Author: Dave Funguy

Travel

Activities to try in Italy

Post author By Dave Funguy
Post date February 2, 2019

It should come as no surprise to people who either live in or have visited Italy that it consistently ranks among the top desired travel destinations, as there is so much the country has to offer.

From historical landmarks, such as the Coliseum; to the delicious Italian food that has inspired so many different restaurants around the world; to the spectacular, and sometimes underrated, beaches along the coast.

Below is a list of some great reasons to visit Italy, or ideas for things to do for those who already have a trip booked.

Sicily

The largest island in the Mediterranean Sea, and one of the most southern parts of Italy, Sicily has plenty to offer travelers.

History buffs can take in the Valley of the Temples in Agrigento, which was recently listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which offers some spectacular views of ancient architecture.

Cefalù offers some beautiful, sandy beaches while still providing a beautiful view of classic European architecture.

Visiting Sicily wouldn’t be complete without visiting Etna, home of the Etna volcano, which is a popular tourist destination, and a must-see for anyone planning on visiting the region.

Florence

For Christians, as well as fans of exquisite architecture, the Cathedral of Saint Mary of the Flower, better known as the Duomo di Firenze, is an absolute must-see in Florence.

Provided you don’t mind a little walking, 463 to be exact, visitors an scale the church and reach the lantern at the top, the highest point in the whole city.

Additionally, your ticket to visit the cathedral comes with entrance to the Opera Duomo Museum, which recently became home to the “Doors of Paradise” exhibit.

Lastly, you’ll be remiss if you don’t take the opportunity to visit the Galleria dell’Accademia; home of Michelangelo’s most famous work—David.

Venice

A tour of the City of Water wouldn’t be complete without a trip to St. Mark’s Square, which has several important Venetian buildings including St Mark’s Campanile, St Mark’s Basilica, Doge’s Palace and Torre dell’Orologio.

You’ll also want to make sure you visit the Canale Grande, which runs through the center of Venice and provides access to many important buildings and shops—plus you can hitch a ride on a gondola.

Finally, you’ll want to cross the Ponte di Rialto, one of just four bridges that spans the Grand Canal. It’s a popular tourist destination that also connects the San Marco and San Polo districts of Venice.

Naples

Those who aren’t squeamish can visit the historic city of Pompeii, an incredibly advanced, ancient city that was destroyed at its peak by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius. Pompeii offers plenty of spectacular sites including: the Amphitheatre, the case del Fauno, the Temple of Apollo and the Temple of Jupiter.

And for those not afraid of the macabre, they can see the victims who were locked in ash and preserved in their final pose forever.

Finally, a trip to Naples wouldn’t be complete without a trip to one of the 800 pizzerias in the birthplace of pizza. Sorbillo, Centro Storico is considered one of the better pizzerias in the city—some believe it’s the best—and it can take upwards of 90 minutes just to get a seat.

Lifestyle

An Active Lifestyle Benefits Both Your Physical and Mental Health

Post author By Dave Funguy
Post date January 22, 2019

It may seem easier to neglect an active lifestyle and do the least amount of work possible and never exercise, but inactivity is more difficult in the long run. Inactivity has a price. An active lifestyle has benefits, the most important of which is an improvement in the quality of your life.

Physical activity is good for both your body and your mind. As the saying goes, physical activity will “add years to your life, and life to your years”. That’s because it contributes to a longer lifespan, with less of a likelihood of chronic disease.

Here are some benefits that come with an active lifestyle that prove that getting out there and moving is worth it:

Fun

Getting out and getting exercise can be fun! If you get involved in sports, you can play with others and enjoy their company while increasing your activity. There are so many ways to get exercise that are fun, so you don’t notice that you are exercising!

Fitness

Exercise will result in weight loss or better weight management. You will be in better shape, and being in better shape means you will have more pep and vitality. Just getting around and doing all the things you need to do in a day becomes much easier when you are in shape, and you won’t get winded as easily. You will be able to do more and have more endurance.

Health

You will have better control over health issues and problems by having more control over what leads to heart problems, such as blood cholesterol, diabetes and hypertension. Your improved muscle and bone health will help prevent osteoporosis. The quality of your sleep will improve as well, and the number of headaches will decrease.

Mental and Emotional Health

Physical activity will help your body cope with stress better, by forcing the body’s central and sympathetic nervous system to communicate to each other. That leads to a decrease in anger and tension, anxiety and confusion.

Positive Mood and Feelings of Well-Being

Physical activity is scientifically proven to be a mood booster, thanks to an increase in endorphin levels.

When there is an increase in positive mood, many benefits follow. Self-worth and self-esteem improve and the confidence that you are capable of doing things rises.

This is fueled in part by actually being capable of doing more, and having a positive body image that comes from losing weight and improving endurance and muscle tone. Confidence is increased when you see results from your efforts and you can see how you have improved.

There is more emotional stability to cope with life’s ups and downs. Just keeping to an exercise schedule gives your life more structure, and helps you stay focused. This focus also helps you to leave your worries behind as you exercise. You are able to manage depression better, by reducing it and maybe even preventing it!

Your life will improve if you are physically active, so it is worth any effort that you put forth.

Food

Tasty Autumn Squash Recipe

Post author By Dave Funguy
Post date October 16, 2018

Autumn is a great time for vegetable lovers, as there are so many tasty vegetables that are in season during the autumn, pumpkins, gourds, sweet potatoes, turnips, and of course, squash are all becoming ripe during the fall.

However, the autumn can be tough times for people who are trying to steer clear of carbs—especially those adhering to ketogenic (keto) diets, as many root vegetables are high in carbs. Fortunately, particularly for pasta lovers, the spaghetti squash isn’t high in carbs and can replace pasta in certain recipes.

Spaghetti squash has been gaining popularity—particularly among those following the keto diet or trying to cut carbs—as it provides a low-carb alternative to recipes that call for carb-heavy pasta.

Rather than using noodles, spaghetti squash is used instead of a low-carb dish that’s still tasty and filling.

Below is a spaghetti squash recipe you will be able to enjoy all autumn long.

Ingredients

1 small spaghetti squash (about 2 lbs)

1 Tablespoon butter (optional, olive oil can be used instead)

2 Tablespoon olive oil

½ an onion, chopped

12– 16 ounces sliced mushrooms – cremini, shiitake or chanterelles

4–6 garlic cloves, finely chopped

3 Tablespoons fresh torn sage

salt and pepper to taste

generous pinch nutmeg

¼ cup grated Romano cheese (or Parmesan) OPTIONAL

drizzle truffle oil – optional but delicious, especially if going vegan.

toasted pine nuts – optional but delicious!

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F

Cut spaghetti squash in half either way works; however, lengthwise produces longer ‘noodles’ and place open side down on a parchment-lined baking sheet.

Once the oven is done preheating, place the squash inside and bake for 40 minutes to 50 minutes (alternatively, you can microwave it instead for a much shorter process—12 minutes.).

While the squash is baking, heat oil and butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sauté onions until just tender—about two to three minutes; then, add mushrooms, turn heat to medium and sauté until they begin to release their liquid—about five to seven minutes; add garlic and sage and continue cooking until mushrooms brown—about four minutes. Season generously (or as desired) with salt, pepper, and nutmeg.

To check if the squash is ready, pierce the skin with the tip of a sharp knife—if it cuts easily it is ready.

When tender, take out of the oven, turn over and let it cool slightly until it is no longer too hot to pick up, then scoop out the seeds.

After removing the seeds, scoop out the spaghetti squash into the skillet with the mushrooms and stir until it’s thoroughly mixed together. Taste the mixture for salt and add more if necessary.

Next, stir in most of the grated cheese, saving some for garnish.

Finally, place in a large serving bowl, top with the remaining cheese, a drizzle of truffle oil, and a sprinkling of pine nuts.

Home

Be Inspired to Remodel Your Kitchen

Post author By Dave Funguy
Post date October 3, 2018

Be Inspired to Remodel Your Kitchen

You’ve decided on a kitchen renovation. Maybe because you’re tired of your old kitchen or your kitchen isn’t practical for your needs. Or maybe you are thinking of upgrading in anticipation of a move or you want to increase the value of your home.

Whatever the reason, we have five great ideas from inspiring kitchens to help you remodel your kitchen:

Freshen Your Colour

An easy way to remodel your kitchen is to change its colour. All-white kitchens were all the rage, but now, the most popular colour for a kitchen is blue!

Blue can have a calming effect, and blue is a neutral that can go with anything. That is because blue has so much diversity of shade. It can be a watery shade, a robin’s egg shade, or a navy-blue shade, depending on what mood you want for your kitchen.

Hang Artwork

The kitchen often offers up plenty of wall space. Why not fill those spaces with art? This is where your flair can shine. Will it be vintage food pictures? Landscape pictures? It’s up to you.

Use Light for Function and Mood

A long, linear light fixture over a kitchen island can light the whole room with both uplight and downlight, or just one or the other, and a dimmer switch can be used on a strip of lights to provide mood lighting.

Install a Backsplash

Installing a backsplash can update a kitchen look, and can easily be done over a weekend. You can install a classic white backsplash, or use any tile to show your style.

A backsplash is more than just cosmetic. It protects the wall between the countertop and upper cabinets or shelves, which is especially important around the sink, where water splashes happen, and behind the cooktop where there are grease and food splatters. Installing the tiles only takes a couple of hours. Let them set overnight, then grout them the next day. Easy!

Open Shelving

People have been hesitant to have open shelving, because some of the necessary items in a kitchen can’t be hidden away, making for a messy looking kitchen.

However, open shelving brings elegance to a kitchen, and creates a light, open feeling. The openness allows you to see where everything is, and feels intuitive because you can easily find anything. The shelving material itself can make a statement, with wood, glass, marble and mixed metal finishes, and you can showcase unique or memorable glassware and tableware with specialty lighting.

Storage

The kitchen is a place where there is a need for storage. The trend is minimalist Scandinavian style, which allows for storage, but not for clutter. What is important for storage is that it be organized, with easy access.

Traditional cabinets are being replaced by drawers in today’s kitchens. There is no difference in the amount of storage space between cabinets and drawers, but drawers offer better visibility, with easier access. There’s no bending down or reaching deeply into the cabinet to get to the back.

Let your creativity improve your kitchen the way you want.

Lifestyle

Fall Backyard Accessories

Post author By Dave Funguy
Post date September 5, 2018

Fall Backyard Accessories

Autumn is now in full swing, and the temperatures are dropping—you might see one or two more of those guys who wear shorts all year round, but for everyone else, it’s time for warm, fuzzy sweaters, cozy socks, and warm drinks.

However, the changing weather doesn’t have to be a death sentence to spending time outside—great news for fans of relaxing in the backyard. Whether you want to spend time with your loved ones relaxing, or you want to impress the whole neighborhood with your haunted house—there’s still time to enjoy the backyard.

Below is a list of backyard accessories for fall that will allow you to continue to enjoy the outdoors despite the cooler temperatures.

Fire Pit

While some people might consider a fire pit more of a summer addition, it can be just as useful—if not more useful—during the fall (have you ever sat in front of a fire in the summer? You’re basically a mosquito buffet!).

Installing a fire pit is a great way to utilize your backyard during the cooler months—you can roast marshmallows in front of it (or go a step further and make s’mores); or, if you’re pallet leads you to be partial to savory flavors over sweet, you can have a hotdog roast; you can relax with a good book; or you can just lay back and gaze at the stars (now that the days are getting shorter, you’ll have even more time for stargazing).

Best of all, installing a backyard fire pit is relatively easy and doesn’t have to be expensive.

Festive Decor

For some, the approach of fall is met with anticipation and excitement; for others, however, it’s met with resentment, as it means there will be what can often feel like endless yard work to do.

However, if you’re a fan of all things spooky, you can turn the yardwork into a fun opportunity to add some flair to your yard.

You can pick up some festive yard waste bags at many popular retail outlets and put up spooky-looking jack-o’-lanterns around your yard, or get creative and make a scarecrow (or cadaver if you really want to give people a fright), out of your yard waste bags.

Throw in some decorative pumpkins and gourds, and you don’t be dreading yardwork so much.

Take Advantage of the Shorter Days

While one of the things people are most disappointed about during fall is the lack of sunlight, you can make the most of it by adding some light features to your backyard.

Since the sun is now setting earlier and earlier, you can make your backyard more ambient by adding some rope lights to illuminate a path to the patio table, or hang some twinkle lights along the fence for a romantic evening in.

You can even get creative, and install some features and sound effects in the yard to create a haunted house; then use rope lights to illuminate a path for people to walk as they explore the scariest house on the block.

Travel

Spain Travel Activities

Post author By Dave Funguy
Post date August 27, 2018

Spain Travel Activities

For those traveling to Europe, one of the most desired destinations is Spain—whether you want to party the night away at one of the many night clubs, or enjoy some of the most delicious, authentic cuisine in the world, or just lounge on some of the most beautiful, sandy beaches in the world—there’s something for every kind of traveler.

Below is a list of some of the best travel activities to do in Spain.

Barcelona

Whether you consider yourself a religious person, or you just enjoy looking at beautiful architecture, you’ll want to take a trip to the Sagrada Família—currently under construction, when its spires are finished, it will be the tallest church in the world.

While you’re there, you’ll want to walk the city beaches and take in some beautiful views of the city. To walk from Barceloneta to Diagonal Mar, it takes about an hour (longer if you stop to eat along the way), and you’ll get to see the city like no other way possible.

History buffs will love the Barcelona City History Museum, which explores Barcelona’s ancient history in detailed layers, and affords visitors a first-hand view.

Madrid

If you’re looking to just relax and get back to nature, you’ll want to visit Retiro Park, the iron and glass pavilion was built to house the Philippine Exhibition in 1887 and offers a great way to just unwind and get back to nature.

Another great city for fans of history, the King Philip V the Royal Palace—built in the mid-18^th century—offers some great blend of styles, and lets you experience the royal collections and frescoes, beautiful works of art, and exquisite crafts.

Cordoba

Both beautiful and historic, you can’t visit Cordoba and not visit the Alcázar de los Reyes Cristianos—formerly the site of a Visigothic fortress before falling to the Umayyad Caliphate, it was expanded in the early medieval period and gardens, courtyards, baths and the largest library in Western Europe were all added.

Aspiring photographers would be remiss if they didn’t take advantage of the opportunity to walk across the Roman Bridge that crosses the Guadalquivir and provides some of the most beautiful panoramic shots in the country.

Built in the 13^th century, you’ll want to take the opportunity to visit the Calahorra Tower, a Moorish fortification from the time of the Almohad Caliphate, it guards the southern entrance to the Roman Bridge.

Valencia

While in Valencia, you’ll want to visit the City of the Arts and Sciences—one of the more modern sites on this list. It’s made up of ultra-modern structures that are surrounded by reflecting pools that gives it a surreal appearance.

Construction began in the mid-90’s and finished in 2005, and it now offers attractions such as L’Hemisfèric, a planetarium and IMAX Cinema, or the breathtaking L’Umbracle, a botanical collection of plant species native to Valencia. One of the biggest attractions of the City of the Arts and Sciences is the oceanarium, which has 45,000 individual animals from 500 species.

Travel

Travel on a Budget to Central America

Post author By Dave Funguy
Post date March 18, 2018

Travel on a Budget to Central America

Traveling can be a tricky venture for those who are trying to avoid breaking the bank. While traveling anywhere is going to cost some money—some places are undoubtedly more expensive than others, and it can be tough to find a balance between finding a destination that has a lot to offer but is also reasonably priced.

Fortunately for fans of traveling, Central America manages to walk this line very well. Two countries in particular in Central America that have plenty of tourist attractions to offer while also being reasonably priced, and they both have plenty of mouth-watering meal options that will make you want to come back many more times.

Nicaragua

Due to a combination of natural disasters and political instability, Nicaragua was pretty much a wasteland when it came to tourism. However, as the country has become more stable—both politically and geographically.

Recently, it has become a high-demand tourist destination due to the fact it’s relatively inexpensive to visit and offers a beautiful climate.

When it comes to accommodations, Nicaragua has plenty to offer at reasonable rates—whether you just want a hammock for the night, or a house to yourself you can find pretty much anything.

A hammock for the night costs roughly $5, a hostel dorm room usually costs $8 to $18 per night, a private hostel room or budget hotel room usually costs $18 per night; the most common form of lodging in Nicaragua is called hospedajes—small, family-run hostels that usually go for $19-24 per night.

Airbnb is also available in Nicaragua and goes for $10 per night for an individual room to $30 a night for a whole house.

When budgeting for food, Nicaragua prices range from $1.75 for fast food-type options, to $2 to $5 per meal for nicer, sit-down restaurants that serve local food such as rice and beans with some sort of meat and plantains; for American-style food, expect to pay $6 to $10 per meal. Groceries will typically run for $25 to $35 for the week, and beers are usually $1 per bottle at stores, and double to triple that at bars.

Costa Rica

While still reasonably priced, particularly compared to other popular travel destinations, Costa Rica is closer to the higher end of the price spectrum for Central America.

However, it’s food, beaches, and vibrant, beautiful wildlife makes it worth a little more money.

When it comes to lodging, hostel beds in a dorm room are about $10 to $15 USD per night; while private rooms cost about $25 per night. Additionally, budget hotels start at around $30 per night, while Airbnb options charge $25 for a shared place and $40 per night for a private home.

For food options, local restaurants and street vendors charge about $1 to $3 per meal. For those looking to splurge a little, meals at fancy restaurants in popular tourist spots will start at around $15 per meal.

If you’d rather buy groceries and cook for yourself, a week’s worth of food will cost you between $25 and $35.

Entertainment Lifestyle

Save Money with These Fun Fall Activities That the Kids Will Love

Post author By Dave Funguy
Post date October 14, 2017

Save Money with These Fun Fall Activities That the Kids Will Love

Having fun during fall doesn’t mean you have to go anywhere exotic and spend a lot of money. Do things at home, and save money! Here are some activities that can be done indoors at home, or outdoors and are sure to become favourites for the whole family:

Have a Picnic

Fall is your last chance to have a picnic, and fall days are perfect. Not too hot, and few if any bugs. If it’s a little cool, just be sure to have warm soup in a thermos or something warm packed to eat.

Go on a Colour Walk

Have the kids go on a walk with you and identify objects of a certain colour and collect them. If they are old enough, have them take pictures.

Go on a Treasure Hunt

Turn a regular hike into a treasure hunt! Give the kids a list of things to hunt for and see how long it takes them. Things like a feather, a leaf with a jagged edge, a pretty rock. It’s amazing what you can find in a forest!

Jump into Leaves

You already have to do the chore of raking leaves. Why not create a big leaf pile and let the kids jump into it? Classic.

Pumpkin Carving

Let the kids help with pumpkin carving. Don’t let a young child carve a pumpkin, but let older kids carve with supervision and age-appropriate carving tools.

Too cold or rainy to go outside? Here are some indoor activities:

Make a Wreath for the Season

Have the kids help you make a corn wreath for the front door. Just hot-glue ears of Indian corn and husks to an 18-inch craft ring. Easy!

Prepare a Halloween Costume

Go costume shopping with your kids and let them decide what they would like to wear. Or, let them design their own with your help and their imagination. There are DIY costumes for every skill level.

Face Painting

Transform your children into fun characters with face painting. You can get kits with specialized, safe paint and stencils to help you.

Make Pizza Cookies

Cut cookies from a prepared roll of cookie dough, bake and let cool. Then use red icing for the tomato sauce, shredded coconut for cheese and red or brown M&M’s for pepperoni.

Read a Book

Get a cup of hot chocolate, get cozy and read a book together.

Storytelling

Read from your child’s favourite book. When you get to an important point in the book, ask them to change the story and see where it goes.

That gives them an active part in the reading, and develops their ability to think on their feet and be creative. For example, ask your child if they think they would take beans for payment like Jack from Jack and the Beanstalk. What if they didn’t? How would that change the story?

All of these activities are fun and can be done at home, or close to home, saving you money!