Weight Watchers Food Tracker Book

Weight Watchers Food Tracker Book

Steve Mack/Getty Images

I'm trying to lose weight, so I'm drinking protein shakes for breakfast. Is this a good choice? I've heard pros and cons.

Maria Patino, Lake County, IL

Protein (meal replacement) shakes are perfectly fine, and for some people, the convenience of having the same shake for breakfast every day makes dieting mindless and less of a hassle. If you do decide to go this route, it's simple enough to make your own shake in a blender instead of buying a premade version. You get to control what goes in (for example, adding fresh produce gives you fiber, antioxidants, vitamins and minerals) and what doesn't (packaged shakes can contain preservatives, sugar or corn syrup, and unnecessary added vitamins and minerals). Here's the recipe for my Protein Power Smoothie. It's perfect for breakfast or lunch: It has plenty of filling protein to curb your appetite, plus colorful frozen berries for fiber, vitamins, minerals and natural sweetness.

Joy's Protein Power Smoothie
305 cal, 31 g protein
¾ cup milk (skim, soy, or almond)
½ banana
½ cup frozen raspberries
½ cup frozen blueberries
1 scoop vanilla whey protein powder (may sub soy/rice/pea protein)
5 ice cubes

I'm confused about how much fish oil should be in my fish oil supplement.

Lorna Stapula, Allendale, MI

Fish oil capsules contain a blend of different types of fatty acids. You want to zero in on the total amount of the omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA, not the total amount of fish oil. If you don't eat fish, I recommend a daily combined dose of 1,000 mg of EPA and DHA to protect your heart and overall health. Read the label closely and add up the EPA and DHA counts; you usually have to take more than one pill to reach 1,000 mg. (Talk to your doctor before taking fish oil, since it can interact negatively with some medications or conditions.)

How do I pick a healthy butter substitute spread? I'm confused by all of the choices at the grocery store.

Dawn McLean, Riverview, FL

The most important thing: Choose one that's trans fat–free. On the Nutrition Facts panel under Total Fat, be sure it says Trans fat 0 g; also, there should be no partially hydrogenated oils in the ingredients list. If a product has less than 0.5 g trans fat per serving, manufacturers can round down to 0 g, even though the product may have some partially hydrogenated oils.

Also check calories and saturated fat. Choose spreads with no more than 2 g sat fat per serving. If you're watching your weight, choose a "light" one, which has about half the calories and fat of the regular types. If you have high cholesterol, consider spreads with plant stenols or sterols, which can help lower cholesterol. Crave the taste of real butter? Try whipped butter. It's butter made with lots of air, which cuts sat fat and calories. Still, it has 3.5 g sat fat per serving, so use it in small amounts.

Joy's Healthy Spreads
All of these have 0 g trans fat and are free of partially hydrogenated oils. For 1 Tbsp:

Brummel & Brown Spread Made with Yogurt
45 cal, 5 g fat, 1.5 g sat fat
The nonfat yogurt (10%) gives this spread a creamy texture.

Promise Light
45 cal, 5 g fat, 1 g sat fat
Good source of omega-3 fats from soybean and canola.

Smart Balance HeartRight Light
50 cal, 5 g fat, 1.5 g sat fat
Made with plant stenols, as well as EPA and DHA.

Land O'Lakes Whipped Butter 50 cal, 6 g fat, 3.5 g sat fat
Half the calories and 45% less fat than regular butter.

JOY BAUER, RD, is the health and nutrition expert for the TODAY show and bestselling author of Joy Bauer's Food Cures. For more info, go to JoyBauer.com.

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Weight Watchers Food Tracker Book

Source: https://www.womansday.com/health-fitness/q-and-a/a40137/best-foods-for-weight-loss/

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Ranch Living Room Ideas

Ranch Living Room Ideas

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Pin these ideas!

Don't forget to save these ways to decorate your living room. For more home decor inspiration, follow @countryliving on Pinterest.

David Tsay

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Apothecary Cabinet Storage

This antique dealer filled her California cottage home with an assortment of found treasures including a distressed apothecary cabinet, which provides plenty of drawers and areas to conceal clutter.

Lincoln Barbour

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Reclaimed Wood Walls

The owners of this Mississippi barn aimed to use locally sourced materials, which included raw and distressed wood panels from a nearby military depot. While you could paint the panels white, the natural color of the wood adds warmth and texture to the space.

Max Kim-Bee

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Bright Florals

This Catskills home is bursting with color and beautiful florals from ceiling to floor. "You can sum up our aesthetic in three words," said owner Jason Oliver Nixon. "No. Beige. Sofas."

David Hillegas

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Room With A View

The living room in this Nashville treehouse channels both natural and retro vibes. In an appropriately outdoorsy shade of moss-green, the 1950s-era seating encourages visitors to linger well past curfew, while the bright blue trunk is home to a host of cleaning supplies.

Courtesy of Touchstone

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Reclaimed Wood

In this living room, a piece of dead cedar, a massive 1920s corbel, and mismatched tile makes for a dramatic focal point. In addition to the fireplace, the coffee table is a bass drum topped with salvaged wood. "We love that you can take 'leftovers' from some old place and turn them into magic," says Amie Sikes of the "Junk Gypsies."

Amy Neunsinger

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Accent with Porcelain

Displayed together as a collection, blue and white ceramics add instant color and detail to your living room.

Victoria Pearson

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Vintage Couch

Because of this ranch-style California home's open floor plan, the owner had to get creative with carving out designated spaces for "rooms." To help differentiate this living room from the adjacent kitchen and den, she placed the midcentury sofa (recovered with leather in the 1970s) on a vintage Moroccan rug she found on eBay. The floor-to-ceiling storage nook keeps books, blankets, and firewood at the ready.

Max Kim-Bee

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Collected and Eclectic

The owners of this tiny Maine college wanted their living room to look like they could have inherited a lot of what's there, even the newer things, for a collected but unique look.

Amy Neunsinger

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Punctuate a Room With Black

Add a touch of black to balance out the textures and softness of fabrics in a room. Start small with matte lampshades or add a little more drama with a black coffee table or bold artwork, like the charcoal-print botanicals. We love how black immediately adds sophistication to this blue-and-white room.

Paul Costello

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Barn-Style Living Room

Country superstar Ronnie Dunn's living room features towering white wingbacks and an impressive antler chair which demonstrate the home's cozy-and-inviting meets rough-and-tough aesthetic. The corner table (far right) was a wedding gift from June Carter and Johnny Cash.

Paul Costello

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Antique Decor

A weathered clock face hung on Paris's Boulevard Saint-Germain in the late 1800s acts as a statement piece in the living room of singer-songwriter Holly Williams' 1908 Nashville cottage.

Roger Davies

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Farmhouse Style

The owner of this 105-year-old Texas home paired the room's showstopping farmhouse icons—a buffalo check-covered sofa and wildflower chintz armchair—with a streamlined steel-framed coffee table and graphic longhorn watercolor painting (by Houston artist Mary H. Case) to keep the mix from going too traditional.

Country Living

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Soft Neutrals

In the living room of this Connecticut farmhouse, wool blankets and fluffy flokati throws in creamy off-white shades add softness, while rustic wood accents—a round mirror, the three-legged stool—and a stone fireplace ground the space with earthy elements.

Brian Woodcock

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Pretty and Layered

This pretty, layered living room—pulled together in less than two weeks!—proves one-of-a-kind style is just a click away! See how it was decorated using only scores from eBay, Etsy, and Craigslist.

Brian Woodcock

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Striped Walls and Draperies

Here, 1" x 4" pine boards, spaced about a foot apart, offer the look of custom paneling at a fraction of the price. Curtains in narrow vertical stripes break up the wall's horizontal lines. Multi-stripe pillows in complementary hues band together to dress up a neutral sofa. A wide white stripe, applied to the armchair's center using fabric paint (available at craft stores), packs a graphic punch.

David Tsay

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Midcentury Charm

A hand-me-down buffet's original cherry finish felt a little formal for this Arizona ranch home, but with some matte chalk paint, the item took on a more casual look that set the tone for equally laid-back vintage pieces, from the leather luggage (that stores extra blankets) to a coffee table made from an antique mission door. A midcentury turquoise sofa adds a splash of happy color.

Helen Norman

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The Collected Look

A midcentury pair of salvaged sofas cost a mere $100 on Craigslist—an upholsterer replaced the dated floral pattern with a soft, affordable blue Oxford cloth. For added charm in this North Carolina farmhouse, collected vintage finds decorate an industrial shelving unit.

Country Living

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Thrift Store Gallery Wall

A wall of thrift-store paintings of the same subject can have even more impact than a single, more expensive piece. Case in point: the floral-filled gallery wall in this Texas home's living room.

Stacey Brandford

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Light and Airy

So the interior didn't compete with views of the farm, the owner of this Alberta farmhouse opted for crisp white paint on the walls and ceiling, and blue draperies that complement the large stretch of sky outside the windows. Light pine floors with a single coat of whitewash allow the wood's natural grain to show without taking away from the room's airy feel.

Max Kim-Bee

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Streamlined

Think every living room needs draperies? Think again. Here, bare windows make for a refreshingly streamlined look that also takes advantage of this Florida cottage's beautiful light.

Max Kim-Bee

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Comfy and Cozy

Covered in sumptuous blue velvet, these 8-foot-long chesterfield sofas are just as comfy as they are swanky. The drift-wood coffee table, layered rugs, old-world oil paintings, and pinky-red pillows warm up the blue-and-white scheme in this California bungalow.

Christopher Baker

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Blue Hues

In the living area of this Martha's Vineyard home, furnishings are awash in a sea of blues, but slight variations in tone and subtle patchwork motifs take the place of sharply contrasting patterns and hues. A patchwork rug from Nomadic Trading Company anchors the living area, furnished with linen sofas and a wingback chair by Cisco. The glass top on Groundwork's reclaimed-oak coffee table displays a collage of vintage art.

Sarah Dorio

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Pattern Play

The all-white backdrop cleared the way for a crisp and cozy color scheme of grey, black, and green. Gingham curtains and plaid pillows play up the preppy country feel of this Georgia log cabin.

Bjorn Wallander

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Bright Blues

In this New York living room, a sofa from ABC Carpet & Home and a rattan Ikea chair flank rattan coffee tables by Serena & Lily. The Two's Company swing and a thrifted elephant table add a hint of whimsy. The brick walls are painted Ultra White by Benjamin Moore.

Lisa Romerein

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Minneapolis Loft

Fitted with twin mattresses, these World Market daybeds turn the living space into a guest room when needed. The walls of the charming loft are painted Silver White by Glidden.

Alec Hemer

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Shabby Chic

A crab trap side table and a lamp—both from a local boutique—bookend the living room's Shabby Chic chaise lounge in this South Carolina retreat.

Max Kim-Bee

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Rustic Library Style

In the library of this New York home, the owner unified mismatched wingback chairs with floral brocade upholstery and burlap cushions. The walls are painted Spanish Moss by Restoration Hardware.

Alec Hemer

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California Living

Slipcovered chairs and a National Upholstery sofa surround the Lee Industries ottoman in this California farm home.

Max Kim-Bee

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Americana Living Room

This Catskills home's remote location renders window treatments unnecessary. In the living room, mid-1800s homespun blankets cover the wing chair, ottoman, and hardwood floor. The slipcovered sofa is from ABC Carpet & Home. The windows are painted Everard Blue and the walls are Montgomery White, both by Benjamin Moore.

Ranch Living Room Ideas

Source: https://www.countryliving.com/home-design/decorating-ideas/g1208/living-room-gallery/

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Tiny Apartment Living Room Ideas

Tiny Apartment Living Room Ideas

How Can I Open an Assisted Living Home?

Photo Courtesy: Jens Büttner/Getty Images

There is a growing demand for residential care (or assisted living) facilities that provide accommodation and personal care services primarily to older adults. Board and care facilities make up 80 percent of all facilities and don't necessarily have many beds to accommodate the elderly. Together, these establishments are categorized as residential care facilities. Some of their services include accommodation, food, housekeeping, monitoring and drug storage and delivery. Seniors can also get personal care assistance with daily activities like sanitation, grooming, eating and bathing.

It's natural to have tons of questions when your interest in starting your own residential assisted living (RAL) home is sparked initially. The National Center for Assisted Living (NCAL) reports that there are approximately 29,000 residential assisted facilities in the United States, with nearly 1 million licensed beds. These facilities offer the necessary services to senior citizens and others in need of help because of mental or physical problems. Thus, opening an assisted living business can be a gratifying thing to do for your community or family.

Here are some of the crucial steps you should follow to open a new assisted living facility in line with all government regulations.

Develop a Clear Business Plan

Do you have a brilliant RAL business idea? Start by creating and ironing out some of the specifics of your business plan.

Photo Courtesy: H. Armstrong Roberts/Getty Images

You need to determine the startup expenses and ongoing costs you'll need to operate your business. Check to see if the name you're considering using for your RAL home is available as a web domain. If so, secure it before it's bought by someone else.

Establish a Legal Entity

Forming legal business entities like limited liability companies (LLCs), sole proprietorships, corporations and cooperatives help prevent you from being held solely responsible for litigation. Most small businesses choose to form an LLC due to their ease of registration.

Photo Courtesy: Gavriil Grigorov/Getty Images

You should also consider hiring a registered agent service (responsible third party) suited in the same state as your assisted living home. The agent will protect your privacy and ensure that you stay compliant with state laws. Moreover, you'll receive official government notifications like tax forms and get business notices through the agent.

Register for Taxes

Before opening your assisted living home, you need to register for different state and federal taxes. Start by applying for your employer identification number (EIN), a free and easy process.

Photo Courtesy: Rafael Henrique/Getty Images

Through this number, the IRS can identify your tax payments and keep track of your business's tax reports. In addition to receiving your unique, nine-digit EIN, you'll be expected to fill out the date you established your RAL home.

Open a Business Bank Account

Separating your RAL home accounts from your personal accounts is vital for personal asset protection. You don't want to put yourself at risk, especially if it's ever in a lawsuit. Opening dedicated business banking and credit accounts will help make accounting and tax filing much easier and store accurate and detailed reports of your expenditure.

Photo Courtesy: ASHRAF SHAZLY/Getty Images

Furthermore, obtaining a business credit card will help build your business's credit history, which can come in handy when you want to raise money or invest.

Obtain Mandatory Licenses and Permits

To avoid hefty fines or have your assisted living home closed down, get the necessary licenses, permits and insurance. Assisted living homes have to comply with zoning laws, building safety codes and government regulations.

Photo Courtesy: BSIP/Getty Images

As the building owner, it's your responsibility to get an occupancy certificate. A new occupancy certificate is required immediately after the completion of major renovations. Additionally, it's imperative that you get insurance for your RAL home. For instance, general liability insurance will protect your facility's financial well-being in case of a covered loss. You can learn more about license requirements by visiting the Small Business Administration's (SBA's) reference to state licenses and permits.

Define and Market Your Assisted Living Home

Standing out in a crowd of competitors is critical to your business's success. Use your current residents to market your home's outstanding services if you already have an operational RAL facility. You can use YouTube, TV or newspaper ads to help attract more residents and their family members.

Photo Courtesy: Evgen Kotenko/Getty Images

With today's technological advancements, establishing an online presence has proven to be a great way to expedite the success of businesses. Even though most seniors aren't familiar with the internet, it's highly possible that their families are conversant with it and will help them out.

Developing a comprehensive, professional website and incorporating various social media platform links to it will allow clients to learn more about your assisted living home at the convenience of their fingertips.

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Tiny Apartment Living Room Ideas

Source: https://www.questionsanswered.net/article/how-to-open-an-assisted-living-home?utm_content=params%3Ao%3D740012%26ad%3DdirN%26qo%3DserpIndex

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Long Narrow Living Room Design Ideas

Long Narrow Living Room Design Ideas

Just because you have a small living room doesn't mean it can't feel grande. Here are 15 surprisingly effective ways to open up the space and brighten the mood of your home. Use some of this advice to your advantage and your guests will be wondering how you managed to create such a lively and energetic space. Once they step inside your newly improved living room they definitely won't be bored by what they see. Check out these photos to see what I mean!

1. Create An Accent Wall To Add Warmth And Space To Your Living Room

Adding a colorful wall to your living room is a great way to create the illusion of space, as well as creating a fun and unique look to your living room.

2. Make A Handy Ottoman For Added Storage Space

If you struggle to find storage space in your living room, consider buying or building yourself an Ottoman. This gives you a seat or a coffee table with storage space hidden inside. It's handy and attractive!

3. Avoid Curtains To Create A Natural Light

If your living room is particularly small, use natural lighting to add an airy, spacious feel to the room. Swap dark and heavy curtains for light ones. Try to keep them open as often as possible to let that natural light in.

4. Invest In An Adjustable Table

An adjustable table is the perfect way to add space to a small living room or a dining room. Invest in a table that can go lower, giving you multiple options.

5. Create A Fun Gallery Wall

Creating a gallery wall of pictures is a good way to keep art on your wall in a small space without the room looking too cluttered. You can use paintings, photographs, or anything else you can think of.

6. Use Mirrors To Create The Illusion Of Space

A big mirror will have the same effect on your living room as a new window, creating the illusion of space and air. This is a great idea if you only have a little window in your living room.

7. Make A Mezzanine For Added Space

If you really want to add some space to your living room, consider using the top half of the room by building a mezzanine. A mezzanine is a beautiful way to add a second room to the room you already have. Ingenious!

8. Use Floating Shelves For Extra Storage Space

If you are still struggling to find more storage space, floating shelves are an attractive way to add storage space without making your room look cluttered.

9. Create A Sofa Shelf To Add Space

Hide unsightly radiators by adding a sofa shelf using simple wooden planks. This often means you have no need for a coffee table, adding even more space to the living room!

10. Use Spotlights To Add Light

Spotlights can create the illusion of space. They can also be used to highlight your paintings and pictures. Consider using a white spotlight for a minimalist effect.

11. Create Hidden Storage Space Underneath Your Television

Wicker baskets are a cheap and effective way to create storage space. Storing them underneath your television stops them from looking like clutter or mess.

12. Get Furniture With Legs For A Spacious Look

Furniture with legs is a genius way to create the illusion of space. Its effect multiplies when you do this with your sofa, chairs, and coffee tables!

13. Create The Illusion Of Space With A Small Print Rug

A rug with a small pattern or a neutral print will add space to your room. However, you should avoid larger prints or bright colors, as they can make your living room look smaller or more cramped.

14. Use Bookshelves For A Quirky Effect

While bookshelves don't always add space, if you have them running all the way around a wall or up to the ceiling, they will help to create a luxurious and spacious living room.

15. Keep Wall Space Free For An Airy, Spacious Effect

Pictures are a great way to add color and personality to a room. Just make sure to leave some space on the wall to stop your room from looking too full.

Long Narrow Living Room Design Ideas

Source: https://www.lifehack.org/302687/15-amazing-design-ideas-for-your-small-living-room

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