This time of year, footwear choices can be a gamble. Overthink it, and you're stuck in snow or hiking boots all day. Under prepare, and your socks and feet stay wet, cold, and covered in  road salt. 

The answer, of course, is to opt for the middle, and choose a natural weather-resistant material that's stylish no matter what the season: leather.   Investing in a quality pair of leather boots or shoes is, I argue, a right of passage for any man. Properly cared for, they can last for decades, and likely a lifetime. Many of the classic boot styles by Red Wing, Wolverine, L.L. Bean, and Frye haven't been changed for more than 100 years: they were designed to be rugged, stand up to all kinds of work and stress, and protect your feet, and they still do.

Of course, if you're going to wear leather boots in inclement weather, it's important to dress and seal them to stand up to the elements. Fortunately, there's an easy four-step process you can perform in an afternoon to make them last.

Step One: Clean your boots with a soft, barely damp rag. Remove any dust, dirt, or debris. Slightly dampening the leather helps prepare it to accept the conditioning. Remove the shoelaces.

Step Two: You'll need to choose a leather dressing that matches your boots. You can find this at the grocery or discount store, but I suggest going to a cobbler or old-school independent shoe shop to find the most options. If you're working on hiking boots, consider going to the camping/outdoor/backpacking store to find the best solution (Hint: It's Nikwax).

The best dressings feature mink oil, plus some sort of carrier/wax. Many have acrylic carriers, which are fine, but I prefer the all natural Montana Pitch-Blend or the Pecard Original Leather Dressing, which mixes the mink oil with beeswax and pine pitch. It's also a colorless product, so it doesn't affect the tone of the leather. There's nothing lab-made in my boots, so I like my dressing to match. Saddle soap is another great option (designed for leather horse saddles).

Begin by applying the dressing to all seams and stitches in your "uppers" - the not sole part of your boot. This helps keep the water out. Use your fingers to apply a thin coat. Natural dressing is actually pretty good for your skin as well...important this time of year. 

Then, continue to rub the dressing all over the boots, so you've created a single, even coat.

Step Three: Then, take special care to focus on the seam where the upper meets the sole. This is where most water and cold air can enter the shoe. It can be difficult to get in the crevices with your hands, so use a small, soft brush to dab it.

Step Four: Allow the dressing to penetrate the boots for 30-60 minutes. After that time, the leather will have absorbed what it can take, and if you've applied an even coat, you won't have any splotchiness. Use a very lightly dampened cloth to remove any extra dressing, it will be very visible on the surface. Replace the laces.

And...that's it. Repeat as necessary, which on a new pair of shoes or boots is likely once-a-week.

For other general care, try only wearing your boots every other day, or allowing them to dry for at least twelve hours in between. This will help them begin to take the shape of your feet, and allow the leather to come to a natural moisture-level.

Clean frequently with a clean brush or rag (every time you take them off), and buff often.

For some suggestions of stylish boot options, check out our fall boot roundup, which includes a pair for every budget: 

How do you care for and dress your leather shoes and boots? Post your thoughts in the comments below.

Shop hinges are a great way to make a piece customized to look smooth and streamlined. They can also be integrated right into the back for a seamless design. We take a look at what it takes to make this interesting hinge in detail.   While most of our projects work great with metal hinges, sometimes a wooden hinge is a great focal point to make it stand out. I’ve seen some impressive projects with integrated hinges that act as a stop to keep the top from falling back too far as well. Once you understand the concept of the hinge, the applications seem to show up on every project. For example, picture these on the doors of my next side table project.

Making the hinge starts out cutting the teeth, then half are cut out for the matching side. This is an instance where a coping saw comes in handy with the thin, easy to control blade.

The final design can be finished in a variety of ways to make it match the project. This one was rounded and finished dark. Take a look at the step by step instructions with plenty of pictures over at Instructables here.

Rosemary is one my favorite cold-weather herbs. It really adds extra warmth to whatever you use it with. I love it in breads, soups, libations and even coffee! Here's a simple recipe with warming ingredients that is sure to brush off that winter chill in the air.    

Round up the following

• 1 Cup of sugar - I use natural/organic sugar
• 1/2 Cup of distilled water - Distilled water will improve the shelf life
• A bunch of fresh rosemary - washed and dried
• 2 Tablespoons of Honey
• 1 Teaspoon of Vanilla
• A container to hold your syrup

In a small saucepan, stir together the sugar, water and honey. Turn the heat to medium and stir the mixture until the sugar and water dissolve.

Take the syrup mixture off the burner and toss in the rosemary. Let it steep for 5-7 minutes. You should smell the rosemary aroma. Dip a spoon into the syrup and make sure you can taste the rosemary. If you can't taste the rosemary allow it to steep a few minutes longer.

Remove the rosemary and add 1 Teaspoon of vanilla. The heat from the syrup will cause the oils and alcohol in the vanilla to evaporate so it's better to add vanilla at the very end.

Pour your syrup into a container and it's ready to go! It can keep in the fridge for a couple of weeks. Mainly, I use it in coffee with a dash of milk, but it's also fantastic with bourbon, ice cream, and earl gray tea. 

I'd love to know where else you end up using this tasty concoction. Let me know in the comments section!

Some people like to peek inside other people's medicine cabinets. I have no idea why, but it's a thing. People really do that.

I've always been much more interested in taking a look at the offices, workspaces, and studios of artists, crafters, and designers. Here are five favorites that will motivate you to transform your current headquarters (a.k.a. couch) into a mad creativity centerl where ideas can grow.

1: Rustic Studio. This workspace can be created in your garage or shed. You can use lots of second-hand items to keep it affordable and to add character. If you're looking for a low maintenance space, go for this setup!

2. Minimal with Collage Feature Wall. If you're constantly archiving inspiration taken from the pages of magazines and newspapers, this workspace will do wonders for you. The feature collage wall is pretty much a real-life pinterest board. All the white space and minimal design helps bring the look together (say not to clutter!). Perfect setup if you're a tactile learner. [Via: Shelterness]

3. Minimal Corner. Forget the collage and other distractions. Get work done in this zen-like space. You can adapt a corner in your home or apartment without taking too much room; a small desk, a few shelves and a comfy chair will do. And just like in the picture above, have a bass or guitar handy in case you need to unwind. And, you know, can play it. [Via: Geek and Hype]

4. Small and Cozy. Requirements: a chair and a desk. Easy. To set it up, move some furniture around and use the same palette used in the room. In the image above, the desk, lamp, and chair work really well because of the wood finishing. This is the best setup to maximize space in small places. [Primary Desk from DWR] 

5. Shared. Sometimes you can't have a workspace oasis entirely for yourself and you gotta share with others. Go for a neutral palette so each one of you can customize the space without looking like chaos. Don't go overboard - just keep things simple and cohesive. [Via Home Designing]

Are you we convinced to ditch your couch and go for a proper setup? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

[Top photo: Eva Black Design]

Have you ever had to cook dinner at a friend's kitchen only to find out they don't even own a cutting board? Not only have I had that happen for me, I've noticed this kind of thing happening in my friend's workshops. It's easy to get caught up in making things and overlook some essential tools that can really help you get things done right.    I thought I'd share a few tools I use almost every time I work on a new project. Some of these are almost laughable, but I guarantee some of you are going to read through these 6 tools and think to yourself, "Oh yeah, I need one of those." 

1. A Pocket Multi-Tool
I love my Leatherman Wingman. It has pliers, knives, screwdrivers, and my favorite, a package cutting hook. I could go on and on about why you should have one of these, but the main reason is it's a small product with a many uses. I keep in my my pocket everyday. You never know when you're going to need to pull a MacGyver!

ManMade Recommended:Leatherman Wingman - $35

2. Box Beam Level

Not only can you use this tool to make sure things are level and plumb, its machined-flat edge makes a fantastic guide rail for your circular saw. You can also use this tool to check for straight cuts on the board edges. I have levels sizes ranging from 1-6 feet that I use on a regular basis. 

ManMade Recommended: 

• Stanley 43-672 72-Inch FatMax Xtreme Box Beam Level - $52
• Johnson Level & Tool 9836-HH 36-Inch Aluminum Box Beam Level w/ Hand Holes - $39

3. Painter's Multi-Tool

Man, I love this tool. Some brands claim this thing can do 17 different things and I believe it! It can scrape off old debris, pry open paint cans, cut old rags, clean off paint rollers pull out small nails, chisel out caulk and more! I keep it hanging above my work station so I can grab it whenever I need it, which is often.

ManMade Recommended: Red Devil 6251EZ 7-In-1 Multi-Purpose Painter's Tool - $10.58

4. Speed Square

I use this tool to get straight lines for most of my DIY projects. It has a flat lip on one end that will sit against an edge so you can transfer 90 and 45 degree lines to a surface. It also can help you find square in corners of boxes and frames. When you go to purchase one, inspect the edges for bumps or dips. It's important that these edges are clean to make sure you always have perfect lines.

ManMade recommended: 

•  Swanson Tool SO101 7-inch Speed Square -  $9.48 
• Swanson Tool SO107 12-Inch Speed Square - $18.23

5. Carpenter's Pencil

I love these pencils because they're flat. That means they won't roll off your workbench! This shape also allows you to make really fat lines, or rotate it 90 degrees and you can make really sharp, thin lines. To make a really sharp point, I rub flat sides on a sheet of sandpaper. These pencils are also engineered to hold up when you're making lines on rough surfaces. 

ManMade Recommended: Dixon - 19972 Carpenter Pencil 12 Pack - $7

6. Hand Broom and Dustpan

This product may be a no-brainer, but when you have a small shop like mine, hauling out the ShopVac for simple dust cleanup can be a pain. I use this hand broom every day to clean off my work surfaces and gently dust off my tools. Not to mention, I like to work quietly on some projects and vacuums can be so loud! 

 ManMade recommended: 

• Weiler 44601 Palmyra Fiber Pro-Flex Sweep Push Broom
• Rubbermaid FG9W90PR ProPlus Metal Cleaning Dustpan
• Weiler 71019 Horsehair Counter Duster with Wood Handle, 8" 
• Weiler 44008 Corn Fiber  Wire Banded Warehouse Broom with Wood Handle

Someone great has been growing in the shadow of Jimmy Diresta for a while, and he's really starting to put out some amazing videos of the projects he tackles around the shop. Here's a look at some innovative ways to make the simple picture frame.  

While most of the time picture frames are meant to protect and display art and photos, the design and finish of the frame can add so much to the overall piece on your wall. Without a stylized frame, that picture just isn't going to have the same effect. So, picking the right style to make your photos stand out takes some thought, creativity, and a bit of DIY all at once. In this two part series, David Waelder walks us through crafting, then finishing a variety of frames for some of his prized photos:

Here's part 2 of the series as well. I'm amazed at how using common shop items these look so great.

FYI, these videos are not a safety first type post, please observe shop safety and don't operate machinery without all proper precautions, guards, pushsticks etc. The massive bandage on his finger attests to the need for safety in the shop!

I recently had to move my desk at my design firm to a new space in the building and it got me thinking about how minimal—totally empty and sad—my desk space was. At the time I had a picture of my wife, a few books and a pencil holder.     So, I took it on myself to update my desk space to be more inspiring and reflect my personality a bit more! Here's a great list of products, projects and ideas to spruce up your workspace. 

1. DIY Desktop Moss Garden

Add a lush green landscape to your desk with a small moss garden. Even if you don't sit by a window, a moss garden will grow just fine and add some color to your cubicle. 

2. Natural Leather Mouse Pad

Just when I thought mouse pads phased out with Windows 98 I found this amazing idea from Ugmonk. Add some real style with a vegetable tanned natural leather mouse pad. It starts out as a natural tan color and darkens as you use it. 

3. A Water Bottle

If you're anything like me, you accidentally drink more coffee than water on a typical workweek. I picked up an easy to clean, easy to fill, water bottle to set by my computer. I found that I drank more water from a water bottle than a glass of ice water. I highly recommend you give it a try!

4. A Classy Letterpress Desktop Calendar

I know we all have a calendar on your phone and your computer, but it's awfully easy to quickly glance at a calendar when you need to know what date next Friday is. I love this letterpress and bamboo desktop calendar from Iskelter.

5. DIY Bluetooth Audio Speaker

Sometimes, you just gotta get those itchy headphones off your ears. Having a small speaker system at your desk might be just what you need when your ears need a break. Medium contributor @kthornbloom breaks out how to build the audio components for a sleek desktop speaker system. This is definitely the next thing on my personal DIY projects list!

6. A Vintage Electric Clock

I was gifted a sweet vintage look-alike clock a while back (not the one pictured), but I already had a bedside clock I trusted, so I brought it to my office. I get compliments on it all the time! Not to mention, I can quickly see what time it is without squinting at the clock on my desktop computer. Check out ebay or Etsy or estate sales for some seriously good vintage clock finds.

7. Desktop Figurines 

Let me just say there's nothing wrong with having toys on your desk. Be it action figures, tin robots, koosh balls or a Simon Says, I think we can all use some fun on your desk. I recently purchased this figurine set from the Invisible Creature Design Studio. I mean, look at those dudes. There's plaid and mustaches and a Sasquatch. What more could I need? Check out sites like Think Geek and Archie McPhee for some great ideas.

8. A DIY Desktop Lamp and Holder

Not only does it hold a few pens and pencils within reach it has a great looking lamp too! If you decide to do this project, I might recommend a very low wattage bulb so it doesn't hurt your eyes all the time. 

9. Wood Block Multi-Photo Holder

I love this product from Artifact Uprising. Using their app, you can upload 12 of your favorite photos to be printed on high-quality card stock and mounted on a simple wood block holder. It's a great way to display some of your family pictures of instagram favorites.

The cold nylon of my swimming trunks crackles beneath snow-pants. My wool socks are damp, pooled around my ankles, snow finding its way down the top of my untied boots. My daughter and I are looking for the sauna. It's 8pm in a far-northern latitude; moonless and black. The snow is gray and luminescent as we puff through drifts, crunch over ice. 

She's giddy. And terrified. Her first time, in a new swimsuit her mom packed, with questions about how it will all work. 

"Will it hurt, Dad? Is it dangerous?"

I tell her it won't, and it isn't, even though I don't really know (being a first-timer myself).

And finally we find it. A hundred years old; giant black logs stacked and packed with pitch by hands long-since departed. 

The ante-room is wet and warm, lit poorly by a buzzing yellow safety light. We step out of boots and jackets onto the cold, watery, wooden floor, stocking-footed. Then the socks come off too and I shoo her through the door into the hot room as fast as possible, trying to conserve heat.

She looks around. Another family is there, boys in their underwear, everyone breathing slow and shallow. We find a spot on the first-level bench. Someone ladles water onto the rocks, which hiss and groan, blooming warmth. 

"Daddy, what does it say?", she tugs on my elbow. 

The thermometer reads 185. 

"Hot, honey ... pretty hot."

We move up a level, and rub our arms and legs with the pads of our fingers. Involuntarily, we slouch forward, forearms on thighs. 

The other family gets up to go. They amass at the lakeside door, its bottom crack admitting the tiniest trickle of frozen air. Ready? On three!

They stream out and down the ramp and from inside we hear their splashes, one at a time, and screams, unanimously. She looks up at me, and I can't read her expression. There's no way she's going to do that, I think. There's no way I'm going to do that, I think.

But then she cracks a grin. "Awesome," she squeals. "I'm so excited!" Vibrating. Rubbing her hands together.

And again, as usual, she surprises me. This little person whose first breath I watched, who never wanted to sleep, who never even used to exist. She's always surprising me. 

Ten minutes later we can't take it anymore. My face is beaded with sweat, my hair is soaked. I lean back against the ancient walls and jump away, zapped by a super-heated nail in the wood. 

"Ok, ready?"

"Eeeeeeeeee!"

"Let's go."

To the door. I grab the thick handle, count us off, and whoosh. Holding her hand tight we scuttle down the ramp, feet melting the snow and scraping on ice. We steam in the light of a billion stars and before us, at the near side of the vast frozen lake, is a square hole with an ice-crusted wooden ladder struggling to escape.

We stand at the edge. "You first," I say, wincing at the sight of the water's surface, which has already started freezing over in the few minutes since the last group jumped.

"Okay," she says.

She hesitates a fraction of a second, tensing her little legs, before leaping in.

This part I can't remember, to be honest. She shrieked, I guess, and kicked and wriggled and gasped, perhaps. And somehow she was up the ladder saying "Go, daddy! Go! It's awesome!". 

Well, if she can do it ... splash!

My feet hit the bottom, my whole body lights up, my brain scrubbed of all thoughts. I scramble up the ice ladder, bashing a shin as I come to stand next to her. We hold hands, warm – so warm, you would not believe – and look out across the lake, at the sky, and the moon ascending.

"C'mon, c'mon c'mon!" she pleads, and we head back around to the front, through the wet room, past another family just taking off their gear. They look at us, questioningly. 

Back in the sauna, temperature rising again, she leans over to me, smiles, and whispers, "Must be their first time."

There's something incredible about watching a process from start to finish. The transformation from log to finished set of bowls is something already fun to see, but watching a Japanese craftsman do it on a foot powered lathe is something else completely.   In a small Japanese village, only a few elderly craftsman know how to create the traditional Shawo bowl set. They make them as a nesting set, saving about 1/3 of the wood, but this takes a finely tuned skillset. This tradition is slowly dying out, but the video below shows an apprentice learning the craft, and it's really something amazing to see. I'm amazed at the simplicity of the set-up, the tools, and the results. It really underscores the concept that we don't need the very latest technology to make something beautiful and useful.  

While the craft is on the brink of extinction, there is still a hope that the young generation will continue the tradition, and with support from International Wood Culture Society and AAW they have additional help to pass it on.

Video by: Wood Culture: woodculturetour.org
Facebook: facebook.com/InternationalWoodCultureSoc­iety

Every man should have at least one amazing meal he can cook (and probably more like 3-5), and while it actually is possible to screw up spaghetti or pasta, I think it's the best one to master. A good pasta can be paired with a nice salad to begin, a good bread on the side, and great wine to round it out. But if it's going to be a signature starting dish, why not go the extra mile and do it all from scratch?   

And that starts at the pasta noodles, which are so simple to make I'm honestly amazed I'd never done this before. All you need is flour, eggs, a little olive oil and a pinch of salt and you'll be golden. Check out the recipe at ArtOfManliness.com.

Makers Simon Blazer and David Bakker shows you how to turn a simple block of wood into a super quick and easy tablet dock. The process? A single drilled hole and a quick saw cut. That's it.    

The hole is optional, really, but clears a space for pressing the home button. This tutorial is a few years old (new to me!) but with the change to the Lightning cable, it'd be super easy to add a hole through the bottom so this could serve as as charging station as well.

Check it out on Instructables: DIY wooden $5 iPad Dock / Stand

Like many of you, I suspect, I'd never heard of Fire Cider until a few weeks ago. It's a homemade tonic, and it wasn't historically something you could buy, and it wasn't a tradition in my family.   But, after stumbling upon a bottle of Shire City Fire Cider at a local market, and I snapped a photo and did some research. Turns out, is this old folk concoction of aromatics, vinegar, and other fermented goodies that's good for whatever ails you. 

Alex Redgrave reports,

Traditionally a cold remedy, many people take a hit of the cure-all every morning, since it’s known to have anti-viral, anti-inflammatory, immune-boosting, decongestant and digestive properties. Needless to say, with all those healing abilities, Fire Cider is not for sensitive palates or lily livers. The heady tonic has a way of making a clean sweep of your digestive system. (Woe to the person who kicks off a daily Fire Cider habit directly following a night of copious drinking…). As with most things in life, moderation is key. We recommend working your way up to gulping down the remedy with gusto. 

Of course, since for hundreds of years it was a homemade product, you can (and should) make some yourself. Most recipes include ingredients like fresh horseradish, ginger, onions, garlic, chiles, and of course apple cider vinegar. 

Not for the weak, for sure, but I can't wait to give this stuff a shot. Here's the recipe: 

Fire Cider

Ingredients

1/2 cup diced horseradish 
1/2 cup diced garlic 
1/2 cup chopped onion
1/4 cup diced ginger
1/4 cup diced turmeric 
1 habanero chile, split lengthwise
1 orange, quartered and sliced crosswise thinly
1/2 lemon, quartered and sliced
1/2 cup rough chopped parsley
2 tbs chopped rosemary 
2 tbs chopped thyme
1 teaspoon black peppercorns
2 to 3 cups raw apple cider vinegar
1/4 cup raw honey, or to taste

Directions

All of the ingredients in a clean, 1-quart glass jar. The vinegar should fill the jar and cover all the other ingredients. Make sure there are no air bubbles, and then cover the jar. If using a metal lid, make sure to line it with wax paper to avoid corroding the metal. Shake the jar up really well, and then let it sit in cool, dark place for three to six weeks (giving it a shake once a day). 

After 3-6 weeks, strain the liquid out into a jar using cheesecloth or a fine mesh strainer. Add honey if needed, and refrigerate! Should be used within a year.

Ice-fishing is a big part of winter culture in Minnesota where I grew up, and essentially a good excuse for adults to build a fort and hangout. There's something heartening and cozy yet simultaneously adventurous about being in a little shack on the ice, usually fairly warm, but knowing all the while that the harsh elements are waiting just outside, whooshing on the walls.   

As it turns out, the shack isn't actually a necessity (and plenty of people don't use them), but it's a big part of the culture, a la this lovely scene from Ted Demme's 1996 Beautiful Girls:

Ice fishing may seem daunting if you've never tried it, but like many things in this world, it's easier to get started than you might think and now there's this wonderful guide from Popular Mechanics to get you started. 

I've also added two other links here you may find useful:

Everything You Need to Know to Start Ice Fishing and Ice Fishing Tips

Most of us start off January with healthy eating goals. Not diets, of course. Just smarter choices that counteract holiday excesses and get us back to feeling normal. And they work ... for about the first two weeks of the month. 

But by the time we get this far into the year, the old temptations have started again. All this calorie counting and vegetable crunching leaves you hungry, and no matter what that magazine article said, one quarter of a grapefruit and a pickle slice just aren't cutting it.    

There's nothing wrong with snacking. We snack because we're hungry in between meals, and want to feel full. So, the goal, then, is to pick snacks that actually do make us feel full. To do that, you need a healthy balance of carbs for energy, and some protein and fat to get yourself sated.

To provide some healthy snack ideas and recipes, we teamed up with our friends at Yoplait. Their yogurt process begins with quality ingredients and ends with a delicious and nutritious snack. Yoplait only uses Grade A milk from cows that are never treated with artificial growth hormones, and their yogurt is packed with protein that will help you stop feeling hungry. You can find out more about all the products they have available at http://www.yoplait.com/products.

1. Pear & Banana Smoothie

Delicious winter pears and creamy bananas are paired with oats and Greek yogurt; this smoothie makes for a balanced breakfast or the perfect 3 o'clock pick-me-up. Enjoy it with our favorite glass smoothie straws.

Ingredients

• 2 Bartlett pears cored and diced
• 1 frozen banana (you can use a fresh banana here, but the frozen banana makes for a creamier smoothie)
• 1 - 5.3oz. container of Yoplait Greek 100 Vanilla yogurt
• 1/2 cup. quick oats
• 3/4 cup 2% milk
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon + a pinch more for the garnish
• 5-6 ice cubes

Directions

1. Core and dice pears.
2. Break frozen banana into chunks.
3. Add all ingredients to blender and combine until smooth.
4. Pour into a juice glass (this recipe makes 3-4 servings) and garnish with cinnamon.

2. Peanut Butter, Yogurt, and Oat Protein Bars

This recipe is the perfect post-workout protein snack. Plenty of protein (from the yogurt and peanut butter), as well as fiber from the oats and hemp for long term energy. Adapted from this recipe from Healthy Green Kitchen.

Ingredients

• 3 cups quick oats
• 1/2 cup hemp seeds
• 1/2 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon sea salt
• 1/4 cup organic brown sugar
• 1 cup Yoplait Greek 100 Coconut yogurt (about 1.5 containers of the Yoplait Greek 100)
• 1 teaspoon honey
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 cup organic coconut oil (melted so it's in liquid form)
• 1/2 cup chopped bittersweet chocolate
• 1/2 cup chopped pecans
• 4 Tbs. peanut butter powder

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350° F. Grease a 9x13-inch pan with coconut cooking spray.
2. Combine all dry ingredients (oats-brown sugar) in a bowl.
3. In a separate bowl, combine wet ingredients (Greek yogurt - coconut oil).
4. Using a spatula, work the wet ingredients into the dry. Using your hands is inevitable.

Note: after making these, I realized it would make sense to lightly toast the pecans (or walnuts, or whatever you're using) first. Toasting them would take a little of their natural bitterness out, and give the bars a smoother flavor.

5. Fold your chopped bittersweet chocolate and pecans into the mix. Then taste it and determine whether you want to add more peanut butter or honey. When I tasted, the mix felt pretty sweet, but the final product weren't as sweet as I would prefer, so I'd suggest erring on the sweet side. Something about the baking process seems to temper the initial sweetness. 

6. Once you're happy with the taste, add the peanut butter powder into the mix (the powder will add a slightly more nutty flavor).
7. Pour your mixture into a lightly greased 9x13"-pans and press it down until you have a uniform layer.

8. Bake for 15-20 minutes at 350° F.
9. Let the pan cool completely before slicing the mix into bars. Wrap bars in waxed paper and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.  

3. Spiced Roasted Almonds

Full of heart-healthy unsaturated fats, these spiced almonds leave you feeling full with only a handful. And guess what? The point of a snack is to get to you stop eating, not to go on munching indefinitely. 

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon olive oil or coconut oil
• 1 lb. whole raw almonds
• ½ tsp. ground cumin
• ½ tsp. dried thyme
• ¼ tsp. crushed red chili flakes
• 1 Tbsp. tamari (or low-sodium soy sauce)
• 1 Tbsp. Worcestershire sauce

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 275° F. 
2. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-low heat. Add the almonds and toast, stirring constantly, until lightly browned, about five minutes. 
3. Add the cumin, thyme, and chili flakes, and stir to combine. 
4. Add the tamari or soy and Worchestershire sauce and cook, stirring constantly, until the liquid has absorbed and reduced, about two minutes. 
5. Place the almonds onto a sheet pan in a single layer, and roast in the oven for 15 minutes. Remove and allow to cool thoroughly (about 45 minutes). 

4. Crispy BBQ Chickpeas 

These little bombs of crunch and flavor are packed with protein and will immediately cure your salt fix. Next time you find yourself lunging, zombie-like, toward a bag of greasy potato chips, think to yourself, "I could be eating healthy spiced chickpeas, instead." That, or brains...

Ingredients

• 1 - 15 can of chickpeas/garbanzo beans
• 1 Tablespoon olive oil
• 1 teaspoon smoked sweet paprika
• ½ teaspoon ground cumin
• ¼ teaspoon sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon Kosher sea salt
• Pinch of chipotle chile powder or cayenne pepper

Directions

1. Coat a baking sheet with parchment paper, and preheat the oven to 350° F. 
2. Drain the chickpeas and rinse in a colander, then dry thoroughly with a kitchen towel.
3. Toss the chickpeas in a bowl with the olive oil to coat. Combine the spices and salt and sprinkle evenly, tossing to coat each bean. 

4. Transfer to the lined baking sheet, spreading to create a single layer, and roast in the oven for 45 minutes to 1 hour, shaking the pan halfway through, until chickpeas are crunchy.

5. Remove from the oven, and allow chickpeas to cool thoroughly (about 45 minutes).

5. Blueberry Yogurt Mousse and Peanut Butter Dip

It doesn't get much easier than this fruit dip recipe. Tangy blueberries, creamy peanut butter, oats and spices combine to make a sweet and healthy dip that's perfect for apples. 

Ingredients

• 1 - 4oz. container of Yoplait Greek 100 Greek Whips! (blueberry, in this case)
• 2 Tbs. peanut butter
• 2 Tbs. quick oats
• 1/4 tsp. nutmeg
• 1/8 tsp. ginger
• Sliced apples

Directions

Combine the dip ingredients, yogurt mousse through ginger, in a bowl. Mix well.  Slice apples and you're ready to enjoy! 

6. Whole-Grain Pretzels and Spiced Yogurt Dipping Sauce

A surprisingly good alternative to chips, a one ounce handful clocks in at only about 100 calories per serving. The protein in the yogurt dip helps you to feel full and feel like you’re enjoying something substantial.

Ingredients

• ½ cup Yoplait Greek 100 yogurt, plain
• ½ tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
• ½ tsp. caraway seeds, crushed with the side of a knife
• ¼ tsp. ground coriander
• 1 tsp. raw sugar
• ½ tsp mustard powder
• 1 tsp. smoked hot paprika
• Fresh thyme, chives, and grated lemon zest, if you have them
• Salt and lots of black pepper to taste

Directions

Combine the yogurt with the olive oil and the spices in a bowl and stir thoroughly to combine. Season with salt and pepper. Top with fresh herbs, lemon zest, and a splash of olive oil, and serve with pretzels.

Looking for other ways to stay healthy this year. Check out the ManMade health and fitness sections.  For more tasty and healthful recipes, follow along with Yoplait on Facebook,Twitter, Pinterest, or with the #YoplaitHealthySnacking hashtag. 

This post is sponsored by Yoplait. Thanks for supporting the brands that support ManMadeDIY. 

Men wearing aprons seem to be more of a novelty than a practical household item. In popular culture the apron on men seems to only show up on tacky backyard cooks (think Kiss the Cook) and wisecracking chefs and their hyperbolic reality shows, or the hapless dad in the movies putting on a pink ruffled thing when he's stuck with the kids. But it's time to ignore all of those stereotypes and get yourself an apron. Here are a few reasons you need to consider one for yourself. 

Aprons keep your hands dirty but your clothes clean.
It’s certainly much easier to go straight from work to your workshop without having to stop and change out of your office clothes and into that old t-shirt when you can just throw on an apron.

Aprons have valuable hand-wiping real estate.
No more accidentally wiping your hands on your jeans! Aprons give you one less reason to have to wash your raw denim.

Aprons protect your body.
A well-made apron can keep flying hot liquids, shards of glass, paint splatter, saw dust, and more from damaging your clothing or your body.

Aprons make you look like a pro.
There’s a reason everyone from baristas to welders don these fabric shields. Serious working professionals wear aprons, and so should you. Get an apron and be prepared for your neighbors to ask you for advice on how to rebuild their transmission.

Aprons help you hold your tools.
The integrated pockets helps keep your often used tools at hand: a pencil, a pair of tongs, a tape measure, shears, etc. Many aprons are designed for particular kinds of tasks and will feature appropriately sized pockets for common tools and equipment. 

There are a few things to consider when looking for an apron:

Materials
You want a durable fabric like denim or duck canvas with thick straps around the neck and waist. Leather or synthetic materials are great options if you’re interested in welding, crafts that involve caustic chemicals, or other things that may harm your skin. If it's just about the way it looks for you, which is ok too, check out these denim and leather ones from American Native.

Storage
Pockets keep commonly used items within reach. Look for one with a pencil holder like these from LC King in Tennessee. Some aprons are so decked out they practically have tool belts built right in, like this one from Duluth Trading.

Length
Consider the work you love to do and how it relates to the length of the apron. If you love to paint, you may want a longer apron to keep things off of your pants. If you are a woodworker you may want something that rests at your knees so you can stay mobile.

Whether you’re new to the DIY thing or you’ve been an amateur crafter for some time, you need to stop getting crap on your good clothing and get yourself apron. Your clothing budget will thank you.

ManMade Recommended: 

• Ben Davis Denim Kitchen Apron - $30
  
• Duluth Improved Fire Hose Bib Apron - $35
• HAND-EYE USA MADE WORK APRON HERRINGBONE - $48
• TRVR WAXED CANVAS AND LEATHER GENTLEMAN'S APRON - $120
• American Native Selvedge Denim & Leather Apron - $120

Using dimensional lumber (2x4 and the like) from the home center or lumber yard is a great way to save money on a project. Provided, of course, that you get the right stuff. Anyone who has walked down the aisles of the home improvement store and pick through the piles can attest: some of this stuff is downright funky. And we often pick the best of the bunch, only to find it twisted, warped, or curved once we get the wood home and it's had time to acclimate to our workspaces.

This guide from Pat Doherty uses real photos from the lumber yard to help you see the differences between flat sawn, quarter sawn, and rift sawn lumber. He helps you identify pith (bad), heart wood vs. sap wood, and the like. The knowledge comes from the 500-ish page Wood Handbook: Wood as an Engineering Material published by the USDA, but distilled into simple photos that help you identify grain patterns. 

It's a worthwhile look. Just be sure to click on the actual photos to see the comments and notations. 

A Photographic Guide to Selecting Lumber[Instructables.com]

This video blew me away. It's a two minute super-wrap-up showing you everything that goes into making a book from scratch, and then there are longer videos guiding you through each step in the whole process. Now when we say "from scratch" we mean entirely from scratch. If this guy needs a brush to use when binding his pages, he chops off some horse hairs and shapes a twig to tie with sinew from a deer he shot in order to make a brush. It's nuts.   

The video comes courtesy of Andy George and his YouTube channel How to Make Everything which I recommend checking out. For the making of the book, you'll see Andy create papyrus, parchment and glue from an animal hide, a pencil, wood pulp paper, and so much more. Enjoy the video below:

There's nothing more satisfying than hearing the phrase "Where'd you get that!?" Ok, maybe it's just me, but I consider that phrase to be the apex of achievement when you've truly found a cool item. Here's a round up of 4 unique, life-improving things that I use everyday and you should too!

A Fish Turner Spatula

I use this tool almost as much as my chef's knife. You'll be throwing out several kitchen utensils once you see how superior this spatula is to those plastic ones. If you use cast iron (and you should) to cook most of your food, this tool can guarantee that nothing will ever stick. It's robust yet flexible metal allows you to really scrape, flip and pick up anything that's remotely sticking to a pan. It's even sharp enough to split a panini in half and slotted to drain grease from deep fried food. It's my ultimate kitchen multi-tool. Only downside is you can't use it on non-stick. But, who needs that stuff anyway? ;)

Nite Ize DoohicKey

Speaking of multi-tools, I recently picked up this tool as a replacement for my worn our carabiner on my key chain. It has so many cool features: bottle opener, box cutter, flat-head driver, 3 wrench sizes and a 2-inch measuring mark. I've used the built in ruler more than you'd think.

Nerd Wax

Sweat and sunglasses don't mix. It's such a frustrating problem to always be pushing them up. Not classy. This invention is so simple and so amazing. It's am all-natural wax you apply to the bridge of your glasses to keep them from slipping down your face! My friend Don developed this idea while working in the music industry watching musicians struggle to keep their sunglasses up during outdoor shows. After a super successful Kickstarter you can find these tubes of wonder paste online! 

A Catch-All Plate or Bowl

I am the worst at losing small essentials like my wallet, phone and keys. Having a catch-all plate helps keep all of those things in one place and helps me not be so forgetful. Making your own (like mine pictured above) is certainly recommended, but if you can't get around to carving your own, then you should definitely find something that is unique and memorable. Maybe a vintage family heirloom or a rustic bowl you found on a vacation. If you pick/make the right one you'll keep it for a lifetime.

Zen Pencils has taken the time to turn my favorite quotes into illustrated pieces that somehow bring the message to life. Here's Teddy Roosevelt, Robert Frost, and Jacob Riis. Inspiration is just about guaranteed.   I keep a book of quotes. It's something I turn to often for a pick me up when life gets a bit monotonous. I wake up each morning to a C.S. Lewis Quote on my wall, and I see them daily flash across my computer home screen. There's something powerful about listening to the wisdom of others.  When I found Zen Pencils, I immediately lost a few hours of my life combing through the almost 200 well illustrated versions of quotes from just about everywhere. After that, I've been back often to browse thorough to my favorites and I always come away inspired. Here are a few of my favorites:

Here's another that I've always loved, but somehow looking at the story depicted it has a bit more meaning for me.

Another massively inspiring voice from the past is Robert Frost. I never thought to look at this very popular quote of his this way, but it makes sense and has changed a bit of my perspective on this amazing journey we all take down the path of life.

Take a look at all 188 illustrations at Zen Pencils, but be sure you have the time to get lost in this new perspective on old words.

What's a Swedish flame? Something you can buy at IKEA? No sir.

If you haven't seen one of these Swedish Flame logs lately, they definitely need to be the star of your next outdoor fire. Its genius design allows the fire to burn from the inside out which means little to no tending from you! 

What you'll need

• A 2-2.5 foot tall seasoned log
• a chainsaw
• kindling
• matches or lighter
• chainsaw safety equipment: eye protector, dust mask, hearing protection

This is a quick setup that takes a bit of time to get going, but once it starts burning hot, it maintains its flame for several hours without any tending! 

Step 1

Set your log upright in a fire-safe place. I set it up in the middle of my existing fire pit. Make sure it sits level on the top. This makes the log  a fantastic cooking surface for a cast iron skillet. You'll want it to sit level if you plan on cooking over it.

Step 2

Don your safety gear and fire up your saw. Going from top to bottom cut 3-4 slices into the log 3/4 of the way down the log. Please use extra care when using a chain saw. Don't do it without safety gear and MAKE SURE the log is secure in its place, you don't want it to tip over as your cutting into it.

Step 3

This part takes a little long to get going. Start a small fire on top of the log with kindling and continue to stoke it until the coals and kindling start to descend into the log. You may need to use a spare stick to shove it down into the center as it burns.

Step 4

Continue to throw kindling down the center of the log until the fire gets hot enough to burn the log on its own. How dry the log is will determine how long it will take for the fire to catch.

And that's it! The log I did for this post has been burning for about 4 hours on its own! Try it yourself next time your in need of a good fire pit. 

Interested in cooking on top of your Swedish Fire log? Check out this post on how to make some crispy sea salt and vinegar potatoes with a fire log.

This post was written and photographed by ManMade contributor Bryson Leach. Read all of his posts here.