It’s right here, in your Facebook Messenger. Meet our new Dinner Ideas Bot!

All you need to use it is actually Facebook Messenger. No apps to install, no subscriptions or anything else. Just open m.me/dinnerideasbot or simply enter “Dinner Ideas” in the search field of the Facebook messenger. That’s it!

There are several things our bot can do for you:

• you can send it a list of ingredients at hand or provide some exact dish name, and immediately receive some relevant recipes.
• if you enter “Recipe of the day” or just “rotd”, you’ll get the recipe of the day right away.
• Dinner Ideas Bot can sent you a random recipe once a day/week, if you enter “Menu” and subscribe to recipes there.

• finally, Dinner Ideas Bot can import recipe ingredients into “Buy Me a Pie!” grocery list mobile app.

Go ahead and try it! And please feel free to give it sophisticated tasks like “Party treats” – you’ll not be disappointed!

 

Do you enjoy running, but don’t know how to make it become your habit? Looking for some motivation to start running? Whatever the reason, this article will help you and direct you how to organize your agenda and where to include this sport. Running is known as “the most accessible sport in the world.” And of course it is; running doesn’t require a team or a club, you don’t have to pay a coach, you don’t have to use the hall or to depend on other people. However, this sport requires responsibility and commitment. Here are few running tips for beginners.

First of all, be sure that this is the sport or the hobby you need and want. If you’re a beginner, you’ll need to buy yourself a running gear. Don’t worry, because the shopping list doesn’t have to cost “thousands” of dollars. You can save a bit more money for good and quality sneakers, because running in your old sneakers can lead to injuries. For women, it’s also important to have a good running bra. You don’t have to spend a lot of money on clothes, too; you can run in shorts and an ordinary t-shirt but it’s important to feel comfortable and to wear a material that won’t annoy you.

Like most people who start running and are excited about their decision, you too may be tempted to force yourself. Don’t do that; instead, start walking (20-30 minutes) several days until you feel ready to start with running. Change from walking to running by adding intervals of 3-5 minutes. When you feel tired, keep walking and then get back to running. Increase the running intervals until you reach 30 – 35 minutes. This way, your body will get used to this habit. It’s good to know that you will feel some pain in your legs and the other parts of your body, but you shouldn’t allow yourself to run even after you feel heavy discomfort. Pay attention on your breathing, because if you do it wrong or you “forget” to breathe for a while (yes, some beginners do this mistake unconsciously) then you may feel pain in the abdomen area.

Running is closely linked to quality sleep and proper nutrition. So be responsible and give your body a rest as much as you feel it’s necessary, and fill your food shopping list with with vegetables, fruits and protein-rich meals.

As for the regularity in running, start with three days a week, then run every other day and when you feel you got stronger, you can continue with running every day. Try to run at least 30 minutes, then gradually increase the duration of your sport.

A suggestion for the running place: parks and trails for running are most suitable, because you won’t expose yourself to fuss or discomfort. Be careful of your safety and don’t run in abandoned or sparsely populated areas.

Growing and Caring for Lavender

Lavender is a Mediterranean plant and needs lots of sunshine. You should choose a spot for it where it will be certain to be in the sun for as long as possible. The soil must be well- drained. You should only water lavender if there is a drought. Ideally lavender will be planted in sandy/loam or gravelly soil and will do best if the soil is a little bit alkaline. It is important to avoid clay soil.

If you plant lavender in a pot rather than in the ground you will have to bring it inside during the winter to survive as the temperature in the pot will be colder than on the ground. It will also need to be watered more frequently in the summer as it will dry out faster.
Established lavender bushes will need to be pruned once a year. This is best done at the end of summer flowering.

Lavender Essential Oils

Lavender provides possibly the most useful and versatile of all essential oils. Add some to your shopping list. One of its best-known uses is as a sleeping aid. Many studies have shown the effectiveness in placing a few drops of lavender oil on a pillow, or in a warm bath to help treat insomnia.

Mixed with a little olive oil, is also useful against insect bites, both as a repellent and in soothing the itching and pain after a bite has occurred. It can also help soothe cuts, wounds, sunburn and eczema. There have even been claims that lavender might help against baldness, cancer and heart problems.

Drying Lavender

Cut your lavender flowers just as they begin to flower. This will ensure that the dried flower retains its lovely aroma. When cutting the flowers you want to preserving as much of the stem as possible. Make bunches by tying the stems together at the roots with elastic bands, taking care not to crush the plants. Hang the bunches upside-down in a dark place (to preserve the colour). When fully dried the flowers will easily crumble if you rub them lightly. Allow 2-4 weeks to dry.

Summer is here! It’s the time of the year to protect yourself with lots of sunscreen, big hats, air conditioning, and sunglasses. And most importantly it’s the time of the year to keep yourself hydrated and cool. But gallons of water and chilled drinks are not all that hydrate you, around 20% of your hydration comes from eating the right foods.

So as summer days get longer and warmer, hit the aisles filled with abundant and colourful arrays of fresh and seasonal foods. Below are some seasonal summer fruits and vegetables to add to your grocery list that are simply superb in lowering your body temperature to stay cool and refreshed, despite the soaring temperatures.

Watermelon

Watermelon, as the name suggests, is a hydration powerhouse. It is loaded with water to keep you hydrated and to replenish the lost fluids in the body during summer. It also packs in electrolytes, sodium, potassium and Vitamin B making it easier for your body to fight off the heat and produce energy. Watermelon also contains lycopene which protects skin cells from sun damage. Munch on a few slices of watermelon after lunch or dinner every day and you are armed to fight the blistering heat.

Cucumber

With its high water content and delectable crunch, cucumber is one the best cooling agents for summer. Cucumbers are immune boosting, amazingly alkaline foods that also help remove the toxic waste and uric acid from the body. The best part though is that cucumbers are highly versatile, so you have a hundred delicious ways to include cucumbers as part of your diet.

Oranges

Oranges are rich in potassium, an ingredient that is essential to beat the summer heat. The body loses potassium through sweat, and oranges are the best source to replenish the supply. Oranges are also about 80% water, so a few delicious slices will keep you hydrated too.

Yoghurt

Protein packed and probiotic, yoghurt is ideal for the summer. Yoghurt is extremely beneficial for the digestive system keeping it in check for the summer. It is also rich in vitamin B which helps to soothe allergies and ulcers that are common during the hot season. Flavoured yoghurt, frozen yoghurt, greek yoghurt, yoghurt dip, take your pick to keep your insides cool and healthy!

Strawberries and blueberries

Delicious, juicy berries are filled with flavonoids which not only fight innumerable diseases but also increase blood flow to the skin decreasing its sensitivity to light. Eat a handful of berries every day to look your best and at the same time protect your skin from further damage.

Mint

Mint has been historically used as a home remedy to provide an instant cooling effect, whether as a topical applicant on skin or as a medicine for the digestive system by consumption. Grow fresh mint in your kitchen garden and use it to refresh any drink or snack!

Leafy greens

Leafy greens are easy to digest and have water content. In addition to a whole host other nutritional benefits that greens provide the body with, they make it easier for your body to produce energy and keep cool.

Tomatoes

Tomatoes are a powerhouse of vitamin C and K, two very essential ingredients to fight the summer heat. They also have 94% water content making it a delicious way to replenish water in your body.

Shopping with toddlers is something entirely different. When they are babies, they simply get amazed with the new surroundings, all the bright lights, and the lively sounds. After feeding, they easily fall into deep sleep. Now that they’re toddlers and can walk and run, it is likely that you get to play hide-and-seek or catch-me-if-you-can games while at the mall. They don’t want to sit still. They want to grab anything they see and if they don’t get what they ask for, you better prepare yourself for those attention-catching tantrums. It’s a normal toddler behavior. Shopping with a toddler can be a total nightmare, but it doesn’t have to be.

Plan before you go

Having a stress-free shopping trip with your toddler starts before you leave the house. Build a condition of contentment for your child by considering the following:

• Set your shopping time during those moments when your child is calm and actively playing with toys or just watching shows. Avoid times when he is in agitated state or tired.
• Make sure to feed your toddler before you leave for shopping.  They are usually irritable when they’re hungry or tired.
• Select a time of day when the store is not jam-packed to avoid the stress of crowded areas and long check-out lines.
• With toddlers, try to keep shopping time that won’t exceed an hour. Coming prepared to the store will help save time. Make a shopping list ahead of time so you don’t forget things and have to go back and forth.

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While at the mall

Motivate your toddlers to behave better by observing these pointers:

• Bring a good stroller or exercise your baby-wearing skills. An umbrella stroller is fine for quick errands, but you will need the sturdier one if shopping time will take longer. Also, baby-wearing your toddler will help a lot in the absence of a stroller and if you have many things to carry.
• Toddlers are generally curious. This is how they start to discover and learn. Make shopping educational by describing to your toddler everything you do or hold. Mention names, colors, sizes and anything that would get his interest. For older toddlers, you can have them start naming things or ask them for help in finding items.
• Big toddlers can start participating in shopping decisions. Giving him choices and asking for his opinion can turn a boring, frustrating experience into a more pleasurable one for both of you. By doing this, you promote independence and make shopping easier.
• Bringing along juice, a favorite snack, and a well-loved toy or book can also be very helpful.
• Allow some playing time for your kids. Most malls have play areas where kids can have fun and enjoy, but if that place is missing, a good idea is to drop by the bookstore and let your kid spend some time browsing through the books.

Remember that our toddlers will behave if their needs are met and when they are satisfied with what they are doing. When we give them our time, patience, and understanding, they will definitely have more tolerance for a shopping trip.

Sometimes rainy days are welcome, but at other times they really put a damper on our day (no pun intended!) The good news is that you don’t need a totally new shopping list to flaunt fabulous style while combatting the raindrops. These rainy day wardrobe ideas are stellar style solutions for when you want to stay dry and cozy but still looking hot.

Black and White Beauty

You can’t go wrong with the classic look of black paired with white, plus there are loads of ways to mix and match. White looks crisp and timeless while black helps to create a more slimming silhouette. Perhaps go for black jeggings or leggings and a top that combines the two colors in a funky pattern. Or, throw a black raincoat or a white button-down and black trousers. As for your shoes, we’re for cute black rainboots all the way!

Show Off Your Sporty Side

When the rain falls down, you can amp up your sporty vibe with an athletic windbreaker or a stylish utility rain jacket. Feel free to play around with your favorite color to add some personality and flair to your ensemble. A playful high ponytail keeps things simple yet age-appropriate, while some super-cool sneakers will add some extra pizazz. This look says that you are ready to play in the puddles!

Flash Your Femininity

For those girls who want to be divas in the rainy weather, there is a great look for you. When the air is humid but the drizzles won’t stop, flaunt a flowy and flirty sundress. Throw a light scarf around your neck or shoulders and complete the look with some floral printed rain boots. How cute is that? This ensemble can transition to chillier days; just replace the scarf with a fashionable belted trench!

Give a Nod to Nautical

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For those days when the weather is beyond dreary, you can infuse a little more happiness into your life with a nautical-inspired look. Just grab some boater shoes and pair them with a striped shirt and a light or dark denim jacket. Some bermuda shorts or stylish capris will give your legs some breathing room, and a waterproof tote bag helps you to store all of your essentials, including a handy umbrella!

Working Girl Chic

What about when you need to get to the office, but the downpour is threatening to derail your style? Try these clothing tips: throw on some dark-colored, closely-tailored slacks or a cute shift dress under a structured and colorful trench coat. Some sturdy and comfortable boots will help you navigate the rainy sidewalk while still looking put-together. For even more classy flair, try incorporating metallic embellishments to your coat, shoes, or handbag.

Welcome, crazy cat lover! In today’s pawspapers you’ll read how to make cheap, fun and useful toys for your cat(s). We all know that the following statement is a fact and an unwritten rule: cats love to play with everything except with the expensive toys that you buy for them… in abundance. Here is a trick on how to create diverse and fun toys for your cat without choking after you see what is the most expensive thing on your shopping list. Use old materials and objects to make the playthings. Make sure the materials don’t contain aluminum foil, nylon and sundries because your cat can swallow a piece and choke, or she damage her internal organs. If your cat has a habit of biting objects, never leave the toy which you think might be dangerous to her health. Let us now give you a few ideas.

Treats and Paper Balls Bottle

This is an easy-to-make toy and your cat will love it! Take an empty, plastic bottle and make few holes in it. Put treats or paper balls in the bottle and let your cat do the rest! She will enjoy playing with this (especially if it’s an indoor cat), because it’ll give her an opportunity to hunt and play at the same time.

Plastic Straws Chain

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For this toy, you will need just one package of drinking straws. Yep, that’s all! Make triangles from a straw by tying both ends. Repeat this with the new straw (tie it to the first) and continue this process until you make the plastic chain. This toy is interesting because: it will make sounds tempting for the cat; this will be your cat’s fake prey and you can also play together (the chain is long enough, so you can move it to different sides while watching TV or reading a book and your cat will “hunt” her new toy).

Pens and sticks

Just a reminder: Cats love cheap and simple toys. Did you need a lot of time to discover where have your pens disappeared? It’s the cat, again. Cats love to play with everything that belongs to you. Make them happy! Use old pens (or new, if you enjoy spoiling your cat ) and take out the ink cartridges to protect your cat. Give her the pens or throw them in air – she’ll go mad and will enjoy the Cationship in catching flying pens.

We promised and we accomplished – cheap shopping list and funny toys!

There are different products in the market today that promote collagen. These have been taken for granted, some people just shrug their shoulders, missing these products to be added on their shopping list. To help you decide, we will discuss how collagen can help your body, especially when habitually taken.

Protein makes up around 20% of the body’s mass and 1/3 of it is collagen. It is normally found in the skin, bones, muscles and connective tissues, and it aids in providing strength and structural support. It is full of conditional amino acids like glutamine, glycine, arginine, and proline. Under normal circumstances, these amino-acids are produced by the body. In particular, proline and glycine play a major role in ensuring that the body is functioning well. Proline helps the artery walls release fat buildup in the bloodstream, reducing the fat in the arteries and lessening fat accumulation.

On the other hand, glycine helps to ensure proper cell functioning by building healthy DNA strands. It promotes healthy muscle growth and enhances energy production during workouts. Poor health and stress can hinder the body on producing these acids on its own. Collagen also helps form a fibrous network, upon which new cells can grow in the dermis, the middle layer of the skin. It is needed for the replacement and restoration of dead skin cells. It also functions as protective coverings for delicate organs in the body such as the kidneys.

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While young, the body continuously creates collagen but its production eventually declines with age, reducing skin elasticity that leads to its sagging, formation of lines and wrinkles, and weakening of cartilage in joints. A dramatic reduction is highly observed in women after menopause. By the age of 60, our body undergoes a considerable decline in collagen production. This is the perfect time to include products that have collagen on your shopping list.

Other than age, there are also other factors that contribute to depleting collagen levels namely:

• High sugar consumption
• Smoking
• Ultraviolet rays in sunlight
• Antibodies caused by autoimmune disorders

However, by taking preventive measures as we get older, it is possible to avoid deterioration in collagen levels. Collagen treatment can originate from human, bovine, porcine and ovine sources. Collagen supplements are almost available everywhere and there is no reason not to include it on your shopping list, so you could maintain your youthful appearance.

In general, collagen supplements in any form have numerous benefits. As we age, our healthcare practitioners may highly recommend that we include intake of these supplements in our regimen. If taken properly with other supplements that support absorption, formation and use of collagen in the body, such as amino acids and vitamin c, it may yield the following effects:

• The increase in collagen levels can help skin cells renew and repair normally. When skin loses its elasticity as a result of aging, cellulite becomes more visible. Collagen intake helps improve smoothness in the skin and helps it look firmer.
• It helps joints move more easily, reduce joint pain, and even reduce the risk of joint deterioration. It was also found that this is an effective treatment for osteoarthritis and other joint disorders. It was observed that collagen hydrolysate helped decrease painful symptoms of osteoarthritis significantly while improving joint function.
• It aids in treating leaky gut syndrome, a condition where bad toxins are able to pass through the digestive tract. It helps break down proteins and soothes the gut’s lining, heals damaged cell walls and infuses it with healing amino acids. It also helps in the absorption of water, keeping the digestive tract healthy.
• It helps in maintaining a good metabolism. Glycine, found in collagen, helps pump sugar into the body’s tissue to increase energy levels. It also aids in muscle development.
• Collagen protein is also the building block of our fingernails and teeth as well. It helps keep nails strong and teeth healthy.
• Glycine, an element of collagen is extremely helpful in detoxification. It helps minimize the damage our liver goes through when it absorbs foreign substances that shouldn’t be passing through it.
• It promotes wound healing and provides a platform for the growth of new tissue.

In reality, gaining new hair length is going to take some time. Typically, the hair of an average healthy person grows about a quarter of an inch – to half-inch maximum per month provided that hair is healthy and doesn’t have lots of split ends. This means that we can expect about six inches hair growth per year if it doesn’t break or slow down due to any of the following factors: age, weather, age, diet, living habits and overall health.

Because some fail to achieve faster hair growth, purchasing different products from a drugstore and grocery has been a viable option. They always make sure that they update their shopping list so as to not forget the things that they need to acquire long, shiny hair.

However, apart from these products that we include on our shopping list, there are also a lot more ways to get to our goals. We can encourage fast hair growth by putting all of these into practice:

Proper hair care

This includes minimizing chemical treatments and heat treatments that destroy hair strands and make it more brittle. Avoiding it completely is a better option.

Avoiding using shampoo regularly

Shampoo is intended to wash away dirt and product buildup, but it can also take away essential natural oils that keep strands healthy and soft. When using shampoo, only lather up at your scalp and then simply let the suds glide down the strands, hitting the rest of the hair as the water rinses it away.

Trimming hair regularly

Regular hair trimming doesn’t make hair grow faster, but it prevents split-ends and breaks, both of which can interfere with hair growth and decrease your hair’s appearance. Getting regular trims will keep hair tips healthy and prevent splits from working their way up. Aim for a trim every six-to-eight weeks and you would see the result.

Apply an oil-based treatment weekly

Since oils can leave a residue on hair, apply it to damp hair and leave it on for around 10 minutes, then shampoo and condition like normal. These oils supply hair strands with fatty acids and when rinsed out, using regular shampoo helps seal them inside the hair. Again, do not forget it on your shopping list!

Brush hair properly

Constant brushing can cause physical harm to our hair. When detangling wet hair, start from the bottom and continue way up. We often make a wrong habit of starting from the scalp going down but that just brings small tangles into one large knot and can cause us to lose a lot of hair. Boar bristle brushes are perfect at distributing our scalp’s natural oils down our hair, and this is also gentle on strands, too.

Proper and healthy diet

Hair consists of keratin, a protein made up of amino acids. In order to achieve new hair, our body must produce these acids. High-protein food like meat, eggs and dairy products are ideal for our hair.

Deep conditioning treatments

Over time, hair strands start to get thinner especially in its ends due to hair coloring chemicals and heat styling. Conditioner helps restore the lipids and proteins inside the hairline, as well as lock the cuticle to prevent more damage from occurring.

Consider hair growth supplements

Our body requires many essential nutrients to create new and healthy hair. Sometimes, we may not be getting the proper amount of all the hair-building nutrients needed to maintain healthy hair. Taking supplements would help significantly if we want to have healthy hair as soon as it comes out of the follicle. Before starting to take supplements, it’s best to consult with a healthcare practitioner to make sure that they won’t interact with any other medications.

Avoid wrapping hair in a towel

Putting hair in a towel after bath causes so much breakage. Hair gets caught in the woven fibers and since most women wrap it too tight around their face, all those tiny strands around the face are more prone to breakage.

Although some products on our shopping list promise successful results, always make sure that you follow these guidelines.

Insects have plagued the human race since time immemorial. Their bites can be one of the most annoying things about a summer vacation, or, depending on where you live, life in general. No wonder that so many of us – 30% of Americans each year – choose to cover ourselves with DEET or other shop-bought products in order to keep insects at bay. But if you’re worried about the risks of long-term use of chemicals, here are some ideas for natural insect repellents and ideas for treating the occasional bite or sting naturally.

How to make your own insect repellent

• Add a natural oil such as eucalyptus, tea tree, mint, rosemary, cedar, catnip, thyme or cinnamon oil to your shopping list. Mix your chosen essential oil with witch-hazel and then water it down so that there are about 10 parts water to 1 part oil. This will create a pretty strong concoction which should keep insects away. It is best to spray, or dab it onto your clothes rather than bare skin and it should not be applied to under 3s as it may irritate their skin.
• Another even simpler option, and perhaps better for young children, is simply to grind up some insect repelling herbs such as lavender, mint or thyme and rub these against clothes or skin to keep insects away.
• If you like to eat outdoors, place pots of mint, lavender or thyme around the eating area to help repel pesky insects.
• Add natural herbal body lotions and shower gels containing mint or lavender to your shopping list. The faint smell of these herbs on your skin will deter insects from landing on your skin.

Natural remedies for insect bites

As you probably know, whatever precautions you take, sometimes you will get bitten no matter what. So what to do then?

• A vacuum pump, such as aspivenin, can be an effective solution, provided you use it immediately after the bite has occurred. This will literally suck the poison out of your body, relieving the symptoms of the bite and may be worth adding to your shopping list.
• Tea tree oil, as well as providing an effective repellent, can also relieve the itching of bites if rubbed into the skin.
• Other shopping list staples, which are surprisingly effective are lemons, garlic, onions and tomatoes. These have natural anti-inflammatory properties and can alleviate pain and itching if they are rubbed on the bite.
• A less orthodox remedy is to smear the affected area with mud, which some people swear by.

And remember, do your best not to scratch!

Stings

If you are stung by a bee, wasp or hornet, try to remove any stinger by scraping it out with your fingernail or a plastic bank card (do not squeeze it or use tweezers as these can push the venom deeper). Cleanse the affected area well with soap and water, to remove any bacteria and then apply any of the following to reduce inflammation:-

• Slices of lemon, garlic, onions or tomatoes
• A mixture of made from 2 drops of lemon essential oil and 1 tsp honey
• An ice-pack made from a bag of frozen peas or ice-chips wrapped in a tea towel.