Here are some of our favorite Chicago intramural leagues that promise friendly competition and fun for all ages and skill levels!

Let's take a closer look at some of the best tennis and pickleball courts Chicago has to offer.

Join us as we explore some of our favorite pet-friendly houseplants that are perfect for both you and your pet’s well-being!

After moving into your apartment, introducing a new furry family member is an even more transformative experience. Whether you’re living downtown or in a quieter setting, the decision to welcome a pet always brings a unique blend of joy and companionship, but also some questions on how to best prepare for them. From curating a cozy space to navigating communal aspects, here’s a guide to ensure your new pet has a seamless introduction into your apartment community. Pet-Proofing Your Apartment Pet-proofing your apartment is an essential step in creating a safe and nurturing environment for your new pet. Here’s a brief list of some parts of your apartment that you should double-check before bringing them home: Secure loose cords and cables . These are not only a tripping hazard for you but can also be tempting targets for a curious pet. Investing in cable organizers or concealing them along walls can help minimize this risk. Identify and remove any toxic plants that are within reach. Lilies, for example, are highly poisonous to cats. Store all household cleaners, chemicals, and medications securely. Review your low-lying furniture and small decorations . Fragile items or those with small parts should be moved to higher surfaces to prevent them from breaking or being ingested. Consider using baby gates to restrict access to certain areas, especially if your pet is still getting used to the new space. Investing in durable, pet-friendly furniture can also contribute to a more optimal living space. Choose fabrics that resist stains and are easy to clean, and buy scratching posts for cats to redirect their scratching away from your furniture. Gathering Essential Supplies Preparing your apartment for a new pet also involves purchasing supplies to ensure their comfort, well-being, and seamless integration into your living space. Start with the basics, such as food, water bowls, and a cozy bed. When selecting pet food, choose high-quality options that align with your pet's age, breed, and any specific dietary requirements. Talk to your veterinarian to figure out the best option if you’re not sure what is right. Toys are crucial for keeping pets mentally stimulated and physically active, so make sure to include a variety of toys such as chew toys, interactive puzzles, and items that encourage exercise. Grooming tools are essential as well, depending on your pet's coat type, so don’t forget brushes, combs, and nail clippers to help maintain their hygiene and prevent matting or overgrown nails. For dogs, a collar with an ID tag and a comfortable leash is important for their safety, and cats can benefit from a carrier for trips to the vet or travel. Cats also require a litter box and cat litter placed in an easily accessible part of your apartment. If your new pet is a dog, stock up on waste bags for walks and proper waste disposal. Ultimately, gathering these supplies is all about anticipating your pet's needs and preferences to welcome them home comfortably.

Eating in season is always important. Aside from tasting wonderful, purchasing seasonal produce can even save you money . But there’s something about summer that makes shopping for produce even more fun. Maybe it’s the vibrant colors, the warm weather in the air as you shop, or the farmer’s market that quaintly sets up near your apartment this time each year. Whatever the reason, this is a great time of the year to think outside the box from your regular grocery list and pick up some of the season’s freshest produce. Here we list some of our favorites, how to pick them out, and a recipe to get you started! Strawberries : Strawberries are everywhere this time of year! Make sure to always choose bright red, firm berries and don’t wash them until you’re ready to devour. This will keep them at their freshest! We love featuring strawberries in desserts (and even on their own), but they make a surprisingly great addition to fresh savory dishes like salads. Give this Strawberry Salad with spinach and crunchy ramen noodles a try!

After an especially long and chilly winter, it’s no secret that us Chicagoans are excited for the arrival of spring. Besides the ability to dine al fresco and stroll the lakefront path without a parka on, this season also brings with it that common feeling of renewal. That means it’s the perfect time to rejuvenate your living space! Use these tips and tricks to put yourself on the pathway to feeling refreshed just as the flowers begin to bloom. Tips for Spring Cleaning Your Apartment One way to feel refreshed this spring is to participate in the ritual of spring cleaning within your apartment. Besides just following your normal cleaning routine, also tackle areas of your home that you don’t tend to as often. We’ve compiled a few of our favorite spring cleaning tips below, highlighting simple ways to refresh: Reusable Bags – not only are reusable bags good for the environment, but they also save us from paying that pesky plastic bag tax! As convenient as they are, though, these bags can collect bacteria from the food they hold. To wash, turn them inside out and toss them in the washing machine. Either allow them to air dry or select the appropriate dryer setting based on their material to finish the job.  Cutting Boards – sure, you wash cutting boards in between uses, but how often do you give them extra TLC? Sprinkle baking soda on top of boards then run a cut lemon over them to diminish tough stains and odors. Drains – shower and sink drains accumulate a gross build-up and sometimes even omit a less-than-pleasant odor. To freshen these up, pour a mixture of a half cup of baking soda mixed with a quarter cup of salt down each drain and then follow it up with a cup of hot white vinegar. Allow the mixture to sit for 15 minutes, then run hot water in the drain for about 30 seconds.

Thanksgiving week is here! It’s hard to hate a week that starts with only a few days of work and ends with pie and shopping. One of the best parts of Thanksgiving is returning home to family, enjoying a delicious homecooked meal, and then leaving with tons of foil-covered, tupperware-stuffed leftovers that can’t fit in your parents’ fridge. But what does one do with these specific holiday leftovers for the coming week? We’ve found a few new ideas for you to whip up in your apartment: Leftovers: Mashed Potatoes Leftovers Reimagined: Mashed Potato Pizza 

Although for many of us, socializing with friends over a couple drinks is the norm, for others alcohol is either not a crucial part of having fun or abstained from for other reasons. With holiday season approaching, it’s important to know that you CAN survive without alcohol. Stressful family situations and numerous parties can make the task seem daunting, but there are several easy ways to get through them sober. These tips are for both those struggling with alcohol issues as well as those who desire to avoid alcohol for health or diet reasons. Some apply to both, while some may only be applicable to one group, but all in all they should help you realize that you can enjoy the holidays without the booze if you so choose! Tell someone Avoiding alcohol can seem daunting if it’s something you usually drink and especially if others know you do. Letting someone know allows you to have a support system in case you find yourself in an uncomfortable situation. If they’re able to be with you at the gathering, you can either spend safe time with them or you know you can approach them if you start having a tough time. If you’ll be solo at an event, have someone you can call if you start to feel uncomfortable. Identify your triggers Think about a party or get-together. Now think about situations that could come up that would potentially trigger you to want to drink. This could be being around a certain type of alcohol, interacting with someone you don’t particularly get along with, simply being in a social situation, or any number of possibilities. Triggers are different for everyone, so make sure to identify yours in order to avoid them. Make a plan Once you’ve told someone and you know what could potentially trigger you to drink, figure out a plan for how to avoid those things. Know what you’re going to do if someone offers you a drink. Know what you’re going to do if someone asks you to hold their drink. What if you start to be triggered? Social settings can be unpredictable so it’s important to have all your bases covered before going into those situations. Carry your own glass Having your own glass near you allows you to control what is inside it and also stops many people from trying to give you a drink. Say “No Thanks” Often, when drinking is a normal part of life for a person, the thought of being around alcohol in a social setting (and saying no) can be daunting. “People won’t understand!” “I can’t say no!” “They’ll shun me!” Realistically, as time goes on and you begin to experience life without alcohol, it becomes more evident that no one really cares if you say no. There may be a couple people who ask follow up questions about why, but all you have to do is say “I’m not drinking tonight.” There may be another reason you’re more comfortable with, such as “I’m driving” if you are, and you certainly don’t have to go into details you’re not comfortable digressing. Excuse yourself if necessary Sometimes, as hard as you might try, it may become too uncomfortable at some point. Remember to listen to your body and your mind and don’t force yourself to be a martyr in those types of situations.  Making a dramatic lifestyle change can be scary, but just as with any change, knowing how to handle it is the most important part.

Goals are great — they help us work harder and strive for things that may not come easily. Goals are present in all aspects of our life, from professional to personal. I’m sure you can think of several goals over your lifetime that you’ve set and (hopefully) achieved. Even if you fail in achieving your goal, it’s a learning experience and may actually add fuel to the fire to try harder to achieve it in the future. With the amount of time that it sometimes takes to reach a goal, it can be tough once you actually get there. Suddenly you’re faced with a lack of direction and not sure what your next steps are going forward. In order to preempt those feelings, here are some thoughts on what you should do after achieving your goal. Take some time to appreciate your goal Achieving your goal may leave you with feelings of “what next?” After working towards something for a period of time, not having to put in that same level of work can be jarring to your routine. Before leaping into another project or goal, make sure to take some time to appreciate the work you’ve put in and what you’ve accomplished. It can be easy to try and move on to the next thing, but take time to internalize reaching your goal. Look for something new For me, my first big fitness goal was to run a half marathon. I trained for three months and was able to run 13.1 miles — something I never thought I would do in my fitness life. Once the race was over, however, I wasn’t sure what I should be doing. I didn’t know if I should keep running or try something different. Ultimately, I did a little bit of both. I continued to run because I enjoyed it, but I wasn’t training for anything in particular. I went back to the gym and worked on weight training as well so that I could challenge different muscles that weren’t always utilized during runs. Evaluate how you feel after you reach your goal — does your body need a change of pace or are you happy doing what you have been doing? Challenge yourself to try something new but don’t be afraid to continue what you’re doing if you truly enjoy it. Set a different goal It might seem like a natural progression to go from training for a half marathon to a full one, but I had no interest in pushing myself to run 26.2 miles. For some people it’s a lifelong goal, but I’m happy maxing out at 13.1. Over the next couple years I ran three more half marathons and set similar goals. For one I wanted to run it a little faster, but really for each I just wanted to be able to finish. It’s a difficult distance for me, so every time I crossed a finish line, I felt accomplished. Ask yourself if there are different goals you want to set for yourself. Maybe your goal would be to run a full marathon. Maybe you’ve been able to learn headstands in yoga and you want to progress to a handstand. Think about something you can work towards and what it would take for you to get there.  Strive for ways to better yourself over time, whether in your personal or professional life.