http://townandcountryrealty.org/blog/archive_201906/sort_entrydatetime-desc/ There's an aspect of tidying up that most of us may be forgetting: our digital clutter. From Christmas pictures that are still taking up memory on your phone, to hundreds of old texts that are eating up your gigabytes, to needless folders that make your computer desktop messier than a 10-year-old's room, there are plenty of things you can digitally declutter, and once you get started, you'll be amazed at how zen you'll feel.1. Organize your photos: Photos are notorious for taking up a ton of space, and can add up quickly if you don’t regularly back them up. To get started, find a free cloud-based service to help organize your pictures. As you upload, make sure to select "delete after uploading" to kill two birds with one stone and save a little time. No matter the method you chose, take the time to protect your photos and get them in order. You can even go one step further and make it a monthly routine to make your storage easier to maintain!2. Delete old texts: Text conversations can pile up fast and take up valuable storage, especially if they contain images or videos. There’s no need to keep unimportant ones around. As you go through your messages, save only the vital conversations you’d need to keep as a record or for reference, otherwise, send them to the trash! For the messages with images and videos, use the advice in the first tip to stay organized and limit storage use. Take five minutes right now (that’s all you need!) and pare down your texts.3. Get your family on one mobile plan: With all the running around your family does, it's hard enough to keep schedules straight, let alone keep up with different mobile plans. Make it easy on yourself by getting the whole family on the same affordable plan.4. Tidy up your email: The depths of some email accounts can be a dark and scary place. Email is a primary means of communication in the world today and there's nothing worse than not being able to find an important message when you need it. Tidy up your inbox by taking some time to delete all junk and trash messages, and then organize further by adding folders where you can store like-minded emails. Work emails go in one folder, PTA emails in another, and so on and so forth.5. Delete unused apps: Apps not only take up your device's memory, but can make for a cluttered screen too. If you find yourself consistently scrolling left and right trying to locate an app, that may be a sign that you have too many, or just need a little organization. Pare down your apps by deleting the ones that you never use. Then move the ones you use most frequently to the first screen, leaving lesser-used apps toward the back. You can also group similar apps into folders to further clear up your screen.6. Clean up your desktop: Finally, find a quick 15 minutes to clean up your computer's desktop. Having rogue folders labeled “miscellaneous” and random icons cluttering up your screen can make it difficult to find what you actually need at a moment’s notice. Once you sort through everything, you’ll free up space and have a great new system in place to find files with ease.So when you're gearing up to clean your home, don't forget to digitally declutter too! http://townandcountryrealty.org/blog/119/health-&-wellness/ Wed, 12 Jun 2019 09:48:51 -0500 Nutritionists these days are urging people to eat more “super fruits,” the healthy and delicious fruit varieties believed to provide your body extra doses of important nutrients.While so-called super fruits aren’t necessarily supercharged with more vitamins and minerals than other fruits, they definitely pack a powerful nutritional punch.You can find a wide spectrum of super fruits to choose from in your Meijer produce department.Here’s a rundown of some fun and tasty options you may want to add to your diet.Acai berries: Pronounced ah-sigh-EE, these low-sugar grape-like fruits remind some people of chocolate. Research suggests eating them can reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and cancer, lower cholesterol levels, help heal exercise-induced muscle injuries and reduce blood sugar in overweight people. They’re especially high in the antioxidant anthocyanin that’s linked to brain health and cognitive function; they’re rich in iron, calcium, fiber and vitamin A and they contain fatty acids that further skin elasticity and moisture retention. Drink acai juice or add the berries to smoothies, oatmeal, cereal, fruit bowls or homemade granola bars.Blueberries: Studies show these juicy nuggets of antioxidant goodness can boost heart, bone and skin health; aid in blood pressure, diabetes management and cancer prevention and increase energy. One cup alone offers 24 percent of your daily allowance of vitamin C, and the sweet little treats are also high in iron, phosphorous, calcium, magnesium, manganese, zinc and vitamin K. Enjoy them straight from the carton or add them to waffles, pancakes, yogurt, oatmeal, cereal, muffins or sweet breads.Pomegranates: Split open the tough red rind of these amazing antioxidant fruits (looking for a rind that’s heavy and firm) and scoop out the delectable seeds that can range from slightly to very sour. Savor them straight from the fruit, freeze them for later or add them to juices, salads, yogurt, oatmeal or desserts. Consumption can help prevent or treat high blood pressure, high cholesterol, oxidative stress, hyperglycemia and inflammation, reports the National Institutes of Health.Jackfruit: Don’t be fazed by the spiky green or yellow rind that makes this look more like a vegetable. The yummy inside is reminiscent of apples, pineapples, mangoes and bananas combined, and is subtle enough to be used in sweet or savory dishes. Jackfruit is packed with carbohydrates, protein, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants; studies show it can reduce the inflammation associated with obesity and diabetes. Vegetarians and vegans shred and season the fruit as a substitute for meat in dishes like tacos, curries, stews and soups; others enjoy it sliced into yogurt or oatmeal. The roasted or boiled seeds can be made into hummus or seasoned and eaten as snacks.Dragon fruit: Low in calories but rich in valuable ingredients such as vitamin C, iron, magnesium, betalains, carotenoids and fiber, this pear-shaped fruit may help prevent chronic diseases such as heart disease, cancer, diabetes and arthritis. Studies show its prebiotic qualities promote the growth of healthy bacteria in your gastrointestinal tract. Seek a bright red rind that’s slightly soft but not mushy, scoop out the sweet seed-speckled pulp and snack on it raw or add it to salads, smoothies or yogurt. http://townandcountryrealty.org/blog/116/health-&-safety/ Thu, 06 Jun 2019 11:50:32 -0500