Health in the Zone

Food you can eat past the expiration date:
Crackers and cereals

These things may go stale, but they can last a while, especially when left unopened.
As long as they're physically okay, do a sight and smell test, you'll most likely be okay eating them, too.

Food you can eat past the expiration date:
Chocolate

Chocolate is truly that friend that can last you till the end of time if you take care of it properly.
Store it in a cool dry place with a temperature of about 21-degrees Celsius and you can probably extend its life for up to a year.
Keeping it in the freezer will make it last even longer.
In colder temperatures, chocolate can develop white streaks or marks.
That's not mold.
It's still safe to eat.
Dark chocolate usually lasts longer than the other kinds.

Store-bought pasta

Trust your senses.
If nothing looks funny and nothing smells funny, your dry pasta is probably in good shape.

Being thankful always

😀Your hard job is the dream of every unemployed
😀Your small home is the dream of every homeless
😀Your smile is the dream of every depressed
😀Your little money is the dream of every debtor
😀Your annoying child is the dream of every infertile

Cleaning office equipment and electronics

Keeping your laptop, computer, printer and other home office equipment and electronics dust-free can help them stay in good, properly working order.
White vinegar is a great way to do just that.
Before you begin, be sure the item you want to clean is powered off.
Then, mix up a solution of equal parts water and white vinegar in a large bowl or bucket.
Do not use a spray bottle as it could cause liquid to seap into the circuits inside.
Instead, dampen a soft, clean cloth in the solution and then squeeze it out as much as possible before using it to clean.
You can use cotton swabs for tight spaces, such as the areas around the keys of the keyboard.

Extending the life of cut flowers

While white vinegar is a great w**d killer, it can also extend the life of cut flowers as it lowers the pH of the water.
The lower pH helps the flower absorb more water and creates a hostile environment for microbes.
Microbes, which are fed by decaying plant material and any added sugars, cut the life expectancy of flowers.
Sugar is important for any plants, as it’s high in carbs and continues to feed the flowers after they’re cut, helping unopened buds to open while extending the life and vitality of the open flowers.
Use equal parts of dissolved sugar and white vinegar to supply an adequate level of sucrose and acidify the water.
For a quart vase, use two tablespoons of each dissolved white sugar and white vinegar.

Accepting What You Don’t Know

Most of us want to know what’s going to happen in the future, especially if it’s something that’s very important to us personally, or if it’s something especially fraught with emotion.
Much of not being present in the moment is about anxiety and fear about future worries. Imagine what releasing all of that energy about not knowing would feel like, i.e., a lot more time and energy to actually be present.

Uncertainty and change are part of the human condition. The more you practice acceptance of these, instead of trying to manipulate and control them, the better you’ll get at enjoying life as it unfolds.

The same goes for your feelings. Accept your feelings as they are in any given moment without judgment. Feelings are frequently subject to change. Obviously, be responsible for your feelings but be respectful of them. Allow yourself to feel your feelings without overthinking them.

Without a sense of curiosity it is impossible to grow

To live successfully, be endlessly curious about all the possibilities your future holds. It is important to have an unquenchable thirst for your advancement and for adventure.

Curiosity inspires you to push through the unusually painful trials and errors in your life leading. This type of resiliency is an acquired self-discipline which teaches you to cast your fears aside bringing you to the fullest experience of the adventures success can bring.

Curiosity creates a longing to know more and do more. It inspires that energy which makes it possible to see all situations as opportunities for your advancement. When you approach life with a sense of adventure, there is no situation, however limiting, physically or economically, which cannot be filled to the brim with the interest and curiosity of how it will all work out.

Reflecting at least once a year

Whether it’s once per year, once every 6 months, 3 months, or even once a month, the act of deep reflection compounds far more than people think. Reason being, when you deeply reflect once, you not only learn about how you got to where you currently are, but you also learn about the act of reflecting in itself.

The more you reflect, the more of your life you are reflecting on, but also the better you get at the act of reflection. Think: the longer you live, and the more you practice reflecting, the more you must reflect upon, and the deeper your reflections will go.

Bringing wine with you

Usually, the prices for alcohol in restaurants are not much higher than they are in stores, but they are still a little bit higher.
If you don’t want to order a drink at a restaurant, you can bring it with you if you ask the restaurant if it is okay in advance.
The restaurants that allow their guests to do that will ask for a corkage fee, which is around $25-40.
After you get your table, give your bottle to the waiter and your wine will be served exactly as it would be if you ordered it there.
Of course, there are some etiquette rules, like don’t bring a product that is extremely cheap.

Benefits of Healthy Habits: Energy Boost

We’ve all experienced a lethargic feeling after eating too much unhealthy food. When you eat a balanced diet your body receives the fuel it needs to manage your energy level. A healthy diet includes:
😀whole grains
😀lean meats
😀low-fat dairy products
😀fruit
😀vegetables

Regular physical exercise also improves muscle strength and boosts endurance, giving you more energy. Exercise helps deliver oxygen and nutrients to your tissues and gets your cardiovascular system working more efficiently so that you have more energy to go about your daily activities. It also helps boost energy by promoting better sleep. This helps you fall asleep faster and get deeper sleep.

Insufficient sleep can trigger a variety of problems. Aside from feeling tired and sluggish, you may also feel irritable and moody if you don’t get enough sleep. What’s more, poor sleep quality may be responsible for high blood pressure, diabetes, and heart disease, and it can also lower your life expectancy. To improve sleep quality, stick to a schedule where you wake up and go to bed at the same time every night. Reduce your caffeine intake, limit napping, and create a comfortable sleep environment. Turn off lights and the television, and maintain a cool room temperature.

Foods that lift your mood: Berries

Berries pack a wide range of antioxidants and phenolic compounds, which play a key role in combatting oxidative stress, an imbalance of harmful compounds in your body. They’re particularly high in anthocyanins, a pigment that gives certain berries their purple-blue color.

A diet rich in anthocyanins is associated with a 39% lower risk of depression symptoms. If you can’t find them fresh, try buying frozen berries, which are frozen at their peak ripeness to retain the maximum amount of antioxidants.