12 Powerful Life Lessons

1. It’s the simple things in life that are the most extraordinary.

2. Support your children in pursuit of their dreams.

3. There is nothing to hold you back, except yourself.

4. There is only one way to learn, and that is through action.

5. Trust your gut 

6. Follow your dreams.

7. Know what you want.

8. Make a decision and dive in with massive action.

9. Move on – always look forward.

10. You will encounter obstacles and take detours while realizing your dreams.

11. Don’t fear the unknown.

12. Learn to understand the universal language – the language without words.

Green Living: 10 Eco-Friendly Materials For Your Home

Living green is more than just a passing fad and there’s no better way to truly embrace an eco-friendly lifestyle than at the most basic foundation of our society. Yes, sustainability should start at home!

Here are a few eco-materials you can incorporate into your home:

1. Abaca: Fiber Strength

Similar to bamboo, abaca is grown widely in many tropical countries. It is one of the many species of banana native to the Philippines, and it is also extensively grown in Borneo and Sumatra.  The strong fiber is also known as “Manila hemp” and is used to make currency bills, twines, ropes and clothing.

A home can enjoy this eco-friendly material in the form of woven cloth, place mats and curtains to small furniture such as center and side tables.

2. Bamboo: The Versatile Grass

Strong, resilient, beautiful, abundant and affordable, this humble grass is one of the best materials that one can explore when it comes to achieving sustainability at home. From its roots to its infamous stalk, bamboo has plenty to offer. It is one of the best eco-friendly materials, not only because it is renewable and biodegradable, but also because bamboo helps its surrounding habitats, as their roots hold soil and water, preventing erosions or landslides. Further, Bamboo groves have been found to release 30%-40% more oxygen, compared to hardwood forests with the same volume.

Bamboo shoots or the young bamboo can be made into condiments or pickles and its stalk are extensively used in construction, furniture-making and even clothing. Bamboo can be made into virtually anything, from bathroom mats to blinds, window shades, wall and floor panels.

3. Banana Leaves: A Delectable Choice

Bananas are abundant in Southeast Asia and South America and are typically grown in large plantations. The leaves are used for decoration and also to serve and prepare food in countries like India, Malaysia, Philippines and even in Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic and Mexico. Excess dried banana leaves removed from plantations are unfortunately either made into fertilizers or burned, when they can be put to other practical uses.

Dried, weaved banana leaves make beautiful baskets, candle holders, magazine racks, trays, mirror and picture frames and a lot more.

4. Coconut Products: A Cool Alternative

Grown in tropical and subtropical countries, coconut is another great source of eco-friendly materials. Almost every part of the palm can be used, from its leaves down to its roots. The materials can be used to create household items, such as curtains, wall decors, bowls, ladles and baskets. The Coconut coir fibers are great for making door mats, carpets and rugs.

5. Cogon Grass: The Japanese Bloodgrass

Also known as Japanese bloodgrass, kunai grass in the U.S. or blady grass in Australia, the cogon grass is a weed that damages crops.  Farmers typically spend a lot of time, labor and money clearing the invasive plant, usually burning them or using herbicides.

There are many ingenious ways of utilizing Cogon grass that can help minimize the use of harmful herbicides and reduce the damage to local crops at the same time. Cogon grass can be used to create place mats, carpets, magazine holders and other useful items. Although the production of cogon grass as furniture and décor is still in its earliest stage, it may have a potential global market, as the demand for sustainable materials grows.

6. Corn: More than Just a Meal

Infamous corn has nearly an unlimited number of uses and is widely cultivated throughout the world. Although everyone uses numerous food products that are made of corn or include it as an ingredient, very few people are aware of the dangers that the crop actually brings. Corn produces a tremendous volume of  farm waste with every harvest, which is often left in the field to emit CO2 as it decomposes.

Discarded corn husks can be incorporated into furniture and as home décor, which can be equally beautiful and durable as bamboo, seagrass and other natural materials. A company called Corn Board Manufacturing, Inc has gone even further by developing a proprietary corn-based composite board that can be used instead of particle board, plywood or fiberboard for furniture and home construction!

7. Jute: The Golden Fiber

As the second most consumed and produced vegetable fiber after cotton, jute has now taken a spotlight in sustainable interior designs. Beautifully made jute rugs, curtains, sacks, rugs, chair upholstery and even linoleum backing are just a few of the many options that one can have at home. Jute fiber is labeled as the golden fiber because of its golden to silky shine hue. It’s 100% biodegradable making it another great option for your home.

8. Seagrass: Uniquely Beautiful

Known to be ecosystem engineers, seagrasses are a crucial food source for many marine organisms. Seagrass furniture is now making waves in homes as well as interiors of various establishments. This is because furniture made from seagrass has continuously proven its strength, opulence and durability, three qualities that every homeowner would always be delighted to have in their furniture pieces. Probably the best feature of seagrass furniture is that it is stain resistant, simply because the fibers of the flowering plant are not able to absorb any type of liquid. This is a huge advantage, since furniture are prone to liquid stains.

Beautifully crafted living rooms sets, cabinets, beds, baskets and other types of furniture are available in the market today. They are inexpensive, biodegradable, exquisite and are a must in every green home.

9. Utilizing the Willow Tree

Probably the most well known of the 400 species of the willow is the weeping willow, which can be seen planted along parks, river banks and borders of streams. These trees were supposedly planted to control and protect banks from the strong action of water, but are now regarded as an invasive weed. The roots of the weeping willow tree are known to clog drainage and sewer lines, particularly in Australia.

Aside from replacing native trees along banks, willows have been used to make furniture and decorative items. Surprisingly, willow furniture has been around since the early 1900’s, in the form of chairs, sofas, tables, plant stands and beds. The twigs of the willow tree can be made into durable and beautiful woven baskets, magazine racks, vases and frames.

10. Rattan and Wicker

An abundance of rattan and wicker in forest areas provides a viable source of income to local people and could help curb logging in certain regions. Rattan and wicker grows faster than forest trees and harvesting and transport of rattan canes and wickers are much easier compared to logging, making it an economically and environmentally sensible choice.

Rattan and wicker can be used for a range of household furniture, from couches, dining sets and beds to magazine racks, side tables, lamps, vases and a lot more.

4 Tips For A Relaxing Space

Since the world has become so fast paced, it’s nice to come home to a relaxing, pleasing space. Calmer energy, a sense of “presence”, and balance can easily begin there, just by creating your ideal living space to fit your budget.

Releasing our minds will open the door to amazing things, so follow these simple tips to “redesign” your life:

Set the Stage

First things first, go through your surroundings and take inventory. Is there a room that you aren’t crazy about? wallpaper that’s screaming 2 decades ago? a light bulb that just doesn’t seem bright enough, or maybe a bit too bright? a hole in the wall? a squeaky door?

It doesn’t cost much to put on a fresh coat of paint, fill holes, fix a squeak, or replace bulbs and batteries for a clean, updated look, and you’ll feel so much better. And, if design isn’t your thing, flip through a magazine to find a picture if a room you’ll love. Recreate the look yourself, and you’ll save tons!

Choose Colors Carefully

Keep in mind colors affect us more than we think. Pick colors that are conducive to what you want your space to be. If you want a serene room, stray away from red! Red is an energizer and may even stimulate your appetite! Greens are calming colors, perfect for a spa-inspired setting. Or, if you want a cross between calm and amped up, choose a shade of blue.

Tackle Your To-Do List

We all have mental to-do lists, but now’s the time to put it on paper and check it off. Make a list of the things that have been on your mind, like organizing a closet, filing cabinet, or drawer. Tackle the items one by one. Clearing clutter clears your mind, too.

Store No More

Our closets, garages, and basements are havens for hidden treasures we may have written off too soon. You can go green and save green by refurbishing old furniture (it’s amazing what furniture treatment and new hardware can do), using bottles as decorative details – glass is said to be relaxing just to look through. Get creative, and you can design a whole new space with items you already own. Then, cleanse your home and storage areas from what’s not in use and no longer serves a purpose in your life.

Organize to Organize

If you’re trying to get organized, it may be overwhelming at first. Start simply by getting 3 bins together: “Use, Donate, Shred.”

Items in the “Use” bin should be put to use now!

Donate unwanted items by picking an organization of your choice. Many even offer free same-day pick up services, as long as you pick up the phone to call them!!

The only items we should be tossing are paper such as non-essential paperwork. Shred private information and recycle it!

Home Decorating Ideas for Cutting Your Energy Bill

A few warm throws scattered around the room can keep everyone cozy while cutting your energy bill.

One day last year I got tired of freezing every time I went down into the basement of my split level home. No matter how much I heated the house, the lower floor always felt like a refrigerator. I decided to implement home decorating ideas that will keep my basement warm while cutting my energy bill. And—surprise, surprise! The decorating ideas worked so well that I soon adopted them in my upstairs bedrooms too. So here they are, my home decorating ideas that will cut your energy bill. I hope you find them helpful.
#1. Heavy Drapes
To prevent your windows from cooling the air around them, hang beautiful heavy drapes over them. If you already have curtains, just add the heavy drapes as a top layer, using a second curtain rod that extends farther from the wall. I found my beautiful drapes on sale, but you can also turn heavy blankets into drapes by using curtain clip rings that hang the blankets from the rod. The most important part of this decorating tip relates to how you hang the drapes in the corners. Pull 2 inches of fabric off the rod, then use a curtain clip ring to connect them to the base of the curtain rod support attached to the wall. This will cause your drapes to wrap around the corners and reach all the way to the wall. Finally, cut a hole in at the top of the drape where the rod needs to slip out again. Then connect the decorative rod end as you normally would.
#2. Fireplace Screen
Despite keeping my chimney flap (damper) closed when the fireplace wasn't being used, cold air would still come down my chimney. I looked for a fireplace screen in dimensions that are close to the size of my fireplace and found a wide selection on sale through different internet stores. I chose a screen that had glass to provide complete insulation of the room from the chimney. It also had doors so I could access the logs when the fire was burning. The screen added a beautiful decorative focal point to the room, which also happened to cut my energy bill by shutting the cold air out.
#3. Outlet Covers
My outlet covers in walls that faced the exterior let in cold wind. I decided to change them with new, larger covers that will attach firmly to the wall and seal any gaps. I bought decorative covers with flower patterns that matched my decor. Finally, I inserted Child Safety Plastic Outlet Covers into the outlets that were not in use to prevent cold air from blowing through them.
#4. Electric Freestanding Stove
To warm up the room without having to turn up the heating system of the entire home, I bought an inexpensive electric stove that I can turn on and off with a remote. You can see similar stoves at on-line stores that sell electric fireplaces. Despite its small size and price, my electric freestanding stove produces as much heat as a large electric fireplace. The stove is situated in a corner with the bookcases behind it. The fake flames in the stove really add decorative warmth to the room while cutting my energy bill.
#5. Decorative Throws
Lack of activity, like sitting down to read a book, typically makes me feel cold. Instead of turning on the stove to heat in the room, I keep a beautiful throw spread over the back of my sofa so I can snuggle up when I want to. For my arm chairs, I fold matching throws on the arms. I even have an earth-toned throw on my wood rocking chair. You too can have fun with this decorating idea by adding decorative throws to your rooms, which will keep you warm while cutting your energy bill.
#6. Low Voltage Decorative Table Lamps
Instead of using the bright overhead lights constantly, I installed a dimmer for them, and you can find this simple dimmer at your favorite home improvement store (some dimmers even come with a remote). Next I bought decorative lamps that run on low voltage. I placed the lamps on side tables, to give us soothing, soft illumination, which we just love. Not only did I decorate my room with the lamps, but I cut on my energy bill because we now spend much more time using the dimmed illuminations than the overhead, glaring lights.

10 Simple Decorating Ideas for Renters

Despite or the rules and regulations, there are simple ways to decorate a rental on a budget.

Decorating a rented space is not as easy as it sounds. Most landlords don't want you to make major changes to your living space. In many cases, you can only paint the walls if you promise to paint them back to their original color before you leave. If you hang photos on the walls and make holes, that's just more stuff to fix when your lease expires. So here are simple decorating ideas for renters, which won't cost you a fortune or give your landlord a fit.
#1. Accent Wall
Don't paint your whole rental space! Instead, paint one accent wall in every room. Choose the wall directly opposite the entrance and paint it in a bright color that goes well with your furniture. This can be purple, blue, red, orange, yellow—in short, for a modern look, create a chic accent wall that makes a statement.
#2. Lighting
Lighting is very important in modern decor. For a simple decorating idea for renters consider visiting IKEA or another discount furniture store and buying large, see-through white lamps or lampshades reminiscent of Japanese lanterns. These make beautiful illuminated focal points in every room.
#3. Mantle Alternative
Many rental places have no fireplace and, hence, no mantle to form a decorative focal point. The simple decorating idea for renters is to place a console table against the wall with a decorative mirror hanging over it. Decorate the table with candles, pictures, a bowl of acorns, flower vases, or anything else that strikes your fancy.
#4. Wicker Baskets
Organize your stuff without crowding your rental place by using some colored wicker baskets. Buy cheap wicker baskets at a craft store, then spray paint them in a zesty color like lime green, orange or red, which will really spice up your decor. Next, you'll want an open bookcase to stack your baskets and decorate your space. I find that the most affordable bookcases are the DIY ones, which you have to put together yourself. You can find these at affordable department stores.
#5. Pillows
Perhaps the simplest decorating idea for renters involves pillows. And you don't have to invest in a whole bunch of new pillows. I recommend buying beautiful bright fabrics at a fabric store like JoAnn's and sewing new pillow cases for your old pillows. Just be sure you choose colors that go with the rest of your decor.
#6. Window Treatments
Curtains or beautiful blinds are important for any room because they decorate it vertically, which is the area least decorated. The simplest window decorating idea for renters is to hang curtains. I like hanging a wooden pole over a row of windows using ornate shelf brackets. It's cheaper than buying a separate curtain rod for each window. You can find ornate wooden poles and brackets at home improvement stores, where they can cut your pole down to size. As for the curtains, you can sew your own to match your pillows, or just buy curtains on sale. If you wish to turn a sheet or tablecloth into a curtain, use clip curtain rings to hang it.
#7. Rug
Especially in smaller rental apartments or homes, a rug will help define the space in each room and add harmony to your decor. For a simple decorating idea for renters consider buying a rug at a home improvement store or cheap department store, where prices are affordable. Consider buying a single-toned rug but one that has a dominant color that will brighten the room. If your pillows and curtains match this color, your rug will bring everything together.
#8. Glassware
See-through things that allow light to flow through them make a space look beautiful. You can tie thick silk ribbons to ordinary drinking glasses and turn them into beautiful small vases. Save your wine bottles (or apple cider bottles) and display them in a cluster on window sills or your living room table. Beautiful glass jars like the honey bear ones are also beautiful to display.
#9. Homemade Fabric Art
You don't want to stud your rental walls with holes, so clustered art displays are out of the question. Therefore, be sure to select one or two dominant pieces for the entire room. Personally, I prefer mirrors in small rooms because they increase the visual space. If you can't afford expensive art, consider buying one yard of beautiful sturdy silk fabric at a craft store. Stretch the fabric on a frame built from 2x4 lumber, then hang your homemade fabric art on the wall.
#10. Plants
Greenery and flowers have a calming effect on us. My simple decorating idea for renters is to display live plants (not silk or plastic) somewhere in each room. I like to cut branches from my trees and bushes to create live bouquets throughout my home. You can also weave a few silk flowers through this greenery and get away with the impression that the whole bouquet is real.

8 Tips for Exercising While Overweight

Tips for Exercising While Overweight

Losing weight is more than just lowering your calories. Exercise is an essential part of weight loss, but can be difficult if you have several pounds to shed. In some cases, it can even be dangerous. There are tips you can follow to make exercise easier when you're overweight. Best of all, these tips will help ensure that you stick to an exercise plan and lose more weight.
#1 Consult Your Physician
As mentioned above, exercise can be dangerous if you are overweight. Before beginning any exercise program, consult your physician to make sure you are healthy enough to handle the program. If you're not, your doctor may still be able to point you in the right direction to a program that is right for your weight.
#2 Drink Plenty of Water
Even before the exercise begins, you need to make sure your body is well hydrated. It is recommended that you drink up to four cups of water before your workout, spaced out in a period beginning one to two hours before your workout. It is also recommended that you have 4 ounces after every 15 minutes of exercise. Lastly, it is recommended that you weigh and drink 1-2 glasses of water per pound lost during your workout.
#3 Start Slow
While it is recommended that people get at least 30 minutes of exercise, that doesn't mean you have to start at that point. The key is to simply get started. You may only be able to do 5 minutes of exercise at once, but you can always add more time to workout every one to two weeks.
#4 Break Up Your Workouts
A 30 minute workout does not have to be done all at once. You can spread the time out throughout your day. For example, take a 10 minute walk during your lunch break and then walk another 10 minutes after you get off work. Once you get home, you can then fit in 10 minutes of cycling.
#5 Take Breaks
There are some exercises that seem easy, such as working out on an elliptical, but you still need to take breaks. Too much exercise, while you're overweight, can be dangerous. You want to make sure to take breaks so that you don't overwork your body.
#6 Don't Overwork Yourself
Many people talk about pushing yourself while exercising. While pushing your body can be a good thing, you should never overdo it. If your body starts to hurt, your breathing becomes too labored or you start to feel sick or lightheaded, you need to stop. Overworking your body can be dangerous and can prevent you from doing future workouts for several days.
#7 Choose Workouts That Are Right for Your Body
Being overweight can cause stress on the joints. If you find that your joints are not in the shape you'd like them to be, you may want to choose low impact exercises. Low impact exercises still help you burn calories, but they are less likely to cause you pain.
#8 Keep Going
You may find yourself getting frustrated because you can't do as much as you would like or that exercise isn't as easy as you thought it would be. The important thing is to not give up. The fact that you're making an effort is important. As time goes on, it will get it easier. Just don't give up.

Seven Signs He's Marriage Material

Is he marriage material?

Thinking about settling down sometime soon? Hoping a husband and kids are just around the corner? If this is the case, you may need to evaluate the man you're dating to see whether he's the right one to build that life with. Some guys are just not ready to even consider the transition into married life. If you are anxious and ready to begin the next phase of your life, make sure your relationship has the potential to lead to marriage, so that you are not wasting your time. Here are seven signs that will show you that your boyfriend is "marriage material":
1. He keeps a tidy home.
If you go over to your boyfriend's apartment and there are clothes everywhere, dirty dishes piled as high as the ceiling, and a giant health code violation for a bathroom, he might not be ready for the demands of keeping up a home. He may just need a little motivation to clean up, but if it's like pulling teeth to get him to run a vacuum, he may not be marriage material quite yet.
2. He is financially responsible.
Starting a life together takes a lot of money, from paying for a wedding to buying a house, and you need to know he'll be able to budget for all the upcoming expenses. A man who is marriage material should have savings and a plan for paying off his debt, avoid excessive frivolous spending, and have a solid idea of where his money is going each month.
3. He has mentioned his future children.
I'll never forget when I was just getting to know my husband and he made the comment, "My kids will never..." I don't even know what the end of the sentence was, but what mattered to me was that he saw kids in his future. If your boyfriend has never even mentioned future children, but you want to have kids, he might not be the right man for you to marry.
4. He has made sacrifices for you.
Marriage is all about selfless sacrifice. A great sign that your man is marriage material is that he has, at some point, chosen you over something else. Whether that means he went to your drama production instead of his poker night, or he got up on Sunday morning to go to church with you when he was battling a hangover, he needs to show that he is willing to compromise and give of himself in your marriage.
5. He is not too attached to the "bachelor lifestyle."
If you feel like your boyfriend spends an inordinate time at the bar with friends, littering the floor of his living room with beer cans, and engrossed in video games, he might not be ready to give up his bachelor lifestyle. On the other hand, if he doesn't have a problem giving up a Saturday night to help you fix your garbage disposal, he might be marriage material.
6. He treats his mom well.
Growing up, my mom always told me to watch how my boyfriend treated his mother and that would show how he would treat his wife. If your husband is patient with, considerate of, and kind to his mom (assuming she is a caring mother who is still in his life), he will probably be the same with you.
7. You can trust him to do what he says he'll do.
You've got to be able to count on your man to do the things he agrees to—especially when you throw things like paying bills and caring for children into the mix. If he seems to consistently "forget" to do the things you ask, he might not be marriage material.
Even if your boyfriend doesn't meet all of these criteria, you need to know that your he at least believes he will get married someday, that he's on track to leaving bachelorhood behind, and that he can see his future wife being you. Evaluating him based on these seven signs is a good place to start, but initiating an open, honest, and ongoing conversation about your future would be an even better way to find out whether he's "marriage material" for you.