Camping in bear country like the Pacific Crest Trail is serious business! It’s important to protect yourself by safely storing your food. This lesson demonstrates how to store your camping food in a bear bag hung from a tree. Can’t find a strong branch? No problem! This style is suited for trees with Y-shaped trunks that are strong enough to hold all your camping food. Learn camping safety tips as well as knots to make setting up and breaking down camp safe, easy, and fun!
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Leave no camper hungry or thirsty! In this lesson, Sunset Magazine reveals the 10 things you must know about providing food and drinks for your fellow adventures. Get delicious recipes for campground staples, like s'mores -- as well as more adventurous recipes, such as bacon-wrapped dates and negronis for happy hour. You'll also learn a few practical skills, like how to wash dishes and plan for emergencies.
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While frescos and mosaics depicting religious events may have been popular throughout European history, the Alhambra does not reflect traditional Western thought. An Islamic palace from the period when the Moors ruled Spain, the Alhambra contains no images of God or man. Instead, it is covered in symmetrical and abstract patterns, pointing the viewer to reflect not on the temporal and physical attributes of the divine, but on the eternal beauty of the mind of God.
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The Sistine Chapel is one of the most famous pieces of art and architecture in the world, and in the center of Michelangelo’s enormous fresco is “The Creation of Adam,” a visual representation of the story of God creating Adam from the dust of the earth. Michelangelo’s portrayal of both Adam and God reflects the Neo-Platonic values of the time, but perhaps the most interesting interpretation of this painting is that of God’s vehicle being a brain, and the life he is giving Adam, consciousness.
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Want to cook delectable meals in the comfort of your own backyard? In this lesson from Sunset Magazine, discover 10 tips that will help you cook on a gas or charcoal grill like a true professional. Food editor Margo True explains how to use vents to control temperature on a charcoal grill, why you should use a drip pan, when to use direct and indirect heat, and more.
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Most likely you are familiar with Botticelli’s painting, “The Birth of Venus”; you may not have known that it was a Botticelli, but chances are you’ve seen the image. But do you know the mythology behind the painting? “The Birth of Venus” tells the story of the Roman goddess of love’s birth from sea foam (foam that was fertilized by Zeus’ castrated genitals—yikes), in both a beautiful, and mathematically genius way. Learn about the Golden Rectangle and what it is doing in this famous painting.
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Do you eat out often? Learn how to stick to your healthy habits, even when you’re on-the-go! In this lesson from Darya Rose, author and creator of Summer Tomato, learn how to decipher confusing menuspeak to order food that is both tasty and healthy. You’ll also explore your options for substituting unhealthy items and eating food in the best order. (Hint: don’t save the best for last!)
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Want others to join your quest toward health and wellness? By framing healthy habits positively and avoiding criticism of others’ lifestyles, you can advance your own eating habits and get others interested in eating healthy, too. Darya Rose, author and creator of Summer Tomato, reveals the best ways to talk to friends, family members, and kids about healthy choices.
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Ready to ride your bicycle through the city? First, you should understand biking safety and awareness. If you’re afraid to ride to work, try participating in Bike to Work Day or riding with an experienced biker. Make sure you have the right amount of confidence and the correct safety gear (wear a helmet!). This lesson offers imperative advice for urban biking. Be confident on your bike!
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Find your inner outdoorsman! This lesson by Black Owl Outdoors teaches you how to start a fire using a cotton ball, alcohol disinfectant, bark, and branches. With the proper care, your fire will last well into the night and keep you warm and cozy while you plan the next day’s adventures. You’ll also learn a few tips for dealing with wet conditions.
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Need to stretch your spine? Backbends are a classification of yoga poses characterized by – you guessed it – bending your back. In addition to stretching out your back muscles and spine, these poses can have benefits for your legs, buttocks, and chest. In this lesson, Electroga helps you master four easily confused backbend poses: the sphinx, low cobra, cobra, and upward-facing dog (or up dog).
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Tired of failing to capitalize on your self-improvement kicks? In this lesson from Darya Rose, creator of Summer Tomato, learn how to take advantage of natural habit-building tendencies and enhance your daily routine. Once you identify your bad habits, rewire them without losing the rewards. Whether you want to start eating healthier or focus on physical fitness, these tips will help you achieve your goals.
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Need to relieve tension in your upper back and shoulders? Follow along with this short, stress-relieving workout from Happy Yoga with Sarah Starr. Whether you are a yoga veteran or have never attempted a pose in your life, use this routine for a small dose of relaxation and meditation. All you need are mat and two yoga blocks.
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Don’t know how to tip the waiter or waitress after some supremely good service? In this lesson from Marty Brandl’s Math Tips, learn how to break down more complex percentages into manageable mental math. Using the tips and tricks outlined in this tutorial, estimating tips, taxes, and discounts will be as easy as elementary school arithmetic.
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Share a Curious Card with a photo demonstrating your new tricks for calculating tips, tax, and discounts.
If you're commuting or running errands on your bike, you need a place to put your stuff. In this Urban Biking lesson, you'll get inspired by others who share ideas for how to carry your things by bicycle. Some use bike racks and panniers, others use baskets, trailers, and bags. The possibilities are endless; you can carry anything from a six-pack of beer to a massage table to a commuter-loving dog.
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Not all bicycle seats are created equally! Neither will all bicycle seats fit you comfortably, or affect your performance the same way. Once you know what saddle width you need, determine what style fits you best; consider your physique and your riding position. This lesson from Art’s Cyclery highlights three different saddles: the Arione for the average rider, the WTB Devo for riders with a climber’s build (toned thighs and a thin physique), and the San Marco Concor for more muscular riders.
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Have you ever felt lost when someone is speaking German to you? Learn how to say helpful phrases like “Could you speak more slowly?” and “I don’t understand.” It’s perfectly normal to have a hard time understanding a native speaker, but these phrases will help you bridge the language gap and get ready for your next trip to Germany!
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Confused about why there are electoral votes in US presidential elections? Learn about the Electoral College and the part it plays in choosing the president. In this lesson, HipHughes will explain how electoral votes work, how they are allocated, and why the media pays such close attention to the election map.
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Delve into the wonderful art of the Anasazi and Pueblo peoples in this lesson by Kenney Mencher. In refining your critiques of this ancient art, you’ll also learn the basic elements of art criticism and gain skills that apply to visual art analysis in any context. Starting with form, content, and symbols, work your way into historical context to come to an exciting conclusion about these fascinating examples of ancient creative expression.
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