It’s the most wonderful time of the year, and no, I’m not talking about Christmas…It’s summertime! There isn’t anything quite as powerful than the smell and sizzle of a burger on the grill, expect for of course, a refreshing dip in a swimming pool in your own back yard!

But all wonderful things in life accompany downsides, and swimming pools are no exception, check out this article from bankrate.com to see how a pool can add value to your home.

Less is More

This is a good mantra for everything! It’s all too easy to get caught up when driving renovation projects. But sometimes you can find the greatest renovations from taking items away, rather than adding more.

Simply eliminating clutter can make any room seem larger and easier to move around. It’ll feel like you have a whole new kitchen! Take some time and rummage through your kitchen and figure what is used daily, and what hasn’t been used in 15 years.

Estate Sales

Stores too expensive? Try your luck at an estate sale! They’re similar to garage sales but often sell much higher quality items. From wooden cookware to whole complete sets, you can usually find everything you need at estate sales. You can even find some cheap artwork that will truly let your home kitchen snap.

Various apps and websites contain rosters of when and where an estate sale is taking place in your area. The items will be slightly used, but that isn’t anything a little dish soap won’t take care of. Use your best discretion and start saving!

Open Space Shelving

These are basically cabinets without doors. Sounds goofy, but these shelves are not only stylish, but very affordable. More shelving means more workspace, which is incredibly valuable in any effective kitchen.

They allow you to customize your kitchen a unique and unorthodox fashion without devastating your bank account.

Upgrade Pre-existing Items

Before you go tearing your kitchen apart and ripping the cabinets from the wall, you might want to consider working with what you already have.

Want new cabinets? Well you don’t have to replace the entire unit. Cabinets are often perfectly fine, it’s usually the cabinet doors that require replacement. Even if you are purchasing new items, you can buy cheaper products and upgrade them yourself at half the costs.

Attend a Home Improvement Lesson

If you’re not confident in your renovation skills, don’t hire a contractor quite yet! Various businesses offer quick classes that teach people how to perform simple renovations on their own. Places like Home Depot and Farm & Fleet offer handy work shops that will give you the knowledge necessary for lite renovations.

What’s better than learning handy tips! Once you’ve acquired new skills, you’ll be able to renovate and maintain without hiring pricy contractors.

Paint and Wallpaper

Sometimes a simple paint job will make you feel like you have an entirely new kitchen! Paint is usually cheap and easy to apply by yourself. Depending on the colors you choose, creative schemes can actually make your kitchen appear larger.

Don’t like painting? Try laying wallpaper! It’s just as affordable as paint and provides the same results. Experimenting with accent colors and shades can provide you with some pretty innovative results.

Purchase “Basic” Brands

You don’t need to purchase the top-quality brands to receive top quality use from your kitchenware and accessories. If you’re feeling handy you can always purchase cheaper products (cabinets, kitchen island, etc.) and upgrade them yourself with new doors and paint jobs.

“Garnish” Your Kitchen

Leaving a bowl of fruit on the countertop is a pretty typical practice. But when you “garnish” your kitchen, it gives you a creative opportunity. Do you store a lot of dry produce like onions, garlic, and avocados? Try hanging baskets that will suspend room temp produce off of the counter space. It’s handy, saves space, and looks cool.

Creating a Focal Point

This classic tip is straight out of the artists handbook. Creating a focal point directs the eye to where you want. It gives your kitchen a symmetrical appeal that allows you to literally construct what you want your guests to see. It also gives the illusion of a larger workspace.

Don’t Buy Too Cheap

We’re all about saving money, but the concept defeats it’s own purposes if you spend money on low quality products which won’t last long anyways. Sometimes it’s okay to splurge and drop some cash on something you really need, whether that be a new refrigerator, oven, or even cooking pans/utensils. You will save both time and money.

During the pandemic, many real estate agents had their busiest year ever. There were millions of people who suddenly needed more space, no longer wanted to be “stuck” in cities they had moved to for work or school, or finally had an opportunity to get their dream home at a great price and with a crazy-low mortgage rate. But there was just one, small snag: A pandemic that made in-person meetings a no-go. Showings and open houses were replaced with lockdowns, flight bans, quarantines, social distancing, and travel restrictions. As the industry faced its biggest challenge—and highest demand—yet, we were pleasantly surprised to find that real estate could function very well using a simple tool we all had on hand: Our phones.

In the past 30 days alone, I’ve sold four properties in South Florida over $10 million apiece without a single in-person showing. These deals happened completely virtually. While this may sound like the exception, or a Covid-specific occurrence, I see virtual deals as a trend that will only grow. Here’s why: Read the complete article here.

Article written by Ryan Serhant

Forbes Magazine

Is there anything like getting greeted at the door by your jubilant pup or snuggling your unconditionally loving cat? Whatever pet you call your own, there’s no doubt that animals can bring us insane amounts of joy in our everyday life. What you might not know is that pets can also have a remarkably positive effect on your overall well-being. Whether you have a pet or you’re thinking about bringing a new furry friend into your life, this article will help you understand these amazing animals more.

They’ll Help You Get More Exercise

Owning a pet, particularly an active variety like a dog, means you have to up your own exercise to help them stay healthy and get the minimum amount of movement. Whether it’s a walk around the block, a run down to a local park, a hike, or even a bike ride for high-energy breeds, owning a pet means you have to build exercise into your day.

Your Blood Pressure May Be Lower

High blood pressure is a widespread issue in the U.S., affecting one in three adults. If you’re concerned about this for yourself or your loved ones, having pets can help. Studies have shown pet owners, specifically dog-owners, have lower blood pressure and are potentially at less of a risk of developing cardiovascular disease than non-pet owners. Even the simple act of petting a dog can bring down blood pressure.

You Might Feel Less Stressed

Just being with your pet has the ability to reduce your stress on a chemical level, according to veterinary medicine academic Rebecca A. Johnson, Ph.D., as quoted in DailyPaws.

“A powerful neurochemical, oxytocin, is released when we look at our companion animal, which brings feelings of joy. It’s also accompanied by a decrease in cortisol, a stress hormone,” Johnson shares.

In an increasingly busy and uncertain world, anything that reduces your stress is a good thing.

They Can Ward Off Your Children’s Allergies

Pets don’t just benefit you; they can also help your whole family. Studies have shown that children have a lower risk of developing allergies or eczema if they were around pets before reaching 6 months of age. This applies not just to dogs and cats but also to farm animals.

They Can Help You Fight Depression

Depression is a prevalent issue for many people, and treatment can be daunting since the condition itself can affect motivation. If you or someone important in your life is facing depression, know that taking care of a pet—and not just a cat or dog—can ease the symptoms. In a study of elderly individuals in 2016, merely caring for caged crickets helped reduce feelings of depression.

They Can Be Trained to Sense Health Changes

Pets can also take a more active role in your health with the proper training. Support animals can learn to sense dangerous drops in blood sugar, prostate cancer, and other conditions.

They Can Help You Make Friends

Walk a new puppy through a park and count how many times you’re stopped by total strangers to chat and socialize. It’s probably obvious, but it’s also been shown through experiments that pets can increase your opportunities to socialize. In a study conducted by Dr. June McNicholas, being out and about with a dog compared to being alone resulted in many more interactions with strangers.

You Might Live Longer Because of Them

In the end, our dear animal companions can actually increase our life expectancy. Cat owners were shown in a Minnesota Stroke Institute study to have a 30 percent lower risk of heart-disease-related death. Similarly, people who own dogs can have longer lives than non-dog-owners. If people have experienced a stroke or heart attack, owning dogs can also help with recovery.

———-

With all the benefits of owning a pet, it seems a pretty small price to pay to feed them and take them for a walk a few times a day. If you own a pet, give it some extra attention. If you don’t, consider adopting from a local shelter and enriching your life.

Raise your hand if you started a garden in 2020. If you did, you’re far from alone. According to Garden Media’s 2021 Garden Trend Report: The Great Reset, you’re one of 16 million other people who embraced this hobby last year. Whether you built your first raised bed, adopted houseplants, planted a tree, refreshed your front garden, or started tomatoes from seed, you’re part of a growing movement that doesn’t seem to be slowing down in 2021. If you missed out on the great garden explosion of 2020, that’s ok too. It’s never too late to adopt this hobby.

To help you out, we combed through Garden Media’s comprehensive report and pulled out three of our favorite trends for 2021. No matter your experience level, this should give you ideas for developing your gardening knowledge this year.

Edible Gardening

Last spring, when quarantine hit, lots of us picked up hobbies and activities we wouldn’t have tried normally (looking at you, sourdough bread bakers). One of the biggest trends to surface was growing food. According to the Garden Media report, Google searches for “victory garden” hit their highest levels ever on April 5, 2020.

Edible gardening is primed to be a popular activity again in 2021. According to the trend report, sixty-seven percent of adults are either actively growing vegetables, fruits, and herbs, or they have plans to.

One of the great things about edible gardening is that it can be done on any scale. If you have a large yard and lots of sunshine, build raised beds or prepare a growing area using gardener Charles Dowding’s no dig method. If you live in an apartment, you can still grow plenty of plants in pots, including herbs, tomatoes, peppers, and even citrus fruit.

Miniature Plants

One of the most essential ingredients of successful gardening is patience. Plants take time to grow and develop into their final form. If waiting isn’t one of your particular skills, mini plants are an option. According to the Garden Media report, small-scale plants are gaining popularity because they fit in any space. They also provide quicker—if not instant—gratification.

“Cuteness aside, tiny plants are the perfect choice for plant keepers with limited space and time. Tiny plants grown on your windowsill, under grow lights, or under glass – can feed your plant addiction without cramping your style,” shares Leslie Halleck of Halleck Horticultural LLC in the trend report.

Mini succulents and air plants are fantastic, low-maintenance options for adding some green decor to your house. You can also go mini with petite varieties of your favorite fruits, herbs, and vegetables.

Lawn Alternatives

It might not be news to Californians, but lawn alternatives are on the rise. According to the trend report, sixty-seven percent of people polled in a National Garden Bureau survey said they wanted to explore lawn alternatives while still retaining some traditional lawn space.

Doing this can not only give you a more unique front yard, but it can also provide a better habitat for wildlife and encourage pollinator activity if you choose the right plants.

The future of gardening in 2021 is bright and bountiful. Branch out (no pun intended) and try implementing one of these trends yourself this year.

Between stay-at-home orders and the remote-based “new normal” of the Covid-19 pandemic, researchers estimate that around 42% of the population is currently working from home. While working from home is a dream come true for some people, the situation is less than ideal for many others.

Here we’ll showcase a few simple rituals that can help make working from home easier, more productive, and more balanced.

Set Your Working Hours

If you’ve been working from home, you’ve likely experienced how difficult keeping a work-life balance can be. It’s hard to focus on work when you’re surrounded by your family, chores to be done, and an office that feels like your living room (or is…). Likewise, it can be hard to turn off at the end of the workday and enjoy your free time when there’s no separation between work and home.

The first step to create a healthier work-life balance while working from home is to create your schedule. It’s best to stick to the same schedule you used when going to the office, but feel free to tweak it to make it work for you, your family, and your new lifestyle.

Start the Day with Intention, then “Eat the Frog”

Starting the workday off on the right foot is easy when you set your intentions ahead of time. This is extra important when working from home, where your workspace may be less organized than at the office.

Start by getting a cup of your favorite coffee or tea. Then, sit down at your desk and close your eyes. Visualize the day going smoothly as you accomplish everything that needs to get done. Finally, open your eyes and write a short list of the 3 main tasks for the day.

 

Level Up Your Space

All workspaces are better when they’re designed to help us stay focused and comfortable. Make sure your space is clear and tidy. Do you have easy access to all your important tools, files, and notes? What about the comfort of your work area? You may consider trying a new chair, adding back support cushions, or adjusting your keyboard or computer screen to ensure that you have a healthy posture throughout the day.

Set the Mood

Now, create the best ambiance to help you focus, be creative, or stay motivated. Smart playlists can keep you entertained while you tackle your tasks. A favorite candle or brain-boosting aromatherapy can improve your mental focus and melt away stress.

Feed Your Brain

Don’t forget to stay hydrated and well-fed. Working from home often leads to either too-frequent refrigerator trips or forgetting to eat all together. To cure both issues, prep your lunches ahead of time, keep healthy snacks like nuts and fruit at your desk, and remember to drink water throughout the day.

 

Here are a few simple recipes we can cook up at home to celebrate Mid-Autumn this year!

But First – What is the Mid-Autumn Festival?

Mid-Autumn Festival is observed in China, Taiwan, Korea, Japan, Singapore, Vietnam, Cambodia, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, and the Philippines on the 15th day of the eighth lunar month. The Lunar event is recognized as the Harvest Moon, lighting up the night sky for the farmers who are harvesting.

The Mid-Autumn Festival celebrates many traditions including family reunions, special foods, mooncakes, and lanterns. Its purpose is to honor the hard work that has been done over the last year. The full moon is considered a symbol of reunion, which is why families from all over gather to celebrate.

A Mid-Autumn Festival Feast at Home

Being able to cook traditional food for the Mid-Autumn Festival is all part of the experience. Here are a few recipes to try with your family at home this year.

Autumn Mushrooms and Chestnuts

Ingredients

• 2 teaspoons corn starch
• 3 1/2 ounces fresh chestnuts, peeled (about 1 cup)
• 9 ounces assorted fresh mushrooms (such as button, shiitake, or enoki), sliced (about 1 1/2 quarts)
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1/2-inch knob ginger, peeled and finely sliced (about 2 teaspoons)
• 1 clove garlic, peeled and finely sliced (about 1 teaspoon)
• 2 scallions, white parts only, finely sliced (about 3 tablespoons)
• 2 teaspoons dark soy sauce
• 2 teaspoons light soy sauce
• 2 teaspoons sesame oil
• Kosher salt
• Steamed rice for serving

Directions

1. In a small bowl, combine corn starch with 2 tablespoons of water and set aside. Meanwhile, bring a large pot of water to a boil over high heat.
2. Cook chestnuts in boiling water until tender, about 5 minutes. Remove with a strainer, drain, and set aside. Add mushrooms to boiling water, cook for 1 minute. Remove with a strainer, drain, and set aside.
3. Heat vegetable oil in a wok over medium heat until shimmering. Add ginger, garlic, and scallions, and cook, stirring, over until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add chestnuts and continue stirring for 1 minute. Add mushrooms and stir for 1 additional minute.
4. Increase heat to high. Add dark and light soy sauces, stirring to combine. Add cornflour and water mixture and reduce heat to medium. Cook, stirring, until sauce is thickened and coats the mushrooms and chestnuts, about 1 minute. Remove from heat. Stir in sesame oil, season to taste with salt if necessary, and serve immediately with steamed rice.

 

Shanghai Sticky Pork Belly

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 pounds pork belly, skin on, in a single piece
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1/2 inch knob ginger, peeled and finely sliced (about 2 teaspoons)
• 1 garlic clove, peeled and finely sliced (about 1 teaspoon)
• 2 scallions, white part only, finely sliced (about 1 1/2 tablespoons)
• 2-star anise pods
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 3 tablespoons Shaoxing wine
• 1/4 cup light soy sauce
• Steamed rice for serving

Directions

1. Bring a large saucepan of water to a boil over high heat. Add pork belly and cook for 5 minutes. Drain and allow to cool slightly. Slice belly into 1-inch cubes.
2. Heat oil in a wok over medium heat until the oil starts to shimmer, about 1 minute. Add brown sugar and stir until the mixture begins to caramelize about 1 minute.
3. Increase heat to high. Add ginger, garlic, and scallions, and cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add star anise and cinnamon stick and cook, stirring, for 30 seconds. Add pork cubes, stirring until the meat is well-coated in caramel. Add soy sauce and Shaoxing wine and stir to combine.
4. Add enough water to cover the pork and bring it to a boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer uncovered for 2 hours, stirring occasionally until the sauce has thickened and is dark brown and glossy. If liquid begins to dry out, add enough water to cover the meat and continue simmering. If the sauce appears thin and diluted, remove pork after 2 hours and reduce the sauce to desired consistency before returning pork to wok to gently reheat.
5. Serve pork with sauce, accompanied by steamed rice.

 

Stir-Fried Bok Choy

Ingredients

• 4 medium heads bok choy (about 2 pounds)
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1/2 inch knob ginger, peeled and finely sliced (about 2 teaspoons)
• 2 cloves garlic, peeled and finely sliced (about 2 teaspoons)
• 2 scallions, white parts only, finely sliced (about 1 1/2 tablespoons)
• 1/2 teaspoons sugar
• Kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil

Directions

1. Rinse bok choy and cut each head in half lengthwise.
2. Heat oil in a wok over medium heat until oil simmering. Add ginger, garlic, and scallion, and cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 1 minute.
3. Increase heat to high. Add bok choy and stir fry until outer leaves have wilted (about 1 minute.) Add sugar and season to taste with salt and cook, stirring, for 1 additional minute. Remove from heat, add sesame oil, season to taste with more salt, and serve.

 

Don’t Forget the Mooncakes!

As you’re planning your Mid-Autumn Festival feast, don’t forget the most traditional treat of the season: the mooncake! The mooncakes represent a full moon and symbolize togetherness and unity. Just as the mooncake comes together in a circle and is connected, so does our family – near and far – during the Autumn Festival.

Don’t forget to pick up your authentic mooncakes from Honey Bakery in Long Beach to complete the celebration with your family!

 

Now that autumn is in full swing, the leaves are changing into show-stopping colors. Now is a great time to get outside and immerse yourself in the beauty of the season.

While SoCal might not get as much press as New England when it comes to fall foliage, this area is home to some beautiful walks, drives, and autumn adventures. So, grab your favorite fall beverage (it is Pumpkin Spice Latte season, after all!) and head out for a relaxing afternoon spent soaking up the glorious autumn beauty!

• Stroll Through the Huntington-Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Garden 

Located near Pasadena in San Marino, twelve miles northeast of downtown Los Angeles, The Huntington’s Botanical Garden is open for autumn floral and foliage viewing. The garden features 16 themed gardens and 15,000 varieties of plants, meaning there is always something in bloom and you’ll see color everywhere you look! Parking is free, but you will need to reserve tickets online in advance, whether you are a member of the gardens or not.

• De-Stress at Descanso Gardens
  Descanso Gardens is an urban retreat that encompasses 150 acres consisting of world-renowned botanical collections, woodlands, and chaparral. Wander through the rose garden, a favorite area that is devoted to America’s most popular flower. Or, take some time for meditation at the Japanese garden. Here you’ll find a koi-filled stream, plants native to Asia, and North America’s largest camellia collection. You can also explore the Oak Forest, which is home to century-old trees, as well as the Ancient Forest. There’s even an edible garden, Nature’s Table, that contains fruit trees and seasonal vegetables for the foodies in your family.
• Take it All in on the San Bernardino Town Trail

When you’re ready for a hike a little further out of Long Beach, head to Town Trail, near Big Bear Lake (about 2 hours away). This is a 2.3-mile trail that is easy and enjoyable where you can see endless trees and flowers. It’s great for hiking, running, mountain biking, camping, nature trips, and is dog friendly. The trail offers fantastic views of fall foliage and even a chance to see some wildlife. Because the trail is moderately trafficked, be sure to bring your mask and practice social distancing.

Autumn is such a beautiful time of year. The beauty of the changing seasons makes is the perfect excuse to get out of the house and into nature. Breathe some fresh fall air and enjoy all that the season has to offer!

P.S. Due to our rapidly changing world, always check these area’s websites before leaving for your outings to stay up to date on COVID closures or other safety information.

 

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Spring is here and summer is right around the corner. You know what that means! It’s time to get outside and enjoy all the beautiful parks that Long Beach has to offer. When it comes to our gorgeous neck of the woods, Long Beach has no shortage of amazing parks to spend a lazy Saturday. Check out the top parks and get outside!

 

 

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We will be meeting under or near by this huge #tree at #MarinaVistaPark tomorrow from 1:30 to sunset for a #Fruitluck / #vegan #picnic yay! Get more deets at www.meetup.com/Fruitluck 🙂 🌞💛😄🍌🍍 #vegansofig #rawvegan #rawtill4 #socalliving #summer #fruit #fruitandveg

A post shared by Happy Healthy Vegan (@happyhealthyvegan) on Jul 25, 2014 at 1:31pm PDT

Marina Vista Park
The Marina Vista Park lives up to its name – it provides a beautiful park with a scenic view of the water. Enjoy the weekend playing soccer, tennis, or softball. Stroll along the water and enjoy the lush grassy areas. Prefer to bike? The Marina Vista Park has bicycle paths and walking paths.

 

 

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El Dorado Nature Center
This nature center is a top-notch spot for walking, exploring, and seeing wildlife. The center provides a natural habitat for all kinds of animal and plant life, and boasts several walking and hiking trails, a stream, and even an art gallery and shop. Cross the bridge to the information center on a little island!

 

 

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Rosie’s Dog Beach
If you’re a dog lover or have pooches of your own, head to Rosie’s Dog Beach! The coastline makes for lots of beachy fun for pets and their owners alike. Splash in the ocean, run, or play a game of fetch.

 

 

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Shoreline Aquatic Park
The Shoreline Aquatic Park boasts beautiful views of the Queen Mary Ship and Hotel, as well as the gorgeous Long Beach skyline. There are grassy areas, picnic tables, and the lovely shore of course! This park is a well-rounded taste of nature, the great outdoors, and the stunning city of Long Beach itself.

 

Play at the Parks

 

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A post shared by LaddVisionPhotography 2018 (@laddvisionphotography) on Sep 24, 2018 at 8:01am PDT

With so many beautiful parks and nature regions around Long Beach, there’s no reason to stay cooped up inside! Pack your bags, plan a picnic, and get out to explore the amazing Long Beach natural beauty.