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The heart of the Appalachians, West Virginia is one of the most geographically diverse parts of the nation. It's an outdoorsman's paradise.
The Gauley and New Rivers offer the best whitewater rafting in the country, with challenging rapids and exciting high water. Raft rental companies will dispatch a guide with each group to keep you out of danger.
The New River also boasts one of the most impressive bridges in the world. The New River Gorge Bridge was, until recently, the largest steel-arch bridge in the world and remains the largest in the United States.
If you’re looking for a supernatural touch to your vacation, stop at the town of Harpers Ferry. Rich with Civil War history, this charming little town also has some of the most robust folklore in the region.
If you’re feeling like getting a little more urban, go to Charleston, the state capital. The city also has a booming arts scene and some truly fantastic restaurants.
Learn more: www.wvtourism.com
The humble city of Cleveland suffers a lot of derision from the rest of the country. But the home of Harvey Pekar and the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame has a lot to recommend it. If you’re thinking of taking a trip to Cleveland, here are some sweet places to go.
For a blue-collar town, Cleveland actually has a remarkable amount of high culture. The Cleveland Orchestra is one of the best orchestras in the world. Their live performances are not to be missed. For visual stimulation, visit University Circle, home of the Cleveland Museum of Art, the Cleveland Botanical Gardens, and the Cleveland Museum of Natural History.
If you want to get a little lower, there’s plenty of cheap stuff to do in town as well. One of the coolest free spots in Cleveland is Lakeview Cemetery. Many famous people are buried here, like G-man Elliot Ness and President James A. Garfield, to name just two.
One of the coolest natural features of the city is Lake Erie. The southernmost of the Great Lakes, it became very polluted in the 1960s but underwent significant cleanup starting in the 1970s. Lake Erie's now quite beautiful. And it's a popular spot for boating!
If you get hungry, take a trip to the West Side Market. It features incredible produce from local farmers along with a variety of specialty shops and restaurants.
Getting in shape (and the motivation to exercise, period) is no easy feat. For many, there is always an excuse as to why today is NOT the day to throw on the old sneakers and hit the gym. So why not create an excuse—an achievable goal—for why today IS the day to get in shape?
How about setting a goal to run a 5K (3.1 miles)? Although it may seem impossible now, with a can-do attitude and training plan, anyone can get in tip top running shape and cross the 5K finish line with energy to spare. A great plan to follow is Cool Running's Couch-to-5K Running Program. Not only does it provide a day-by-day running schedule that has helped thousands of people run three miles in just two months, the program also has a Facebook fan page for discussion and inspiration from other former couch potatoes sharing their accomplishments. Signing up is the first step, so check out Active.com for running races near you!
At the end of the program, not only will you be a healthier person, you'll realize that there's really nothing you can't do.
When it's rainy and gray outside, it can be difficult to motivate yourself to go for a soggy run or bike ride. If going to the gym isn't your thing, here are a few ways to work out in your home that don't require a raincoat.
Try yoga! It doesn’t require a great deal of equipment to do at home—at the minimum a mat and a pair of sweat pants—and it can produce striking effects in strength and flexibility.
Hand weights are also extremely useful. There is a wide range of exercises you can do with simple 5 pound weights that will keep you toned and fit. Buy a two or three different sized weights at your local sports store and you'll be good to go.
Work calisthenics training into your indoor routine. Using the body as a resistance tool is a time-honored way of training the muscles to obey.
There are so many aerobics, Pilates, kickboxing, and even hip hop videos with great music and even better instructors showing you how it's done. Check your cable's On Demand options for a variety of free workout videos you can try out with the click of your remote.
There are so many ways to work out indoors—try something new each time and you'll quickly figure out the exercise routine that suits you best.
Summer is the time to slow down and relax—but it’s also time to explore. How can you do both? With a new book, of course! Here are a few engrossing companions for the beach, poolside, or wherever you find yourself in the sunshine.
A Good Year by Peter Mayle. Upon inheriting his uncle’s vineyard, city boy Max Skinner returns to rural France for the first time since childhood. A charming story about daily life in the sunshine.
Body Surfing by Anita Shreve. Sydney Potter is hired to tutor a teenage girl at her family’s summer beach house. Things heat up when she becomes the love interest of the girl’s two older brothers.
Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides. A girl grows up to discover that she is really a man, due to a genetic mutation resulting from her grandparents’ incestuous marriage. Eugenides chronicles the lives of her immigrant family with humor and compassion.
The Geography of Bliss by Eric Weiner. Weiner spans the globe searching for the world’s happiest places. This affecting travel memoir makes you contemplate the amount of happiness you let into your own life.
Mating Rituals of the North American Wasp by Lauren Lipton. A crumbling mansion, whiskey punch, and the ruggedly handsome scion of a preppy Connecticut family lead to an unorthodox and hilarious marriage pact.
The Calligrapher’s Daughter by Eugenia Kim. During the Second World War, a young Korean woman defies her traditional family to pursue her destiny.
Hothouse Flower by Margot Berwin. The pursuit of the legendary nine plants of desire sends a New York divorcée on a rollicking adventure to the Yucatán.
Tags: A Good Year, Anita Shreve, Beach, Body Surfing, Eric Weiner, Eugenia Kim, Hothouse Flower, Jeffery Eugenides, Lauren Lipton, Margot Berwin, Mating Rituals of the North American Wasp, Middlesex, Peter Mayle, Reading, The Calligraphers Daughter, The Geography of Bliss
Doing your part for the environment is easier than you think. A few simple changes in your lifestyle can help Mother Nature and save you money. The following tips will help you to live greener, richer, and feel better about the future.
Stop using paper towels. If possible, convert old clothes or bath towels into rags, or visit big box stores like Costco to buy an inexpensive supply of microfiber towels.
Stop drinking bottled water. Investing in a tap water filter and a stainless steel water bottle can save you hundreds of dollars a year, and it keeps all that plastic out of the environment!
Grow a vegetable garden. Even if your space is limited, growing veggies in a square foot or container garden can put yummy, organic food on your table. If you can’t start a garden, consider buying locally-sourced produce.
Start a compost pile. Pile leaves, grass clippings, fruit/vegetable waste and pet waste in a corner of the yard or plastic storage container. This reduces landfill strain and creates incomparable food for your garden.
Use compact fluorescent light bulbs. CFL bulbs are still more expensive than regular bulbs, but they can often be bought on sale. They last for a long time and use little power, so they end up paying for themselves.
Bring re-useable bags to the grocery store. Most large grocery stores offer canvas bags for $1, or even give them away for free. Some even offer discounts for bringing your own bags.
Enjoy those savings. Mother Nature thanks you!
Looking for a great way to relax, get fit, and tap into your inner bliss? If so, yoga may be just what the doctor ordered. But what some newcomers to this ancient wellness regimen are surprised to find out is that there are dozens of different ways to approach the practice of yoga. What are the most popular types of yoga, and which one is right for you?
Hatha yoga. In the United States and other Western countries, hatha yoga is the most popular type of yoga practice. This exercise consists of moving slowly and deliberately through a series of gentle stretches and poses. Hatha yoga is ideal for beginners, for those seeking to relax, and for those with injuries or fitness limitations.
Bikram yoga. Also known as “hot yoga,” bikram yoga is a somewhat challenging practice that involves engaging in a series of advanced poses in a room that has been heated to over 100 degrees. This practice is best for experienced yogis, and for hardcore exercisers who are looking for a serious challenge.
Kundalini yoga. Although somewhat similar to hatha yoga, kundalini yoga emphasizes more rapid movements and also places a premium on meditation and breathing exercises. Because of the coordination issues that are involved, Kundalini yoga is best for intermediate yoga practitioners who already have a firm grasp of the basic hatha yoga poses.
Ashtanga yoga. Sometimes referred to as “power yoga,” ashtanga yoga is more vigorous and challenging than other types of yoga. If you’re looking for a way to build your strength, flexibility, and endurance, and you don’t mind a workout challenge, give ashtanga yoga a try.
The era of the hybrid car has already come, with the Toyota Prius as the must-have vehicle for the ecologically conscious driver. But now, several carmakers are taking the next logical step forwards, releasing new electric-powered cars. The two leaders in the market are Nissan with their Leaf model and Chevy with the Volt.
The Nissan Leaf is a five-door compact hatchback that has a driving range of 73 miles before it needs to be charged. It can take up to 20 hours to recharge from a standard household outlet.
The Chevy Volt, which recently won Motor Trend’s Car of the Year award, has a shorter range (up to 50 miles) but also includes a small gasoline engine to further charge the batteries, leading to a total advertised range of 379 miles and a fuel-efficiency rating that tops the Prius.
Both of these cars are receiving rave reviews and give us a glimpse into the future of driving in America.
Even when it's not Valentine’s Day, it's important to make a concerted effort to keep the spark going strong between you and your significant other. Here are 5 ways to keep up the romance in your relationship every day.
Make a list. Once a year, write down your goals and dreams as a couple. What gets measured gets done, and every item crossed off is a joy to see.
Keep a diary. Record the details of your time together, no matter how insignificant they might seem. It may have been just another night on the couch, but isn’t that smile worth remembering forever?
Say thank you. For everything. Certainly when your partner picks up the check or does the laundry, but also at the end of the night, just because.
Be generous. Give at least as much as your receive. When you both bend over backward for each other, no one feels taken for granted.
Have fun, be spontaneous. Camp out in the living room. Take a last minute vacation. Snuggle on street corners. Dress up for no good reason. You’re in love. Sing it out every day!
Everyone knows that regular physical exercise, at least a half an hour a day, is essential for remaining in optimum health. But if you work a 9 to 5 (or longer) job, you may find it difficult to squeeze in time to get that workout in. Thankfully, there are a few ways for you to get at least some exercise in during office hours. Here are a few tips.
First off, try to walk as much as you possibly can. Park in the far corner of the parking lot, take the stairs and not the elevator, et cetera. Even better, try a people-powered commute, whether it be walking from the bus stop or bicycling the whole way. It can be especially useful to set an alarm in your phone or computer to remind you to get up and stretch every hour. Simple arm and leg stretches will keep you comfortable throughout the day. If your workplace allows it, replace your chair with an exercise ball—this will help you tone and shape your core muscles as you sit.
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