Blog Posts

Top Life Hacks According to Reddit

Welcome back to the Liv Ahwatukee Apartments Blog! As we near the summer season, we’re focusing on life hacks. “Life hacks” are strategies or techniques that can make daily tasks more efficient. Summer is a busy season and it’s almost here! Take some time to learn a few life hacks so that you can spend less time doing menial or boring tasks and more time enjoying your summer. Let’s find out what the users of Reddit have to say about the best life hacks. If you don’t already know, Reddit is a website where people can post content such as links, text posts, and images, which people can comment and vote on. The more popular the comments in the post, the more points they receive. We found a great Reddit thread about the best life hacks you can use during your everyday life. Whether you’re relaxing in your apartment or working in Phoenix, Arizona, there are plenty of life hacks to go around. Without further adieu, here is a list of life hacks that received up to nearly 6,000 points on Reddit: Don’t put it down. Put it away. Stop clutter at the source. Always look like you know where you’re going. You’ll almost never get questioned. Clean up while you cook. If you’ve ever handed your phone to someone so that they could look at a photo, you’re probably familiar with them swiping through your photos. This can be annoying and easily avoided. Simply enlarge the photo just a little bit before handing your phone to them. When they try to swipe, the picture will move around. Or, just don’t hand them your phone. The largest cup setting on a Keurig coffee maker is perfect for instant ramen cups. Pressing down the Windows and ‘E’ keys on your keyboard will open My Computer. Have some life hacks of your own? Share in the comments below.

Stay Positive

Most of us probably know the lyrics to the famous Bob Marley song “Don’t worry; be happy.” In this post, our Liv Ahwatukee Apartments Blog is featuring a few tips to help you feel happy this month. We’re highlighting a book, TED talk, and movie that we think will help cheer you up. We hope that you have a very happy month here in Phoenix, AZ! Book The Happiness Project (Revised Edition) by Gretchen Rubin “ Award-winning author Gretchen Rubin is back with a bang, with The Happiness Project . The author of the bestselling 40 Ways to Look at Winston Churchill has produced a work that is ‘a cross between the Dalai Lama’s The Art of Happiness and Elizabeth Gilbert’s Eat, Pray, Love .’ (Sonya Lyubomirsky, author of The How of Happiness: A Scientific Approach to Getting the Life You Want ) In the vein of Julie and Julia, The Happiness Project describes one person’s year-long attempt to discover what leads to true contentment. Drawing at once on cutting-edge science, classical philosophy, and real-world applicability, Rubin has written an engaging, eminently relatable chronicle of transformation.” TED Talk There are plenty of great TED talks out there about achieving happiness. Check out the official TED website to find a TED talk that will cheer you up and make April seem a lot brighter and happier. We are featuring one of our favorite TED talks, by the great writer Pico Iyer, below. The Art of Stillness by Pico Iyer “So, in an age of acceleration, nothing can be more exhilarating than going slow. And in an age of distraction, nothing is so luxurious as paying attention. And in an age of constant movement, nothing is so urgent as sitting still. So you can go on your next vacation to Paris or Hawaii, or New Orleans; I bet you'll have a wonderful time. But, if you want to come back home alive and full of fresh hope, in love with the world, I think you might want to try considering going nowhere.” Movies Moana (2016) “ An adventurous teenager sails out on a daring mission to save her people. During her journey, Moana meets the once-mighty demigod Maui, who guides her in her quest to become a master way-finder. Together they sail across the open ocean on an action-packed voyage, encountering enormous monsters and impossible odds. Along the way, Moana fulfills the ancient quest of her ancestors and discovers the one thing she always sought: her own identity.” Do you have any advice to help us cheer up? Let us know in the comments. Thanks for reading our post!

All Things Watermelon

To celebrate the warmer weather of the fast-approaching summer months, we’re excited to share some incredible recipes using one of the summer’s favorite fruits: watermelon. If you’re craving something sweet or savory, or maybe you want a breakfast or afternoon snack — perhaps for a big fun BBQ coming up — then keep reading. There’s bound to be something that fits the menu here at Liv Ahwatukee Apartments in Phoenix, Arizona! Grilled Watermelon When people hear “BBQ,” it’s no surprise they think of the delicious food. The next time the grill is going, why not set a few slices of watermelon on top? Just slice, brush with oil, sprinkle with salt, and before you know it you’ve got one delicious snack! Watermelon Popsicles Watermelon, lemon juice, coconut milk, kiwis, and chocolate chips are the ingredients you’ll need to make this icy treat come to life! Watermelon Pizza This is basically a large slice of watermelon topped with a mix of honey, ricotta and cream cheese, vanilla, and your choice of berries. It’s delicious and a perfect summer snack. Watermelon Jerky If you’ve ever been camping, you’ll know that jerky is a pretty common snack. Have you ever had jerky made from watermelon? Now you can with this recipe. Honey Grilled Watermelon Caprese Salad Take a few minutes to prepare this refreshing yet satisfying salad. Watermelon Pudding Topped with grated chocolate, this is the perfect dessert. While it takes over five hours until it’s done, every minute will be worth it in the end. Bacon-Wrapped Watermelon Bites While the bacon is still warm, wrap each slice around a chunk of watermelon. Then, secure with a toothpick and enjoy! Watermelon Gazpacho This recipe is packed full of delicious flavors that go well together. Enjoy mint, garlic, asiago cheese, watermelon, cucumber, and a variety of other ingredients that pair well together in this lip-smacking recipe. What watermelon recipe is your favorite to make in your apartment? Share in the comments. Thanks for reading!

Funny Youtube Videos

We thought it would be a nice change of pace to share a few funny YouTube videos that will hopefully put a smile on your face. Join residents of our Liv Ahwatukee Apartments in Phoenix, AZ as they watch some hilarious videos that were featured on many “Funniest YouTube Videos” lists around the internet. Let us know which one made you smile. “ Fireplace Fairy ” posted by America’s Funniest Home Videos . This is a classic award-winning video of a little girl showing off a new holiday gift. The description reads: “In this funny video by America's Funniest Home Videos, This girl's brand new toy is most likely ruined after its first flight. Dad was so close to saving it!” “ 10 How To’s That Will Blow Your Mind! ” posted by Nigahiga . Learn how to light a light bulb with a potato, read minds, ask a girl out and never get rejected, type faster, revive a dead mouse, and more. The solutions will probably surprise you. “ Top Soccer Shootout Ever With Scott Sterling ” posted by Studio C . Studio C is an internet sketch comedy show that has been featured on CONAN and BYUtv. In this sketch, Matt Meese acts as a famous soccer goalie who repeatedly gets hit in the face. The description reads: “A soccer match between the Yale Bulldogs and the North Carolina Tar Heels. Mat comes down to Scott Sterling and the most epic penalty kick shootout you'll ever see.” “ When I’m Nigel ” posted by OtakuNol . Nickelodeon’s Nigel Thornberry is transformed into some of Disney’s iconic characters in this 11-second clip. “ Twenty One Pilots: Stressed Out Parody (21 hydrants music video) ” posted by Tobuscus . Twenty One Pilots’ new song receives a new parody that we think you’ll love. If you like dogs, don’t miss out on watching this video. Here are a few more that we love: “ The Sound of Violence - A Sound of Silence Batman PARODY ” posted by How It Should Have Ended , “ Expectations vs. Reality: Action Movies ” posted by Nigahiga , “ YouForgotBlueberries.com ” posted by pbrewton , and “ LITERAL IT - Official Teaser Trailer ” posted by Tobuscus . Share your favorite funny YouTube videos in the comments below. Thanks for reading and watching!

Build Your Best Dinner

Thinking of what to eat for dinner night after night can get a little monotonous and boring, but we’ve found a couple of great ideas you can try tonight in your apartment kitchen at Liv Ahwatukee Apartments in Phoenix, Arizona. Try one of these delicious dishes (you can even make a little extra for lunch the next day). And next time you host some friends for a gathering, you could totally try some of these ideas. Start your meal with something healthy. Both salad and soup are great for getting some added vitamins into your diet. This spinach salad with warm bacon dressing recipe combines some delicious flavors together. The bacon dressing is our favorite part. For a soup, we love this superfood quinoa soup . If your dinner needs a little boost, try some rolls or bread as a side dish. Fresh bread makes your home smell amazing and is great for sharing and storing for later. These Lion House rolls from The Girl Who Ate Everything are light and fresh. For a hearty main dish, we always love the Pioneer Woman ’s chicken spaghetti . This dish combines lots of fresh and simple ingredients into one dish that is warm and comforting. As we mentioned before, this makes a great “next-day” lunch to take to work or school. Any dinner is made even better by a great dessert. Sometimes a complicated dinner calls for a simple dessert, and we think this sopapilla cheesecake is just that! With only a few easy ingredients, this is not a labor intensive dessert. It’s an easy twist on a classic favorite, and it’s delicious even after being refrigerated and eaten the next day! We hope you love this great dinner idea, and we also hope that it gets you thinking about more dinner ideas! Thanks for reading.

Get a Better Night's Sleep

We could all use a few extra hours of sleep at night. Sometimes that alarm clock rings just a little too early in the mornings. Though we can’t always add more hours of sleep, we can definitely enhance the sleep we are already getting. If you feel like it’s a struggle to wake up or you’re still feeling exhausted in the morning, try one of these ideas tonight at your apartment. It definitely starts long before your head hits the pillow. An hour or so before you head to bed, try a calming night routine. This could include drinking tea, taking a warm bath, or reading a book. Try to avoid the bright lights of a TV, cellphone, or computer screen. This will help your mind and body relax and prepare for sleep. Certain smells can also aid in feeling more relaxed. A lavender sheet spray or diffuser in your room can help here. Try avoiding caffeine later in the afternoon as this can keep you awake at night as well. Check your mattress and pillows. A simple fix like rotating your mattress or a sturdier pillow could really help enhance your sleep quality. While an intense workout can get your heart and mind going, and in turn keep you awake, there are some exercises that can help you sleep better. Deep stretching and yoga can really calm your body and your mind. Check out this 8-minute workout for better sleep . Take note of what things stay on your mind and might keep you up at night. Make a list of the things you need to accomplish the next day. Getting a really good night’s sleep will help you be more effective the next day. If you take long naps during the day, this could also hinder your ability to fall asleep and stay asleep at night. For some people, the inability to sleep is a more serious problem and should be brought to the attention of a doctor. However, for most of us, these tips can really help you get a better night’s sleep and feel more relaxed. Thanks for reading our Liv Ahwatukee Blog! We hope you have a great month here in Phoenix, Arizona!