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Some mixed drinks are just too strong and not everyone enjoys the same thing, beer can be very delicious especially craft beers, but they can have a ton of calories and leave everyone feeling bloated by the end of the event – a savory and delicious drink you can make is sangria, it is  delightful mix of wine, brandy and fresh fruits with ice that goes with many different dishes and a really refreshing summer drink!

What you’ll need:

• 1 bottle of red wine – shiraz or rioja work well
• 2 cups orange juice
• 2 cups ginger ale
• 1/2 cup brandy
• 1/2 cup triple sec
• 1 thinly slice orange with a few extra pieces for garnish
• 1 thinly slice granny smith apple
• 1 thinly slice lime
• others fruits you prefer – citrus, berries, etc.
• wooden spoon
• pitcher

Add all ingredients in a pitcher, mix with a wooden spoon and allow to chill in the fridge overnight. Add ice cubes to the pitcher when ready to serve, a few more fruits and the orange for garnish.

You can also use white wine instead of red to make a sangria blanco. Sangria is a red wine punch that isn’t too heavy, isnt too strong its juuuuust right. Plus its pretty too! Sangria is the goldilocks of party drinks!

This sexy dinner idea applies to both men and women and is a sure fire way to make your date swoon. Before you worry about how you look, think about what you are going to serve, ever heard the phrase, ” the way to a man (or womans!) heart is through their stomach?” Well, I love good food and when its made by the right person, it tastes even better.

Have a menu set – appetizer, entree, dessert and a nice bottle of wine

Serve foods that aren’t too heavy or smelly – you and your special friend don’t want to feel bloated, gasy or have bad breath by the end of the meal.

Use foods that are known to be aphrodisiacs. For example, as an appetizer you can serve oysters with a sprinkle of lemon juice and horseradish on top or artichokes with a basil and lime dipping sauce.

For an entree, try lobster tails with butter or a spice infused olive oil served with roasted asparagus seasoned with a little salt and pepper,  you can also make a nice ceviche served over a rice pilaf.

For dessert, chocolate covered strawberries or mini fruit tarts with a drippy center and a fruit compote on top.

For drinks – a chardonnay or champagne is best

Don’t forget to add a few tealight candles at the dinner table or in the surrounding area. Lighting is important, not only can it change the way you look but the lower the light the larger your pupils dilate because they are attempting to take in as much light as possible to see – there has been research done that says larger pupils are more attractive because it subconsciously shows you are more interested in the person you are engaging with.

For preparation – take a shower, dress up in your most flattering outfit, keep it classy, sexy but also casual. Spritz a little perfume or cologne on the nape of your neck and a little in your hair. Pop in a breath mint and put on mellow music – jazz or soul work great.

After dinner – do a collaborative activity together, paint together on a canvas, make music, dance together in your living room, go for a night walk, write poetry and recite it to one another, give one another massages – do something that will bring you and your partner into a deeper state of connectivity

So you received a lovely bouquet from your partner or you want to create your own beautiful centerpiece that will last longer than a few days. Fortunately, there are some ways you can preserve your flowers for as long as possible!

For picking flowers – never cut with scissors, get a pair of garden cutter shears because scissors crush the stem which prevents the flowers from getting water. Always cut the stem at an angle, so it is tapered at the bottom, this will give the flower the most water.

For maintaining flowers – keep bacteria from building up. How to do this is by using bottled or purified water and changing the water daily but if this isn’t possible, add a little sugar or clorox to the water and make sure you remove any petals or leaves that may have fallen into the water.

Some flowers are needier than others – here are a few ways to pick and maintain specific flowers:

Tulips – roll the stems in wet newspaper and submerge in cold water up to the head. When ready to vase them, scrap the newspaper and place them in cold water.

Lilacs – Place them in one-quarter cup vinegar per two quarts of water for longest life

Irises and daisies – Add a few drop of peppermint essential oil to a quart of water

Roses – the roses that will bloom and not droop are the ones where the petals feel tightly bunched, if you have loose petals there is a good chance they will be bowing their heads before the end of the day.

Are there any other ways you maintain or pick flowers that keep them vibrant and long-lasting?

Be sure to put these tips into practice the next you make a floral centerpiece or receive a lovely arrangement from a friend!

See the article here: sixdifferentways.com

There are some health and beauty products we can find at our local drugstore but wouldn’t it save time and money if we could gain the same benefits from ingredients we already have sitting in our fridge or kitchen pantry?

Here are some at home remedies that’ll keep you happy and healthy: 

• Eggs – Eggs make a great face mask – in fact, they make more than one kind. If you use only the yolks of the egg mixed with a tsp of honey and apply it to your face, it helps moisturize and the honey has antibacterial properties to prevent pimples. If you have want to use a firming mask for oily skin, you can use only the egg whites and mix with a little lemon juice and apply this to your face.
• Aspirin – Calluses on your feet? Crush up a few of these and mix with 1/2 a tsp of lemon juice and 1/2 tsp of water. Coat your feet with this mixture and cover with a warm cloth for 10 – 15 minutes, it softens the calluses so they are much easier to remove with a pumice stone.

• Garlic – This is one powerful plant! Chop up garlic and add it to just about every meal if you feel a cold or flu coming on. Garlic can kill viruses and bacteria that cause many upper respiratory issues.

Apple Cider Vinegar has a multitude of purposes for living a healthy and happy lifestyle. It has antibacterial and antifungal properties which used to treat and improve a variety of health issues. Plus it tastes delicious too! Here are 6 different benefits of apple cider vinegar and why its the ultimate condiment to have in your household!

Salad Dressings – Use apple cider vinegar to make healthy and light dressings for salad. Apple cider vinegar has a tastier flavor than white vinegar but also it is less pungent than balsamic. For a lighter flavor. Add apple cider vinegar, olive oil, lemon juice, and spices – a dash of salt, pepper, rosemary, thyme and even a tiny bit of cayenne for a little extra kick. Shake together!

Detox and Cleanse Drink – Apple cider vinegar can speed up the metabolism and flush out toxins in the body. Mix apple cider vinegar, sliced ginger, lemon, cayenne pepper and boiling water together and sip slowly every morning to lose weight, remove toxins and to energize.

Bath Soak – If have any fungal or bacterial issues on the skin or in the body or suffer from joint pain, you can add 1 – 2 cups of apple cider vinegar to your bath water. Repeat this routine 3x a week. It may not fully remove the issue but it has shown to help.

Sore throat and stuffy nose – Have a cold? You can mix apple cider vinegar with a tbsp of honey. It helps clear out sinus cavities and the honey and vinegar coats the throat to reduce inflammation and soreness.

Hair rinse – You can rinse build up on the scalp and deposits by rinsing your hair with a few cups of apple cider vinegar. You can do this before shampoo and conditioner. It also can be an alternative to using shampoo as shampoo sometimes has harsh chemicals that ruin the hair follicles and increase flakey skin on the scalp.

Toothpaste and mouth rinse – Mix apple cider vinegar with baking soda to help remove stains and whiten teeth. It also can be used as a quick mouth rinse if you have bad breath cause by a build of bacteria. It may make your breath smell a little like vinegar but its better than what it may have smelt like before!

There are many benefits to this wonder condiment. If you don’t have any at home now, I suggest you run out and grab a few bottles as it one of the best and most affordable versatile remedies out there!

See the original post here: sixdifferentways.com

Whether you drink coffee, green tea or some other pick-me-up drink in the morning or throughout the day, there is a 3 part drink you can have in the morning that will help give you energy for the rest of the day.

The Ultimate Morning Revival Drink

what you’ll need:

• Bag of Lemons or 4-6 lemons
• Bag of Oranges or 4-6 oranges
• Fresh Ginger
• Honey
• Milk
• Apple Cider Vinegar
• Celery (1 – 2 stalks)
• Tomato Juice
• Cayenne Pepper
• Worcestershire Sauce
• Tabasco Sauce

Part 1: 7 AM

Mix 2 cups milk and 2 tbsps of honey in a glass. Drink with your morning breakfast.

Part 2: 9 AM

Mix freshly squeezed orange, 1/2 freshly squeezed lemon, 1 tsp of cayenne pepper, 2 tbsps of apple cider vinegar, 1 tbsp fresh ginger – sliced in thin pieces, 1 cup boiling water together in a pot. Pour into a heat proof mug. Sip slowly but drink it as hot as you can.

Part 3: 11 AM

Mix 2 cups tomato juice, 1 cup freshly squeezed lemon, 1/4 cup of apple cider vinegar, a dash of tabasco sauce,  3 dashes of worcestershire sauce in a shaker with ice. Pour into a glass and add a fresh stick of celery and mix your drink with it.

You can drink this health drink everyday but start with 3x a week and increase intake slowly.

In 3 easy steps you can create the ultimate energizing drink that will fill you with vitality and sustain you throughout the rest of your day!

See the rest here: sixdifferentways.com

Haikus can serve as much more than a style of poetry originating in Japan. They are actually quite beneficial when it comes to gaining clarity and simplifying your feelings and thoughts. Haikus are only three lines and  express a vivid and direct messages in only 17 syllables. The first line has 5 syllables, the second line has 7 syllables and the last line has 5 syllables. I find it much easier to write a haiku when I count the syllables on my fingers.

Sometimes we can over analyze and over complicate our feelings, thoughts and ideas. I’ve used haikus to get to the heart of a the matter and when I’m feeling blocked creativity, they are a fun and simple way to get the ball rolling again.

“New Year’s Day
The desk and bits of paper
Just as last year”
– MATSUO

They are a great way to observe the nature of the world around you, providing you with new perceptions and most importantly, placing your in the present moment.

“Loves of the cat;
Forgetful even of the rice
Sticking on his whiskers”
– TAIGI

Don’t worry if you find it a little difficult at first to make a haiku, they take practice because they offer a whole new way of thinking to whoever makes them.

A fun and easy activity for kids parties especially when they are all hopped on sugary treats like cake and candy is homemade play dough! The actual activity is fast and simple to do and they can let out some of that extra energy playing with it afterwards.

What’ll you need:

• 1 large mixing bowl
• 1 large wooden spoon
• 2 cups flour
• 1/2 cup salt
• 2 tbsp vegetable oil
• 2 tbsp cream of tartar
• 1 to 1.5 cups of boiling water
• 1/2 tsp purple gel food coloring
• a few drops of glycerin (optional)
• 3 or 4 lavender drops of lavender oil

How to make it:

Add the flour, salt, and cream of tartar to your large mixing bowl and mix with wooden spoon. Stir in the vegetable oil.  Add the boiling water to the mixing bowl and stir with wooden spoon vigorously until all lumps are gone and it begins to come together. Then knead it with your hands until it stops being sticky. Add food coloring and lavender oil (you can add a 1 or 2 extra drops of lavender oil for a stronger scent.)

The consistency of the play dough should be like the kind you would buy from the store.

The reason I chose lavender is because both the aroma of lavender and when lavender oil is absorbed through the skin is safe and beneficial. In aromatherapy, lavender oil is used for relaxation, stress and creates a calming effect.

Homemade lavender infused play dough is the perfect kids party activity!

Read the original here: sixdifferentways.com

Juicy Watermelon bites are a delicious appetizer that look pretty and taste good for the entire family plus they are quick and simply made for parties

This appetizer was originally featured on My Suburban Kitchen.com – I made a few alterations to the original –

Here’s what you will need:

• 1 large watermelon – cut into bite-size slices (try a medium thick square shape)
• 1 cup basil leaves – the picture shows arugula leaves but i think basil tastes better
• fresh mozzarella cheese – cut into bite size pieces (preferably smaller than watermelon slices)
• 6 tbsp granulated sugar
• 1 cup balsamic dressing
• bundle of toothpicks

Place 1 slice of watermelon on a plate. Place one basil leaf on top. Next, add one slice of mozz cheese on top. Sprinkle a pinch of sugar on the cheese. Drizzle a dollop of balsamic dressing on top. Stick one toothpick in the middle of the creation and voila! You just created a delicious summer treat.

A good tip to remember is its best to set the ingredients up in an assembly line so the process moves along more quickly – plus your children can help too!

Here is the original post: sixdifferentways.com

Presentation can make a big difference especially when throwing a summer party! Also, you never know these days whether your guests are on a special diet like vegan or gluten-free. Below is the coolest summer beverage to serve for gatherings and parties.

Vegan and Gluten-Free Beverage – Sparkling Raspberry Lemonade

Here’s What You’ll Need:

• 12 oz fresh, organic raspberries
• 1 liter club soda or sparkling water
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup honey
• 1 cup fresh squeezed lemon juice
• 1 lemon
• mint leaves (preferably garden fresh)
• Pitcher
• Blender
• Large wooden stirring spoon
• Thick, colorful straws – light blue and bright yellow straws look best
• Mason jars

Add raspberries (place about 5 -6 raspberries off to the side), sparkling liquid, sugar, honey, lemon juice into a blender.

Blend until well mixed.  Add your mixture to the pitcher. Cut lemon into thin slices. Add lemon slices, about 5 – 6 whole raspberries and ice cubes to the pitcher.