Weight Watchers Banana Pudding

I thought it would be a good time to share another Weight Watcher’s dessert. These banana puddings are great served in individual dishes/cups and the perfect summer treat for these humid days. Each serving has about 4 points and if you do not follow the Weight Watchers plan, that means you can have 2!!! Bon Appetit!!!

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adapted from midlife healthy living

  • 2 Boxes (small), 3 oz Fat Free Vanilla Pudding Cook and Serve (Sugar free boxes are less than an ounce but the 4 serving size)
  • 4 Cups Low Fat Milk
  • 3 Cups Fat Free Cool Whip, Divided
  • 10 Large Bananas, Ripe, Chopped
  • 16 Reduced Fat Vanilla Wafers, Crushed
  1. Prepare pudding according to box directions using low-fat milk. Chill until set then fold in 2 cups of Cool Whip.
  2. Makes 16 9 oz parfaits. Layer in 9 oz cups or parfait glasses.
  3. Use 1/3 Cup banana and 1 1/2 Tbsp pudding in alternating layers (2 sets of each)
  4. Chill until ready to serve. (Don’t wait too long or your bananas will start to brown.)
  5. Top with 1 Tbsp whipped topping and 1 crushed wafer before serving. 

Finding Ways to Manage A Bad Habit!

Habits to be made LED signage

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It can be all too easy to get yourself wrapped up in habits that are very hard to manage and control. Many people find themselves going from simply enjoying something to having it become a normal part of their daily life, and this can cause some big problems if you’ve chosen the wrong habits. To help you out with this, this post will be exploring some of the work that can go into managing a runaway habit, giving you the chance to start to control this element of your life.

Finding Alternatives

Finding alternatives to your habits can be a challenge, but it can also be a good way to take your mind off these things when you want to have better control over them. For example, if you’ve gotten hooked on cigarettes, using something like an e-cigarette would give you an opportunity to sate your addiction without using unhealthy methods. This sort of approach can be taken with just about any type of habit, but you need to find something that you will enjoy as an alternative if it’s going to work.

Take Away The Ritual

Many habits are built on layers of different types of behavior. The ritual you embark on before you start enjoying your habit can be a big part of the whole thing, making it worth looking for ways to take this out of the equation. For example, if you’re using a substance like cannabis, you’ll probably know exactly how to clean your glass pipe or bong, and this will make it all too easy to get sucked into a routine. Breaking away from the ritual and routine that comes with your habit will always be a good way to overcome it.

Family & Friends Support

Getting help from those closest to you is one of the best ways to tackle a habit. It’s likely that these people have seen how the whole thing has influenced you, and they will want to help you to make positive changes in your life. You can simply as people like this to help you when you have a habit that you can’t control. They will be able to provide emotional support through this process, but you will still need to work extremely hard to shake off the habits that you’re struggling with.

Rehabilitation Support

Going to rehab can seem like an extreme step to take when you’re dealing with a habit. In reality, though, this sort of work can often be essential when someone falls into the wrong habits. There are loads of options on the market, from online rehab schemes that enable you to work towards a better life from your computer to specialized clinics that will be able to guide you through every step of a process like this.

Getting over a habit isn’t as easy as you might expect. Of course, though, with people to help and support you, you should find the whole thing much easier. As time goes on, you will get more and more opportunities to improve your lifestyle without old habits.

The Gray Malin Cabana at the Beverly Hills Hotel

Today I am going to take you on a virtual vacation to one of my favorite places, The Beverly Hills Hotel. You all know how much I love Gray Malin and his incredible photography. Well, he has teamed up with the BHH to bring his brand to life at the icon hotel by decorating one of their fabulous pool cabanas. Gray also included many of the elements from his own Beverly Hills Hotel photographs, in the cabana decor, so you can have your own Gray Malin photo moment right there poolside. I love that he chose the hotel’s signature Martinique wallpaper, and the custom pink and white awing (also a signature design of the hotel). All of the wicker elements are fabulous, as are the embroidered and pink pineapple throw pillows. My favorite might be the elegant push for champagne button. The cabana will remain up until the end of the year and is available for daily rentals by hotel guests. Hope to meet you at LAX soon!!!!!

How To Get A Better Smile Quickly and Easily…

Your smile says a lot about you and when you meet people, a nice smile makes them instantly feel at ease. But if you are unhappy with your smile, you may feel very self conscious when speaking to others and you might be reluctant to show your smile. If your dental health isn’t great and you feel self conscious about your smile, it can have a huge impact on your self esteem, so you need to do something about it. 

Photo of Woman Looking at the Mirror

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A lot of people assume that fixing your smile requires invasive and expensive dental work but that isn’t always the case. There are plenty of things that you can try before you decide to have any major work done. These are some of the best ways to fix your smile without invasive dental work. 

Improve Dental Hygiene 

Dental issues are usually a result of poor dental hygiene, so if you want to fix your smile, you need to improve your dental hygiene routine. If you have a lot of staining on your teeth, changing your dental hygiene routine may be enough to whiten your teeth. However, if your teeth are too stained, you may need to consider other methods as well. Hopefully, you’re already brushing twice a day but you also need to floss every day as well. This will remove plaque and bacteria from between the teeth and stop decay. You should also use antibacterial mouthwash as well. 

If you have a lot of stains on your teeth, you should look for specific toothpaste that is designed to remove stains and whiten your teeth. Although it will not remove the most stubborn stains, it can help a lot. 

You should also go for regular health and dental checkups to stay healthy. If you require dental care, check this dentist out in Marlborough to get rid of plaque or other treatment options.

Clip On Veneers 

Veneers are a great way to revitalize your smile, but many people are reluctant to get permanent ones fitted. However, you can get some great clip on veneers that you can fit yourself at home. They will be made based on impressions of your mouth, so they will fit perfectly, and they clip in easily. You can wear them on a daily basis or even just for special occasions when you want to look your best. They’re so much cheaper than having permanent veneers fitted, and you have complete freedom over when you wear them. 

Changing Your Diet

Your diet has a big impact on your smile, so if you are concerned about your dental health, you should take a look at what you eat and drink. Sugar is the most important thing that you need to cut out if you want to improve your smile because a lot of sugary foods and drinks will lead to tooth decay and cavities. If you are guilty of snacking a lot, you need to find ways to curb your cravings and look for healthier alternatives to your favorite snacks. 

You also need to avoid certain foods and drinks that will stain your teeth. Red wine and coffee are two of the worst, but things like curry, balsamic vinegar, and fruit juice can also leave a lot of stains. Try to cut back on these things if you can, and when you do have them, always sip water afterwards to prevent staining. 

Drinking more water throughout the day, even when you are not eating, can help a lot as well. Drinking water will flush plaque and bacteria from between the teeth. If you live in an area where there is fluoride in the water, this will give your teeth added protection as well. 

Professional Cleaning 

If your teeth are very stained and whitening products don’t seem to be working, you should book yourself in for a professional cleaning with a dentist. This will help to remove a lot of the stains on your teeth and deal with any plaque and bacteria so you can avoid cavities. If your dental hygiene hasn’t been great in the past, it may be best to get a professional cleaning and then change your routine in the future. After your teeth have been professionally cleaned, it is important that you keep up with your dental hygiene properly. 

That being said, do consider going for a routine cleaning at the general dentist in Chattanooga.

If you are unhappy with your smile and it is having an impact on your self-esteem, you don’t necessarily need to resort to invasive dental work to fix it. These simple tips will all help you to improve your dental health and whiten your teeth, so you don’t feel self-conscious about your smile anymore. However, if you do notice any serious problems with your teeth, you should seek the advice of a dentist.

Mid-Century Modern Patio Ideas

Ever since Mad Med hit the screen, people have gone literally mad for Mid-Century design. Every company has brought back pieces in their assortment from Horchow to Walmart…I started thinking..how cool would a Mid-Century patio look…I can picture Don Draper sitting in any of these….

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The Top Pros and Cons of Purchasing a Vacation Home

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It’s a dream for many to own a vacation property. A place where you can relax and retreat to when you’re away, it’s your own little haven away from home. However, before purchasing a vacation home, no matter where it’s located in the world, there are certain advantages and downsides you should consider. 

A way of ensuring that you’re ready for the investment, you’ll be in the best position possible. To help guide you, here is a list of the top pros and cons associated with purchasing a vacation home.

Let’s start with the pros:

Your Own Home to Enjoy

As mentioned above, by investing in a vacation home you’ll have your own private spot to enjoy. No longer will you be battling for the sun lounger or having to get up at a certain time to have breakfast. Now you’ll have a place in which you decide the rules.

No matter what time of the year you want to visit, the only barrier you’ll have to face is the flights or whatever transport you’ll need to take. Cutting the costs in the long term, this flexibility is very appealing. 

You Can Use it as a Second Income

When you’re not using your vacation home, why not rent it out so that you can get an extra income? Helping to offset the cost of a mortgage and ensuring that it’s being made use of throughout the year, it’s a valuable asset to have.

Of course, before jumping into this, it’s vital that you’ve researched into the property market in that area, the legalities of this and are certain that the people who will be renting it are trustworthy. 

You Can Benefit From Tax Deductions 

A huge benefit that you can reap is tax deductions. Applied to your mortgage and any interest it’s accrued on it, it’s a big thing to consider if  you’re looking to rent it out for up to two weeks a year. Deducted from your gross income, it’s a plus point that many owners will find to be invaluable. 

It’s Convenient 

By having a vacation home, it’s incredibly convenient for the next time you want to travel. Within this home, you can store clothes and other items you typically require when you’re away. This makes the packing situation a lot less stress the next time you want to go on vacation there. 

Now onto the cons:

You’ll Need to Guarantee it Gets the Maintenance it Requires

As the property owner, you’ll need to ensure that it is maintained properly throughout the year. Whether this involves having someone to come in and clean it or repair any issues that need fixing, it’s a big burden to bear on top of your current home. 

Extra costs that not everyone considers at the start of the process, it’s a responsibility that will last for the entire ownership of the property. 

It’s Likely to Be Far Away

Now, this isn’t always the case. But if you’re thinking of purchasing a vacation home that’s further afield, you’ll have to think about the likeliness of you making full use of it throughout the year. For example, if it’s in a location that’s more than a couple of hours flight away, then the chances are that you’ll only be able to visit on average, twice a year.

This point puts into perspective how much you’re paying for the property versus how much you can actually use it. 

A Lack of Flexibility

Even if you currently love the location you’re looking to purchase the vacation in, over time, there’s a chance that you might want to travel somewhere else. And while this is of course possible while owning the home, you might want to take full advantage of it each time you go away.

Making you feel tied to one place, it’s not the ideal option for avid travelers that love to explore new places each time.

The Cost

Following on from the above, perhaps the key reason why people are put off by vacation homes is because of the cost. Not only do you have to pay out for a deposit, but you’ll need to consider how much the mortgage or loan you’ve taken out will cost you each month, any taxes, maintenance, etc. 
These costs could make it feel like it’s more affordable to stay in a hotel here and there rather than have a second property that you need to pay for each month. To determine whether it’s attainable from the start, it’s therefore a good idea to use the best home loan calculator available and budget how much your outgoings will be.