Visit Virginia’s Capital: Things To Do In Richmond

A trip to Richmond (the River City!) can be a fantastic experience. Virginia’s capital is a bustling metropolis with tons of things to do. Here’s a quick rundown of some must-sees in Richmond.

Richmond was at one time the capital of the Confederacy during the Civil War, and the town still holds a good number of monuments to the war, including Jefferson Davis’s White House. Next door is the Museum of the Confederacy, which boasts the largest collection of Confederate artifacts on Earth!

One of the defining geographical features of Richmond is the mighty James River, which runs through downtown. Unlike many other urban rivers, the James is pretty wild, and during peak months it offers up to Class IV rapids. It's the only place in the country that has them that close to a city. You can rent rafts and floats along the shore.

For a totally unique shopping experience, head down to the neighborhood known as Carytown. This stretch of street is one of the funkiest in the state, boasting vintage stores, odd boutiques, and antique shops. Stop in at the Byrd Theater, a classic Art Deco moviehouse, and catch a flick.

For another look at Virginia’s unique history, head to the Henricus Historical Park, which replicates the second settlement of English settlers in the New World. Awesome exhibits and historical reenactments make it a must-visit.

Hit The Pavement: How To Start Jogging

Fitness buffs have known for centuries that running on a regular basis is one of the best ways to get aerobic exercise and tone your entire body. But if you’re new to jogging, there are some important things to know before you start.

-        Buy good shoes. Your feet and knees are going to take the brunt of this exercise, so it’s vital that you wear appropriate shoes. Go to a running specialty store, talk to a clerk there, and they’ll fit you for a pair that will provide optimum support.

-        Warm Up. It’s important to get your muscles ready for exercise. A brief warmup will dilate your blood vessels and prepare you for more intensive exercise. Despite what you’ve heard, you don’t want to start with stretching. Instead, do some light aerobic exercise like walking briskly for ten minutes to prepare yourself.

-        Pace Yourself. Don’t burst out of the gate at your maximum speed. Start slow, gradually increase your pace, and slow down if you feel yourself getting winded. It can be helpful to start on a treadmill for a little while to get a clear picture of your comfortable speeds.

-        Cool Down. You don’t want to just come to a dead stop after you run. Transition into another brisk walk for five to ten minutes. Once your heart rate has dropped to normal levels, it’s time to stretch.

-        Stretch It Out. After you exercise, your muscles should be more flexible. Now is the time to do fifteen minutes of stretching to further engage and tone them. Don’t push yourself hard, just give each muscle a little love and move on.

Criss Cross, Homemade Applesauce

Have you ever thought of making chunky, fresh homemade applesauce? Healthier and more cost effective than the store bought stuff, this homemade recipe is quick, easy to make, and can be easily doubled or tripled to please more happy customers.

All you need is:

• 4 apples (any kind will do), peeled, cored and chopped
• 3/4 cup water
• 1/4 cup white sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Click here for ingredients, nutrition facts, and reviews from fellow home cooks!

Your Puppy and Your Apartment: Things Every New Dog Owner Should Know

If you’re thinking about adding an adorable puppy to your household, be warned—having a dog can be quite a challenge for an apartment dweller. Without the advantage of a yard, you’re going to have to do some extra work when it comes to toilet training and recreation.

First off, invest in a crate. In most cases, dogs will not have accidents where they sleep, so a crate is the perfect little home to train them in. When your dog grows up, he/she will probably sleep on a cozy little bed (or your bed for that matter), but puppies are rambunctious and should be confined at night. Otherwise, you may have an unpleasant surprise awaiting you in the morning.

Second, make sure that you or someone else is available as much as possible in the early days to toilet train—leave the apartment every hour or so, walk to a clear spot and see if they do their business. Praise them and give them a treat for going outside and they’ll be trained in no time. If you live in a high-rise building, you might want to pick up your pup while waiting for the elevator to avoid any accidents in communal hallways.

Dog proof your home. Keep any item you don’t want your puppy chewing or playing with tucked away and out of reach—especially toxic foods like chocolate, mushrooms, and onions. For a complete list of foods not to feed your dog, click here.

Lastly, if you’re leaving your pup alone in the apartment all day, spend the money and hire a dog walker to come and for them at lunchtime.  Not only can your dog go to the bathroom, he/she can run around and get out any pent up energy—so it doesn’t all greet you at the door when you get home.

Travel Idea: Tour Our Nation’s Capital

The nation’s capital has received a somewhat bad reputation over the last few decades, with lawless streets and a misstepping mayor not helping matters. But tourists can find lots of awesome stuff to do in the D.C. area if they take a look.

The city’s ethnic diversity is one of its strongest points—start a night with a dinner at Dukem Ethiopian Restaurant for great food and live African music. For classic D.C smoky room atmosphere, stop in to the Old Ebbitt Grill, where Congressional aides gather to shoot the breeze.

A great time of year to visit is the end of March/early April during the National Cherry Blossom Festival. Each year the even takes place in Tidal Basin surrounding the Jefferson Memorial with 3,000 trees shedding their petals.

And, of course, no visit to Washington would be complete without losing yourself in the Smithsonian Museum, one of the most flabbergasting collections of art and science in the world. Also, every evening at the Kennedy Center, you can catch a free musical performance at 6 p.m. if you’re looking for a something free and fun.

Great Gifts for Pet Lovers

Pet lovers are, in actuality, easier to shop for than other people—you have an extra vector of attack to come in on. Here are some great picks for some awesome gifts for the animal lover in your life.

If they’re a dog owner, chances are they have a favorite breed. Many retailers offer a large number of customized items for breed lovers—T-shirts, bumper stickers, statues and the like. This is a nice way to share your appreciation.

If they are a pet owner, why not buy the pet itself some treats? Many major metropolitan cities now have “doggie bakeries” where delicious hand-crafted snacks for dogs and cats are available. This is a high-end way to make a gift special for an animal as well as their owner.

Lastly, if they’re the kind of pet lover who thinks of others, consider making a donation to a local no-kill shelter in their name. Shelters are often desperately underfunded and trying to help as many animals as they can, so even a small cash donation can be extremely helpful.

Nuts: The Miracle Snack!

Nuts are high in fat . . . and that’s why you should eat them! Nuts are excellent sources of monounsaturated fat—the amazing substance that actually keeps us slim, strengthens our hearts and immune systems, and lowers cholesterol. All nuts have significant nutrition, but make sure they're fresh, organic and eaten in their raw state—not irradiated, roasted, or heavily salted. These nuts are great additions to any diet:

Almonds. A handful of almonds gives you almost 25% percent of your daily requirement for magnesium, and contains as much calcium as a glass of milk. They’re also high in vitamin E, and may lower the risk of colon cancer and cholesterol-related illness.

Walnuts. Walnuts are little miracles. They’re proven to increase heart health and cognitive function, as well as alleviate skin and bone conditions.

Pecans. Recent clinical studies show that this nut significantly lowers cholesterol. Pecans are also a great source of twenty essential vitamins and minerals.

Brazil Nuts. Also high in heart-healthy nutrients and minerals, studies show that this protein-packed snack may aid in the prevention of breast cancer.

Cedar Nuts. Cedar nuts hold 70% of essential amino acids. They’re also rich vitamins A, B, D, and P. We rarely hear about vitamin P, but it’s similar to fish oil in that it reduces harmful cholesterol.

To get the most from nuts, eat just a handful at a time.  You’ll find they’ll fill you up fast, and as part of a regular exercise regimen they’ll actually increase your metabolism.

Your Dog and Your Allergies: What You Can Do

Are sniffles interrupting your life with your dog? Fear not! Try bathing your pup at least twice a week. Vacuum your home frequently, install air filters, and restrict Fido to a few rooms. This should clear your head enough to get a good night’s sleep and help you enjoy that game of Frisbee.

If allergies have kept you dog-less, consider adopting a small dog that sheds little and can be bathed easily. Here are some popular breeds recommended by kennel clubs for allergy sufferers:

- American Hairless Terrier
- Bedlington Terrier
- Bichon Frisé
- Cairn Terrier
- Irish Water Spaniel
- Maltese
- Portuguese Water Dog
- Poodle (all sizes)
- Schnauzer (all sizes)
- Welsh Terrier
- Yorkshire Terrier

Don't let the sniffles get in the way of that special brand of uncondiitonal love you can only get from Man's Best Friend.

 

Whatever your dog looks like, a little preparation will keep you both happy.

Feeling Stressed? Take a Deep Breath and Do Something About It

Stress is often called the “silent killer,” as it can contribute to a wide array of dangerous health conditions, and its full effects on the human body are not totally understood. Reducing stress is a key to living a long and healthy life. Here are some methods that can help lower your stress levels without draining your wallet.

You don’t snooze, you lose. Make sure you’re getting enough sleep. Try to go to bed at the same time every night and wake up at the same time every morning. This will stabilize your circadian rhythms and calm your brain.

Work it. Regular exercise is also great for relieving stress—30 minutes of aerobic workout a day will do it.

Give yourself a break. Try to take short breaks from work about every two hours. Breaking your focus can aid you in staying attentive and alert.

A little you time goes a long way. Try to make time every week to do something that’s just for you—whether it be a hobby, an artistic pursuit, spending time with good friends and family, or whatever else suits you.

And If you’re feeling that anxious, stressful feeling coming on, here’s a tip: stop and take a few deep breaths—it’s amazing how this little exercise helps to regain your composure.

Hosting a Gathering at Home? Here Are a Few Tips For Pre-Party Planning

Entertaining can be a lot of fun—but it can also be stressful. If you’re planning a soiree at home, here are a few tips for covering your bases and making the party-planning process as easy as possible.

Take the time to prepare the space. Move everything that isn’t party-safe to a second location, whether it be the basement, the garage, etc.

Plan your entertainment well in advance. Put together an iPod playlist for the length of your party, with active, exciting music at the beginning and more laid-back, relaxed songs for when things are winding down.

Prepare a party drink. Instead of trying to run a full bar, make a festive punch or cosmo mix—this will control the alcohol content of the drinks and save mixing time.

Food for thought—don’t feel like you have to make everything from scratch. Mixing premade food and homemade stuff is a fine way to fill rumbling stomachs.

Stay cool and keep things organized, and you’ll have a great party

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