Ah, camping. The great outdoors, the campfires, the food you’d never eat in civilised society: it’s a wonderful experience. That said, things can get a little bit tricky when we are left to the mercy of Mother Nature. Here are 30 fantastic camping hacks you can use to make your camping experience as wonderful as possible!

 1. Use sage to repel mosquitoes.

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Place some sage in your campfire and the smell is sure to ward off any pesky mosquitos.

2. Liquid soap + cotton balls = no ticks.

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If you or one of your fellow campers is having trouble with a tick, place the soap-soaked cotton on the tick for 20 seconds. The tick will eventually stop chewing and will come away with the cotton ball. If the tick was attached for a lengthy amount of time you may want to consider keeping it in a container so that you can test it for Lyme disease later.

3. Use an acorn cap as a whistle if you get lost.

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It’s remarkably easy to get lost whilst camping. Here’s a full tutorial on how you can transform an acorn into a whistle!

4. Corn chips for kindling!

Doritos are a great way to start a fire, just be careful!

5. Use the rest of the chips for nachos.

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Nachos are easy to pack, light and simple to make. Plus they’re incredibly tasty.

6. Use compact, microfibre towels!

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These towels are incredibly easy to store and dry within an hour of use. Buy them here.

7. Wrap duct-tape around your water bottle for emergencies.

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You never know when you might need some.

8. Make lamps out of jars and solar disks.

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Get all the info you need here.

9. Sangria!

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We know what’s really important. How to here!

10. One water bottle will hold eight eggs.

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By keeping all your eggs in a bottle you save time and hassle. Plus, no need to carry extra bowls or a whisk!

11. Johnson’s Baby Creamy Oil is a surprisingly good mosquito repellent.

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Keep the bugs and the bug repellent smell at bay.

12. DIY shower.

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All you need is a watering can and a large jug. Here’s the full instructions.

13. Keep sandpaper handy to light matches.

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Glueing some sandpaper to the lid of a tupperware box where you can also store matches is a foolproof plan.

14. S’moreos.

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15. MarshJell-o shots.

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Learn how to make these delicious things here!

16. Or dip those marshmallows in Bailey’s. 

Toast the marshmallow first and then dip it in Bailey’s.

17. Turn a bottle into a spoon.

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It’s that easy!

18. Grits repel ants.

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Just sprinkle grits wherever you see ants.

19. Deodorant can be used to combat itchiness.

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20. Wrap your meat in cabbage to stop it from burning.

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That’s not an innuendo, it really will! The moistness in the cabbage creates the perfect barrier.

21. Foam noodles will stop any injuries.

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For any fellow clumsy people, you know how possible it is to smack your head and cause serious injury. Placing a foam noodle on the awning strut narrows down at least one accident waiting to happen.

22. Carry some essentials in a small tin with you at all times.

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You never know what you’ll need and when.

23. Take toothpaste dots instead of a whole tube.

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Let the drops dry out over 3 days, add a little baking soda and put them in a resealable bag.

24. Use a stick to secure your tent.

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By placing a stick in the main centre line you ensure the pressure is even throughout, which will stop the grommets being pulled out.

25. Vacuum seal your food before you leave.

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26. Popcorn on the campfire.

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Popcorn that you can place on the stove at home can also be popped over a campfire. You can also make your own using this tutorial.

27. You can even make bacon and eggs over it.

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That’s right! Full instructions here.

28. Keep your toiletries handy.

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Buy this magnificent contraption here.

29. Compact, unbreakable cups!

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Get them while you can!

30. Tic-Tac boxes are great for storing ingredients.

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With these 30 tips and tricks, you can work DIY magic into nearly every aspect of camping, and make your next camping trip a comfortable, easy blast. Good luck!

Featured photo credit: rmalouf via flickr.com

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Over thinking kills your happiness.

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Everyone sees what you appear to be, few experience what you really are.

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Breathe in for a count of 5… breathe out for a count of 5… and breathe in… breathe out… Feeling calmer? You probably do feel calmer. Now tell me. Why don’t you do this when things are tough? Do you forget to do this when you feel the world is falling apart?

What is it that you need to do to take back control?

“When adversity strikes, that’s when you have to be the most calm. Take a step back, stay strong, stay grounded and press on.” – LL Cool J.

I believe we all have the strength to overcome any situation we find ourselves in. Research tells us there is a strong relationship between a calm mind and being successful. The result of what we do in that difficult moment makes the difference between success and no success. Below you will learn exactly what to do to stay calm. Some strategies will sound strange, others make obvious sense and just need to be implemented.

1. Stop Whining, Move Forward!

“The future rewards those who press on. I don’t have time to feel sorry for myself. I don’t have time to complain. I’m going to press on.” –
Barack Obama

An excellent way to stay calm and to get back control over the situation is to simply stop whining. Sound a little harsh? I’m sorry. But in your heart you know this works. When you continue to whine, you will not look at what happens. You will only be busy with the way you feel. This is not helping you move forward!

2. Stop Talking To Others

“The only thing to do with good advice is to pass it on. It is never of any use to oneself.” – Oscar Wilde

The moment you face hard times, you will probably receive a million thoughts, ideas and solutions from other people. They share them because you ask for them, or simply because they want to help you. But stop and have a really honest look inside. You know exactly why you are in this situation. Do what you feel it is you need to do next. It is probably the best advice you will use.

3. Stop Thinking About What Happens And What Else Will Go Wrong

“Positive thinking will let you do everything better than negative thinking will.” – Zig Ziglar

This doom-filled thinking is not really helpful. Better to know what happened and understand your current situation. Then, start plotting your way towards your solution. As Will Smith said: “There’s no reason to have a plan B because it distracts from plan A.” Use all your energy to move away from the problem using one strategy at a time.

4. Stop Eating, Start Drinking

“Drinking water is like washing out your insides. The water will cleanse the system, fill you up, decrease your caloric load and improve the function of all your tissues.” – Kevin R. Stone

Yes, you read this correctly. No need to eat a little more (you don’t need comfort, you need to think straight). You need water, and lots of it! No coffee and no beer or any other alcohol. You need to flush your system. Drink slowly. Drink warm water… Slowly… Feel how the warm water goes into your system. Then start working again.

Continue to keep your brain and body hydrated. Doing that helps you think better. Aren’t we made of 60% water? Refresh!

5. Stop Doing What You Do

“Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.” – Albert Einstein

If you continue to go on the path you chose, you will only make things worse. The moment you find yourself in a difficult situation, you need to STOP and identify what is happening. The moment you do that, you can plot better actions. This will improve your situation. Always be aware of this. You need to be conscious of the things you do and what their results are.

6. Stop And Listen To Chuck Norris

“A lot of times people look at the negative side of what they feel they can’t do. I always look on the positive side of what I can do.” – Chuck Norris

I told you that you should not listen to anyone and follow your own path, right? Perhaps this is the only exception to that rule. Chuck Norris is not just a really cool person. He also has many ideas about solving problems.

7. Stop Thinking, Start Feeling

“The whole point of being alive is to evolve into the complete person you were intended to be.” – Oprah Winfrey

I know that the moment you face problems, your emotions are running wild, right? What to do, what happens next, will I survive… Many thoughts and ideas are running through your mind.

What if you stop feeling stressed or scared? What if you start feeling blessed for this learning opportunity? What if you feel strong and inventive? What if you felt you have all the answers to resolve this? Would that change things?

Start feeling with ALL your emotions!

8. Stop Moving Forward

“We keep moving forward, opening new doors, and doing new things, because we’re curious and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths.” – Walt Disney

Huh… didn’t you just read that you have to move forward? You most certainly did! How does this tip help you then? Well… you have to stop identifying forward with the direction you were heading. Start thinking about forward as a way to move in the direction of a solution. Perhaps forward is sideways, or even backwards! Change your perspective and start moving again.

9. Stop Learning, Start Doing

“Do not wait; the time will never be ‘just right.’ Start where you stand, and work with whatever tools you may have at your command, and better tools will be found as you go along.” – George Herbert

Some people want to know exactly what to do to get out of their difficult situation. They want A to Z, all the steps. Knowing what to do from the beginning till the end. Mastering those steps is great. But it won’t bring you in the place you want to be. You need to take ACTION! Do something. Do ONE thing. Think first, than act. Most people remain in a state of pain and thinking. They are afraid to take action. You know this now, so act on it!

10. STOP

“If you want a happy ending, that depends, of course, on where you stop your story.” – Orson Welles

Stop doing anything and everything. Remember the breathing from the beginning? Do that. Learn to breath slowly, consciously. Stop doing what you do. Stop doing anything but breathing. After you did that for 10, 20, 30 seconds… you start doing something. Getting to a calm state of mind is not something you do by running around and by having negative feelings. Calm = Stop. Stop is the beginning of your new start. Calm can only starts when you are in control of your state. It is exactly that calm start of mind that will transform your difficult situation in a success.

11. START

“Start by doing what’s necessary; then do what’s possible; and suddenly you are doing the impossible.” – Francis of Assisi

Practice being calm. Start your days with it. Remind yourself to remain calm during the day. Calm is a great place to start moving forward, left, right or even back. Start is however the thing you have to do to move from difficult to calm to progress.

There you go. 11 practical ideas to create calmness in your life. Some are really focused on becoming calm again. Others can be used to move away from the difficult situation at hand and focus your mind.

A calm mind is a mind which is in control.  A stressed mind takes control over you. A calm mind is there to serve you.

ACTION POINTS:

Now for the most important part. How can you use this today to improve your calmness no matter what the circumstances.

Learn to stay conscious of what you think, do and feel. This is hard in the beginning. Still, you have to remind yourself about this. The easiest way is to add little reminders around you in your environment. Sticky notes on your computer, reminders on your phone. Looking at your children or your co-workers. Associating items in the office to look at how you feel. When you do that, you will become more aware of what you do and how you feel.

Then the main point. You will run into situations where calmness might not feel like your first priority. Needless to say, and you obviously know this already… these are exactly the situations where you need to stay calm. How you act that moment has a huge impact on whether or not you will be or feel successful.

Pick one idea, or perhaps two ideas from the list above. Use them as your backup strategy to create calmness in your life again.

And if nothing else works…

Breathe in… breathe out… breathe in… breathe out…

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Beauty attracts the eye but personality captures the heart.

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Brain power can be boosted not just by brain training and physical exercise, but also by choosing our diets carefully and taking into account the findings of modern scientific research.  With an ever increasing life expectancy, we have an interest in healthy eating that is reaching epic proportions. And we now expect much more from our food than ever before.  Food is not just fuel to get us through the day.  All calories are not created equal.  We want our food to enhance our physical and mental activity, as well as our moods.  We want our food to contain cancer fighting agents and prevent cognitive decline.  We want our food to stimulate the brain growth of neonates and the immune systems of our newborns.

What most people don’t realize is that you can get all your essential nutrients from the food that you are consuming on an every day basis. And while there are many marketing experts that will try to sell you the extracted ingredients at high costs in pill format, most of the vitamins and minerals that pack the best brain punch can be found in their purest forms at your local grocery shop. This list below will get you started on a diet that is jam packed full of brain food to raise your IQ and maintain a very high standard of brain fitness. And of course, while you still need to get your physical exercise, your mental workouts, and your good night’s sleep, these foods will provide your body with the fuel needed to keep your brain running on the most efficient fuel.

1. Celery

Scientists at the University of Illinois found that a diet rich in a plant compound called luteolin reduces age-related inflammation in the brain and related memory deficits by directly inhibiting the release of inflammatory molecules in the brain (Jang, Dilger, Johnson, 2010). Celery is one food that is very high in luteolin.  Other vegetables such as peppers and carrots also contain high levels of luteolin. So if you want to keep your memory in tip top shape, eat plenty of celery, peppers and carrots.

2. Walnuts

We hear a lot about the Omega-3s these days and indeed there is a large body of scientific evidence supporting that these fatty acids are essential for healthy brain activity.  Seniors who have high levels of Omega-3 in their blood score higher on cognitive ability tests and on other tests of memory (American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 2008).  Walnuts provide a very strong source of Omega-3.  While salmon actually appears to be a richer source of Omega-3, it is not likely that people will eat salmon every single day. Walnuts, on the other hand, can be eaten as a snack or put into cereals and salads with reckless abandon.  Other oily cold water fish such as mackerel, herring, sardines and trout are also full of the Omega-3 fatty acids so aim to include these as much as three times per week for maximal brain benefits.

3. Red meat

Well we have probably all heard that you shouldn’t eat too much red meat these days because over eating it can cause damage to the colon. However, when it comes down to the ever important vitamin B12, red meat is the strongest provider.  In fact, a B12 deficiency will cause nerve and brain damage!  So, while we don’t recommend that you eat red meat every day, we do recommend that you eat it on a weekly basis. There are B12 supplements and alternatives for those of us that don’t eat red meat, but unfortunately none of them are as rich a source of this vitamin as red meat. So while you can eat leafy greens and take vitamin supplements for your B12, you will need to eat vast amounts of them to get the same amount of B12 that you would get from red meat.

4.  Blueberries

The Journal of Agriculture and Food Chemistry (2012) states that a diet rich in blueberries is associated with faster learning, sharper thinking and improved memory retention.  Perhaps not surprisingly, strawberries, blackberries and other berries show similar benefits.

5. Whole grains

We all need sugar to fuel our brains and our bodies.  However, the slow release sugar found in whole grains such as barley and bulgur provide longer lasting energy being supplied to the brain.  Remember that all sugar is not created equal.  If you want the good sugars that we need for the most efficient brain functioning, we need to move away from the fizzy drinks, cheap breads and cakes and stick with the whole grains. Indeed, a word of caution is necessary here; eating cheap breads, cakes and fizzy drinks instead of the healthy whole grains for your sugars, can actually reduce your IQ! But the great news is that you don’t have to be creative to get your whole grains in.  You can build whole grains into many different meals at any time of day.  So whether you want to find some tasty toppings for your oatmeal or bake your pizza base from scratch, here are some great recipes.

6. Chickpeas

Chickpeas have the combined advantage of complex carbohydrate to give you the energy you need plus protein which keeps you alert. Protein, contains high levels of amino acids, such as tyrosine, which in turn causes neurons to produce very important neurotransmitters like norepinephrine and dopamine.  These are associated with mental alertness which is an essential part of learning.  Chickpeas are also brimming with magnesium which is thought to play an important role in metabolizing energy that enables brain cell receptors to speed up the transmission of messages (i.e., quicker thinking and faster acting brains). Finally, scientists also report that foods high in magnesium also help to relax blood vessels which allows more blood to flow to the brain.  All in all, this is fantastic news for hummus lovers.  You should also try out these delicious spicy chickpea patties.

7. Dark chocolate

One new study published in Hypertension (2013) showed that consuming dark chocolate every day may improve thinking skills in adults with mild cognitive impairment.  In this study, older adults were enlisted to take part in research where they were asked to consume either low, moderate of high amounts of flavanols in a cocoa based beverage every day for eight weeks. The scientists found that there was a link between higher amounts of flavanols and improvements in tests of cognitive function.  Put simply, the higher the concentration of flavanols, the better people did on the tests of cognitive functioning.  The participants who consumed highest amounts of flavanols were able to complete tests more quickly and recall more information. One word of caution to readers is that this particular study was funded by Mars so there is a potential conflict of interest here. However, the finding that flavanols are good for you is not exactly news. Flananols are widely known to reduce blood pressure and it may be that their effect on increasing blood flow is having a secondary effect on brain functioning.  Flavanols are also found in red wine, grapes, apples and tea, if for any reason you do not wish to consume vast quantities of dark chocolate.

8. Almonds

Almonds are very high in vitamin E which is thought to protect the brain from age related damage and to improve learning and memory skills. Almonds also contain riboflavin and L-carnitrine which are widely accepted as nutrients that boost brain activity.

9. Broccoli

Broccoli contains Vitamin K which strengthens cognitive abilities and Choline which has been found to improve memory.  Broccoli also contains folic acid which can help to ward of Alzheimer’s disease.  Some studies also suggest that a lack of folic acid can lead to depression so broccoli may be good for our brains on many levels, not strictly in terms of doing well on IQ or memory tests.  If you’re not that into broccoli on its own, check out this site for a delicious broccoli, cannellini bean and cheddar soup.

10. Avocado

In 1994, Miller found that the workings of the human brain depends on communication between our brain’s 100 billion neurons.  The axon of each neuron is coated in a type of insulation known as myelin.  When myelin is thicker, the transmission of impulses between neurons is faster. This is turn is linked to higher intelligence. Avocados are known to have a high fat content and yet this is fat that is good for our brains. Avocados are rich in a fatty acid called “oleic acid” which helps build myelin sheathes found in the white matter in the brain. Neurons without myelin process information at slower speeds. So while we know that correlation is not the same as causation, eating avocados does appear to be a helpful method for building up our myelin.  Other sources of oleic acid include olives, almonds and pecans.

A few recipes using these and other good brain foods can be found here.

Now go forth, eat well and boost that brain power!

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Fear is only as deep as the mind allows.

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Chicken wings.  They appear small and insignificant, don’t they? But there are restaurant chains dedicated to serving a wide variety of these glorious little bites of heaven. You can also bet to find chicken wings served at Super Bowl, birthday, office, and most other parties and get-togethers across the country!  I make these babies to serve as a snack, lunch, or dinner at least once a week because they’re super easy to prepare… and oh, so yummy!

Here are 30 delectable chicken wing recipes for you to try, featuring creative twists on familiar favorites… Enjoy!

1. Crispy Baked Chicken Wings

Crispy skin without the mess!  Served with either ginger-soy glaze or buffalo sauce.

2. Tebasaki Japanese Style Chicken Wings

Super crispy Japanese-style fried chicken wings with brown sugar, soy sauce, ginger, and garlic glaze. This is our family favorite!

3. “Blow Your Mind” Baked Chicken Wings

Baked wings with garlic, ginger, chili flakes, and scallions.

4. One-Pot Chicken Recipe: Korean Fried Wings

Crispy, crackling wings with an easy to make, garlic, soy sauce, honey, sesame oil, and chili paste glaze.

5. Hot Thai Chilli Chicken Wings

Marinated chicken wings deep fried and tossed in garlic, red curry paste, and tomato ketchup sauce.

6. Sweet and Spicy Chicken Wings

Sweet and spicy baked chicken wings made with garlic, soy sauce, honey, and red pepper flakes.

7. Brown Stew Chicken Wings With Cauliflower Dip

Great tasting wings prepared a little healthier.

8. Restaurant-Style Buffalo Chicken Wings

Just like the wings served at the popular restaurant chain!

9. Grill Master Chicken Wings

Grilled wings with a soy, hot pepper, and butter sauce.

10. Vietnamese Lime Chicken Wings

Delicious wings with chili sauce, honey, and lime leaves.

11. Caribbean Chicken Wings

Easy to prepare baked wings with habanero, honey, brown sugar, and cayenne pepper glaze.

12. Sticky Guinness Chicken Wings

Lazy wings recipe with a definite bite from the pepper corns and Guinness.

13. Firecracker Chicken Wings

Guy Fieri’s sweet & spicy chicken wings with honey, sriracha, ginger, and chili-garlic sauce.

14. Cranberry Glazed Sticky Chicken Wings

Sweet & sour wings with a sweet chili and cranberry glaze.

15. Smoked Jerk Chicken Wings with Honey-Tamarind Dipping Sauce

Jamaican flavored wings with a fragrant and spicy jerk marinade.

16. Teriyaki Chicken Wings With Sesame And Cilantro

Teriyaki chicken wings with sesame and cilantro.

17. Grilled Turmeric and Lemongrass Chicken Wings

Wings with a coconut milk, garlic, lemongrass, jalapenos, tamarind, and turmeric marinade.

18. Indian Style Wings

Skinless Indian-style wings with a flavorful ginger, garlic, tomato, and onion sauce.

19. Grilled Chicken Wings with Spicy Chipotle Hot Sauce and Blue Cheese-Yogurt Dipping Sauce

Chicken wings with a refreshingly spicy but mildly sweet sauce.

20. Honey-Sriracha Chicken Wings

Simple to prepare honey and sriracha wings with a perfect balance of sweet and spicy.

21. Baked Parmesan Garlic Chicken Wings

Crispy and flavorful baked Parmesan and garlic chicken wings.

22. “Call the Fire Department” Hot Wings

Hot and delicious cayenne pepper and Tabasco chicken wings recipe.

23. Crock Pot Chicken Wings

What could be easier than making chicken wings in a crock pot?

24. Sticky and Spicy Thai-Style Chicken Wings

An amazing combo of flavors from the peppery Sriracha, sweet and smoky hoisin sauce, and the flurry of cilantro and scallions.

25. Sticky Honey-Soy Chicken Wings

Sticky chicken wings cooked in honey, soy sauce, ginger, cilantro, garlic, and lemon juice.

26. Balsamic Chicken Wings

Tangy wings cooked in a honey, ginger, and balsamic vinegar glaze.

27. Chicken Wings With Spicy Peanut Sauce

Wings with spicy peanut sauce. The perfect combination of sweet, salty, and roasty.

28. Smoked Chicken Wings

Crispy wings smoked in apple wood chips.

29. Coca-Cola Chicken Wings

Simple caramelized chicken wings recipe using cola and soy sauce.

30. Crab Fat–Caramel Wings

Mind-altering wings cooked in jarred crab paste.

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