Community Blog

Every Penny Counts!

There are hundreds of ways you can economize your life everyday.  It just takes a few changes mentally and you’ll soon be discovering your own little tricks to saving money.

Side note: You do need to be struggling or living on a budget to practice these tips.  It’s smart to live frugally no matter your financial status.

• Cut dryer sheets and paper towel in half.
• Use 1/2 cup of white vinegar instead of liquid softener. (no, you wont smell like salad!)
• Don’t forget about coupons and trying to use them when items are already on sale. It’s extra savings.
• When you’re away from home for an extended period, unplug the appliances that you can.
• Get samples (even in a store) online there are many sites that offer them. Even some major stores .They can save you money. Some makeup counters even do free make overs.
• When buying insurance, pay the premium annually. It’s less expensive in the long run than paying monthly, quarterly or even semi-annually.
• Check all monthly bills closely, including your bank balance. Big companies can and do make mistakes.
• Examine your check at restaurants to make sure no error has been made.
• Buy things out of season for big savings, like after Christmas.
• Grow your own herbs and spices in window-sill flower pots.
• Coffee is expensive. Brew only as much as your family will drink.
• Save and sell recyclable materials such as aluminum, paper, etc.
• Bread becomes stale more quickly in the refrigerator. Store it at room temperature or in the freezer.
• Learn about auto upkeep and how to do minor repairs yourself.

Practicing these frugal living tips may seem a bit weird at first, but once you see the savings it will make more sense.  The fact is, we over-consume and end up with a lot of waste.  Be more conscious of this and you’ll be spreading the word of smart living in no time!  Feel free to share any other frugal tips you have on our Town Centre at Lexington Facebook page.

Since I’ve already been lucky enough to see Wicked in theaters, I’d like to give the residents of Town Centre at Lexington apartments a brief review of the amazing show and hopefully encourage you to go see it in Minneapolis in September.

If you’re older than the age of 25, you were most likely raised on the cinematic classic Wizard of Oz. The enchanting tale of Dorothy and all the wonderful characters from the Land of Oz has stood the test of time and fortunately has never been truly attempted as a remake. There have been takes on it like The Wiz starring Diana Ross and Michael Jackson but none have come close to what made Wizard of Oz so amazing. However the new “second best thing” has to be Broadway’s Wicked .

I really had no expectations about Wicked except that I knew it would be good, at the least. Most Broadway shows that get the kind of accolades that Wicked received usually live up to the hype.

Now for those of you who have no idea what is about, it’s essentially a prequel to the original Wizard of Oz. The story circles around the Witches of Oz, Glinda the Good Witch and Elphaba, better known as the Wicked Witch of the West. It’s the back story to what led to both women becoming witches and why they became good or evil. Both witches meet as young girls and though they don’t initially click because of their polar opposite personalities, they eventually become friends and that’s when the real struggle begins. Though the story does overlap into the arrival of Dorothy into Oz later in the show, it is only implied and roughly referenced, which to be honest was a great job. I’ve already watched the original a million times, didn’t really need to see it again.

The acting was great. You often find yourself rooting for a character one second and then questioning them the next. As with any great show, there was plenty of laughter and a fair share of heart tugging moments. Wicked was definitely a emotional roller coaster. It was also an audio and visual masterpiece. The musical score was very enjoyable. Songs like “Defying Gravity” and “As Long as Your Mine” were some of the stand outs.

From start to finish Wicked was a classic. Everything you could ask for in a musical and then some. It’s ability to convince the viewer that the Wicked Witch wasn’t so Wicked and the Good Witch wasn’t so good, is a feat in itself. The mild references to the 1939 classic Wizard of Oz are a great touch and allow the movie to connect with the viewer while still allowing it to fly on its own. Once again, the Wonderful World of OZ reminds us that we aren’t in Kansas anymore.

You can buy tickets for Wicked at Zvents.com and Ticketmaster box offices.  Wicked is now playing through September 19^th at the Orpheum Theatre in Minneapolis, Mn.

(Image via Flickr user isazappy)

Baked chicken wings!

With college football and the NFL season right around the corner, it’s time to stock up on snack ideas for gameday.  Invite friends over to your Town Centre at Lexington apartment and tackle their taste buds with these healthier-versions.

What’s a football game without food?  There’s a reason why we fork over $13 for a hotdog and beer at the games.  Due to something somewhere deep down in our DNA we associate sports with indulgence.  Maybe it’s the sensory onslaught of live sports, or maybe it’s the excitement upping our metabolism.  But when it comes to watching sports, a good platter of food must be ready and an arms-length away.  This season, while you’re comfortably wearing down your couch, give these healthy recipes a try.  I promise you won’t even notice that you’re eating good-for-you food.

Baked Buffalo Wings

I know we’re used to deep friend and heavily breaded greasy chicken wings.  They’re perfect for soaking up beer and covering in a variety of sauces.  What if you could enjoy all of the goodness at half the health cost?  Instead of deep frying, try these baked buffalo wings.  The day before the game- mix 2 tbsp of honey, 2 tbsp of ketchup, 1 tbsp of red pepper sauce, and 1 tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce in a sealable plastic bag.  Add 2 pounds of skin-free chicken drummets and seal the bag.  Refrigerate over night.  The next day, an hour before game time, place the chicken on a baking pan and sprinkle with paprika.  Bake for 30 mins at 350 degrees until crispy and done.  Dip in honey mustard or low-fat ranch!

Ham Deviled Eggs

Give this classic a new twist with the addition of ham.  Hard boil six eggs and then cut them in half lengthwise, remove the yolks.  Put half of the yolks in a bowl and mix with ¼ cup diced lean ham, 2 tbsp of chopped red pepper, 2 tsp chopped green onion, 2 tbsp of low fat mayo, 2 tsp Dijon mustard, ½ tsp parsley flakes, a dash of nutmeg, salt and pepper to taste.  Once mixed, spoon it into the empty egg white halves.  Voila!

These two recipes are sure to standout in your next gameday couch session.  Whip them up this weekend as the Vikings take on the Seahawks at 8pm from the Metrodome.

(Image via Flickr user fonnerberry)

Remember the $1 movie days?

In those days, going to the movies was a night out on the town.  These days, we’re faced with $11 movie tickets and another $10 for a soda and popcorn.  Let’s face it, movies are just too expensive.  If you can hold off until the movies hit movie store, then I’d highly recommend trying the newest in movie rentals: Kiosks.  These new kiosks by Redbox are located in front or inside select businesses and offer new movie rentals for only $1 per night.  You can rent ten movies for the price of one movie ticket.  It’s a no brainer to me!

Luckily for us Town Centre at Lexington residents, we have a ton of Redbox kiosks right near us.  A simple search on Redbox.com shows that most of them are located at a McDonald’s.  To get the full list, simply do a zip code search on the Redbox site.   You can search your local location online and actually reserve your rentals directly online for a pick up at the kiosk.  They have most of the newest videos available for only $1 per night.  The best part about this method is that there are a ton of free movie codes that can be found with a simple Google search.

Next time you’re looking to watch a movie, skip out on the expensive movie theater or movie store and head to a local Redbox and rent as many movies that you can watch in one night!

(Image via Flickr user factoryjoe)

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When you hear the word, “snack”, what do you think of?  Most of us think of snacks as chips, candy, cookies, etc, right?  Or in other words…unhealthy and full of empty calories treats that we munch on between meals.  True, most of these “snacks” are delicious, but they are just so unhealthy for you.

Well, this article is intended to open your eyes to snacks that are healthy and enjoyable.  Always keep in mind that eating healthy snacks like these will keep your inner-furnace burning, demolishing calories and fat via your sped-up metabolism.  I promise that they taste good and do your body good too!

Drink:  Horizon Organic Reduced Fat chocolate milk.  Very long shelf life and just as delicious as Nesquick!

Dried Fruit: Blackbird Food Co. Fruit Crunchies. Packs all the nutrients, just less hassle!

Energy Snack: PowerBar Energy Bites.  These delicious morsels are packed with protein and whole oats that will hold you over until your meal.

Fruit Cup: Dole Fruit Bowls sliced peaches.  Stay away from all the sugary-syrup when choosing your fruit cup.

Chocolate Bar: Dove dark Contains levels of disease-fighting flavonoids similar to those of chocolate used in studies.

Instant Mac and Cheese: Kraft Easy Mac Original.  Quick, easy, and delicious.

Yogurts: Low-cal (Dannon) or extra fruit (Stonyfield). Either way, store a few in the office fridge.

(Image via Flickr user size8jeans)

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A few tweaks to your running routine can make all the difference!

With summer winding down and the dreaded cold season ahead, now is the time to get out and get that metabolism burning.  If you’re like me, you enjoy running just as much for the mental release as you do the physical benefits.  If you’re not a fan of running, I urge you to get up and get out there!  You don’t have to be Steve Prefontaine to get something out of a running routine.  Think of running as an after work release; a way for you to shed the day’s frustration and calories.  Luckily for us, the Town Centre at Lexington is located in a great area for running, or you could always use the fitness center.

No matter your running preference, I want to share a few tips and tweaks you can do to your current routine that will result in huge gains.

Stride Efficiently

Past running coaches and guru’s stressed an importance on using your natural stride to your best advantage.  Over time though, science has shown the benefits of changing your stride for the better.  Here are 3 steps to take one-by-one to improve your running stride:

• Stride Shorter:  Overstriding will create a braking effect.  Try leaning forward with your whole body as your run.  Your feet will naturally land closer to your body and correct your stride.
• 1-2 1-2: This one is a mental challenge.  Every time your foot hits the ground, concentrate on pulling your leg backward immediately after it touches the ground. This will take some practice, but you should feel faster just practicing.
• Bounce Less:   The more you bounce up and down as you run, the less momentum you have carrying you forward.  Imagine you’re running in a room with a short ceiling.  Stay low, lean forward, and feel your momentum propelling you forward.

Be Optimistic

Running is hard enough on your body.  Don’t expect your mind to be excited every time your running day comes about.  Go into each scheduled running day with an open mind; give yourself the option to go hard or take it easy.  Have a Plan A and Plan B, and then determine which one you’re going to do based on your mental state.  If you’re feeling good and excited to conquer the pavement, then go for the challenging plan!  But if you’re just not feeling it today, then don’t be afraid to use the easier plan to motivate you to at least get out there and get it done.

To map out a run around your local community, visit our Neighborhood page or check out MapMyRun.com’s Eagan, Mn page.

(Image via Wikipedia)

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Eating ice cream has never tasted so supportive!

If you’re a fan of the movies Backdraft or Ladder 49, you probably understand what’s involved in the daily work of a firefighter.  It’s not all pole slides and fire truck rides.  These heroes put their life on the line day in and day out for the better of our community.  Tonight is your chance to give back to the men and women of the Eagan Fire Department by attending their Annual Ice Cream Social.  From 6:00pm – 8:30pm, come down to the Eagan Fire Station #4 to enjoy ice cream, slushies, pony rides, clowns, water balloons, a Fire Prevention Safety trailer and more.  Proceeds from the events will be put towards new fire rescue equipment.

This a great opportunity to bring the family down to learn about fire safety and the inner workings of a successful Fire Department, all while enjoying sweet treats and good time fun.

Where:             Eagan Fire Station #4 (Directions from Town Centre at Lexington Apartments)

4200 Dodd Road

When:              August 12, 2010

6:00-8:30pm

If you or anyone you know is interested in becoming a paid on-call firefighter, please call 651.675.5900 or visit the Fire Departments official website.

(Image via Flickr user Pink Sherbet Photography)

In a previous post, we discussed Green Apartment Living and the advantages that plants and indoor herb gardens bring to your home.  Hopefully, you took some ideas from the article and spruced up your apartment with some green leafy new friends.  Today, I want to take it a step further.

What if I told you that you could grow a garden from your ceiling?

If you’ve got a green thumb, you’ve probably heard of the trending gardening styles of vertical gardening and window farming; two great ways to efficiently grow from right within your home.  Well, let me introduce you to the newest way of in-home gardening: String Gardening.  In the simplest terms, string gardening is when you grow your plants/vegetables from the ceiling instead of floor/ground.  One major advantage to string gardening is the space you save, not to mention the interesting, yet elegant décor they add to any room.

String gardening began as an art instillation by the Dutch artist Fedor van der Valk.  He used string, grass, moss, and bowls to create the hanging works of living art.

You too can create these ceiling wonders by visiting The String Garden or DYI it by heading down to the local home and garden shop and picking up the necessary supplies.  To stay local, run down to Jerry’s Home and Garden Showplace and get creative!

(Picture Source)

Back before marriage, kids and a pup named Mr. Nesbitt, I did NOT organize the pan cupboard, the pantry or anything else in my kitchen. In fact, I stopped just short of putting a sign on my kitchen cabinet doors that read, open-at-your-own-risk and making guests sign a waiver. In short, I was a walking-calamity with an apartment to match. Enter family life and I’m a changed woman! And so is my living space … especially the kitchen.

A few years and a mountain of sippy cups later, I’ve learned a trick or two about keeping my cooking area organized. A tip from a fellow apartment dweller turned me on to the wonders of plastic storage containers. How easy life with sippy cups became once I started tossing them into one big plastic container in a lower cabinet. My little one can toddle right over, open the door, snag a cup and proceed with her never-ending mantra, “Mommy … juice”. Half the work is done with her own grubby, little hand leaving me to simply pour.

When I started to make birthday cakes myself, I learned another thing: I learned of the evils of storing those aggravating hand mixers! They are nothing short of diabolical. Taming the cord is hard enough … never mind those irritating attachments! Storing a hand mixer in a manner that keeps the cord from strangling passers-by is good kitchen etiquette and keeps a cooks domain tidy and mayhem free.

With these other KITCHEN ORGANIZATION TIPS, you can have your apartment kitchen well ordered and safe for all your culinary adventures!

How about you? What are your tips for an organized kitchen?

Mark your calendar for Sunday, October 3 from 11am – 5pm for the MEDIEVAL FAIR AT CAPONE PARK.

Make your way to the Woods of Caponi Art Park (map) and discover the wonder of life in the Middle Ages! The Members of the Society for Creative Anachronism’s Barony of Nordskogen chapter are proud to present for your enjoyment, an afternoon of period dress characters, armored combat complete with weaponry, musicians, dancers, period games, arts and skills of all types relevant to the time AND SO MUCH MORE! You’ll eat, drink and be merry like they did in Medieval Times!

Admission is FREE however, a donation of $4 per person is greatly appreciated as it helps to make the Medieval Fair possible. Give more if you can!

Just as in Medieval Times, it has been decreed that this event shall go forth as planned, come rain or shine … except in the case of SEVERE weather or heavy rain in which case the event will be hung up to dry and planned for another date.

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