8 Tips for Meal Planning on a Budget

It’s always a relief to save money, but you might feel like you’ve exhausted all the usual tips. You turn off lights in unused rooms and reduce how often you shop for clothes online. Now it’s time to target your grocery budget and save money to put toward your financial goals. Meal planning is the best way to get your food spending under control. Check out these eight tips for meal planning on a budget, so you know how to start and why it saves people tons of money every year. 1. Create a Calendar Think about how you keep track of your upcoming events and commitments. Do you rely on a paper planner or an electronic calendar? Use whichever method you prefer to create a weekly or monthly meal plan. Deciding what you’ll have for breakfast tomorrow won’t have the same impact as figuring out your meals for the coming week or month. You’ll know exactly what you need to make those meals and only go to the grocery store once or twice to pick up what you need. Planning one meal each day is an easy baby step into this new routine. As you get the hang of it, you can plan three daily meals and create subsections in your calendar to keep track of everything. 2. Find Simple Recipes After you know what you’ll use to plan your meals and how many meals you’ll schedule, it’s time to find simple recipes. Look for recipes you’ll love that use only minimal ingredients, like risotto with steamed chicken breasts. You can also scan the ingredient list for things you can use multiple times, like a can of Cajun seasoning or a bottle of lemon juice. You might have a long grocery list after you finish your first weekly or monthly calendar, but remember that you’ll use most of the seasonings and other ingredients multiple times. 3. Make a Grocery List Now that you know what you’ll eat in the coming days, make your grocery list. Go through each new recipe and write down what they require. Take the finished list and a pencil to your usual grocery store and record how much each item costs. Finding the exact prices before you intend to buy anything gives you the chance to add everything up and figure out the total at home. You can adjust your meal plan as needed to reduce how much you need to get. 4. Celebrate Meatless Monday A five-pound pack of ground beef or package of chicken wings is often the most expensive part of anyone’s grocery list. Cut costs by having meatless meals any day of the week. Using beans, eggs or lentils as your main protein source is much more budget-friendly than meat and just as effective. It also helps the planet, since meat production creates 11 times more greenhouse gases than plant-based foods. Go green and save money when you make a veggie burger for dinner, instead of another night of spaghetti and meat sauce. 5. Use What You Have Don’t forget about the food you have at home. Part of your meal plan can involve using up the canned soups in the back of your pantry or the frozen bag of mixed veggies in your freezer. After you empty your cabinets, plan a regular inventory check to prevent yourself from spending money on food you already have. 6. Incorporate Your Leftovers Even if you don’t have a large family, there’s no reason to shy away from meals like lasagna or casseroles that yield many servings. Remember, you can always eat the leftovers for your next few meals. Using leftovers from whatever dishes you make means you get to buy less food and plan fewer meals.  7. Compare Local Prices Everyone has a preferred grocery store, but that doesn’t mean you’re getting the best deals. Take your next grocery list to different stores around town to look for better prices. You could find fresh produce at the farmer’s market or meat on sale at a bulk store. Finding even more budget-friendly groceries makes it easy to plan cheap lunch ideas and other meals because you won’t worry about ringing up the total at the cash register. 8. Show Off Your Calendar When you tape your meal plan to your fridge, you’ll remember what meals you can look forward to. You’ll feel less tempted to panic at the thought of tomorrow’s food and resort to costly drive-thru or delivery dinners. Embrace Your Food Freedom People often confuse meal planning on a budget with getting caught in a culinary trap. As long as you don’t get stuck in the routine of your first week or month of meals, you’ll find food freedom. Rotate recipes to keep things interesting. Play with your budget to save money and savor every meal that comes out of your kitchen.

Manipulation is inevitable. From the commercials you see on TV to billboards featuring juicy burgers lining highways, you encounter scores of messages intended to influence your behavior every day.  However, when it comes to your romantic partner, you trust them to respect your unique desires and wishes. If they disregard these, you could end up miserable, feeling trapped in a life you never chose. Here are eight signs of emotional manipulation in relationships — heeding the red flags early can prevent future heartbreak. 1. Too Much Too Soon  While there’s no set timeline for relationship progression, people raise their eyebrows at folks who rush off to Vegas after one date for a good reason. It takes time to get to know someone and learn whether your wants, needs and future aspirations mesh.  Too often, people rush into relationships to cure unhappiness, believing that once they meet their match, everything else in their lives will magically fall into place. In reality, the opposite is true — you’re far more likely to attract the right partner once you feel secure in who you are and what you want out of life beyond the altar. If you are “meant to be,” then tapping on the brakes won’t destroy your union.  Sometimes, emotional manipulators accelerate the pace to get what they want. For example, if someone you’re dating lost their housing in the pandemic, they may look at your apartment as an attractive place to crash. Consider it a red flag if they step up the pace to benefit themselves after only a handful of dates.  2. Words and Action Mismatch  A sure sign of emotional manipulation in relationships occurs when your partner’s words don't match their deeds. They might tell you, “I adore your independence,” but then raise a fuss when you plan a solo road trip or a girl’s or guy’s night out.  Please don’t confuse humanness with manipulation. If your partner says, “I’d love to go to your company party,” but gets sick that evening, they may legitimately have eaten something iffy or have a migraine. However, if it happens all the time with no medical explanation, consider it a red flag. 3. Maintaining “Home Court” Advantage Do you always hang out at your partner’s home? It’s one thing if you share a studio apartment with two roommates, and space is a premium. It’s quite another if you do it for no apparent reason.  This situation is problematic because the manipulator maintains the upper hand through comfort and familiarity. Their sense of belonging helps them exercise dominance and control — you feel isolated and vulnerable. It’s not unlike a criminal trying to maneuver you to a more private location to do their worst.  4. Preying on Your Weaknesses Part of intimacy involves revealing your weaknesses to your partner. However, emotional manipulators will use this information against you.  The process may start innocently enough. You mention that you aren’t talented at trivia. When you watch a game show together and miss an answer, your partner taunts, “Well, it’s not like you would have known, anyway.”  Over time, this type of emotional manipulation can erode your self-esteem. If your partner has narcissistic traits, they may welcome this development — if you feel no one else will want you, you’re less likely to leave them.  5. Playing the Victim  Manipulators are experts at appearing innocent. In cases of narcissistic abuse, this behavior can take the form of gaslighting, where your partner contradicts your recollection of events and makes you feel as if you are losing your mind.  For example, if you get in an argument, and they call you a hurtful name, they may later deny ever saying it. Another frequent tactic emotional manipulators use is claiming they don’t remember what they said — they may blame drugs or alcohol for their memory lapse.  6. Belittling Legitimate Concerns  You don’t feel comfortable dining at an indoor restaurant yet. Instead of agreeing to alfresco or takeout, your partner mocks you for being concerned over “a little cold.” Belittling your legitimate concerns is a sure sign of emotional manipulation in your relationship. Your partner should be your shield against a sometimes hostile world, not contribute to your stress levels by making you feel foolish for doing what you must to ensure your safety.  7. Brushing Off Insults as “Jokes”  Another emotional manipulation red flag occurs when your partner repeatedly puts you down, then claims that they were only joking. Admittedly, some people do love a good roast. However, if you don’t, and you expressed this dislike to your loved one, they should honor your sensibilities.  Sometimes, this treatment becomes downright abusive in public. If your partner makes fun of you to look “cool” in front of their friends, run the other way. High school ended for a reason. 8. Giving the Silent Treatment  Sometimes, your partner might ask for a time-out — however, don’t confuse a legitimate need to withdraw with deviousness. The “silent treatment” refers to intentionally manipulative behavior where your partner strives to inflict emotional pain by refusing to communicate.  Your partner might struggle to express their emotions if they grew up in an environment where their family viewed sharing feelings as a weakness. Try to open up the door by confiding in them about your upbringing. If they still reply with nothing but grunts, you may need to walk away.  Beware These 8 Signs of Emotional Manipulation in Relationships  You want a union based on openness, trust and honest communication. Learning these eight signs of emotional manipulation in relationships can help you avoid the wrong partners and free you to find the right ones.

What is circuit training? This exercise style allows only minimal rest periods, which will enable you to fit in a full-body workout in a short time.  Such routines emphasize working different muscle groups to keep you moving while providing rest for those not in use. As such, it combines an element of cardio with your weight-training routine. Here are four sample circuit training for beginners cheat sheets to use when resistance workout day rolls around.  “I'm New to the Weight Room” Intro If you’re a newbie to the weight-room world, you want a routine that lets you get in and hit it hard without a ton of fluff. Here are the moves to master. Squats: When you first begin resistance training, try doing these with no weights until you master the form. Sit back as if you had a chair behind you. Take a glance down — you should see the tips of your sneakers beyond your knees. It’s best to bend your knees no further than 90 degrees to avoid injury. Chest press: Newbies to the gym benefit from machines that keep your body in alignment and prevent a barbell from pinning you to the bench. Find a weight setting that lets you perform 10 to 12 repetitions. You should struggle on the last few. Planks: This move blasts your entire core region. Start by getting into a push-up position, then hold as you pull in your abs. You can do variations on your elbows or rotate to either side.  Repeat this circuit several times. Alternating between the upper and lower body helps you torch tons of calories in a short period. As you gain experience, you can add variety, such as substituting a set of push-ups for one round of chest presses.  Arm and Upper-Body Power Though circuit training for beginners typically entails working both the upper and lower body, you can use the principles to target-train. The critical factor involves using opposing muscle groups to let one rest while the other labors.  You’ll perform the following four moves in this circuit. Lat pulls: You can do this exercise on a pulldown machine. If you opt for free weights, support one knee and the same arm on a weight bench, which forces you to bend forward. Pull your dumbbell up behind you like you’re starting a lawnmower. Chest flys: Lay flat on a weight bench with your arms extended over the midline of your chest. Imagine you’re a bird taking wing and “fly” your arms by lowering them to perpendicular with your chest, elbows slightly bent. You can also use a machine. Biceps curls: With one dumbbell in each hand, tuck your elbows into your sides with your palms facing up at a 45-degree angle. Bend your elbows, bring your weights to your shoulders, then lower with control. If you find yourself rocking your torso to lift the weights, drop down a few pounds.Triceps kickbacks: Stagger your stance and lean forward with your torso at a 45-degree angle. Bend your elbows to bring your dumbbells to your waist. Then, like a skier pushing off, straighten your arms, squeezing your triceps as you do so.  Long, Lean Beach-Ready Legs You can perform this workout on opposite days as your upper body. If you have more time, you can combine this workout with the arm one above.  Leg extensions: Adjust your machine for 10 to 12 reps to start. When this amount becomes easy, move up by five-pound increments. Hamstring curls: You can perform these on a machine where you lay flat on your stomach or the seated version. Hip abduction: This move works your outer thighs by pressing the weight pads away from you. Hip adduction: This motion opposes the previous one and blasts your inner thighs.  If you don’t have access to weight machines, a quality set of resistance bands can substitute. Plus, you can use them in your living room — no gym trip necessary.  The Hardcore Total-Body Blast You should repeat each of the above circuits four to six times per workout session for optimal results. Have you been working out for a while? Are you ready for a hardcore challenge?  Print out this sheet and take it with you to the gym. Complete each exercise in the above three groups two to three times. If blast every muscle in your body, you'll only need to hit the weight room three times a week. Use the other days for rest, yoga or cardiovascular training.  Get in the Best Shape of Your Life With Circuit Training for Beginners The above exercise style helps you save time in the gym by working your lower and upper body or opposing muscle groups and minimizing rest. Try these circuit training for beginner routines and get the sleek, toned physique you desire. 

It doesn’t matter if you or your former partner did the dumping — like the old song says, breaking up is hard to do. Your mind spins with questions of what you could have done differently or where things went wrong.  How can you get closure from a breakup? While healing takes time and self-care, the nine tips below can help you find inner peace.  1. Take Time Alone  Your first instinct might be to jump back into the dating game immediately — especially if you feel rejected. However, it isn’t OK to play games with someone else’s heart while you're trying to heal yours.  Before you update your Tinder posting, take the time to reflect. Every relationship, no matter how much it went sour, offers you valuable lessons about yourself. Rushing out to date distracts you from the soul work it takes to realize what you learned.  2. Write Lists  Writing lists serves multiple healing purposes. Are you still simmering with resentment at the way your former partner behaved? Jot down all the things you no longer have to put up with — from their refusal to take off their shoes in your house to the way they chewed with their mouth open — and vent.  You can also use lists to identify the traits you do and don’t want in your next relationship. Was your former partner notoriously unreliable? Write that you seek a partner who shows up on time — not two hours late.  3. Pump up the Jams Guess what? Breaking up is so hard to do, thousands of artists in every musical genre have written ballads about it.  It doesn’t matter if you like death metal, pop or rap. You can create the ultimate breakup playlist and ease your tumultuous emotions through song.  4. Reach Out to Your Circle  Did you fall out of touch with your BFF when your former partner swept you off your feet? While you might need to grovel a bit, here’s your chance to reconnect.  Give your best friend a call and propose a girls’ or guys’ night out. If you disappeared from the radar when you fell head over heels, offer to buy dinner or the first couple of rounds of cocktails.  5. Clean Out Your Closets Just when you think you’re getting over your ex, you find his sweater still in your closet. Now, you’re a sobbing heap hoping for one more whiff of their signature scent.  If things ended on neutral or positive terms, of course, you should return the items. However, if things became explosive, donate those old duds they left behind to a worthy cause. You’ll exorcise old ghosts while doing a kind deed.  6. Explore a New Interest  When we say to explore a new interest, that doesn’t necessarily mean the romantic variety. Did your old partner roll his eyes at your interest in learning how to crochet a blanket? Sign up for a class.  Now is your opportunity to explore all the things that make you tick without fear of criticism. Work on advanced Ashtanga yoga if that’s your passion. You might look silly trying to get both legs behind your head, but your pet kitty won’t laugh at you.  7. Take a Solo Road Trip  It doesn’t take much moolah to go on a road trip, so if you have paid leave to spend, why not hit the open road? Give yourself peace of mind by getting your car serviced and oil changed, then throw a dart at the map.  Travel broadens your horizons while soothing your soul. When you stare at something as magnificent as the Grand Canyon or the red rocks of Sedona, you’ll realize your troubles mean little in the vast scheme of things.  8. Evaluate Your Boundaries Did your ex-partner insist on checking your text messages? Did they go through your computer or even your purse without permission? Use your healing closure from breakup time to establish healthy boundaries for when you do fall in love again. Setting firm ground rules ensures your future partners give you the respect you deserve.  9. Treat Yourself Kindly  Last but not least, be kind to yourself and practice oodles of self-care while you heal. The stress of separation sets off a series of physiological reactions in your body, ramping up your production of stress hormones and leaving you off-balance. Part of getting closure from a breakup entails regaining your equilibrium and sense of inner peace.  Treat yourself to long, luxurious bubble baths. Take yourself for a mani-pedi or book a full spa day complete with massage if you have the means. Buy yourself that novel you’ve wanted to read forever.  Imagine your best friend broke up with their SO. Treat yourself the way you would them — by showering yourself with love.  Get Closure From Your Breakup With the 9 Tips Above It’s challenging to get closure from a breakup regardless of how things ended. Use the nine tips above to regain your inner peace and heal. 

Do you and your spouse pass each other by like the proverbial ships in the night? The closeness of quarantine might have left you feeling more distant rather than closer to your family. How can you improve your bond in family relationships? Healthy connections take work, including those with your nearest and dearest. Here are 10 fabulous ways to improve your family relationships and fill your home with smiles.  https://youtu.be/PuXkrVoJrcM 1. Use Your Phone  As America reopens, you and your loved ones might chomp at the bit to get out and do what you love. However, you might start to lose touch in your excitement to explore.  If your spouse works second-shift and you leave before they wake, text them at a reasonable hour to wish them a blessed day. When your teenager texts you that they’re going to the library with a friend, respond with an “I love you” instead of a thumbs-up emoji.  2. Bring Back Family Dinner Do you miss the days when the family sat down for a meal? Fully eight out of 10 American households now find the dinner hour a logistical nightmare.  You don’t have to mandate that everyone convene at 6 p.m. nightly despite their outside obligations. However, do pick one or two nights a week to skip soccer practice and come together to enjoy a meal as a group.  3. Adopt a Hobby  Another way to get the gang together is to adopt a family hobby. Set a goal to learn about the native flora and fauna of your area, and spend sunny Saturday mornings identifying plants and animals at your nearby nature center.  If you missed out on the spring gardening craze, why not bring the fun indoors for the winter with containers? This hobby teaches your kids science and nutrition while letting everyone enjoy nurturing growing things. Plus, a sunny windowsill herb selection will take your meals to the next level.  4. Play Board Games  Are you a “hugger” who desperately misses human contact? Unless anyone in your home is infected, break out the Twister. Board games provide an entertaining way to pass the time as a group. Try scheduling a game night once a month to help improve your family relationships.  5. Throw a Pajama Party  Who doesn’t love a midnight snack? For young children, staying up past their bedtime represents a rare treat.  Throw a family pajama party and movie night where you all drag your sleeping bags in the living room. Learn how to make the ultimate movie-style popcorn for the festivities. During the summer, you can take your evening outside on the patio — lease a projector from your local library for outdoor filmgoing.  6. Take a Road Trip  Did you end up canceling your family vacation due to COVID-19? Why not take a road trip instead?  Load up your ride with supplies and head out seeking adventure. Draw a circle on the map and have each family member choose a destination they’d like to visit within that radius. You might find attractions nearby that you never knew existed.  7. Make a Gratitude Jar Let’s be honest: It can be challenging to find things you feel grateful for in 2020. However, if you still have those you love, you are more fortunate than most.  Why not make a gratitude jar and have each family member write one thing they feel thankful for on a slip of paper and insert it each day? When New Year’s Eve rolls around, open the jar and read what everyone wrote. You’ll see this year wasn’t as awful as it seemed.  8.  Write Each Other Letters Do you feel farther apart than ever from distant relatives because of the inability or reluctance to travel? Bring back the old-fashioned art of writing letters. You’ll help your kids improve their literacy and make grandma’s day.  If you want to make writing more fun, invest in pretty stationery and an elegant pen. Encourage young children to draw pictures your distant relatives will adore hanging on their fridge.  9. Upgrade Your Technology  Another way to keep in touch across the miles is through the miracle of technology. Nearly anyone can host a Zoom meeting or digital happy hour with Shirley Temples for the kids. What if your loved ones aren’t too tech-savvy? If you have the means, invest in a device intended for novices, such as the GrandPad, which makes connecting as simple as clicking a button.  10. Say “I Love You”  When was the last time you told your kids you loved them or uttered that phrase to your spouse? Please don’t take it for granted that they “know” you care.  Tell your family members that you love them often. Say it before you leave for work and when you tuck the littles in at night. The world is full of unknowns, especially now — make sure those you care about most know how you feel.  Improve Your Family Relationships With These 10 Tips  It isn’t challenging to improve your family relationships. The 10 tips above can set you on the road to better harmony and appreciation of those you love most. 

It’s one of the immutable laws of nature — if you have straight hair, you long for ringlets and waves. How can you achieve the look without damaging your locks with chemical perms or heat-based rods?  If you want to know how to get curly hair overnight, the eight methods below can help. These techniques won’t put undue stress on your tresses — only give you the bounce you desire. What Makes Hair Curly vs. Straight? Before you test out the following methods, it's important to understand what makes hair straight and curly in the first place. While scientists still have much to learn about hair follicles, they do know that genetics play a key role in the shape of your strands. They also discovered that straight hairs are round while curly ones are asymmetrical and s-shaped, meaning they have two bends. Unfortunately, you'll never be able to change your strands' chemical structure, but you can alter your environment to temporarily influence their appearance. In other words, there are a number of tricks, techniques and products available to make your hair look curly — at least for a little while. 1. Braid It One of the most well-known methods of creating waves overnight is to braid your still-damp hair when you emerge from the shower. When you undo your plaits, hello, beach-beautiful.  To get the look, apply a leave-in conditioner or gentle styling pomade. Then, divide your hair into three sections. Weave the left section over the center portion, then the right, repeating until you reach the end. Secure with a tie.  A single plait will give you large, loose waves. However, you can experiment if you have more time. The smaller and tighter you make your braids, the more bounce you’ll have.  2. Pin It Pin curls are a nearly effortless way to add body and style. Plus, like all of these eight methods for how to get curly hair overnight, they eliminate the need to blow-dry — and potentially damage strands.  You’ll need a stash of bobby pins or clips. The former work best because they won’t pop open when you sleep or make it impossible to rest your head on your pillow. Section hair into portions no bigger than a pencil’s width. Twirl each part around your finger until it starts to fold in on itself. Press the curl against your head and secure it with a pin. When you wake up and remove each bobby, you’ll love the result.  3. Create Bantu Knots If you have more time, consider going with Bantu knots. This method works similarly to pin curls. However, you part your hair into even sections and create a stylish cone-shaped design that you can sport to the store or office without first shaking out your ‘do.  You can sport this style for up to two weeks at a time without damage. However, keep in mind that repeatedly pulling your hair into a tight style can cause traction alopecia, a form of hair loss that can become permanent. Plus, you leave much of your scalp exposed, meaning this look might not work if you struggle with dandruff.  4. Use a Straw Who said that you needed to invest in rollers to get ringlets? You can finally repurpose that stash of straws the drive-thru peeps insist on including in your bag despite your protests that you carry a reusable one.  Prep your materials by cutting your straws into 1 ½-inch sections. Roll a small portion of hair around each one as if you were using a roller. Take a bobby pin and secure each tube in place the way you would with a standard — and far less comfortable — roller.  5. Try TP Rolls What if you love the idea of sustainability, but you don’t want tight “Little Orphan Annie” ringlets? Empty toilet paper and paper towel rolls work to create bigger, beach-style waves.  However, keep in mind that cardboard doesn’t hold up well to excess moisture. Towel-dry your hair when you emerge from the shower, and let it partially air-dry before using this technique. A few spritzes of hair spray or pumps of gel produce hold without wilting your “rollers.”  6. Repurpose Old Clothes What if a head full of bobby pins makes it too uncomfortable for you to sleep? After all, some people are more sensitive than others.  If you have an old T-shirt or pair of socks you intended to trash, repurpose them instead. Cut the fabric into thin strips and wrap fine hair around them like rollers.  This method might not work with thick hair, although with a bit of practice, you can still use this method in conjunction with straws or paper towel rolls. You might need to phone a friend, as it takes an extra set of hands to hold everything in place while you tie the knot.  7. Do a Messy Bun  If all you want are gently tousled tresses, embrace the lazy girl mindset. Stop wearing that scrunchy around your wrist as a VSCO accessory and put it to use making waves.  All you need to do is pull your damp hair into a ponytail after emerging from the shower. Pull it only halfway through on your final loop, making a quick bun. You’ll look chic enough to run errands even before you set your locks free.  8. Get Flexi  If you have money to spend, a set of Flexi-rods can become your best friend. They’re made of squishy foam instead of plastic, meaning you can sleep comfortably. Ahh.  Use these magical devices the way you would rollers, then twist them into place to secure. You don’t need any bobby pins, which means you won’t wake up when one jabs your skull during the night.  Tips for Whichever Method You Choose Any of the above methods work best when you also apply the following tips:  Use a firm-hold styling product: If you have flyaway hair, you might notice your curls wilting by noon. Use a firm-hold styling gel or spray designed to withstand the elements. Don’t wrap too tightly: While the above methods won’t damage your hair like heat or chemicals, pulling too hard can result in breakage and loss. Invest in a satin pillowcase: Cotton pillowcases can tug on strands when you roll over during the night. Satin cases let your locks slide without tearing. Protect with a cap: If you find that you keep bumping your bobby pins or knots and getting them caught, pull a mesh cap over your tresses. Yes, you’ll look funny, but you’ll prevent pulling your hair and mussing your style. Scrunch. Don't rub: Prevent breakage by scrunching your hair with a towel after washing it. This approach promotes curls, minimizes frizz and reduces tangles much more effectively than the rub-dry method. Be patient: Let your hair dry completely before unpleating braids, removing curlers and undoing knots. If you're impatient and remove them too early, your curls will dry limp and lack that beautiful bounce. Try again: If at first, you don't succeed, try again. Maybe your curls will look better if you use larger or smaller sections of hair or assume a different sleeping position. Trim your ends: Cutting your hair to make it longer might seem counterintuitive. However, frequent trims can reduce split ends so your strands grow long — and stay that way. Helpful Products for Getting Curly Hair If your hair is unruly or you have trouble locking in those vivacious curls, applying one or two curl-enhancers may help. Transform your hairstyle from flat to fab with the following products: Curl definer: Your curls look amazing for an hour or two after you take out all the pins and rollers. Then, they start to lose their shape. Apply a lightweight curl definer while your hair is still damp to lock in curls without weighing them down. Anti-frizz lotion: Curly hair is prone to frizz, especially in humid environments. Use anti-frizz lotion to tame your wild mane and help your curls keep their shape regardless of the weather. Styling spray: Girls with thick, heavy hair may struggle to achieve tight ringlets and tiny spiral curls. Luckily, styling spray can help. Mist your whole head in the product before heading out the door so your style stays in place throughout the day. Keeping Your Hair Healthy For a bunch of dead cells, hair sure does use require a lot of work, especially if you want to keep yours healthy. As you try various curling methods, opt for soft hair ties rather than rubber elastics. The former are gentle on your ends while the latter can easily cause breakage. You should also take extra care to condition your ends every time you wash your hair. Short on time? Apply a leave-in conditioner to minimize split ends and protect your fragile follicles from clips, pins and rollers. Because your hair is most vulnerable when wet, you should refrain from attacking it with a brush. Instead, use a wide-tooth comb to loose tangles and create a clean slate for your curls. Use a natural bristle brush after your hair is dry to boost volume, create bombshell waves and tame fly-aways. Learn How to Get Curly Hair Overnight With These 8 Tips  If you ever wanted to learn how to get curly hair overnight, you now have eight tips at your disposal. Go out and rock your fabulous look, Miss Curly Sue! 

When it comes time to travel for work or pleasure, you have many things to remember. Did you pack your toothbrush and contact lens case? Is your passport up to date? Will you be able to stay fit during your vacation? You might think it’s daunting to keep up your exercise regime on the road, but you can sneak in a workout nearly anywhere. Keeping up with your routine will improve your mood and help you boost immunity while preventing late-night room service from padding your waistline. Here are seven tips for staying fit while traveling that will keep you looking and feeling your best.  1. Choose Your Hotel Wisely  Whenever possible, select a hotel with a fitness facility, especially if you plan to travel to an unfamiliar destination. You won’t know where to find the nearest park to sneak in a set of pullups on the monkey bars. It’s far simpler to follow hallways maps to the workout room than roam the streets, hoping to find the ideal spot.  Given the pandemic, call ahead and make sure your destination follows safety guidelines — such as placing equipment at least 6 feet apart and limiting the number of participants. It should provide ample sanitizing supplies, like wipes.  What if you’re training for a marathon and like to run outdoors? Check the hotel neighborhood’s safety ranking before booking your reservation. You can use online sites such as CrimeReports to put your mind at ease — or spur you to look elsewhere. It’s tough to focus on stride length when you worry that a pickpocket or worse might chase you.  2. Bring Resistance Bands What gives you a fabulous strength training workout without making your suitcase violate weight standards? If you answered “a set of resistance bands,” you will first prize at the Fitness County Fair. These gadgets make it easy to stay fit while traveling.  You can pick up these devices inexpensively — many models cost less than $20, although you can find pricier versions. If you have the means, keep one set in your luggage and buy a second for under your couch. You can sneak in some biceps pumps the next time you binge Netflix.   3. Brush up on Plyo Moves and Calisthenics  Many plyometric moves require little-to-no equipment but deliver a significant burn. If you don’t believe it, drop and see how many burpees you can do before breaking a sweat. Moves like splint lunges blast your quads while getting your heart pumping, and you only need a 5-foot by 2-foot space to perform them.  Old-fashioned squats and pushups likewise require no gym or weights. You can print a full-body workout before you leave and practice it while you chill in front of the in-room fireplace.  4. Consider Your Transportation Choices You have your plane tickets, but how do you intend to get around once you reach your destination? Before you say, “Uber, baby,” investigate options that keep you fit.  If you’re traveling on business, can you book a hotel within walking distance of the convention center? Have you checked with your hotel? Some higher-end establishments now provide e-bike rentals for guests, while others offer traditional pedal-power models.  5. Find a Nearby Facility  What if your boss books your room, and your hotel lacks a gym? Look into nearby fitness facilities — you can often find them on Google Maps.  The beauty of this option is that many places offer free trial memberships that keep you from paying a fee to stay fit. However, many gyms took severe hits during the pandemic shutdowns — if you have the means, they’d appreciate you buying a weeklong pass.  6. Book Active Adventures  Are you traveling to Cancun, you lucky devil? There’s more to do than lie on the beach with an umbrella drink in your hand.  Why not book an afternoon of snorkeling with the dolphins or parasailing? You don’t have to go to Egypt to climb a pyramid — you can blast your quads and hamstrings at one of the historic Mayan sites along the Riviera.  7. Discover YouTube Yoga  Maybe you want something a bit more low-key than scaling the side of a pyramid. If you have a smartphone and internet connection, you can find thousands of workouts to stream on YouTube. It’s one of the most frequently overlooked ways to stay fit while traveling.  The social media video site has more yoga channels than Baskin Robbins has ice-cream flavors. Find a few instructors that you love before you hit the road. Bye-bye, decision fatigue — all you need to do is scroll down your sweet subscription list to find the perfect way to start or end your day.  Stay Fit While Traveling With These 7 Tips  Going on vacation doesn’t need to mean coming home with tight-fitting pants. Use these seven tips to stay fit while traveling and enjoy a healthier journey. 

Even before the pandemic, dating apps offered an ideal way to meet other available singles. Now, with COVID-19 closing the usual meeting locations, they’re more valuable than ever.  However, if you want to succeed at the mating game, you still need to know how to charm. You also want to avoid behaviors sure to make prospective dates swipe left. Here are the top 10 dating apps tips for guys to increase your chances of finding success.  1. Be Honest With What You Want  If you’re genuine about seeking a life partner and starting a family, say so. However, don’t use that line merely to win dates. One, it’s not cool to play games with hearts. Two, you never know when you might encounter one of those bunny-boiling types straight out of “Fatal Attraction.”  It’s OK to say you’re seeking a casual hookup — that’s why sites like AdultFriendFinder and Ashley Madison exist. Playtime is more fun when both participants know the rules. However, remember that old cliché about what’s good for the gander — don't get possessive of the goose.  2. Skip the Come-Ons to Every Match  “You’re hot. Wanna hook up?” Guys, every woman has had some variation of this query — often horribly misspelled — in her dating inbox. While statistics are hard to come by, this line probably doesn’t work too often.  You don’t want to risk coming off like a creep. Even if you seek a casual encounter, exchange a few pleasantries first.  3. Learn How to Start Conversations Do you begin every message thread with, “Hey, what’s up?” If so, congratulations — you win first prize for the least-original opening line.  Learn how to ask open-ended questions — this method serves two purposes. First and foremost, it makes you a more sparkling conversationalist.  Secondly, it helps you weed out prospective mates without hard feelings. If someone replies “the pitter-patter of tiny feet” to your inquiry about what makes their heart feel happy, you know to keep searching if you have zero desire for children.  4. Keep The Dialogue Going You can’t expect everyone to match your chat skills. Learn how to keep the convo going from your end.  For example, if someone whom you match with asks, “How was your day,” resist the urge to say, “Fine.” Instead, tell a funny anecdote and draw them into the discussion: “Did you ever have one of those days when …”  5. Go Easy on Physical Compliments Flattery only works on those seeking a quick ego boost. You can’t tell everything about a prospective mate by their profile picture. Plus, those with an attractive photo already get told how “hot” they are.  6. Give Praise for Accomplishments Make yourself stand out by instead applauding your interest in their accomplishments. Did they mention that they finished writing a novel? That’s far more worthy of praise than a pair of exotic eyes. 7. Learn How to Take Rejection  You won’t connect with everyone you find interesting. That’s OK.  Look at meeting people the way you do the job interview process. Sometimes, you think you found the ideal position, but you never hear a thing. Instead of taking it personally, you move on to the next opportunity. Do this in online dating instead of obsessing over the one that got away.  8. Avoid Playing Games  Imagine finally meeting the right person — only to find out they’re secretly married to someone else. While that’s an extreme example, it’s one reason why you shouldn’t play games with other people’s emotions. Remember the golden rule to do unto others?  If you aren’t interested in one of your online dating matches, let them know. Don’t string them along to have someone in your back pocket if other opportunities don’t pan out — would you want to be someone’s plan B?  9. Ask for That First Date  Don’t get shy about asking for the first date. If you and an online match hit it off, suggest a meeting. After all, that’s the whole point of online dating in the first place.  Suggest a casual meetup in a neutral, public place. Since we live in the age of COVID-19, a coffee shop with ample outdoor seating works. You get bonus points if it's near a park where you can go for a more socially distant stroll.  10. Don’t Go Overboard Maybe the person you like has to go out of town next week. However, if you ask them again and they have a similar excuse, they might be trying to let you down easy.  Don’t go overboard with invitations — consider a two-max limit on continued tries after rejection. Past that point, let the other person come to you. Likewise, don’t try to wow those who do accept by showing up with a limo and roses. A first date isn’t your senior prom, and it could make the other person flee.  Succeed in Online Dating With These Top 10 Dating App Tips  You can succeed in online dating and find a casual fling or a long-term romance. Use the 10 tips above to improve your chances of finding love. 

If you’re trying to get in the best shape ever in a short time, you should consider circuit training. This style of workout torches calories without requiring you to spend hours in the gym.  In this method of training, you utilize several stations designed to work various body parts. By moving from one to the other with little to no rest, you keep your heart rate elevated while building biceps The Rock would envy. Here are eight benefits of circuit training and why you should incorporate it into your workout regimen.  1. Combines Strength and Cardio Rest time? Who needs it? One of the benefits of circuit training is keeping your body in near-constant motion by alternating muscle groups. You might follow a lower-body exercise with an upper-body one to give your quads a break, but the beat goes on within your chest.  Because of the two-for-one nature of this training style, you’ll spend less time at the gym. However, you don’t need a fitness center membership to reap the benefits. If you have dumbbells or even milk jugs at home, you can set up different stations — more on that shortly.  2. Allows Less Waiting at the Gym Maybe you’re one of many who hits the gym because you find the camaraderie inspires you. Research does indicate that working out with others can help provide motivation.  With circuit training, it’s no sweat if someone lingers on the leg extension machine, scrolling their iPhone between sets. You can work hamstrings or hack squats instead until that station opens — you don’t have to complete the exercises in a given order.  3. Works All Major Muscle Groups  Sometimes, people stick to one form of exercise they love, such as running. If you do this, you might have sleek, toned legs but a neglected upper body.  Circuit training works all muscle groups, and by its nature, forces you to alternate upper and lower body moves to keep your blood flowing. Therefore, you run less of a chance of developing one while neglecting the other. The impact isn’t only cosmetic — muscle imbalances can lead to overuse injuries in high-strain areas.  4. Burns a Ton of Calories  Who said you needed to spend hours in the gym for a mega-calorie burn? Circuit training keeps you moving, meaning that you scorch fat with no rest in between.  The belly-busting effects don’t stop when you leave the gym. Because muscle cells are more metabolically active than their fatty cousins, you burn more calories even when at rest. If you needed another reason to get over your fear of the weight bench, there you go.  5. Eases Stress Any form of exercise can help you blast away stress. Circuit training works effectively because no breaks in between sets mean your mind never has time to ruminate over what your boss meant when they made that cryptic remark about your budget report.  Plus, exercise releases endorphins. These natural opioid-like chemicals elevate your mood while dulling chronic pain — all without any adverse addictive properties.  6. Encourages Active Rest  Unlike a traditional training session where your coach gathers your equipment while you relax, circuit training requires you to move from one station to another. If you wear a pedometer, you know that every step counts toward your daily quota.  If you feel extra energetic, who says you have to walk? You can shuffle or jog between stations, assuming that overcrowded conditions don’t make doing so a safety hazard.  7. Alleviates Boredom  If your workout regimen bores you, circuit training may be the answer to getting back your pep. Even though you may spend 30 minutes in the gym, you aren’t laboriously logging those seconds on a treadmill. One of the peak benefits of circuit training is that it doesn’t allow time for boredom.  Some circuit training programs do incorporate cardio intervals, so feel free. However, instead of slogging away at the elliptical for the 20-minute maximum allowable time, you might do two minutes before moving on to something else.  8. Adapts to Multiple Training Environments  If working out with others still gives you pause, stay home to get in your circuit. All you need to do is set up various stations around your house.  Plunk those milk jugs on your kitchen counter — you can use them for biceps curls and dead lifts. Do you have a set of stairs? You can run up them or balance on one for calf raises. If your ottoman isn’t working too hard, play job-creator by putting it to use for single-leg squats and lunges.  Reap These 8 Benefits of Circuit Training and Maximize Your Fitness  If your fitness routine feels stale, this workout regimen may answer your prayers. Reap the benefits of circuit training with the eight tips above. 

Strokes terrify many people, and for good reason. These neuro-cardiovascular events can result in severe disability and a permanent loss of cognition and function.  However, not all strokes share the same underlying triggers, and prognosis varies depending on severity and variety. What are the three different types of stroke, and what are the symptoms, causes and treatments for each? Most importantly, can you prevent them?  Overview of the Three Different Types of Stroke According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the three different stroke types consist of ischemic, hemorrhagic and transient ischemic attacks (TIA) or mini-strokes.   1. Ischemic Stroke  Ischemic strokes occur when a blood vessel to the brain becomes obstructed, typically due to a clot. This type makes up 87% of all strokes.  The primary cause of ischemic stroke occurs when fatty deposits lining vessel walls create one of two types of obstruction: Cerebral thrombosis: This type refers to blood clots caused by fatty deposits cutting off the brain’s oxygen supply.  Cerebral embolism: This version occurs when a clot elsewhere in the body gets loose and travels through the bloodstream until it gets stuck in a smaller vessel. Embolisms often occur with atrial fibrillation or irregular heartbeat.  Some people suffer “silent strokes,” where blood clots interrupt blood flow to the brain without causing immediate and substantial damage. However, these incidents increase the risk that an individual will have a more debilitating attack down the road.   2. Hemorrhagic Stroke  A hemorrhagic stroke occurs when a blood vessel ruptures in your brain. These events are also called intracerebral hemorrhages, and they cause severe symptoms, including the following: Total or limited loss of consciousness Nausea and vomiting Sudden and severe headache Weakness or paralysis of the face or one side of the body Seizures, dizziness and loss of balance Problems with speech, swallowing or concentration Some people with rare migraine variants, such as hemiplegic migraine, experience similar symptoms, although they make a full recovery. You must seek medical attention if you suspect this or any stroke type. Without an evaluation, it’s impossible to differentiate the two sometimes, and migraines increase the risk of stroke.  3. Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA) A TIA is a temporary period of symptoms akin to those seen in stroke. These attacks are similar to hemiplegic migraines, although they typically last only a few minutes in TIAs.  However, their short-lived nature doesn’t make them less severe. Approximately one out of three individuals who suffer a TIA eventually go on to have a full-blown stroke.  Researchers believe that TIAs occur when blood clots get stuck temporarily, then quickly pass through, freeing the blood supply. If you suspect a TIA, please seek immediate medical care.  Treatment and Prognosis for Various Types of Stroke Of all the three stroke types, the prognosis for TIAs is most favorable. However, those who have one of these events should make lifestyle changes like maintaining a healthy weight and exercising to reduce the risk of future clots.  It's critical to seek immediate medical treatment for strokes. Currently, the only nonsurgical way to remove the clot and restore function is tissue plasminogen activator (tPA). Doctors must administer this medication within three hours of symptoms appearing for best results.  Tragically, only 3-5% of patients receive this medication in time to prevent severe damage. Otherwise, they must rely on surgical devices for clot-retrieval, which requires extensive intervention from medical staff. Comprehensive stroke centers have microcatheters that can administer tPA directly to the thrombus, but many patients lack access to such facilities.  Another complication is that tPA should not be used in cases of hemorrhagic stroke. In these incidents, patients may need surgery to control bleeding and relieve pressure inside the skull.  After the immediate danger passes, stroke patients often undergo lengthy rehabilitation. While some individuals eventually recover full or nearly complete functionality, others experience a permanent loss of cognition or bodily function.  Preventive Measures for Stroke Since current stroke treatments leave much to be desired, it’s better to take action to prevent them. While you can’t control factors such as your genetic makeup or family history, there are things you can manage:  Lower your blood pressure: High blood pressure can lead to artery and vein damage.  Quit smoking: Smoking can likewise damage blood vessels.  Reduce your cholesterol: This sticky substance is responsible for the majority of strokes.  Keep your weight in a healthy range: Doing so decreases the strain on your cardiovascular system.  Educate Yourself on the 3 Different Types of Stroke Now that you know about the three different types of stroke, you can take action to minimize your risk. Recognizing symptoms and seeking immediate medical care are keys to recovery if one does occur.