Continue reading »]]> Too much easy living may be harmful to your brain

It has always been well known that exercise is very beneficial to the body but now researchers are discovering that exercise is also very good for the brain and mental health. This topic has been briefly discussed previously, but research has shown that the relationship of exercise to intelligence is not simply cause and effect. Exercise can make the brain become more intelligent. Regular physical exercise can help a person stay sharp and get smarter, perhaps even more effectively than performing mentally stimulating activities.

No one is advising the public to stop challenging themselves mentally and spend all their time at a fitness center instead. Moderation seems to be important. The New York Times quoted a 2011 study that appeared in the journal Genes, Brain and Behavior. In this study, researchers noted that mice who got regular exercise could do cognitive tasks better than mice who did not exercise regularly. The mice who exercised on a regular basis performed even better on cognitive tasks than mice who received a lot of mental stimulation by playing games. The mice enjoyed playing with their toys but when the mice did not also exercise regularly on a running wheel, there was no improvement in their cognitive performance.

Does this kind of study mean anything for you or me? There is still a lot more scientific work that must be done before we know how much this finding based on mouse studies applies to human beings. When the research is completed, it will simply add to a large body of evidence showing that humans were designed to move and be active. Being very active is closely tied to our ability to be mentally productive and creative. A commitment to easy living can mean deteriorating physical and mental health.

Continue reading »]]> Life is easy living when it comes to making the most of Apple Technology. Whether you have an iPhone or an iPad you can easily transers the Apps and game saves between the two pieces of cmpatible technology.

For the vast majority of applications (apps) itunes offers a relaible service designed to back up and save the data ready to be shared and of all this is stadard within the itunes technology. Of couse, you may want to know how to do this manually just as an FYI in case the automatic save does not work. While itunes iss good, as with all software, it is not infallible.
The good news is you can transfer App Data and Game Saves from your iPhone to an iPad, this works and is compatible for any iOS device. There are a few ways to manually do this data transfer and save and our method is to use the free Mac and Windows program iExplorer. Everything is easy, the programs are free and you don’t nee to invalidate any warranty by using hacking programs like jailbreaks for the iphone either.

All you need to do is download the app or game save data to your ipdad and then plug your iphone into your PC. Then search and open iexplorer and when that shows up just click the arrow next to your device name and then click the arrow net to apps. Then locate the arrow next to the app you want to transfer the data from and click that. Inside the main app folder that you can see locate the documents folder and save that to your desktpop (right click, save as and select desktop as location.) Now you can disconnect your iphone from the PC and instead connect your ipad. Do the same steps with your ipad, find the app you want in the ipad to transfer the data to, locate the documents folder and now copy the data you have saved on your desktop onto the ipad. Done? Well done, that is it!

Different apps use different files to save to so sometimes the above process will require you to copy a few files across. But whether one file or multiple this process works for most apps.

Apps and games have different designers so there are a few instances where the simple method wont work. Check to see whether there are different apps for the ipad and iphone. If there are then you may need to just download them individually, if that is the case you can usually transfer the data between the two types but remember to check to see if there is a universal one that works on both devices, this is increasingly common.

If there is not a documents folder then see if there is a data folder instead, if not then check for a library folder. The information will be there but sometimes there are slightly different naming conventions.

The most recent apps will use the newest technology icloud, this is designed to be highly useful and save time and headaches. Some apps will auto synch others can be set to do this in the settings menu to make life super easy. If all else fails you will still be able to access the data locally using the iexplorer technique!

Continue reading »]]> If you aware you are going to move from a lit spot to somewhere without much light, you can put something over your eye-much like a pirate with a patch, so that you can see in the dark.
People have long suspected that pirates and sometimes other people sailing would have eye patches to make it easier to see below the decks, where there was little light. By having an eye patch on, it would keep one of their eyes adjusted to the dark. When they wanted to go below deck, they could switch the patch to the other eye, and the first eye would already be adjusted.

You can use this trick yourself if you want to. It might come in handy and makes for easy living when you do not have a flashlight. You do not necessarily need an eye patch, and simply covering up your eye with a piece of cloth or even your hand should do. After a few minutes, open one eye, and close the other one, and you should be able to see without much trouble. This tip has been around for a while, and was in fact mentioned on the TV show Mythbusters. Follow the link below to find out additional information.

Continue reading »]]> There is a new trend on the horizon. Many travelers are taking to the road in RV’s and setting sail traveling the world by boat. Due to the economy and technology many of these travelers’ are adopting a more mobile lifestyle. There are many perks to adopting this type of easy living lifestyle. Simpler budget, easier sustainability, and minimalistic needs are all benefits that are acquired from mobile living.

Other advantages that are more appealing to travelers’ and those who have adopted this lifestyle include no rent, mortgages, property taxes, home owner’s insurance, or association fees. This easy living lifestyle affords for more financial freedom and adventure. With little to no financial worries mobile travelers’ have the opportunity to experience activities and thrills that they may not have been able to afford with an atypical lifestyle. With financial worries out of the way mobile travelers have the luxury of relaxing and living more carefree.
Technology has helped aid in making mobile living and traveling easier. It is no secret that the web is easier to gain access to than ever before. Hotels, restaurants, and coffee shops are offering their customers free Wi-Fi internet. This is an enormous advantage to those who are mobile. Not only are they saving money on monthly internet bills, but they also have the ability to reach out to loved ones, work on projects, and have meetings with potential clients while on the road or at sea. Video chat capabilities has also helped make mobile living easier to keep in touch with loved ones and join important meetings for work. No matter where a business man or woman is traveling in they can still make it to their meetings on time.

Aside from the internet and mobile phone, GPS has also helped make easy living possible. GPS helps travelers get to any location they desire. Not only does it help you get from point A to point B but GPS can help you find major landmarks or places to take the whole family.
Technology has advanced to the point that work, emails, projects, and ideas no longer have to be shared within the confines of an office cubicle. More and more careers are being done online. Also, the popularity of smart phones has allowed for correspondence and updating PDFs and other files right from your phone. As long as you have a data plan you can work, text, and research from anywhere you have signal.

Business traveling has now become easier thanks to technology. Flights and vacation packages can be bought right from your phone. Many travel sites are launching apps for smart phones that continually update travel times and ticket prices. Traveling apps are a must have if you are looking to cash in on your frequent flyer miles or reward points on credit cards.
Overall technology has transformed how people travel and live. No longer are people confined in a cubicle or forced into a stationary lifestyle. Technology helps people easily get from point A to point B and find exciting new adventures along the way.

-Dan

Continue reading »]]> I was so impressed by this website I had to review it. The theme, the content, and classy graphics are all top notch. I have really enjoyed the articles on this site and I am hoping you will enjoy them too. The theme of the website if to provide information and products that men will find informative, and also information that men should know. The modern day man might not know how to build a campfire or dress for an interview – well this site will teach you! Some of the information is very simple, but well written to where you will learn something from the article. Many of his articles relate to my easy living, minimalist lifestyle too. Check out How to Carve a Turkey or Shave like your Grandpa. Enjoy the site.

Art of Manliness

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Evernote is an app that I use constantly. It fits into the easy living lifestyle by organizing information. Not only is it your basic note taking app, but it can take a snapshot of a document, record your voice, and have attachments such as spreadsheets. You can you it to take someones picture with your phone and add text, for example where you were with them. It accomplishes all this because it installs on EVERY device you own if you choose. They have a version for PC/MAC/iPhone/iPad, and a web interface if you do not install it. So the power comes from being able to sync that information. I can type up a list on my PC and then have it when I walk out the door on my Android phone.

So today I am going to use Evernote to remove all paper clutter in my office, on the walls, sticky note, and related items. Easy living has become easier! It is amazing how much crap we collect and don’t need. I won’t get to the inside my desk items until next week but at leat this is a good start. If you haven’t used Evernote, you need to. It will sync between your desktop, phone, or iPad. It makes your notes available on all devices all the time. It can also clip webpages, take pictures and then reconize the text to make the items searchable. It is free, but I would gladly pay for it.

Take a look at the video and visit their website at Evernote.com.

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You can’t buy happiness. You can’t buy easy living – it is a state of mind. I bet you have never heard that before?  As I sit here this morning working on some websites to make that almighty dollar so I can quit my day job, the thought crossed my mind, well twitter. Time to go outside, put the kayak in the water and take a break. If I make 6 figures next year will I be happy? Maybe, but I think it would just release some stress… it doesn’t take money to be happy.  When are you truely happy?  I know I am happy when I am drinking a beer with a good friend if they stop by the house. Babies don’t make 6 figures but they are happy. How about when you spend time with your kids… Don’t skip out on happiness for the dollar! ON that note, time to get outside in the sunshine!

Continue reading »]]> It is not easy to clean out your garage, it is not easy to go through your clothes… so just spend 10 minutes a day getting rid of your crap.  It is amazing how many clothes we all end up with. I am taking a load to goodwill today. I still have too many to fit on my boat, but I figure at that point most of my winter clothes and long pants/jeans will go to my parents house… you don’t need much floating around on a sailboat. That time is not coming soon, but it is good to prepare.  You don’t have to get rid of everything you own to be more minimal, you can start with that garage this weekend. Here is some wisdom from another minimalist site:

A Minimalist’s Train of Thought

Less money spent means more money saved

More money saved means the longer you can live in financial peace and security

Financial peace and security comes from owning less

Less stuff owned means less to carry around, move or have to travel with

Less responsibility for your stuff also means less maintenance and more time

The more time you have, the more relaxed you will feel

The more relaxed you are, the less you will care about stuff

If you care less about stuff, it means you’ll care less about image

If you care less about image, you will care more about experiences and memories

If you care more about experiences and memories, you will be happier with less

If you are happier with less, you’ll never want or need for more

The less you want or need for more, the more you will feel free

- The Everyday Minimalist

Continue reading »]]> There are some really good blogs out there that inspire me. I read one today and enjoyed it but the author has quit blogging recently, she is amazing girl, Dusti Arab. I have read many many minimalist and simple living blogs, and also survalist blogs. I really enjoyed her story today, enough to share it with you. On her main page she has a sort of master list to other interesting minimalist blogs. It should keep you very busy!

I also have been enjoying Trevor’s Blog here. He has not been updating it but he and I share some similarities. Many of my friends are military or prior military, Active Duty and Guard/Reserves. I also have some AirForce Friends along with my majority Army friends because I spent 4 years in the AirForce also. Military people are heavy consumers, and rely heavily on credit. Many are young, get married young and nowadays have stressful lifestyles, this adds up to some bad debt. I want you all to think about this if it is you. I want my military friends to stop buying crap, put some money in savings especially if you are deployed. Don’t listen to me, because I am in debt, and I am on the verge of greatness… I may reach that point or may not, but go look at some of these other blogs. They have reached greatness and moved beyond what normal society tells them. OK if you are saying what the hell is Dan talking about – greatness. Greatness to me is freedom, free from the 9 to 5, from giving all my time away to a big compnay. I am not going to count the military in my time sink because I volunteered for that, not for the money. Hopefully before I retire from the guard, the guard will be my only job, besides my own generated income.

Continue reading »]]> Being a “bluff” resident I am surrounded by all types of boats. This weekend was a huge boating holiday and I had to get out of the house among the water dwellers. I do have a large sailboat but some days it is better just to take the kayak or dingy.
Many people are discovering the sit-on-top style kayaks are great for fishing or just exploring. Down here at Shellman Bluff there is a very popular sandbar called Contentment Bluff or the Redneck Riviera.
It was dominated by center-console fishing boats. There were no sailboats unfortunately and I was the only kayaker there. Having my dog onboard was a big hit though, everyone wanted to know how I trained him,  and all the kids wanted to pet him. I didn’t really train him, I just put him on one day and started paddling. A kayak is a great way to enjoy the water, either salt or fresh without spending too much. It was only about a 15 minute paddle for me, with the tide each way, to the sandbar.  If you are a fisherman consider an ocean kayak brand, angler type – you won’t be disappointed and you won’t have a fuel bill. It is truly a minimalistic way to enjoy the water.