A few weeks ago, I was researching the KitchenAid Stand Mixer and came across a blog post from someone that I thought was not the best advice. The blog post was about making pancakes with your mixer (or any stand mixer). Now the recipe was probably pretty good, but the process is what was flawed in my opinion.

For me, pancakes are all about being soft, light, and fluffy. They should not be dense, chewy, or rubbery in any way. If I wanted that, I could take a trip to one of those late-night breakfasts and get a bunch of hockey puck-lapel cats.

No, for me pancakes should be handled with care and attention. The reason is gluten. Now for a bit of food science. Gluten is a protein, it is actually a composition of 2 proteins called gliadin and glutenin. When water is added to wheat flour and then mechanically mixed, gluten is formed. And it is this wonderful gluten that gives bread dough and pasta their chewy and elastic characteristics. But since the gluten content is increased by mechanical mixing or kneading, it is not something we want to do if we want to have light and fluffy pancakes.

So next time you want to enjoy a good pan-fried breakfast, leave the mixer well packed. Instead, follow this basic cooking process.

You can use any basic pancake recipe that you like. The key to a great result is in the mix. What you need to do is mix all the dry ingredients first in a bowl that is large enough for your batter. Next, mix all the wet ingredients in a separate bowl.

Now before adding the wet to the dry, get ready. An electric griddle is probably the best appliance for cooking pancakes at home, but if you have to use a skillet, it will work too. There are 2 differences. An electric griddle has a built-in thermostat, which means that the heat will stay more constant than with a skillet on the stove. Second, the griddle means you can cook many more pancakes at the same time. I use a skillet on the stove myself, but never cook more than one pancake at a time and keep them warm in the oven until ready to serve. It’s not the best, but I don’t have more space to store an iron, so I decided not to buy one. Using my stove, I heat the pan for 2 minutes to level 5. Then I lower the heat to 4 when I cook. If I find that things are taking too long, I raise the temperature for about another minute and then drop back down to 4.

Now that you have a hot cooker ready, it’s time to mix the batter. You want to achieve mixing as quickly as possible without activating too much gluten. So, take the wet ingredients and literally pour them into the dry one. Next, take a spatula and add the wet ingredients for 10-15 seconds. That’s. Some of the dried ones may not be perfectly mixed, but that’s okay. I have never had a lumpy pancake with this method.

Then put some batter on the griddle or in the pan and wait. You want to see the bubbles that form all over the outside of the pancake. That’s the sign of a flapjack that is ready to be flipped. If the heat is high enough, the background will be nice and brown. If it is too low, it will be pale in color, and conversely, if it is too hot, the background will be very dark. So as gently as possible flip the flapjack over and continue cooking the opposite side. Typically, the second side will cook in half the time as the first.

When serving the pancake, always have real maple syrup on hand. You can make a difference in the world and the taste is like no other. Since you put all this care and attention into making the best pancakes you could, you deserve to sweeten them perfectly with a little maple syrup.

There you go. The next time you’re in the mood for some flapjacks, keep the KitchenAid mixer covered and instead use the tipping and folding method for the lightest and fluffiest pancakes you can make at home.

With the new year here, it’s safe to say that you have high hopes for the future of your business. While there are sure to be challenges in 2015, if you play your cards right, you’ll know you’re in a position to do great things.

You don’t want to wait any longer to decide on your marketing strategy for the new year. If you’re still lagging in this area of ​​your business, here are five questions to answer without delay:

1. What worked for you, in terms of marketing, in 2014? Once you know the answer to this question, you need to implement a plan that allows you to get more of the same in 2015.
2. What didn’t work for your business last year? It’s safe to say that some of their marketing tactics failed. There is nothing wrong with this, as long as you don’t repeat the same mistakes in the future. You don’t want to continually waste time and money on strategies that don’t deliver results.
3. Do you have new ideas to experiment with? It’s always a good idea to keep an open mind when it comes to your company’s marketing strategy. If you forgot to experiment with new ideas last year, now is the time to change your mind.
4. Are you taking advantage of social networks? This is one of the most powerful ways to market your business and reach a large audience. Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn are just a few of the many social media services that you should focus on. You don’t want to keep neglecting this area of ​​online marketing.
5. Need help? Some companies have enough staff to handle all marketing related tasks. Others, however, need to seek help. There are people and companies that can help with everything from content creation to social media management and much more.

It may take some time to answer these questions, among others, so there is no reason to be in a hurry. As long as you are looking for answers and moving forward, you will eventually end up in a good place.

You have the whole year ahead of you, so now is the time to put in place a marketing plan that you can trust. Answering the questions above will help you move forward safely and securely.

What a blessing it is to know that God shares his goodness with everyone. Even people who don’t believe in Him are inundated with His goodness and grace. This shows how abundantly good and loving our Lord is. Play this memory verse game with your preschoolers to help them learn that the Lord is good to everyone!

How to play this Bible memory verses game:

There are 2 ways to play this game.

Number one: community workers

Gather some community worker costumes and hats. You can make your own, or you can buy some costumes at a local party store that may be near you. Look for costumes for community workers, such as police officers, firefighters, doctors, nurses, grocery clerks, construction workers, and waiters or waitresses. The more accessories you use, the more fun your kids will have.

Place all of the costumes in a bucket that you will take out of. Have a child come over and dress them in one of the costumes. Let’s say you choose a police officer’s uniform. Let the child stand in front of the rest of the class. Then say the following:

This is Jake (or whatever the boy is called). He is a police officer. Work hard to keep us safe.

Let’s tell Jake that God loves him by saying Psalm 145: 9: The Lord is good to everyone!

Be sure to invite the children to say Psalm 145: 9 with you.

Help the child remove the costume. Pick a new child to put on a new costume and play the same game.

Number two: all over the world

Gather some colorful pictures of children from around the world. It would be nice to turn the images into “popsicle” puppets by simply adding a popsicle stick or tongue depressor to the bottom of the image. Put all the pictures in a basket or box so that the popsicle sticks stick out.

Ask a child to come over and pull out a “puppet.” Then say the following:

This is Akiko. (Choose a name that you think reflects the nationality of the child’s photo.) Akiko is from Japan.

Let’s tell Akiko that God loves her by saying Psalm 145: 9: The Lord is good to everyone!

Be sure to invite the children to say Psalm 145: 9 with you.

That’s! This Bible memory verse game will give your preschoolers many opportunities to learn and recite Psalm 145: 19.

Mukesh Ambani, possibly the richest Indian in the world, is also the eldest son of the late Dhirubhai Ambani, the legendary industrial and business magnate. He was born on April 19, 1957 when the Libra ascendant was on the rise. The location of the planets in your chart is as follows: first house-Rahu (dragon head) in Libra; second house: Saturn in Scorpio; third house: the Moon in Sagittarius; 7th house: the Sun, Venus, Mercury, and Ketu (dragon’s tail) in Aries; eighth house-Mars in Taurus; and, eleventh house-Jupiter in Leo.

A cursory glance at his chart shows that he is the worthy son of a great father. The Sun, the significator of the father, is in exaltation, having the full aspect of the ninth house of the eleventh Jupiter placed in Leo. The lord of the father’s tenth house, the Moon, is in Sagittarius having the complete fifth aspect of Jupiter. Similarly, the Moon is the significator of the mother. The fourth house that has the sign of Capricorn, which represents the mother, is completely aspected by Saturn, its lord; which made him lucky with respect to both father and mother.

Purely from the point of view of wealth and riches, the following combinations have made it what it is: second (accumulated wealth) Mr. Mars, fourth (real estate, transfers), fifth (speculative and extraordinary gains) Mr., Saturn they are in full mutual aspect, thus strengthening each other. Saturn is a functional benefic and the most important planet for Libras due to the ownership of angular and trinal houses, it is in the second house of accumulated wealth, having a combination of angular lord Mars (seventh-Aries).

The lord of the eleventh house (wins) the Sun is in exaltation, combining with the lord Mercury of the ninth (trinal) and the ascending lord (trine and angle) Venus in the 7th house of the spouse. These are extraordinary combinations for phenomenal wealth and untold riches.

The Sun that represents your heart (atma) and the Moon that represents your mind are in perfect coordination, being in the ninth and fifth houses with each other. Both luminaries are also fully aspected by Jupiter.

The Lord of the first house, Venus, and the signifier of the ascendant, the Sun, are both together in the seventh, completely aspecting the ascendant, which is rare indeed.

The Moon, the lord of the tenth house by profession, has the eighth complete aspect of Mars, in addition to Jupiter, which in turn also has the fourth complete aspect of Mars. Mars is the signifier of the brother, its presence in the eighth from the ascendant indicates a break with him. While Jupiter, significator of Guru (Morai Bapu) and Moon, significator of Mother, show how peace was negotiated between him and his younger brother, Anil, by both the mother and the guru.

Have you ever stood naked in front of the mirror and critically appraised your body? If so, most of you will have an area or areas that you are not satisfied with. Whether you are overweight or not, there will always be a part of your body that is not perfect. Most of us are quite lazy when it comes to diet and exercise, and with the invention of spandex, abs and glutes can be controlled quite well. However, when it comes to weapons, this can be a bit more difficult.

So when looking at your arms:

Are you having trouble with any of the following?

• Extra fur hanging under arms and flapping
• Fat, bulging arms that lack tone and definition.
• Sagging skin around the arms as a result of weight loss.
• Arms that appear flabby and droopy
• You are embarrassed to wear sleeveless tops or dresses.

Do you find yourself doing any of the following?

• Avoid wearing anything that does not have sleeves.
• Covering your arms with long-sleeved clothing even in hot weather
• Do not wave your arms so that no one can see you “move”

Have you tried and failed to get rid of flabby skin and flabby and oily arms using any of the following methods?

• Dieting and restricting calories.
• Fitness and aerobics classes
• Arm exercises
• Walking or jogging
• Home exercise DVD
• Lotions and potions

If you’ve answered yes to more than 3 of the questions above, then it’s really time to start doing something about it. It is only through a consistent program of exercise and healthy eating that you can begin to address problem areas. First of all, you need to watch the fat burning and not count the calories. You can do this by starting a strength training program that will begin to burn fat, build muscle, and strengthen bones all at the same time.

Specific exercises you can do for your arms include push-ups, bicep curls, and tricep dips. Depending on your circumstances, you can go to a gym or work from home. If you choose to work from home, you don’t need expensive equipment. To start you only need a pair of dumbbells or even cheaper are water bottles or full jugs. It only takes 30-90 minutes a week to start seeing results – beautifully toned and defined arms.

Most homes that have a DVD player, stereo system, and TV setup will want an AV receiver to make sure they can reproduce sound correctly and clearly and not miss out on the wonders that audio tracks offer. modern. They work by receiving sound signals from one source, amplifying them, and passing them so that they can be output to a different source. This is useful for those who have sound coming from a DVD or cable box and want to play it through stereo system speakers or surround sound.

For those who have already spent the money on expensive home theater equipment, the AV receiver offers a way to bring everything to a central hub without losing sound quality. In addition to being able to easily switch between input sources, most receivers have additional features that make the purchase worthwhile. With many applications now moving to the cloud, many home theater devices are responding to this by using built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth so that they can easily connect to Internet-based services and other devices.

The AV receiver itself doubles as a radio, and most units now include satellite radio capabilities and HD radio access. Since most people install their devices in their main living room, this is a great way to bring TV, DVD, cable, and radio together in one place. There’s no longer the hassle of trying to connect each system with multiple cables, creating a mess of cables behind the TV stand – the AV receiver keeps everything organized in a neat box.

Perhaps the best thing about this gadget is the uniformity it brings. Anyone who has tried connecting multiple devices together in the past will know that it can be time consuming and expensive to find all the necessary cables and adapters to do the trick. With an AV device, most equipment will connect with HDMI, which offers clear quality information transfers and does not involve scouring stores to find the correct connector. It is a standard for modern TVs and DVDs to offer this port, and cables can be purchased online at a reasonable price.

In short, the home theater receiver is a useful and important piece of the family entertainment center. Those who want to get the best and most entertaining experience from their equipment will want to invest in a good brand so they can watch shows, movies, and listen to music with the clearest audio track possible.

There is nothing more fun than an old fashioned road trip. I love to hit the road and explore our country. Now, I’ve been a “road traveler” for some time and while I love air travel, I love road trips because that’s how you can really experience the country. So it’s time to whip up your favorite tunes and snacks and plan your open road trip adventure with these ten easy road trip tips.

1. Plan your trip. First, you must determine where you are going to go and then plan your trip. Planning doesn’t have to be time consuming, but you do need to know the route you are going to drive and the points of interest along the way that you will want to stop and explore. Half the fun of a road trip is seeing the sites along the way. I like MapQuest my trip and have it as my main plan of attack for my road trip. GPS is very popular these days and I recommend them, but you can’t always rely on them when you hit construction zones or accidents on your trip. This is why it is essential that you have a real map with you of the areas you will be traveling to and that you plan alternative routes if necessary.

2. Make your hotel reservations BEFORE you go. Part of the fun when traveling on the road is stopping where your heart desires, but there is nothing worse than the “no place at the inn” experience on a road trip. You may not realize that there is a “Comic Book Trade Fair”, a “Strawberry Festival” or a convention in town while you are visiting and there are no rooms available. If you don’t make your reservations in advance, not only do you risk having to sleep in your car, but you also can’t manage your road trip budget effectively. If you’re traveling with your family or a group of friends, consider staying in an all-suite hotel or even renting a timeshare – a great option for families traveling by road. Did you know that 90 percent of people who own a timeshare don’t use it on a regular basis? Many great deals can be found at some of the larger hotel chains that offer timeshares and many of them even have a washer and dryer. For my road trip to Scottsdale, I booked a fantastic one-bedroom suite with a kitchenette at a timeshare property directly through the hotel for just $ 100 a night, tax included, at the Sheraton Desert Oasis Villas.

3. Tune up your car before you go or consider renting a car. One week before your road trip, take your car in for tune-up and ask your mechanic to make sure your car fluids are full, the air pressure in your tires is the best for driving on the road, and Any other necessary concerns regarding your vehicles are addressed. If you need to fix something, it’s best to do it somewhere you can trust before your road trip. In addition, it can be more expensive when it is a must-have situation. Also, be sure to pack road safety equipment in case of emergency. For me, that kit includes my American Automobile Association membership card (Premier Membership). If you have a car that is no longer under warranty or has automatic roadside assistance, then a membership of the American Automobile Association is a must, as it will save you a fortune in the unfortunate event that you have a breakdown and have to tow your car. If you are concerned that your current vehicle is not “road trip worthy,” then you may consider renting a vehicle for your road trip. I did this for my trip to Arizona as I found a great deal on a rental car and had peace of mind from my road trip.

4. Pack your own food and plan a picnic. I used to be addicted to stopping at fast food places on a road trip. There was something I found fun about a trip, but I’ve since learned that I prefer to pack my own food for my trip. Not only does it keep me eating healthier, but it also saves me money, especially if you travel with your family. Also, if you plan ahead, you may find that there is a great stop for a scenic picnic on your travels and packing a picnic is much better than flying the drive-through. If you make a stop, either for a picnic or to explore a cool sight along the way.

5. Bring great music or audio books! Music is truly the soundtrack to our lives and every road trip needs a soundtrack. I think of my trip to Seattle every time I hear a Phil Collins song from “No Jacket Required” because that was the main music I was listening to on that trip. I think of the island in the Bahamas harbor and the incredible walks on the Pink Sands beach every time I listen to music by Wilson Phillips. It’s like having a theme song for every vacation, but listening to the music even today will evoke fun memories of wonderful travels. I also love catching up on books that I would like to read, but are somehow easier to listen to. That’s where audio books come in and you can download them to your mp3 player, iPhone, or other PDA device. !

6. Don’t forget to pack a bag to eliminate boredom for children. One thing I have learned from Emily Kaufman’s production of the TV series “The Travel Mom” ​​is that if you are traveling with children, you need to make sure you have enough to entertain them during your road trip. She calls this the bag of boredom. Don’t forget to bring some kid-friendly music your kids like along with fun travel games including magnetic board games. DVD players are an option for really long trips and as long as your child isn’t prone to car sickness. Of course, electronic games will keep your children busy, but I encourage you to limit your time with these toys, especially if you are traveling through large scenic areas. It’s a great opportunity to bond as a family, and the memories of your child’s journey will be lost if lost on a Game Boy.

7. Remember, a road trip is as much about the journey as it is about the destination. One of my all-time favorite road trips was the day my niece, Jessica, and I drove 52 lovely miles on the “Road to Hana” on the island of Maui in Hawaii. I will never forget that the guide said, “Remember, Hana is not a destination, it is a journey.” Hana is about 52 miles from Kahului, however a typical trip to Hana takes at least three hours as the road is very winding with roughly 620 curves over 59 bridges, 46 of which have only one lane. This enchanting road trip is a memorable journey that winds through a lush tropical rain forest that is surrounded by waterfalls, black sand beaches, scenic lava cliffs, fresh fruit stands, and tropical hillsides. Jessica and I stopped at least ten times, including a picnic stop on that black sand beach. We took photos next to waterfalls, delicious fruit stands, and beautiful tropical flower gardens. You should try you road trip the same way we did our Road to Hana – enjoy your road trip as a journey, not a destination.

8. Take advantage of every stop. I like to plan my stops for gas, food, and restrooms so that I can use my time efficiently and not waste time making three stops instead of one. Probably the most important thing is that every time you stop, make sure everyone in the car uses the bathroom (even if they think they don’t have to at the time). This will reduce the stops you make just for that purpose. Also, if you are traveling with kids and you just need to make a stop to go to the bathroom, I recommend stopping at a Starbucks. Parents can have iced coffee or tea, restrooms are clean, and there aren’t many distractions for kids (like toys to buy) that a truck stop or gas station might have. Use the Starbucks store locator on their website to help you plan your stops before you go. Be a “good egg” and make a purchase at Starbucks while you’re there.

9. Avoid trouble. When you are on a road trip, you must be cautious on the streets. Don’t become a target of a crime by leaving your valuables in your car seat (DVD players, Game Boys, etc.) and don’t advertise that you are on a road trip with pillows and blankets everywhere. When you park your car, hide your valuables and road trip comforts. If you’re proactive in keeping your “I’m on a road trip” clues clearly hidden, any thieves or troublemakers should walk past your car. Another smart consideration on the street is to always park where there is good light and foot traffic, and make sure the windows are up and the doors locked every time you get out of the car. You can also buy items like “the Club” if you like that extra insurance for security. Finally, when you drive, watch your speed. Speeding gives you the opportunity to get a ticket and, more importantly, decreases your time to react if the need arises. If you are the driver, you are responsible for your passengers. When you see signs that say, “Speed ​​limits apply by photo,” believe them. Other good driving tips include avoiding rush hour, especially in larger cities, and whenever possible, taking turns driving with other people in the car. You will also want to avoid driving at night if you are unfamiliar with your surroundings.

10. Get a Go to the city card and save up to 55% on attractions and theme parks at your vacation destination. Last year, I flew my 8-year-old niece, Alexis, and my 10-year-old nephew, Tyler, to Los Angeles for their spring break (using Southwest Airlines Reward Miles, of course) and we took a road trip down . to San Diego. That’s when I discovered the Go City Card to save money in San Diego. With this card, I saved hundreds of dollars on tickets to Legoland, the wildlife park, the San Diego Zoo, and other attractions, including a whale watching in the Pacific Ocean, just by purchasing a Go San Diego card.

Instead of paying individually for each local attraction, you pay one price for up to 40 attractions (depending on which city you visit) and can create your own experience, tailoring your activities based on what you like to do, while enjoying tremendous savings. . For example, with the Go Los Angeles Card, you can choose one, two, three, five or seven-day cards at a low price and prepaid to get access to 40 included attractions. This saves up to 55% compared to buying tickets directly at Universal Studios Hollywood, LEGOLAND California, Knott’s Berry Farm, Paramount Studios, Queen Mary and many more attractions. Go to city cards They are available in many cities and vacation destinations in the US, including Los Angeles, Chicago, Boston, Las Vegas, New York, San Diego, San Francisco, Honolulu, Orlando, Miami, Seattle, Blue Ridge, and even Toronto.

Final tips: Don’t forget your cell phone and make sure you have “hands free” when using it while driving. In many states, it is the law, but it is also dangerous. Always use your cell phone “hands-free” when driving. Don’t forget to update the software on your mobile phone before you leave because you don’t want to be charged higher rates for roaming charges. Lastly, it is a good idea to email a copy of your itinerary to other family members or friends in case of an emergency; this is especially a good idea for women traveling together. Now, drive safe and have fun!

You can get more details on my website at Best-Travel-Deals-Tips.com.

While there has always been a need for people to care and love to respond to the needs of helpless and abandoned animals, of late economic downturns have exacerbated the problem to critical levels. Every day we see harrowing images of cats and dogs collected by county pounds. We hear heartfelt stories from people who were forced to give up their homes and can no longer care for their beloved pets due to expenses. Fortunately, compassionate people respond to this need, but they need your support to continue their work.

Countless groups of volunteers are doing everything they can to make sure these homeless animals are rescued and not euthanized. You can find a rescue center near you that would appreciate your time and support. This volunteer service is especially attractive to high school students, who often need service credit to graduate. A rescue center offers an interactive program designed to teach young children appropriate pet lessons and experiences. All Ears Reading ® promotes a program where “pets are the perfect reading companions because they are attentive, non-judgmental and comforting.” Many centers offer community outreach to educate people about the need for sterilization and vaccinations. The centers work with adult day care programs and assisted living facilities. Another program involving rescued pets helps high-risk adolescent women develop positive personal skills so they can become contributing members of society. Some offer obedience training. These are just some of the positive and supportive efforts of animal rescue centers. Remember also that cats and dogs need veterinary attention, grooming, feeding, and exercise.

Adults of all ages and professions find satisfaction working with rescue centers and caring for dogs and cats there. These animals seem to know that keepers are their last hope. Rescue centers keep animals away from euthanasia. They find foster homes and help match a potential owner with the right pet.

Not everyone has the time or the ability of the patient to carry out the day to day that these dogs and cats require. However, if you share a concern for the welfare of these animals, you can help with the financial support these centers need. Your donations will ensure that these programs continue.

There are many ways to earn money with Real Estate. In my opinion, one of the easiest ways to make money in this business is to become a Real estate bird dog. Stop before you run out the door! You will still have to work on it. However, many of us believe that it is much easier with fewer headaches than many other techniques.

What is a real estate bird dog??

A real estate bird dog is a person, or in some cases a company, that locates investment properties for investors.

Why would investors pay for a service like this? Easy. Many investors are entrepreneurs who are busy making money. They don’t have time to search for good deals in the major real estate markets. This is where you come into play.

That I have to do?

The most important thing you need to know to become a successful bird dog is to know your local market. To do this, bird dogs seek relationships with real estate brokers, agents, bankers, lenders, and anyone else who may have knowledge of a good investment.

In most markets, the bird dog will be someone already working in the real estate field, for example an agent or perhaps an assistant to a real estate agent. However, I know Bird Dogs who do nothing more than look for investment deals for investors.

How do you make money from this?

Typically, once a bird dog finds several investments or investment leads, it presents them to the investor. When / if they buy the investment, the real estate bird dog is paid a service fee which is usually a percentage of the investment price or it could be a flat fee, it depends on the bird dog.

What are the advantages?

One advantage is that once you hand over the property to the investor, your job is done. You don’t have to worry about setting up financing, inspections, or any of the other headaches that can come with investing in real estate.

How Much Can A Bird Dog Expect To Earn From Real Estate?

Obviously it depends on what percentage of the deal you decide is worth your time and effort, but some have a fee of up to 10%. I’ve heard of higher fees, but most that I’m aware of are in the 3-6% range.

Are there any downsides?

Well, for one thing, in some states, if you find real estate for an investor and then charge a fee, they feel like you need a real estate license. Check with the state you live in before getting into this.

Whatever you do, get everything in writing. In the worst case, you will have to take some evening classes and get your real estate license. There are worse things to do! At the very least, you’ll just have to start networking with the industry in your market to get on the ground floor and become a real estate bird dog.

“Plants vs. Zombies” is just one of the video games that achieved phenomenal success. But besides killing time, does it have any practical use in life?

Zombie madness is everywhere. The writers have been inspired to revive these brain-dead creatures who have seen great success. Sorry, Rick Grimes, but they’ve practically invaded the world and there’s no stopping them. They have movies, TV shows, and games!

Thus, the sensational success of PopCap Games arrived: Plants vs. Zombies. Initially designed for OS X and Windows, it is now compatible with Nintendo, Xbox, Android, Blackberry and Apple devices. Several versions have been released, including one for Facebook.

Designed to be simple enough for casual gamers to learn, yet challenging enough for more expert gamers Plants vs. Zombies has gained followers. In fact, it’s still PopCap Games’ best-selling video game since 2009. The world is obsessed with Plants vs. Zombies-and zombies per se- that almost everyone you come across plays or knows.

So what is special about the game? Does anyone really benefit from shelling out a couple of bucks to buy the latest version released each year?

If you are skeptical about the long-term effects of gaming, you are not alone. Since video games emerged, several people, mostly adults, have condemned video games as a waste of time and money. This inspired studies to determine the impact of games. The results were remarkably positive, leading to the creation of digital learning tools.

Simply put, people learn faster when they are having fun. Think about it. Would you rather attend a three-hour lecture by a monotonous speaker than learn Mandarin through an interactive app packed with all sorts of fancy features?

Plants vs. Zombies It won’t teach you Mandarin, but it can improve your problem-solving skills. It immerses you in a virtual environment that simulates a potentially life-threatening, albeit exaggerated situation. You know it’s superficial, but physiologically you respond to it as if it were real.

Here are three key features of the game that can improve your decision-making and other survival skills:

Selection of weapons. You start with a basic arsenal made up of sunflowers and pea shooters. As you progress to higher levels, you unlock additional artillery. Simultaneously, you will face armed zombies. To spice things up, you get to the point where you can only arm yourself with a limited number of weapons. This prompts you to weigh the pros and cons of your choices.

Challenge site. Limitations of the Arsenal. Tougher enemies. You’re just warming up. The real challenge comes when the game introduces new environments. The absence of sunlight and a pool in the backyard add to the threats and dangers. This requires flexibility on your part, allowing you to adapt to different conditions and adjust your weapon preferences.

The pressure of time. Frankly, the pop-up warnings kill the suspense. However, the game manages to generate a series of conflicts that increase stress levels and, ultimately, put your mental readiness and alertness to the test.

These three characteristics of Plants vs. Zombies they are just a few of the many ways that games serve as mental exercises. Still not convinced that games have their benefits? Or do you dare to give your children the latest versions of Xbox or Nintendo? The best way to conquer yourself is to try the game and find out for yourself.

Despite being criticized as a mere distraction from boredom, games have proven to be effective instructional tools. Like Plants vs. Zombies Most video games are not intended to educate, but can enhance the skills needed to solve real-life problems. Learning is really fun.