Tips for Traveling With Pets!

According to a study by AAA and Best Western International, more than half of U.S. pet owners take their cats and dogs with them when they travel!

If you're planning on hitting the road with Indiana Bones, here are some tips to get you guys through:

• Trial run. Go on some shorter drives to see how your pet handles them to give you an idea if you're ready for a longer trip.
• Buckle up. Pets freely wandering the vehicle aren't only a distraction to the driver, but they're also more likely to be injured in the event of an accident. Keep Sir Yips-A-Lot safe with a pet barrier, pet seat belt, pet car seat or travel crate.
• Keep heads and paws inside. Lord Voldebark may enjoy sticking his head out the window, but riding this way could cause ear damage or expose your pet to lung infections.
• Prepare for the worst. Attach a second tag to Bark Wahlberg's collar that includes the address and phone number of where you'll be staying during your trip. Also, bring your his medical records along in case of an emergency.
• Pit stops. The American Veterinary Medical Association advises pet owners to stop every two to three hours for your pet to use the bathroom and get some exercise.
• Hydrate. The ASPCA recommends keeping a gallon of cold water on hand to ensure Christian Tail stays sufficiently hydrated during the trip.
• Don't leave them alone. On an 85-degree day, the temperature inside a car with the windows cracked can reach 110 degrees in 10 minutes, which can be deadly. If you'll be visiting a destination where pets aren't allowed, leave them at a pet-friendly hotel — or at home — instead of the car.

5 Tips to Keeping Your Christmas Tree Fresh!

1. Cut your own from a local farm, or have one cut for you.  However, if you choose to buyt a pre-cut tree from a nursery, store or scout troop, ask them how recently they were harvested, and where they came from. The fresher the tree, the longer it will last.

2. If you bought a pre-cut tree, it's important to make a cut across the bottom, removing an inch or an inch and a half off the bottom. That's because once it is cut, the sap in the tree will start sealing over the base, and this will hinder its ability to absorb water. 

3. As soon as possible, get the tree in water. The base of the cut tree should never dry out, in order to keep the needles fresher.

4. Keep the tree away from direct sunlight, heaters or fans. Be cognizant of fire hazards and make sure your lights are all in good condition.

5. Once you are done with your tree for the season, don't just toss it on the curb, where it will end up taking landfill space. Recycle it!

By taking good care of your tree, it can last up to a month!

The BEST Holiday Movies of All-Time! Is your favorite on the list?

1. It's A Wonderful Life
2. The Nightmare Before Christmas
3. A Christmas Story
4. White Christmas
5. The Polar Express
6. The Muppet Christmas Carol
7. Elf
8. Love Actually
9. Home Alone
10. Miracle on 34th Street
11. The Santa Clause
12. How The Grinch Stole Christmas
13. A Charlie Brown Christmas
14. Frosty the Snowman
15. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer

3 Tips for Surviving Black Friday

1. PREPARE. Do your research ahead of time. Dress comfortably. Have a plan of attack and be efficient. Get plenty of sleep the night before, pack snacks for energy.

2. DON'T GO ALONE. There are strength in numbers. You cover more ground and will reap more rewards working as a team. Figure out the money after.

3. BE KIND AND SAFE. You just spent a day being thankful for all you have. Avoid those who are pushing and don't shove back. It's not worth getting into a fight or beat up. If you're really worried or don't like the chaos, opt for staying home and taking on Cyber Monday instead.

5 Tips to Tailgating Like a Pro (Part I)

1. Learn How To Pack A Cooler (see above picture)

2. Keep a Toolbox In Your Car Filled With Essentials (e.g. condiments, trash bags, wet wipes, paper towels, sunscreen, spatulas, skewers, can opener, bottle opener, etc)

3. Slice and pack burger toppings in advance.

4. Skewer and marinate kabobs the night before.

5.  Bring a large plastic tub to haul back dirty dishes.


Part II to come later!

Super Cute and Simple Thanksgiving Snack!

When you think of Thanksgiving, it's impossible not to think of food! Here are the ingredients for the snack above, but you can get creative and mix and match other snack items! Try different fruits, crackers, chocolates -- whatever you like!

Blueberries

Grapes

Pear

Carrots

Car myth: Cell phone at the gas pump.

Has anyone ever freaked out on you for using your cellphone while pumping gas? Do you already avoid using it? Well, fear no more.

The Federal Communications Commission investigated "rumors" that a wireless signal can ignite fuel vapors, and concluded: "There is no documented incident where the use of a wireless phone was found to cause a fire or explosion at a gas station," and "scientific testing, however, has not established a dangerous link between wireless phones and fuel vapors."

White Chocolate Boo-nana Treats!

Make this super easy and super cute treat for Halloween! 

Frozen "Boo"-nana Pops

Servings: 4 • Size: 1 banana pop • Old Points: 2 pts • Points+: 3 pts
Calories: 98 • Fat: 4.5 g • Protein: 1.3 g • Carb: 14 g • Fiber: 0.7 g • Sugar: 10.7
Sodium: 13.8 mg

Ingredients:

• 1 medium banana
• 1 cup white chocolate
• 8 mini chocolate chips
• 4 popsicle sticks

Directions:

Cut banana in half lengthwise, then in half to make four quarters.

Insert popsicle sticks into bananas, and freeze bananas on a wax paper lined cookie sheet. 
When the bananas are frozen, fill a coffee mug with chocolate. Melt chocolate in the microwave 30 seconds at a time, stirring until the chocolate is melted and soft.

Dip the bananas one at a time into the chocolate, scraping off the excess chocolate from the back of the banana, and place it on a cookie sheet lined with wax paper. Quickly add the chocolate chips for the eyes before the chocolate hardens (you have to work quickly here). 

Return to the freezer until frozen and ready to eat. Eat frozen!