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Power of the Internet Makes Travel More Fun

Travel & Recreation

Travel without the Hassle

(ARA) - Family vacations are a tradition as old as travel itself. But these days with far-flung family and dwindling free time, planning a trip that's fun for everyone takes on greater importance. It can be challenging to juggle a family's limited vacation time with the opportunity to relax and enjoy each other's company. Often parents and kids are too tired, stressed, hungry or bored to find ways to reconnect on vacation.

When deciding how to travel, parents often have to choose the lesser of two evils: Endure the expense, hassle and dirty looks of fellow passengers by traveling by plane, or take on the crowded, cramped car and stop for lodging and meals? Many people are finding there's a better way: traveling by RV.

Hitting the highway in an RV is an increasingly popular choice for families who want to arrive at their destination happy and relaxed. With an RV, families can travel at their own pace and take in sights without worrying about finding lodging and meals.

On-the-go Meals.

No more searching for a restaurant when hunger pangs strike. In an RV everyone can eat when they're hungry -- without succumbing to over-priced junk food from the drive-through. Picky eaters or those on special diets are no problem when you travel with your own kitchen. Bring along a portable grill for barbeque meals, or pop in a pizza. On-board refrigerators make it easy to stock up on healthy snacks like fruit, veggies and dip.

Every Member of the Family is Invited.

RVs also mean comfort for every member of the family -- including the four-legged ones. You don't have to choose between kennels and cargo holds. More and more campgrounds and parks are pet-friendly (provided you follow the rules), though you should double check before you pull in. Most pets enjoy traveling, but do a few test-runs in the weeks prior to your trip to make sure your furry friend doesn't have issues with motion sickness or anxiety. Remember to tag your pet with your local address and to bring copies of vaccination records.

Bring What You Want.

Pack as much as you need. RVs have plenty of storage whether you're traveling for a week or for several months. As airline carry-on restrictions become tighter, it's becoming more difficult to bring all the items you need for a family vacation. Packing cribs, car seats, toys and clothes can take up every square inch of space in the family car, and all of it needs to be carted across parking lots and up stairs at each stop. An RV means everyone can take along the items important to them, and you'll still have room for fun extras like board games, in-line skates, musical instruments, art supplies and craft projects.

Stop Mishaps before They Start

Prior to departure, ensure your safety and peace of mind by performing a thorough check of your vehicle. Careful planning and preventative maintenance can help you avoid bumps in the road, but it makes sense to be prepared, just in case something does happen. A stocked toolbox could save you time-consuming and costly repairs. For a real feeling of confidence, consider joining an auto service club. The Good Sam Club, which began in 1966 as an association of RV owners, offers many benefits to its members, including roadside assistance. Even better, Good Sam members enjoy a 10 percent discount at 1,700 RV parks, access to trip planning services and discounts on insurance rates.

Enjoy the Journey.

Remember to use your travel time as an opportunity to connect with your family. Share stories, start traditions and make memories. Traveling by RV offers the opportunity to explore the scenic vistas, national parks, vacation hot-spots and top destinations with comfort and convenience. Hitting the road gives families the chance to re-connect, relax and rejuvenate.

For more information on The Good Sam Club, visit www.goodsamclub.com or call (800) 234-3450.

Courtesy of ARA Content

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A Good Night's Sleep: Don't Sweat It

Personal Wellness

(ARA) - Sleepless nights and excessive perspiration are continual problems for millions of women who suffer from menopause, thyroid malfunctions, cancer treatments and pregnancy. With new, technical sleepwear fabrics, comfortable help is on the way. While this sleepwear won't prevent night sweats, it will keep you from waking up soaked.

Night sweats are hot flashes that occur while women sleep. The cause of hot flashes is not known, but many speculate the changes in circulation with women experiencing menopause might be a cause. A momentary sensation of heat is accompanied by a red, flushed face and sweating. When this occurs at night, the results can be extremely uncomfortable and can interrupt a good night's sleep. During the night, they are often accompanied by profuse perspiration and then followed by chills from the sticky, wet clothing.

Kendra Novick of Wicking J Sleepwear developed a fashionable line of nightwear that actually wicks moisture away from the skin. "Night sweats are a common concern with women of all ages. Our products are made with a wonderful new fabric that wicks the moisture as you sleep," she says. "As the baby boomers age, we're finding this to be a very timely and universal issue."

"The proper sleepwear is the first step toward a restful nights sleep," says Kathryn Landry, owner of A Dry Night's Sleep (www.adrynightssleep.com). "All of our pajamas are made with moisture wicking fabric. Using a patented technology, the fabric pulls moisture away from your skin. The wicking properties of the material are maintained after multiple washings."

Developing healthy sleeping habits is pivotal for a good night's sleep. The days of falling into bed at 10 p.m. and not budging until the morning are common for young adults, but good sleep is harder for aging adults. Experts advise avoiding mid-day naps, and avoiding alcohol and caffeine 4 to 6 hours before bedtime. Remember, a deep sleep will give you the energy you need for the day ahead, including the exercise that will help you rest soundly the next night.

Courtesy of ARA Content

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Fun Summer Craft Projects for Kids

Family & Pets

(ARA) - When my sister and I were kids there was one phrase we dared never utter, especially in the summer: "We're bored." It would elicit an ominous response from our mother: "Then I'll find something for you to do," which inevitably involved chores of some kind -- usually the cleaning kind. The truth, however, is that we rarely were bored in the summer. If we weren't riding our bikes or playing elaborate versions of hide and seek, we were painting signs for lemonade stands or crafting handmade treasures to be bartered at a neighborhood trading post Mom helped us organize. Summers then were long, luxurious expanses of time to be filled with adventure, creativity and laughter -- and they still are today.

"Summer is the perfect time for kids to stretch their creative muscles and have lots of fun doing it," says Laura Byrne, director of marketing at Michaels Arts and Crafts Stores. "The days are long, school's out and they are free from the pressures of homework and other school activities." There are countless ways to spark the imagination using things you probably already have around the house, but if you need a jumpstart, a visit to your local arts and crafts store will get the ideas flowing. "One of the most popular art materials right now is craft foam," she adds. "It's incredibly versatile, comes in a wide range of vibrant colors, and easy to work with for all ages."

Craft foam is available in sheets, some with adhesive backing, to be used as desired in art projects, such as handcrafted mouse pads and pinwheels. Precut foam pieces are great for decorating journals and scrapbooks, with a wide variety of flowers, animals and cool shapes. It's also available in products ready to be personalized, such as pennants, can hugs, door hangers, picture frames and visors. Craft foam is easily decorated with permanent colored markers, stickers, glitter glue and paint.

A fun project for teenagers and younger children alike is to create summer fashions by decorating color-coordinated foam visors and flip-flops in their own individual styles. Let them experiment with markers and glitter as well as sequins, buttons, foam cutouts, feathers and anything else that captures their imagination. If it's a hit, extend the fashion theme by creating jewelry. You can purchase the supplies separately, such as beads and elastic thread, or look for kits ready to go with everything you'll need to make slap bracelets, friendship bracelets, beaded necklaces and more.

Kits make it easy since they contain all necessary supplies a child needs to finish creative projects, including instructions. A stroll down the kid's aisles at your local arts and crafts store will probably reveal a kit to suit the interests of every adolescent in your family. There are crystal-growing kits for the scientific, needlecraft kits -- including cross-stitch, needlepoint and latch hook -- for the nimble fingered, and stained glass and calligraphy kits for the artistic.

To make the most of the summer sunshine, set up a work area outdoors. A picnic table covered in newspaper is the perfect al fresco setting for budding artists and is easy to clean up. Look for ways to incorporate the great outdoors into art projects. Kids can make birdfeeders and birdbaths out of terra cotta pots or decorate garden stepping-stones with sidewalk chalk. A sheet of craft foam makes a great canvas for a nature collage: collect flower petals, leaves and feathers and glue them onto the foam sheet with a thin coat of glue applied with a brush. Cover with a sheet of wax paper and place a heavy book on top so the collage will dry flat.

Don't forget the old favorites during your summer of invention. They are still popular after decades for a reason -- they are great fun and always reliable. What else, besides modeling clay, can you sculpt into terrifying creatures one day and miniature tea sets the next? Everyone should do at least one paint-by-number masterpiece in his or her lifetime as well as fly a balsa wood glider on a summer's day. Crayons, the King of Kid Art, will always reign supreme for youthful coloring and are rightful companions to the ever-popular activity book.

But that's not all: one way to put a new spin on the classic crayon is by making a scratchboard. Cover a heavy piece of paper completely with various bright crayon colors. When the paper is covered in several layers of different colors, color over the whole sheet with black crayon. Next, use a pencil or household nail to draw a picture onto the paper. The black crayon will be scratched away showing the brilliant colors beneath.

For more crafty ideas, stop by your local Michaels Arts and Crafts Store and pick up a copy of Ready! Set! Craft! It's a free booklet filled with over 90 projects that will engage children of all ages. Organized by themes such as travel, sports and girl power, it's a full color booklet filled with fun projects that children will love. Parents will as well: creative activity isn't just fun for kids, it's also an opportunity for them to learn and discover. Check out www.michaels.com/summerfun for all projects featured in the book and many other great craft ideas for kids.

Courtesy of ARA Content

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Barbecuing: This Summer's Hottest Hosting Trend

Food / Entertaining

(ARA) - As the temperature heats up, millions of Americans are looking at their backyards as the perfect oasis to host friends and family for parties and casual get-togethers. Sales of barbecue tools, outside furniture, and lawn sports are on the rise and telling the same story -- come out and play!

This trend and increase in sales is no wonder given America's penchant for casual and easy entertaining. The Fifth Annual Lenox Gift-Giving and Etiquette survey found that 78 percent of Americans prefer to host a casual barbecue when entertaining. Interestingly, people in the West prefer to entertain with an outdoor feast the most, at 83 percent, followed closely by the South at 80 percent. Even in the Northeast, where people entertain outdoors least frequently, 72 percent report hosting barbecues.

Today's barbecues run the gamut from hot dogs to "haute couture" but the best all have one thing in common -- fun! Denise Dinyon, Lenox's gift-giving and etiquette expert, believes outdoor entertaining can be low-key without sacrificing high style. She says, "From stylish stemware to splashy pool games, adding flair to your fiesta should be stress-free and enjoyable. A simple touch, like incorporating a theme or a signature drink will leave guests with a lasting impression."

When entertaining outside, don't leave your style at the door. Think about the atmosphere you are trying to create, but remember that less is more, not everything has to be perfect. Incorporating a theme is an almost effortless way to add that special touch. Plus, if it's unexpected or unusual, it can serve as a great conversation starter. Something as simple as using one bold color on everything from napkins and tablecloths to centerpieces creates festivity.

Experiment with food and expand your friends' palate by introducing them to "Fusion" a popular food trend where many different culinary styles are combined, from West Indian to Latin. It emphasizes the blending of spices and flavors -- just like a good party.

Even if your cooking is casual, leave the disposable plates and cups for the kiddies and break out the glasses and good dishes. The humble hamburger looks simply regal on fine bone china, like Timeless from Lenox. Use interesting containers to present food in a fun way. Martini glasses make the perfect serving vessel for individual shrimp cocktails (use pre-cooked and cleaned shrimp for the ultimate in ease) while a cylindrical flower vase shows off a layered salad. Even store-bought appetizers look all the more appetizing when presented in serving vessels like the Vibe Chip and Dip set from Lenox.

Remember the most important thing is to have fun. If you are at ease and enjoying yourself, so will your guests. Now open your doors and start celebrating summer! For more information, tips, and gift ideas, visit www.lenox.com or call (800) 63-LENOX.

Courtesy of ARA Content

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