Photo by: Keith Eddleman

Hosting a green holiday party doesn’t mean tasteless food and brown napkins. Organic food can be scrumptious and table linens can be glamorous. Having a green holiday will not inhibit your guest’s experience, but rather enhance it. Below are a few holiday party ideas to assist you in throwing the most fabulous green party at your Phoenix apartment.

A Green Menu

When hosting a green friendly party menu, think local. Visit your nearest farmers market for seasonal fruits and vegetables as well as meat and dairy products. They’re always fresher and usually priced lower. When deciding on your holiday menu, offer at least one dish that’s free of animal ingredients (including dairy). Remember that a lot of green-minded folks are on a vegetarian or vegan diet.

Buying local beer and wine is another great option for making your party greener. For wine, think biodynamic and organic. Currently wine is produced in every state so finding local flavor won’t be difficult. Local beverages eliminate the cost of shipping and fuel and add local flavor to your holiday party. When it comes to nonalcoholic drinks choose canned or glass bottled beverages instead of plastic. And, for dessert brew shade-grown or organic coffee and herbal teas.

Photo by: static416

Deck The Halls

Bring your home to life by decorating with live plants, flowers, and garland. What’s better than placing a baby tree as a living centerpiece, and planting it right after the party? You can find a great tree from your local nursery. Be sure to decorate your home with energy-efficient LED lights, this will help you save on your energy bill for the holiday months. And, after the season is over and it’s time for the décor to come down, check for ways to recycle your family’s Christmas tree.

Invitations

Look for holiday invitations that contain recycled content, create your own, or simply send an online invitation. Online invitations, also known as Evites, are the greenest and most handy way to go, but not the most personal. For a more personalized formal invitation, think recycled paper for the invitations.

Photo by: Dazed81

Setting Your Table

Why not add a personal touch to each guests seat at the table? Collect large pine cones from your yard to use as place card holders. Write guests’ names using a nontoxic ink pen onto an old paint swatch, and simply wedge the card into the pine cone.

When setting up your table, choose a linen or cotton tablecloth instead of a disposable plastic one. This way it can be reused. And, while reusable plates, cups, and utensils are the greenest choice, they aren’t the most practical one, especially for parties. Eco-disposable table wear made from biodegradable sugar cane, corn-based starches and green fillers can be found in most mainstream stores.

Finally, remember that every little bit counts and by showing your guests a glamorously green holiday experience, you can empower them to follow in your eco-conscious footsteps.

1. Google Picasa

If you already have a Gmail account, then all you have to do is use your Gmail ID and password to sign in to Google Picasa. Simply download the free Picasa software and upload your photos to your account. The site allows you to organize and edit your photos and gives you a place to store photos without taking up space on your computer. You can also share your pictures with family and friends in Picasa Web Albums.

2. My Photo Album

Upload and share an unlimited number of photos for free at My Photo Album. The great thing about the site is that you get your own unique URL you can share with family so they don’t have to register to view your photos. You can also embed slide shows, photos and videos on your other sites and blog. Ordering and purchasing professional prints and custom gifts is also a perk on this site.

3. Snapfish

For unlimited online photo storage, Snapfish offers a free account. Simply register and upload as many photos as you’d like. If you don’t have a digital camera, send your undeveloped film to Snapfish and they will develop and upload it to your account so you can share it online with family and friends. Also check out their cool products for purchase, like photo greeting cards and personalized items.

4. Flickr

Basic Flickr Photo Sharing accounts are free, and if you have a yahoo ID already, just sign in with that password. However, the free basic version is limited, and a Flickr Pro account can be purchased for only $24.95 so you can upload more photos to your account. Flickr also allows you to restrict the viewing of your photos. Simply mark those with whom you’d like to share your photos as “family” or “friend,” and only those marked people will be allowed to browse your photos.

5. Photobucket

Photobucket is another free photo sharing site that allows you to upload up to 10,000 photos and hours of video. The site provides you with tools to make cool photo slide shows with music and special effects. You can even create group albums where you and your family can manage and view digital photo albums and video collections in one place. Another neat feature of the site allows you to design scrapbook pages and print them in minutes.

Don’t be afraid to take as many pictures as your hear desires this holiday season. You don’t have to worry about prints or where to store them in your Phoenix apartment when you have free online photo sharing sites!

So, what amenities are men more likely considering when apartment hunting? Let’s take a look at some of the must have features for most guys:

Fitness Center

Finding an apartment complex with on-site fitness centers is a must have for most active men. If an apartment does not have a fitness center, make sure the actual unit has the space for a home gym. Getting a place with an extra bedroom or a big enough master suite for gym items can substitute a weight room in the complex.

Good soundproofing

Guys love their flat screen TV and video gaming system setups, and they tend to like to run them pretty loud. The best Phoenix apartments will be those that offer a reasonable amount of soundproofing to enable channel surfers and weekend warriors to play loud without causing an uproar. Choosing an end unit in an apartment complex can help with the noise as well.

Photo by: Blake Patterson

Living Room Space

Speaking of those flat screen TV setups and gaming system love affairs, larger living room accommodations or a game room are often needed to house all that equipment. When selecting a place to call home, make sure there is enough room for him to create a home entertainment system while allowing enough space for all of your other living room items.

Recreational Amenities

If that fitness center appeals to your guy, chances are other recreational amenities will be important, as well. Look for Phoenix apartments that have pools, walking or jogging trails, basketball courts and other similar features.

Photo by: Mike

Decent Parking and Private Garages

If you man is a fanatic about his ride, parking will be a big issue. To make certain his car is well protected, consider renting a place that offers private garages or at least front row parking. And, if your guy is handy and has a lot of tools, a private garage to store it all in may be a good idea as well.

Finding the perfect apartment to please both a woman and a man doesn’t have to be impossible. Just keep his needs in mind as you look and chances are you will find the place of your dreams – and his, too!

Looking for a new lunch idea? Don’t despair, there’s a great, hip sandwich shop in Glendale, not too far from your Phoenix apartment. It’s called Which Wich and it makes lunch an interactive experience. This quick service restaurant serves only ’superior sandwiches’, no soups, no salads. Their menu includes over 50 varieties of sandwiches, in addition to potato chips, homemade cookies and milkshakes.

If you’ve never been to Which Wich, you may feel disoriented when you walk in. Use this quick guide to sandwich-making to avoid looking confused.

Photo by: Hamron

Step 1: See the big white and yellow menu board on the wall and find the number that corresponds with the sandwich you would like to order. For instance, if you want a turkey sandwich, that is number 1. Remember this number.

Step 2: Go to the spinning carousels of brown paper sandwich bags and find the correct bag, based on your number. So you will be looking for bag 1 if you’re getting turkey.

Step 3: Use a red marker to custom order your sandwich by checking off boxes on the brown paper bag. Select your bread, cheese, veggies, sauces and spreads.

Step 4: Take the bag you’ve written on to the cash register and pay.

Step 5: Read posted daily newspapers while you wait for your name to be called.

Whether you choose to carry-out or eat in Which Wich’s upbeat dining room, you’re sure to have a good time.

Although dietary fats have an awful reputation some poly-unsaturated fats like omega 3 fatty acids, are important nutritionally and essential in our diet. They are necessary for optimum health and functioning. Because our bodies do not produce them, we must consume them in our diets.

Photo By: Malingering

What Are The Health Benefits of Omega 3s?

Research has found that omega 3 fatty acids have numerous health benefits…
They contribute to better heart health and help prevent cardiovascular disease. Fish oil has been specifically linked to the inhibition of unwanted cell growth, therefore helping to prevent breast, colon, and prostate cancer. Omega 3 fatty acids also have a significant role in alleviating symptons of depression. Painful symptoms of arthritis are also positively impacted by omega 3’s by regulating inflammation. It’s truly astounding, all of the tremendous effects they have on your body

Natural vs. Supplement?

According to the American Dietic Association, consuming foods that are high in omega 3 fatty acids is ideal. Supplements are a good alternative when dietary intake does not meet the daily recommendations. Also, you get all of the other nutrients found in that particular food- vitamins, minerals, antioxidants. You would miss out on that by taking individual supplements.

What Foods Are High In Omega 3s?

Photo By: Sea Turtle

• Flaxseed- Slightly bigger than a sesame seed, flaxseeds have amazing health benefits. including reducing the symptoms of Dry Eye Syndrome. They can be purchased at your local health food specialty store and can be sprinkled on virtually anything. Add them to your granola and sprinkle on yogurt, top off your favorite whole grain cereal, bake in a banana muffin, or even add to a healthy salad. Grind them down in a coffee grinder to make them easier to digest and get all the nutrients.

• Salmon- Generally speaking, a diet that includes fish is a smart idea. Salmon is highly nutritious and a good source of omega 3s. Best of all, it can be cooked in so many ways- grilled, broiled, baked.

• Walnuts- Walnuts can be considered a brain food, thanks in part its omega 3 fatty acids. They also have high levels of antioxidants that fight off damage to your body’s cells. Munch on a handful of walnuts instead of a bag of potato chips the next time you need a snack.

• Kiwi- It’s actually the seeds of the kiwi fruit that are rich in omega 3 fatty acids. When they are crushed down to kiwi fruit oil, up to 62% alpha-linolenic acid (an essential omega 3 fatty acid) is available. Kiwi has additional nutritional value being rich in vitamin C and E, folic acid and a source of fiber.

Easy Recipes To Get These In Your Diet

• Maple-Lime Marinated Salmon
• Chewy Flax Granola Bars
• Kiwi Smoothies
• Asparagus and Walnut Puffs

Photo By: Mr. Siegal

Efax Services

This online service makes sending and receiving faxes simpler. Using the conveniences of the internet and electronic mail technology, both faxes and voicemails are messaged to subscribers through their email accounts. It’s available in over 3000 cities worldwide.

FreshBooks

This tool is particularly convenient for freelancers and independent contractors making online invoices super easy to create, manage, and track. It’s completely customizable, so you’re able to add your company’s logo.

Basecamp

Use this project management software to organize teams working on large assignments and collaborative efforts. It’s extremely uncomplicated and that’s one of best features. Assign tasks, create to-do lists, and track progress through RSS feeds. Depending on your specific needs, there are additional features available plans that are a bit more expensive.

Campfire

This is basically instant messaging for groups. It allows you to create secure, password protected chat rooms for your business corresponding. You can even share and discuss presentations, pictures, and files in real-time. It’s especially useful for teams with members or colleagues who work remotely.

Acuity Scheduling

Allow your clients and colleagues to schedule appointments with you online. In addition to allowing scheduling 24 hours a day, the software will also send appointment confirmation emails.

Docusign

For companies with large numbers of contracts to manage, this electronic signature service makes it easier to handle. It’s compatible with most file formats and simplifies the process for all parties involved.

Of the countless business tools available online, here are a few definitely worth a second look. These web applications are designed to make your job easier and hopefully they do just that. The less time you spend managing your small business in Phoenix, the more time you’ll have to get out of your Phoenix apartment and explore all that the city has to offer its residents.

Photo By: Pinot Nad Dita

Some fun crafts for kids this fall include:

You don’t have to spend a fortune to have fun celebrate the season with your kids.

Little hands wreath – Children can create their very own fall-style wreath by tracing their hands on different pieces of colored construction paper. Pick the colors of fall – red, orange, yellow and gold – and then use a glue stick to affix them to a plain paper plate. Cut out the middle and make a hanger with a piece of yarn.

Paint a pumpkin – Rather than let your kids “cut up,” try painting pumpkins instead. This is a fun way to create a great fall Halloween design that will last a bit longer. Have them use markers to draw out the basic design and then use craft paints to make them really colorful.

Howdy pilgrims – Take ordinary toilet paper rolls, construction paper and glue sticks to make puppet pilgrims and Indians. For an extra special touch pull out some shiny buttons to use for buckles, cotton for hair and even feathers for Indian caps.

Paper plate masks – With a box of crayons, a pair of scissors, a few pieces of construction paper and a little imagination, little ones can turn plain paper plates into a host of different fall-themed play masks. From turkeys and jack-o-lanterns to pilgrims and Indians, this is a great way to let them craft a project that’s perfect for producing hours of playtime fun later.

• Wolf mask
• Monkey mask
• Halloween pumpkin mask
• Panda mask

Baking frenzy – Celebrate the season with a fun baking spree. Just pick up some sugar cookie dough or whip some up in-house. Use leaf shaped cookie cutters or get an assortment of Halloween designs. Plain sugar icing can be used to add the finishing touches to leaves, creepy spiders, ghosts, witches and more.

Pine cone people – If you have access to dried pine cones, they can serve as the perfect starting point for some very fun arts and crafts projects. One of the best to do with little ones is to create “pine cone people.” Take oval shaped piece of construction paper to create the faces, add self sticking eyes, pipe cleaner hands and viola – a perfect pine cone person.

Looking for fun things to do with kids often only requires opening up a crafts box and letting the imagination run wild. As fall approaches, the potential for great kids crafts based on this theme is almost endless.

Photo By: Ryan Hoard

To Break-up or Not Break-up

The first thing you have to ask yourself is, “Is this relationship worth the time and effort that’s involved in keeping up a serious long distance relationship?” Some reasons why it may not be a good idea to continue a relationship after you move include:

• You’ve only been dating for a short period of time…several weeks or a few months.
• Lack of trust is a huge issue in the relationship.
• You don’t plan on being within close proximity of each other within the next few years.
• Commitment to a relationship is not one of your top priorities.
• Keeping up regular contact via phone, email or messaging is not possible or feasible.

Photo By: Chessia

Choosing To Go The Distance

However, if you’ve been dating for several years, you’re not going to want to break off a connection with this person so quickly. The move may be temporary, for a year or so, and you’re hoping to eventually live near or with this person again in the future. If you and your significant other decide that staying together is the best for both of you, then check out the long distance relationship advice below for some helpful tips:

1. Realize that it’s not “forever.” If you have plans to be together in the future, think about this rather than how you don’t get to see that person right now.
2. Keep in touch everyday or frequently. It’s important to share details about your everyday life with your significant other. It evokes a sense of trust and closeness while being so far apart.
3. Show affection. Just because you aren’t within physical reach doesn’t mean you can’t show your significant other that you love him or her. Tell them on the phone, send cards or packages in the mail and send an email just to say you’re thinking about them. These little details don’t take a lot of effort, but they show the other person that you haven’t forgotten them or care less for them.
4. Keep your priorities straight. If you have plans to call your significant other at a specific time, don’t put it off. Make time for the other person just like you would if you lived near each other.
5. Keep up communication. Make your feelings known to your partner. If you’re feeling lonely or have other concerns, it’s best to talk it out before the issue snowballs into something bigger. Be sure to consider your significant other’s concerns as well.
6. Have a plan before you leave. Set up rules and expectations about the relationship with your significant other before you leave. Talk about your future plans and how you’re going to communicate.

To learn how to organize, a simple 10-step process can help. When these moves are followed, even the smallest of Phoenix apartments will take on a cleaner, neater and tidier look:

Step 1 – Come up with a plan. Before you really dive into home organization, it’s a good idea to determine in advance what things should go where when you’re finished. A simple written or drawn out map of where your stuff should go can really help guide the process.

Step 2 – Get Sorting. Tackling a room at a time, it’s a good idea to pull everything out to begin a sorting process. You’ll want to remove everything from closets, drawers, under the bed, in cabinets and so on.

Photo By: Jill - Glossy Veneer

Step 3 – Toss out the real garbage. Again, tackle this one room at a time. From the pile of “stuff” that has been created, remove any broken, damaged or otherwise unusable items.

Step 4 – Give it to charity. To reduce the amount of stuff that needs to remain in your apartment, it’s best to give unwanted, but functional items to charity. Create a special pile for this and do remember to make the delivery. When you donate to charity, you can often enjoy tax breaks at the end of the year, too.

Photo By: Mindful One

Step 5 – Check and double check the keeper pile. Go through the items you plan on keeping very carefully. Make sure the things you want to include in your home organization system are actually used, worn, valuable or sentimental. If you have three toasters, keep the best and pass the other two on to charity. You don’t have to hang on to all three!

Step 6 – Clean it up. Before you start putting things away, take advantage of the removal of items to really deep clean your Phoenix apartment. Don’t put anything back until the surface has been cleaned.

Photo By: Marinegirl

Step 7 – Do some shopping. Now that you have cleaned everything out and know what will be staying and what will go, it’s time to buy some storage solutions. Shelving, storage baskets for the bathroom, plastic bins for the kitchen and so on can all go a long way in helping keep small spaces tidy and clean.

Step 8 – Install your purchases. Now is the time to install closest organizers and other purchases you made to help with organization.

Step 9 – Give everything a home. Once your storage solutions are in place, it’s time to put the items in the keeper piles away. Make sure to logically place your belongings. For example, put all your bathroom items in the bathroom or linen closet.

Photo By: Jeff Croft

Step 10 – Don’t drop the ball. Once you create a system for home organization, stick with it. Don’t let things get out of place and do remember to put items up when they are no longer in use.

Learning how to organize isn’t very difficult. The real task those living in apartments in Phoenix face is getting up the ambition to tackle the job and do it right.

Photo by: caro sheridan

Packing Supplies You’ll Need

For a basic 2-3 room apartment, here are the supplies that should be on your packing checklist.

• 20 Medium Boxes - Great for most of your household items including books, collectibles and kitchenware.
• 10 Large Boxes - Perfect for clothing and other bulky, but not heavy, items.
• 110 yards of Packing Tape - Better to have too much than too little.
• 80′ of Bubble Wrap - Great for fragile items but don’t wrap it too tightly.
• 1 package of Unprinted Newswrap - Wrap your breakables without getting ink on them.
• 3 cubic feet of Styrofoam Peanuts - Great for packing and shipping delicate items, reusable.
• 2 Markers - Permanent black ink is best.

Helpful Online Resources

There are plenty of online resources and web sites that offer guidelines and sell moving supplies. You can even order a packing kit that includes everything you need, saving you both time and money.

• Box Estimator
• Packing Tips
• Moving Schedule and Task Lists