Continue reading New York Times Online for free

I get that printed newspapers and the whole industry is going through a tough time with advertisers, to the left and right and their subscriber base shrinks, but I'm still not sold on the idea of charging a fee for access to news online as a way to keep the news industry. ?Nevertheless, the New York Times made a decision to start charging for access to their online news and features, and which entered into force on Monday afternoon. ?You'll still be able to read up to 20 articles per month for free, if you arrived at the New York Times Web site through a search engine such as Google, but if you're remote website directly you won't have that option. Has always been my motto, "Where there's a will, there's a way", and in this case, if you're willing to do some finagling, you can still read most of the contents of the New York Times Online for free. ?If you are lazy and extra cash to justify a subscription, then by all means, get a subscription. ?But if you're like me, a casual reader of the New York Times, which probably has more than 20 articles per month, but not enough to justify paying $ 35 every four weeks, then you want to check out some of these work-arounds to help you reach your destination reading New York Times Online for free:

New York Times loves social media and allows you to effectively use it, with more than 250 Twitter account, which covers almost every topic and blog and every writer. If you haven't signed up to Twitter, now is probably a good time to do so. ?Clicking the Twitter link will take you to the full article, without disturbing you pay. ?But it's not only the New York Times official channels, which will let you full access to the article by clicking any links on this site will put you. ?The same trick will work on Facebook. ?New York Times doesn't want to stop people from large or an interesting story to share with their friends and acquaintances through paywall, so now it's an easy way to get around it.

Another way to beat the system involves using the NYTClean tool. ?Of course this would require extra click for each article, but you will achieve the ultimate goal of reading the New York Times for free online. ?To get started, point your browser to this page on the blog Euri .ca, and then click and hold on the link NYTClean, located in the middle of the page and drag it to your bookmarks toolbar. ?Each time you click page on the Web site of the New York Times, ask you to cough up some cash to continue reading, just got the NYTClean a bookmark in your toolbar. Magically it works, and you will be directed to the free version of this article.

If the bookmarklet above sounds too difficult or too time consuming (not really), or you simply wish to automate the process of obtaining the free version of the article, the New York Times, each time you hit the page we ask you to stop, Subscribe user scenario isthe doctor ordered. ?Install the user script in the New York Times Paywall from UserScripts.org. ?Firefox users, you must first install Greasemonkey and then click the install button on the script page. ?Chrome users just need to click the install button, while Safari users can specify user scripts for Greasekit. ?For Internet Explorer add-in should Trixie help you manage user scripts.

Chrome users have another option to automate their free access to the New York Times online content. Introducing Smasher Paywall the New York Times a browser extension. ?Just follow this link if you use chrome, and then click "Install" and "ll be good to go.

New York Times checks your IP address to find out, how often do you visit their website and read their articles. ?So you can use different computers at different locations to read their article, but it's probably quite a hassle. ?Instead of physically moving yourself, simply route your Web requests through a proxy server. ?There are a number of free proxy sites on the Internet, such as HideMyAss.com, which mask your real IP and make it appear that access the site from other countries.

This method still limits you to a few, but you'll get much more free content than you would if you just went straight to the New York Times website.

If you stumbled upon any other ways to circumvent the restrictions of the New York Times on free access, please share in comments.

Julie McCormick as, a freelance writer and co-owner of the Cleveland leader, visit the Technorati Top 100. She is married and mother of two small children. You'll often find her playing around with the latest tech gadgets, messing around with the code or writing storm. She has a Bachelor's degree in Visual Communications and spent nearly a decade working in one of the largest public libraries in the United States before calling it quits, embarking on a new path.

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Minimum and maximum productivity tools

If you are new to productivity blogs, Web productivity tools and other things that are productive spin or "GTD" in them, you've surely heard about the concept of "minimalist". Idea uses the absolute minimum amount of material in order to get something done or live a life. Mostly all the additional things that "don't need" just clogging up your productive and should be deleted.

But, what if you want all the bells and whistles productivity tools and minimalist feels somewhat limited? This occurs when the idea of "maximum" productivity tools come in; Tools, provide the user with a ton of features and options to customize the tool in the manner they see fit.

One of the biggest complaints about sophisticated productivity tools is that they tend to get in your way, and won't help you get things done. This is certainly the case with some tools that throw in every function that comes to mind and do not have a clear way for you to just go in and start using the tool.

For example the Toodledo Web application is an extremely powerful task management application (not to mention one of my favorites), but can be quite difficult to look at and use in the first place. This is from Toodledo to mass user settings, filters, searching, etc. compare this with "easier" tool like remember the milk. Obviously, how to add tasks to RTM and user interface is clean and easy on the eyes. This does not mean that RTM is not powerful, it definitely adds smart lists and duty stations; He said that sometimes when user too many options can be mixed and divert them from actually using the tool to get things done.

The minimum productivity tools were extremely popular in recent years due to the needs of users something simple that gets out of the way. Some of the tools that come to mind Simplenote, Ta-da list, SimpleGTD, pen and paper and remember the milk.

On the opposite side of the coin is the biggest complaint about simple and minimal productivity tools that they are not customizable and they lacked the necessary functions such as marking, saved searches, different stylesheets, cross platform support, etc, some users believe that without these more functionalitythat productivity tools are not good enough.

When Mr. Allen, GTD guy himself, said systems and productivity tools, he stole a good quote from Albert Einstein:

"Do everything as simple as possible but not simpler."

This course, you can back up the idea of minimalist tools, but this makes me think that it takes a few complex tools to work with and help manage complex things like project planning, email address, etc. As mentioned above, Toodledo is a pretty application management tasks, and it has a ton of functionality that you can never use. However, the idea of providing the user with additional features, is appealing that you can "grow up" tool.

For example I am currently using OmniFocus (even if it's expensive as hell) and has a sweet feature that allows you to associate a location with the context. When you're out and about and check out your iPhone for you can do this, you can check the list of Location and OmniFocus uses GPS to give you the actions that can be completed in your area. At first I thought this feature was excellent, but sort of overkill that until I discovered that I quite a bit of travel per day and can use my location to find tasks that can be completed around me. Try doing that with Ta-da list.

Some of the most popular peak performance tools include OmniFocus, Evernote, Toodledo Outlook and OneNote.

The last thing I want to do is to use one or the other when it comes to rich tools against simple tools. What can I do, however, do some recommendation for those out there, don't know exactly what the camp, to settle in the minimum or maximum?

1. the best advice I ever can give is to love the tools you use. that it matters if there are a million or 10 parameters, if you don't love a tool that you use?

2. Not tools will make you more productive. just because you can make a list of actions and link them to your project and tell you what your next steps system does not mean that you will actually. Tools don't make you productive; You make you productive.

3. This is not ideal. believe me, I've been down the road, and it is a long and difficult. There is no perfect GTD tool; never will be. So now stop searching in Google.

4. to make a list of functions you need and a list of functions that you want in the performance tool. When you're looking for a new or better tool, compare your list of functionality of the tool. If it's close, then you can't totally hate it.

5. once you find a tool that works, stick with it. If your tools hitting the sweet spot and help you become more productive, to consider adopting them on Wikipedia, so don't fall into the trap of changing task managers, every timeWhen you hear the shiny new.

Which side of the camp you choose when it comes to productivity tools? You want to keep things simple and provide a powerful set of features that are in your possession?

Chris is a developer, writer, tech enthusiasts and husband. He is studying, MIS and computer science from Penn State Behrendt. Chris was also interested in personal productivity and creativity and how to use technology to get more things done. Check out his technique of writing at androinica.com where he writes about Android.

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10 hacks for Spicing up your tired clothes (without breaking the Bank)

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average American family spends over $ 1600 per year for new clothes, more money for women's clothes than on clothes for men or children. It's a ton of money, especially in tough economic times.

If you want to look better without spending a lot of money, there are a few tricks, tips, and tactics that can help you spice up your tired clothes.

1. check the Fit

Learn about every single piece of clothing you own (even your underwear and swimsuit!) and make sure it fits properly. Other times you model each outfit, if you need a second opinion on how to install your clothes.

Bet that not working at all and adapted others. If you can't afford to sewing, creative with the rest of your inappropriate clothing: use great belt to cinch oversized shirts and dresses, or sew side panels in your favorite jeans to add room for legs and color for your ensemble.

2. Stay organized

It's time to go shopping in your closet. But just like in any shop, you need to carefully organize all products. Pull everything out, and you will certainly find all outfits, you forget all about where you put everything back in the closet, highlight what's off-season and others, on occasion, and then by color. This will make getting dressed in a much more sensible thing in the morning.

3. Get crafty

Modest t-shirt might make up a large percentage of your wardrobe. To inject a breath of fresh air in your tired stable t-shirts, all you need is a pair of scissors (or maybe a needle and thread.) If you're feeling adventurous, use scissors to cut more, boatneck style, on top of the shirt to show off the shoulder or clavicleor shred sleeves and back to vintage biker look. If you're handy with a needle and thread, cut in front of the shirts from the Middle, remove the old buttons and button down collar shirt and sew the two together to create a button down shirt.

4. get a haircut

So that your hair is with sprucing up your wardrobe? Quite a lot actually. Imagine women dressed in tight black jeans and a black coat. Now imagine the same outfit, but with long curly hair. Now with a blue Mohawk. Now with dreadlocks.

It looked completely different, right?

Your hair is completely changing perception of your entire outfit. Spend $ 40 on a haircut, or spend $ 400 on a new wardrobe? The results will probably be the same.

5. SWAP 'til you drop

Get together with your friends and swap clothes and accessories. Also keep an eye out for upcoming events in your page, which are usually free or ask for a donation to benefit local charities.

6. make new accessories

There is a box with shirts that are missing buttons or skirts with tears that you have been meaning to fix? Convert your Inbox of unwanted clothing into fresh new accessories. Length of fabric with a skirt can be used as a scarf, or plaited together to create woven belts. Take the remaining buttons and use them to create earrings and necklaces and clear any beads or decorative items for use on future projects.

7. think long-term

Long-term storage, IE. Here's the thing. Things you need now is 5-10 years old but not yet old enough to be cool and harvest. Keep these items for another decade or two and you'll have vintage wardrobe, which would be the envy of all to 2031.

8. Button

Change of the channel buttons on your shirt with fun and funky buttons from your local craft store. This small change, which takes only a small amount of time and money, but can completely overhaul the look of the main parts in your closet.

9. Deep-clean

You can make objects look tired brand new, taking adequate care of them. Brighten whites with bleach or Oxi-Clean and detergents to protect colors. Always separate your white flowers and wash clothes in cold water to prevent the loss of color over time.

10. the plague for success

Rub jeans and t-shirts with 100-grit sandpaper to give them distressed look. Why pay a hundred bucks for ragged jeans when you could just make them yourself?

Conclusion

Boost wardrobe planning is soft and can take a bit of elbow grease, but your wallet will thank you for this on the cheap.

Do you have any tips to improve your wardrobe on a shoestring budget? Share them with us in the comments below!

Tucker is a writer and social media professional living in New England. When not staring into a tiny electric field, it is engaged in wanton acts of stupidity at BadBoozeReview.com and at MargeryJones.com posts daily

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App review: Wunderlist is a cross platform, the only task manager

If I learned anything in his bid to become a productive person years using these two points.

1. love means.

If you find something wrong with your productivity tool for the first 5 minutes of using it, it won't stick. There are a ton of listing of decisions and action tracking applications out there. Find one that has the features you want and it's fun to use.

2. your tools need to be wherever you are.

GTD guru, Mr. Allen talks about making sure that you have a "ubiquitous capture tool" wherever you go. I tend to think that one step further: you need to have a ubiquitous toolset, wherever you go. This is especially true with as many mobile computing exploded in use and popularity over the past few years. We are all primarily through our smartphones, laptops, tablets, etc.; We must have our performance with the ours.

As I said earlier, there are a ton of "GTD" apps that promise you how productive you are and how easy they are to be used. While there is no "best GTD application out there for everyone, there are some close and can be highly recommended. The new kid on the block-Wunderlist (6Wunderkinder), cross platform "task manager has an easy-to-use", is available for Windows, OS X, iOS (iPad and iPhone), Android and Web browser, which enables synchronization over the air in all applications. It sounds pretty awesome, eh?

Today we'll look at how stacks up to Wunderlist as a tool for performance.

What I like most about Wunderlist is that it is dead simple. There are some management tasks app out there which folders, contexts, priority seats, subtasks, tags, etc. Wunderlist not like that; This allows the user to generate a bunch of list of groups (think contexts in GTD) and within each group the task list. Looks like you can have as many contexts as you want and as many tasks in each context as you want.

Your tasks can be time, reminders, notes, or star. They can also be dragged to any list, the group that you want (Windows, OS X and Web versions) or the list can be changed in detail task (DoD, Android). There is also a set of filters at the bottom of the desktop and Web applications, where you can see all the tasks in the film, completed tasks, today, tomorrow, next 7 days later and undated. One thing that bothers me about these filters, when you click any option you blob without identifying which task list group, they are in.

You can also create an account Wunderlist and all your data sync with Wunderlist cloud that allows you to store all of your devices sync up. In General, it works well and faster than any sync, I have experience in the desktop task management app (I'm looking at you, OmniFocus). I have installed on any platform that is available and synchronization seems pretty reliable. What I mean is that sometimes when you delete a task or marking it complete, mobile version for Android and iOS have a problem updating the counter list. This can be remedied by exiting and restarting the application, but it often did not happen.

Other features include the ability to print your current lists of tasks from desktop and Web versions, publish your list of "cloud" where you are given the URL "secret" share with friends or colleagues or by e-mail to your tasks. And, of course, that Wunderlist would be without his wonderful selection of background images? As far as I can tell, you can't add any background or own without doing some JavaScript preferences, which brings me to the latest killer features; Wunderlist is an open-source and therefore simply begging is added to. It consists of HTML, JavaScript and CSS and can be accessed via github have your geeky way.

One of the best things about this application is that it really is cross platform and for someone like me who uses Android, iOS, OS X, Windows and Linux is one of the main elements. All versions of applications, features and look and feel, and I must say that 6Wunderkinder did a good job of porting this app for all platforms are completely changing the user experience. Mobile apps are great, but there is still some room for improvement in the user interface and may use location, providing location based on context or objectives. However, for the first launch, which was available only for a couple of months Wunderlist hits the basic functions needed for a good GTD applications on all platforms.

To wrap up, let's take a look at the advantages and disadvantages of Wunderlist:

Cross platform support: Windows, OS X, web, Android, iOSFast "cloud sync? open sourceBeautiful backgroundsEasy management tasks including due dates and reminders, Star and list of groups (contexts) SearchEmail, printing, and sharing options" cloud "for the taskbar listsFree! synchronization can be unreliable on mobile devices at timesNo options for subtasks or start date subcontextsNo or repeat options, for use on tasksNo mobile applications

Chris is a developer, writer, tech enthusiasts and husband. He is studying, MIS and computer science from Penn State Behrendt. Chris was also interested in personal productivity and creativity and how to use technology to get more things done. Check out his technique of writing at androinica.com where he writes about Android.

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Productivity paradox: what is it and how can we move beyond it?

This depressing saying we've all heard time and again: "an increase in technology doesn't necessarily translate to increased productivity." in other words, Robert Solow, Nobel Laureate in economics, "you can see the computer age everywhere but in the productivity statistics."

In other words just because our computers are getting faster, it doesn't mean that we are going to equivalent jump in performance. In fact the opposite may be true! New York Times writer Matt Richel wrote in an article for the paper back in 2008, stated that "aggregate and individual evidence mounts that the same tools technology that led to improvements in productivity can be counterproductive if overused.

There is a strange paradox when it comes to performance. Instead of an exponential curve performance eventually reaches a plateau, even with advances in technology. So what does this mean for our personal productivity levels? And what does this mean for our economy as a whole? Here's what you should know about productivity paradox, its causes and possible solutions may have to fight it.

What is irony?

There is a mismatch between investments in growth and at the national level, productivity and productive output. The term "paradox" was popularized after the performance used in the title 1993 MIT Professor Erik Brynjolfsson, from MIT Sloan School of management and Director of the Center for digital business at MIT.

In his paper, Brynjolfsson stated that, despite the fact that there does not seem to be direct, measurable correlation between the increase and improvement in the output, this can be a reflection of how productive production is measured and monitored.

The intangible assets, such as to respond better to customers and improved coordination with suppliers not always increase the amount or even internal quality but helps to make sure it arrived at the right time in the right place, with the right attributes for each client.

Just as leaders look beyond performance for some of the benefits from it, so should be ready to take the researchers beyond conventional performance measurement methods, "he wrote in the conclusion.

How do we measure the performance of, anyway?

And this brings up a good point. Exactly how this is measured by performance?

The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics performance is measured as the change in share of gross domestic product per hour of work.

However, other publications, such as the us today, argue that it's not the best way to monitor performance and instead use what is called the total productivity factor (TFP). According to us today, "considers the income of an employee of the TFG, after deduction of productivity, which resulted in an increase in capital stock, with the expectation that investment in modern manufacturing plants, equipment and technology automatically improves performance.

In other words, this method changes the performance weight, how much improvement since last time performance statistics were collected.

But if we can't even agree on the best way to track performance, how do we know for certain if we introduced the performance paradox?

Possible causes the performance paradox

Brynjolfsson stated that there are four possible causes for the paradox.

? Mismeasurement: successes are real, but our present measures allow them;
? Redistribution: does private benefits, but they come at the expense of other companies and individuals, leaving little net gain;
? delay: successes take long to show up; and
? Management: there are no benefits due to unusual difficulties in the management or the information itself.

Seems to be some evidence to support theories mismeasurement as shown above. Another promising candidate is time supported Paul David, an economist at Oxford University. According to the article in the Economist's study showed that productivity did not accelerate until 40 years after the introduction of electric energy in early 1880. This was partly because it takes up to 1920, at least half of the American industrial equipment to be powered by electricity ".

Thus, he argues, we are not going to see major leaps in performance to both United States and major global powers reached a rate of at least 50% penetration for computer usage. United States only hit Mark, ten years ago and in many other countries are far behind the level of growth.

Paradox and recession

Productivity paradox still affects the recessionary economy. According to Neil Irwin "sky-high productivity mean that almost no business production decreased, making it less necessary to hire back laid-off workers … businesses was published by produce only 3% less goods and services than they were at the end of 2007 godano Americans work almost 10 percent fewer hours of mix of layoffs and cuts in the week."

This means that more and more companies are trying to do less is more and that means squeezing two or three people in the value of the work of one person in some cases. According to Irwin, workers, job security, scaring squeezed more performance from every hour [2010]. "

Looking forward

In a recent article on Slate puts it in perspective with a brief comment: "the Internet is not just as revolutionary as we think it is. Of course, people may get an infinite pleasure it is indisputably the trend towards improving people's quality of life. And of course, it could revolutionize how we find, buy and sell goods and services. "But that's not meant as a transformation of the economy, such as the railways were".

Nevertheless, Brynjolfsson argues that performance really can distort the mismeasurement results people, examining the paradox, perhaps more than any other factor.

"Because you and I stopped buying CDs, in the music industry has declined, according to income and GDP. But we are not listening to less music. "There is more music consumed sooner," he explains.On paper, the GDP is calculated, disappears in the music industry, but in reality it does not disappear. He disappears as income. He persists in terms of what you should care about, which is music. "

Perhaps the paradox is not a death sentence for our performance after all. Only time will tell (and possibly improving the methods of measurement).

Tucker is a writer and social media professional living in New England. When not staring into a tiny electric field, it is engaged in wanton acts of stupidity at BadBoozeReview.com and at MargeryJones.com posts daily

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Assisting Japan: how to make sure that your money goes to the right place

The events that unfolded in Japan last week's horrific, sad and devastating. ?The country was facing death and destruction at the hands of the massive 9.0-magnitude quake and subsequent tidal waves. Now they are also on the brink of nuclear catastrophe. ?Many countries and organizations pledging volunteers, supplies and money to help. ?But what about you, the average Joe citizen, how can you help? ?How can you be sure that your hard-earned money is actually going to go to the people who need it? ?How can you be sure that it will get there as quickly as possible, rather than months later? ?How can you be sure that half of what you give is not going to "administrative fees"? ?If you are inclined to donate, please keep in mind, I created a guide before you write that check to deposit that cash or press the Send button.

Find a reputable charity

A great resource to look up a charity to donate — CharityNavigator.com. ?By using this website, you can search their database of charities and find what you are looking for. ?Every charity has assessment, as well as complete and detailed profile. ?Includes information such as the effectiveness of the Organization, how much goes to administrative costs and so on. ?There are also links that will take you to a charity site, where you can fill in your donation.

See where your money goes

Beware, an organization that guarantees you that 100% of your donation goes to help the victims or particular efforts. ?They probably isn't reliable. ?Every organization even non-profit charities, there is some overhead. ? To make sure that you get the most bang for your buck, you want to make sure that you avoid middlemen. ?Some groups may simply collect money and then transfer it to more practical charitable organizations. ?Avoid dispersal of United States by giving directly to groups that are already on the ground and assist victims in Japan.

Be skeptical of offers that promise to donate the money on things you buy

Lady Gaga's heart may be in the right place with the new bracelet she began, all profits going to help the victims in Japan, but you don't really helps as you could. ?If your goal is to help and not score some cool gear you better provision directly to charity. ?The value of that $ 5 is not going to Japan, are only a profit, and that the company might consider "profit" can be kind of sketchy. ?Of the five dollars, subtract the cost of the new item, etc. ?If you're going to spend anyway though, by all means, spend at least part will go to the rescue.

Remember to put together a package of services

Although it may be tempting to put together a "care" package for needy families in Japan, this is probably not the best idea. ?Right now, infrastructure badly damaged in some areas, making things like delivering packages. ?It is also a logistical nightmare. ?You better give a group with people on the ground and the plan of action.

Revise Texting your donation

Make a donation via simple text message became popular during the 2010 earthquake in Haiti ′s. ?But one thing, it seems that many people are unaware that there is a delay between when you send money. ?Charities don't get it at least 30 days later. ?Although Japan is likely to need help for many months and years, if you want your money to help immediately, it is better to send them a check or money order by mail. ?They'll get it much faster this way. ?Even using your debit card or Paypal balance is much faster. ?Just keep in mind that when you donate digital, there will be hidden fees from your total donations, so it will be diluted slightly.

Avoid newly formed charities

A new charity from Earth is difficult in itself. ? In the midst of the catastrophe was almost impossible to succeed. ?You don't trust your life savings from the financial firm, has not only opened and whose employees have zero experience, so why would you donate a new charitable organization? ?Find a charity with a proven history of success, and, ideally, one is already on the ground in Japan. Research before you write that check.

Beware of scams

As a result of natural disasters, it seems that whilst there are many people willing to help, there are also many types of unsavory characters looking to cash in on your goodwill for their own devious means. ?Are you better at your money address formal organization than passing person comes around collecting donations. Although they can actually do quite well, chances are they just want to run off with your money.

Some carefully verified charities that I recommend

Doctors without borders USAAmerican CrossSave ChildrenRelief InternationalFood red for HungryDirect assistance InternationalAmeriCaresAction against HungerCatholic medical mission BoardWorld HopeOxfam GivingInternational medical CorpsConvoy VisionGlobal America

All of these organizations are have high rankings on CharityNavigator.com, and people are already in Japan, the distribution of aid. ?You can find additional lists of reputable organizations to allow your donation on their site as well. ?If you don't see charity lists or my list here or on the list that this does not mean that it's a scam, but you want to make sure that you first do your research.

Julie McCormick as, a freelance writer and co-owner of the Cleveland leader, visit the Technorati Top 100. She is married and mother of two small children. You'll often find her playing around with the latest tech gadgets, messing around with the code or writing storm. She has a Bachelor's degree in Visual Communications and spent nearly a decade working in one of the largest public libraries in the United States before calling it quits, embarking on a new path.

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Cut stress by shredding food: cooking for stress relief

I love cooking. I'm kind of people who read the entire cookbook from cover to cover in one day, just for fun. I am addicted to top chef Anthony Bourdain fan, and I spend more money on Cookware than makeup.

All that being said, there are days when I can't bear the thought of having to plan a meal, not to mention Cook. Sometimes when I do, I stressed that I just can't muster up the energy for cooking, even though I love it. I just think, "Oh God. Another thing I have to deal with today. "

But if I can just push through that initial reluctance, I'm back in my element. Kitchen is my domain, and the control of one aspect of my life helps me feel like maybe, just maybe, I can regain control of the rest of my life.

Cooking is not all, but there is plenty of evidence that I am not alone in my feelings that time in the kitchen, you may cause serious stress relief. Not convinced? Check below the breakdown.

1 Effect "Voodoo"

Sometimes busting through your stress is a simple confirmation dominance at the top of the food chain. Maybe it's a bit dark but chopping vegetables and butchering CHICKENS can really take the edge off even the most stressful days. There's a big fight with your boss? Pretend that carrot his car and go to town on it.

Using your ingredients as Voodoo dolls, you'll find that cutting a couple of pounds of food you really calmed down.

2. Aromatherapy

Cooking with some herbs, spices and aromatic substances can have a beneficial effect on your mood, as I mentioned in a recent post.

Here's a quick breakdown of some common household, flavors and cooking ingredients, along with how they might change your opinion mood with to life:

Tonic/Orange, invigorating: rosemary, Lemon.
Stress relief: Lavender, Sage.
Sleep AIDS: Lavender, Chamomile.
Mood Elevators: Peppermint, Basil.

Get some of these ingredients, simmering in pot with your dinner, and the smell of cooking a meal helps release tension from your body.

3. Products that reduce stress and anxiety

After a busy day at the Office, it may be tempting to accept the order. You've been a long day, and most likely you want to have a hot lunch now rather than wait for something to cook. But actually, cooking your own gives you more control over what you are putting in your body ... and this is a link between the products you put into your body and how well you cope with stress.

For example, trans fat, just as bad for your body because they are your coping mechanisms. Trans fat block specific chemical receptors in the body, which in turn may limit the ability to deal with stressful situations.

According to a study published in Journal of agricultural and food chemistrycan lead to significant reductions in the number of stress hormones in your body, eat dark chocolate. The study showed that people who are identified as high and ate several pieces of dark chocolate on a daily basis for two weeks reduced stress levels.

Other products associated with stress relief include Turkey, walnuts, almonds, sweet potatoes, spinach and salmon.

4. get control of one area of your life

One of the reasons I love cooking is, because it gives me back some small degree of control over my life. According to Julie Powell in the film "Julie and Julia", "chocolate cream pie! You know what I like about cooking? I love that after a day where nothing is, of course, and when I say that nothing I mean anything you can come home and absolutely know that if you add the egg yolks and sugar and chocolate milk, then it will get thick. "It's such a comfort."

We get stressed out when our lives spin out of control. Taking over a small area in your life can help more than you might realize.

5 Zen cookery

Once you start cooking, you can sometimes achieve this state of meditation. You are in the area of cutting, grinding and sauteing. All that matters is food, and it's nice to throw in day care and just focus on one small tasks at a time.

Food Network Alton Brown says that making "very calming ritual. This is another form of stress relief, than I get to do anything else ...[W] e find the kind of physical comfort, doing things with our hands, more and more in the kitchen. Sounds, smells and feels that room, consolation for me. "

Conclusion

When the next time you have a terrible day, pick up a Saute Pan. Cooking is a hobby that relaxes you and has the added bonus of feeds, too. Skip Spa and get relaxed the old fashioned way: in front of the plate.

Tucker is a writer and social media professional living in New England. When not staring into a tiny electric field, it is engaged in wanton acts of stupidity at BadBoozeReview.com and at MargeryJones.com posts daily

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