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Great Places to Fish in the United States

December 27, 2012 By

We are so very lucky to live in a country that is home to some of the best fishing spots in the world! If you're a fishing fanatic at NSY Portsmouth Homes, these fishing spots might just be the right destination for your next fishing vacation.

Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
Yellowstone’s stocked streams offer some of the best trout fishing in the United States. Or, try fishing for stunning catch and release wild trout in the rivers of Yellowstone.

Key West, Florida
Fish in the footsteps of Hemingway, and enjoy some of the best deep sea and flats fishing in the world for gag grouper, king mackerel, tarpon and bonefish. You'll enjoy not only great fishing, but great weather too!

Montauk Point, New York
Thought by many naturalists to be the most densely populated waters on the planet during migration season, the sea below Montauk lighthouse is a prime surfcasting spot and is home to schools of striped bass, tuna, mackerel, cod, and even some great white sharks.

Outer Banks, North Carolina
Another migratory hotspot, the Outer Banks offers plentiful fishing from sand spits just offshore. For a different experience, charter a boat and head out to the Gulf Stream for giant trophy species like tuna and billfish.

Ozark Mountains, Missouri
The Ozarks are the prime place to spend a relaxing day fishing for smallmouth bass, and whether you’re fishing from the shore or a canoe, the bites will be plentiful and the backdrop beautiful.

 

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The Most Under-Rated Veggies

December 13, 2012 By

Next time you're grocery shopping, get a little adventurous in the produce aisle and purchase these under-rated but truly delicious vegetables.

Parsnips
Lighter and sweeter than a potato, this simple root vegetable is fabulous either roasted, or mashed with butter and cream. Parsnips are also great grated raw and tossed with a citrus dressing for a light salad.

Kale
This healthy veggie is packed with iron, but is often underserved when it comes to taste. Perk up boring steamed kale with a dressing made of garlic, lemon, soy sauce, and sesame seeds. Or try baked kale chips – rinse and dry the leaves thoroughly, spritz with a little olive oil, sprinkle with salt, and bake in a single layer at 350 for 5-10 minutes or until the edges are starting to brown. This crunchy snack tastes great with any seasonings you desire like parmesan cheese.

Radishes
Radishes not only provide a nice tang to salads and make for pretty garnishes, but they are also delicious and beautiful sliced in half and sautéed in butter or olive oil or roasted.

Zucchini
In the late summer months, gardeners often have many large zucchinis to get rid of, and the price at the market drops to almost nothing. This is a great time to take advantage of this squash’s versatility, making breads and muffins or slow-caramelizing zucchini in oil with a few mustard seeds for a surprisingly decadent side.

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Fitness Craze: Bodypump

November 29, 2012 By
Have you been hearing the buzz lately about a popular new exercise trend called Bodypump? If so, you’re probably a little curious to know what exactly it entails. Below, learn about the essentials of Bodypump so that you can decide whether or not it’s a good fit for you.
 
Overview of Bodypump
Invented by Les Mills, Bodypump is a barbell-based class that emphasizes a combination of cardio work and weight lifting. It's designed to sculpt, tone, and strengthen your entire body. Les Mills promotes Bodypump as one of the fastest ways to get in shape because it challenges all of your major muscle groups through movements like presses, squats, and lifts, and many gyms offer the class with certified Bodypump instructors. In a short time, it has become a wildly popular fitness trend all over the nation. 
 
"The Rep Effect"
One of the noteworthy elements of Bodypump is what Les Mills calls “The Rep Effect.” The Rep Effect is a method of resistance training that places a focus on low weight loads and high repetition movements — this type of rep is designed to maximize an exerciser’s success with burning fat, gaining strength, and rapidly building lean muscle mass. Since lean muscle mass burns calories, proponents of Bodypump rave about its ability to transform your body into a lean, fat-burning machine by helping to replace your body fat with calorie-burning muscle. 
 
Bodypump Classes
A true Bodypump class features an instructor specifically trained in the Bodypump methods, and he/she leads the class through a series of specific exercises and choreographed movements all designed to hit all the parts of the body in a highly effective sequence. To keep you moving, the class is accompanied by a playlist of chart-topping music that is kept constantly fresh based on what’s hot and new on the air waves. The classes are generally large but not overwhelmingly so — they are a great option for you if derive motivation, inspiration, and energy from working out with a group of people. In a typical Bodypump class, you’ll perform 70-100 reps per body part for a total of up to 800 reps in one workout session — feel the burn!
 
Additional Benefits of Bodypump
If you’re uncertain about building bulk through weight lifting, Bodypump is a great option because the low-weight-high-rep approach will help you tone without adding visible mass — you'll just appear toned and lean. It is also a good choice for you if you’re looking for a low-impact form of exercise that will not put too much pressure on your joints. Bodypump has been designed to protect your bones and joints from injury, and the class emphasizes proper form and posture so that you don’t tax your knees, shoulders, or other vulnerable areas. 
 

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Fabulous Food Writers

November 21, 2012 By

If you love food and also love to read, then these are the books for you! Read through this list of yummy works by great food writers:

James Beard
Lending his name to the well-known culinary award, James Beard has left a hearty legacy in food writing. With his boisterous personality and large stature, Beard put American food on the map through his writing including Beard on Bread as well as his renowned cooking schools. He also popularized French cuisine among the middle and upper-class during the 1950s.

Anthony Bourdain
Known as the cynical host of Travel Channel’s No Reservations, Bourdain began his staggering career as a humble chef and food writer. His writing career grew from a racy tell-all article in the New Yorker that spawned a playful but just as scandalous book called Kitchen Confidential: Adventures in the Culinary Underbelly. Along with his TV show, Bourdain continues to sprinkle his dark humor throughout essays, cook books, and foodie memoirs that continue to delight readers looking for an all-too-honest portrayal of food and eating.

Michael Pollan
Not your average food writer, Pollan is known more so as a food journalist, though his work is rooted, no doubt, in a deep love of food. His books about American food culture, including Omnivore’s Dilemma and The Botany of Desire, advocate a locally-based way of eating that harken back to simpler times.

Ruth Reichl
Now the editor of Gourmet magazine, Reichl has made a name for herself on the food writing scene with writing that is both personal and universal. Entertaining as well as provocative, her books include Tender at the Bone and Garlic and Sapphires, about being an undercover food critic.

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The Best Exercise Routine for You

November 15, 2012 By

So, this is the year you're going to get in shape. Good for you! Maybe you’re just beginning a work out regimen, or perhaps you’re already active but want to try something new.  Below are some popular exercise options to try:

Exergames
Motion-sensor gaming innovations like the Nintendo Wii, and Xbox Kinect have unleashed a wave of game-based exercise programs. Whether you like golf, bowling, tennis, dance, yoga, or more traditional aerobics there is a game out there for you!

Pros: The games are relatively inexpensive compared to gym membership, can be used at home, and automatically track your progress so you can easily monitor your improvements.

Cons: The workouts are generally mild to moderate (good for beginners but you may soon outgrow them) and sometimes repetitive. Also, there is less accountability because you're not paying for a membership or working out with others.

Joining a gym
Gyms offer a great range of exercise machines and classes – everything from kickboxing to Zumba to yoga.

Pros: Since you’re paying for it, you’re generally more motivated to use it. Most gyms offer a good variety of programs for different fitness levels, personal training, and there are also gyms that are targeted to serious athletes, beginners, and women so you can find one that suits you best.

Cons: Membership can be costly and it can be hard to make the time in your day to go there – especially if it's a bit of a drive. Also, some beginners may feel intimidated or self-conscious working out in front of other people.

Heading outside -
Many people prefer to get their exercise in the great outdoors. Fresh air, natural beauty, and freedom can be great motivators. Also, you can invite friends or co-workers to join you!

Pros: You can make your own exercise routine and work outdoor activity into your daily schedule. Exercising outside with friends can be appealing and provide motivation.

Cons: If you’re going solo, it can be tough to stay motivated and structured, and you are at the mercy of the weather.

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Have You Heard About These Healthy Food Trends?

November 8, 2012 By

Some of the hottest new food trends involve foods that aren't just delicious, but good for you, too! Read on to learn about the latest in healthy eating:

Chia Seeds
Chia seeds are 20% protein and full of antioxidents. The sprouts make great additions to salads and sandwiches. Ground chia seeds are a wonderful addition to baked goods, and are a wonderful supplement to your smoothie, too.

Coconut Water
The use of coconut water has seen a much deserved surge in popularity in the past few years, and it's easy to see why. It has an incredible amount of potassium and is high in minerals, all while being low in sodium, calories, and carbs. Drink it a sports drink substitute, and stay hydrated the healthy way.

Locally Grown Food
Fresh food that's been farmed close to home will have more nutrients than that which has had to travel long distances first. As this trend has gained in popularity, local farmers markets have increased in number, making these tasty local items easier to find.

Flexitarianism
Flexitarianism is a dietary lifestyle in which you embrace mostly vegetarian eating habits, but allow yourself meat from time to time. Rather than the hard to maintain choice of eliminating meat from your diet entirely, flexitarianism embraces a sense of balance that allows for a bit of everything.

Palm Sugar
Similar to brown sugar in flavor, this rich flavored product has become an alternative to agave syrup as a delicious, natural sweetener. With a low melt temperature and high burn temperature, it's great for cooking.


 

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Great Electronics Review Sites

October 25, 2012 By

With so many tech gadgets out there, where can you go to get the truth about whether they’re worth buying or just a dud? Luckily, there are a few excellent websites that offer a variety of consumer information. Here are some essential sites to visit before you make your next electronics purchase.

Cnet.com has established an awesome reputation as one of the most trustworthy and comprehensive sites that reviews various software and hardware. The reviews are unbiased and well-informed, and all reviewers test products comprehensively.

Amazon.com is one of the greatest aggregators for user reviews of products. By taking a quick peek at some of the reviews for products you’re interested in, you will get an unfiltered view of the ups and downs of what consumers thought of them.

ConsumerSearch.com is a well-organized site that collects reviews of products by category, which makes it easy to comparison shop when you don’t know exactly what you want. In addition, their reviews are detailed and complete.

Pocket-lint.com is the UK’s leading gadget review site, and offers a wide spectrum of coverage from cell phones to computer accessories. They also offer breaking news about the latest and greatest devices.

Epinions.com is another consumer review site that has been in operation for over 10 years. With a dedicated user base that covers a wide variety of products, you can find at least one informed opinion about just about anything that's out there today.

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The 5 Kitchen Utensils You Need

October 18, 2012 By

With all the kitchen gadgets available, selecting the right options for your kitchen can be overwhelming. But, really, there are only a few truly essential items that all cooks need. Here are a few of the "must haves":

1.     A top-quality knife is necessary for just about every meal you'll ever make. Though there's a wide range of knives on the market, a high-quality chef's knife will work for almost all tasks. Test grips and weight before you buy.

2.     A good-sized pan is essential. When it comes to pans, they should be solid enough to resist warping with heat but still thin enough to transfer heat efficiently. Opinion varies as to whether non-stick or standard is better, so go with what suits your style and cooking preferences.

3.     A solid spatula is truly a multi-purpose tool. You can use it to flip pancakes, mix stir-fries, or maneuver any food item that’s too hot to touch.

4.     A colander is another must-have utensil and can be used for anything from draining pasta to rinsing vegetables. Traditional metal strainers and high-density plastics both work well and both come with a variety of hole patterns and styles.

5.     A set of measuring cups is necessary for any baker. For many dinner recipes you can wing it a little when it comes to measuring, but precision is key for baked goods. Measuring cups will ensure that your baked items turn out perfectly every time.

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Halloween Safety Tips

October 17, 2012 By

Halloween is right around the corner. Click here for some Halloween Safety Tips!

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Great Tech Toys for Kids

October 4, 2012 By
Toy stores are so packed with techno gadgets geared toward kids that it can be hard to sort through the crowded shelves and find the gems. Here are some of the best options currently on the market, combining fun and education for high-tech kids.
 
Fisher-Price Kid-Tough Video Camera
This toy’s easy-to-use interface and highly durable design make it an ideal choice for younger children. They can use it to make their own movies and it comes with a built-in screen so they can preview what they’ve filmed. The camera is sure to provide kids with hours of imagination-stimulating entertainment.
 
Spy Net Voice Changer
This toy is hugely popular with kids of all ages, particularly those who love to play spy games. It’s not a gadget that packs a whole lot of educational punch but it’s definitely tons of fun. The Spy Net toy allows kids to use up to six different voice effects to aid them with their top-secret espionage missions. 
 
Robonica Roboni
This toy is a great one for pre-teens and teens. It’s a fully programmable robot that has a distinct personality, customizable behavior, multiple infrared and touch sensors, and several game options. It combines interactive, remote controlled gaming with a sophisticated robotic system. An added benefit is that it can be hooked up to any computer. The Roboni is a particularly great choice for young people with a blossoming interest in technology and the field of robotics. 
 
LeapFrog: My own Leaptop
The LeapFrog line of tech toys for kids is one of the best in the business when it comes to educational value. The Leaptop, geared toward toddle-aged kids, offers wee ones a great introduction to basic computer usage. There are six activity stations on the Leaptop that allow youngsters to explore the alphabet, play pretend, and learn about music and animals.
 
Mattel Uno Roboto
This gadget offers a fun twist on the much-loved card game Uno. The basic rules remain the same but this new techno version offers a robotic cardholder that throws out unpredictable commands and presents players with silly tasks. The Mattel Uno Roboto is a tech toy that the whole family can enjoy together. 
 

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