Why Having is Important Fun with Family ???

Why Having Fun with Family is Important

There are two kinds of mothers in this world: cleanies and messies. Your ability to have fun is going to be directly related to which category you fall in. Many times “fun” means “mess”. This is the first reality we have to come to grips with if we are going to have fun. When my friend Cathy splashes in the puddles with the kids, there is certainly going to be a mess. Wet, and maybe even muddy, clothes will have to be attended to. Showers or baths may be in order. If we don’t have the right perspective, this will feel like an interruption to our day. The right perspective, though, is that it is an essential part of our day. Having fun with our children is part of being a mom. And dealing with messes is sometimes a part of having fun.

I fall into the “cleanie” category. The prospect of messes far too often keeps me from having fun with my children. I have come a long way over the years, but I still have more to grow in this area. I’m way too practical at times when I need to be spontaneous. God has been working with me on this one – a project I know my kids are glad he is doing. I certainly don’t want to look back, after my children are gone, and say, “I wish I had loosened up. I wish I’d had more fun.” I want to do that now, while I can make the change and make a difference in my kids’ lives.

Spontaneous Fun

Sometimes spontaneous fun happens when we maximize the moments. Cathy called the other day and invited our ten-year-old daughter to her home. Her eight-year-old daughter was having a private garage sale just for a few friends. She had cleaned out her room, priced her items, and was ready to host this special event. Cathy was surprised at her daughter’s business enterprise, but decided to make the most of the occasion. She helped Rein set up the sale on their Ping-Pong table in the basement and ordered pizza for the girls who were attending this private sale. Opportunities for fun happen on a regular basis – as mothers, we choose to either maximize the moments or minimize the fun.

Family Fun

Family fun is an important part of building a strong family identity. When families have fun together, it builds a bond that can last a lifetime. Traditions are often developed in times of fun. Those traditions help define and individualize each family.

At the Savage household, we have a tradition of fun called “surprise rides”. This started when the older children were small, and we wanted to surprise them with a spontaneous activity. It might be ice cream at our favorite ice cream parlor, a spontaneous trip to the park, or a matinee showing of a new family movie. Whatever it is, thought, the anticipation is the best part of the fun. From the time Mark and I yell, “Surprise ride,” and everyone rushes to get in the car, until the time that we arrive at our surprise destination, the excitement increases. As the kids have gotten older, they have often suggested surprise rides. Of course they’re not really a surprise that way (unless your teenager is driving you somewhere!), but the suggestion alone says, “Let’s have some fun together as a family.” It has given us common ground and shared vocabulary that lends to family fun.

Holidays also provide opportunities for fun that may develop into special traditions. Several years ago I served dinner backwards on April Fools’ Day (dessert first!). It was a fun evening that started a new tradition. Each April 1 has been dubbed “Backwards Day” ever since.

Families need to recreate together. We need to have unstructured times of togetherness. I’m not talking about watching TV together – I’m talking about a pick-up game of basketball, playing cards, or just sitting out on the porch talking and laughing together. Camping, fishing, biking, and hiking are great times of family recreation. As moms, we must take the initiative and make these things happen. We have to be available, and we have to value having fun together. As we spend time together in both spontaneous and planned activities, we will find our family relationships growing stronger.

Birthday Fun

The night before a birthday is spent preparing for a special breakfast. After the birthday person goes to bed, the table is set with birthday plates, cups, and napkins. The family presents are placed in the center of the table. Later, we quietly slip into their room and hang balloons and streamers. When the birthday girl or boy awakes in the morning, the room reflects his or her special day. As we move downstairs to the breakfast table, the best part of the celebration takes place: cake and ice cream for breakfast! Yes, I know it flunks all the tests for a healthy breakfast, but it stands the test of time for building family fun. It is certainly a favorite activity of our family, and with six people in our family it means six times a year we eat cake and ice cream for breakfast!

Our birthday celebrations have become treasured traditions for our family, special memories that Mark and I realize can only be enjoyed when the children are home. We only have a short season to fully enjoy these traditions and times of fun, for far too soon our children will be grown and creating traditions of their own.

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The Five Pillars Of Health And Fitness

Pillar One: Exercise Regularly

As most people will tell you, it’s easy to get started with an exercise routine but it’s a lot harder to keep it up. If you struggle to stay with exercise, it’s probably because you’ve started doing too much too fast. Instead, you should start off small and build up to the bigger challenges. I recommend you begin by doing a few exercises in the morning after you wake up. A good beginners exercise is the sit up. Once you feel comfortable completing ten each morning, push it up to fifteen. Then start increasing the number of sets you are doing. After that add an exercise and keep going until you start to feel like it is getting easier. That way your routine will never feel overwhelming because you will be building it up slowly.

You might also want to consider heading off to the gym. But, I do realise that many people do not feel comfortable exercising in the gym if they are not in good shape. That said, there are positives to gym exercise. You will be joining a community who will encourage you to keep pushing towards your ultimate goal. You’ll also have access to some of the best equipment so that you can complete whatever exercise you want.  I suggest you do find a fitness exercise that you love as this will make it easier to stick with it.

It’s easier to get children more active. If you’re looking to improve your kids fitness, you just need to start encouraging them to play more sports. It’s a good idea to set a maximum TV and game time before they have to go play outside. Kids bodies are naturally different from adults. They will find it easier to lose weight and get in shape.

Pillar Two: Healthy Eating

The second pillar should never be seen as exclusive. In fact, you can see this one as holding up the other. Many people believe that if you exercise regularly you will not need to reduce the amount you are eating to lose weight. This is not true. The easiest and fastest way to reduce your weight is to limit what you are eating. However, I must stress that you should not limit the amount by too much.

I know that many people like to diet by replacing food with vitamin supplements. This is fine and a perfectly acceptable way to lose weight. However, you must make sure that you are getting all the vitamins and minerals you need to keep your body healthy. There are a lot of daily vitamins that your body needs to make sure you are getting them all, even if you aren’t eating a lot.

Aside from that it’s important that both you and your family are eating a balanced diet. What does this mean? Essentially it just means that you are getting fruit, vegetables and the protein that your body needs. Again, a lot of people misunderstand a balanced diet but the key is in the name. You don’t have to cut out all the sugars, fats and salt. You just need to make sure that you are getting a small amount of each. It has been known that stores have been taking salt out of sold goods. But the body actually needs small amounts of salt to stay healthy. It keeps your bones working properly.

Pillar 3: Use The Technology

When I was trying to lose weight, I found the available tech very helpful. I added a few new apps to my phone. I’m happy to say that they allowed me to reach my goal. By being able to watch my weight and my calorie intake I was able to reach my goal a lot faster. One piece of advice I would offer is not to check your weight too regularly. Some people’s metabolism is lower than others. If your metabolism is low, you will have trouble losing weight. Seeing that you have not lost as much weight as you had hoped can be rather disheartening.

Pillar 4: Bad Habits Must Die

I know a lot of people believe that they can lose weight while keeping up some bad habits. For instance, some smokers think that smoking actually helps them stay thin. It may help them stay thin, but it certainly isn’t helping them stay healthy. Quite the opposite in fact. That’s why if you do have any bad habits and you want to get healthy you need to start trying to give them up. Don’t quit them straight away as this usually just makes the problem worse. Ease yourself off them until they no longer have a hold on you. Once you do this, you will find that staying healthy is a lot easier.

Pillar 5: Peace And Serenity

Finally, you might be wondering what the biggest cause of being unhealthy is. Well, I can tell you without a doubt that it is stress. If you are stressed, it can affect your weight, blood pressure and heart beat. It can have lasting effects on your mind and your body. That’s why it’s a good idea to start reducing the level of stress in your life. You can try some breathing exercises and if that doesn’t work yoga is an excellent form of exercise that also reduces stress. Goodluck.

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HEALTH AND FITNESS

 

HEALTH AND FITNESS: Healthy family resolutions

By this time, you are probably well into your New Year’s resolutions. Hopefully, you are still on track to meet your goals. Whether they are health-related or not, it is likely that your goals focus on you. But what about the rest of your family?

Fortunately, there are a few resolutions that your whole family can make that will help you all move, eat and sleep better. Here are a few ways your family can make 2017 a happy and healthy year.

• Make sure everyone in the family is active every day. Physical activity is critical for good health for everyone. Beyond that, being active can help you perform better at work and school and make it easier to do things you enjoy in your leisure time.

Adults should be active for a minimum of 30 minutes per day. Everything from taking the dog for a walk to a fitness class at the gym counts.

For children, the goal is 60 minutes per day through PE class, sports and play. As a bonus, you can do at least some of the activity together to make activity a family event!

• Make healthy eating a family project. There is a lot of confusion about what makes a healthy diet, but there are a few guidelines almost everyone agrees on. First, eat more fruits and vegetables. At a minimum, eat at least 5 servings each day but try for twice that.

Second, limit added sugars and salt. This is tricky since salt, sugar and other sweeteners are added to most processed foods.

Eating too much sugar is known to contribute to obesity, heart disease and some cancers, so this is among the smartest nutrition moves you can make.

Salt, by itself, isn’t necessarily harmful, but less salt almost always means less processed food and more “real” food. Finally, be mindful of portion sizes. Super-sized servings and second (and third) helpings are the primary reason why people gain weight over time.

• Plan to eat at least one meal together each day. Most experts agree that family dinners are important for promoting good communication and healthy eating habits. Given that our days are busy with work, school and other activities, eating dinner together every night is unrealistic for many families.

So, start with planning at least one family dinner at home each week. This is also a good opportunity to teach children about food and cooking, so it is even better if you prepare the meal together.

• Make getting enough sleep a priority. Many American adults and children don’t get enough sleep. Lack of sleep can affect children’s growth, development and learning. It can also have an impact on an adult’s productivity at work.

The effect of chronic stress on health is well known, and we should recognize a lack of sleep as a form of stress. A good goal for adults is 7-9 hours of sleep each night. School-aged children need 8-12 hours, with younger kids requiring more sleep.

As difficult as it may be, earlier bedtimes can benefit everyone in the family. Limiting screen time (TV, computer, tablet) before bed can help improve sleep, too.

Obviously, these ideas are easier read than done, especially for busy families. But moving more, eating better and getting more sleep – especially if it is done together – can help your family enjoy a happier and healthier year.

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The Top 10 Fitness Trends For 2017

The biggest fitness trends of 2017

A new year symbolizes a fresh start—and the perfect chance to reboot your stale workouts with one of 2017's top fitness trends.

Wearable technology

Fitness trackers and smartwatches have been hot holiday gifts for the last few years, and the ACSM says that trend won't be going anywhere in 2017—and in fact, it will only get bigger. Recent updates from brands like Garmin, Apple, and Fitbit have sent the trend to number one for the upcoming year. Thompson was surprised wearable tech remained at the top of the list this year. “In past years, there were questions about the accuracy of this technology,” he says. “But I think brands have upped their games and the especially accurate wearables have kept this trend around.”

Today’s wearables track distance, and also provide heart rate readings, GPS route tracking, move reminders, and so much more.

Want to hop on the wearable bandwagon? Read our fitness editor’s review of 2016’s best gadgets to find the right one for your needs.

Body weight training

It's easy to see why no-equipment workouts are so popular: They're relatively easy to learn, they can be modified to suit any ability level, and they can be done just about anywhere. Plus, body weight exercises are an efficient way to get fit for free. (That’s probably why the method has been ranked in the survey since 2013.) Pushups and pull-ups are classic bodyweight moves, but there are plenty more to choose from, like squats, lunges, and planks, just to name a few.

HIIT

HIIT's helps you torch calories fast by alternating quick bursts of high-intensity exercise with short rest periods. It can be found in all types of workouts, from Pilates (Blogilates founder Cassey Ho incorporates the method into her YouTube workouts) to CrossFit and boot camp classes. “High profile fitness companies are huge proponents of this form of exercise,” says Thompson. “If they continue to advertise and support HIIT, I don’t see it leaving the trend list anytime soon.”

To try a high-intensity interval training workout yourself, spend 20 to 30 minutes total combining repeated shorts bursts of work with short break periods, like 45 seconds of burpees with 15 seconds of rest followed by 45 seconds of squats. A guided option, like this 20-minute HIIT workout video can burn around 190 calories per session and will keep your metabolism fired up long after you finish the routine.

Educated, certified, and experienced fitness professionals

The number of people who want to become personal trainers keeps growing, and they have more options than ever to earn accreditation. “Overall, people who work in the fitness industry are much more accountable and professional than previously,” says Thompson. He attributes this trend to clients becoming smarter about who they seek out for fitness-related help.

Not only is there continued growth in college and university programs, but there are more than 250 third-party certification organizations committed to teaching personal trainers best practices. As for the future of personal trainers and fitness professionals, the U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts these occupations to only increase in popularity, with employment of fitness professionals to rise 8% between 2014 and 2024.

Strength training

Gone are the days when the biggest fitness buffs out there stuck to cardio. Today, they know they can't miss strength training's science-backed benefits, such as boosting longevity, building muscle mass, and protecting against diabetes, back pain, and more. Plus, a growing number of women, in particular, have come to realize that lifting weights won't necessarily make them bulky, and in fact will help them burn more fat and boost metabolism.

Group training

SoulCycle, PureBarre, Orangetheory, CrossFit—they're all forms of group training, a huge fitness trend that will continue to thrive in 2017. The current group training movement kicked off in 2008 in conjunction with the beginning of the Great Recession, when the expense of personal training became a luxury many Americans could no longer afford, says Thompson. With many people using services like ClassPass to replace a gym membership entirely, we don't see the group training trend dying down any time soon.

Exercise Is Medicine

Regular exercise lowers your risk of heart disease, stroke, cancer, dementia, and other chronic diseases, and serves as a powerful stress-reducer and mood-booster. That's why the ACSM and the American Medical Association co-launched Exercise Is Medicine, a global movement that encourages physicians to refer patients to fitness professionals in their communities, and likewise, encourages fitness professionals to make connections with physicians. With health care costs on the rise, and with the future of the U.S. health insurance industry uncertain, using exercise as a preventive health tool is perhaps more important than ever. 

Yoga

Your zenned-out yogi friend is onto something: this ancient mind-body practice can be practiced on the go and can boost your mood, improve your sex life, and strengthen your entire body. Yoga has been around for thousands of years and has been a modern fitness trend for at least a decade, so how does it continue to be so popular? ACSM notes that while traditional Ashtanga, Hatha, and Vinyasa classes are readily available, fitness pros are also constantly finding new ways to reinvent yoga—think aerial yoga, hot yoga, and rope wall yoga.

Personal training

Personal training is a perennial trend (it's been on the ACSM's annual list since it launched in 2006) and not much has changed about it over the years—these professionals generally provide one-on-one sessions that provide a more immersive and personalized experience for fitness seekers. But one important shift is happening in the industry: More education. A growing number of fitness professionals are seeking out formal education in kinesiology and exercise science, and credentialing is becoming more important to the facilities that employ them.  Quality of trainers has increased along with the sheer number of trainers available, says Thompson, because certifications and qualifications weed out the trainers who aren't top-notch in such a saturated market. (If you're not 100% happy with your own personal trainer, check out these signs it's time to break up.)

Exercise and weight loss

Achieving a healthy weight will never go out of style, and a healthy diet combined with regular exercise is the best way to reach your weight loss goal. In fact, using fitness as a way to shed fat has appeared on the ACSM's annual list since the survey’s inaugural year in 2006. “Most of the well-publicized diet plans integrate exercise in addition to the daily routine of providing prepared meals to their clients,” says the survey.

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The Best Hydrating Makeup for Dry Winter Skin

No question about it: Cold, dry winter air can be bad news for your

 complexion. But luckily, it is possible to have gorgeous skin all year

 long with the right products. Follow these tips from professional 

makeup artists to ensure that your winter makeup is hydrating and

 not drying out parched skin even more. Plus, a few of our favorite

 new products, from a liquid foundation that works wonders on dry

 skin to creamy lipstick that combats chapped lips.

Smooth on a hydrating base

Matte or oil-control foundations are no-nos, obviously, but so
 are hybrid formulas like tinted moisturizers and BB creams.
They offer many benefits but only a fraction of the moisture
 you need. It's like the difference between taking a multivitamin
 and individual ones for specific deficiencies, says Andrew Sotomayor,
 a celebrity makeup artist in New York City. Grab a moisture-rich product
 for dry skin, such as Honest Beauty Everything Cream Foundation.

Use your tools

You might think it's best to rely on fingers to put on base,
but on dry, flaky skin, doing so makes it harder to achieve a
smooth finish. "Using fingers causes makeup to catch and
 highlight dry patches even more," says Sotomayor. Apply with
 a damp synthetic brush in short, smooth strokes, or tap
 and blend in with a wet makeup sponge, like Beautyblender
 Royal makeup sponge.

Waterproof your lashes

Waterproof mascara may seem like a summertime-only thing,
 but when it's super windy or snowing, regular mascara can
start running each time you tear up or your lashes get wet.
Since long-wear formulas tend to be more drying, look for ones
with nourishing oils, like jojoba, to keep your flutter soft rather
 than crunchy (we love L'Oreal Paris Voluminous Feline Mascara 
Waterproof).

Choose creamy color

When it comes to lips and cheeks, go with creamy textures.
 For lips, switch out matte formulas (they leave lips tight)
 for moisturizing balms and lipsticks. For cheeks, opt for a
 cream blush in a warm nude, like peachy beige, taupe
 or caramel (we like Bite Beauty The Multistick in Honeywheat).

"Cheeks naturally flush when you're outside, and pink or rosy
shades will make you look ruddy," explains New York
City-based celebrity makeup artist Katie Jane Hughes.

 Apply powder sparingly

By now, you know that anything powdery can zap your glow. But if you'd like a little finishing powder (such as Cover FX Perfect Setting Powder) to set your look, dust it on only where you need it with a small, fluffy brush. "An eye shadow brush is the perfect size for targeting small areas like the bridge of nose, lids and chin," says Hughes.

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Can a Cold Shower Really Benefit Your Hair, Skin, and Metabolism?

A blast of chilly water may do the body good—but are the shivers worth it? Of all the beauty trends out there right now, this one might take the cake: searches for "cold showers" are up 75% on Pinterest, according to the social platform. Proponents claim the brrr-inducing temps help increase metabolism, boost mood, and even lead to healthier skin and hair. 

But showers aren't just about getting clean (hello, relaxation!), so a cold one better offer real perks. But does it?

Well… maybe. First, let’s talk beauty benefits. In terms of your hair, "the cold will flatten the ruffled cuticles and lock in moisture to prevent breakage," says Jessie Cheung, MD, a dermatologist in the Chicago area. Cold water will initially help constrict blood vessels in your skin to temporarily tighten pores and decrease redness and puffiness, she adds. What’s more, cold temperatures boost circulation (it’s your body’s way of keeping warm). For your face, that might mean a healthy glow.

A cold shower is also said to help boost mood, but the evidence for this is slim. One study from the International Journal of Circumpolar Health looked at the practice of "winter swimming," which is popular in Finland. Their findings suggest that regularly taking a dip in cold water (the participants swam four times a week) might improve energy and overall well-being. And a 2007 study published in Medical Hypotheses found that short 2-3 minute cold showers may help relieve depressive symptoms—but the researchers noted more widespread studies on this are needed.

There has been some emerging research suggesting cold temperatures may stimulate brown fat, a type of fat that burns extra calories. In a small 2014 study, men exposed to a cold environment had an increase in brown fat volume as well as corresponding fat metabolic activity. But again, there’s not enough research to suggest that taking cold showers can lead to weight loss.

The real benefits may come from avoiding super-hot showers in the first place. Hot water might feel good, but it does a number on your skin and hair, explains New York City-based dermatologist Lance Brown, MD. "Hot water will strip away some of the natural, protective oils that your skin makes," he says, which can leave skin feeling dry and itchy and possibly exacerbate skin conditions like eczema. This is especially problematic during the winter months, when cold air outside and dry heat inside naturally make skin more parched.

The good news: "You don’t need to be in the cold for too long to see skin and hair benefits," says Dr. Cheung. "A short blast—aim for at least 10 seconds—at the end of your shower will do."

If that’s just not going to work for you, don’t feel guilty about skipping the cold shower altogether. Dr. Brown recommends short, 10-minute showers in lukewarm or mildly cold water. Lather up with a gentle, fragrance-free soap, pat your body dry with a towel, and follow up with a moisturizer on still-damp skin. Enjoy the glow!

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5 Weight Loss Resolutions You Shouldn't Make

 

Setting resolutions that work

Get this: 30% of all New Year's resolutions are broken before February, according to a poll by the time management firm Franklin Covey. "People tend to fall off the weight-loss wagon so quickly because their goals are unrealistic,", a registered dietitian based in New York City. "When people feel as though they've failed, they tend to throw in the towel for good instead of giving their resolution another shot." Here, four of the nation's top diet experts reveal common weight loss resolutions that almost always backfire.

01."I want to lose 20 pounds"

"Dropping 20 pounds is a great long-term goal, but dieters tend to fall off track when they have such a lofty resolution," .

Revised resolution: Lose 1 pound per week
"Instead of taking on such a big task, focus on losing one pound a week by setting small diet and exercise goals," . "For example, resolve to pick skim dairy over whole and pledge to work out 30 minutes, three times a week. You'll be surprised how small tweaks can result in major change."

02."I'm going to try the ________ diet"

Fill in the blank with any fad diet and you're doomed for failure. A typical diet-of-the-moment requires cutting out one or more major food groups, like fruits, grains, or meats. That's simply unhealthy and can also prove overwhelming, .

Revised resolution: Eat lean protein and veggies at every meal
A well-balanced and properly portioned eating plan that includes a variety of produce and lean meats (and the occasional sweet treat!) will always be the ticket to long-term weight loss, .

03."I'm going to stop eating at restaurants"

Nixing a night out with friends for the sake of your diet is no way to live,  You'll only wind up frustrated and will be more likely to fall off the wagon.

Revised resolution: Order smarter at restaurants
"Before dining out, have 10 almonds or an apple so you don't arrive ravenous, and then start with a small salad," suggests . In a 2004 study published in the Journal of the American Diet Association, Penn State researchers found that women who started a lunch with a salad consumed up to 12% fewer calories than those who skipped the first course. "Choose a light appetizer as your entree and have the bread basket removed,".

04."I'm going to eat 900 calories a day until I lose the weight"

Sure, severely restricting your calorie intake will spur weight loss, but you'll gain it all back as soon as you start eating normally again (not to mention that starving yourself is dangerous). "This is often the attitude of yo-yo dieters, who go from a size four to a 12 and back again, seemingly overnight,".

05."I'm going on a juice cleanse"

After a holiday binge, a detox may seem like a good idea, "but an all-or-nothing approach to weight loss will ultimately fail," says Lisa DeFazio,RD, a celebrity nutritionist based in Los Angeles.

Revised resolution: Do a mini-cleanse
Jumpstart your weight loss plan with a two-day, 1,200-calorie juice cleanse instead. "Replace breakfast and lunch with a fresh vegetable juice or a protein shake and eat a balanced dinner of whole grains, vegetables, and a lean protein like chicken or fish," suggests DeFazio.

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Why I Eat Local

One of the best strategies for healthy, sustainable eating is choosing fresh, local ingredients. But as we all know, it can be challenging to locate in-season produce from nearby growers without putting in some major effort. That’s why Natalie Chanin, founder of the sustainable lifestyle and clothing company Alabama Chanin took it upon herself to provide local foods to her community.

Because her grandparents grew and raised all of their own food, Chanin knew what quality ingredients tasted like from a young age. When she got older, however, it was harder to find sources of locally grown foods. Chanin’s solution to the problem: she started growing her own!

Eager to share healthy meals with the world—or at least Florence, Alabama—Chanin opened a café inside of her clothing store. The creative café offers unique and delicious takes on classic Southern dishes, using all local, in-season ingredients. The menu changes daily based on the time of year, as the head chef (also Chanin’s son) resourcefully translates available ingredients into delicious meals.

Watch this video to see Chanin’s inspiring story come to life, and learn more about the importance of eating local.

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8 Egg Tricks You Need to Learn in 2017

This article originally appeared on ExtraCrispy.com.

Many people think of a brand new year as a chance to kickstart their all-around self-improvement. We think it’s the perfect opportunity to focus on refining your breakfast techniques and simplifying your mornings, especially with clever egg hacks. Whether you like ‘em scrambled, poached, or over-easy, preparing eggs for breakfast is suddenly about to get way more entertaining—not to mention foolproof. With these egg hacks, you can peel an egg in five seconds flat, make fluffier pancakes, boil a perfectly soft egg every time, or prepare two dozen eggs all at once. We've tested plenty of egg hacks, so we know whereof we speak. These are the eight egg tricks you shouldn’t live without a moment longer.

Crack an Egg with One Hand

There’s nothing worse than cracking an egg and having to fish bits of shell out of the bowl. This year, save time and cut down on mess by mastering the one-hand cracking technique. Now you will never again have to experience a sneak attack from shards of eggshell in your omelet or frittata.

Peel a Hard-Boiled Egg in a Glass of Water

Sure, you could use a spoon to peel a hard-boiled egg, but a mason jar filled with a bit of water does the deed in less time. Just place a cooked egg in a jar, add one to two inches of water, cover, and give it a good shake. In just five seconds, the shell will break loose in big pieces, and you’ll be left with a perfectly peeled hard-boiled egg.

Make 24 Hard-Boiled Eggs in the Oven at Once

When you're cooking eggs for a crowd, it’s much easier and more convenient to make hard-boiled eggs in the oven. Seriously, you can cook two dozen eggs all in one shot. (And free up plenty of space on the stove for other important breakfast foods like bacon, pancakes, and hash browns.) A whole, unpeeled egg fills each cup of a muffin tin and cooks perfectly. All you need to do is set the temperature, start the timer, and walk away. 

Make Perfect Boiled Eggs Every Time

It’s easy to misjudge the right cooking time for boiled eggs, and once you’ve encountered the icky sulphuric taste of overcooked eggs, you can’t un-taste it. But, you can completely avoid this common mistake by following our boiled egg timeline. Timing is everything and with our help, you’ll only ever cook the most flawless soft-, medium-, and hard-boiled eggs.

Mix Pancake Batter into Your Omelet the IHOP Way

IHOP is known for its pancakes, but the breakfast chain also makes the fluffiest omelets. Sure, stirring pancake batter in your omelet mixture might seem a little odd, but we figured if this is the trick IHOP uses to get their omelets on lock, it has to work for the average home cook, too. And it certainly does. Adding pancake batter to eggs adds a touch of sweetness and results in an omelet that’s hefty and airy at the same time. 

Grate Eggs and Trick Your Brain into Thinking You’re Eating Cheese

Blue Hill at Stone Barns’ nifty egg grating technique will add unique and excellent texture to any breakfast your heart desires. Because of its similarity to cheese, you could even skip it altogether. (Though you totally don’t have to.) The technique itself is incredibly simple, and can be done with a rotary grater, hand or box grater, or a Microplane at home. Just hard boil an egg to whatever level of firmness you like, grate it, and top any cheesy breakfast of your choice, like last night’s pizza, huevos rancheros, quesadillas, tacos, and more. 

Put Eggs in Water to See If They’re Good or Bad

People have strong feelings about food expiration dates—especially when it comes to telling how old eggs are. The best way to test the freshness of eggs is to drop them into a glass of water. If the egg sinks, it’s still ok to eat. If it floats, throw it away. It’s as simple as that.

Make Hollandaise Sauce in a Blender and Never Whisk Again

Although hollandaise sauce sounds über fancy and complicated, it’s actually super easy to make with this blender hack. Instead of constantly whisking the egg yolks, melted butter, and lemon juice on the stove to fully emulsify the sauce, dust off your blender and swirl together all the ingredients for a couple of minutes. It’s totally foolproof, won’t leave your arm exhausted from a ton of whisking, and you don’t have to worry about the sauce breaking.

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