Amazing Colored Sandy Beaches on Earth

Ever seen beaches with black, green, white, red or multicolor sand? See this amazing nature phenomenon below!


Punalu'u Beach


Punalu'u Beach is the most visited of the few black sand beaches on Hawaii's Big Island and the stunningly black sand is actually volcanic rock, deposited as lava and subsequently cooled when met by the ocean. Apparently to take any of the sand home would result in you being cursed by a volcano goddess by the name of Pele.



Papakolea Beach

One of only 2 green sand beaches in the world, the truly magnificent sight of Papakolea Beach can be experienced by travelling to Hawaii's Ka'u district. Again, the unique colour of its sand can be attributed to volcanic activity - specifically, the green hue belongs to the abundance of olivine crystals which have been produced as a result of a nearby cinder cone erupting and eroding.




Hyams Beach

You may need to wear your shades when visiting Hyams Beach in New South Wales, Australia, but not just due to the sun. It's not surprising after looking at photos but this sublime stretch of beach is home to the whitest sand in the world, an honor awarded by the Guinness Book of Records.





Pfeiffer Beach

The hills surrounding Pfeiffer Beach in Big Sur, California, are rich in Manganese Garnet. A result of this being washed down onto the beach is the colour scheme you can see above - the entire stretch of sand has become a shifting, pink and purple canvas. Although it's probably inedible, I can't help picturing a bowl of Raspberry Ripple ice-cream every time I see it.




Kaihalulu

You won't find many beaches elsewhere in the world with sand as red as this one. Kaihalulu, or Red Sand Beach, is situated on the island of Maui and can thank the neighboring cindercone hill for its intensely deep red appearance.

10 Ways to Save Money this Holiday Season

Shop smart for the holidays—without going into debt


We'll spare you the Scrooge jokes and get right to the point: Given that you're already buying off-brand groceries and going out less frequently, holiday shopping is going to be harder than ever this year. But don't head to the dollar store. You can give something meaningful to those who matter to you by following this wallet-friendly, 10-step plan.

1. Set a Budget
First, be realistic about how much the holidays will cost. It's not just gifts you'll be buying—there's the extra traveling, eating out, and attending or hosting parties. Set a budget, and stick to it.

"Even the office party isn't free if you have to buy new clothes," says Sally Herigstad, a CPA in Kent, Washington, and author of Help! I Can't Pay My Bills. (And good luck convincing the woman in your life she doesn't need a new outfit.) "Make a budget that includes all your holiday expenses before you decide how much you can spend on gifts."

2. Write a Naughty/Nice List
Make a list of "A" and "B" people to whom you want to give gifts. Be careful you're not including people because they gave gifts to you last year—don't get guilt-tripped into giving a reciprocal gift.

"It's usually better to spend your time and energy on a smaller group of people than to try to please everyone," Herigstad says. If you have funds left over after taking care of your A-listers, reconsider those in the second tier.

3. Pay with Cash
Start setting aside funds for Christmas gifts early so you can pay with green instead of plastic. "Over a 2-year period, because of interest rates and any other penalties and fees, you can end up paying 30 percent more for something you charged than if you had paid cash for it," says Greg Womack, CFP, president of Womack Investment Advisers in Edmond, Oklahoma. If you do use credit, pay off the bill as soon as possible.

4. Start Now
Don't wait until the last minute. "Shopping early gives you more time to find the best price," Womack says. "This should be a tough holiday year for retailers, so look for some bargains—the best discounts might be available earlier when stores have a surplus of items in stock."

5. Be Selfless
You've been shopping for others all day. You're looking for a gift for your mom and, wow, flat-screen TVs are on sale. But before you try to figure out how big of a TV your wall can handle, remember: If you want to stay on budget, you must resist the urge to buy for yourself. Instead, add the item to your wish list.

6. Think Outside the Box
When searching for "the perfect gift," go for something personal, not high-priced. The best gifts don't cost a lot of money. Offer your services to those who you know could use them: Whether you're good with cars, carpentry, or photography, your skills will be appreciated. Or tell your friend you'll provide the beer for the Super Bowl party you know he's planning.

7. Take Stock in Your Presents
"There is a big sale now in the stock market with stocks trading at historic lows," Womack says. "Depreciated stock that has the potential to rebound down the road can be a great gift that has long-term value, but can cost much less than it has in recent history."

He recommends looking for major brands or consumer staple goods, such as Kraft, Walmart, and Johnson & Johnson. "Look at goods that people have to have," Womack says. "Hopefully these companies will be around for years to come, and now these stocks are on sale."

8. Join the Local Movement
Don't limit yourself to shopping centers. Your local farmer's market likely has homemade treats—salsa, honey, maybe even wine—that out-of-state giftees could never find. Or go the music route: "If you hear a good local musician, consider buying their CD," Herigstad suggests. "The work of local artists is more interesting and usually costs less than something from the mall."

9. Forget the Gift Card
Dollar signs are pretty hard to disguise when it comes to gift cards, meaning the pressure's on to not look cheap. But don't bother—they're usually a waste of money. "The receiver will probably either have to spend additional money to get what he wants, or he'll throw away part of it. What are the chances of finding something that costs exactly $25 with tax?" Herigstad says.

Think about it: How many unused cards do you have? But in this situation, it's your wasted money.

10. If You Can't Afford It, Say It
If a person on your list requests something you just can't afford, tell them tough luck—in a nice way. "Given the pervasive coverage of the economic downturn, most people know that many are affected by it," says Richard Shadick, Ph.D., adjunct professor of psychology at Pace University. "Level with them, and if they are persistent, then it is time to re-evaluate the relationship." And whether they deserve a gift.

Healthy Holiday Survival

Vitamins can help get you through the holiday season with your health, sanity and waistline intact!

Parties, gifts and chocolate Santas--the temptations of the holidays can be hard to resist. Although too much alcohol, too much rich food and too little sleep can be very hard on your body, some extra vitamins and supplements may help ease the effects of over indulgence this holiday season. Remember to pace yourself, get enough sleep, and drink only moderately to make it through this time of good cheer with ease.

Here are some of Santa`s secret little vitamin helpers:

Vitamin C: Not only does this super antioxidant help combat oxidative stress in the body, it also helps boost immunity during the winter months. Also, another key to enjoying the holiday season is maintaining a healthy stress level. Stress can deplete vitamin C in the body, so extra vitamin C can keep you healthy during this sometimes stressful season.

Zinc: Zinc helps the body’s natural defense system. In particular, the immune system needs zinc to function properly. Maintain winter wellness with additional zinc.

Vitamin E: Another super anti-oxidant, vitamin E protects the cardiovascular system and the immune system and lessens the effects of stress and over indulgence on the body.

Acidophilus: Indulged at the buffet table a bit too much? Add Acidophilus to your diet to help maintain a healthy, well-functioning intestinal tract.

Super B-Complex: Folic acid, a key ingredient in a B-complex vitamin, helps maintain a healthy heart. If you`re feeling tired and run down from all the holiday business, B vitamins can help maintain your energy levels to keep up with the whirlwind.

SAM-e: If you find your mood could use a boost, try SAM-e. A natural supplement, SAM-e is found throughout the body and can help maintain a sense of well being over the holidays. It also has the added benefit of helping maintain liver health, for when you might drink a bit too much.

Last Minute Thanksgiving Tips

Last Minute Tips! Thanksgiving is only a few days away so try some of these holiday ideas to help you with the last-minute details. Happy Thanksgiving to all!

This turkey roast blends light and dark meat -- but it's compact and carves easily into neat slices. Grill the meat to free up oven space for the turkey trimmings.

Maple Orange-Glazed Turkey Roast

Makes: 10 to 12 servings
Prep: 20 min. Grill: 2 to 2-1/2 hours

Ingredients
1 clove garlic, minced
1 tablespoon snipped fresh marjoram or 1 teaspoon dried marjoram, crushed
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
3/4 cup orange juice
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1/2 cup maple syrup
1 teaspoon finely shredded orange peel
1 2-1/2 to 3-1/2 pound boneless turkey roast
2 tablespoons butter, melted

Directions
1. In a small bowl combine garlic, marjoram, salt, and pepper; set aside. For glaze, in a small saucepan stir together the orange juice and cornstarch; add half of the seasoning mixture. Cook and stir over medium heat until thickened and bubbly. Cook and stir 1 minute more. Stir in maple syrup and orange peel; set aside.
2. Brush the turkey roast with melted butter and rub with remaining seasoning mixture. Insert a meat thermometer near the center of the roast.
3. For a charcoal grill, arrange medium-hot coals around a drip pan. Test for medium heat above the pan. Place the turkey roast directly on the grill rack over the pan. Cover; grill for 2 to 2-1/2 hours or until thermometer registers 165F. Add coals to maintain heat every 30 minutes. Brush with glaze the last 30 minutes of grilling. Remove meat from grill. Cover with foil; let stand for 15 minutes before carving. (The meat's temperature will rise 5F during standing.) Bring any remaining glaze to boiling; pass with turkey. (For a gas grill, preheat grill. Reduce heat to medium. Adjust for indirect cooking. Grill as above.)

Try this simple-to-make glaze for a turkey that looks beautiful and glossy. It's effortless and delicious.

Currant Glaze for Turkey
Prep: 5 minutes

Ingredients
1/2 cup red currant or plum jelly
1 Tbsp. lemon juice
1 tsp. dry mustard
1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
1/4 tsp. pepper
Directions
1. In small saucepan combine red currant jelly, lemon juice, dry mustard, Worcestershire sauce, and pepper. Cook and stir over low heat until jelly is melted and dry mustard is incorporated.
2. About 15 minutes before turkey is scheduled to be done; brush turkey twice with the glaze about 5 minutes apart. Makes 1/2 cup glaze.

No-Fuss Sweet Potato Casserole
Raisins and a buttery pecan topping dress up sweet potatoes. Use real butter in this recipe to avoid sogginess.

Ingredients
2 beaten eggs
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup butter, melted and cooled slightly
1 teaspoon vanilla
4 cups mashed, cooked sweet potatoes (about 3 pounds)
1/2 cup raisins
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons cold butter
1/2 cup chopped pecans
Directions
1. Preheat oven to 350°F. In a large bowl stir together the eggs, granulated sugar, melted butter, and vanilla. Stir in the cooked sweet potatoes and raisins. Spread the mixture evenly in an ungreased 2-quart square baking dish.
2. For topping, in a small bowl, combine brown sugar and flour. Cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in pecans. Sprinkle over sweet potato mixture. Bake in preheated oven for 20 minutes or until heated through.




Orange-Apple Waldorf Salad
For a festive touch, make this salad in a fancy mold. Or you can prepare it in a baking dish and cut it into squares before serving.

Ingredients
1 20-ounce can crushed pineapple, undrained (juice pack)
2 tablespoons sugar
1 3-ounce package orange-flavor gelatin
1 8-ounce package cream cheese, softened and cut up
1 medium apple, cored and chopped
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
1/2 of an 8-ounce carton frozen whipped dessert topping, thawed
Orange sections and green grapes (optional)
Directions
1. In a medium saucepan, combine undrained pineapple and sugar; heat to boiling. Stir in gelatin until dissolved. Stir in cream cheese until melted and well combined. Remove from heat. Transfer to a large mixing bowl.
2. Chill about 1 hour or until mixture is slightly thickened. Stir in chopped apple and nuts. Fold in dessert topping. Transfer mixture to a 2-quart baking dish or 1-1/2-quart bowl or mold. Cover and chill at least 4 hours. To serve, cut into squares, serve in bowl, or unmold onto serving plate. If desired, garnish individual servings with orange sections and grapes. Makes 9 to 12 side-dish servings.


Pumpkin Gingerbread Pie

This fresh dessert combines the main ingredients of two tried-and-true pie favorites for a luscious holiday treat.


Ingredients
Nonstick cooking spray
1 cup canned pumpkin
1/3 cup sugar
1 tsp. pumpkin pie spice
1 slightly beaten egg
1/2 cup half-and-half or light cream
1 14.5-oz. pkg. gingerbread mix
1 Whipped cream (optional)
Directions
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Coat a 10-inch deep-dish pie plate or an 8x8x2-inch baking dish with cooking spray; set aside. In a small mixing bowl combine pumpkin, sugar, and pumpkin pie spice. Add egg. Beat lightly with a rotary beater or fork just until combined. Gradually stir in half-and-half; mix well.
2. Prepare gingerbread mix according to package directions. Pour batter into prepared pie plate or dish. Lightly spoon pumpkin mixture over gingerbread batter; swirl gently using a table knife. Bake for 50 minutes for pie plate or 60 minutes for baking dish or until a pick inserted in gingerbread portion comes out clean. Cool slightly. Serve warm or at room temperature with whipped cream. Makes 8 servings.