The post Easy Workouts to Do When Watching TV appeared first on Highland Village Apartments Blog.
]]>
When you're in front of a television for too long, it's not just your eyes that will start to strain. Your body needs to be kept moving to maintain both your internal and external health, something that most of us are inclined to forget about at the end of a tough day at work. But don't worry, because we won't force you to turn off that set with our easy at-home workouts!
Start With Stretching
Here's the deal with working out in one of our Flagstaff, AZ apartments: You're never going to stick with it if you go from couch potato to wall sits. You really need to pick a goal that you'll actually hit, even if that goal is just stretching your arms and legs during commercial breaks. The problem with inactivity is it doesn't take very long before sedentary habits set in. But the good news is that the reverse is also true. When you start moving, you'll eventually want to move more. Even walking around your coffee table is much, much better than nothing.
Jumping Jacks, Push-Ups, and Lunges
This combination is a great way to get in both weight-based training and cardio activity while watching a 30-minute sitcom. Start with reps of 10 for each exercise and space them out according to your fitness level and goals. This is not about buying a fancy exercise bike and setting it up directly in front of your screen. You don't need equipment to exercise. Plus, you'll work out your arms, legs, and core with these exercises. If you really want to define those abs, feel free to throw in a few crunches too!
There are so many ways to stay fit that have nothing to do with giving up one of your favorite activities. As tempting as it can be to zone out until you fall asleep, challenge yourself to do more. And if you're looking for a big enough space to work out in, call Highland Village to learn more about our Flagstaff apartments.
The post Easy Workouts to Do When Watching TV appeared first on Highland Village Apartments Blog.
]]>The post 3 Easy-Peasy Meals on a Budget appeared first on Highland Village Apartments Blog.
]]>
There is nothing better than cooking good food for yourself and your roommates in the fully equipped kitchen at your Flagstaff apartment. However, you may not think you can make quite as much as you want because your budget is a little slim. Believe it or not, there are plenty of good meals you can make for a small amount of money that will keep you and your closest loved ones or friends full and healthy for days. Check out these three cheap yet seemingly sophisticated meals you can totally pull off.
Decked-Out Black Beans and Rice
It is the go-to staple for college students and people just getting by, but black beans and rice can actually be really fancy, and this dish can be a wallet-friendly option. Pick and choose from a host of toppings, such as sour cream, corn, shredded cheese, diced onions and peppers, diced tomatoes and shredded chicken. You could easily pull off a meal like this for a small amount of money, and everyone will walk away satisfied.
Spaghetti and Meatballs With Flair
You can make a delicious meal with a few jars of Prego, Ragu, or your favorite pasta sauce, a pound of ground beef or turkey, and some cheap spaghetti and a baguette. If you fix pasta often, you probably already know that this meal is cheap, it's yummy, and it can last for days. If you want to get a bit fancier with your spaghetti dinner, serve up the meal with a tossed salad, and go heavy on the extras like freshly grated Parmesan cheese, oven-roasted garlic cloves, or sauteed mushrooms with Italian seasoning.
Baked Potatoes
This one is really cheap, and it is so easy to pull off in a way that looks high end. Pick up some good baking potatoes, wrap them in foil, and bake them. Keep them in a warm slow cooker, and then have each person you live with choose to add whatever goodies people love on a potato. Sour cream, cheddar cheese, chives, steamed broccoli, bean chili, bacon bits, salsa—gather up some faves and make a smorgasbord of options.
Cooking for those you love can be the spice of ordinary life. Highland's apartments in Flagstaff are perfect for whipping up a variety of dishes, so give us a call to find out what is available today.
The post 3 Easy-Peasy Meals on a Budget appeared first on Highland Village Apartments Blog.
]]>The post Easy Snacks For Guests appeared first on Highland Village Apartments Blog.
]]>
Are you planning a casual get-together, or maybe old friends stopped by unannounced? Show your hospitality without going overboard with these three easy snacks which look great, taste delicious, but are simple to prepare and won't break your budget.
Tuscany-Style Flatbread
Store-bought flatbread gives you the opportunity to be as creative as you want to be. This version evokes the images of sun-soaked Tuscany. Start with grilled or slightly toasted flatbread. Rub a peeled garlic clove gently over the surface. Drizzle extra-virgin on top. Rip a few basil leaves in half and place on the flatbread. Add rinsed and drained canned cannellini beans. Finish with a sprinkle of sea salt and fresh ground pepper.
Choose Your Own Popcorn Bar
In recent years, popcorn has gone out of style; it's a shame. Popcorn is inexpensive and one of the more healthy options for snacking. Maybe all it takes to reignite the love for this old-time favorite is more creative ways to flavor it. Creating a DIY popcorn buffet is a step in the right direction. Pop a big bowl of favorite unflavored popcorn and give your guests flavoring options such as Old Bay Seasoning, cheese powder, chili powder, wasabi, and even nuts or chocolate chunks!
Pizza-Flavored Oyster Crackers
Everyone loves pizza, but too much isn't good for your waist size or wallet. These oyster crackers make a great snack which will sure to help quell your pizza cravings. Preheat the oven to 350. Mix a large bag of oyster crackers (around 10 oz.) with a 1/4 cup of neutral oil like canola, 1/3 of a cup of powdered parmesan cheese, and three tablespoons of pizza-spice mix. Spread on a large baking sheet and cook for 5 minutes, shaking occasionally. Serve when cool.
Are you looking for apartments in Flagstaff, Arizona? Then check out Highland Village. Highland Village offers residents many amenities and is close to NAU. Call us to arrange a showing.
The post Easy Snacks For Guests appeared first on Highland Village Apartments Blog.
]]>The post Simple Dog Training Tips appeared first on Highland Village Apartments Blog.
]]>
Dog training is an essential part of owning pets, especially when you live in an apartment community. Being a good neighbor means having a dog who knows how to behave around other people and pets. Training is also a great way to strengthen the bond you have with your dog. Keep the following dog training tips in mind to help you get started.
Keep Training Sessions Short and Sweet
Long training sessions are likely to result in your dog getting bored and restless. When you’re working on teaching your dog to follow commands, keep these training sessions short. For example, aim to do several 10-minute sessions throughout the day instead of one long session. This helps your dog maintain interest while you’re training.
Stay Positive
A positive approach to training is highly effective. Rewarding your dog with treats and praise helps form a positive association with following commands. Make sure that you give your dog these rewards immediately after they follow a command. Otherwise, they won’t make that association. Avoid shouting at your dog or using any sort of physical punishment for not following commands. This will only make your dog fearful instead of encouraging them to listen to you.
Consider a Clicker
Clicker training involves the use of a clicking device and treats as rewards. The idea is to use the clicker when your dog follows a command, then reward them with a treat. They’ll learn to associate the sound of the clicker with the reward, which helps motivate them to repeat the behavior. For example, if your dog successfully sits, you would use the clicker right away and give them a treat. This helps them learn to follow the “sit” command since they know they’ll be rewarded.
Our pet-friendly community allows pets in our studio and one-bedroom apartments in Flagstaff, AZ. Please contact us to learn more about our available apartments and pet policy.
The post Simple Dog Training Tips appeared first on Highland Village Apartments Blog.
]]>The post 5 Microwave Mug Recipes appeared first on Highland Village Apartments Blog.
]]>
When school keeps you busy, it can be hard to find time to cook meals and prepare snacks. Thankfully, you don’t have to spend hours making something to eat. Give the following microwave mug recipes a try this year when you want a meal or snack that’s warm and simple to make.
Mac and Cheese
Microwave pasta and water in a mug for about four minutes total, but stir it every minute or so. Add milk, shredded cheddar cheese and margarine or butter, then microwave for about one minute. Stir your mac and cheese, then enjoy your quick and easy dinner or lunch.
Pizza
Mix flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt in a mug. Add milk and olive oil, then mix. Add marinara sauce, then sprinkle with shredded mozzarella, dried herbs and pepperoni. Microwave for about one minute and 20 seconds.
Omelette
Crack two eggs in a mug, then whisk them together. Stir in milk, salt, pepper, parsley and scallions, then whisk again. Microwave for about one minute, then stir and microwave for another minute. You can also add cheese and ham to this recipe if desired.
Cinnamon Roll Microwave Mug Cake
Spray your mug with cooking spray, then mix flour, milk, maple syrup, coconut oil, baking powder and vanilla in the mug. Add more milk to thicken it if needed. Whisk brown sugar and cinnamon in a bowl, then sprinkle it into the mug. Microwave for about a minute and 25 seconds.
Chocolate Brownie
Add milk or water, salt, vanilla extract and melted butter or oil to your mug, then whisk these ingredients. Add cocoa powder to this mix, then whisk again. Add sugar and flour, then whisk. Microwave for about one minute, then enjoy your dessert.
Bring your mug meal or snack over to our clubhouse, where you can sit in front of the fireplace. Contact us to learn more about our available apartments in Flagstaff, Arizona.
The post 5 Microwave Mug Recipes appeared first on Highland Village Apartments Blog.
]]>