Who Says DIY Is A Dad's Domain?!

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We all know the stereotype, right? Mom spends her time dealing with the cooking and the cleaning while dad is out in the garage working on DIY projects (and probably injuring himself). Well, it seems that despite the fact that most of us are now fully past the whole "cooking and cleaning is a woman's job" attitude, (thank goodness!) a lot of people still seem to treat DIY as an inherently masculine activity. Well, that's completely ridiculous! There's no reason why a guy has to deal with all of the DIY jobs around the house. Not only because it's only fair to share the workload but also because DIY can be really fun so why should the guys get to have it all to themselves? If you're a little new to DIY, then it might be a bit tricky to know where to start. With that in mind, here are a few crucial pieces of advice for anyone looking to starting doing it themselves!

Get the right equipment

If you're going to be DIY, as much as you're going to working with your hands, you're not going to be able to do much without the right tools. The best thing to do is to think about the kind of projects that you actually want to do and then build your tool selection around them. You might even find that, over the years, you've collected a fair few of the most common tools that you need. Most people at least have a hammer, a wrench, and a screwdriver kicking around at home. But anything more advanced then you should look at the kinds of jobs you're going to be doing. Be warned: buying tools can be strangely addictive. Just remember not to get anything you don't really need. You may well find yourself drooling over a Lincoln 3350 welding helmet for sale or some amazing new power tools before you know it. However, it's a good idea to wait until you actually need them before putting down any serious money on them.

Start small

Don't assume that you're going to be repairing your entire home the moment you pick up a hammer and some nails. Start small and focus on some simple projects that will give you the skills that you need in the future. Things like putting up shelves might seem incredibly simple, but they can actually present a pretty significant challenge for a DIY beginner. After all, anyone can attach some shelves to a wall, but not everyone can make sure that they're completely straight and arranged properly in a way that won't leave things rolling off them as soon as you put them down. You should also remember that the internet is your friend. Not only can you find plenty of small DIY projects that will teach you all of the most important skills, but the internet is also the best place to go when you have any questions about a project that you're currently undertaking. Unless you already know what you're doing, it can be incredibly difficult to know where to start with some things, and there are plenty of tutorials online that can demystify a lot of things for you.

Easy and Simple Energy Saving Tips for the Penny Pinching Mom

Owning a home is no simple task, and too much of our money is put into the regular upkeep of our humble abodes. 

One of the best things we can do for both our wallets and for Mother Nature is to invest in energy efficient systems around the home. Unfortunately, these appliances, cleaning products, and holistic methods can sometimes be pricey and can deter many homeowners who can't necessarily afford these green initiatives.

However, there is a way to conserve energy without making your wallet suffer. Here are some tips and tricks to implement into your home as a means to be more environmentally-savvy.

• Keep all electronics away from your thermostat. Your thermostat can pick up on the heat released from your appliances, causing your HVAC to run longer than necessary to cool down the room. As a rule, keep the thermostat and larger electronics at least five feet apart.
• Always, always unplug everything when you are done using it! The amount of energy wasted when appliances are still plugged in is astounding, and according to Energy.gov, running laptop can cost you 21 cents per day. All of this can add up, and it will set you back about $75 a year for just a laptop! The same principle goes for your oven, microwave, television, blow dryer, and space heater. To make things easier, plug everything into a power strip then simply flick it off when you exit the room.
• Make sure your air ducts are in good condition! A typical family will spend about a third of their annual heating and cooling budget, or around $350, on conditioning air that comes into the home through gaps and cracks.
• Lower the temperature on your water heater. Heating water is pretty expensive and can account for up to a quarter of all of your home's energy use. Simply turning down your water heater 10 degrees Fahrenheit can save you up to $30 bucks a year.
• Stay away from incandescent light bulbs. Constellation.com reports that a whopping 90% of the energy they use is given off as heat, and only 10% is light. Instead, choose energy-efficient LED lightbulbs and always look for the ENERGYSTAR logo.
• If you need to raise the temperature on your thermostat, make sure to do so gradually. This is because quickly raising your heat pump's temperature causes the heat strip to activate and use more energy to heat the home in the same amount of time. So, only increase by a degree at a time, and toss on a blanket!
• Focus on your landscaping. If you plant trees and bushes around the perimeter of your home, less heat will enter, and it will be cheaper to cool. In fact, planting larger shrubs and trees near your home can save you up to 25% in energy bills annually simply by reducing the need for air conditioning.
• Always replace the filter in your HVAC system! This should be done once a month, and here's a simple trick that will help you remember to do so. Write the date you changed the filter on the filter's paper in pencil, and when you can't see the date, it is time to change!
• Take shorter showers. Now, this is easier said than done, especially with younger children. So make it into a game, put on your child's favorite song and see who can finish their shower before the end of the song! This way you'll be able to save thousands of gallons of water within the course of a year.
• Invest in a programmable thermostat. Old-fashioned, mercury-based thermostats have the potential to increase your HVAC bill by as much as 20%, so it will do your home good to have an upgrade. Plus, programmable thermostats are some of the easiest ways to cut down on your home's energy usage as all you need to do is program a time for it to heat/cool -- this way you won't have to worry about excess heat or air conditioning in the home when no one is there.
• Don't forget your ceiling fans! You may be wondering how running two appliances can actually save you money, but think of it this way. Using a ceiling fan will let you raise the thermostat four degrees without compromising comfort, so you'll be paying less in the long run for the same feeling in the home.

Do any of these energy-saving solutions sound ideal for your home and family? If so, try them out and let me know what you think in the comments!

Go on, Mother Nature is waiting!

Myra Canyon Adventure Park

If your looking for some fun in Kelowna then I recommend you try Myra Canyon Adventure Park. It is a great workout and loads of fun. You are given the run down on how everything works before getting started, your safe and secure with your harness and helmet and go through the courses at your own pace. It is a major upper body workout as you pull yourself up and over obstacles and climb around and the scenic views are outstanding. 

There is even picnic areas and places to just hang out if you want to make it a family event but some folks don't want to do the climbing, they can chill out and watch you struggle through the obstacles. Perfect day out for everyone!

More about Myra Canyon:

Discover our Ropes & Challenge Aerial Treetop Courses for all ages with Slack Lines, Climbing and Frisbee Golf, Teambuilding and more. Or just enjoy the views from our family picnic areas.

Horse Back Riding and a relaxed Getaway is available at
Kelowna Stables @ Myra Canyon Ranch, our award winning Lodge. 

Hiking, Cycling, Climbing, Downhill Biking and much more right above us in the Myra-Bellevue Provincial Park with its famous Kettle Valley Railway Trail and the Myra Canyon trestles.

Location

4675 June Springs Rd, 
Kelowna, BC, Canada, V1W4C8

Contact

Tel. +(250) 869-8494
info@myracanyon.com
Follow them on Twitter: @myracanyon

AQUAFABULOUS! 100+ Egg-Free Vegan Recipes Using Aquafaba (Bean Water)

“Aquafaba” means “bean water” — the water that is drained off neutral-colored beans like chickpeas, navy beans and cannellini beans.

The discovery of aquafaba has blown open the world of vegan baking. Things that were once considered impossible are now possible, and the options are endless. The chemical properties of eggs were thought to be integral to binding and leavening baked foods, and replacing them was a challenge that was difficult for vegan bakers to solve. But aquafaba is the perfect substitution for eggs, as its protein mimics their chemical magic. And since it is neutral in flavor, you don’t need to worry about your dishes tasting beany.
This incredible cookbook will be treasured not only by vegans but also by anyone who is allergic to dairy and eggs. It provides ample proof that you can go egg-free and still enjoy all of your favorite foods. Rebecca’s delicious recipes will convert even ardent egg lovers, and you will never miss eggs again!
The general rule of thumb is that 3 tbsp (45 mL) of aquafaba equals 1 egg. By mixing in some sugar and a pinch of cream of tartar, you can even mimic meringue. You no longer have to live without the culinary wonders that eggs and egg whites produce. All you need to do is open up a can of chickpeas, drain the water, and you’re good to go.

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

REBECCA COLEMAN writes a food blog called Cooking by Laptop and helps small businesses, arts organizations and non‑profit organizations create social media marketing plans. Rebecca resides in Vancouver, BC.

Stephen King Triple Feature DVD

Stephen King is by far my favorite author I have been reading his books since I was 11 years old and loved each and every one of them. His movies are just as awesome. Suspense, thrills, mystery, excitement, everything you want rolled into every film he makes. My favorites would have to be IT, Pet Semetery 1 & 2, The Mist, and Thinner. In this triple feature you get:

The Stand:
After a deadly plague kills most of the world's population, the remaining survivors split into two groups - one led by a benevolent elder and the other by a maleficent being - to face each other in a final battle between good and evil.

The Langoliers:
Most of the passengers on an airplane disappear, and the remainder land the plane in a mysteriously barren airport.

Golden Years:
Explosion in the most secret laboratory of the USA. The old janitor Harlan Williams is incubated by totally unknown chemicals. Now he changes and becomes younger instead of older. The government is interested in finding out everything about this changes and hunts the fugitive Harlan. A hunt across the USA starts.

About Paramount Home Media Distribution
Paramount Home Media Distribution (PHMD) is part of Paramount Pictures Corporation (PPC), a major global producer and distributor of filmed entertainment.  PPC is a unit of Viacom (NASDAQ: VIAB, VIA), home to premier global media brands that create compelling television programs, motion pictures, short-form content, apps, games, consumer products, social media experiences and other entertainment content for audiences in more than 180 countries.  The PHMD division oversees PPC’s home entertainment and transactional digital distribution activities worldwide. The division is responsible for the sales, marketing and distribution of home entertainment content on behalf of Paramount Pictures, Paramount Animation, Paramount Vantage, Paramount Classics, MTV, Nickelodeon, Comedy Central and CBS and applicable licensing and servicing of certain DreamWorks Animation titles.  PHMD additionally manages global licensing of studio content and transactional distribution across worldwide digital distribution platforms including online, mobile and portable devices and emerging technologies.

How To Look After Your Family's Finances When The Kids Have Cost A Fortune

Family life can throw all sorts of random events and expenses at you, and you’re often unprepared, and it can be a challenge to come out the other side in one piece. Whether it’s an essential renovation to your family’s home, costly medical bills, or an unexpected addition (or more) to your growing brood, there are ways to deal with the money pressure and alleviate any added stress. Have a look through the following ideas and consider how they could help you, should a surprise (or crisis) arise.

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These days, we all have access to incredible passive income ideas and opportunities that we can make a living from. Many of these ideas can match and surpass your full-time wages. Granted, it’s not something that’ll happen overnight but with the right work ethic, anything is possible through the medium of the internet. 
This post "45+ Proven Passive Income Ideas That Don’t Suck" from Bengu is a great place to start for anyone looking to build those passive income streams from scratch. 
 
Cutting Back On Expenses

Maybe a school trip has come about, that your little ones “just have to go on,” or your child has sustained a serious injury or medical issue, and your insurance won’t cover the correct treatment. Whatever the issues are, that mean your kids are costing more than usual, they can’t be helped; and you’ll need to find ways to cut back on your monthly outgoings.
Buying items that your family regularly consumes, in bulk, and when they're on special offer is a great way to save cash before anything has even happened. Carefully planning your weekly shopping budget, implementing changes to what you usually buy, and refraining from any impulse buying will help to ensure that you’ll have extra money to spare, that you can put aside and save for those rainy days.

Looking After Your Future

Buying a house is often a great investment that will benefit you and your family financially, in the future. However, if you’re struggling to save for your deposit in your rented accommodation, you might want to think about downsizing, so that you can put more aside each month. Replacing your car may result in cheaper maintenance fees as well, so consider visiting a dealership, or going from a two-car family to having just the one.

Your credit rating will also affect your position when it comes to investing in property, and the future of your family’s lifestyle. It’s therefore essential that you work on repairing any bad credit history. You can check out information on professional services available to you, like the Lexington Law review and figure out what steps to take next. Sorting out your family’s credit will allow you to invest wisely and secure a comfortable future for you and your kids.

Bringing In Extra Income

Adding extra money to your income will always help your family get through challenging financial times, or allow you to save and create a nest egg. If you’re already employed, consider using your evenings and weekends to use your creative skills and gain some extra income; this way you’ll be completing a task you enjoy so that it won’t feel like extra work.
If you’re a busy stay-at-home mom; think about ways to bring in some extra cash in your spare moment. You could look into online surveys and paid questionnaires, which are easy to slide into your everyday activities.Take a look at ten ways moms and dads can earn extra money here: http://www.kiplinger.com/article/saving/T065-C011-S001-10-ways-stay-at-home-moms-and-dads-can-make-extra.html. By filling your spare moments with money-making solutions; you’ll be able to gain the extra income and security you’ll need when family life presents a challenge to you.

5 Uniquely Simple Ways To Save This Month

Summer is on its way and that means lots of hungry kids at home costing you money each day. There are tons of ways to tackle this and I am sure you have read lots of money saving articles this week sharing all kinds of obvious tips with you, I am proud to say I have some tips that you may not have thought of or even read about online. Here is a great article to help you learn more about saving for your future.

1. Keep those kids outside. Screen time costs money and produces absolutely nothing in return so keep those kids busy outside keeping the electricity off so that when we get hit by the summer heat we can all enjoy some AC without breaking the bank.

Keep them busy by:

Reading

Arts & Crafts

Playing Games

Going For A Walk

Playing at A Park

Going To An Event

2. Grow a garden. It may seem late to get started but it isn’t, you can still plant a lot of plants in time for a late summer to early fall harvest. You can buy a lot of pre grown plants to get you going if you can’t start from seed and there are a million ways to garden from large yards to container gardening. You can even have a whole group of containers just filled with herbs on your front step, it will provide you with tasty freshness and you will spend time outside maintaining it. If you still need more tips on gardening this article is terrific and very informative! Another great article can be found here as well as this wonderful piece!

3. Ditch the car. This may be an easy switch for some or impossible for others but if you are able to walk or bike your kids to school do it. Not only do you save money on gas, mileage, and more but you help save the environment and encourage healthy choices for children. If you have to be at work right after dropping them off then why not walk to the store this week, or take a stroll out to dinner or a picnic in the park? Any way to ditch the vehicles is a good way.

4. Sell your old stuff before buying new. If you walked around the house and realized your kids haven’t touched that Dora set in a while try posting it online and selling it before buying anything new. We always try to sell before we buy or even check with sellers online to see if they are looking to trade items because believe it or not most parents are going through the same thing right now.

5. Use the BBQ, slow cooker or fire pit instead of the stove or oven. You can save a lot of money this year by not using your stove. It costs you when you’re cooking and if it’s hot out it will cost you while you’re cooling the house down making it a double dipper. There are a million recipes out there you can use in the slow cooker, BBQ, or fire pit giving you endless options to work with and there is nothing better than cooking outside or having dinner ready in the slow cooker when you come home.

I hope these money saving tips were a bit different than the usual culprits. For more tips on how to save, you can also visit the resource centre of Loan and Go.  

Join us on Instagram and Pinterest for more amazing tips and tricks to save you money! 

Bubble Machine Review

Instantly create a bubble storm with the Gazillion bubbles tornado! With no pump and no wait time, you’ll be creating a gazillion bubbles in a flash. This ultimate bubble machine blows 4500 bubbles per minute at the push of a button! Simply attach the auto-feed valve cap to the solution bottle, insert the bottle into the spout, push the button, and watch in amazement as a Tornado of bubbles blows into the sky! The Gazillion bubbles tornado includes a 4 oz. bottle of non-toxic Gazillion bubbles solution and an auto-feed valve cap. 4 AA batteries required, not included.

The kids love this thing so much and it is quite affordable. It produces millions of bubbles in an instant making it the best way to enjoy summer bubble popping fun. No more blowing bubbles til you feel faint, let the machine do the work while you multi task and tackle the day. 

freshback™ Launches the First Smart-Laundry™ Treatment Product in Canada

Make Any Clothing Germ-Free/Odour-Free for a Whole Year

 

freshback™, the first Deep Fiber Fusion™ treatment on the market that eliminates body odours at the source and prevents them from returning for a whole year, is now available at The Running Room stores across Canada, and will be available this month at Mountain Equipment Co-op (MEC).

MEC will carry the freshback™ Sport, Outdoor, and Sportsman Machine Wash kits, while The Running Room will sell Sports Machine Wash kits.

“The patented freshbackTM treatment provides a new level of clean, the highest level of hygiene, and is the only treatment that allows you to stay body-odour free during and after any kind of activity,” says Gilad Gozlan, CEO of Maaterra Group, a biotechnology company that developed the product.

While Gozlan says there are several cleaning and laundry brands on the market today promising to keep clothing fresh, germ-free, and eliminate body odours at the source, none of them have been able to provide a long-lasting, single-treatment solution…until now.

 Imagine sweating without stinking!

“There are several clothing and linen manufacturers that make anti-bacterial and odour-free products for the long-run, but they are limited to ready-made designs in a limited assortment. freshback TM can treat any existing new or used item of clothing or fabric a person owns and ensure it is germ-free and odour-free for a whole year or twenty-five washes.”

freshback™ can be used in any washing machine, including high-efficiency machines, or by hand washing. The company’s patented Deep Fiber FusionTM treatment process uses a premium detergent to remove built-up oils, soap residue and factory-applied softeners; a Freshener that creates the long-lasting, odour-prevention effect; and a Bonder that seals the Freshener to the clothes to create a durable & imperceptible odour shield that blocks and prevents body odours from returning. 

freshback™ is made from natural and non-toxic ingredients, is gentle on all cloth types, leaves no scent on clothes, and contains no bleach. It changes none of the technical abilities of fabric, including breathability, waterproofing, compression, or wicking. All products are laboratory designed and real-world tested, and 100% guaranteed.

 Perfect for all outdoor enthusiasts!

Gilad, a professional cyclist, decided to launch freshback in Canada after frequent visits for rallies, races and mountain biking, recognizing the country as a leading sport nation.

“We have developed versions of freshbackTM specially-designed to treat specialty wear and gear used by athletes and outdoor enthusiasts to eliminate sweat odours and mildew,” Gozlan said. “Whether they’re practicing in the gym, playing hockey, running, cycling, or in the great outdoors hiking, mountain climbing, skiing, fishing or camping, both fitness and sports enthusiasts will love this product.”

freshbackTM Smart-LaundryTM treatment combines practical, aesthetic effects with an ecological conscience to promote less washing, less resource waste, and less money spent on non-ecofriendly laundry products. 

For more information, visit freshback.com.

About freshback™/MaaterraTM Biotechnology
Maaterra™ Biotechnology Ltd. is a startup company that owns the intellectual property for the first and only molecular bonding process that can bond myriad molecules to all kind of fabrics. Maaterra’s first series of products is labelled as freshback™. The company’s goal is to expand into the global market and promote its new revolutionary products.

4 Tips to choosing between foggy or yellowed headlights

Restoring cars is a favorite pastime of many and can be a very rewarding hobby for car enthusiasts. Some people will scour the web or local auction sites for old cars to fix up. They will purchase the car and then restore it to a beautiful condition and then either sell it for a profit or keep it for themselves to enjoy. One of the projects that has to be completed before a car can be completely restored is the headlights. This article will discuss how to restore headlights - 4 methods and tips on choosing the right type of headlights for your car.

1. Type of car. Depending on the type of car you have purchased and are going to restore will set the stage for the type of headlight you will want to install. For example, if you choose a 1963 Corvette Sting Ray you may want headlights that are made specifically for that car. While some choose to purchase kits that allow them to completely modify the car back to its original look, others want to transform the headlights to something a bit more modern. Whatever you choose to do, make sure to look into this first and read about those who have done it. It would be a disappointment to convert your car to use a more modern headlight system to decide afterwards that you dislike it.
   

2. Style. Depending on the style you want your car to have, you should choose a headlight package accordingly. If you are interested in a yellow headlight package, you should do research and read reviews about how the yellow performs in various climates and weather conditions. It would be troublesome to find yourself stuck on a drive because you are unable to see ahead of you.

3. Cleaning and maintenance. Another consideration that you must think about is the cleaning and maintenance that will go into caring for your headlight package. Try to choose a package that is easy to maintain. While some packages offer a unique and cool look, it may be a nightmare to change the bulbs or keep clean. If you choose a special material, such as chrome, you may have to purchase cleaning supplies that are made just for that material. This could be a costly expense over time. You will want to make sure that you are able to afford the cost of upkeep over the years ahead.

4.Longevity. Choosing a headlight package that is well known for withstanding the test of time as well as the various climate conditions in which you live will serve you well. While it can be expensive to purchase and restore a car, you will want to be certain that the money you invest in the restoration process is going to last a long time. Nothing would be more frustrating than to spend time and money restoring a car to then need to promptly replace something because it did not last long. Save yourself the frustration and do your research before you invest.