If you’re planning to step up your barbecue game, a new grill can make all the difference and turn your backyard into the best place for family and friends to hang out under the sun.

Here are five favorite grills to please everyone, from charcoal loyalists to high-tech grill masters.

Kalamazoo Gaucho Wood-Fired Grill with Side Burner

If you appreciate the flavors of Argentinian-style grilling, the Gaucho from Kalamazoo is going to be your new best friend. The wood-burning grill and rotisserie is designed with a spoked-wheel that regulates cooking temperature by raising or lowering the grate over a live flame. For added convenience, a gas starter system helps to fire things up and get the meat sizzling.

Big Green Egg

The Big Green Egg enjoys legendary status among barbecue enthusiasts, and for good reason. These kamado-style grills can pretty much cook it all, from burgers and steaks to smoked salmon and brisket. Fueled by wood or charcoal, the Big Green Egg brings versatility to grill, sear, smoke, or bake in your backyard.

Lynx SmartGrill

For a state-of-the-art grilling machine, the Lynx SmartGrill can be controlled using your smartphone or voice commands and will let you know exactly when the meat is ready to be flipped. Equipped with all the bells and whistles, like a rotisserie system, smoker box, and infrared burners, this gas-powered grill is ideal for bringing high-tech precision to your BBQ area.

Weber Summit Charcoal Grilling Center

Weber Charcoal grills are tried and tested. While the Kettle model is a simple and enduring classic, the Summit Grilling Center is a cut above. Its gas ignition makes it easy to light up the charcoals and fill the air with that distinct barbecue smell, and the smoker allows for low-and-slow cooked meats.

Traeger Timberline WiFi Pellet Grill

The high-tech capabilities of Traeger’s Timberline Pellet Grill are enough to get excited about, with an app that lets you control the temperature, set timers, and access a whole bunch of recipes. However, it’s the good, old fashioned quality that makes it a standout. Fueled by wood pellets that infuse flavors like mesquite, pecan, and hickory BBQ, it’s the perfect choice for the at-home pitmaster.

Technology seems to mutate with the speed of light, but is your home keeping up with the changes? Smarten it up with a few smart-home electronics that will boost safety, increase comfort and may even save you a few bucks:

Video Doorbell
The VTech Video Doorbell, about $115, lets you screen and even video chat with visitors before you answer the door. And the system takes a snapshot each time the doorbell is pressed, so you’ll always know who came a-knocking while you were away.

Smart Door Lock
The August Smart Lock uses keyless technology to keep your home safe no matter where you are. From your smartphone, you can let guests in, check to make sure you locked up before you left, keep a record of who has entered and exited, and unlock your door from the driveway. Cost? About $220.

Home Automation
You can ease into wireless control of your lighting and appliances with Insteon’s Start Here Kit, about $125, before moving on to automating other household needs, like irrigation control and occupancy sensing.

Water Saver
The WaterPebble Water Saver memorizes the length of your first shower and uses it as a benchmark to measure future shower times. Using a series of ‘traffic lights,’ it reduces your shower time by a fraction each time, helping you save on your water bill without trying. About $12.

Learning Thermostat
For about $250, the Nest programmable thermostat will learn your heating and cooling schedule and program itself. It can even be controlled from your phone and could save you up to 20 percent on energy costs.

Smart Watering
Is your sprinkling system over-watering or under-watering your lawn? Toro’s wireless Xtra Smart Soil Moisture Sensor keeps the moisture level just right. Not only will the health of you lawn improve, but your wallet (and the Earth) will benefit, too. About $115.

Do you feel like you’re constantly battling clutter around the house? You’re not alone, and nothing can feel more frustrating than not being able to locate something when you need it, or wading through piles of items to get there. Below are five, easy organizational tips that can offer major upgrades:

Tension Rod for Pot Lids
If you store your pots and pans in a drawer, install a tension rod along the inside and slip your pot lids behind it. No more rattling pots or hard-to-find tops!

Gallon Bags for Drawers
Organize your underwear or t-shirt drawer by separating your items and storing them in gallon-sized plastic bags. You’ll never lose 10 minutes hunting for that pair of socks again.

CD Holders for Tupperware
Remember those old CD racks? Repurpose them in your Tupperware cabinet by using them to keep your lids separate, sorted and easy to grab.

Repurposed Wine Rack
Gifted a large wine rack that rarely feels full? Use it in a hallway or closet to store shoes, scarves and other items that need to be tucked away.

Muffin Tin Magic
Have a junk drawer that never stays organized? Slip a muffin tin inside to separate your odds and ends.

 

Making eco-friendly changes in the way we live may be easier than you think. Real Simple Magazine lists 10 little tips that can go a long way toward living a “greener” lifestyle:

Start with household cleaners. Switch to plant-based products (read the list of ingredients) that reduce air pollution, minimizing exposure to asthma and allergy triggers as well as chemicals that can be harmful to your health.

Try meatless Mondays. Preparing one meat-free meal per week (for a family of four) has the same impact on the environment as driving a hybrid car. (That’s because of the greenhouse gases produced in raising livestock.)

Buy sustainably-raised meat. Look for labels like free-range and organic, as well as no-hormone and no-antibiotic, which indicate the animal was given ample room to roam and wasn’t treated with hormones.

Upgrade your home’s insulation. Adding insulation to prevent leaky ducts, walls, windows and doors can improve your home’s energy draw by 20 – 30 percent. If that isn’t in your budget, try thermal shades, which block the sun in the summer and retain heat in the winter.

Leave your shoes at the door. Removing your shoes at the door prevents car exhaust, chemicals and pesticides from being tracked all over your home.

Microwave glass only. Heating plastics can cause hormone-disrupting compounds that leach into your food. Plastics labeled “microwave-safe” can withstand a higher temperature, but they are no safer. When microwaving, opt for glass or microwave-safe ceramics only.

Donate, don’t dump. By some landfill estimates, for every item of clothing you donate for re-use, carbon emissions are reduced by 27 pounds.

Choose safer cookware. The materials you cook with have an impact on food. The safest options are cast iron, enamel-coated cast iron and stainless steel. Non-stick pans are problematic if any scraped-off coating gets into your food.

Use fragrance-free products. Many fragrances contain chemicals believed to disrupt hormones, which can be harmful to the ecosystem when washed down the drain. If you like scented soaps, cleaning products or cosmetics, read labels to find those made with essential oils.

Reduce use of pesticides. Control pests indoors by keeping your kitchen crumb-free and sealing any cracks in the walls or foundation. If you do require more pest control, reach for green alternatives. Again, read the labels.

It’s easy to get excited about the idea of working out but soon find yourself feeling discouraged and overwhelmed. Having the right mindset and realistic expectations can help you succeed at a new exercise program.

Why Do You Want to Work out?
The reason why you exercise will determine whether you’ll stick with it. Internal motivation is more likely to lead to long-term success than motivation based on external factors. If you want to get in shape to look good at the beach or at your friend’s wedding, you’ll be less likely to stick to an exercise program over the long term than you would if you wanted to work out to have fun, manage stress and make new friends.

Make Exercising Fun and Routine
Many people enjoy working out with a friend. You can offer each other support and encouragement while exercising, and it can be harder to justify skipping an exercise session if you know your friend is expecting you to be there and will be disappointed if you don’t show up.

Try a variety of activities, and find ones you enjoy. That will help you look forward to working out on days when you’re tired or stressed. Switching things up can allow you to exercise different muscles, avoid overworking one area and prevent boredom.

No matter what type of exercise you choose or when you do it, make it part of your normal routine. Once you’ve exercised consistently for a while, it’ll become a habit that you look forward to each week.

Be Realistic
Don’t overdo it at the beginning. Think about your current fitness level and abilities, and do your best. It’s better to start slow and gradually build up your strength and endurance than to try to do too much too soon and get injured.

It takes time to learn anything new. Don’t get discouraged if you try a new activity and can’t do it right or keep up with others at first. Focus on your form and be proud of yourself for making the effort. You’ll become more proficient with time.

If you can’t find time in your busy schedule for a long workout, break it up. Several short, intense workouts can be just as effective as one longer session.

If you don’t meet your exercise goals or you overindulge in delicious food, don’t be too hard on yourself. Just resolve to get back on track and stick to habits that you know are good for you in the future.

Start on the Path to a Healthier Lifestyle
Beginning a new exercise routine is tough, and sticking to it can be even harder. Find activities you enjoy, be realistic about what you can do and focus on gradually improving. If you experience setbacks, realize that they can happen to anyone and stay focused on your goals.