It’s OFFICIALLY the most romantic time of the year. Cupid has his bow knocked. Candy hearts and red-hot candies can be found on store shelves and littering carpets. And love is most certainly in the air!

But have you ever stopped to wonder… why?

Why is it that every year in February, we celebrate love? Well, in today’s article, I’m going take you step-by-step through the historical events that transpired to bring us one of the most controversial holidays of the year: VALENTINE’S DAY.

The Priest Who Performed Forbidden Weddings

In the 3^rd century, Rome was the world power. A major reason why they were such a major power was due to the strength of their army. In conflict after conflict, the Roman army utterly destroyed its opponents.

The Roman emperor Claudius II believed that single men fought better than married. So he made a decree outlawing marriage for young men.

At this time, the catholic church was the major religion of the city. A priest of the catholic church, Valentine, believed Claudius’s decree was unjust. So, he would marry together young couples, defying the emperor’s law!

From Priest to Saint

Word spread fast. And soon, couples from all over were coming to Valentine to be married in secret. Yet word also spread in other places. And soon Claudius II received word of Valentine’s covert operation.

When Claudius found out, he flew into a rage, and ordered Valentine beheaded.

Because he was killed for helping his religion, Valentine became a martyr, and is now officially recognized by the Catholic church as St. Valentine.

The First Valentine

Although the story of St. Valentine is dramatic, the truth is historians don’t know how accurate it is. In fact, St. Valentine could be another man during that exact same period… who was also beheaded by Claudius II.

It’s said during this time period, a catholic named Valentine was imprisoned for helping other Christians escape prisons where they were harshly tortured. He fell in love with the jailor’s daughter, and sent her the world’s first valentine. A note, reading simply… “From your Valentine”.

An Ancient Bloody Cure for Fertility

This next part is a little brutal. But… history is brutal. So, for those with the stomach to continue, let’s talk about where Valentine’s day REALLY came from.

It just so happens that February is also when the pagan celebration Lupercalia takes place. This is a fertility festival dedicated to Faunus, the Roman god of agriculture.

The festival was held in a secret cave. This was no ordinary cave. It was where the eventual founders of Rome, Romulus and Remus, were cared for and raised by a she-wolf!

At the start of the ritual, priests would sacrifice a goat for fertility. They would then skin the goats, dip them in blood, and emerge from the cave. Women would line up at their doors to be gently slapped with this blood-soaked goat hide, as they believed it would make them fertile.

It’s now believed that what we know as Valentine’s day was used by Christian’s to “cover-up” the festival of Lupercalia. And, it looks like it worked. Today, everyone knows about Valentine’s day. While fortunately… no one I know celebrates Lupercalia!

The Story of Cupid

Of course, no Valentine’s day history is complete without mention of Cupid. As it turns out, our picture of Cupid is far different from what he was originally… just like the holiday as a whole.

Cupid was clearly inspired by the Greek god of love, Eros. Eros was a tall, extremely handsome god, whose golden arrows could inspire incredible feelings of lust, romance, and passion in the hearts of any they pierced.  

According to the ancient poets, he used this power to manipulate them, as love and attraction are the most powerful human emotions.

Closing Thoughts

So, there you have it. The real history of Valentine’s day! Isn’t it interesting to see how today’s holidays evolved from ancient, seemingly insane traditions? And isn’t it even more interesting to see how the history… the very structure of society… can change based on who is currently in power?

Of course, this Valentine’s Day, I wish you the most beautiful day of love you’ve ever experienced. Whether with your partner or alone, we now have the opportunity to make Valentine’s day our own.

And whether it used to be about sacrificing goats or performing secret marriages… from now on… it’s about you. ️

One of my earliest memories is my teacher asking the whole class what our favorite food was. Almost everyone answered pizza! Whether it’s the hearty tomato sauce, the almost guilty use of cheese, or the tossed pizza dough… a good pizza has something for everyone.

In today’s article, I’m going to talk about the five most popular styles of pizza. If you find yourself in any of the areas where these are famous, do yourself a favor and make ordering a slice a priority.

1. New York Style

There is absolutely nothing like a real New York pizza. And for some reason, it doesn’t taste the same anywhere else – even if it has the same ingredients! New York style pizza is made for grab and go.

Generally, it’s sold by the massive slice. Piping hot and dripping with cheese. This pizza is made for people on the go. But do you know the history behind it? Most people don’t.

New York isn’t just the home of a delicious style of pizza… it’s basically the birthplace of American pizza as a whole! As legend has it, the first pizza in the USA was created by an Italian named Gennaro Lombardi.

Originally, the pizzas would sell by the whole pie. However, during hard times, people couldn’t afford the whole pie. So pizza companies invented the idea of selling their pizzas by the slice.

It’s also said that originally, the sauce was on top and the cheese was on the bottom. Whether this was once the case, it certainly isn’t any more.

• Chicago Style

Chicago… home of the deep-dish pizza, baby. Chicago has turned pizza into something of its own. Baked to perfection in a deep pan, Chicago pizza towers over any other kind. It’s often stuffed to the absolute brim with all kinds of toppings. Pepperoni, olives, peppers, sausage, onions, and meatballs commonly make up the inside of this behemoth.  

Even though Chicago is the deepest dish pizza, that’s just the start of what makes it unique. Because the crust is so thick, the pizza needs to be cooked between 30 – 45 minutes long. Ordinarily, this would burn the cheese. Because of this, a Chicago pizza is layered “upside down”. The cheese goes on the bottom. And all the other toppings go into the middle. Finally, it’s covered with an incredibly hearty tomato sauce. The end result is almost impossible to eat without a fork!

Now, we don’t know who invented the Chicago pizza. Many people report it was originally invented at Pizzeria Uno in 1943.

When it comes to making pizza unique, Chicago can’t be beat.

• California Style

There’s something magical about California. From world-class beaches to Hollywood, everything in California has a special aura to it. And the pizza is no different!

California pizza is a fusion of New York and Italian styles. It generally features a very thin and light crust… perfect for enjoying on the beach. Somewhat of an opposite to Chicago style, there is generally less sauce and cheese, for an overall lighter experience. You will also find all kinds of unique toppings on California pizzas. From artichokes to broccoli, nothing is off limits on a delicious California pizza.

Unlike Chicago and New York Pizza, California pizza was invented in the 80s. by Ed LaDou (the “prince of Pizza”). He had originally learned how to make pizza in New York. After moving to California, he once again started to make pizza… but this time with his own creative twists. Today

Today, California pizza is popular all over the world.

• Sicilian Pizza

If you’re looking for a more traditional pizza, you can’t go wrong with Sicilian. Sicily is a large Mediterranean island off the cost of Italy.  The original Sicilian pizza was called Sfincione, which can be translated to “thick sponge”.

These pizzas are usually small, rectangular shapes. They are cut into 3-4 pieces in total. The original recipe for Sicilian Pizza likely used an Italian yeast bread, backed on a flat pan.

Then, in the early 1900s, when many Sicilians migrated to the USA, they brought their recipe with them. And now, it’s become one of the most popular pizzas in the world.

• Detroit Style

Detroit style pizza is made with a thick, crisp crust. It comes in a square with anywhere from 4-8 pieces per pie. It most commonly features meats like ham, sausage, pepperoni, and vegetables like mushrooms and olives.

The recipe originated from the heart of Detroit in 1946. The pizza was so delicious it spread far and wide throughout the city. And now, Detroit is famous for it.

Closing Thoughts

I’m a pizza lover, and chances are… you are too. If you can try any of these pizzas where they were invented, I can promise you – you are in for a treat!

When I was younger, my parents would tell me that the winter was a beautiful time of year. But I was so focused on the cold, I missed what they were talking about.

Now that I’m older, I finally get it. Winter may be cold, but that cold opens the door to some amazing activities that are impossible every other time of year. Especially when you have a significant other!

Use this list of romantic snow activities to make the season fly by. Who knows, maybe it will even become your favorite!

Go Hiking

There’s something amazing about hiking in the wintertime. It’s like all the familiar paths that you’ve been on in the summer get transformed into winter wonderlands. The scenery can look more like Narnia than planet Earth!

…which makes it the perfect place for a romantic outing!

Frozen waterfalls, snow covered evergreens, and deer peeking through the trees. It’s really a beautiful, magical experience. Especially when you’re sharing it with someone you love. The hike becomes an adventure that brings both of you closer. Just make sure you have the right gear. Do NOT do this until you understand layers. Don’t wear cotton. Make sure you have waterproof boots.

Go Ice Skating

Is there anything more romantic than ice skating? Gliding across the ice, hand in hand… it’s like a Christmas movie. Now, for ice skating, I recommend you go all out. For example, downtown in my city is a big ice rink. It’s dead center in the city and has all kinds of amazing activities to do around it.

I could go to the closest ice rink. Or I could take the extra time to go downtown and get an entirely different experience. If you have an iconic spot near you to skate, go check it out. I know you’ll love it.  

Go Sledding

Sledding is a ton of fun as a kid. And guess what? It’s just as much fun as an adult. It’s a lot cheaper than downhill skiing/snowboarding, too. Sledding is perfect to do right after snowfall. That way you get the fresh, fluffy powder to cruise down. I recommend finding a spot nearby.  

Make a trip out of it. Take the scenic route and walk to the slope. Then spend some time speeding down the hill. Cap it all off with a hot cup of cocoa. I promise – you’ll feel 10 years younger.

Watch Movies by the Fire

My favorite part of winter is getting cozy. There’s just no other feeling like it. With snow covering the land… and gentle flakes floating to the ground… while you’re sitting inside, warm, watching it all cuddled up with your partner on a cozy couch… it just doesn’t get better than that.

Personally, I love to watch long, dialogue heavy movies during this time. Like the Godfather or Pulp Fiction. You can really sink in and get involved in the movie.

Cook Some Amazing Hot Meals

There’s no better time to improve your cooking skills than the winter. Not only does it give you a fun way to pass the time indoors, the hot food you make will warm your body, heart, and soul!

I highly recommend you both try some French cooking. There are so many delicious hot soups you can make, it will blow your mind. Imagine the smell of cooking bacon, onions, carrots, garlic, and celery. Combining it all with chicken stock and a bunch of other veggies. Then serving it all up with toasted bread and cheese. It’s so simple. So warm. And so, so delicious.

(For some easy French recipes you can check out one of my favorite YouTube channels, https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0lG3Ihe4LGV851lODRIS5g)

Art + Wine Night

This is a fun one. Go to an art store and get some canvas paper and paints. Watercolor is always an easy option if you’re not that good at painting. But feel free to ask the art store employees for suggestions.

Get a nice bottle of your favorite wine. Pour yourselves some generous glasses and start painting! You can watch some Bob Ross YouTube videos to get in the mood. Either work on your own projects or work together to create a masterpiece. Don’t forget to hang it up front and center in the front room! 😉

Go Shopping

Shopping is a great way to spend the winter – before or after Christmas. After Christmas, many outlets will have clearance and new year specials. So it’s the perfect time to go shopping together. Bonus points for dressing up fancy, shopping, and ending it all with a great night on the town.

In Conclusion

If you do any of these dates, I promise you… you will love spending the winter with your significant other. Before you know it the sun will be setting late again and spring will be here. And you may even find yourself wishing winter had lasted longer…

Is there anything better than being on the slopes? Dressed up warm and cozy, sitting on the lift as it takes you all the way to the top. And then… freedom. Speed. Adrenaline. Surrounded by the incredible beauty of the mountains.

In today’s article, we’re going to talk about the six best ski spots in the world. Go to any of these and expect nothing less than a world class skiing and resort experience.

1. Park City, Utah

Nestled in the Wasatch Mountains is the small resort town Park City, Utah. It’s also home to the world-famous Sundance Film Festival. Every year, Hollywood stars grace the otherwise quiet locale.

When you hit the slopes of Park City, you immediately understand what all the hype is about. Utah claims “greatest snow on Earth”, and it’s for genuine reason. The cold, dry climate makes for powder unlike anywhere else.

Whether you’re sipping hot cocoa by the fire in a snug log cabin, or flying down one of the dozens of incredible slopes at Park City and Canyons resorts, you simply cannot go wrong visiting this spot!

• Whistler, British Columbia

Over 2,000,000 people visit Whistler annually. And when you ride the famous “peak 2 peak” gondola for the first time, you’ll see why.

That’s right – this gondola holds the world record for the longest and highest lift in the entire world! And it includes a 360 degree glass view that is absolutely breathtaking. Remember, that’s just the lift to the mountain.

Whistler boasts one of the best snowfalls in the entire world. This makes it almost perfect conditions for skiing.

• Zermatt, Switzerland

The Swiss are famous for their incredible detail. That’s how luxury Swiss watchmakers like Rolex and Patek-Phillipe can create watches worth tens of thousands of dollars. Tiny, intricate, extremely well connected pieces.

That attention to detail is alive and well in Zermatt, Switzerland. Zermatt is one of the “greenest” resorts in the world. So not only will you have an amazing time, but your footprint on the planet will be minimized the entire time. Not bad!

If you’ve been to Disneyland, you know the ride the Matterhorn. Well, that actually comes from Zermatt! So you will be able to see this incredible mountain up close and personal.

• Courchevel, France

Courchevel France is the world’s largest alpine ski domain. It includes over 372 miles of ski runs crisscrossing between 10 different summits over 2,500 meters. You can get to every mile of this through a complicated system of over 60 lifts.

Courchevel has a reputation for being upscale, even as far as resort towns go. Yet it’s not without its reason. All of the snow on the resort is meticulously managed and groomed. And for expert skiers, it features what may be the most dangerous run in the world.  

• Aspen, Colorado

The famous saying about Aspen is, “it’s where normal people go to feel famous and famous people go to feel normal”. Aspen couples small town vibes with the glitz and glammor of celebrity. And they pair together so naturally it’s like no other place in the world.

Maybe that’s why Aspen has been mentioned in more Hollywood movies than any other ski resort… ever!

The “Aspen Snowmass” is so large, 36 Disneylands could fit inside it. Lucky individuals or devoted explorers can stumble upon four monuments inside these mountains, dedicated to John Denver, Elvis Presley, Marilyn Monroe, and Jerry Garcia.

There’s plenty to do outside of skiing as well, with over 100 different bars and restaurants sprinkled throughout the small town.

• Salzburg, Austria

Perhaps most famous for being the birthplace of Mozart, Salzburg is also an absolutely incredible ski city.

One of the best parts of skiing in Salzburg is taking the train to multiple resorts. This will showcase the incredible beauty of the city and the country, and allow you to ski on every part of the incredible Salzburg alps.

Salzburg is a large, modern city with plenty of accommodations outside of skiing. Eat some of the finest food in the world or tour what is one of the most historically important western countries of all time.

In Conclusion

These are six of the most jaw-dropping ski resorts in the entire world. If you can make it to any one of them, you will have a memory that lasts a lifetime. If you’re serious about skiing, make this list a “bucket list”. Make it a goal to visit every single one of them in your lifetime.

Because as you now know, each offers a completely different experience. Whether in the USA or out, this world has enough amazing snow experiences for 1,000 lifetimes.  

Want to know how to make winter your favorite season? Learn how to ski!

Skiing can either be the most relaxing, or most exhilarating experience you have all winter. The best part is, it’s not too difficult to get into.

Today’s article is a primer on basic ski technique. Read it before you hit the slopes and you’ll be prepared for whatever mother nature throws at you.

Dress Warmly With Layers 

The first step is to make sure you have the right equipment. It can get VERY cold out on the slopes. If you aren’t wearing the right clothes, you’re going to have a miserable time.

The most important point to remember with ski clothes is not to wear ANYTHING cotton. As you’re skiing, you’ll probably work up a sweat. If you’re wearing cotton, the sweat will stick to the fabric. First, this makes the cotton lose it’s ability to insulate. But even worse, it’s now created a very cold layer that will actually sap the warmth from your body.

If you wear cotton, even if you have a heavy down outer layer on, you’ll be freezing underneath it!

Renting vs Buying

If you’re a complete beginner, I recommend you rent skis instead of buying them brand-new. Skiing is a lot of fun but it’s not for everyone. Better to find that out the cheap way through renting some decent skis that’ll get you through the day.

Take a Lesson

Now, I’m going to describe some basic ski techniques to you in the next section. However, this is just a primer for the ski lesson I highly recommend you take. These are affordable and every ski resort offers them. Generally, they last just 30 minutes and can be the difference between confidence on the slopes, and feel like you fall down every second.

There are a lot of intricacies you need to learn to get on the lift safely. Taking the time to get a lesson will help keep you and the other skiers on the mountain safe.

Skiing Basics

Now for the fun part. Actually skiing!

Before you get to the slopes, you’re going to want to practice clipping your skis into your boots. First, do it in a dry area. Feel the unique bindings of your ski snap together. Then, if you have snow outside, put some snow into the ski to practice.

Once you’ve clipped your skis on, practice standing up and getting the balance.

Now, when you arrive at the resort, go to the side of the lift. Usually, there is a small hill that beginners can practice on.

Snowplow Stance

Snowplow stance is the easiest way to safely move with skis. First, put your feet shoulder width apart. Angle the skis inwards so you form an arrow. In this stance, you’ll find that you can easily control your speed. You’ll also feel the most secure and balanced.

Practice going down the small hill in this snowplow stance. When you feel comfortable, you can move onto the beginner hills. On small slopes, snowplow stance can help you slowly make your way down the hill.

Keep Your Knees Bent

Our knees are natural shock absorbers. When bent, they help absorb impact and keep us on our feet. When you first start skiing, you may want to tense up your knees. Initially, this can feel more secure.

However, if you look your knees you will fall very quickly and painfully. So make sure to always keep in mind that when your knees are bent, you’re stable.

Stay Away from Powder at First

You may have heard that powder is heaven for skiers. And, that’s absolutely true… once you have a hang of balancing and skiing down hill. Because if you fall in powder, you can get stuck. While not exactly painful, it can be difficult for a beginner to get back up and balanced. For this reason, stick to the beginner hills until you’re confident you can stay on your feet, turn, and stop reliably.

Don’t Look Down

As a beginner, you’ll likely look down to stabilize yourself. This is fine when you’re just getting your balance. But move away from this as quickly as possible. Looking straight ahead is the only way to safely ski. It allows you to see everything coming up and any other skiers in your path. Too often beginners worry about their skis crossing, so they look down… only to get hit by another skier they didn’t see. Don’t let it happen to you!

Closing Thoughts

If you’ve never skied before, you really have to try it. By following the basic tips outlined in today’s article, you’ll have the right mindsets before you hit the slopes. This will ensure you learn quickly and can get out on the slopes as quickly as possible. Who knows, maybe you’ve found your new passion!

Did you know that the average American tosses 4.4 lbs of trash per day?

It might not seem like that much. But since there are over 300 million people living in the USA, that’s roughly 728,000 TONS of daily garbage. Or enough to fill 63,000 garbage trucks.

So in today’s article, I’m going to give you some creative ways to reuse common items you’d normally think of as trash. I think you’ll be surprised by just how useful the stuff you throw away can be.

Toilet Paper Rolls

When the toilet paper runs out, replace it, and toss the old cardboard roll, right? WRONG. This little piece of cardboard is insanely useful around the house. Here are just a few things you can make with it.

Tie/Belt Hanger

It can be tough to keep all your belts and ties organized. This craft makes it simple. All you need is an empty toilet paper roll.

Use scissors to cut the roll into about 10 equal sized circles. Then, using glue, attach it to the bottom of the hanger. Make sure to place each circle right next to each other. Now, you can hang ties and belts through these circles, allowing you to put at least 10 in one easy location.

Yarn Spool

This is an easy one. Simply make a slit around 1/3^rd of the way down the roll. Then take one end of the yarn you want to wrap up. Slide it into the slit so it holds still. Then wrap a bit of it around one of the ends.

The idea is to roll all the yarn around the toilet paper roll, forming a spool. Yet this can take a long time. So, if you use a handheld mixer, you can stick the beater inside the tube. Then turn it on and watch as your yarn rolls up almost instantly!

Homemade Decorations

When you cut a toilet paper cardboard into individual circles, these circles can then be bent and glued together to make incredible designs. For example, if you want to make a flower, cut the roll into 10 equal sized pieces. Then crease them together so they are flat. Allow it to expand out again. By combining this shape in a star pattern, you’ll quickly have a makeshift flower. You can paint this and glue it together for a completely unique home decoration I can promise you won’t see anywhere else.

Silica Gel

These little packets are found in all kinds of products. You know the look – little bags of powder with large warnings of DO NOT EAT on them. These are almost always thrown away immediately.

Well, did you know they can actually save a wet phone? Keep them in a safe place. Then if you ever drop your phone into water, put it in a Ziplock bag with a handful of these. They will almost magically suck the water right out – in most cases, making your phone good as new. 

Silica Gel packets can also be used to de-fog a car windshield or bathroom mirror. Dry a wet swimsuit in a hurry. Prevent rust on razor blades. And even keep toiletry bags dry during travel.

Tic Tac Boxes

Like Tic Tacs? Don’t throw the boxes away!

These conveniently sized boxes can be used for all sorts of things. You can put a mini pencil sharpener inside, and when you sharpen the pencil the shavings will go right into the box. Or, you can put the head of your toothbrush in it while traveling to keep it clean and dry.

Tic Tac boxes can be used to store paperclips and other crafting materials. And you can even use it to keep spices stored and organized in the kitchen.

Soda Bottles

Soda bottles are made out of a durable, water resistant plastic. This kind of plastic can take centuries to erode naturally in nature. Which is why we should reuse them if possible. Thankfully, they make perfect soap containers. Simply buy a soap pump from the store… or even better, reuse one from an old bottle. Make sure it’s the correct size to fit on the bottle. Then fill the bottle up with soap.

This works even better with glass bottles. Especially the classic Coca-Cola look. Just imagine having a glass coke bottle that stores your soap, or anything else you need near the sink. It gives a vintage style and costs pennies. Best of all, it’ll be a great conversation starter, since I’m confident none of your guests will have ever seen anything like it.

In Conclusion

These are just a few simple ideas on how you can be less wasteful at home. As you can see, even though these items are commonly thrown away, they can have a lot more value if you use a little creativity. Have fun!

There’s nothing quite like a hot meal on a cold day. Which is why today, I’m going to share 3 of my favorite winter recipes with you.

These are simple to make and will make the whole family happy.

Cabbage and Pork Soup

This is an incredibly healthy and delicious meal. Best of all it takes just minutes to prepare. The following recipe is good to serve 4 people a full and complete meal. 

Prep Time: 25 Minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour 15 minutes

Clean Time: 10 minutes

Ingredients:

1 medium size cabbage (savoy or white)

300 grams of smoked pork belly/bacon

1 medium size carrot

1 onion

3 cloves

8 cups clear chicken stock

1 tablespoon of butter

Salt and pepper

4 slices of bread

Instructions:

• Slice the cabbage in half. Then, slice each half in half again, creating quarters. Put the quarters in a pan and fill it to the top with cold water. Then put it on the stove and heat it until it boils. This is called blanching the cabbage.

• When cabbage is blanched, take out and cut lengthwise into slices.

• Slice the onion in half. In one half, insert 3 whole cloves. Cut the other half in half, creating 2 quarters.

• Slice the carrot into 1-2 cm pieces

• Cut the bacon/pork belly into 1-2 inch cubes

• Put 1 tbsp of butter into a large soup pot. Heat on medium

• When butter starts to pop, put in carrots and 2 onion quarters. Let cook 10-20 seconds.

• Add half of the cabbage.

• Layer the bacon/pork belly around the cabbage “bed”.

• Add the onion half with the cloves and cover with the rest of the cabbage.

• Pour in chicken stock

• Cover and simmer for 1:15

• Preheat oven to 375 F

• Put 4 slices of artisan bread on a flat oven pan and cook for 10 minutes (no oil needed)

• Serve full bowl of soup with toasted bread soaked in the broth.

Simple Minestrone Soup

Minestrone soup was invented in Italy around 1875. The word is thought to come from a combination of two words. Loosely translated, this means “to remedy”. In other words, this is a hot, very healthy soup that will keep your immune system up and running strong.

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 55 minutes

Clean Time: 10 minutes

Ingredients:

1 small onion

2 cloves of garlic

1 zuccini

2 celery stocks

2 medium potatoes

1 carrot, julienne

4 cups vegetable broth

1 can of diced tomatoes

1 can of cannellini beans

Oregano

Basil

Time

Salt and pepper

Instructions:

• Heat oil in a large pot in medium heat.

• Add onion and garlic and sauté for a 3-4 minutes.

• Add zucchini and celery.

• Add vegetable broth, diced tomatoes, beans.

• Add carrots and potatoes.

• Add spices.

• Stir everything thoroughly and then add 3 cups of hot water (add more or less water based on the consistency you want.

• Bring to a boil and then continue cooking over medium-low heat for 45 minutes.

French Onion Soup

French Onion Soup is a classic dish that is absolutely perfect for the winter season. The onions combined with the beef stock gives it an absolutely delicious, sweet taste. And topping with toasted bread and cheese makes a dish that is practically to die for. All prepped and ready in under an hour!

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 50 minutes

Clean Time: 10 minutes

Ingredients:

5 yellow/white onions

2 tbsp butter

1 tspn grapeseed oil

1 glass dry white wine

32 oz organic beef stock

1 tbsp flour

Thyme, rosemary, bay leaf

White cheese to taste

1 slice of robust bread

Instructions

• Mince onions

• Put pan on medium heat, add both butter and grapeseed oil

• Add all the onions (it should fill the pot almost to the top)

• Cook onions for 30 minutes, stirring every 5 or so. By the end, the consistency should be a light brown (caramelized)

• Add the white wine to deglaze the bottom of the pan

• Add flour, mix well and cook for 1 minute

• Add beef stock

• Add herbs

• Let the soup simmer for about 20 minutes

• Preheat oven to 375

• Cook sliced bread for 10 minutes

• Add salt and pepper to soup to taste

• Fill a bowl to the top with soup. Add the toasted bread. Cover generously with cheese.

• Put the bowl in the oven on broil for 2 minutes (after oven is hot)

Closing Thoughts

As you can see these recipes are easy, cheap, and a lot of fun. Not to mention they’re healthy and delicious enough to please even the pickiest eaters. Try them out and leave us a comment letting us know which one you like the most.

Have you ever wondered which items sell the most on Amazon?

Well, wonder no more! In today’s article, I’ll show you 6 of the best-selling products on Amazon for 2019. I tried to find some products that are a little unique and unexpected. At the same time, they’re extremely popular. This is what everyone is buying. So I hope you find a new favorite product, or something that inspires you.

Leggings Depot High Waisted Leggings

https://www.amazon.com/Leggings-Depot-High-Waisted-Soft/dp/B07WW9BJ3Z?th=1

Reviews: 14,902

Star Rating: 4.5

It’s no secret that leggings are in style. And, they probably always will be. Thanks to their extreme comfort and the fact that they work for almost any occasion, I imagine these will be in high-demand for a long time.

The Leggings Depot leggings seem to stick out due to their quality of fabric. They are form hugging and sexy. Yet they don’t reveal panty lines, and they won’t rip if you’re doing squats in the gym.

We’ve also seen that plus-sized people gravitate towards this brand.

ZonLi 20 lbs Weighted Blanket

https://www.amazon.com/ZonLi-Weighted-Blanket-Cooling-180-220/dp/B075W94KB3

Reviews: 3,209

Star Rating: 4.5

Weighted blankets are a life saver for anyone suffering from insomnia. Most of us know the feeling. Lying awake while the thoughts race through our minds. The more we try and ignore them the louder they seem to get. Before we know it, it’s time to get up and we haven’t even slept yet.

Well, weighted blankets show a lot of promise for solving this. How? Well, they simulate the pressure we felt in the womb. This subconsciously calms us and helps use feel safe, which drastically lowers our anxiety. Ultimately, it’s our anxiety that causes our thoughts to race and prevents us from sleeping. So if you struggle with sleep at all… I can’t recommend this product enough.

Wyze Easy Set-Up Security Cam

https://www.amazon.com/Wyze-Indoor-Wireless-Detection-Assistant/dp/B076H3SRXG/

Reviews: 20,186

Star Rating: 4.5

Look: these days security cameras are so affordable… and so high-quality… I believe everyone should have one. The Wyze set-up cam streams to the cloud. Which means it is always recording, at no hassle to you. If anything happens, you’ll see right away. You can even set it up to alert you if it detects motion.

It has near perfect night vision, allowing you to keep track of valuable areas when they are most vulnerable. And, it’s incredibly easy to set up. Using the app, you can change directions, monitor the feed, hear audio, and even speak through the other end! Please do not leave your security up to chance. Get this Wyze camera and you’ll sleep better at night… I promise.

Kanoodle Educational Game

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000FGECAI

Reviews: 1,153

Star Rating: 4.5

Kanoodle is a new game that people of all ages can enjoy. Best of all, it’s educational and will help teach children important logic and reasoning skills.

It’s a puzzle game that requires a lot of thought and concentration to figure out. And most reviewers say it’s addicting. Although it starts out easy enough, by the time you get to the highest levels it’s incredibly difficult, even if you consider yourself a very smart person. Give it a try – I know you won’t regret it.

Natrogix Bliss Essential Oils

https://amazon.com/Natrogix-Bliss-Essential-Oils-Book/dp/B071RXT6N8

Reviews: 2,819

Star Rating: 4.5

Essential oils almost couldn’t be more popular right now. And for good reason. They have practically limitless uses. From aromatherapy to healing aches and pains, essential oils are having a remarkably positive impact in millions of lives across the world.

Natrogix Bliss is a special set of essential oils. First off, it contains 9 of the most popular oils on the planet. These include peppermint, frankincense, eucalyptus, sweet orange, rosemary, lemongrass, tea tree, lemon, and lavender. So, it’s a great starter set.

But what most reviewers really love about this set is the innovative packaging. Clearly made with a passionate artistic eye and a keen attention to detail, this packaging is a must-see. And it makes the natrogix bliss essential oils set an incredible gift!

Fujifilm Instamax Camera

https://www.amazon.com/Fujifilm-Instax-Mini-Instant-Camera/dp/B06WW64YM6

Reviews: 4,810

Star Rating: 4.5

We live in the era of the selfie. And if you love Instagram, then you’ll love this camera. Why? Well, it prints out pictures it takes in less than 60 seconds! So you can pose with yourself or with your friends and take a picture. Less than a minute later it will be printed out, ready to be put on the refrigerator or hung anywhere else your heart desires.

With this latest model, it even includes a built-in selfie mirror so, so you can see exactly what the printed picture will look like before you take it! This is not only the perfect product for someone who loves taking pictures with friends… it’s the perfect gift.

Closing Thoughts

All of these products are extremely popular. And, I did my best to find some unique ones as well. I hope I was able to spark some ideas on some new products to buy. And remember… on Vipon, we get 45,000 coupons every single day. So before shopping on Amazon for these products, check Vipon first. Odds are we have a 50%+ off coupon for whatever you’re looking for (although it might be a different brand).

Christmas is more than just a date on the calendar. It’s a time of year. Just following Thanksgiving, there’s a little more cheer in the air.

One of the best ways to make Christmas more special and rememberable is to have family traditions. When you do these, they act like small rituals signifying the holiday. And they will create some of the strongest, best memories you’ll ever have.

Chances are you already have some Christmas traditions. In today’s article, we’re going to give you 7 of our favorites. Try them out!

1. Go Christmas Caroling

Christmas carolers help make the season bright. By going door to door, or singing in public, these carolers are integral to helping others feel that special Christmas charm. And, now you can be one of them.

When I was young, one of our favorite traditions was taking gifts to the neighbors while caroling. We’d bake some zucchini bread and hand it out with sparkling cider. We’d start singing right as the door opened.

We made unforgettable memories, as well as helped create a strong bond in the community.

2. Christmas Countdown

Part of the fun of Christmas is the anticipation. Having a Christmas countdown helps you see every single day as it draws near. Kids especially love seeing the countdown start at 25 at the start of the month and seeing it approach 1 – Christmas Eve.

Advent calendars are another way of doing this. They have chocolate inside for every day. So every day you can open another door and get a nice treat.

3. Christmas Pajamas

Christmas pajamas are a great way to up the family spirit. By getting a matching set of pajamas, the whole family has some cozy, special clothes for the holiday. When everyone is sitting around opening presents, listening to music, and wearing those matching jammies… it’s unforgettable.

Many different stores have Christmas pajamas on sale during the holiday. And on Vipon, we regularly have entire family sets of pajamas at 50% off or even more.

4. See a Christmas Concert

Another one of my favorite family traditions is going to a large cathedral downtown. There we’d listen to classic Christmas songs sung by a highly talented catholic choir. I’m willing to bet there’s a big church offering a free Christmas concert near you, too. These events are usually short and festive. In my hometown, the cathedral is packed full of cheerful people celebrating the holiday and uniting in brotherly love. Just be sure to get there early. If the concert is free, it will probably fill up almost immediately!

5. Help Those in Need

Christmas is a time of giving. And no one needs our help more during the holidays than others less fortunate. Fortunately, there are dozens of easy ways you can give back. Usually around this time, the post office will run a food drive. Here you can leave canned foods right by your mailbox, to be automatically picked up and donated by the USPS.

You can also volunteer. Soup kitchens always need help. And this lets you directly meet and talk to the people you’re helping. This is also the season for larger charity events and galas. So if you have a little more money you’d like to donate, these events can be a great place to meet new friends.

6. Watch a Christmas Movie

Another family tradition I had growing up is watching, “It’s a wonderful life” every Christmas eve. I always looked forward to this. Not because I loved the movie especially (I was young at the time)… but because watching it meant Christmas was almost here.

There are a lot of Christmas classics, so it should be easy to find something your whole family enjoys. Some of my favorites include a Christmas Story, Elf, The Santa Claus, Home Alone, and It’s a Wonderful Life.

7. Have a Cookie and Hot Chocolate Night

When it’s cold outside, every night is a hot chocolate night. Still, you can make an official day of it to make it even more special. Get the family together and bake cookies. Cover them with Christmas frosting and sprinkles. Look up a classic hot chocolate recipe online and really put some time into making it delicious.

8. Write Letters to Santa

Writing letters to Santa can be one of the most exciting parts of the year. Even for adults! This is your chance to really figure out what you want for Christmas this year. It gives parents and adults a shopping list… and gives kids the chance to join in on one of the world’s favorite Christmas traditions.

In Conclusion

These are 8 simple traditions that I know your family will love. If one sticks out to you, try it out. It could become your family’s new favorite tradition!

Winter can be depressing. It’s backed by science. It’s called Seasonal Affective Disorder, and tens of millions of Americans suffer from it.

Why does it happen? Well, with Daylight Saving’s time, it cuts the amount of sunlight we’re exposed to. Plus, during the winter, in cold places, people bundle up. And sunlight is critical to our health. So during the winter, we aren’t getting the natural Vitamin D we need to feel our best.

Then there’s the holidays and the stress those bring. So, if you historically get a little down during the winter, I have some good news. It’s treatable. And, it’s not too difficult either.

Symptoms of Seasonal Depression

First, I’m going to give you a breakdown of seasonal depression symptoms. Now, very important: I am not a doctor. This is not health advice. These are just some average symptoms so you can see what your experience is. If you find yourself really suffering from some of these, you need to see a doctor ASAP.

• A change in appetite, especially a craving for sweet or starchy foods
• Weight gain
• A heavy feeling in the arms or legs
• A drop in energy level
• Fatigue
• A tendency to oversleep
• Difficulty concentrating
• Irritability
• Increased sensitivity to social rejection
• Avoidance of social situations—not wanting to go out

Source: aafp.org

Light Therapy for Seasonal Depression

One of the biggest causes of SAD is lack of sunlight. Fortunately, we now have lamps that mimic the effect of sunlight on our skin. Which means if you use this light for even just 30 minutes a day, your body will create all the nutrients needed for you to be happy and feel great.

Very important: these lights are NOT the same as the lights in tanning beds. So you will not get the same benefits from a tanning bed! Don’t expose yourself to unnecessary skin risk by tanning to try and get rid of seasonal depression. It won’t have the desired effect.

Light Alarm Clock

Now we’re going to take the last tip to the next level. Mornings may be the most difficult part of winter. There’s nothing like having to wake up in the pitch black when you can practically see your breath.

If the thought of that makes you groan, I’ve got amazing news. They actually make lamps that go off to an alarm. Which means you can put this lamp in your bedroom. One hour before your wake-up time, the light slowly starts to turn on. It takes a whole hour to get 100% on, mimicking the rising sun. Not only that, but this is the kind of lamp that helps your body make Vitamin D too!

So not only are you waking up naturally, to a soft, growing light, you’re also getting the sun exposure you need to keep your happy hormones working. If you suffer from seasonal depression, just this one tip could be a complete and total game changer for you.

Get Very Warm Clothes

To enjoy winter, you have to get some dominion over the cold. If the cold scares you… if you hate the cold… you’re going to be miserable by default.

By far the most important way to overcome the cold is to master layers. Layers is a way of dressing where, as you might have guessed, you wear layers of clothes. On the bottom you have a thermal, long-underwear style. Then a fleece. Then top it off with a 900 fill down jacket.

Combine this with thermal long underwear under jeans, and you are going to be toasty… well looking great. It’s true – winter is a great time for fashion. And if you embrace that, and get warm clothing, you’ll find yourself actually looking forward to exploring the winter wonderland outside!

Get Your Heart Beating

Now for the icing on the cake: exercise. Look, when it’s cold outside, you need to balance that out. One of the best ways to do that is exercise. When you get your heart pumping, you increase your circulation. You get that nice, warm 98 degree blood pumping through your veins, warming you from the inside out.

Also, did you know you can burn up to 3x the calories in the cold? How? Shivering! Shivering is designed to warm you up ASAP. So it literally melts fat to be able to do so. When you have the right clothes, you may begin to love long walks outside. It’s great exercise. It’s simply beautiful. And you’re burning 3x the calories! Not bad…

Closing Thoughts

If you combine these 4 tips together, I know you’re going to see a marked improvement. In fact, you may even start to love winter. A lot of people do.