Find Your Mood Music

It is pretty safe to say that how we feel affects our perception of the world. Fortunately, your car stereo is on your side! Listening to the right music is like getting a chiropractic adjustment for your mood. 

Sad: While you could wallow in your sadness, it makes much more sense to turn the frown upside down. While it might seem like really happy songs would be the ‘go-to’ for this situation, they might highlight the disparity between how you feel and how you really want to feel. Why not go straight for your favorites? No matter what the genre, play a song that you could listen to on repeat! This should definitely change your focus.

Happy: If you are already happy, amp it up to the next level with something super upbeat! Techno and pop songs have light lyrics and a good beat. Listen to these to make a bright mood even brighter!

Angry: Man, don’t you just hate it when the day doesn’t go your way? When you feel frustrated, annoyed, or angry you need to breathe deep and relax. Even if you HATE classical music, its complexity and lack of lyrics will require that you do some active listening. Switching your focus through concentrating on an intricately orchestrated song will help you to take a break from what is bugging you so you can later revisit the situation with a new perspective.

Sleepy: Sleepy is a great way to feel…except for when you are driving! Stay away from techno and classical music! These music genres are like kryptonite for the sleepy driver. Instead, keep an eye out for the nearest exit or rest area and in the meantime throw on some metal or heavy rock – loud and invigorating music is an absolute must have at this point!

Relaxed – Nothing is better than relaxing music on a relaxing ride! Throw on some oldies, smooth jazz, or R&B. Any of these will enhance your already magnificent driving experience.

Unexplainable/undefined: Not sure how you feel? Neither are most Indy rockers. That is your ticket to exploring your thoughts and emotions.

Have any other mood music suggestions? Feel free to leave them in a comment!

Great Eats on the Go!

When you have to dine on the go, nothing beats the convenience of the drive-thru! However, navigating the drive-thru menu can be like playing Russian Roulette with your health. Fortunately, we are here to help you out. These are some healthy-ish menu options that you can get at your favorite spots.

McDonalds: The Southwest Salad w/ Grilled Chicken. This salad is actually pretty tasty even without the dressing. If you get an unsweetened tea and apple slices, you have a complete healthy meal!

Wendy’s: Wendy’s really was the pioneer of healthy fast food! Even still, their menu items are head and shoulders above their competition. So many choices…Apple Pecan Chicken Salad w/out the blue cheese dressing; the Chicken BLT Cobb Salad; the Baja Chili Salad ½ size w/out tortilla strips; or the Sour Cream and Chive Potato with the Chili. If you want to be a LITTLE bit bad…you can get a tiny Frosty. Hey, everyone needs a little sweetness in their life!

Burger King: The Tendergrill Chicken Garden Salad with fat-free dressing is a nice choice…but if you are absolutely craving something other than greens there are still some options. The Garden Burger meal with Fresh Apple Fries and an unsweetened ice tea is balanced and delicious.

Taco Bell: Taco Bell really deserves some recognition for their Cantina Bell menu! These menu items are made with upscale ingredients and are really yummy. The Cantina bowls are probably your best bet and you can get them plain, with steak, or with chicken.

So there you have it! Enjoy your meal to go… guilt-free!

Don't Go 'Nuts' - Cool Ways to Make Your Truck Stand Out

Get Lifted.  Whether you’re rising straight to the top or only going a modest 4 inches, giving your truck a life gives you a whole new way to see the world.
Trick Your Tires.  Whether you’re thinking of semi-truck tires or adding flare with spinning rims, you’ll be rollin’ in style.
Souped-Up Sound.  Amp up your anthems with sub woofers or opt for an entirely new sound system.
Don’t let anyone dull your sparkle.  Enhance your ride with LED lighting to add an extra flash of pizzaz.

The Toyota Camry is Road Royalty!

The Toyota Camry is one of the most popular cars on the road today–and the 2015 model is turning heads wherever it pops up.  So, we wanted to know: would a Toyota by any other name still drive as sweet?
Turns out the name is pretty special!   “Camry” is actually an Anglicized transcription of the Japanese word kanmuri, which means “crown.”  In that case–ready to feel like a king? Swing by and test drive a Camry at Toyota of Washington today! You’ll get behind the wheel knowing you’re the royalty of the road.

Be Cool Honey Bunny, Be Cool

Is your car working hard or working smart? There is such a thing as doing too much! AVOID doing these two things and watch your summer get a whole lot cooler.
NEVER turn your car off without switching the AC off first! Powering off your vehicle while the air is still running creates a small shock in the air conditioning system that can have damaging side effects over time. Ideally, you should switch off the AC a few blocks from your destination. It’s fine to keep the fan running.
NEVER crank your AC from 0 to full blast! We understand that it’s hot outside, but forcing your car to blast all of that energy at once doesn’t make the air cool faster. Start your AC on the lowest setting and work your way towards the smaller temps.

New Grad Needs New Car...Now What?

Establish a Budget

When coming up with a budget for your car, consider all your monthly costs including rent, bills and student loans. This will help you stay within the limits of what you can afford so you don’t get in over your head with payments. Setting realistic goals will help you manage other financial areas, too.


Take your Time

Don’t rush the process. Look at as many cars as you want and take notes (you should be a pro by now!) so you can remember all the important facts. Car and Driver advises you not to purchase your car on the first visit. Take at least a night to think about your decision. You’ll be driving this new car for several years – you should be comfortable and happy with your decision.


Take a Test Drive

During your test drive, be sure to test the brakes and lights while driving on both slow roads and busy freeways. Don’t forget to check out the passenger seats. The more time you spend with a car during a test drive, the more accurate your evaluation will be.

5 Cute Car Dates

1. Go to the drive-in. Nothing says romance like buttered popcorn, a large soda with two straws, and snuggling up to a good movie in a really cool car.
2. Hit the tracks! Did you know that you can go to a racetrack and speed around as fast as your heart desires? Warning: This one is not for the faint of heart.
3. Go off-roading. If you want to get down and dirty, there is nothing better than an SUV/truck and a whole lot of rough terrain.
4. Cruise away. A nice leisurely drive with good tunes is a classic date that will never go out of style. For bonus points, choose a destination that is slightly off the beaten path and has some quirkiness and charm.
5. Car day. Set aside a Saturday and plan to wash your vehicles as a couple.  This is a great way to be productive, spend quality time together, and have fun.