Blog Posts by Intent.com

Everyone knows that home cooked meals are the best. Not only do they tend to be healthier for your body, they also often provide quality time with your family. Making your kitchen more user-friendly, therefore, can improve both your physical and emotional well-being, not to mention the money you will save by resisting the temptation to go out.

For this article, I asked my intelligent, fun, and "foodie" friends what gadgets they absolutely could not live without. Within two hours, I received sixty-two responses! Here are the items most frequently mentioned in those postings.

KitchenAid Mixer. Easily a dozen people called the KitchenAid mixer their Number One cannot-live-without item. Most reflected the opinion of my friend Liz who wrote: "The KitchenAid mixer the unrivaled god of all kitchen appliances."

Cheese Knife by Pampered Chef. It may not be glamorous, but my friend Tim swears by it. It slices cleanly and easily and at only $9.75, it is a real bargain.

Read More »from 8 Kitchen Gadgets You Shouldn't Live Without

Most of us take lots of pictures: we have dozens on our phones, on our laptops, and posted on Facebook, Flikr, and Shutterfly. But in our Digital Age, a picture that you can hold in your hands is becoming almost as rare as a handwritten letter. Instead of releasing your beloved moments into the cloud, print some out and create gifts that will remain tangible for years to come. Here are six gift ideas for your cherished photographs:

Light Affections "turns a photograph into a magical light." You really have to go to the website to see the gif of this unique item in action, but here is a description of how the process works from their page: · Based on your photo, we carve an everlasting one-of-a-kind piece. The carved pieces are assembled into photo frames of your choice and are illuminated to create unique personalized photo gifts. The carved piece magically comes alive when illuminated from behind. The varying thicknesses of the translucent material create the illusion of the Read More »from 4 Unique Photo Gift Ideas: Give Lasting Memories this Christmas

Of course, Gingerbread Men are a traditional holiday favorite, but ginger is quite versatile and can be used in all sorts of fragrant drinks and dishes. Sample some of these recipes from around the world and explore the culinary delights all year.

Drinks:
West African Ginger Drink. This alcohol-free beverage is savored in Africa and valued as not only a refreshment but it is also believed to relieve flu symptoms. The recipe includes cold or sparkling water, ginger root, limes, and peppercorns. Serve warm or cold.
Chinese Ginger Tea. Ginger tea is used by many Chinese people to ward off the symptoms of a cold, but it is comforting and smells wonderful even if you are feeling perfectly fine. Brew water with slices of ginger and Chinese brown sugar (available at Asian groceries) and treat yourself to a little "me" time.
Tobasco, Pomegrante, and Ginger Cocktail. This recipes hales from the American South. The colors of the season grace this pretty cocktail and the combination of Read More »from 8 Joyful, Global Ginger Recipes For The Winter Season

Candy canes, at least in their original stick form, have been around since the mid-17 th century. There is just something special about them, it seems. Candy canes generate smiles, whether you are nine or ninety. Maybe it's nostalgia, as you recall shyly accepting Santa's gift of the sweet treat after whispering your fondest wishes into his ear. Maybe it is memories of hanging them on the tree with your family, or perhaps it's just the festive colors. Whatever your reason, here are some ways to incorporate this age-old favorite into your holiday happenings. DRINKS:
Candy Cane Martinis. Beautiful and delicious! First, rim martini glasses in colorful holiday sugar. Combine vodka and peppermint schnapps, and decorate with a candy cane stirrer. Ho! Ho! Ho!
Candy Cane Cocoa. Rich cocoa is kissed with bits of candy canes and even includes a cane to stir with. Have some ready for Christmas morning, and sip it as you watch the chaos unfold!
Candy Cane Cocktail. Can't you just picture

Read More »from 9 Candy Cane Ideas For Fun and Yum This Holiday Season

It's easy to fall into a funk. Life is so busy: kids, work, commuting, housework, social commitments. If you find yourself becoming overwhelmed, don't ignore your internal alarms. Try one of these easy ways to improve your mood and your outlook on life. You'll be glad you did (and so will everyone around you!)

Five Minutes of Complete Silence. Lock yourself in the bathroom if you have to or sit in your car with the radio off. Count backwards from 300, which takes about five minutes. Without the din of machines or the cacophony of voices, real and electronic, you will find yourself ready to face the day again. Get Organized. Sometimes our feelings of discomfort are a result of clutter. Instead of becoming overwhelmed by the enormity of a task, try tackling it in five minute increments. A good, calming place to begin may be with your CD or DVD collection. Get them in their proper cases and alphabetized, a few at a time.
Eat a Protein-rich Snack. Sometimes reduced energy and poorRead More »from No More Winter Blues: Five Ways To Boost Your Mood In Just Five Minutes

Everyone looks forward to vacation time, whether it's going to see friends or relatives or taking a special trip. However, traveling can sometimes be stressful. There is packing to do, itineraries to compose, and, frequently, excited children to contend with. But by following some simple steps and engaging in some pre-vacation planning, you can make your vacation stress much less!

The American Society of Travel Agents offers this advice for reducing travel troubles:

Traveling by Air:

· Book your tickets asap.

· Arrive early.

· Keep a close eye on all your belongings.

· Be aware of luggage weight limits

· Know before you go what can be carried on and what cannot.

Related: 9 Easy Beauty Tips For Looking Hot After Your Long Flight

Traveling by Car:

· Plan itineraries and book accommodations well in advance.

· Get a tune up.

· Get an early start on holiday grid lock

If you are traveling with children, there are ways to keep them

Read More »from Tips For Stress-Free Family Holiday Travel

The month between Thanksgiving and Christmas is the biggest shopping time of the year. As we enter the season of giving there is one thing we should be stingy with - protecting our Identities!

Holiday madness, crazed shoppers and packed malls. While we are bustling from store to store and internet site to internet site trying to complete everyone's holiday list, thieves and scammers are taking our distraction as a signal to strike. This is the easiest time of year for thieves to steal wallets, break into houses and profit financially from the season of giving without victims detecting it for a long time.

Don't trust your email. There are so many holiday scams by email that you should read everything with an enormous grain of salt. If someone is promising you something for nothing (free gift, free money, etc.), don't buy it.

Protect your home. Your greatest risk during the busyness is all of the extra people that come into your home. It makes it very easy to pocket a check book that'sRead More »from Keep Your Wallet, Savings And Identity Safe: Top Holiday Financial Safety Tips

Want to get more out of your work out? Add weights! Even light weights (2-5 lbs) can increase the rate at which you burn both fat and calories, all in the same amount of time as your usual routine. In addition to losing weight, you will also increase your muscle tone and improve your cardiovascular health.

Related: Tips To Make Your Sedentary Job Less Sedentary

Here are some tips for getting the most out of your weighted workout!

Using Ankle Weights:

1. Don't Use Heavy Weights. Your goal is to improve your cardio rate, not add strength.

2. Ankle Weights should be tight. Don't let them be loose around your foot as this will affect your natural stride.

3. Consult Your Doctor if You Have Joint Issues. If you have had difficulty with ankles, knees, or hips in the past, be sure to ask your doctor whether you should use ankle weights and how many pounds is safe.

Related: Five Inside Secrets From Top Fitness Pros

Using Hand Weights:

1. Swing Your Arms. And do so

Read More »from Get More From Your Usual Stroll: Tips for Walking With Weights