DIY Life

There's a certain self-sufficiency and freedom to camping. Just grab your camping gear, hiking boots, first-aid kit and toothbrush, and it's time for adventure. Whether you're hiking to multiple campsites or are pitching your tent in one spot, you don't want to be laden down with too many food items. But, given the alternative, you also don't have to subsist on tasteless, freeze-dried meal portions.

With some advance planning and a little ingenuity, it's actually possible to feast on quite a spread, both under the sun and stars. Check out this helpful Howcast video below for a full line-up of hearty and delicious campfire cuisine. Our personal favorites are bannock and breakfast in a bag. Alliteravely speaking, we simply say: Brilliant!

Once July 4th hits, it seems like we truly are in the throes of summer -- especially if you're experiencing the heat riddling a good part of the southern U.S. right now. Chances are the kids are feeling the heat right now, too, as they spend more time outdoors looking for things to do.

Here's an idea that combines all three -- round up the kids and make these patriotic popsicles. They're a great treat to have on hand for your Independence Day celebration, they're a refreshing alternative to soda for beating the heat, and it's a great DIY project to keep the kids busy for a few hours.

Check out this video for full instructions. We'd also like to hear from you. What are some easy, refreshing summer treats you enjoy making with your kids? Share your ideas in the comments section below and we may feature them in future How Now posts!

Have you ever stumbled on a truly brilliant do-it-yourself solution and wished you could share it with everyone you knew? You might mention it to your best friend, blog about it, or spread it via megaphone at the kids' school drop-off lane. Okay, perhaps not that last method, but what if you could broadcast it to a wider audience in an equally creative way?

Well, if you're the creative sort, then you could possibly earn some dough (like, $2,000 worth!) for your discovery. The good folks over at Howcast are looking for -- as they put it -- the coolest, baddest, flat-out flyest how-to video you can create in three minutes or less. All you need is an SD or HD video connection, an internet connection, and creativity galore.

If I didn't have a calendar, there'd still be no doubt in my mind that July 4th is just around the corner. Every year, several homeowners in my neighborhood celebrate the season by setting off very loud and very illegal fireworks in the wee hours of the night. My poor dog will spend the majority of the week hiding under the bed.

While firing off illegal fireworks isn't really a good idea, there are plenty of legal versions that can make your Independence Day celebration a lot more fun for family members of all ages. Kids, especially, are dazzled by the bright colors. But for the holiday to be both fun and safe, everyone needs to follow a few rules.

Luckily, Howcast has you covered. They've taken the most commonsense safety rules and put them to an entertaining animated video that will help everyone remember how to enjoy this summer tradition without any exciting trips the the ER.