Whether you’re looking for a project that will increase the value of your property before you sell, tailor an investment property toward premium tenants, or just making an investment in your property, these landscaping projects offer some of the best returns.

#1 Landscaping Design

To truly unlock the best value from your outdoor projects, you have to give them time. Trees and plants take time to mature, and mature trees can increase the value of your home by thousands of dollars.

Landscaping design is the art of laying out your front or backyard space, combining hardscape and softscape landscaping, and blending natural with architectural elements. This is where you create a beautiful exterior for your home. With time, care, and maintenance, smart landscaping design will allow your plants, trees, gardens, and shrubbery to thrive and transform your home.

#2 Create a Social Space with Decks and Interlocking Patios

Increasing the functional space you have outdoors is a valuable investment to make. Decks and patios can extend the useable floorspace of your home by creating gathering places and parts of your backyard that you can furnish however you like.

You have a wealth of options when it comes to decks and interlocking stone patios. When it comes to decks, you have some material choices, including natural wood like cedar, pressure-treated decking, and composite. Landscaping companies often advise clients to consider composite as a low-maintenance option that will maintain its value. Many people are drawn to natural wood because of its incomparable look, but it does fade and wear faster, even if you keep up with staining it every few years. Composite is always the better option if you’re judging it as an investment.

Interlocking patios can extend your usable space further into the backyard. They can be used around a fire pit, a pool, or to create a sense of differentiated spaces and layers in your backyard. Designing an exterior with multiple outdoor spaces and functions will make your home feel that much larger, especially in the warm months when you can stroll outside with a coffee and your laptop.

In addition to building a patio, interlocking pavers can be used for pathways and driveways that look better and bring long-lasting quality to your exterior. Projects that target curb appeal like a new driveway or pathway are always winners when it comes to ROI.

#3 Outdoor Kitchens

An outdoor kitchen can deliver anywhere from 55% to 200% returns, making it one of the bigger and more profitable investments you can make in the exterior of your home.

Outdoor kitchens are the ultimate in indoor-outdoor luxury living, and their popularity has been soaring in recent years as people stay home more and decide to invest more in their homes. One of the great things about an outdoor kitchen isn’t just being able to cook and entertain on your patio, it’s the ability to add features that you wouldn’t normally be able to include in an indoor kitchen, such as a pizza oven or a smoker.

An outdoor kitchen transforms a backyard into a social hub, and it’s the kind of renovation that’s been catching on even in colder climates. You don’t have to worry about the weather with a covered outdoor kitchen.

#4 Quality Fencing

A great backyard feels private and secluded. It provides a sense of enclosure that makes it feel more like an extension of the indoors, with all of the privacy that affords. The trick to seeing a good return on your investment with a fence is choosing a high-quality, durable material when you build it.

A sagging, faded fence won’t do you any favors when you’re listing your property. You can ensure the durability of your fence by choosing high-quality lumber, metal post caps that lock everything in place, and galvanized nails to keep everything secure.

Total privacy fences will help deliver that sense of privacy you need to transform your backyard into a true outdoor living space.

#5 The Right Kind of Trees

Planting the right kind of trees now can do wonders for your home value. Mature trees can make your home feel more comfortable and established, as well as provide privacy from the street. Finding the right type of tree to plant in your yard is critical. Fruit trees may sound like a wonderful idea, until you realize just how much fruit they’re going to produce. Often, fruit trees can wind up spoiling a backyard, as the fruit can start to rot and attract pests, especially wasps.

Specimen trees, which are trees that provide a bit of extra interest like cherry blossom trees or magnolia trees, can really shine in a front yard.

When you’re planning big landscaping projects for your exterior, keep these top performing projects in mind.

Increased Property Value

Real estate experts agree that well-considered home improvements can boost property values, and greenhouses are no exception. A greenhouse can make your home stand out in the real estate market, potentially increasing its resale value.

Potential buyers often perceive a greenhouse as a luxury addition, which can translate into higher property values. Finding the right source for quality greenhouse additions can ensure that this investment adds substantial value to your home.

Energy Efficiency

Modern greenhouses can contribute to energy efficiency in your home. With proper positioning and design, a greenhouse can capture natural heat during the day, reducing heating costs in cooler months. Some greenhouses can even be integrated into home heating systems, using solar heat to warm other parts of the house.

Moreover, strategically placed greenhouses can also aid in cooling your home during warmer months. By using shading systems and ventilating properly, a greenhouse can help regulate your home’s temperature without the need for additional air conditioning. This dual capability of providing heating and cooling assistance makes greenhouses an excellent investment in terms of energy savings and comfort.

Aesthetic Appeal

A greenhouse can add significant aesthetic appeal to your property. The structure itself, with options ranging from Victorian designs to modern minimalist styles, can enhance the architectural beauty of your home. The lush greenery inside can be seen from the outside, adding vibrancy and life to your property’s appearance.

In addition, a well-designed greenhouse can serve as a focal point for your garden or backyard, creating a visual anchor that draws the eye. Whether attached to the home or freestanding, a greenhouse can be styled to complement your existing landscaping and architecture, seamlessly blending functionality with aesthetic allure.

Lifestyle and Wellness Benefits

The benefits of a greenhouse extend beyond financial considerations to impact lifestyle and wellness. Gardening is a therapeutic activity known to reduce stress. A greenhouse offers a peaceful retreat at home where you can nurture plants year-round, regardless of weather conditions. This personal wellness sanctuary can be a strong selling point.

Sustainable Living

A greenhouse encourages a sustainable lifestyle, appealing to eco-conscious buyers. It allows homeowners to grow their own fruits, vegetables, and herbs, reducing dependence on store-bought produce that may be transported over long distances. This self-sufficiency can be very attractive to those looking to reduce their carbon footprint.

Versatility

A greenhouse can serve multiple purposes beyond plant cultivation. It can be designed as a sunroom or a semi-outdoor dining area, adding functional living space to your home. This versatility makes a greenhouse an attractive feature to potential buyers who might envision themselves using the space in various ways.

Final Thoughts

A greenhouse addition is more than just a space for gardening; it’s a multifaceted home improvement that can boost your home’s value, aesthetic appeal, and functionality. Whether you are looking to sell your home or enhance it for your enjoyment, a greenhouse offers numerous benefits that make it a worthy investment.

Instead, you need to follow a more sustainable approach that involves healthier eating. For example, a weight loss professional will encourage you to eat large, tasty, and nutritious portions that help you lose weight the right way.

The Role of Nutrition

The right nutrients can make all the difference. We’re talking fiber-packed, low on added sugars, and loaded with vitamins and minerals. These are the food rockstars that keep you satisfied, steady those blood sugar levels, and give your body the good stuff for tip-top health.

So, what are some foods that can help with weight loss?

Incorporating Fruits and Vegetables

In the world of weight loss, fruits and veggies are the real heroes. Low on calories, high on fiber – they keep you feeling full and content. Plus, they’re bursting with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, boosting your overall health. Make it a goal to incorporate these foods in your meals.

Examples:

• Leafy greens
• Broccoli
• Cauliflower
• bell peppers
• Zucchini
• Berries
• Apples
• Pears
• Grapefruit

The Importance of Lean Proteins

Lean protein is the secret weapon that keeps you full, fuels muscle growth, and burns more calories than fats or carbs. Toss in some chicken breast, fish, tofu, or legumes into your meals, and you’re not just eating; you’re revving up that metabolism for a weight loss win.

Examples:

• Chicken breast
• Turkey
• Fish
• Tofu
• Beans
• Legumes
• Eggs

The Benefits of Whole Grains

Whole grains are essential. Packed with fiber, they keep you feeling full and your digestion game strong. Plus, they’re loaded with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.

Examples:

• Quinoa
• Brown rice
• Oats
• Whole wheat bread

Healthy Fats for Weight Loss

Contrary to popular belief, not all fats are bad for you. In fact, incorporating healthy fats into your diet can actually support weight loss.

Examples of healthy fats include:

• Avocados
• Nuts
• Seeds
• Olive oil
• Tofu
• Fatty fish

Superfoods for Weight Loss

Let’s dive into superfoods – nutrient-packed champs with real health perks. Loaded with antioxidants and essential nutrients, they’re helpful in your journey to shed those extra pounds.

Examples:

• Green tea
• Berries
• Chia seeds
• Turmeric

Creating a Balanced Meal Plan for Weight Loss

Now that you have an understanding of the key foods for weight loss, it’s time to create a balanced meal plan. A balanced meal plan should include a variety of fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, whole grains, and healthy fats.

Remember, sustainable weight loss is about making long-term lifestyle changes rather than following fad diets.

While nutrition plays a significant role in weight loss, active living is also important. Regular physical activity helps burn calories, build lean muscle mass, and increase your metabolism.

The key? Find activities you actually enjoy and make them a consistent part of your routine.

To sum it up, weight loss is a mix of healthy eating, regular movement, and staying motivated. Patience and lifestyle tweaks are key. Ready to get started on your journey to a healthier you? Let’s do this.

Let’s take a look at what medical cannabis can do for you.

Pain and Inflammation

Cannabis has been used to treat pain for millennia, as was documented in texts about Traditional Chinese Medicine and India’s ancient Ayurvedic books. Mounting research supports its continued use in modern medicine as it relates to the endocannabinoid system, the human body’s most extensive receptor system.

Cannabinoid receptors respond to chemicals called cannabinoids found in large numbers in THC and CBD. Anandamide is an endocannabinoid the body produces to help regulate pain and other fluctuating states, like appetite and mood.

Licensed producers have a range of cannabis products that will bind with your anandamide receptors to help treat pain and inflammation. As with any medical journey, speak to your healthcare practitioner or a cannabis-trained pharmacist — they will authorize the specific medical product, strain, and dosage level suitable for your body and symptoms.

Anxiety

Medical cannabis products can include CBD and THC, which both activate specialized receptors that control sleep cycles, mood, emotion, pain perception, and more. CBD’s unique molecular shape and structure make it well-suited for treating anxiety because it mimics an endocannabinoid the body produces itself, called 2-AG.

Modern research suggests that by stimulating these bodily receptors, CBD activates the endocannabinoid system, which then, in turn, addresses neurological or physical imbalances. THC can do this too, but its effect is considered intoxicating, whereas CBD isn’t.

Anxiety is a natural response to danger, real or perceived. Everyone has it occasionally. However, feeling it disproportionately could be a sign of a condition needing treatment. There are some physical sensations that often accompany anxiety, such as:

• Bodily tension
• Chest pain
• Upset stomach
• Shortness of breath
• Racing heart
• Chills or hot flashes
• Dizziness
• Fear of dying

Speak to your healthcare practitioner or cannabis-trained pharmacist about whether medical cannabis is right for you. If it is, they’ll guide your journey and ensure safe and effective treatment.

Depression

Mental health can be a tricky thing to treat and diagnose. The patient needs to be forthcoming and openly describe what they’re feeling, or it can be hard to recognize officially.

Medical cannabis can help improve people’s mood and even their sleeping patterns, but patients must use the right strains, products, and dosages. No matter how down or hopeless things may seem, it’s crucial to remember there is always a way forward!

Whether you feel glum due to world affairs or are suffering a clinical condition, speak to your doctor about whether medical cannabis is right for you.

Thankfully, medical experts are still making important discoveries that modify what we know about health and the body. Decades ago, doctors may not have been very likely to proscribe medical cannabis. If you have any of the above conditions or other ones you think may be treated effectively by cannabis, speak to your healthcare practitioner.

As you make the move, it can also be a good idea to update your technology. It could be time for an upgrade if your computers are slow, struggling with essential documents, or prone to problems. Tech issues can be incredibly disruptive to workflow. In fact, an estimated two weeks of work every year are wasted on IT issues by every single employee. If software updates suddenly have your devices struggling to keep up with the demands of the office (or the home office, as the case may be), use your move as a chance to upgrade.

When you make the switch, keep in mind that you will have to transfer data and destroy physical information that isn’t moving with you. Now is also a great time to invest in better security measures.

Transfer Data

Most workplaces today now use some kind of cloud-based storage for data; however, due to privacy and security concerns, not all information can be stored in this way. For example, if you’re working from outside the US, there are some records that must be kept in your country – which means they can’t be stored with American-owned services.

Even if you do primarily use cloud storage, it doesn’t hurt to back up your devices and transfer data when you upgrade. You can either transfer files directly between devices using a USB cord or back up everything onto an external hard drive.

Information Destruction

Do you have a plan to get rid of old devices securely? Workplace electronics contain tons of essential information. Find a one-stop service that will not only recycle old devices such as smartphones, tablets, and computers but also destroy hard drives, documents, and any other sensitive information.

If you’re upgrading technology as part of a move, there may be other things besides electronics that need to be safely destroyed. In order to keep your company information safe, you need to be sure that you’ve destroyed all materials linked to intellectual property, your branding, etc. Some companies that do document shredding and electronics recycling can also provide specialized services for things like labelling, packaging, branded merchandise, uniforms, ID cards, access cards, and any other physical object you want to keep out of the hands of others.

Better Data Security

The average cost of a cyberattack directed against a business is a whopping $200,000. Is your company set up to make sure that never happens? That argument alone can make the shift to better, safer technology seem worth it.

With more employees working from home, invest in a VPN that ensures the security of workplace communications. You can also keep workplace devices secure by streamlining software to include only what employees need, nothing extra. Every app is another entry-point for hackers, so it’s worthwhile limiting what gets used on work devices.

Make sure your information is protected when you move offices.

As work-from-home orders continue amid a fresh wave of COVID-19 cases, many parents can expect to juggle work obligations and familial duties at home this winter. Depending on where you live and how the lockdown situation develops, your kids may also be studying from home in the new year. 

How does a parent survive? In this article, let’s look at a few simple tips for making it through a busy work schedule this winter. 

Start Off on the Right Foot – Get Organized

There’s nothing that exacerbates stress quite like disorganization. Psychologists have even proven a link between the two, also citing clutter as a contributing factor for poor focus, lowered productivity and decreased creativity. To survive a long winter working at home, it’s important to start by getting organized, optimizing positive mental health and productivity. 

It’s not always easy dedicating time to decluttering, especially when you are busy with work and family, so don’t be afraid to call in support. Professional home organizers like NEATSPACES specialize in lifting the burden from busy parents. They help declutter your home, editing belongings and disposing of unwanted items. And they implement simple, intuitive organizational systems that you and your family can follow to ensure you never succumb to overwhelming clutter again. 

This winter, break the cycle of clutter. Hire professional home organizers to rid your house of clutter and keep it that way. 

Create a Dedicated Workspace

With a clean home and a clear head, you can turn your attention to creating a dedicated workspace. Ideally, you want to find a quiet, secluded spot, away from yelling kids, barking dogs or noisy neighbours. Here are a few criteria to follow for the perfect home workspace: 

• Choose a spot with natural light. Science has proven that natural light brightens your mood, boosts healthful Vitamin D and improves employee wellness and productivity. 
• Have everything you need at hand. Leaving your workspace to find a pen, computer charger, or paperwork can be distracting and time-consuming. 
• Get comfortable with an ergonomic office chair and keyboard rest pad. 
• When you hire a home organizer (see above,) discuss implementing a home office organizational system to keep the space free of distracting clutter. 

You’ll be surprised what a difference a dedicated workspace can make. Over time, you may not even notice that you’re working from home!

Take Your Breaks the Way You Used to Take Them

Remember the office? When it was break time, you would actually take breaks. When you’re at home, the lines between work and familial obligation tend to blur, and you may find yourself cleaning the floors or helping with homework on your lunch break. This makes it feel less like you’re working from home and more like you’re living at work. 

Take breaks as you used to, using the time to relax and shift focus. Those breaks are essential, both for your mental wellbeing and your productivity. The cleaning tasks, homework problems and house duties will be waiting for you when you finish work. 

Working from home is challenging, especially in the winter – and especially with kids around. To survive, get the help of a professional home organizer, set up a dedicated workspace and set boundaries by prioritizing your break time.

But while grass fed beef is clearly here to stay, many people still have questions about whether it is really all that different from any other kind of beef. After all, aren’t all cows raised eating grass? 

The truth is that grass fed beef has measurable advantages over more conventional varieties. Unlike other types of beef cow, which spend the last part of their lives on a high-calorie grain diet, grass fed beef are leaner and less calorically dense, which makes them superior in three key ways: flavor, health, and sustainability.  

1. Grass Fed Beef is Tastier

While taste in meat might be subjective, there is no question that grass fed beef has a stronger, earthier flavor than many gourmands prefer. Because the meat is leaner and darker, it lacks the blander, sweeter flavor that grain finished beef often has. Grass fed steaks, for example, need much less seasoning because of their richer taste.

If you want to try some grass fed steaks for yourself, you might want to order grass fed beef online so you can try a variety of different cuts to see which ones you like most. 

2. Grass Fed Beef is Better for Your Health

The debate about whether grass fed beef is actually better for your health is a lively one, with some arguing that it isn’t significantly healthier than grain-finished beef. But is this true? 

The health claims behind grass fed beef are based on three scientific facts: 

• Grass fed beef contains less overall fat and fewer calories than grain finished beef
• The fat grass fed beef does contain is healthier, and contains more Omega-3 fatty acids and conjugated linoleic acid
• Grass fed beef is richer in nutrients like vitamin A, vitamin E, and antioxidants

Obviously, grass fed beef is still red meat, and eating large amounts of grass fed beef can still lead to higher cholesterol. But if you are going to eat beef, it is still better to choose grass fed than grain finished.  

3. Grass Fed Beef is More Sustainable

Thanks to numerous books, films, and pieces of long-form journalism exploring the problems of the beef industry, it is now common knowledge that concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) are bad for the environment and bad for human health. 

Grouping thousands of cows into small enclosures creates huge amounts of animal waste that can easily pose a risk to air quality and the local water table. Keeping beef cattle on the land for longer and letting them graze on ranges or pastureland reduces these risks and, when done with sufficient care for woodland preservation, can make cattle farming more sustainable.  

For thousands of years, grass fed beef was the only kind of beef one could find. And while industrial approaches to raising beef might yield a higher output in terms of quantity, there is a clear cost to doing so. 

This month, why not consider making the switch to grass fed beef and start putting together your first online order? You might be surprised at how much you like it! 

The hard work paid off, and you landed the interview for your dream job. 

An interview can feel intimidating, particularly when it’s for a job that means a lot to you. The best way to ease any anxiety you might have is to prepare as much as possible. The more you know about the position and the company, the more self-assured and positive you’ll feel. 

Let’s look at how to prepare to feel confident about your upcoming job interview.

Research, Research, Research

 
One of the first things that employers will notice is how much you know about their organization. What do you understand about their values? Did you have a chance to look over their financial plan for the upcoming year?

Remember that smart people make great companies and interviewers want to see that you’ve done your homework. They’ll be impressed by your knowledge of the company’s background and policies. By exhibiting a depth of genuine knowledge about the company and specific industry, you’re demonstrating that you’d make an excellent contribution to the organization’s success rate. 

Practice Interviews

 
Practice interviews are an effective way to hear yourself answer any pertinent questions you think will be thrown your way and help prepare for anything unexpected. 

Before you attempt a practice interview, the first thing to do is to go through the posted job description thoroughly. Know it inside and out so that you’ll be prepared to speak to any of the requirements. If you mentioned that you’re a pro in Adobe Suite, make sure you know what you’re talking about!

Then, create a list of questions related to the position and write down well-researched answers.  

Ask a loved one (a friend, partner, family member) to do a mock interview with you, and encourage them to challenge you a little with a few complex scenario questions. If an employer asks you something tough during the real interview, you might better understand how to answer it well when you’ve already had an opportunity to think about your responses.

Consider Interview Etiquette

 
It’s essential to look polished on the day of the interview. If you’re actively looking for a job, it’s a good idea to have an interview outfit ready, including a crisp blazer and suit. 

Remember to greet the receptionist politely and to exude friendliness at all times. During the interview, remember to:

• Be attentive
• Watch your body language
• Shake hands firmly
• Make eye contact as you articulate your points.

You can work on these items during your practice interview. You can also brush up on your interview etiquette by reaching out to a professional recruitment agency. They can help narrow down your job search while also tailoring your interview skills.

Use these tips to land the job you deserve. With a little legwork, you’ll be finalizing a new job contract in no time.

The same principle can be applied to personal study space. When you’re surrounded by noise, mess, distractions and discomfort, your brain fights an uphill battle to stay focused. 

Whether you’re looking to complete your degree at home this summer or you’re just getting a head start studying for next year, here are a few tips for optimizing your personal study space for academic success. 
 

Cleanliness

 
“Clean your surroundings and you clean your mind.” This oft-touted maxim couldn’t be truer when creating a study space. The more clutter you have around your desk, the less likely you are to focus, because, according to psychologists, visual clutter competes with our brain’s ability for attention. 

And this doesn’t just apply to physical clutter. Those 25 open tabs on your browser have the same competing effect with your attention! Once you’ve chosen a dedicated study space, try to keep it as clear and clean as possible. 
 

Light

 
Light is an important element of your natural environment. Without it, your study space feels cramped, dingy and, frankly, pretty dismal. In choosing your optimal study space, look for a spot in the home with an abundance of natural light. Any light will do, but natural light gives you the added benefit of serotonin-boosting vitamin D. 

If you can’t find a naturally lit part of the home for a study space, settle for one that at least has lots of light. 
 

Noise

 
Noise is one of the most flagrant distractors. The whirring of a blender, the barking of a dog or the thudding of steps overhead can all cause you to lose focus. But the worst is chatter. Your brain naturally wants to extract meaning from your surroundings, so when language is happening around you – whether it’s your parents talking or your favourite artist rapping on the radio – your attention will divert to make sense of it. 

That’s why it’s imperative that you set your study space up somewhere free of chatter. And keep your music selections to instrumentals only!
 

Access to Resources

 
You want everything in arm’s reach. The moment you have to stand up, walk out the room and hunt for the material you need, you’ve already lost whatever momentum you built. Textbooks, writing utensils, computers, chargers, workbooks, water, snacks – make your study space a one-stop-shop for everything you could possibly need while studying. 
 

Posture

 
It’s difficult to focus through the discomfort. If you’ve ever had a headache during a test, you’ll understand the struggle. 

While headaches are mostly unavoidable (save from staying hydrated), you can avoid the discomfort of incorrect posture. Sit up straight, preferably in either an ergonomic chair or a regular chair with a lumbar insert, and make a point to stand up every once in a while. Not only will you be in a better (literal) position to learn, but your spine will thank you as well!

Studying is an act of intense concentration and application. In order to pull it off successfully, you should free your environment of distraction and discomfort. Happy studying!

Here are 4 ways to find things to do at home in isolation that are fun:
 

1. Decide to Watch Something you Enjoy

 
The Hulu one-month free trial will give you the chance to see Oscar winner Parasite for free. It won an Oscar, so you know it’s good!

There are some big movies that would still have been in theatres or not due to be available on demand for a while, but when theatres closed, major studios decided to stream them to your home earlier than expected.

Some of these movies include Sonic the Hedgehog, Bad Boys for Life, The Invisible Man, Call of the Wild, Birds of Prey, The Hunt, Dolittle, Emma, I Still Believe and The Way Back.

You are sure to want to see one of those!

We all could use a laugh right about now.

Late-night shows are still on, and thanks to technology, the solo late-night hosts can put on a good show, including virtual interviews with guests.

The shows can be found on Sling TV, YouTube TV, and for the two Late Shows, CBS All Access.
 

2. Here are Some Things to Play

 
Google is offering a two-month free trial of its game streaming service, Stadia.

This means the games that will be available to you include GRID, Destiny 2: The Collection, Thumper, GYLT, SteamWorld Dig 2, SteamWorld Quest: Hand of Gilgamech, Serious Sam Collection.

Animal Crossing: New Horizons is a social life sim game that is now available, and the whole family can play as you immerse yourself in a non-threatening world.

Other, more adult games that are available are Final Fantasy 7 Remake, Resident Evil 3 Remake and Doom Eternal, which are sure to make you feel like social distancing isn’t that bad!
 

3. Use This Time to Learn Something

 
You may not be able to leave your home, but you can go on a virtual tour of a museum like the Louvre or the British Museum.

Art galleries are online too, like the National Gallery of London and the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art of South Korea.

Learn from audio books when you subscribe to Audible. Listening leaves you free to do things like clean the house while you learn!
 

4. Stay in Touch with Friends and Family

 
There is a lot of technology that allows you to socialize with friends. A webcam allows you to see the other person and relate to them by talking face to face, in a way.

You can even play board games with your friends or family, or card games like Games Against Humanity.

You don’t have to be so alone, and you can check up on loved ones to be sure they are ok.

There are so many things to see, play, and learn during this time of isolation. And you can connect with others so that you don’t feel so isolated.