Lifestyle

Why A Cold Brew Coffee Maker Is The Perfect Gift For A World Traveler

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Why a cold brew coffee maker is the perfect gift for a world traveler?

Because it is portable, and you can carry it around in your luggage when you are traveling. The first thing you do when you retire to your hotel room is, you take out the cold brew coffee maker and the container containing your coffee beans that have been grounded in a coarser manner than if you brew your coffee hot.

YOUR COLD BREW COFFEE BEANS – THE COARSER THE BETTER

Rough textured ground coffee beans will make the filtration process easier. This will also make the final output of cold brew coffee far less bitter. What’s good about cold brew coffee is it is lower in acidity – over 67% less acidic than hot brewed coffee.

Since the coffee grounds you’re using have not been exposed to high temperatures, the cold brew coffee you have created will be tasting more flavorful and at the same time, less bitter.

Of course, as a world traveler, and as a coffee lover, one of your main goals is to taste all the coffee varieties of the world. Sometimes you like it hot, sometimes cold. So, be grateful to the friend who gave you this priceless gift of a cold brew coffee maker – you get to taste all the coffee varieties right in the comfort of your hotel room, in its cold version. Just steep overnight the local native coffee beans that were grounded coarsely in your handy cold brew coffee maker. Then, when you wake up refreshed and raring to start your day in a foreign land, just reach out for your cold brew coffee maker with your thirst-quenching and energy injecting cold brew coffee inside, waiting to be poured and enjoyed.

YOUR COLD BREW COFFEE MAKER: FOR YOUR JOURNEYS AND YOUR HOME TOO

Then, when you’re back home, surprise friends who visit you and expect the hot expresso that you always serve. Instead, always have that trusty cold brew coffee maker filled up with your favorite coarsely ground coffee beans steeped in filtered water and chilled in the fridge. You will never know when friends and family come and visit. Offer them a pleasant surprise of cold brew coffee lovingly hand made by you, the erstwhile world traveler.

Unlike hot brewed coffee, which tastes unpleasant after a few hours, cold brew coffee kept in the fridge for a week still tastes spectacular. Cold brew coffee, kept for one week in the fridge, is much like wine which tastes better through time. Isn’t it great and convenient that cold brew coffee maintains its taste and substance even after a week or one-third of a month? Just open the fridge and go pour and enjoy it!

COLD BREW COFFEE MAKER – PERFECT GIFT FOR PEOPLE ON THE GO

And don’t fret, world traveler, if you drink 3 to 5 cups of cold brew coffee every day because of the handiness of your cold brew coffee maker – it may even make you less prone to heart disease by up to 15%. The components in cold brew coffee like magnesium, antioxidants, and anti-inflammatory agents see to that.

When you’re going out of town again, don’t forget to bring in your luggage your beloved cold brew coffee maker. As a thought, because you have been so attached to it, why not give a gift of a cold brew coffee maker to a loved one too today!

How To Have Fun At Home

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Once we have the opportunity to have a break, staying at home with your family or calling your friends or even just having time to yourself is enough especially if with frequent travel. There is no place like home as they say and sometimes you will have more rest at your home because you do not spend much money or plan. Some people might say that being at home can get you bored easily, but you just have to know the various activities you can do at home.

Play games

If you have board games hidden away in your closet, why not make use of them? You can invite your friends over for a game night. You can make some snacks and have some fun with them. If you have kids, you can also have these games with them or have your friends with kids join you. It does not even need the board games itself. There are various games that do not require them like Pictionary. 

Movie Marathon

You can either do this by yourself or invite friends or just someone for some company. It is just like having a movie night with snacks and everything, but this one has more challenge especially if you have company. There could be a dare for everyone to not fall asleep or else there will be a consequence or schedule bathroom breaks. The movies you choose could be in a series or themed ones and will be also up to you how many hours will it be. 

Cook and Bake

Learning something new is always good. Even if you are cooking for a long time, you will still learn something like new recipes or trying to mix something to make them better. If you are not into cooking, it is never too late to learn. Even if it is just something simple, it is fulfillment and could be a start for you to make your own meals or even cook for your guests in the future.

Read a Book

If you have a book collection that has been neglected because of busy life, now is the time to catch with them. If do not have one but still has a passion for reading, you can always go to the library and borrow some. If you have time, why not join a book club which offers discounts for books and also a great way to meet people with the same interests as you.

Do DIY Projects

Doing DIY projects or crafting is broad. Meaning, it has different kinds and it could be complicated and more physical like making furniture or simple and light like origami or painting. No matter what, having DIY projects is said to be therapeutic because it focuses your mind on creating and finishing something, so it is a great stress reliever especially if you have a long and stressful week. As said before, it can be simple and light that you do not need to spend a lot, as long as you enjoy it and feel fulfilled.

Things That Will Make Your Life Easier

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Life is supposed to be simple, but sometimes it would get complicated because of happenings. For example, not enjoying your coffee because it became cold or having problems with your luggage at the airport because it exceeds limits. These are simple problems that can be resolved immediately. You can also definitely avoid in the future by knowing the right things and tools to have. Here are some simple things that you should have for your life to be easier:

Thermo Cup

If you are always on the go and would love to always have a drink on hand, a thermo cup will be a great investment. It does not matter if you want something to remain hot or cold, it can do both. It is also not used for beverages, if you want to want to have soup for lunch or bring it to someone who is sick, you can definitely use a thermo cup for that.

Luggage Scale

If you are one of those who always worry about the weight of your luggage, why not have a luggage scale? There are times that we need to add something in our luggage but not sure if there is still enough room for it to not to be overweight. With a luggage scale, you can easily check on that and will not be worried if your luggage exceeds the maximum anymore.

Portable Smoothie Maker

This is a kind of smoothie maker that you will not need to have an extra cup or tumbler bottle. You can have your smoothie blended and then take it as is. It is also portable, so you can have it everywhere. There are also ones that are rechargeable by USB instead of using an outlet which will be handy during travel.

Coffee Maker

With coffee shops on the rise and trend today, it will be much easier to just buy coffee. But making your own coffee with your own taste is really pleasing and cheaper too. You will get to decide your own taste even your preferred brand of coffee and whatever you want to mix with it. There are also machines that are developed to make it easier. An example is the Keurig which will require pods. But it is a lot easier for it does not require any measuring for both the coffee and water, so it is perfect if you want things fast. The pods also vary with different flavors that will suit your taste. If you would prefer to have cappuccino or latte, you can always invest for an espresso machine.

Pocket-Sized Traveler’s Notebook

Traveler’s notebook has been a trend among planner and journal users. It is a cover, originally made with cover, with elastic bands to hold notebooks. It is originally from Japan but many manufacturers develop their own version with different kinds of materials that will suit the taste and need of a person. It comes in various sizes, but a pocket-size is the perfect size to use as a wallet. There are traveler’s notebook with pockets you can put your cards and money. There are also available pouches that can be purchased at a low price in case it does not have pockets. If you are the one who lists the items you want to purchase, you can attach a small notebook inside.

Cool Things To Include When Building a House

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There is just something special in building your own home. It will be yours and you can choose whatever you want to do with it. You can choose the layout and design. As long as you can afford it, you can even choose the size. And since it is your own, you can add as many home upgrades as you want. The question would be if it is really needed or just something that would look cool. Why not both? You can definitely have some things that are necessary and cool at the same time. What are some of those cool things that you could include? Here are some of my favorites:

Video Doorbell

It is a doorbell that can be connected to your phone and you will able to see who is ringing and coming by your door. Add to that, you can talk to them via an intercom no matter where you are, and the person coming would not know. This is one of those gadgets that are not only cool but also very helpful. This would be one of the best gadgets you could invest in because it involves your safety. 

Skylight

Would you like to have some stargazing without leaving your home or even without getting out of your house? Having a skylight will be a great solution. Though the purpose of skylight is to increase the amount of sunlight in the room and makes the area more spacious. In addition, it is also used as ventilation. Typically, it is installed at kitchens and bathrooms for that purpose. But it can also be installed in an attic especially if it is used as a bedroom. Not only will it add light and dimension, but you will also be able to see the stars at night and can have your own session of stargazing in your own room.

Pet Features

If you are one who loves to have pets, why not add features in your house that will be beneficial for them? The most common is the pet door where they can go inside and out of the house. This also includes the kind of furniture and flooring. There are many available that are pet-friendly which mostly means that they are durable and easy-to-clean. You can also give your pets their own furniture or toys for them to play. 

Pullout Storage

Having pullout storage is a good way for your house to have more space and be organized at the same time. This is especially if you have a small space and a lot of stuff. The best thing about this is that it is not limited to one room and can have at any place at your house.

Tankless Water Heater

If you do not want to have hot water always running out, a tankless water heater may be the solution. It also more energy efficient for it only heats water when you needed it and therefore saves you more money. In addition, it is cheaper than the tank ones and also safer because it does not cause any leak or spill. There are also more compact, so it is perfect if you are living in a home with a small space. 

Easy Meals for Guests

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Our home is an important asset to show people what we are. If you are going to have guests at home, whether planned or not, you should have your home welcoming. Even if you are not around the house all the time yourself, your house can still have the homey vibes that will make your guests comfortable and at home themselves. A good way to welcome them is definitely with food. Whether you made them yourself or have them ordered, how will serve and prepare them will definitely show your appreciation with them. 

Often times though, you might find yourself not enough time to prepare because of busyness. That is not a problem though. Aside from ordering, there are simple recipes that you can do that would not take much time, and here are they:

Pasta Dishes with Garlic Bread

Pasta is one of the ingredients that has many possibilities. With different kinds in various shapes and sizes, there are many recipes involving it. You can always have a simple spaghetti or chicken alfredo. There are also mac and cheese or lasagna and any other pasta casserole dish. If you do not feel like baking, a lot of recipes involve only sautéing with just a few ingredients. Then pair them with garlic bread and you are ready to go.

Salad

Another easy to prepare meal and healthy too. You can make it simple with just vegetables, but you can also have some add ons like roasted beef or chicken. You can also add some tortilla chips or even crispy pita bread for added texture. As for dressing, there are also a variety and it will definitely depend on the kind of salad you serve. It could either be a vinaigrette or a creamier one. You could also have both so your guests will be able to choose.

Roasted Chicken

Roasted chicken sounds like a complicated dish, but it is not. You can have this prepared ahead then put it in an oven before your guests arrived. You can add a simple side dish with it like a salad. If you do not have time to cook, rotisserie chicken is available at grocery stores. 

Burger and Fries

Another simple recipe but longer preparation though. It could either be cooked by a grill or have it pan-fried. It will also be your choice how much stuffing you want. You can also have the ingredients set up and have your guests choose their own stuffing for their burger and that includes the sauce. You can also have smaller ones called sliders. As for the fries,  you can definitely make your own or just buy something from the grocery.

Tomato Soup and Grilled Cheese

Tomato soup can be served either hot or cold, so it will not matter what season will it be. There are different kinds of recipes to make it, and it will be according to your taste and choice on the ingredients to add and how the texture will be. Then add it with grilled cheese to dip in the soup, it will surely be delicious.

Planning Snacks for House Guests

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Having house guests is very common. People will come for a variety of reasons. There could be a house party or a movie night or a game night. There are times that meetings were held at home. Some also would be for simple entertainment such as to watch their favorite TV shows or sports together and perfect for relaxation especially when you leave often. Or simply just want to hang out and exchange stories. No matter what the reason, food is a necessity. It does not even have to be a  full meal, especially for a great number. At times like that, snacks are sufficient and there are a lot of easy ones you can serve. Take note that most are finger foods that are easier to have on a single plate and services around.

1. Refreshments

Nothing can get wrong with refreshments. Whatever food you will have, there should always be something to drink to match them. It could be juice or cocktails that you made yourself or simply have drinks in a cooler where everyone will just get one. 

2. Popcorn and Nuts

This will be great especially for movie nights or sports night, but can also be served at house parties. It is easy to prepare. You can either buy those that are already made or the microwave ones or make one yourself from scratch. It has a variety of flavors that will suit your tastes and of your guests. Nuts also have a variety that there are even premixed available. Just be mindful of those who have allergies and maybe have an alternative ready.

3. Cookies

Cookies also have different varieties and are available in different shapes and sizes that will suit your taste. It can be either be a dessert or a snack but enjoyable either way. You can make them yourself if you want to but there are those that are ready to eat that are in bake shops and grocery stores for less hassle. But as said before, be mindful of allergies and warn them of the ingredients and always have an alternative ready.

4. Cheese Platter

A cheese platter may sound like a sophisticated snack, but it is not. Just have some crackers and bread and some fruits with a variety of cheese (having one or two types would be enough), and you are done.

5. Sandwiches

Sandwiches come in many forms. They can be small enough to be a finger food or big that would require a plate. You can have your sandwich as many or little stuffing as you want. You could also have them do it by themselves like a burger for example with different stuffings and sauces they could choose from. This way, you don’t need to know and have problems if they dislike something or not.

6. Pizza

If you do not have enough time, you can just always order pizza. You can have ones that will suit their tastes. It will be also less hassle with dishes because you will just need paper plates and tissues. 

7. Chips and Dip

Another one that you can purchase pre-made. Chips have different varieties from nachos to potato chips and even french fries. Dips are now also available to purchase at grocery stores but there are a lot of easy recipes you could try that will suit your tastes. It is a snack that is great either for interactions with others or simply watching something on television.

How To Make Your Life Simpler

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A quote of Confucius said, “Life is really simple, but we insist on making it complicated.” There are many things in this world that are already complicated but our lives do not need to be. The beauty of it will help us not only financially and mentally but also to other aspects such as our emotions and physical health. It is not hard and you could try it every time you want.

1. Track your expenses

No matter what, we will always have something to spend our money with. But what we could do is to know if it is really necessary. Water and electricity bills are surely one of those and so is food. But if you start to track what you are spending on, you will find out if some of them are necessities or just for your own luxury. It is not bad to have something that is of luxury like gadgets or going on vacations as long as it makes you happy and not stressful about the expense surrounding it. Tracking will also help you see if your purchases those you really need or just have it on impulse because of want. This will make you think about your future expenses if you would really need it or not.

2. Track your time

There is this saying that “time is gold,” and it is indeed for life is also short. So we have to spend our time wisely. By tracking your time, you would know if you spend either too much time with your work or the opposite, slacking off. It is important to have it balanced. Once you know about it, why not have a schedule and have plans that will not be a waste of time. It will be surely helpful for your growth as a person.

3. Declutter your home

It is said that decluttering your home would also lead to decluttering your life, and that is why it became a trend. Clutter indeed adds stress to our lives, so why not look upon your supplies and utensils and see what you always use and what you think is needed. Sometimes, we tend to purchase something on impulse or have old things lying around that can still be used but not needed anymore. You can either dispose of them, donate them, or even sell them and that way, what you will have are just the essentials. If you still have more stuff but you think they are necessary, have them stored instead of having them lying around. This way, not only your home will look clean, but it may also lengthen its life.

4. Find joy in simple things

With technology today, we can easily find entertainment. You can watch movies or listen to music as long as you have an internet connection and gadgets. But oftentimes, that’s just it, having us entertained but did not bring us joy. Why not spend some time discovering your real joy. Go write or read. Spend time with your friends and family. Have a hobby like sports or DIY. The beauty of it is that you do not really need to spend a ton for them and find yourself realizing that you could enjoy life without being complex.

How To Become a Minimalist At Home

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The world is already complicated. But the problem is we made it more complicated through our lifestyles and choices. But we can make simple though and to do that is to get only what you need. The home will be a nice way to start that. You would think it is about the decorations, but it is not. It also includes our attitudes that will be used outside of the home. Here are some of them:

1. Declutter

Why is it important to declutter? Not only it will improve your home, but it will also improve your well being. There is a trend nowadays about decluttering and that if we declutter our house, we will be also decluttering our lives. It means that with all the stressors we have in our lives, the clutter at our home will just add to it. You do not need to wait for spring to have a general cleaning. Just look around you: countertops, tables, and even your bed. Also, check out your utensils and supplies. Maybe you have something in double or not used. If you have some things that you do not need lying around, you should get rid of it as soon as possible. You can throw it out or have it on sale. If you do have a lot of stuff and do use them, the organization is the key. If you have a lot of stuff that is on your table or countertops, you can have them stored in your drawers, cabinets, or organizers. You can also have them stored at storage containers to keep them in place.

2. Be simple with your design and furniture

You would know a minimalist by looking to one’s home. We would think that it will all white and traditional with fewer decorations. But that is not the case. You can keep it simple but still be colorful as long as it relaxes you and makes you happy. What is most important will be the usage and importance. Just stick with the basics like sofa and table for living room, bed for bedroom, table and chairs for the dining area, and so forth. Just have enough space for you to breathe and move around, and you can do this even if you have a smaller space. The secret to that is to have only the necessary items and do not take too much space like having few chairs in your living room. In case you need to have more because of visitors, why not get some that you will able to store when not in use. Being a minimalist does not also mean you will not decorate your home. You can but as said before, keep it simple. You can have simple framed paintings or pictures here and there and some bookshelves. Just remember to not overdo it for it might look like a mess than pleasing.

3. Be mindful on what you buy

Sometimes, we do not realize that we tend to horde. At times, you buy things you think you might need but after a while, it remains unused. Next time you go shopping, remember to think about things you will buy and to not get it on impulse. Not only it will save space in your home, but it will also save you money. 

Exciting Things to Do In Life

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In our life, we have our own routines. You might have to go to work then head home during weekdays and then some activities on weekends. It goes on and on and it does get tiring at times. But it does not have to be like that always, and you do not have to wait for vacation or weekends to try and make your life more enjoyable. Life is short but that does not mean it has to be boring. There are simple things you could do but can add a twist in your life.

1. Learn Something New

No matter how old we are, we will always learn something that we do not know before. Whether be it knowledge or skill, there are a lot out there that we can acquire. There are many things you could try like learning a new language. Who knows, it might get handy in the future.  You may even acquire various facts and trivia that suddenly make sense to you how some things work. Maybe you still do not know how to ride a bike or to swim. It is never too late. You can have lessons right now. You can also cook and learn new recipes or ingredients you could try.

2. Make Some Changes in Your Routine

You might have a routine every morning after waking up or in the evening before going to bed. Sometimes it gets tiring and boring. Why not change it up on occasion. You can eat breakfast on your patio instead of your dining room. How about waking up early and make some detour before going to work like having a short walk in a park or have some quiet time at a cafe. You could also have them at night like instead of your normal routine before bed, you could take a bath and relax. There are many possibilities, you just have to be creative and relax while you are at it.

3. Travel

Traveling is one of those activities that are not only good for the mind but also for the physical body. It is said that because it relieves stress, it also lowers the chance of developing heart disease. If you have the chance, go to another country and learn about their culture and place. It will surely be a different atmosphere than you used to. Of course, some will not have the time or even money, but it does not have to be extravagant. You could just go to a place near like at the next town just for some new atmosphere. You could also have some short road trips involving some of your parents or family. 

4. Try Something You’ve Never Done Before

As many people say, you only live once. Which means, we have to live it to the fullest, so if you have the chance and opportunity, why not do something you have not done before or maybe you have the opportunity to do something once in your life. It could be something simple such as trying a new food you have not tasted before or ride transportation you have not taken. It could also be extreme like going skydiving or bungee jumping. Have a bucket list to list these things, so you can try many things you can do with your life.