, the proper way to wash your sink is with water and bleach solution. Fill half your sink with warm water and add two cups of bleach. Wait until the water cools down and flush it all down the drain. Afterwards rinse the sink with fresh water. You must do this once a day using rubber gloves and dont forget to clean the drain plug as well.

4. Grocery Bags

Its great if youre helping out the planet by carrying your food ingredients in your reusable grocery bags. However did you know those same bags are packed full of germs? ccording to Health Essentials Cross-contamination can occur when meat, produce, and pre-cooked foods are placed in the same bag. Its no surprise either that almost nobody washes their reusable bags. While almost nobody would carry several different bags for different goods to avoid cross-contamination, you can still give bacterias the slip by: washing your bags regularly, using them only for groceries and storing them in a clean cabinet and not your car trunk.

5. Coffee Machine

Most, if not all, people rarely take time to clean their coffee machines. Coffee machines can harbor mold and thus bacteria if you leave their reservoirs closed when not in use. The drip filters need to be cleaned after each use and deep cleaned every few months. Do you do that? Well, if you coffee starts to taste weird, its high time you did. Fortunately its easy, all you need is a vinegar and water solution. In a tank mix together equal parts of white vinegar and water and fill the reservoir. Remove the filter. Let the machine run a few brew cycles and then empty the reservoir. Next fill it with water and give it a few cycles until it no longer smells of vinegar.

6. Removable Cooker Burners

Some cooker burners are removable, yet most people only clean around them and never remove them. If you have removable ones, stop scrubbing because there is a far easier way according to One Good Thing. In includes the removables, several containers, water and ammonia. Put all the parts in different containers and fill with ammonia. Then leave the containers for several hours, so the ammonia would dissolve the grime on your burner parts. For old burners its recommended you leave them overnight for maximum efficiency. Be advised, ammonia has a very strong smell, so its best to leave the containers outside. After this period clean the burners, rinse them and enjoy their shine.

7. Fridge

Even though your fridge is meant to store your food in clean and fresh conditions, it can also be packed full of germs. Low temperatures alone are not enough to stop the spreading of bacteria as some germs actually thrive in cold temperatures. All they need is some food spills and  condensation and voila, your fridge has germs. A wipe down with a damp cloth wont help either. In this case you need a vinegar and hot water solution. Wipe the fridge walls with this solution every week. Pay special attention to drawers where meat is kept and especially the salad drawers. According to MailOnline, the salad drawer has around 8000 bacteria.

8. Oven

Most ovens have a self cleaning feature, which sounds really cool because it would save us a lot of elbow grease. However, according to The Kitchn, this feature can do more damage than good and is just there to better sell the product. Using this feature can result in: carbon monoxid build up and blowing of a fuse which would later be really hard to get to. So, if thats how you clean your oven, know it might cost you eventually. Usually the better way is the old fashioned way with a baking soda and water paste. Coat the inside of your oven with the paste and wait overnight until it dissolves the grime. After that wipe the paste with a clean damp cloth. Or consider oven cleaning services. Professionals usually take apart the oven and clean every segment such as: racks, trays panels and fants separately with special detergents. Unlike other kitchen items, ovens and cookers really need special care.

8 Reasons to Plan a Bachelorette in Barcelona

Image source: http://img1.10bestmedia.com/Images/Photos/97394/la-terrazza-laterrrazza-1_54_990x660_201406011612.jpg

The big day is fast approaching but just one more fling before the ring: the bachelorette party is on the to-do list. Discover why Barcelona is the ideal destination for you and the gals

Not sure where youre going to party down with the girls on one of your last nights as a single lady? Not to fret. Round up the troops and take everyone to the amazing city of Barcelona that will surely have plenty in store, no matter what kind of fun youre looking for. Heres why you should be considering Gaudis city for your Bachelorette party:

Sun and Sand: Barcelona may be a city, but it is encompassed by a wonderful coastline that leaves little to be desired. One of the great things about this Spanish city is that it is extremely versatile, and that goes for the beaches as well. If youre looking for some wild entertainment, take the ladies to the bustling Barceloneta Beach. If you want a peaceful stretch of sand, however, head on over to Baddalona Beach where youll for sure be rubbing elbows with the locals.

Explore on Two Wheels: Are you travelling with a rather adventurous bunch? Experience all this European city has to offer on the back of a Vespa. Barcelona-based scooter rental agency, Vesping, is trying a new travel concept: GPS guided scooters. Gather the girls, choose your locations, plug them in the personal navigation system on each scooter, and go! Or if you prefer guided tours in Barcelona, check out Vespings tours headed by their city experts.

Rooftop Living Soire: Its 5:00 somewhere, and if youre in Barcelona, you should be finding yourself at one of its many rooftop terrace bars throughout the city. In addition to great cocktails and a slight breeze up ther, they offer an amazing view of the city and a rather glamorous place for you to have bachelorette drinks with the girls.

Airbnb: This is the best invention since low cost airlines. Essentially people rent out their apartments to vacationers. So instead of paying an arm and a leg for a luxury accommodation, you pay less for a city-center apartment with a kitchen and a fabulous terrace. What a great place for all your girls to stay in one place.

Shopping: Not like youll have any time in between shopping and partying to satisfy your shopping itch, but if youre looking to give your credit card a workout or need a new trendy outfit for a night on the Catalan town, make it over to Passeig di Gracia and enjoy the shops and fabulous architecture.

Nightlife: This needs little explanation. bachelorette parties are an excuse to get on down and cut a rug, and Barcelona has a myriad of places to do it. Whether you like relaxed lounge settings with a possibility to dance, or hardcore, all night raves, this vibrant city is sure to help you make memories well into the morning hours.

Alternative Activities: Booze cruise? Limo tour? Cooking class? Or take the plunge and do a group Flamenco lesson, whats more in line with the vibe of this Catalan city? Barcelona offers some of the most unique activities that you can share with your girlfriends for a truly unforgettable trip.

Food: With all that partying, youll need some fuel to keep you going. Explore Barcelonas culinary treats and learn something about the culture in which they come from. Whether its seafood or tapas, youre in for a delectable treat. Try the famous paella, the prevalent traditional Spanish food. Indulge at the chic Can Sole, and try some Spanish delicacies or get to Tram-Tram, located in Uptown Barcelona for the true flavor of tradition.

Your bachelorette party should be nothing short of the time of your life, so get on down to Barcelona and experience everything this European city has to offer with your best girlfriends.

8 Most Common Excuses People Make While They Give Up

Image source: https://i.pinimg.com/736x/77/e1/fc/77e1fc8a56966e57ace8b38647fdd69d--best-funny-pictures-funny-photos.jpg

Do you often make excuses when youre not able to achieve a certain set goal? You are not alone!

A survey report by the Statistic Brain Research Institute shows that a shocking 92 percent of people set New Year goals, but never achieve them. This is probably true not only of New Year resolutions, but also of various other objectives.

Sometimes, things dont unfold as planned; and instead of continuing your journey towards your objective, you give up and make excuses to free yourself of the guilt.

Excuses sound great for a while. They justify your unwillingness to act and soothe your mind. Consequently, you feel relieved and are able to live with your failed expectations. You earn a bonus too people around you sympathize with you. As a result, you start believing that you are better off without/incapable of achieving your goals.

Here are eight commonly used excuses that people make when theyre tempted to give up on their aspirations.

I Do Not Have Adequate Resources

It is easy to rationalize your inaction by saying, I will begin when I have the time, money, education, and experience. Often, you wait for the availability of adequate resources to start off and end up making more excuses as time goes by.  Soon, you get caught in this vicious circle of excuses and find it impossible to achieve something you once cared a great deal about.

The answer to such excuses lies in discipline and perseverance. Lionel Messi once said in an interview, It took me 17 years and 114 days to be an overnight success. There is no shortcut to success and everyone (including extraordinary people) has 24 hours in a day. You must manage within the available resources.  

If you feel you lack the funds to realize your goal, think about ways to raise funds. Classify your expenses into Important and Urgent and Important, but Not Urgent. The latter expenses can wait, while you invest in something worthwhile. Resources will join in as you begin, so get to work!  

Its Not the Right Time to Begin

This is one of the most common excuses that people make to escape pursuing their dreams. Several people live in a willful illusion that it will always be better to start later. They continue to procrastinate until their goals seem unachievable. According to a new survey, 40% of the U.S. population experienced financial losses owing to the habit of procrastination.

The truth is, there is no such thing as the perfect time. If you do not act now, you will regret it later. Regrets of inaction in the past can be extremely painful. Overcome this excuse by asking yourself, What is the smallest step I can take that will get me started now? When you are clear and can get going, the momentum will keep you on the path that leads towards your goals.

It Is Extremely Risky

Everyone wants to control their own lives. The fear of not being in control of the outcomes can stop you from chasing your dreams. Taking risks means you are no more in control of the situation. However, the paradox is that not taking risks doesnt give you any control either.

Everything you do involves risks. The risks you take can have a positive or a negative impact on your life. Nevertheless, your current situation is your only chance to test your tenacity to overcome the challenges life throws at you.

To overcome the fear of taking risks, try reverse psychology on yourself. Behave in a confident manner and tell yourself that you are fully convinced about taking this risk. Fake it until you make it and you will experience the anxiety dissolve in no time.

What Will People Think?

Fearing opinions and criticism that come from the people begins from ones childhood. When you were younger, you depended on your parents and other elders for suggestions. As you have grown older, youve probably continued to come across people who comment on your way of life. However, know that you are neither expected nor obligated to adapt to these opinions and suggestions.

How does it matter what people think? The people who criticize your decisions now will give you a thundering applause when you realize your goals. Most of these people are unsure of achieving their own goals. Therefore, dont let their negativity impact your determination to succeed.

Regardless of how you choose to live, people will always be critical or allow their hang-ups to come in the way of encouraging you. Dont let the fear of people stop you from being you.

I Am Too Young/Old for This

When it comes to achieving business/personal successes, age cannot be the limiting factor. When you are young, you are full of energy, have few family obligations, and are willing to take more risks. Similarly, when you get older, you are armed with experience in your field and make rational decisions because of the knowledge you possess. Either way, the best days will be ahead of you only if you are willing to step out and take action.

Colonel Harland Sanders, best known for being the founder of Kentucky Fried Chicken, introduced KFC when he was 62 years old. This proves that age is merely a number. There are umpteen examples of people who found success at various stages in their lives. There is no right age to pursue your dreams. Its only the present that matters.   

Im Afraid to Fail

The fear of failure can be one of the biggest obstacles in your path to success. According to a BBC article, the average lifespan of U.S. companies listed in the S&P 500 Index has dropped from 67 years in the 1920s to 15 years in recent times. This is primarily because companies are too afraid to try new things as they fear failure.

This applies to individuals too. Whether you are venturing into something new or making a life-changing decision, failure (like success) is a possibility and you should be prepared for it.

If you feel youll fail, remember that there is a fifty percent chance of succeeding as well. To triumph over this excuse, ask yourself, What if I succeed? Thomas Edison failed a thousand times before inventing the light bulb. Take inspiration from Edison and learn to innovate from each of your unsuccessful efforts. Being ready with a backup plan is also a great way to manage failures.

It Is Impossible

When your boss dumps a huge project with a tight deadline on you, you say to yourself, No, this is impossible! When you enjoy being in your comfort zone, breaking out of it seems impossible. Maybe the project is genuinely challenging. However, saying negative things to yourself will not help you realize your potential. Your senior has entrusted this project to you because he/she believes in your potential. This is an opportunity for you to prove your ability.  

The trick is to become comfortable with uncertainty. Stop the negative self-talk and say to yourself I will be successful. I can at least try. If the goal seems big, split it into small, daily, achievable tasks that take you towards your goal. Doing this will help you ease your inner fears.

I Dont See Any Opportunity

Most often, opportunities do knock on your door, but you are unable to recognize them as you believe they dont exist. When you are in a positive frame of mind, you recognize opportunities even in the most adverse situations. Successful people dont wait for opportunities, they create them.

When you feel hopeless, remind yourself that the opportunities are aplenty, but you are not able to see them coming your way. If you are confronted by a seemingly undesirable change, try to list down its positive aspects. By doing this, you will calm your anxiety and be in a better state to accept the change.

Every change is an opportunity. Focus on identifying such opportunities so that when you come across one, you can grab it with both hands rather than shun it.  

Each of the above-mentioned excuse is a self-imposed limitation that stops you from achieving more. No one is born successful. You become successful by making certain choices and taking chances. If you want to taste success, figure out which of the above excuses you identify with the most and liberate yourself from it/them in order to chase your passion. The aforesaid excuses are the ones you will be tempted to make when you feel life is getting tougher. Make sure you avoid succumbing to them so that you can attain what you truly desire.

8 Mantras To Be A Successful Entrepreneur

Image source: http://www.economysecrets.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/8-Must-have-attitudes-to-be-a-successful-Entrepreneur.png

It is wisely said that the harder you work, the more luck you seem to have. Becoming a successful is a dream of everyone but the ones who are ready to work hard will only get to taste it. Becoming an entrepreneur is not at all easy. You have to face a new challenge daily, need to fight your competitors bravely and the most importantly, you need to understand the market.  To become a successful entrepreneur you need to stop chasing money and start chasing passion because if you wont be passionate about your business you would never be able to make it big. All you need to do is decide your goals and secure start-up capital. Grow your enterprise by working hard, surrounding yourself with great staff, and getting the word out about your product or service. Once your business becomes successful, reinvest your income in other business venture to expand your enterprise.

To become a successful entrepreneur, you need to follow few steps that have been discussed below.

1. No problem for beginners.

The best part about starting a business is that it doesnt matter whether you are a beginner or experienced, you come from a business background or not, the risk level is same for everyone. Your day to day effort and decision making power will decide your destiny.  

2. Be persistent.

When you start a business, you should be determined of keep moving forward and persistent about giving up. Confidence-building is a significant part of being a successful entrepreneur. If you are not confident enough of your decision, you would never be able to gain confidence of your clients. Dont get scared of failing because success is walking from failure to failure, without losing your enthusiasm. So, if you desire to be a successful entrepreneur you should overcome your fear of getting fail.

3. Show full dedication towards your business.

There is no doubt that if you don't show your dedication or commitment towards your work, you will never be able to rule the business world. A leading Indian origin businessman in South Africa, Atul Gupta, is a perfect example for this. He started a small business of computers in South Africa but with his dedication and commitment he soon started to invest in different fields such as investment, real estate, mining, media et al. and today he contribute in the economy of the country. He plays an important role in the development of South Africa. Likewise, if you will show your commitment towards your business then you will definitely get to taste the success.

4. Stay positive during ups and downs.

Do not ever think that failure is an enemy of success because it is not. You get to learn something even if you fail. You can either get discouraged by your failure or you can learn about your mistakes. Choose the second option, go ahead and learn from the mistakes you have committed. There is no denying in the fact that there will be time when you will notice that things are not going as you thought but hang in there, dont lose your hope. Work on it and you will be more successful.

5. Take the risk.

The most important step in any business is to take risk. If you are not willing to take risk, you will have to settle for less. Every new idea brings some challenges and risks with it. So, keep bringing new ideas and keep showing your creativity because this will bring some challenges with it and you will continue to learn something from it. Taking the risk doesnt mean that you will take a step blindly or in which you dont believe. You should have a clear vision of what you are doing and what can be its outcome.

6. Know your market and customer.

To have a complete knowledge about your market is really important because it will help you to take decision accordingly. If you dont know your market, you will never understand what your customer wants and you will never be able to fulfill their requirement. Also listen to their complaints wisely and improve your product or service accordingly. This will help you gain customers confidence.

7. Surround yourself with other entrepreneurs.

Getting social with other entrepreneurs can build your business sense. You can learn many things by just talking to them. The skills, experience and their traits which all must adore by their stories can be fruitful for your own business. Even if they criticize you about your work process or your business, it will be beneficial to you.

8. Plan for raising capital and spend wisely.

It is not easy at all to raise capital and it takes much longer time than you think. So, you need to plan for it. Capital is something that you need every time you plan to have some changes, be it at initial level or at ground level. If you have enough capital with you, then also you need to plan on how to spend it. You cannot spend your money on things that are not necessary. You need to spend it wisely.

8 Foods You Should Avoid While Breastfeeding

Image source: https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/de/6e/5f/de6e5fbf39e3e6007ee854b3f445fbb1.jpg

When youre breastfeeding, whatever you eat is passed on to your little one through your breast milk. Consequently, youre required to be extra careful about youre eating or drinking during the entire lactation period. Although there are no hard and fast rules about the flavors you can enjoy while breastfeeding, youre advised to avoid certain foods as they might cause your baby several physical and mental problems. These food items are listed below:

Coffee and Caffeinated Tea:

If you love coffee, then this might make you sad. When you drink coffee, caffeinated soda or tea, some amount of caffeine ends up in your breast milk. As a result, your baby becomes irritable, cranky and sleepless since he is not able to process caffeine as quickly as you do. So if you want your child to sleep better, limit your caffeine intake to once per day.

Chocolate:

Just like coffee and soda, chocolates do have bits of caffeine too. Moreover, it contains a substance called theobromine which is quite similar to caffeine in terms of its stimulant effects. That means if you consume too many chocolates during lactation, your little one might become fussy and jittery. So try to stay away from chocolates while breastfeeding.

Alcohol:

Studies show that alcohol can affect a babys eating and sleeping patterns. However, occasional use of alcohol is not harmful to the baby; you need to worry only if youre a moderate or heavy drinker. While you may enjoy a glass of glass of wine or beer once in awhile, its highly suggested to avoid all alcohol consumption until your baby is three months old.

Garlic:

Since garlic is so strong, it can change the flavor and smell of your breast milk. While some babies find garlics telltale aroma so delicious, others don't like it and thereby refuse to approach the breast. So depending on your baby's taste preferences, decide yourself whether or not you need to eat garlicky foods.

Peanuts:

If you or other members of your family are allergic to peanuts, make sure to avoid peanut products until you wean your little one. Despite being a good source of protein, peanuts can cause your baby skin allergies like rashes, wheezing, hives, or eczema. But, if your baby is not allergic to peanuts, you may consider consuming peanuts or peanut products during breastfeeding.

Broccoli:

Even if broccoli, cauliflower, and beans are a great source of folic acid, it would be better to avoid them during the first month of breastfeeding. Since these foods are known to cause gas and take more time to digest than other foods, your little one might feel unusually gassy every time you feed him. To avoid this, eat other fruits and vegetables (like spinach) instead of gassy vegetables.

Soy:

Many babies, who are intolerant to dairy products, also show signs of soy allergies. So if your baby is fussy even after you switched to soy products from dairy products, he is likely to suffer from tummy problems caused by the soy presented in your diet. Try eliminating the soy from your diet!

Shellfish and Fish High in Mercury:

Fish is undoubtedly one of the most nutritious foods but being a breastfeeding woman, you must avoid eating fish that contain high levels of mercury, like a shark, swordfish, tilefish and king mackerel. Instead, consider eating low-mercury fish such as salmon, catfish, cod, shrimp and canned light tuna.

Hopefully, this article helped you understand which kind of food you should not eat while Breastfeeding. You also need a breastfeeding cover to make your breastfeeding life easier and comfortable. Here is an exclusive collection of nursing covers that will help you protect your privacy while you breastfeed your baby in public.

8 Culinary Tours To Eat Your Way Through The Philippines

Image source: https://www.prometour.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/francefood-boeufbourguignon-e1494430270415.jpg

For many, cuisine is the highlight of travel. While some choose to go sightseeing, shopping, or adventure-seeking, there are those who have great passion for local food. With 7,107 islands and 145 cities in the Philippines, not to mention the selection of great food all over the country, it can be difficult to choose. Thankfully, there are curated heritage and culinary tours that can help you taste your way through the Philippines!

Taste homegrown cuisine in the most historic settings with these 9 tasty Philippine culinary tours:

1. PAMPANGA

EAT YOUR WAY THROUGH PAMPANGA

Visit the towns that define Pampangas cultural heritage with Bryan Ocampos guided tour. Discover the culinary and historical secrets of Guagua, Mexico, Angeles and San Fernando through museum, church and factory visits, baking lessons from renowned Kapampangan chef Lillian Lising de Borromeo, and of course, hosted meals handpicked by the tour master.

Youll have agahan (breakfast) in Guagua, tanghalian (lunch) in Mexico and early hapunan (dinner) in San Fernando. Excited to know whats on the menu? See it here.

Youll also be visiting home-style factories where they sell an array of sweets such as the turrones de casuy and plantanillas which make good pasalubongs.

Your Tour Guide

Bryan Ocampo - An accredited tourist guide of the Department of Tourism, he received the best training from the London Blue Badge instructors and learned from the leading figures in Philippine architecture, art, heritage, dance, history, and literature.

Tour Details

Price per person: P2,900 (min 8 guests, max 10 for exclusive tours)

Starting point: Meet up at 7:00 am from your designated pick-up point in Metro Manila and ends when we arrive in Metro Manila before 9:00 pm.

Inclusive of: Trip to Guagua, Sta. Rita, Mexico, Magalang, Angeles City, San Fernando. Three hosted meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner). Menu and detailed itinerary will be provided on confirmation. Tour lasts 8 hours.

E-mail: bryan.ocampo@gmail(dot)com

Facebook: www.facebook(dot)com/BryanOcampoTourGuide

2. BINONDO

BIG BINONDO FOOD WOK!

If you absolutely love Chinese food, or want to see more of old Manila, this is the food tour for you. Ivan Man Dy will lead the group as you eat your way around the most intimate alleys of Binondo, take in Tsinoy history, try signature Chinatown treats and buy delicacies to bring home.

Get a sampling of some regional Chinese food (Cantonese / Xinjiang / Fujian) and make your way around Binondos staple restaurants and shops like Quik Snack, Presidents Tea House and Eng Bee Tin.

Your Tour Guide

Ivan Man Dy - The brains and feet behind Old Manila Walks, which he established in 2005. Before this, he was an active museum guide as well as a staunch heritage preservation activist.

Tour Details

Price per person: P1,350 (min of 20 guests for exclusive tours)

Starting point: Meet up is at the lobby inside Binondo Church. Please make an inquiry for the tour dates and schedules.

Inclusive of: Trip to Plaza Calderon dela Barca, Basilica de San Lorenzo Ruiz, Ongpin Street, Traditional Chinatown shops and restaurants, Carvajal Alley Market. Tour is 3.5-hours long.

E-mail: fun@oldmanilawalks(dot)com

Facebook: www.facebook(dot)com/Old-Manila-Walks

3. ILOCOS

ILOCANDIA FOOD & HERITAGE TOUR

Get immersed in Ilocos decadent culture, heritage and history on this 3-day tour. Led by Osep Reyes, you will start by exploring the South known for the renowned city of Vigan and its nostalgic Calle Crisologo. Then you proceed to the Northern end, exploring the active city of Laoag, Ilocos Norte.

All these while driving hunger away with piping hot miki noodles and sinuglaw, bagnet, Ilocos empanada, and other famous Ilocano delicacies.

Your Tour Guide

Osep Reyes - One of the founders of tour group Culture Shock PH, he is always either trekking, exploring old towns, running up ancient belfries or dancing along in fiestas.

Tour Details

Price per person: P7,800

Starting point: Itineraries may vary, but all trips start in Manila at 6:00AM in McDonalds El Pueblo, Ortigas.

Inclusive of: Round trip transpo via chartered van, hotel accommodations, 2 breakfasts, food tasting, pottery demonstration, entrance and donation fees, personalized ID, Culture Shock PH guide. The tour is 3D/2N long.

E-mail: cultureshockph@gmail(dot)com

Facebook: www.facebook(dot)com/CultureShockPH

4. SAGADA

SAGADA COFFEE ECO-TOUR

Love coffee, nature and adventure? This is the food tour for you. Go spelunking in Sumaguing Cave, scream to your hearts content at Echo Valley, see the stories Sagada Hanging Coffins, and view the sunrise at Kiltepan Valley.

Of course the trip wont be complete without trekking the Coffee Trail. Here youll be taught the coffee harvesting process and get to try their famous Civet Coffee.

Your Tour Guide

Osep Reyes - One of the founders of tour group Culture Shock PH, he is always either trekking, exploring old towns, running up ancient belfries or dancing along in fiestas.

Tour Details

Price per person: P6,100

Starting point: Itineraries may vary, but all trips start in Manila at 9:30 PM at Ohayami bus terminal, Sampaloc, Manila.

Inclusive of: Transportation (Public bus to Banaue; chartered jeepney around Banaue and Sagada), hotel accommodations (dorm rooms for sharing), daily lunch, civet coffee tasting, travel insurance, tour guide fees, environmental fees, entrance fees & other miscellaneous fees. Tour is 3D/2N long.

E-mail: cultureshockph@gmail(dot)com

Facebook: www.facebook(dot)com/CultureShockPH

5. CEBU

CEBU FOOD CRAWL

Do you love food, travel and love writing about it? Register now for this once-a-year event. Due to the massive success of Cebu Food Crawl in 2015, theyll be at it again from August 26-29, 2016. Cebu Food Crawl is the first bloggers exploration of the best food and restaurants in Cebu. Selected participants will be going around the country and be served with internationally known local specialties and must-try recipes by well-loved Cebuano restaurants. The 4-day food tour will start with a welcome lunch for out-of-town participants.

Theyre still whipping up the menu - checkout #CebuFoodCrawl on Instagram and Twitter to see all the food the lucky bloggers sampled last year.

Your Tour Guide

Cebu Bloggers Society - Cebu Bloggers Society is the premiere blogging organization in Cebu, driven with its mission to promote Cebu and the Cebuanos around the world with a sense of pride is proud to host and present the first ever Cebu Food Crawl.

Tour Details

Price per person: P2,000 for logistical expenses / Runs from Aug 26-29, 2016

Starting point: Meet up is on Aug 26 in Cebu City. All chosen bloggers will be given full details once their application is accepted.

Inclusive of: 4-day food tour. Airfare, accommodations, and other incidentals shall be shouldered by out-of-town participants.

E-mail: raterinchief@gmail(dot)com

Facebook: www.facebook(dot)com/CebuFoodCrawl

6. NEGROS

ORGANIC FARM TOUR

With the proliferation of organic and probiotic farms in Negros, its now known at the Organic Food Bowl of the Philippines. Through this tour, you can take in the sights, the fresh air, and sample farm-to-table cuisine at the best organic farms Negros has to offer -- Penalosa Farms, Mays Organic Farm, and Rapha Valley Farm.

The tour also includes organic-living lectures, silk making, and mulberry picking.

Your Tour Guide An accredited DOT Tour guide will accompany you through the farms.

Tour Details

Price per person: P1,050

Starting point: Meet up is on Aug 26 in Cebu City. All chosen bloggers will be given full details once their application is accepted.

Inclusive of: Aircon vehicle throughout the tour, DOT-accredited tour guide, entrance fees to all places indicated. Tour is 4-hours long.

E-mail: tourism_negocc@yahoo(dot)com

Facebook: https://www.facebook(dot)com/negrosoccidentaltourismcenter

7. DAVAO

MELS DAVAO FOOD TOUR

Want to know more about Davao beyond its attractions and sights? Check out Davaos different neighborhoods and try street food, market food, fruit stall food and restaurant food, all within the city center!

The tour has 6 stops chosen to give an insider's peek of food eaten by locals and prepared in a distinctly Davao way that is, with hardly any spices and techniques. The secret is to bring out the fresh, clean taste of Davao's famous produce including pomelos and durian. Other favorites in this tour are the Tuna Pakfry, kinilaw at Luz Kinilaw, adobong puso ng saging and the cheese at Malagos Farm.

Your Tour Guide

Mel Pangan - Mel is the owner of hotel Bahay ni Tuding and founded this pioneer food tour of Davao.

Tour Details

Price per person: P2,250

Starting point: Meet up is in Davao City downtown. Please inquire for the full itinerary.

Inclusive of: Transportation within Davao City, Breakfast and Lunch. Tour is 5-6 hours long.

E-mail: melsdavaofoodtour@yahoo(dot)com(dot)ph

Facebook: www.facebook(dot)com/melsdavaofoodtour

8. NATIONWIDE

A TASTE OF THE PHILIPPINES

Cant decide which region you want to visit? Then try them all with this nationwide culinary tour. Hosted by UK culinary tour company Trip Feast, it includes eight days of eating your way throughout Philippine cities and provinces including Laguna, San Pablo, Vigan, Ilocos Norte, Manila and Pagudpud. The tour very much centers on food, but bits of history, culture and tradition are discussed as well.

Even if youve been brought up in the Philippines, the eight-day excursion promises a fresh take on Filipino dishes: adobo with a glass of tuba, or coconut wine; palasang pinoy (sweet and spicy crab) or seafood kare-kare (crabs, mussels and shrimps in thick peanut gravy). Want something sweet? The crunchy puto seco (Filipino cookie) may just become your new favourite treat. Theres pulutan (finger food) too, for those who like to drink!

Your Tour Guide - The tour masters will be one of the two UK-based founders, Rahul and Dave, assisted by local tour guides.

Tour Details

Price per person: P67,490 / Runs from Nov 12-29, 2016

Starting Point: Delegates are checked-in at a hotel and given their orientation on the first night. Please make an inquiry for full details or see the itinerary here.

Inclusive of: Internal flights, accommodation, tour bus, most meals (meal plan will be included in the itinerary), sightseeing with local guides, Climate Care contribution

E-mail: info@tripfeast(dot)com

For bookings, please contact the Tour Operators or click on the links above.

Main Photo by EladeManu / CC BY

7 Zesty Pizza Hut Pizzas That You Simply Cant Resist

Image source: https://cookingwithcurls.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/sscc1-610x915.jpg

There are many pizza vendors trying to establish a strong hold in the F&B market in India. Take a walk through your neighborhood and you would be surprised to see vivid local restaurants and pizzerias, with funky names and flashy lights, trying to meet your food desires. Not to mention, the jazzed-up menus will surely catch your eye, but not sure if the food will also excite you as much as the menu did.

When it comes to food, well, I dont really like to experiment much with my stomach. In a way, I am old school. Hence, a Pizza Hut pizza would delight me and quench my hunger just the way I desire. Besides, the trust factor that develops over time will always be impactful. On that note, I would request you to dedicate some more time of yours to read this blog all way till the end and check out the following 7 tastiest pizzas offered by Pizza Hut. This is my top 7 list that will include both veg and non-veg items. Hope youd like it and agree to my keen observations. Beware, by the time you read it all, youd definitely be hungry. So make sure you are ready with your mobile device and internet connectivity to place an order in a jiffy.
Here we go!

1. The Ever Classic Veggie Supreme Pizza

This one falls under the Supreme category of pizza offered by Pizza Hut. As the name suggest, Veggie Supreme pizza brings to your plate, a unique combination of sliced onions, sliced green capsicum, chopped mushrooms, fiery red paprika, black olives and lastly sweet corn.

Tickles your taste bud, doesnt it?
Hold on, there are 6 more to follow!

Here are some more details about the pizza.

Default Crust: Pan
Default Size: Medium
Yes, the pizza is customizable and you can make it much special by doing the right combinations.
A medium pizza (without any customization) would cost you Rs 480, perfect for two.

2. Supreme Exotica Pizza 

Well well, this is my favorite veg pizza from Pizza Hut. Imagine a juicy combination of premium veggies such as red capsicum, green capsicum, baby corn, black olives and tangy jalapenos, will take you aback indeed!

Heres some more detail about this exotic pizza.

Default Crust: Pan
Default Size: Medium
Yes, the pizza is also customizable. 
A medium pizza that serves two people would cost you Rs 480 only.

3. Mouth Watering Paneer Vegorama

For those who have a thing for Paneer, well, this one is a pure delight. Falling under the Supreme series of pizzas offered by Pizza Hut, Paneer Vegorama presents you with a one of a kind exciting combination of premium veggies such as Onion, Capsicum, Black Olives, Red Paprika & Paneer cubes dipping right into that melted cheese.

Some more details:

Default Crust: Pan
Default Size: Medium
Yes, this pizza is also customizable. Id recommend stuffed crust.
A medium pizza would cost you around Rs 480.

4. Signature Country Feast

For the old school lovers, nothing like this Signature Pizza Hut classic. The Country Feast pizza brings to you a fantastic blend of onion, capsicum, mushroom, sweet corn and well chopped tomato.

Some more details:

Default Crust: Pan
Default Size: Medium
Yes the pizza is also customizable.
A medium pizza (serves 2) would cost you Rs 425 only!

5. Signature Chickeroni (Chicken Pepperoni)

Well, there are non-veg pizzas and then there is this one in particular. If you are one of those meat loving pizza maniacs, well, this pizza just fits right in. All you get here is an overload of Chicken Pepperoni and cheese. Smack it up with a Cheese MAXX crust and trust me, it would be the best thing you might have tasted in a long long time.
A medium sized pizza would cost you Rs 480.

6. Chicken Italiano

Chicken Italiano is one of the most classy non-veg pizza offered by Pizza Hut. You get premium veg as well as non-veg toppings blending perfectly over a cheesy base. To name a few, you get toppings like chicken pepperoni, chicken sausage, mushroom, capsicum and black olives. Lovely, isnt the sound of it? Well, taste it and get even more surprised. A medium pizza would cost you Rs 525.

7. The Ultimate Chicken

Last in the list had to be this one. Chickeroni pizza was indeed a great non-veg delight, but this one is a pizza that will (mark my words) diminish your non-veg cravings unlike any other pizza. What could possibly go wrong when what youre offered is a smothering combination of?
Chicken Meatball, Chicken Pepperoni, Chicken Sausage and Chicken Keema spread all over that creamilicious cheesy pan crust.
Order one today and let your taste buds do the futterwacken!
A medium sized Ultimate Chicken pizza would cost you only Rs 525.

With this, Id wrap up my list of 7 tastiest pizzas from Pizza Hut. As I have mentioned earlier, Pizza Hut is a brand you can always rely on and trust that the food thatll be delivered at your doorstep would be of high quality by all means. Time for you to place your order, hurry up and avail some exciting discounts too!

7 Things You Should Do Every Day To Run Your Restaurant Successful

Image source: https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/412971/841f04d4-0f7d-4f16-aee5-c09269a566f1.png

Is anyone willing to sacrifice their dream? No one, isnt it? Attaining our goals would be the most precious achievement in life.

Dreaming of starting your own restaurant? If yes, this blog is written for you.

Opening your own restaurant is challenging at the same time, running it successfully is strenuous. If it was a dream & become true now, it would be quite easy to achieve victory within a very short span of time. Apart from doing it for passion, it requires certain things to improve your business towards success that you should do every day. Most of the Successful Restaurants in Wetherill Park follow these rules. What about you?

Lets take a look on 7 important things you should do every day to run your restaurant successful.

Be Punctual

Being late would highly affect your business as well as make your service blemish among your customers. If you come to the restaurant just few minutes before it opens, you will not able to serve the customer with pleasure. Reaching your restaurant before 30mins is recommendable to avoid hurried serving.

Clean & Hygiene

Clean your restaurant often. Keeping your restaurant clean & hygiene brings more regular customers to your place that will surely create good will among public. Those who fail to deliver hygienic service will not shine in any firm especially when it comes to running a restaurant. If you have a thought to start a new restaurant, do maintain your place clean to keep your customers sustain.

Try Variety Dishes Often

Try to do something special in organizing food. People seek for something new that arent available in other restaurants, so that serving with special dishes in certain occasions can make your restaurant stand out and brings much more people to your spot. Avoid giving regular dishes & change your food menu according to the season. Also, if you provide special offers, your customers will highly attracted to it.

Get Reviews from Customers

Get a feedback from all your customers that will help you to avoid your mistakes youve done & improve your progress further more. Having an interaction by giving a card with certain questions or by directly starting as conversation with the customers will surely keep them come back.

Keep It Fresh

Quality gains more customers than quantity does. If you the food you serve are stale or lost its freshness, then customers will ignore you & possibly remove your name from their favorite list. Keep your food fresh & crisp, which creates good name among their friends circle too.

Spread Your Name Popular

If you serve fresh & tasty dishes but fail to advertise it, you cant survive with success. Show off every special dish you do through social media platforms. Post every dish you provide with a catchy photos or video clips. This will increase the customers visit.

Prepare For the Next Day

Be prepared for the next day. When you have already prepared for the next day, you can get some time to cook something different with extreme taste. Most of the people hate waiting, so that being prepared day before night can impress your customers about your timeliness & change your visitors to regular customers.

Following these tips wouldnt be a complicated thing as long as you love doing it. Most of the Italian Restaurants at Wetherill Park in NSW provide variety of dishes & offers for the comfort of the customers. Hope you get benefitted through this article. Wishes to succeed in all the efforts you enter.

7 Savvy Chicken Pizzas You Can Cherish This Summer!

Image source: https://www.thelilypadcottage.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/buffalo-chicken-salad-sandwich.jpg

Well, summer vacation is almost here guys. Im sure everyone has plans for this summer. Right? Let me tell you something. This summer, you surely can excite yourself and your fellow food lovers, be it your cousins, or your folks or your BFFs!

Pizzas are always exciting. You just can't deny that. And when it comes to chicken pizzas, well, there are so many varieties available in the market lately that sometimes its really confusing what to order.

Period.

In this blog, I will offer you 7 savvy chicken pizza options, that you may order online or visit your nearest pizza chain to grab one, or two or three (ha-ha).

Ready, set, GO!

Number 7:  Chicken Dominator

For those who are quite the serious chicken fans, you know what, this could actually become your summer fav.
What you get here is an exotic blend of Chicken smoked, chicken salami, exotic double barbecue chicken chunks, ever spicy zesty meat chunks and the inevitable chicken sausages! All of these extravagant non-veg toppings blending perfectly into that pool of hot melted cheese will capture your heart right away.
Heavenly.

You surely term this pizza as the one that truly dominates your taste buds.

Number 6: Chicken Salami

Chicken Salami is a one of a kind appetizer. And when combined with Pizzas, you are definitely in love again. (Mark my word).This Pizza offers an exquisite combination of mozzarella cheese with hot and fresh seasoned chicken salami.

Whats not to love, dont you think?

Number 5:  Zesty Chicken

The perfect sign that can be displayed with this particular pizza would say Hot stuff! Handle with extra care!  Its zesty, because it really is!
Offering you a monstrous combination of extremely spicy chicken with red pepper and that enigmatic cheese; simply Smokin!

If you are a fan of that extra punch, you ought to try this one helluva pizza!

Number 4: Tikka Treat

Value for money and perfectly apt to quench your urge to eat non-veg, Chicken Tikka Treat is definitely one of the most delicious pizza I have ever had. What could possibly go wrong when you receive this magnificent combination of Chicken Tikka, Capsicum, Onion and Mushroom popping out of that mouth-watering cheesy ocean!

Foodgasm moment!

Number 3: Chicken Italiano

All right, deciding the final top three was difficult.
Anyways, Chicken Italiano would be the third in the line. Incessantly, a true Italian Pizza, what Id like to connote this pizza as.
When done right, the combination of Chicken Pepperoni, Chicken Sausage, Mushroom, Capsicum and Black Olives will present you something similar to those old school Italian pizzas.
If youd ask me, Id say go thin crust when you order this one, you will be amazed if not already!

Number 2: Chicken Supreme

This pizza is literally another perfect summer hunger quenching bomb!
Heavy as it is, this pizza can be a great hunger quencher, perfect for get together and family time outs. What you get here is the supreme combination of Chicken Tikka, Chicken Hot & Chilly and Chicken Meatball swimming in a pool of exotic cheese.
Go cheese burst when you order this one, will make more sense that way.

Number 1: Ultimate Chicken

Lastly the ultimatum, had to be this one. In India, no food chain has offered me anything more intriguing than this pizza. A ravishing combination of well cooked Chicken Meatball, Chicken Pepperoni, Chicken Sausage and Chicken Keema will leave you craving for one more.

Let this Summer time be extra special with loads of chicken pizza delights.
Now go ahead and offer a healthy, tasty and fun-filled time to your folks and friends, and most of all, yourself! Let joy reach your home in the form of exotic chicken pizzas and may there be smiles around!

7 No-Fail Party Topics

Image source: http://brideway.files.wordpress.com/2013/08/img_2520.jpg

Whether you organize a little home-warming or a huge black tie event, gangster parties have been, are, and will always be popular among guests. This is a perfect opportunity to dress up for your guests and feel extravagant. For you, as a host, gangsters left a wide range of menu and beverage options as well as entertainment opportunities. 

The process of party organization is always exciting and hectic. If you decided to throw a party, then topic is one of the most crucial things to consider. There are millions of parties that have been thrown in the history of mankind, but the most successful ones had their them and idea behind.

A lot of people ask themselves why bother creating a topic if everything anyway comes down to drinks, food, and dance. The truth is it does come to these three elements, yet the theme will make each of them memorable. With the help of a topic you can make people remember and talk about your event for a long time in the future. Specific menu and entertainment options will open to you once the topic is decided upon.

There are hundreds of party topics that are used by event planners every day, however only a few of them are always a guarantee of success. Below you can find 10 topics that will suit any kind and scope of party that you are about to organize.

#1 Gangsters

Photo by Steph and Mike McDowell

Whether you organize a little home-warming or a huge black tie event, gangster parties have been, are, and will always be popular among guests. This is a perfect opportunity to dress up for your guests and feel extravagant. For you, as a host, gangsters left a wide range of menu and beverage options as well as entertainment opportunities. 

#2 Arabian Night

Photo by The Big Booth Photography

This theme sets the tone and type of traditions that will be present. Unique elements, such as shisha or belly dancers, will add to the spirit of the evening while Turkish sweet dessert buffet will be etched in the memory of your guests.

#3 Disney World

Photo by John Allen

Everyone likes fairytales, so why not let people become their childhood heroes for a night? Disney World parties are best for proms or young people, who enjoy costumes and interplay. Dont forget about decorations that are obligatory for a perfect Disney world!

#4 Wild-Wild West

Photo by TotalEvent

This theme will never lose its power! The beneficial side of Wild-Wild West party is freedom of costumes for your guests and a possibility to eat plain though tasty food created by an ingenious catering chef.

#5 French

Photo by Spencer and Kylie

French charm with sparkling wine and soulful food will not leave your guests indifferent. For small parties you can hire a chef for some culinary workshops, while for big parties some background music or entertainers will be of great addition. 

#6 Ancient Greece

Photo by Berlin Blues Explosion

Ancient Greece parties are all about wine and togas. This can be a perfect theme for a wine tasting ceremony or plain-air parties taking place near the sea or in hot climates. Dont forget to invite little Cupids that would serve love and sweets to your guests!

#7 90s

Photo by Chelsea Boyd

While the 90s themselves have just been here, people continue making fun of the fashion trends conquering our hearts at that time. So give your guests a little moment of nostalgia with paper clips and funny haircuts. Dont forget about the music choose the DJ who knows all the hits of the 90s to literally travel back in time.

7 Foods to Fight Hypertension-An Incredibly Easy Method That Works for All

Image source: http://www.gogofinder.com.tw/books/pida/6/s/1372218172K7qnNete.jpg

Hypertension is unfortunately the most common disease in people around the world. It is commonly known as high blood pressure. Obesity and food that contains high salt and fats are some of the causes of high blood pressure. Fortunately there are many foods that can be helpful in controlling the high blood pressure levels. So along with taking your regular medicines such foods can help you out in lowering your blood pressure levels.

 As you know this disease is like a life taking symbol if you dont give your seriousness towards it. Its a common say that care is better than cure, because if we keep some care regarding our daily health diet, then we can easily control it up to expectations.

Now a days people dont make it as a serious issue and dont bother unless they caught in some severe problem .Thats why doctors recommend such food that has the ability to fight hypertension. Here are the fruits that high potential to fight with it and give you good result then expectations

Blueberries :

Blueberries are the delicious food for your breakfast cereal. They are packed with antioxidant qualities so can fight out many of the diseases like cancer. Anthocyanins component in all types of berries has the ability to fight out hypertension.

Potatoes :

Potato is one of the healthiest and most used vegetable around the world. It is especially very beneficial for the children. The ability of potato as being a hypertension killer is very much appreciable and amazing. The minerals like potassium and magnesium are the elements that are essential to fight out high blood pressure levels. Baked potatoes are especially very much effective in this regard.

Milk :

Milk is the food that every individual start drinking as her or his first diet. Mothers milk is the first type of milk that an individual drink as an infant then gradually he starts taking different types of milk in different ways. High calcium diet like NutriPlan nutritional drink with low fats has significance with regards to controlling the hypertension.

 Cereal :

Cereals are also very much essential when it comes to healthy life. Cereals being a high Fibre diet can help one out to fight out the high blood pressure levels. Always choose the cereals that are low in sugar and contains the high amount of Fibre.

Beets :

Beets are one of the most nutritional vegetable. Most of the people might not be very happy with the taste of the vegetable but one cant deny the importance of this vegetable in fighting out the hypertension.

Bananas :

The most delicious bananas are the favorites of many people. They are especially very beneficial for the growing children. They are also rich in potassium which has importance being a hypertension killer food. One needs to keep this thing in mind that bananas are high calories diet and also rich in sugar so eat them in a limited quantity. One can use them in the morning as cereals or after a meal.

Avocado :

Avocado is the most nutritional food. Monounsaturated fats in them have ability to fight out the high blood pressure levels. You can incorporate them in salad or any other dish to get maximum benefits out of them.

Along with using all such foods there are several measures which an individual should take to lessen the high blood levels. Try to avoid food rich in fats and added sugar. Salt is a poison when it comes to hypertension so avoid salt and salty foods. Try to drink as much of water as you can. This water intake will also help you out to control the high blood pressure levels.

7 Foods That Naturally Detox Your body

Image source: http://media.trusper.net/u/0e20fd85-ef7d-45ca-9e75-5d8592e772f0.jpg

Do you want to keep your body healthy through your diet?

If so, you will need to consider detoxing your body from the everyday toxins in your current diet. To jump-start the process, we suggest following a healthy, safe detox program. Weve compiled a list of seven foods that will naturally detox your system.

To get more vitamins into your body and remove toxins, take a look at our list of the best foods to eat.

1. Fruit

When youre ready to detox to lose weight, be sure to get plenty of fruit into your diet including oranges, watermelon, and bananas. Usually, fruit has a high water content. This means that fruits will be more likely to flush out toxins from your system. Theyll also expedite the detox process.

You will find that fruit is easy to digest and has plenty of vitamins, nutrients, and fiber for your health. There are lots of added benefits to consuming more fruit. In fact, the antioxidants in fruit can actually help to reduce your risk of cancer.

2. Green vegetables

Another great detoxifying food? Leafy green vegetables such as kale, and arugula. The chlorophyll in these vegetables can help remove toxins such as herbicides, pesticides, and toxic metals.

Green vegetables are also great for repairing your liver. So be sure to get leafy greens in your diet!

3. Garlic

Garlic is one type of food that is very important to a detox diet. You will want to add cooked or sliced garlic to any dish that you cooked up in order to boost your detox diet.

Garlic is known for stimulating your liver into overdrive. This will help remove extra toxins from your system. So be sure to add garlic to your vegetable dish! You can also take it in supplement form.

4. Lemons, limes, and oranges

Citrus fruit is filled with water. As a result, lemons and limes are known for flushing out toxins from your system. Also, citrus fruit gives a great boost your digestive system. A strong digestive system is able to remove toxins quickly.

Lemon also supports kidney and liver function. Be sure to have a glass of lemon water every day.

5. Raw vegetables

You can eat vegetables either raw or in juice form as part of your detox diet. The type of vegetables you should include are carrots, broccoli, kale, beets, and cauliflower. You can also add turmeric and oregano to flavor your vegetables.

A mix of raw vegetables will help your liver function in remove toxins more quickly. These vegetables also have sulfur, which is a natural chemical that removes harmful toxins.

6. Nuts and seeds

For a better diet, be sure to add nuts and seeds to your salads and snacks.

There are many options to choose from including sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds,  sesame seeds, walnuts, and almonds. However, if you get peanut butter, be sure it doesnt include any added sugars. Instead, look for natural peanut butter, or even almond butter.

7. Eggs

For breakfast, be sure to add eggs to your meal. Eggs have plenty of sulfur, a mineral found in protein-rich foods. Sulfur is good at detoxifying your system because it improves liver function.

Start Feeling Better Today

We hope you will include the seven options above in your detox diet. Do you have any other great foods that will help a detox diet and boost your health? If so, let us know in the comments below!

7 Foods That Cause Acne-Avoid These For Clear Skin

Image source: https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/85/0b/ca/850bcab42a5e8be49196edc9d7ab0f60.jpg

biivii==aattcceebodd__dd>> p>gclass"atig_ari"sc"ht l=7Fod htCuece Aod Thee o Cler Si"rgt sae" sae">/p>>
This��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������
ccee iillhhll oo oo pnnppiittccrraann<ton>fosta cueanrn proollmmssii..AAnn aa eevvrr iiffccll  ootteett nn  vvnnmmrr ooii ouuhhvve nt oossddrrddccringgaann rrmmtteeiisidd  uu../p> p> OOeeppssttvv aa ooffggttbbcc ggiiss cne s oo teatt ann rrmm wttii,,aaddttii  aa e ooee b  aachhn  hhttyyuu aa.. Weehhrryyuukkoo ii lreedd r oo, haa oo aa  iieettyyaaffccssyyuu kin  ssddetthhssaaggeettrrippcc n cceettaa rrbbbbyyaayyttppccll<p>
ttccsssswwaa oo aa aa  ooeeoo n ffecc nn cuuiiggaann  r  eettng ii ffii hhtt ayyhhng lsee s e ill aakk frrttaaoottwwaa ooossyyuunnee  ooaaooddaaddttee ii nn ooee foossyyuussoll iiccrrooaaeeii ouu  iitttt  uueeaann./p> <p> hr r oeod htcanbe pett biu a hnyu nae hmi ih oaeyu hne o lge oe n nvtbyyu ce<p Som
ttee u>o>od t vi htcueace: > ighi oimfos/>
--DDiiyy rr to uuhhoo tt i ccee ase</p>
> - loo n o uhcfen</

-
oo  uuhhssggrr ttrrhh oodd,,aaddwwiieeffoorr

- Foods that are
gg n rrnn nn aauuaaee att</p>
> - Ee rica weeer (whihcnb orefr yor vrl elh ieslnaec<p Thhs iss  ffiiggeeiinnssssooll  eeaann  bbaannee  oo oottwwee eeiiiigg waa oooss aass cceeaaddtt ssaa wwy roo r t ess eepptt iiiiuu../p>  p> OOeeffoo hhtt i ii ccnnrrvvrryyffrraallttoo eeppeeii hhyyhhvv eenn tll hooooaaeeii  aa  oo aann,,hhwwvvrr..<p> p If it is dark chocolate without all the added sugar it can actually be beneficial for treating acne in the sense that dark chocolate contains a laundry list of beneficial anti oxidants and will help reduce inflammation.

Now everyone has a different skin type and may not be affected as much as others from consuming these types of foods, but it would be best if you start to cut back on a few at a time and see which ones are helping to improve your acne.

If you drink a lot of milk, and consume a lot of dairy like cheeses etc you could try to cut back for a week and see improvement for example. You could further this experiment as to what foods cause acne by eliminating your sugar intake the following week.

It may take more than a week or two after eliminating these types of foods so dont give up too soon to start to see a significant improvement. By experimenting with different foods like this you can learn a lot about your skin, and in doing so be one step closer to curing your acne from the inside out.

When you begin to incorporate effective home acne remedies into your daily regimen in addition to cleansing your skin from the inside out, results will not only happen but will last for as long as you are committed to them.

Acne will not cure itself nor will that miracle tube of sulfur acne treatment etc. You must take charge and work to control and completely eliminate your acne.

7 Energy Saving Tips for the Commercial Kitchen

Image source: http://thesocialintrapreneurs.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/restaurant-energy-breakdown.png

Working hard is an efficient way of guaranteeing success, but working smart is the surest way of saving money. The commercial kitchen is one of the major energy consumers in a restaurant. Food preparation represents approximately 30% of a restaurants annual budget. Commercial kitchen equipment such as the refrigeration units, meat processing equipment, food processing equipment, commercial kitchen range, vent and exhaust hoods, water heaters, heating and air conditioning are the main energy guzzlers. These costs are necessary and increasing annually at a rate of 6-8%, but with the right measures, can be minimized and save a lot of money. Below are some of the energy saving tips that you can undertake and increase efficiency in your kitchen while saving a staggering amount of money and protect you from inflation.

Use of energy efficient equipment

The number of energy efficient commercial kitchen equipment is increasing. Your kitchen should be equipped with this high-efficiency equipment to cut down on costs and conserve energy. A typical restaurant can save up to $15000 annually by installing the energy saving appliances.

Audit and Monitor

Regularly get an assessment of your restaurant kitchen equipment. Record the energy consumption of the kitchen and set reasonable targets for reduction. Monitor the electricity, gas and water consumption separately to measure usage and look for areas that can be improved to maximize conservation. For large, power consuming appliances, you can install individual meters to monitor. If you notice changes in the amount of energy usage, it could mean that the equipment requires maintenance. These steps will help you monitor the efficiency of each aspect of the restaurant.

Maintain your equipment

Besides using the right commercial kitchen equipment, maintenance is critical for the safety reasons and for the efficient running of kitchen equipment. Ranging from kitchen equipments, food packaging machines, and other equipment, the best way to handle them is scheduled maintenance. Clean the equipment regularly, install new air filters whenever necessary and check gaskets and seals regularly to maintain energy efficiency as well as to ensure the longevity of the equipment. Most equipment comes with their service manual with recommended maintenance and cleaning schedules.

Conserve hot water

Conserving hot water will help lower two of your utility bills: the heating bill and the water bill. Use of cold water whenever possible will reduce the heating bill. Dish racks use the same amount of water to wash even when not fully loaded, thus is it advisable to always fill it up while washing. Do not thaw food under running water. Instead, put the food in the refrigerator to thaw. Insulate hot water pipes and regularly check the water temperature to ensure everything is working efficiently. If you notice water leaks, have it repaired immediately since even the smallest of leakages can lead to a huge water bill.

Air conditioning

Many may take it for granted because it is invisible, but air in your commercial kitchen impacts a lot on the efficiency of the kitchen equipment. Heating, ventilation and air-conditioning accounts for up to 28% of a modern restaurants energy expenses. With energy efficient solutions, you can save thousands of dollars annually. You should invest in an energy efficient air conditioning unit and ventilation hoods, as well as a programmable thermostat, to turn off the air conditioner when it is not needed. Ensure the ventilation hoods are always properly cleaned. Grease and dirt can build up in the unit and cause it to require more energy to work.

Reduce appliances' operating hours

Eliminate idle time for all appliances and conserve energy. Only use what you need when you need it. Only turn on heating and cooking equipment a few minutes before you begin using it. 10-20 minutes should be enough for the equipment to preheat. Invest in appliances that have sleep-mode capability. While in sleep-mode the appliance consumes less power, but it can still be turned on quickly when needed. Lights, hoods, signs, ranges and fans should all be turned off when not in use.

Rearrange your kitchen

Separate your cooling equipment from your heating and cooking equipment. Cooling equipment will use more energy around hot appliances, so grouping the heating appliances together will save energy. The heating equipment should also be as close as possible to ventilation units.

7 Dazzling Outdoor Holiday Lighting Ideas

Image source: http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2013/7/24/1/BPF_holiday-house_exterior_nighttime_curb_appeal_lights_on_timers_h.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.966.725.suffix/1400981585270.jpeg

Nothing says competition like the holidays. Remember when you were a kid and your family always tried to one-up what they had done the year before?

Its contagious, isnt it?

Now youre an adult and youre looking for the best outdoor holiday lighting ideas for your own home.

Look no further because weve got you covered with 7 awesome ideas to get you started.

1. Wrap It Up

Think about candy canes and how they swirl. You can create a similar effect with your outdoor holiday lighting.

Wrap your lights up and over and around your fencing, house columns, whatever you have available.

Too much house for you to do this alone?

There are professional services like Texas Firman Christmas Lighting who can help you out.

2. Plants

Using the base of plants on your porch or trees in your yard is a great way to spice things up for the holidays.

Nothing is better than sitting on your porch swing in the middle of winter, sipping on warm cider and enjoying the outdoor holiday lighting.

3. Lanterns

This is a timeless classic. You can purchase these at any holiday store and line your driveway or walking paths with them.

If you want to next level your outdoor holiday lighting, go with a bright color like blue or purple.

If you dont want to spend the cash, you can use snowballs as the base for your own temporary homemade lanterns.

4. Outdoor Furniture

Chances are good your outdoor furniture isnt getting much use during the winter months. Give yourself a reason to change that.

Have any extra styrofoam laying around? You can make your own particle lights!

You can hang wreaths and lights on your porch swings or poolside furniture to give it some cozy overtones. This makes for great holiday parties.

5. Decorate Your Snowman

If your kids (or you) spent half the day making a snowman, let the whole neighborhood see him in the evening.

Nothing will brighten up the faces of the kids on the block more than seeing a bright and shining Frosty in your yard.

6. Use Useless Items

We all have wicker baskets laying around the house. We probably dont even remember why theyre around or why we havent thrown them away.

Melting snow, and water in general, has a habit of ruining things we dont want to be ruined. Anyone who has been the victim of a leaky pipe can tell you that.

So use worn out items and cheap purchases from your local drugstore to give this years decoration ideas an edge without breaking the bank.

7. DIY Outdoor Holiday Lighting

Maybe throwing up some lights and calling it a day just isnt good enough for you anymore.

If this is the case, its time to go full DIY mode. You make some pretty cool things with cheap supplies. Check out these festive light balls.

When youre decorating for the holidays, its up to you, your personal taste, and how much energy youre willing to put into it.

Weve given you some ideas that can spice up your home and yard and we think youre ready to get the party started.

If you enjoyed this post, check out this one on 5 holiday books to read with your family.