Vinegar & Olive Oil (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The United Nation’s Food and Agriculture Organization this week issued a report claiming that insects are the key to solving future food shortages and environmental concerns. I can appreciate their argument – but no thanks. Being the squeamish sort, just reading the report was difficult.

While not that adventurous, I do like to try new recipes every once in a while. It’s a good idea to add a few new dishes here and there, if for no other reason than to keep dinner from getting boring. If you find yourself making the same dishes every week, put the chicken in the freezer and hide that box of mac-and-cheese! Instead of the usual, make something new for dinner tonight. These recipes are fast, easy, and just a little (but not too far) out of the ordinary:

Green Tea and Smoked Salmon Pasta – I found this recipe at Taste for Adventure, and it is a light, easy dish that you eat cold — perfect for hot summer evenings. Add tea bags (about 30) to about 20 cups of boiling water. Remove the tea bags and add the pasta (cook as usual, but save some of the liquid after straining). In a separate bowl, mix the juice of two lemons, about a tablespoon of grated ginger, and add a dash of salt and pepper. Slowly pour in about a half a cup of olive oil while whisking. Mix the pasta, a ladle of the saved tea, and the lemon juice mixture together in a large bowl. Add poppy seeds and smoked salmon, and serve cold.

Nasturtium Salad – Take four cups of nasturtium blossoms, half a cup of violet leaves, a clove of garlic, 2 tablespoons chopped chervil leaves, a dash of salt and pepper, two tablespoons of lemon juice, and three tablespoons of olive oil (be sure to wash the flowers and leaves in cold water and remove the stems from the blossoms) and toss them gently together for a unique and colorful salad.

Ma Po Tofu (from the Cooking Channel) – Heat some vegetable oil in a wok over high heat. Stir-fry a teaspoon of minced ginger, spicy bean paste, chili powder, a teaspoon of minced garlic, and a teaspoon of sweet flour paste for about one minute. Add about a cup of water, and then add diced tofu (one-inch cubes) and a quarter cup of leeks. Cook until the liquid begins to reduce. Add a little potato starch, if needed, to thicken (breaking any clumps that form). Serve immediately.

Eggplant Dip – Traditionally, the eggplant would be cooked over a wood-burning fire – or at least on the grill. But you don’t have to leave your apartment to make this, and the end result is close enough. Cook the eggplant whole – just puncture it with a fork and put it under the broiler for 10-15 minutes. The eggplant is done when it turns black and is very soft. Let it cool on a rack set on some paper towels. Once it cools, peel it by hand (discard the skin) and put the eggplant in a bowl. Cut it up into small pieces and mash it with a fork. Stir in about a half-cup of olive oil and four teaspoons of wine vinegar, alternating between the two to get them well-blended. Stir in three cloves of minced garlic and a dash of sea salt and ground pepper. Serve it cold with slices of pita bread, feta cheese, and anchovies on the side.

Moroccan-Style Cornish Game Hens (from Epicurious.com) – In your coffee (or spice) grinder combine a tablespoon each of cumin seeds, coriander seeds, and whole cloves. Add two teaspoons each of cardamom seeds and fennel seeds. Break half a cinnamon stick into pieces and add that. Finally, toss in a bay leaf and grind everything together. Put the spices in a bowl and mix in a quarter cup of orange juice, two tablespoons of olive oil, and two cloves of minced garlic. Rub the spice mixture over four Cornish game hens and put them in a roasting pan. Sprinkle them with salt and pepper. Tie the legs together, then arrange peeled, cut carrots around the hens and sprinkle those with salt and pepper. Roast in a preheated 400-degree oven for 30 minutes, and then add half a cup of chicken broth to the pan. Cook another 35 minutes or so, until juices run clear when the thickest part of the thigh is pierced and the carrots are tender.

Try something different for dinner tonight – you could end up with a new favorite go-to recipe. Prefer to dine out? There are unusual restaurants across the country – give one near you a try.

Glass Jar Pendant Light (Photo credits: West Elm)

Those living in apartments know how important lighting is – especially those living in center units. When there are neighbors on either side, above, and below you, it can be tough to get a lot of natural light. You may find that while the living room or dining area has plenty of natural light from windows, the bedroom or the kitchen could use some help. With a little work and some strategic light placement, those rooms lacking light will begin to glow.

If you don’t like traditional lighting or you want to add some personality through your lighting, or you just don’t have much money to go out and buy expensive lamps, you can still get a great look, have plenty of light, and have money left in your wallet.

You may have seen the fancy, round pendant lamps that look like balls of string and wondered how they were made. There are plenty of tutorials on how to make these, such as on Craftynest.com. Go to the local discount store’s toy section and buy a bouncy ball (if you plan to hang several, buy a variety of different size bouncy balls). Head over to the craft section and get some craft glue (make sure it dries clear) and several balls of hemp string.  Finally, go to the hardware section and get a lamp-making kit (wires and hardware) for each pendant.

Toward the bottom of the ball (where the little air valve is), draw a circle with a marker, about an inch away from the valve all the way around.  (You’ll have to be able to get the wiring and bulb in there so make sure the space is big enough for your hand to fit.) That area won’t contain any string. Cover the hemp with the glue as you wrap it around the ball. Go all around the ball until you get the look you want. Go around several times – the more you wrap the stronger your lamp will be. Make sure you leave space in the string pattern for heat to escape.

Let it dry then deflate the ball with an inflating needle. Pull the ball out and use your lamp-making kit to wire up your pendant. Use a low-wattage compact florescent light bulb (which gives off less heat) and make sure the bulb isn’t touching the shade.

Use your imagination to create lamps. Once you get the hang of using the lamp-making kit, you can turn wire planters, wine bottles, mason jars, and even old toys into interesting and fun lighting.  (I recently came across a lamp base that was made of old action figures glued together and spray-painted gold. What a unique way to “upcycle” old toys!) If you are really handy (and tend to buy a lot of cookies and popcorn that comes in tins), you can even make a floor lamp by stacking a variety of different size and shape snack tins and securing them together.

If you don’t want to build lamps from scratch, you can find great old lamps at flea markets, garage sales, and thrift stores. Look for the size and shape you want, check to make sure the wiring, switch, and socket are in good shape, and ignore everything else – with a little craft (and spray) paint, some stencils, some craft glue, ribbon, fabric, and whatever else you can come up with, you can turn that old, tired lamp into a work of art.

Don’t just add a table or floor lamp to the room and call it a day. Your space will feel more vibrant if you add a variety of lighting options, from floor lamps to hanging lamps to wall sconces to rope lighting. Placement of your lighting is also important – soft lighting is fine in a seldom-used corner, but near your reading area or over your desk you may want something a little brighter. Hang mirrors in strategic locations in the room (on the opposite wall from the lamp, for example) where the light from the lamps will “bounce” and brighten up your space even more.

If you are allowed to paint in your apartment, brighten up darker rooms with pale colors that will reflect the light, such as a sky blue or a soft cream. Add a few touches of bold, bright colors in throw pillows and accessories to make the room even more vibrant, and add a few shade-loving potted plants to further create the illusion of natural light. Shade-loving plants include ferns, bromeliads, African violets, mother-in-law’s tongue, and jade plants. Plants will add color and texture, bring to mind the outdoors (and by proxy sunlight), and you can choose lively pots that will brighten up the whole room.

Don’t let the lack of natural light get you down – instead, turn it into a vibrant space. How do you brighten up those apartment rooms with little to no natural light? Share your ideas with us on Facebook.

Sausage and Egg Strata – A strata is a simple way to get rave reviews – it’s super easy and you won’t have to wake up early and make a mess in the kitchen. A strata needs to sit overnight in the fridge, so you’ll make it the day before serving. Whip this up on Saturday afternoon, pop it in the fridge, and when Sunday morning rolls around, just put it in the oven for about an hour. A strata is a casserole made with cubed bread, eggs, cheese, and sausage (or bacon).

Quiche – A quiche is basically an egg pie that contains heavy cream, bacon, eggs, and cheese. It takes a little more work than the strata, but if you buy refrigerated pie dough you can whip up a quiche fairly quickly. Basically, a quiche is made by whisking three or four eggs together. Add some salt, pepper, and spices of your choice (such as nutmeg and chives). Then add heavy cream and some milk while still whisking (the whisking adds air that will make the quiche fluffy, so whisk away). Pre-bake the pie crust, if necessary. Put some bacon strips on the crust along with some cheese. Pour the egg mixture into the crust and stir it gently so the bacon will move toward the middle and the chives will spread out on top. Put it in the oven for about half an hour. It’s done when the center wiggles slightly. This can stay in the fridge for a couple of days and it should be eaten cold, so you can make this before Sunday – and since the dish won’t be hot, it’s portable — take it to your mom’s house (or wherever the Mother’s Day brunch is being held).

If mom has a sweet tooth, try making a fruit tart. With a sweet crust and a filling made of cream cheese and sugar, this is decadent and delicious – perfect for mom’s special day. And since it is topped with fresh fruit (kiwi, blueberries, and strawberries!) we’ll just go ahead and call this recipe “healthy,” as well. (It’s a stretch, yes, but hey – superfruit!) For the glaze, you’ll need frozen limeade concentrate, lime juice, and more sugar. You may also want to add a little whipped cream to each slice of tart.

Looking for something a little more traditional? Make pancakes for mom! Ditch the box and make them from scratch. Mix about a cup of milk with a couple spoons of vinegar and set it aside. Mix a cup of flour, a couple spoons of sugar, a teaspoon of baking powder, half a teaspoon of baking soda, and a dash of salt together and set that aside. In a large bowl, mix together an egg and the milk/vinegar mixture. Slowly add the flour mixture to the egg mixture and whisk until there are no lumps. Make the pancakes in a large skillet over medium heat.

If you want something that sounds fancy and difficult but really isn’t, make some crepes. Whisk two eggs in a bowl with a dash of salt (if you want them sweet you can add some sugar, as well). Slowly add in a cup of flour while still whisking, then add about a cup (or a little over) of whole milk until the mixture is the consistency of heavy cream. Put about three spoons of the mixture in a hot skillet (sprayed with non-stick cooking spray) and spread the mixture out until it coats the bottom of the pan. Once the top of the crepe looks as though it is beginning to dry, flip the crepe over with a spatula. Cook it until brown spots begin to appear. You can serve the crepes with jam, some fresh fruit and whipped cream, or sprinkle them with powdered sugar.

Don’t forget about that Mother’s Day brunch staple, the mimosa! This champagne-and-orange-juice concoction is a brunch favorite. If you think she’d prefer a fancy twist on her typical morning coffee, try one of these amazing coffee recipes. Or if you want to try something a little different, maybe one of these drinks will inspire you.

Do you have a favorite brunch recipe? Share it with us on Facebook, and enjoy your Mother’s Day weekend.

The Myrtles Plantation (Photo credit: skatoolaki)

Flowers are great, but what most moms really want is time – time with you or time for herself. So why not give mom something she can really enjoy, such as a weekend getaway? Whether you plan something for this weekend or give her a reservation confirmation for a weekend in the near future, make this Mother’s Day one she’ll treasure.

A weekend at a Bed and Breakfast may be the ideal gift – you can find one close enough to where your mother lives so a quick weekend is feasible. Most B&Bs are in elegant, historical houses with charming rooms and plenty of antiques. B&Bs are typically family-owned, cozy, pampering, and welcoming – perfect for a relaxing weekend away. Mom can spend time wandering the grand old house and grounds, or she can explore the town and do some shopping. Find a B&B that will appeal to your mom, such as one with historical significance or one with a spooky reputation. If you are anywhere near Louisiana, for example, the Myrtles Plantation dates back to 1796 and is considered one of America’s most haunted homes.

If you know your mother would love a weekend at a supposedly haunted location but you can’t get her to a ghost-ridden plantation home in the Deep South, consider sending her to one of these haunted hotels — but only if you know for sure that she will appreciate the gesture. Unless your mom considers herself an amateur ghost hunter, you may want to send her to a top-rated (and ghost-free) hotel, instead. Perhaps find a hotel in a nearby city where your mom can see a show or visit a museum.

Spas are also a great option – mom can relax, get a facial, be wrapped in mud, perhaps try yoga – and come away from the experience relaxed and refreshed. A great spa should have a soothing ambience, a variety of treatments and services, great (healthy) food, and plenty of comforting perks. Look for a weekend spa getaway that is cozy, decadent, and pampering.

If mom is more of the sporty type, perhaps a weekend at a national park would be more to her liking. Consider one with cabins or a lodge, or if mom prefers extreme outdoor adventure, choose a park with backcountry camping. The Appalachian Trail, for example, is a 2,184-mile-long footpath through the Appalachian Mountains. A state or national park is ideal for a family getaway – be sure to pack marshmallows for roasting and brush up on your campfire stories.

Perhaps your mom is the sporty type but prefers an elegant golf resort to mountain wilderness. A weekend at a golf resort is a great way to spend time with mom – get the whole family together so those who want to golf can head off to the course, while those wishing to enjoy the resort’s other amenities can stay behind. Most golf resorts will also feature restaurants, bars, lounge areas, and shops.

Whether your mom is the tent-at-a-state-park type, the five-star-resort type, or the adventurous type, you can find the perfect weekend getaway for her. This Mother’s Day, consider giving mom a gift she’ll really treasure – the memories of a great weekend getaway.

Fish Tacos (Photo credit: Neilwill)

Cinco de Mayo is a celebration of the under-equipped Mexican army defeating the powerful French army on May 5, 1862. While it is a minor holiday in Mexico, it has become a celebration of the Mexican-American culture in the US. Across the country, there will be parades, fairs, food, and fun. Whether you are headed to an event this weekend or just want to celebrate with a few friends in your apartment, here are some fast, easy recipes for Cinco de Mayo:

Fried Quesadillas – These are easy and delicious. Place an uncooked flour tortilla in a hot pan with oil. Place cheese (you can also add cooked chicken or beef, jalapenos, or tomatoes) on the tortilla and top it with another tortilla. Flip it over a time or two (be careful it doesn’t burn – it will cook very fast). Take it out of the pan and cut it into wedges. Serve with tomato salsa or guacamole.

Guacamole – Serve this buttery green wonder with tortilla chips or fried quesadillas. Cut three large avocados and remove the pits. Dice them up and add some lemon juice (just enough to prevent browning). Add salt and a dash of cayenne pepper, and then mash it up with a potato masher. Mix in some diced onion, a few jalapeno slices, diced tomatoes, and a little cilantro.

Fish Tacos – Sure, regular tacos are great. But there’s something about the zingy flavor of a fresh and delicious fish taco – and since they have fewer calories and less fat, you’ll have wiggle room for that margarita or slice of flan. Try one of these amazing fish taco recipes. If you prefer a vegetarian taco, try using tofu or even Portobello mushroom. Or, just use chunky slices of avocado and a dash of lime juice and salt.

Mexican Slaw – This can be added to your fish tacos or served on the side. I usually buy the shredded slaw mix in a bag at the grocery store (hey – shortcuts) rather than shredding cabbage. However you get there, mix the shredded cabbage with a couple of spoonfuls of olive oil, a dash of salt, and some lime juice (roughly half a lime if you use fresh squeezed). Add in some sliced radishes and maybe a few slices of jalapeno.

Tres Leche Cake – Okay, this isn’t an easy recipe. It takes a lot of ingredients and two days to make, but it is so worth it. This cake contains sweetened condensed milk, heavy cream, evaporated milk, a good amount of sugar, and five whole eggs. But it is so amazingly delicious — take this to any party and people will rave about your cake for days.

Margaritas and Mojitos – Cinco de Mayo is famous for its drinks, whether you serve them with alcohol or without. Try making a batch of watermelon lemonade, horchata, Spanish sangria, or frozen daiquiri.

Have a great weekend, stay safe, and share your favorite Cinco de Mayo recipes with us on Facebook!

Artwork on Wall (Photo credit: Ani-Bee)

Take a look around you … if all you see is a sea of taupe, then maybe it’s time to hang a few photos and artwork. Sure, it’s an intimidating prospect — hanging things on your apartment walls. The idea of trying to spackle all of those holes when the day comes to move out … and then having to paint over them … it’s no wonder you are living with blank walls. But blank walls are boring! Here’s how to enjoy great artwork and photos without creating too much work for yourself later on:

Before you begin, be aware that some apartment communities won’t allow you to put holes in the walls. Check your lease or ask the apartment manager if you aren’t sure. But even if you can’t put any holes in the walls, you can still hang photos – consider using poster putty (a favorite of teachers everywhere) or removable hooks. Wall decals are another great option to consider. They add interest and color to the room and can be easily removed without any damage to the walls.

Many people tend to go a little overboard when hanging photos, using drywall screws and anchors or trying to locate studs to hammer into. None of that is necessary. Instead, use picture-hanging hooks. They are stronger than they look and the hole will be a pinpoint rather than a gaping wound, leaving less fix-up when you decide to move. Make sure you buy the right size hook for your artwork’s weight. To avoid having to constantly straighten crooked frames, use two hooks per photo.

Hang your artwork and photos at eye level. Even if you live in a loft with soaring ceilings, you still want your artwork roughly 50 to 60 inches off the ground. When arranging your photos, group photos with photos and paintings with paintings. If you aren’t sure how you want to arrange your photos or paintings, trace around the frames on poster board. Cut the poster board shapes out and use tape to secure them to the wall. Be sure to leave about two inches of space around each painting – sides, top, and bottom. You can rearrange and reposition without adding holes, and you can live with the “mock-up” photo grouping for a few days before hanging the actual photos.

When you are ready to hang, simply mark the wall at the top of the photo with a pencil before removing the poster board, and then hang your photo. Don’t use anything but a pencil – a pencil mark is easy to erase. Using a marker or pen will leave difficult-to-remove or even permanent marks on your walls.

Choose pictures and paintings that mean something to you. If you are an amateur photographer (and even if you aren’t), print and frame some of your favorite shots – perhaps a group of photos from your last vacation. Consider printing your photos out in black and white or doing something creative with them first. If you’d like some enlarged to poster-size, send them to a photo processing company who will enlarge your photos for a small fee.

Perhaps you collect mementos and aren’t sure how to best display them. Consider making some shadow boxes – these are great and show off whatever you’ve collected, even items you’ve found in nature such as seashells or leaves. Arrange the items in the box with push pins and hang them. Shadow box frames can be found at any craft store or in the craft section of any discount store, or you can try making them yourself.

Now, stand back and survey the results. Photos and paintings add a homey touch to your apartment, as well as color, depth, and charm. Do you have photo-hanging tips? Share them with us on Facebook!

Gasparilla Island  (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The woven, twisted limbs of banyan trees form a canopy over a seaside trail that leads to pastel-colored shacks with striped canopies. Iguanas of all sizes lumber across the walkway and stare down from the trunks of palm trees. Miles of powdery-white beaches and turquoise water are unspoiled, offering a quiet place to enjoy the amazing views and perhaps do some shelling or snorkeling. Dolphins frolic just beyond the surf while pelicans soar past. This isn’t some exotic, foreign island – this is the hidden Florida gem of Gasparilla Island.

If you are thinking about a trip to the beach as a quick spring getaway or you are planning your summer vacation and want somewhere a little more remote and less touristy, or if you are looking for a place to live where the pace is slower and life is easier, consider this unique area located about an hour northwest of Fort Myers and an hour south of Sarasota. Perhaps due to it being situated between these two powerhouse cities, or the fact that there are so many tourist hotspots in the area (Siesta Key, Captiva Island, Sanibel Island, and Venice, for example), or its out-of-the-way location, Gasparilla Island has skated under the radar with tourists for decades, leaving this pristine island with an old-world essence.

Gasparilla is named for a pirate who supposedly buried his treasure on the island. It has always been fairly uninhabited, home to only a handful of fishermen and their families until the late 19th century. In 1848, a military outpost was established and eventually a small area of the island was platted for a town. The Gasparilla Inn opened in 1911 and the island became a playground for the very wealthy. Today, the Gasparilla Inn, an elegant Southern belle with lacy balconies and haughty pillars, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Boca Gande is the only town on Gasparilla Island. It is a delightful little historical

Gasparilla Inn: Boca Grande, Florida (Photo credit: State Library and Archives of Florida)

village that has kept its “Old Florida” charm – the downtown is filled with quaint shops in shabby-chic and funky little huts alongside elegant plantation-style structures. You won’t find fast-food chains or even stoplights in Boca Grande, just local seafood joints, art galleries, and little boutiques. A bike trail meanders along the seven-mile stretch of what used to be railroad tracks, when phosphate was the little seaside community’s biggest commodity. There are no gas stations on the island, and cars are easily outnumbered by golf carts and bicycles.

As for the iguanas – the theory is that a few managed to escape from captivity and made themselves at home, thriving in the warm, tropical climate. A population boom took place and a few years ago, the iguanas outnumbered people 10 to one. The town has worked to bring the iguana population under control, however, and there are far fewer around these days — but they are still very much a part of the island landscape. These black spiny-tailed iguanas can grow quite large – often about three feet long – and are considered the fastest-running lizard on earth.

Boca Grande is the Tarpon Fishing Capital of the World and fishing is a major pastime. The beaches are also ideal for shelling and finding shark’s teeth. Because Gasparilla Island is so isolated, beachcombers will find the powdery beaches strewn with shells much more inviting than some of the more “touristy” destinations. You are also likely to see plenty of wildlife, such as manatees, dolphins, sea turtles, pelicans, and osprey. Residents and visitors alike enjoy boating, fishing, shelling, sunbathing, snorkeling, swimming, and just watching the stunning sunsets.

Gasparilla Island State Parktakes up the southern tip of the island, surrounding its

Boca Grande Lighthouse: Gasparilla Island State Park, Florida (Photo credit: State Library and Archives of Florida)

“shining beacon” of a landmark, the Gasparilla Lighthouse. The 104-year-old lighthouse was built in 1890 to light the way for cattle barges destined for Cuba. Today, the lighthouse contains a museum and gift shop. The lamp is maintained by the US Coast Guard. Gasparilla Island State Park also includes picnic areas and gorgeous beaches.

When you are looking for a serene respite from your hectic day-to-day schedule, consider heading to Gasparilla Island and the tiny town of Boca Grande – it is an idyllic, top-secret Florida location that will relax and recharge you.

Home Office (Photo credit: Sean MacEntee)

Whether you work from home, need a quiet place to study away from your reality-TV-show obsessed roommate, or just need an organized space to pay bills and catch up on emails, a home office is a must – even in a small apartment. If you are sitting on the couch trying to balance your laptop on one knee and a cup of coffee on the other while surrounded by paperwork, it’s time to stop the juggling-act madness and create a work space. And, unless your apartment floor plan includes a built-in office nook, you’ll have to start from scratch.

The first step to creating a home office is finding a location that will offer some privacy (especially if you have a loud roommate or significant other living with you). Look for an unused corner, a space against the stairs, a blank wall in the foyer – no matter how small, it will work with a little creativity and the right sized furniture. You can create that private space by adding a room partition or floor-to-ceiling shelving to “block off” the rest of the room from your home office.

If you have a seldom-used closet, clean it out – this is an ideal location to create an office space. If you are allowed, paint it a bright, cheerful color (don’t be afraid of painting a small space a bold color – it won’t make the space look smaller. If you are afraid to paint the entire closet, just paint the back wall a bold color.)

Now, you want to find or build a desk to fit the space. Take measurements and write them down. Take those measurements and a measuring tape with you and hit the garage sales, thrift stores, and flea markets to find old file cabinets, bookshelves, and anything else that might be useful. You can create your own desk by painting the file cabinets, then having a piece of wood cut at the local home improvement store to fit across the top. Stain or paint the wood a complimentary color to the file cabinets and you have an instant work space and storage for very little money.

If you don’t have a closet and can’t add a room divider for your space, you can create a “nook” with two bookshelves – place them on opposite ends of your space against the wall. Place a table between the two bookcases. You can paint the bookcases and the table all the same color to make it look like one cohesive unit. The sides of the bookcase will provide you with a sense of privacy as you sit at the desk, and the shelves are ideal storage space.

Maybe you don’t have enough space for a desk and two bookshelves. That’s okay – find one bookshelf, paint it, and create a “desk” by attaching a sheet of plywood flush with a mid-level shelf using hinges and chains. The upper shelves are perfect for showing off baskets, books, and other items while the bottom shelves can be hidden by attaching a door or a curtain held up with a tension rod.

An old armoire can be modified to be a computer cabinet in a similar way (adding the “desk” portion with plywood and hinges, or by installing a pull-out desktop). The great thing about the armoire – it has doors, so your clutter can be quickly concealed. Also the backs of the doors are perfect storage spaces – just attach corkboard to each inside door and add some push-pins.

If you find something unique, consider ways you can modify it for your office space. An old vanity, an antique pie tin, an outdated china cabinet, or even old sawhorses can be transformed into an office space.

Think vertically — add floating shelves, a pegboard, wine crates, and even a horizontal filing system above your desk. Stack items and use decorative boxes, baskets, and other containers to organize paperwork and supplies. Keep it simple! Don’t overwhelm your office space with unnecessary clutter. Downsize as much as possible, and make it a point to purge your shelves and desktop of superfluous papers, junk mail, and other items at least once a month.

Your desk chair doesn’t have to be one of the oversized, wheeled monsters that dominate office cubicles everywhere. Look around – you may already have a decorative parson’s chair or an unused dining room chair that will be ideal for your desk space. If not, look for something that is small, will add to your décor, and is comfortable. You may find it at a yard sale or a second-hand store, or a friend or family member may have something they are willing to pass on to you. When shopping, don’t overlook those unique finds. Love that curvy, old wooden bar stool? It’ll work just fine — cut the legs down to size, paint it a fun and funky color, and add a cushion for the seat.

By using a little creativity, your small apartment can boast a beautiful work space. Have you created a home office in your apartment? Share what worked (and what didn’t) with us on Facebook!

Spring can be a dangerous time for pets – bees, wasps, spiders, fire ants, snakes, and even some flower blooms can make them sick or can even be fatal. Bee stings may seem innocuous enough, but a dog who has been stung in the past can develop anaphylactic shock when stung again (or repeatedly). Signs of anaphylactic shock include rapid heart rate, panting, and bright red mucus membranes around the lips, gums, and tongue. Later signs of shock include cold feet and legs, pale skin, a drop in body temperature, apathy, a slow respiratory rate, and a weak pulse.

Since dogs are curious by nature, they tend to stick their noses into places they shouldn’t – places where brown recluse or black widow spiders may be hanging out. The bites from these spiders are toxic. If a dog is bitten, he will experience a sharp pain, followed by excitability, fever, and weakness. Seizures and shock are also possible, and death can occur. There is an antivenin available for these spider bites, so contact your vet immediately if you think your dog was bitten.

Snakes are also a concern. You may not be aware that your dog has been bitten by a poisonous snake, due to his fur hiding the puncture wounds, but you may notice a swollen spot that causes your dog pain. You may also see discoloration of the skin around the bite. It could take hours after being bitten before your dog shows signs of venom poisoning, but these signs include panting, drooling, extreme restlessness, vomiting, diarrhea, respiratory issues, trouble walking, and shock. If you live in an area with coral snakes, your dog may not show any signs – the bite is small and there’s little pain. You may not notice anything for several hours, then there may be muscle twitching, weakness, difficulty swallowing, pinpoint pupils, and death brought on by respiratory paralysis.

If you think your dog was bitten by a snake, keep your dog quiet since venom is spread by excitement and exercise. Don’t wash the wound, since doing so can increase the absorption of venom. Also, don’t apply ice – this can also make the venom absorb faster and can even cause tissue damage. Get your dog to the vet as quickly as possible, where he will be given antivenin and then will probably be monitored for up to 24 hours.

While bees, spiders, and snakes are obvious hazards, there are others you may not be aware of – tulips, for example. If your dog likes to tiptoe through the tulips, put a stop to it – tulips (and hyacinths) contain allergens that are highly concentrated in the bulbs, so don’t let your dog dig them up. If he chews on the plant, it can cause irritation to his mouth and esophagus. You’ll notice drooling, vomiting, and diarrhea. There’s no antidote, but rinse his mouth out and your pet should be fine. Watch for severe reactions, such as increased heart rate and respiratory changes – those symptoms will require a trip to the vet.

Other dangerous spring plants include daffodils, crocus, and lilies. Lilies that can be extremely dangerous include Tiger, Day, Easter, Asiatic, and Japanese Show lilies – these are especially toxic to cats, so if you have a cat, don’t keep these plants in your apartment.

Everywhere you look during spring, there are runny noses and sneezes – and that includes dogs! Dogs are susceptible to the same allergens that bother us – trees, weeds, grasses, insects, and even mold. Common symptoms include constant paw licking, excessive scratching, and body rubbing. You may also notice hair loss, rashes, and odor. A dog’s allergies become more severe with age, and they will show symptoms at the same time every year. Wash your dog’s paws when they come in from outside during allergy season and bathe them a little more frequently if they spend a lot of time outdoors. Your vet may also recommend an oral supplement.

After a long winter, the warm spring air is tempting – even to our pets, who may want to spend more time at the dog park or lazing on the balcony or patio. Being aware of the potential dangers and knowing what to do can make all the difference if an emergency should occur. Here’s to a safe and happy spring!

South Beach community garden, Miami, Florida (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Currently, there are over 10,000 community gardens in cities across the United States. This popular trend provides fresh produce, exercise, and a place to socialize with friends and neighbors. Community gardens are also attractive and inviting spaces that benefit the environment through composting and recycling. With Earth Day right around the corner, consider doing a little gardening – whether you have some basil and oregano growing in your kitchen window, tomatoes planted in a container on your patio, or if you decide to take it a step further and organize a community garden.

The first step to organizing a community garden is finding people who are interested in getting involved. Start by asking around and see what kind of response you get. If after this informal research you feel there is significant interest, organize a meeting. Be sure to invite fellow residents, your apartment manager or superintendent, a representative from a local horticulture group, business leaders in the area, etc. At the meeting have an agenda that covers topics such as: Are there any issues or reasons we can’t create a community garden? If we are given the green light, what type of community garden do we want – a vegetable garden, a flower garden, or both? Do we want a strictly organic garden? Who will be allowed to participate? Will we need liability insurance, and should everyone participating sign a liability waiver? 

It is possible, especially in a suburban apartment complex, that you’ll be able to get approval to have the garden on the apartment community grounds. If not, look for alternatives: the roof of your urban high-rise, for example, or perhaps an empty lot located nearby – check with local government agencies to find out who owns the lot and see if you can get permission to rent the lot or perhaps even buy it. You want the garden within walking distance so people will stay involved. Also, be sure the location gets plenty of sunlight – about six hours a day.

If you think you have a good shot at getting the space for the garden approved (or rented), the next step is to form a planning committee. You’ll want people who are committed and reliable and who are willing to dedicate a good chunk of time to the project, especially in the beginning stages. The committee will be responsible for getting the garden set up – this includes a weather-proof bulletin board for schedules, events, and notices; a composting area; and if you are using an off-site lot and not a space on the apartment community property, a fence with a locking gate. You may also want to consider sponsors, such as local business leaders, nearby colleges, etc. You’ll need money for rent (if you are renting a lot), donations of tools and seeds, and funds for other expenses. If you don’t want to find sponsors, consider having membership dues (or consider a combination of both).

Before planting anything, the soil should be evaluated. Take a sample and have it tested for possible pollutants. Next, develop the garden. You’ll want to organize the garden into sections and put a sign with the gardener’s name in each section. Use the perimeter of the garden for rose bushes, blackberry bushes, shrubs, and trees that will act as both a deterrent for thieves or vandals and to make the garden attractive to those passing by. Be sure to have spaces for tool storage. Also, leave space for walkways between each garden plot. 

You’ll need to keep track of who is planting where, so if they allow their garden to become a bed of dirt and weeds, you know who to contact. Set up some garden rules and post them to the community garden bulletin board. Be sure to include annual clean-up in the rules – everyone with a plot should participate. Also, everyone should have a time when they are responsible for weeding and maintaining the common areas and the perimeter of the garden.

Don’t forget to create common spaces within the garden for people to gather, even if it is just a couple of benches. One of the purposes of a community garden is to help bring people together, so consider holding fun events for garden participants, as well.

In addition to being good for the environment and providing fresh produce for healthier eating, gardening is great exercise and lowers stress. So go ahead and celebrate spring (and Earth Day) by playing in the dirt!