Wednesday, January 15, 2014

Three Healthy Smoothie Recipes to Jump-Start Your New Year

January is always a good time to kick-start your health goals for you and your family.

Though the cold may keep you inside (and less likely to go to the gym), more time indoors means you can focus on your family’s nutrition. Smoothies are an easy, delicious way to eat well. You can prepare the ingredients ahead of time, so when you or the kids want a healthy breakfast, all you need to do is blend ‘em up! You can find a number of healthy smoothie recipes containing your favorite fruits and veggies online. Here are three that are unique, super healthy, and tasty. Of course, you’ll have to prepare the nescessary ingredients first. Using our Amazon promo codes 2014 or Target promo codes 10 off, you can always shop for fresh food on a daily basis from their grocery departments.


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Banana Mango Smoothie

¾ cup diced mango

1 ripe banana

1 Tbsp. honey

1 cup plain yogurt

1 cup milk (preferably non-fat)

Optional: a dash of cardamom

Instructions: Add ingredients to the blender and put the lid on. Puree until ingredients are smoothly blended together. Pour into a large glass. Makes 1 serving.

Feeling the winter blues? This tropical smoothie will make your day brighter. Tangy mango and rich banana are a classic smoothie combination that’s packed with vitamins like potassium, vitamin A, and vitamin C. Incorporate yogurt and a dash of cardamom, and you have an exotic addition to your breakfast. These ingredients are common in mango lassi, a sweet, creamy drink popular in Indian cuisine.

For simple smoothies like these, Target’s Black & Decker Silver 12-Speed 700 Watt Blender is perfect — and budget friendly at only $29.99. Its 6 cup capacity and measuring cup lid mean you can easily double this recipe for hungry kiddos. Using our Target promo codes makes this blender a real steal.

Health-Boosting Avocado Smoothie

½ avocado

½ cup spinach

1 ripe banana

1 cup mixed berries (your choice)

1 Tbsp. honey

1 cup non-dairy milk, such as almond or soy milk

1 cup ice

Instructions: Add ingredients to the blender in the order listed above. (The ice should be on top.) Put the lid on the blender and pulse ingredients in short bursts, stopping occasionally to stir. When fully blended, pour into a large glass. Makes 1 serving.

Before you — or your kids — turn your nose up at spinach and avocado in a smoothie, know that you can hardly taste the green stuff. It’s just there for a boost of vitamins and minerals. And the avocado makes this smoothie super creamy, almost like a milkshake. So it’s no wonder you’re finding these veggies in more and more healthy smoothie recipes. Packed with nearly 100% of all your daily required vitamins and minerals, this particular smoothie is a perfect way to start the day.

The Ninja BL660 Professional Blender found at Kohls for $179.99 is ideal for heavy-duty drinks like this. High-performance blades mean this blender can cut through ice in no time! Plus, it comes with single-serve cups perfectly sized for your smoothies. When you use our Kohls coupons, this blender is an even better deal.

Pumpkin Pie Smoothie

½ cup pumpkin puree

½ ripe banana

¾ cup vanilla yogurt (substitute for milk for a thinner smoothie)

1 Tbsp. brown sugar (you can also use honey)

½ tsp. pumpkin pie spice

¼ tsp. vanilla extract

1 cup ice

Optional: a dash of cinnamon, whipped cream or crumbled graham crackers to garnish

Instructions: Add ingredients to the blender, making sure the ice is on top. Blend thoroughly, stopping occasionally to stir ingredients. When completely smooth, pour into a glass. Add the whipped cream, and sprinkle with cinnamon and crumbled graham crackers if desired. Makes 1 serving.

When you think healthy smoothie recipes, pumpkin pie probably isn’t the first thing that comes to mind. Though this blended drink is a little indulgent, the yogurt, banana, and pumpkin itself (packed with vitamin A), make it much better than the real deal. Think of it as a treat for staying super healthy the rest of the week.

You can also indulge with the Breville BJB840XL Juice and Blend Dual-Purpose Juicer and Blender, found at a discounted price on Amazon. This high-powered, all-inclusive system is the real deal: 5 speeds (including ones tailored to crushing ice and blending smoothies), commercial-grade construction, and a 1000 watt motor make this the perfect appliance for the smoothie-crazed family. At nearly $600, it’s quite the investment; but with our Amazon discount codes, you can bring this blender down to a more reasonable price.

The sky really is the limit when it comes to smoothies. These are just a few of the thousands of healthy smoothie recipes out there. You and your kids can use your imaginations to come up with the perfect combination of fruits, veggies, and dairy for your family. Add juices into the mix, and there are even more culinary experiments to be done. Juices and smoothies are a great way to teach your family about cooking and nutrition. Kids get to be creative when coming up with recipes of their own, and easy-to-follow instructions mean they can help out in the kitchen as well. Exposing them to different fruits and veggies with yummy smoothies and juices teaches them about nutrition in a way they’ll enjoy. It shows them that healthy food can be tasty, too.

In short, blenders and juicers truly are the key to healthy eating. With so many different kinds on the market — and with our discount codes to help you out — any family on any budget can afford to eat and drink healthily. Think of them as an investment. These small appliances are so versatile, you’re guaranteed to use them at least a few times a week.

In addition to blended drinks, you can also make soups, sauces, salsas, mashed potatoes or grind coffee and spices … the list goes on! Though they may seem expensive at first, don’t fret. Our Kohls coupons, Target promo codes, and Amazon discount codes are here to help !

Monday, January 13, 2014

Spring Fashion 2014 : Casual Wear Tips for Men

The beginning of spring signals the time to pack away your favourite heavy coats and gloves in favour of something fresh, light and seasonal. But, if you’re the type of guy who feels more comfortable in dark sweaters or suits than pastels and tee-shirts, it can be difficult to make the daunting transition to casual spring fashion. Don’t worry, we’re here to help with a few of our best spring casual wear tips for men.


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Ditch the black

Most guys love black. After all, it’s sexy, mysterious and altogether flattering. However, if you’re dressed from head to toe in dark colours, you’re going to stick out like a sore thumb next to all the pretty girls in floral sundresses. To blend in a little better, try to limit the amount of black you allow into your outfit.

If the idea of color blocking sounds a bit uneasy, you can always refresh your usual outfits with pastels. These hip colors for Spring will add a hint of gentleness to your macho look. Otherwise, the safest choice must be to stick with neutrals which will make it easier for you to mix and match with your existing wardrobe.

For example, a white t-shirt and dark blue jeans creats an awesome spring fashion combo that is both attractive and casual. For a shirt that’s super versatile and awesome quality, try a short-sleeved Bonds Raglan tee (Ebay – $17) in white. Indeed, spring 2014 is in favour of easy to wear masculine hues, like sand and paloma.

Experiment with Chinos

A pair of good quality chinos is a wardrobe must-have. Chinos are ideal for occasions that are too formal for jeans or sweatpants but too casual to warrant a suit. They’re also perfect for spring, as they’re made from extremely lightweight, breathable material. Aim for neutral colours such as beige or cream to keep your style looking fresh.

We recommend the Massimo Supply Co. Men’s Slim Fit Chino pants (Target – $24.99) in vintage khaki or gilded brown. These flatteringly cut chinos look undeniably sexy when paired with a chambray shirt. Select a shirt with military detailing, such as epaulets at the shoulders, for a hint of army chic that the ladies will love. A perfect example of this is the Polo Graph Lauren Chambray Military Ranger shirt (Macy’s – $145).

Keep the look semi-formal with a pair of comfortable dress shoes in a brown colour (black will give less of a casual wear vibe), like these stylish slip on Men’s Beford loafers by Stacy Adams (Famous Footwear – $45).

Play with colour

If you’re one of the many guys who aren’t too keen to embrace spring’s bright palette in your choice of clothing, why not incorporate a pop of colour into your shoes or accessories? It’s a great way to liven up any ensemble without feeling too over the top.

Start out small, by selecting a phone cover in one of the top spring fashion colours, such as burnt orange or cayenne red (Ebay – $4). Once you feel confident playing with colour, it’s time to make a bolder statement with one of 2014’s biggest trends: colourful sneakers and neon athletic shoes. Check out these electrically intense, sunset coloured Reebok Men’s ATV19’s (Famous Footwear – $89.99) for a sure-fire hit.

Rock sunglasses

Celebs ensure that sunglasses will always be in vogue. However, like anything else, the trends change and mature from season to season. This year’s spring fashion casual wear bible encourages us to ditch the aviators in favour of some statement sunnies. Catwalks around the globe are all too eagerly reviving the 1950’s browline style. You can too with a set of Maui Jim Sunglasses (Macy’s – $289.95). They’re a stylish as they are practical and boast PolarizedPlus 2 technology to help you combat glare. Let’s face it, squinting’s not attractive in any season.

Embrace graphic teesThe real key to achieving that perfect spring fashion casual wear look is to make sure your wardrobe has some diversity to it. Too many plain tees will give you a one way ticket to dullsville. Instead, seek out graphic shirts that dare to be different. Select a t-shirt that says something about your personality.

Or, if you’re attending an event where you don’t know anyone, choose a shirt that’s likely to be a conversation starter. For example, this iconic “I hate Mondays” tee (Target – $12.99), featuring internet sensation, Grumpy cat. Maybe you want to show people you’re up with popular culture instead? Why not pair this timely “What Does the Fox Say” tee (Target – $12.99) with your favourite jeans and a pair of colourful athletic shoes?

Totally revamping your wardrobe can be a costly process. Fortunately, we’ve got some awesome coupons that’ll help you save a bundle. Just check out these Target promo codes, Macys coupons, Ebay coupon codes and Coupons Code for Famous Footwear !

With these 5 casual wear tips and amazing coupons, you should be well on the way to formulating your new spring fashion style.

Friday, January 10, 2014

Fresh Wedding Themes for Spring

Snow still blankets the ground and freeze is in the air, but believe it or not, spring wedding season is right around the corner. Now is the time for spring brides to solidify their spring wedding themes and wedding ideas.

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It is not essential, but the best spring weddings have some sort of a theme. Spring wedding themes can be determined by a certain color, a style, an era in time, or even just a common interest shared by the bride and groom. One’s wedding should be one of the most important days of their life- it is important that it expresses who the bride and groom are as a couple, and that it is an event they will never forget. Followed are some fresh spring wedding themes and wedding ideas to inspire you for your special day!

Pastels

Pastels in spring might be a no brainer for some, but pairing the pastels with shimmering golds, silvers, and even pearls, is a major spring wedding theme trend for this year.

And while you can always go with one pastel, a new spin on that spring wedding idea is to use a multitude of pastel colors. Pink and blue have always been a go-to, but think about adding a cool mint into the mix to keep it on-trend for spring. Head on over to Macys with our Macys coupon to save on your glitzy gold, silver, and pear accessories!

Destination Beach Wedding

After months of being cooped up inside, wouldn’t it be great to head somewhere warm and start your new lives in above freezing temperatures? Everyone loves a destination wedding because it’s like a mini vacation for our guests. And by spring everyone is getting antsy and needing to be outside. Aruba? Jamacia?

The possibilities are endless, and it can be more affordable than you think. All inclusive vacation packages can even be found on Ebay! Use our Ebay coupon code to alleviate the costs even more!

Eco Friendly Wedding

Eco friendly is one of the hottest spring wedding themes this year. Spring is a time when everything is coming back to life after a long cold winter, and what a better way to pay homage than to keep your wedding earth friendly and fresh? This wedding idea is not for the DIY faint of heart. Hand made invites, decorations, and center pieces are a must. Be sure to utilize one of our Amazon Codes to stock up on all of your crafty DIY supplies!

Vintage Wedding

Not to be mistaken for the eco-friendly wedding, although at first glance very similar, the vintage theme is bound to be one of the most popular wedding themes and ideas for spring.

There are many possible variations on this theme depending upon which era you choose to consider vintage. Although not as intense on the DIY as the eco-friendly wedding, if you choose this wedding idea for your spring nuptials, be ready to get creative! Peruse your local antique stores for goodies to use to decorate or check out our Ebay coupon code to find other vintage goodies for your vintage wedding theme!

Keep It Casual

Spring is the perfect time to let loose. The chill of the winter has had people buttoned up and stuffy for so long, why not keep your wedding more casual?

The easy going casual wedding idea will be huge this spring. And the icing on that cake is that it will be easy going on your checkbook as well! Keep it springy with pops of bright colors, perhaps a brilliant yellow or orange, but overall keep it comfortable. Also a not a bad idea considering spring weather can be rather unpredictable. Why not use one of our Target promo code to pick up some accessories for the wedding party and groom?

There you have it- some of the top wedding themes and ideas for spring. Remember that even though it feels like winter out there, spring is right around the corner and it is never too early to get a jump on your spring wedding ideas!

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