Photo by: Beth

To lose that winter weight and get in swimsuit shape, check out a few of these helpful tips:

1. Start now

If you wait until the week before Memorial Day, you are not going to be in shape for your summer debut at the swimming pool. Waiting until the last minute only leaves room for crash diets, starving yourself, and crazy workout routines – all of which are unhealthy and totally ineffective. If you get your act together now, you can start slow, work your way up to more intensity, and be in better shape come Memorial Day. Two months of work will show better results than two days of cramming.

2. Get into a swimsuit workout routine

To increase muscle tone and drop extra fat, you have to do some aerobic exercise. Fat doesn’t just turn into muscle. In fact, you could do crunches all day and not develop a six pack unless you do some aerobic exercise to burn away the fat layer covering those muscles. However, you don’t have to run to get in your aerobic exercise. Below are some muscle toning exercises and aerobic exercises that will make working out a little more enjoyable:

• Starting an Aerobic Workout
• Top 5 Healthy Heart Exercises
• Pilates Abs Workout
• Leg Toning Exercises
• Exercises that Focus on Butt, Hips, and Legs

Photo by: Gordana Adamovic-Mladenovic

3. Eat right

You have to eat right. A healthy diet and exercise are needed to maintain a healthy weight and keep you in shape. Since the weather is getting warmer, ditch the heavy comfort food and start eating a little lighter. Below are some tips on how to feel better and eat healthier to get into swimsuit shape.

• Healthy Eating: Tips for a Healthy Diet
• The Best Healthy Snacks in Your Supermarket
• WebMD Food and Fitness Planner
• MyPyramid.gov
• Healthy Eating Recipes from Food Network

4. Don’t go it alone

Find a partner or tell everyone you know that you’re working on getting in shape for the summer. This will motivate you to stick to your routine, and these people will keep you accountable.

Whether you’re planning on hitting your Columbus apartment gym or getting outdoors to get in shape, create a plan, start early, and eat healthy to get the best results possible. If you have health problems or are not used to the strains of exercise, you may want to talk to your doctor and create a plan with his or her help.

Photo by: Bethany King

The Best Rolled Sugar Cookies from AllRecipes.com

• 1 1/2 Cups butter, softened
• 2 cups white sugar
• 4 eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 5 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt

Mix butter and sugar until smooth and then beat in eggs and vanilla. Stir in flour, baking powder, and salt. Cover and chill for an hour to overnight.

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Roll out dough on floured surface to 1/4 or 1/2 inch thick. Cut with cookie cutter. And place on an ungreased cookie sheet.

Bake for 6 to 8 minutes and let cool completely before decorating. Sugar cookies are the best christmas cookies for decorating.

Photo by: Ataradrac

Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe from FoodNetwork.com

• 1 stick of unsalted butter(softened)
• 3/4 cup packed dark brown sugar
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1 (12-oz) bag semisweet chips or chunks
• 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon fine salt

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Whisk butter, sugars, eggs and vanilla together in a large bowl until smooth. In a separate bowl mix flour, baking soda, and salt. Stir dry ingredients into the wet ingredients. Stir in chocolate chips.

Scoop out tablespoons of dough and roll into balls. Place on the cookie sheet 2 inches apart from each other. Bake 12 to 16 minutes depending upon how chewy or crunchy you like them.

Photo by: Candice Eisner

Peanut Butter Blossoms Recipe from Hersheys

• 48 Hershey’s Kisses (unwrap them)
• 1/2 cup shortening
• 3/4 cup Reese’s Creamy Peanut Butter
• 1/3 cup granulated sugar
• 1/3 cup packed light brown sugar
• 1 egg
• 2 tablespoons milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose four
• 1 teaspoon salt
• granulated sugar for rolling dough in

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Beat shortening and peanut butter in a large bowl and add sugars. Add egg, milk, and vanilla. In a separate bowl stir flour, baking soda and salt together. Stir the dry mixture into the wet mixture.

Shape dough into 1 inch balls and roll in granulated sugar. Place on ungreased cookie sheet and bake for 8 to 10 minutes. As cookies come out, immediately place an unwrapped kiss in the center of cookie. Then, let them cool completely.

Photo by: blucolt

Gingerbread Kids Recipe By FamilyFun.com

• 4 1.2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tbsp. ground cinnamon
• 2 tsp. ground ginger
• 1/4 tsp ground cloves
• 1 1/4 tsp. baking soda
• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
• 1 large eggs
• 1/4 cup molasses
• M&M’s and icing for decoration

In one bowl, sift and combine flour, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, and baking soda. In a second bowl blend butter and sugar, and add one egg at a time. Then sir in molasses. Slowly add the mixture from the first bowl to the second.

Split dough in half, and chill for 2 hours or until firm. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. On a floured surface, roll out dough into 1/4 inch thickness and cut out with cutters. Place on greased cookie sheet 1 inch apart and bake for 10 minutes. Wait until they are cooled before decorating.

More Cookie Recipes

While these holiday cookies are great for snacking on around your home, they also make great gifts for those on your holiday gift list. For more great cookie recipes, check out the links below:

• Food Network Christmas Cookie Recipes
• AllRecipes.com Holiday Cookies
• RecipeZaar Holiday Cookie Recipes
• Healthy Holiday Cookie Recipes
• Quick and Easy Holiday Cookie Recipes

Photo by: Jonathan McPherson

Many people avoid this day altogether because of the stress involved in fighting the crowds, but for those brave souls after Thanksgiving sales present an opportunity to get all of your holiday shopping done at once. Below are a few ideas to relieve the stress of Black Friday shopping.

Start Early

It shouldn’t be difficult to get a good nights rest after you’ve stuffed yourself with Turkey. Go to bed early so you can survive the morning shopping rush. The best deals take place in the first four hours. So leave your Columbus apartment early on and get all of your Holiday shopping out of the way so you can enjoy the rest of your day with your family.

Leave the Little Ones at Home

We love our kids, but on Black Friday leave your little ones with a babysitter. The day after Thanksgiving sales consist of large crowds, lengthy lines, and early hours. Leaving your children at home will be best for you and for your child.

Photo by: tj hanton

Multi-Task

Why not go to a place where you can get everything from a pair of diamond earrings to golf clubs. Try doing most of your holiday shopping at a large mall. This will limit the amount of walking you will have to do and also cut the number of lines you need to wait in while carrying armloads of shopping bags.

Shed the Extra Weight

Speaking of shopping bags, this day requires all hands on deck, so ladies leave your large trendy handbags at home. You might want to travel with a small bag or wristlet, so you’ll have both hands available for browsing the massive amount of sales racks.

Save Even More

Clip those coupons. On average you’ll be able to add at least 30% in savings if you search the Black Friday ads. You can typically find coupons the week prior to Black Friday, so check your local papers, comparison shop on the Internet, and look for sale circulars.

Don’t forget to make note of the stores that are participating in the sales. Just because it’s Black Friday doesn’t mean everyone will have additional savings.

Photo by: Kevin Walter

Be Prepared

Make out your Holiday shopping list. Have your children looking through the big toy catalogs or get your husband jotting down new electronics or golf accessories he wants. Making a list will save you time and money.

Do your homework, you’ll be amazed with how much shopping can be done when you are prepared and have a plan. After you’ve done everything on your list relax and have some fun. Grab lunch with your friends or take a nap after an eventful day of shopping.

Before the Fire Alarm Rings

Do you think you are prepared for a fire? The best way to find out is to start with your Columbus home. Make sure you have fresh batteries in your smoke detectors. Batteries should be changed once a year and tested monthly.

Next, create a fire escape plan. Draw a map of the rooms in your home, including doors and windows in each room. Take two different colored pens and draw two escape routes from each room. Teach children how to open doors and windows. Keep escape areas,like doors and windows, free of clutter.

Teach children not to hide from firefighters if there’s a fire in your home. Show them pictures of firefighters wearing fire gear and masks and explain that firemen come to help them. Schedule a visit to your local firehouse so children can meet a fire man.

Pick a family meeting place outside your home. Make it far enough away to be safe if the building was on fire.

Hold a home fire drill. It’s good to do this both during the day and at night. Mix it up by blocking certain exits to get family members thinking about other escape routes.

When the Fire Alarm Rings

Test a doorknob with the back of your hand. If it’s warm, try another escape route. If it’s cool, open it slowly. If smoke pours in, slam the door shut.

Stay low and go. Crawl with your head one to two feet above the floor.

Get out and stay out. Close doors behind you to slow the spread of fire and smoke.

Go to your family meeting place outside, away from the home.

Call the fire department or 911 once you are safely out.

Kids Fire Safety and Home Fire Safety Resources

Video for Families: “Where’s the Fire?”
Printable Fire Fighter Coloring Book for Kids”

Photo by: Matt Sidesinger

Columbus Dog Park

Companion Club Dog Park is an off-leash dog park is and a favorite among residents in Columbus, Ohio. It is however, a private dog park with an annual membership fee and vaccination requirements. As a member, you and up to 4 canine family members have unlimited access to the parks 11 acres. After playing with your pooch all afternoon, you can get him cleaned up at the self-bathing station for free.

Columbus Department of Parks and Recreation

On the city’s Department of Parks and Recreation webpage, you can search for public parks by location. Look for your area of town to see what parks and services are available to you in that area.

Goodale Park – Among the oldest parks in the country, Goodale park is in fact the oldest park in Columbus. It plays host to a number of entertaining community events like Music in the Air, a series of outdoor summer performances of national and international artists, dancers, and musicians. Goodale Park is over 37 acres and is home to walking trails, gazebos, basketball courts, baseball diamonds and tennis courts.

Schiller Park – One of many fantastic green spaces in Columbus, Ohio, Schiller Park features a recreation center, a pond, walking trails, and lit baseball diamonds. There’s even an outdoor stage for the Actor’s Summer Theater. So, you can bring blankets, a cooler and a picnic basket and catch a show.

Photo by: broc7

Programs in Columbus Metro Parks

For cities just outside of Columbus, Ohio but in the metro area, there are amazing parks to enjoy also. Covering 7 counties in the area, these parks not only provide the perfect place for outdoor activities, but they also offer educational and recreational programs for free.

Program: Coffee and Tree ID
Description: Hike a trail and learn distinguishing characteristics of poplars, maples, and more.
Location: Slate Run

Program: Stars and Space
Description: Explore the stars in the night sky, with astronomy professor Dr. Trittman.
Location: Prairie Oaks

Program: Preschoolers in the Garden – Backyard Birds
Description: Kids learn all about the birds of Iniswoods and some they might see at home in their backyard.
Location: Iniswood Gardens

Program: Hike to The Giants
Description: Take a 4-mile hike to Olentangy State Scenic River where the sycamore trees are over 300 year old.
Location: Highbanks

Photo by: John Kannenberg

Northstar Café

A fairly new restaurant in downtown Columbus opened in 2004. Northstar Café chefs use local, home-grown ingredients. Their breakfast menu features Praline Scones, House-Made Granola with honey-roasted oats and berries served over organic vanilla yogurt, Roasted Sweet potatoes and Turkey Hash, and Cloud 9 Pancakes made light and fluffy with ricotta cheese. It’s a self-proclaimed eclectic, urban ambiance sure to please even the pickiest taste buds.

Tasi Cafe

Breakfast favorites keep dedicated patrons coming back again and again. There are the Sourdough Pancakes with sweet and spicy bacon and Ohio maple syrup, or the Greek Scrambled Eggs with zucchini, tomato, feta, on toasted sourdough. Since Tasi Cafe serves favorites like these all day long, even the late risers can catch this fantastic breakfast.

Photo by: pink_fish13

Bread and Better

Bread and Better is actually a locally owned catering company that offers a limited menu and dine-in service on Tuesday through Friday. The menu features traditional breakfast staples but this restaurant is known for it’s signature fresh-baked breads, so be sure to try them with your breakfast.

Spagio

Indulge in sophisticated food and casual fine dining at Spagio. The brunch calzone is filled with smoked Black Forest ham, Gruyere cheese, sliced tomatoes, iceberg lettuce, fresh eggs, and strips of bacon. this great eatery will get your day started right.

Marshall’s Grandview

Famous for much more than breakfast, Marshall’s Grandview has been a Columbus staple since opening in 1985. Try their famous omelettes and coffee specialties – butterscotch delight, peppermint dream, and chocolate kiss, to name a few.

Photo by: Brenda Anderson

Scrambler Marie’s

At Scrambler Marie’s the “…breakfast is so good [they] can leave dinner to someone else!” That’s the reason they’re open 6:30am to 3pm daily’ they concentrate on what they do best- breakfast. They offer an extensive breakfast menu that includes everything from crepes, to breakfast burritos and wraps, to omelettes and stuffed french toast.

Adelle Davis famously says, “Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince, and dinner like a pauper”. Today this can be interpreted as a mantra for developing healthy eating patterns, with emphasis on the first meal of the day. So, for the best breakfast places in Columbus, Ohio, try these local favorites!

Photo by: John Rohan

Reasons Why People Love Ferrets

These animals are active, energetic and investigative when they’re awake but, surprisingly enough they sleep for most of the day. With the exception of a few hours in the early morning and early evening, ferrets can be asleep for up to 18 hours per day. Even better for apartment pet owners, these animals are quiet, trainable, and use a litter box to eliminate.

What’s that smell?

Ferrets have a distinctive, and often offensive hormonal odor. It also has anal glands resembling that of a skunk, that can release when frightened, fighting or mating. Many times breeders will take care of both of these issues, but if not, your veterinarian, that specializes in ferret care, will be able to descent and alter your pet.

Costs and Expenses

Food – The ferret diet is usually kitten food or dry ferret specialty food. Fruit and sweet veggies make ideal treats but products to avoid include all dairy, grains nuts and breads.

Cage – Ferrets are at their best when allowed to run free, only caged when necessary and for limited amounts of time. Confinements should be large enough for sleeping, eating, playing, and litter.

Accessories – You’ll also need weighted food and water dishes, baby shampoo, collar with a bell, harness and leash, bedding and a litter pan.

Photo by: Lindley Ashline

Toys – Tubes and tunnels, plush ferret-sized balls, empty paper bags and boxes with holes.

Vet visits – Ferret’s need a responsible vet with specific experience in caring for ferrets. Vaccines can run around $20 each and lifetime pet costs are fairly low for a healthy pet and increase with sickness and injury.

Ferret Adoption

Ferret Rescue and Halfway House, Inc is located about 25 miles south and slightly west of Indianapolis and they’re always looking for responsible, loving pet parents for rescued ferrets. So if you’re interested in adopting one today, give them a call. And if you currently own a ferret and need some information or resources, they’d be happy to help.

Photo by: Crutch2001

Candy Corn Cookies

From Bettycrocker.com

• 1 pouch (1 lb 1.5 oz) Betty Crocker® sugar cookie mix
• 1/3 cup butter or margarine, melted
• 1 egg
• Orange paste food color
• 2 oz semisweet chocolate, melted, cooled

Line a 8×4-inch loaf pan with wax paper and make sure it extends over the sides of your pan. In medium bowl, stir cookie mix, butter and egg forming a soft dough. Place 3/4 cup of the dough on a surface and knead food color into dough using an amount sufficient to get desirable color. Knead until color is uniform. Press dough evenly in bottom of pan. Divide the remaining dough in half and press one half into the pan on top of orange dough. Knead melted chocolate into other portion of dough until color is uniform. Gently press over plain dough in pan. Refrigerate about 2 hours or until firm.

Heat oven to 375°F. Remove dough from pan. Cut crosswise into 1/4-inch-thick slices. Cut each slice into 5 wedges. Place wedges 1 inch apart on an ungreased cookie sheet.Bake 7 to 9 minutes or until cookies are very light golden brown.

Edible Eyeballs

From FamilyFun.com

• 3.4-ounce box vanilla pudding mix
• Jelly beans
• LifeSavers Gummies
• Plastic eggs
• 2 empty egg cartons

Make the pudding according to the directions on the box. Fit a jelly bean in the center of a gummy Lifesaver and place it in one half of the plastic egg. Do this for each eyeball. Fill the egg with a dollop of the pudding (so it’s the size eyeball you’d like) and place in the egg carton for support. Place in the freezer for about 3 hours. You want them to be firm. To remove after they’ve set, let them rest at room temperature for about 5 minutes and then gently squeeze them out of the plastic egg.

Photo by: HAMACHI!

4 No Bake Halloween Treats For Kids

Recipes from FamilyFun.com

Ghost Cookies – Dip Nutter Butter Cookies in melted white chocolate and let dry completely on parchment paper. Then decorate with chocolate chips for the eyes and whatever else you like.

Witch Hat Cookies – Place an chocolate cookie on parchment paper and top with an Hershey’s kiss, attaching it with a small spot of frosting. Decorate with icing.

Spider Cookie – Insert 8 pretzel sticks into the creamy center of an Oreo cookie. On top, stick on two raisin eyes with a little spot of peanut butter.

Mini Witch Brooms – Cut Fruit By the Foot snacks in 2-inch sections. Moisten one edge with a few drops of water and wrap around a pretzel stick. Cut slits along the bottom of the Fruit By the Foot to resemble broom bristles.

Photo by: icadrews

About the Team

This Big 10 team boasts 7 National Championships and 32 conference titles. Throughout history, the team has managed to complete 9 seasons undefeated and reached their 800th win in September of 2008. Seven players have been awarded the coveted Heisman trophy which is a record for the most players from one school. Only 2 other schools can claim that record.

But, it’s not only the players that are setting records and winning awards. The coaches of Ohio State have also gained recognition for outstanding performance as well. Coaches Woody Hayes, Earle Bruce and Jim Tressel have all been awarded the Paul “Bear” Bryant Award.

Ohio State Tailgating

With a brief summary of the Ohio State Football team’s achievements, you can see why Saturday tailgating would be a big event for this NCAA team. Football fans show up early with their grub, grills and generators. Tailgate parties are laid back and include your usual game day fare of hot dogs, hamburgers and brauts. Not only are the grills a site for food, but they are also a source of heat for those cold games late in the season. However, the weather hardly deters tailgaters from showing up on game day.

Since there are so many people on campus, one of your main concerns on game day at Ohio State is going to be parking. Usually every parking lot is filled with Ohio State fans and tailgaters. Check out Ohio State’s parking information website for more details about where parking is allowed and how much it’s going to cost you.

Photo by: julieb1975

Tailgating Supplies

If you’re planning to throw a tailgating party for an Ohio State football game, check out the sites below to help you find everything you need to make it an awesome game day experience for you and your friends.

• 50 Big Game Party Recipes
• A Complete Tailgating Checklist
• Ohio State University Apparel
• Ohio State Football Schedule
• Ohio State Football News and Stats

Whether you’re a student, an alumni or just a fan of the Ole Buckeyes, there’s a place for you on game day. Don’t stay in your Columbus home on Saturday morning, get out and become a part of the Buckeye nation! O-H-I-O!

Photo by: Big DumpTruck

After returning from the apple festivities and picking, you find that you got a little carried away in your excitement and now you have a bounty of apples that you just don’t know what to do with. Well, don’t worry. All those delicious, fragrant apples won’t go to waste. There are plenty of things you can make with apples:

1. Apple Pies

You knew this one would show up on the list. Who can resist a warm slice of apple pie with a little vanilla ice cream on top? You can use a good number of apples to make a few delicious pies for your family and friends. Below are a few of our favorite recipes:

• Traditional Apple Pie by Tyler Florence
• Apple Crumb Pie by Jackie Smith
• Extra Thick Apple Pie by Simply Recipes

Photo by: Munir Squires

2. Apple Potpourri

If you want to add a cozy, seasonal scent to your home, this potpourri will do the trick. You only need a few apples and some spices to make homemade apple potpourri. It also makes for a very inexpensive gift that you can give to friends to get them into the spirit of the season.

3. Apple Butter

Need something to spice up your morning muffin or toast? Make some apple butter too keep on hand or to give to friends as a gift with some freshly baked muffins. Yum! This apple butter recipe is easy to follow, and most of the work is done by your slow cooker. All you need is a few apples, cinnamon, sugar, apple cider and some nutmeg.

4. Homemade Apple Cider

You could pick up a couple of gallons of apple cider while you’re at the orchard. They typically make their own brand of cider. But, making it at home can be a fun activity. This homemade apple cider recipe from RecipeZaar.com is easy to make, and it’s non-alcoholic. You can drink it warm or cold, and if you prefer some kick to your cider, add a little brandy before you drink it.

Photo by: Thom Watson

5. Apple Treats

Apples are best when eaten, so check out the following recipes and apple ideas to make a variety of different treats. Again, these would make great gifts for friends. And, they all utilize a large amount of apples, so you can use up the hoard you brought home from the orchard:

• Apple Crumb Coffee Cake Recipe
• How to Make Perfect Candy Apples
• Homemade Applesauce Recipe
• How to make Fried Apple Pies
• How to Decorate with Apples