A while back, I made a change to my nightly routine. Before I go to bed, I pick up the house, wipe the counters, get the coffee ready and put all the dishes into the sink. Waking up to a clean house is a game changer. That's my contribution to this list :)
Someone asked the internet, "What's your 'don't knock it 'til you try it' life hack?" And here are some of the best responses:
1. Pilates. "It's great for everyone, but it's life-changing if you're over 50."
2. Mammalian diving reflex. "Just splashing water on your face, while holding your breath, triggers the nervous system to slow the heart rate and redirect blood to vital organs. It's some good [stuff]."
3. Frozen towels. "Putting a damp paper towel (or regular towel) in the freezer for a few minutes and then using it to quickly cool down your face and neck."
4. Heating towels. "If you're reheating meat, pasta, rice, or pizza in the microwave, put a wet paper towel over the food. It keeps it from drying out."
5. Folding laundry while watching trash TV.
6. Forcing smiles. "Smile broadly for a minute every morning when you are alone, like in the shower. It tricks your brain into thinking you're happy." (This is a bit creepy, and a bit sad, but my brain will take anything it can get.)
7. Homemade take-out. "After making burgers or sandwiches, wrap them in food wrapping paper, like a deli or takeout joint would do, then set them down for 10 minutes. It really gets everything to come together and marinate."
8. Cheez-Its in soup, instead of crackers. "Also: Goldfish crackers in chili."
9. Grilling a PB&J sandwich, just like a grilled cheese.
10. Potato chips in your deli / tuna fish sandwich. "Crunchy with the mushy."
11. Freezing grapes. "They make great 'ice cubes' for chilled wine or drinks."
12. Green Granny Smith apples and sharp cheddar cheese.
13. Putting toothpaste on mosquito bites. "They'll disappear, or at least not itch anymore, within minutes." And someone else added, "Heat up a spoon until it is warm, and press it on the bite. The heat nixes the protein that makes it itch."
14. A tiny pinch of salt in coffee. "And on watermelon."
15. Using scissors (or kitchen shears) to cut up a pizza.
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