Blog Posts by Intent.com

Cold weather and dark skies can make just about everyone feel lethargic at times. The feelings known as "winter blues," are more than just your imagination. It's a real condition called "Seasonal Defective Disorder," or SAD, and you may feel depressed, without energy, or simply not yourself. Fight off the winter blues with these tips and keep yourself going strong, all winter long.

Stay Hydrated. You may not feel as thirsty as you do in the summer, but you need to remember to stay hydrated. Drink plenty of water, of course, but if you need to warm up and want something tasty, consider a cup or two of hot green tea. Green tea is rich in anti-oxidants, which gets your blood moving and improves your energy level.
Eat Small Meals Throughout the Day. Maintaining a healthy blood sugar level is crucial to maintaining your get-up-and-go. Instead of three large meals, switch to six small meals throughout the day and evening. Select foods that are rich in protein and complex carbohydrates. Read More »from Healthy Tips To Stay Energized And Warm During The Winter

Winter apples are apples that are picked very late in the fall. They have a long shelf life and are excellent for cooking. Some of the most common varieties you are likely to find in your produce aisle are Pippins, Fujis, Pink Ladies, and Braeburns, but there are many other types as well.

Winter apples are fun to cook with, as they can take on many types of spices and can be used in both sweet and salty dishes. Why not try one of these fabulous winter apple recipes at home, or make one to take to a holiday gathering?

Winter Apple Gratin. This recipe comes from Food and Wine. Jonagold apples are steeped in brandy. Butter, brown sugar, sugar and egg yolks are combined to make a delicious custard and served warm. The magazines' editors suggest pairing with a semi-sweet wine, "such as a young Sauternes or Anjou Coteaux de la Loire."

Apple Streusel. Brew a great pot of strong coffee and serve this traditional German favorite. Perfect for a church social

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We live in a culture obsessed with looking young. Even cartoon characters, especially when they are women, seem obsessed with youth culture. And hey, who can blame them? They aren't bad, really, they're just drawn that way.

Think about Mother Gothel, the new Disney villainess from Tangled. She's a curvaceous cougar who remains that way over the centuries because she's found, not the fountain of youth, or Dr. 90210, but this magic golden flower thing that zaps all her wrinkles and leaves her firm-skinned and bouncy (Avon needs to bottle some of that, yo). But it's all dermatology, not biology. Because, despite her moniker, the magical golden flower thing doesn't, apparently, affect Mother Gothel's ovaries. No, despite her hotness, there's no baby-making in this villainess' life - nor any love interest either (because infertility is apparently a requirement of all cartoon lady meanies... Oh, I guess except Cinderella's evil stepmother...).

Anyhoo, in order to fulfill

Read More »from Is The New Disney Movie "Tangled" Postmenopausal Mommy-Bashing?

Even though life can become crazily busy, It seems that everyone wants to slow down just a bit during the holiday season and enjoy some comforts of life that often elude us during the rest of the year. For foodies, those who love to cook and/or eat, Christmastime brings pleasures to quite literally be savored. Give some comfort and delight to a friend or loved one with one of these delicious homemade gifts.

1. Mixed Berry Jam. A beautiful and savory gift that can be enjoyed for quite a long time, jam is not difficult to make and is not expensive. All you need is one pound of strawberries, 1 pound of mixed berries, a fresh lemon and sugar. Buy some canning jars and lids and print out free labels which you can customize here.

2. Bodacious BBQ Sauce. Most men love to grill. Many men can be difficult to shop for. Solve your male gift-buying dilemmas by making your own savory barbeque sauce! It will be free of the preservatives found in commercial brands, and you can

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Baby, it's cold outside! Rosy cheeks are cute but you'll soon want to warm up when ol' Jack Frost has been nippin' at your nose. Here are ten fun and inexpensive ways to beat the winter chill.

10. Warm Bricks. This is an old-fashioned, cheap way to keep those toes toasty. While you are cooking dinner, place a brick in the bottom of your oven. Wrap it in towel and put it at the foot of your bed. It will keep you warm all night long!

9. New Life for Old Socks. You can recycle socks by using them as forearm warmers. No one likes cold wind up coat sleeves. So cut off the sock at the ankle and pull them on. You can easily slip them into your coat pocket with no one the wiser.

8. Wear a Nightcap. Yes, you may feel silly and you may have to fight an urge to start reciting 'Twas the Night Before Christmas, but it's worth a bit of chagrin. Our bodies lose an astonishing 30-35% of our heat through the head.

7. Insulate Electrical Outlets. Very often, electrical outlets do not have a lot of Read More »from 7 Easy Tips To Stay Warm During The Cold Winter Season

Half of the fun and excitement of Christmas for children is anticipating the big day. Try a few of these ideas to keep your little elves happy and join in the merriment yourself. From games to crafts, there's always something fun to do as a family while Santa is making the final preparations for that around-the-world flight!

Christmas Bingo! Bingo is a game that even very small children can understand and older children can enjoy with their younger siblings, too. The game is easy and inexpensive to make. Use the templates found here, and print on heavy paper or card stock. Buy some dot markers (easy for smaller hands to deal with), or use pennies to mark the squares, and get your game on!

Reindeer Round-up! Oh no! It's Christmas Eve! Santa is ready to go, the sleigh is packed, but all the reindeer are AWOL. He needs to find them asap! This is a fun scavenger game you can play again and again. Buy a set of plastic reindeer and hide them around the house. You can

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Romantic Relaxation Evening. First, after you shower in the morning, and unbeknownst to your beloved, write a message in the steam that forms on the mirrors. Before she (or he) comes home, prepare a bubble bath. Scatter rose petals on top. Light candles around the bathroom. Leave warmed towels within easy reach and a clean robe hanging on the door. Soft music, a glass of wine, and perhaps a book she (or he) has been longing to read are all you need for an evening of pampering. Close the door and allow your "steam" message to appear. A long massage following the soak is a wonderful way to show your love and affection.

Make a Mix Tape. Okay, it doesn't have to be an old school tape. You can burn a CD or buy an inexpensive iPod and load up all the songs have special significance for the two of you or ones that make you think of your romantic partner. This may become a tradition that you both can look forward to every year. For a list of romantic songs, click here.

Read More »from Cheap, Creative And Thoughtful Holiday Gift Ideas For Your Romantic Partner

Christmas can be very expensive, as we all know. We also know that we should try to be as "green" as possible all year long. Save money and the environment, even in small ways, by employing these tips for a beautiful holiday atmosphere that you can feel good about!

1. LED Lights. LED lights, rather than traditional bulbs, use considerably less energy, a staggering 90 percent less. When they were first introduced to the market, the price put many people off making the switch, but now they are very affordable and can be found at virtually any store, from Wal-mart to Walgreen's.

2. Buy a Live Tree. It may seem counter-intuitive, but live trees are easier on the environment than artificial ones. They are biodegradable and of course do not contain harmful chemicals found in their false cousins. Furthermore, you are not depleting any forests by purchasing a live

tree. Almost all of them are grown on farms like the one pictured here and are always being replanted by

Read More »from Eco-Friendly Christmas Decorations To Bring Holiday Joy To Your Home