SquidooHQ

5 Fresh Salad Ideas For Memorial Day

Robin Svedi — Wed, 22 May 2013 16:44:10 +0000

Here in the states, we’ll be celebrating Memorial Day this weekend… aka the unofficial start of summer. Many of us will be lighting up the old BBQ and cooking out.

Have you got your menu planned? Are you looking for something a bit more daring and unique to set beside the hamburgers and hot dogs on the picnic table?

Here’s 5 unique salad ideas to help you add some exciting flavor to the meal. Try one, or all, this weekend and then stop back and let us know how you liked them.

Visit each of the following to find the recipes.

1. The Best-Ever Hawaiian Potato Salad Recipe

Hawaiian Potato Salad is not the simplest potato salad recipe ever, but is certainly one of the most delicious ones! It contains more vegetables than the average potato salad and a slightly lighter- tasting and healthier dressing that still manages to be t…

2. Spring Vegetable Orzo Pasta Salad

I needed a good salad recipe that used fresh asparagus and would be easy to take to an outdoor event. Of course I went to Pinterest and found Spring Vegetable Orzo Pasta Salad ! After re- pinning this recipe to my own Salads board (so I could find it easil…

3. Broccoli Salad Recipe

Enjoy my recipe for a fresh broccoli salad this summer, or anytime you need a green vegetable salad. Broccoli is always in season. This dish works well for entertaining and potluck dinners. This lens includes my recipe, that I developed after eating Brocco…

4. Spicy Potato Salad : A Delicious Recipe

It’s Spicy Potato Salad – A Delicious Recipe! How to make an absolutely delicious spicy potato salad that is both yummy and spicy! Here is yet another yummy recipe that I offer up for your consideration. Trust me, while my grandmother passed down to us gra…

5. Sweet and Tangy, Crunchy and Chewy Kale Salad

I could go on touting the various health and dietary benefits of this leafy green (and sometimes purple) form of cabbage, but what I really want to say is that it’s yummy, especially when combined with the other ingredients in this recipe. This sweet and t…

Featured Image Source (CC BY 2.0)

How to Make Your Lenses Flow

Tom Maybrier — Wed, 22 May 2013 16:01:33 +0000

Do your lenses lead the reader smoothly from topic to topic? A well constructed lens uses easily understandable module arrangement to lead readers to what they’re looking for.

Having good “flow” in a lens is important if you want to keep your readers from getting distracted, confused or bored.

Thankfully, there are a few easy ways to improve the “flow” of a lens. Here are some simple considerations that you can make when you’re putting together your next lens.

1. Break up your content to prevent fatigue

When you arrange your modules, think about how much “effort” your reader will have to expend on them. Pictures and short sections of text can break up your lens into sections that aren’t as high intensity.

2. Step up the interaction factor

Spread interactive modules throughout the lens, rather than putting them all next to each other. For example, your guestbook doesn’t necessarily have to be at the end of a lens. You can also try placing a poll module before or after informational content for better synergy.

3. Eliminate redundancy

If you have multiple modules that perform the same function, tell the same story or show the same content, consider deleting one of them to keep your lens shorter and more focused. For example, if you have a video and a text module that both convey the same information, you might not need both of them. Watch out for Amazon modules too – sometimes if you have “Let Amazon Pick” chosen, you might get the same item as in a Spotlight module.

5. Turn on the Table Of Contents

You can use the TOC feature in your intro module or add a seperate Table of Contents module somewhere else – but whatever you decide, make sure you use this feature to it’s full advantage by placing it near the top of your lens and only add entries for important modules. The Table of Contents is very helpful for long lenses that might otherwise be overwhelming for readers.

6. Use Blackbox and Most Important Thing modules to highlight sections of content

If your lens is very long or features a variety of information or types of content, these modules can be used to break up the lens into smaller sections with the help of the Table of Contents.

Photo Credit: paul bica via Compfight cc

Do you have any ideas for helping a lens “flow” better? Share your tips or example lenses in the comments.

Editor for the Day: GramaBarb

Robin Svedi — Wed, 22 May 2013 15:08:50 +0000

Sometimes a lensmaster’s name reflects what’s closest to their heart. At least I believe that’s true of today’s Giant Squid Editor for the Day, GramaBarb, who’s chosen “Grandmothers” as her topic choice.

Here’s what she had to say about the subject followed by her top 10 lens choices.

My Grandchildren currently (2013) range in age from 13 to 30 so I have seen and experienced first hand the impact Grandmother’s have on their Grandkids! A Grandmother’s heart is overflowing with love and their passion shows up in their writing and subjects. I look for Grandmothers who let their heart write for them. I look for lensmasters who have had their heart educated by their Grandma. Each one of these lenses will touch your heart in some way. I am so happy to list them here.

1. Grandma Instruction Book

So you want to be the best Grandma in the world? Are you looking for the instruction manual on how to do that? This lens might be a good start in your search. I’ll give you tips on things that you can do with your grandchildren that are fun and rel…

2. My Grandmother ~ I Remember Love

Every child should have a Grandmother like mine. She was the definition of love. She was never too busy for me, she never got mad, she never screamed, she never grew tired of listening to me and she never turned me away. She was the epitome of a lady. She…

3. Julia Nagy Grandmother Namesake

My grandmother Julia Nagy is my superhero! Thinking about the ‘superheroes’ in my life, the very first person that comes to mind is my grandmother Julia Nagy! First of all, my grandmother was my namesake – I was named in honor of my grandmother! Get it? Yo…

4. Grandma’s Hands

Grandma, granny, grammy, nana. It doesn’t matter what you call her, a grandmother is a special kind of mother. She’s a mother with the rough edges smoothed out. A Grandmother’s temper is slow, her hugs are quick, and her rules are always flexible. I’m a bi…

5. My Heart Melts

I’m what many people would call a tough old bird. I don’t hug friends and family each time I see them. I’m crass and say what I mean and mean what I say. But my heart melts when it comes to my three grandkids. I know every grandparent thinks their grandchi…

6. In Memory of My Grandmother

The bond between a child and that child’s parents is unmistakable. We always hear about father- son, father- daughter, and mother- daughter relationships. The terms ‘daddy’s girl’ and ‘mama’s boy’ get tossed around on a daily basis. However, I feel that th…

7. Grandkids Are Funny!

Below you will find photos of my grandchildren. I just adore each and every one. BUT, I am not beyond getting a kick (as in a chuckle) out of them. I know one day they will hate me for posting their embarrassing photos on line, but hey, they will forgive m…

8. Going To Camp Grandma?

What joy, fun and learning we can have! Camp Grandma is anywhere we get together to have fun. Psalm 145:3- 4 ‘. one generation will commend your works to another, they will tell of your mighty acts. ‘ We took our camper to a campground near our son and dau…

9. Happy 100th, Grannie!

This page is dedicated to Callie Perna Penland Stewart, my grandmother and sole living grandparent, who turned 100 in October 2009. Thankfully I was able to attend her birthday party with my children and get to see all my family – and it’s a big family! He…

10. Long Distance Grandma

When I moved to Western NY five years ago we didn’t have grand children. Now we have six, with another grand child due in two months! They range in age from 2 months to three years. When months go by and I don’t see them, I just ache. I am sure all grandpa…

Thank you GramaBarb for selecting some super lenses about everyone’s favorite person in the whole world, their grandmother.

http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/GramaBarb

Lens of the Day: Make Your Own Silver Frames

Robin Svedi — Wed, 22 May 2013 11:58:08 +0000

Silver accessories bring a classic beauty to every decor, from shabby chic to formal, from rustic to contemporary.

Editor for the Day: ravenko

Robin Svedi — Tue, 21 May 2013 17:20:56 +0000

It’s a dog’s life. That’s a pretty old saying and after a visit to the Vet today with my little Ebony, aside from her vaccination, I think it holds true. It’s also the topic choice of today’s Editor for the Day, ravenko.

Here’s what she had to say about it followed by her top 10 lens choices on the subject.

I am not only a dog lover but a dog owner, I have two bully breed dogs the Presa Canario.

It saddens me when people mistreat their dogs or out right abandon them thinking they’ll survive on their own.

I enjoy reading and learning from other people about their own experiences with their breed of choice for a dog.

1. Dogue De Bordeaux the French Mastiff

Molly is a Dogue De Bordeaux also known as French Mastiff, or Bordeaux Bulldog. More famously known as the Turner and Hooch dog! You will find fun and interesting information on this page on how to get the best from your French mastiff. First hand informat…

2. ♥ My Puppy Mill Puppy, Abigail

This is the story of my Abigail. She is a gorgeous Golden Retriever. I have had her since she was 5 weeks old. She has had every problem a puppy mill puppy can have, and more. But she is the most devoted and loving and perfect best friend anyone could ask…

3. A Newfoundland Rescue Story

What is the first thing you think when you hear the word ‘Newfoundland’? It amazed me when I adopted my Newfoundland dog, to be named Ebony, from the local animal shelter, that people I knew were mostly unfamiliar with the term ‘Newfoundland’ as describing…

4. The Greyhound That Bounced

He was a retired greyhound that came to me to be fostered and trained to live with an adoptive family. Very quick to learn. Quiet. Amiable. Loved my other two dogs. Was keen to get to know Koko the cat but on what grounds I wasn’t sure. Jag, my grandson wa…

5. Dog adoption rescue story – My giant Gentle Giant

A Great Pyrenees dog spells adventure I love Pyrs. The Great Pyrenees gentle giant of a dog is a grand and noble representative of the dog world. This weekend I begin a new journey with a Pyr. He is a large, leggy, massively tall Great Pyrenees named Samwi…

6. The dog we love

We got Jericho from a local breeder in 2003. She is a 9. 5 year old Rottweiler and will be 10 in July. She loves people, loves attention and has the energy of three dogs put together. She is probably the only dog that loves to go to the vet. I cannot get h…

7. Birthday Pug Wants a Dog Party

Charlie is a Pug and Charlie wants a birthday dog party this year. I know this because he told me. But Charlie the Pug has a problem. He’s never planned a dog party before. He knows he needs dog party supplies and party entertainment. I’ve told him he need…

8. Our New Dog – One More Rescue Dog

I was looking on Craig’s list for a freezer and this picture came up. Do you believe in Providence? Well, this young dog was looking for a home. She had been on death row twice in her young life, rescued by the same rescue group both times. This time, she…

9. One Puppy’s Jouney from Rural Missouri to San Diego

Even in my short life of 10 weeks, I have had some wild experiences. The wildest was the last two weeks. You see, I was adopted from a rescue in rural Missouri. I was adopted by a lady in San Diego. That meant I had to be flown to my new home. Granted many…

10. Belle the British Bulldog Puppy

Welcome to our page about our British bulldog puppy. Follow little Belle the bulldogs journey with her new family. And all her adventures, where I share information on raising a puppy and lots of pictures of our bulldog puppy with you. We named our bulldog…

Thank you ravenko for sharing such a fun (and cute) group of lenses with us today.
http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/ravenko

Retiring The About Me And My Lenses Modules

Bonnie Diczhazy — Tue, 21 May 2013 16:33:39 +0000

A few years ago we introduced 2 modules that allowed lensmasters to share a little bit more of themselves and their work on a lens. The About Me And My Lenses Modules were typically added to the bottom of a lens to let readers see more lenses from an author.

However we’ve recently discovered that search engines are becoming more sensitive to whether the links on a page are to related topics. This means that a lens about Golden Retrievers with links to lenses about hand mixers, or visiting Paris, or Mick Jagger, is potentially perceived as lower value.

So, these 2 modules are being retired today but there’s nothing you need to do. They will automatically be removed from your lenses.

Introducing ErinMellor

susan52 — Tue, 21 May 2013 15:20:46 +0000

Today we’re happy to formally introduce ErinMellor, who has a Lens of the Day to her credit already and is staying busy making more great lenses. We’re thrilled to have her as part of the Squidoo community. Enjoy getting to know her better!

How did you find Squidoo? I’d bumped into Squidoo a few times, mostly from people linking to lenses on other social networks. I’d often seen a link that caught my eye and then found myself browsing around a few linked pages. It took me a while to think “oh, I could write on Squidoo too”.

You’ve entertained and enlightened us with a great variety of lenses already, including your unique and entertaining “What is Nordic Noir?” Lens of the Day. Any surprises planned for the future? I was surprised and delighted to the positive response to the Nordic Noir lens, I enjoyed sharing my passion for all things Nordic. I guess where I can add my unique voice is in sharing some of the art, places, events and celebrations we have here in Europe. I live in such a diverse continent, and am lucky enough to have the opportunity to travel so I’d like to share more of that. I am very easily distracted, so don’t be surprised to see some totally random lenses too.

What can Squidoo do for you? I love to write, and to tell people about things that I find exciting, so Squidoo offers me an outlet for that. I’ve found the community here to be hugely welcoming, friendly and helpful in just the short time I’ve been here, so I hope I can get some hints to improve my writing, and contribute more to that community as I find my way around. If I can earn some mad money along the way, that will be great, I can spend it on travelling adventures.

Lens of the Day: Aubergine Strudel drizzled w/ Lemony Saffron Yogurt Sauce

Robin Svedi — Tue, 21 May 2013 12:17:06 +0000

Congratulations to EchoTarpeian whose Aubergine Strudel drizzled w/ Lemony Saffron Yogurt Sauce lens was selected as the winner in the GoodVeg Club Quest: Family Favorite Recipe challenge.

From the lens: “New Age Health with Old World Charm” ~ You’ll have to read the lens to see what this means!

For all of her hard work and effort, and in addition to being our featured Lens of the Day today, EchoTarpeian will receive a $25.00 Amazon.com gift card.

Stop by the lens now to grab the recipe and to congratulate EchoTarpeian on a job well done.

http://www.squidoo.com/aubergine-strudel

We’d also like to say thank you to all who participated by sharing terrific vegetarian-style recipes this month.

Stop by the quest lens to see them all.

Would you like to join the GoodVeg Club? Or maybe one of our other fun Squidoo Clubs? Our Clubs are open to all interested lensmasters. Learn more HERE.

Editor for the Day: happynutritionist

Robin Svedi — Mon, 20 May 2013 16:19:09 +0000

Her lensmaster name might give you a little clue about the topic chosen by today’s Editor for the Day.

Giant Squid, happynutritionist, has collected 10 lenses she loves about “herbal remedies”.

Here’s what she has to say about the subject followed by her favorite lenses.

When I joined Squidoo I thought I was going to be using it as a way of sharing my love for nutrition and medicinal herbs. I have done a bit of that, but over the years, have had fun writing about many things I love.

But as I sit here nursing a mild cold with a couple of my favorite medicinal herb combinations, I’m brought full circle, and thought it would be fun to share some of my favorite Squidoo lenses about plants that heal. Always make sure to research any remedy suggested and consult your doctor or natural health care provider before using. Here’s to your health and happiness!

1. Burdock Benefits Your Body

Burdock is often considered a weed, but it’s also used as an herbal medicine. The benefits of burdock include its use as a blood purifier and a diuretic, and it supports the health of the liver, kidneys, and bladder. Burdock root makes up the largest porti…

2. 10 Herbal Teas for Medicinal Use

Herbs have been used for centuries to treat a variety of medical illnesses. Many of the uses have come from folklore or cultural traditions. Scientific evaluation of herbals has only recently begun, here we will review 10 common herbal tea preparations and…

3. How to Plant a Medicinal Herb Garden

Would you like to have an herb garden where you grow your own healing medicinal plants? A medicinal herb garden doesn’t have to be big or fancy. Even if you have a small yard, you can still grow medicinal herbs. If you live in an apartment or have no yard…

4. Herbs and Herbal Remedies for Type II Diabetes

This page explores three herbs that show evidence of being able to treat or prevent type II diabetes: cinnamon, chamomile, and tulsi (holy basil). Type II Diabetes is a chronic medical condition characterized by the body’s inability to respond to insulin,…

5. Best Female Herbal Tonic

In Chinese medicine, there have been a couple of herbal formulas that have really made a difference for a women desiring an ultimate balance tonic. Whether its hormonal imbalance, endometrial complications, infertility, menopause, or general health, Chines…

6. Health Benefits of Dandelion

Apart from being an ornamental flowering plant (or to some, just a weed), dandelion is widely used as an amazing medicinal herb. Dandelion bears beautiful flowers. Chinese use it to treat inflammation, diarrhea, weight loss, diabetes and digestive disorder…

7. Herb Medicine Of The Bible

Have you ever wondered about what herb medicine they used during the times of the Bible? We assume that our conventional medicine is so advanced as compared to ages before. Here you will find that the ancient knowledge of herbal medicine during biblical ti…

8. Essential Oils of Ancient Scripture

Essential oils were used daily by the people of the Bible and all cultures around them. The true extent of the uses and applications of essential oils cannot be determined by the Biblical readings alone because the intent of the writers was not to detail a…

9. Alfalfa Benefits – Enjoy the Healing Power of Alfalfa

Alfalfa benefits us in so many ways. These sprouts make a great addition to many delicious dishes and also has much medicinal value and helps prevent and manage a wide variety of illnesses. They are also known to help one maintain their skin quality, age a…

10. What Are Nightshade Plants?

The mere words Nightshade Plant bring up images of mysterious workings within the gloom of night, the creation of magic spells or poisonous concoctions, images of witches and of medicine men silently creating their wares. Well the images and ideals surroun…

A big thank you to happynutritionist for sharing these health-inspiring lenses.
http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/happynutritionist

Lens of the Day: My Favourite Sewing Gadget – A Bias Tape Maker

Robin Svedi — Mon, 20 May 2013 12:03:46 +0000