For Moms Choosing Educational Toys For Your Kids 11:29 PM We all love to see our children playing. The smiles on their faces put smiles on ours. Their joy is infectious. Not to mention the fact that play is one of the ways our children learn new skills. It is great that doing something they love also helps them later in life. Many parents see this and makes sure that their kids have access to plenty of toys---specifically designed to help them to learn. For example, alphabet bricks that help them to learn their ABCs. Research shows that these types of toys speed up the learning process. So, it is worth adding a few to your child’s toy chest. You can use this short guide to help you buy the right ones. Choosing Educational Toys for Your Kids Buy toys that are designed for your child’s age group A good starting point is this website. This toy retailer has categorized the toys they sell by age group. Something which is incredibly helpful. It enables you to immediately narrow down the options. You just need to browse the appropriate category and pick out the educational toys. Shop on toy sites that categorize toys by skill set Even better, that site has also started to organize the toys that they sell into learning categories. At the time of this writing, they have separate lists for science-related, engineering, creative, and adventurer toys. Providing you with another quick way to find items that your children can play with to boost specific skill sets. Ask their teachers for recommendations The next time you go to a teacher-parent evening, ask whether there are any toys you can buy to bolster your child’s understanding of each subject they are taking. This will enable you to know, for example, whether it is worth buying your child a play chemistry set or not. Often, you will be surprised by which toys have true educational merit, and which ones are not worth the money. Listen to other parents Other parents are always a great source of information. But, there is no need to stick with those in your immediate circle. Tapping into parenting forums from across the world is an effective way to pick up all kinds of tips and tricks. Including how to support your child’s learning through play. Start with this list, or do a simple search while signed into different country versions of Google. Read the research If you have the time, it is also worth reading this. It summarizes some of the recent research that has been carried out into learning through play. However you choose your child’s educational toys, have fun doing it. Look for things you can play with together. Kids love nothing better than having fun with their parents. So, be sure to choose a few educational toys you will enjoy as well. Art and craft packages, as well as STEM toys are a great example of something you can do together and both learn while doing so. Do you have a hard time choosing educational toys for your kids? Follow these tips and enjoy your playtime with them as they learn.
How-To 5 Ways Spirituality Can Help You 8:25 AM 5 Ways Spirituality Can Help You Spirituality means different to everyone. It’s considered to be the belief in something bigger than ourselves. Being spiritual may mean speaking to a psychic or medium (see mediumchat for more information). Or it could mean spending more time with nature. You can discover your spirituality by attending church or learning from Wicca Academy.Spirituality could be about worshipping God or believing in a higher power.There’s no right or wrong when it comes to spirituality. However, it has many benefits for your well-being. Here are five ways spirituality can help you.1. Spirituality improves your health. To many people, spiritualism means eating food that isn’t harmful to the body or the environment. This might mean a vegan or plant-based diet. While many enjoy sweets or junk food, understanding food better and what it does to our bodies helps us live healthier lifestyles. Being spiritual means thinking about what is going into your body and considering how it makes you feel. Food is significantly tied to emotion. Because of that, you might overindulge or deprive yourself. Spiritualism can help you on a path to a healthy relationship with food. 2. Spirituality teaches honesty and acceptance.Spiritualism teaches you to be honest and accept things as they are.Meditation, for example, focuses your mind and helps you understand who you are. You learn to forget your judgments and preconceptions. You become a more open and accepting person. Spiritual people encourage open conversations and don’t appreciate lies or deception. They want us to accept people for who they are and work hard to be better than they were the day before. This is something people should aim for. 3. Spirituality helps you stay fit.Being spiritual often means being more active. Spiritual people like engaging in activities that help their bodies and connect them more. Yoga, for example, works on balance, muscle strength, and flexibility while soothing the mind. It’s a popular exercise which builds strength and helps us to relax. Spiritualism means spending more time outdoors, swimming, hiking, or running. You learn to appreciate nature, which greatly benefits your body and fitness. 4. Spirituality improves your relationships.Being spiritual can help with your relationships. While some of us keep thoughts locked away, spiritualism encourages us to talk about our problems and give people the attention they deserve. We all want to be treated with care and respect, and spirituality values the way we speak to one another. It focuses significantly on feeling and emotion: encouraging people to vocalize their thoughts and consider how their words make others feel. All good relationships need this level of care and attention. 5. Spirituality can help manage stress.Spirituality can hugely help in reducing stress. Meditation helps switch off the mind and reduce brain chatter when we live busy lives. Those who meditate often have a better sleeping pattern and work-life balance. Spiritual people also believe in the joy of relaxing scents and crystals, making the home a colorful and sensual place. So, if you’re struggling with stress, spirituality could be the answer. How does spirituality help you?How about you? Can you say that you are a spiritual person? How does your spirituality mold you and improve your life? Share it in the comments!
Business Why You Need To Dress Smart Plus 3 Simple Tips 8:02 AM I have always believed that fashion was not only to make women more beautiful but also to reassure them. Give them confidence. -Yves Saint Laurent Why is it important to dress smart? There's a psychology behind this. Do you notice that people treat you differently when you look more presentable? They seem more interested in what you have to say and cater to your needs when you look like you mean business.On the other hand, you dress sloppily, and some people look at you like, "You don't belong here. You're just wasting my time. You better leave."We Heart ItDress CodesIt's cliche, but first impressions matter, especially in business.Most companies have dress codes for their employees. Smart casual, semi-formal, or what we call dressing up.Same with some restaurants, government offices, and other establishments. You can't go in if you're wearing slippers, sleeveless shirts, or tattered jeans.Why is it important to dress well and smart?Here's the sad reality. Society judges you by your appearance first.I don't agree with this superficiality. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged; with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. (Matthew 7:2)Some people get kicked out of luxury shops because they don't look like they can afford anything there.Hey, even Oprah got refused by a Louis Vuitton store once.Gfycat1. You get respected more.Question: If you're attending a seminar about financial investment and can choose who to listen to, which of these speakers would you pick?a.) dapper man wearing an expensive suitb.) a guy in a worn out shirt and jeans who looks like he skipped showerWhether we like it or not, we are preconditioned to believe or respect those who look more decent and presentable.When you dress smart, you increase people's perceived status about you. You command respect.(Side note about women dressing for respect: As a woman, I hate it when people blame the victim for getting harassed because "she dressed like she's asking for it." 😤Sexual assault doesn't happen because of the woman's dress. It happens because there's a sick person who thinks it's okay to abuse women.It's never about what the victim is wearing. Stop victim shaming.) 2. You feel more confident.Put even the plainest woman into a beautiful dress; unconsciously, she will try to live up to it. -Lady Duff-GordonWhy is it important to dress smart for an interview? Dressing smart helps boost your confidence and makes you look competent.Dressing appropriately shows that you're a professional who cares about your appearance and you're serious about your job.Your physical appearance may reflect your inner self, but it also works the other way around. How you change your look affects how you feel inside.I don't know about you, but I feel like I can conquer anything when I'm in my high heels. 3. It shows off your personality. Your wardrobe says a lot about you. Style is a way to say who you are without having to speak. -Rachel ZoeDressing up is not about wearing expensive brands. Not everyone cares about the price of your clothes, honestly.What's important is how you present yourself and how refined your look is.Here's how to dress smartly in 3 simple ways. 3 Simple Tips on How to Dress Smart1. Invest in the basics.You don't have to spend on designer brands to look smart. Just invest in the basic items. Buy tops with solid colors.Neutrals, pastels, or rainbow colors, choose whatever suits your taste. Choose what makes you happy. Just because you must dress smart doesn't mean you should look boring.There are versatile pieces like a button shirt top that can be worn as a dress or a shawl that can be converted multi-ways.What's important is that you're happy and comfortable with your ensemble.2. AccessorizeChoose accessories that are easy to mix and match with your outfit. Find statement pieces or those with a classic design.Belts, shoes, and jewelry can transform a basic-looking outfit into a remarkable ensemble.Adding a pop of color can bring a monochromatic, drab attire to life.Put importance on finding the right pair of shoes because they can make or break your outfit.3. Blazer Find a good blazer. A blazer completes the smart look.There's something about blazers that makes you look serious about business. And it helps when it gets cold in the office, too. 😉Choose the right color and the right fit.Blazers are also versatile. Wear it with your office attire, over a casual or formal dress, or layer your overall look.What's your favorite go-to piece for your smart-casual look? What do you do to dress smart? Share your tips!
How-To 7 Simple Sustainable Living Tips To Save The Planet Right Now 9:03 AM 7 Simple Sustainable Living Tips Everything we do, from waking up in the morning to calling it a night, impacts the planet. You don't need a significant change to be a better earthling. Just do these seven simple, sustainable living tips to save the planet right now.What is sustainable living?Cambridge Dictionary defines sustainable as "causing little or no damage to the environment and therefore able to continue for a long time."Sustainable living is choosing a lifestyle that reduces your carbon footprint or negative environmental impact.For me, living sustainably is ensuring the next generation has enough natural resources left for them to survive and thrive.Is it hard? Here's what you can do:1. Turn off and unplug.Turn off gadgets and appliances when not in use. But that's not enough...Unplug them too! Even when idle, plugged electronics still consume energy. 2-10 watts or 6-10% of your appliance consumption comes from electrical items on "standby" mode.Unplugged appliances can be a fire hazard even when not in use.Living sustainably is as simple as turning off the light or unplugging the coffee machine.Giphy2. Reuse.Don't throw away that pasta sauce glass container yet. Instead, clean it and use it for keeping items or food.These bottles usually have tight and secure lids perfect for keeping the bugs out.Watch video tutorials on how to reuse plastic water containers, old clothes, tea bags, candle wax, and other used items instead of discarding them. With the information at your fingertips, there's no excuse for not knowing these awesome hacks.Tenor3. Be a conscious shopper.Always check the label. See if the ingredients being used are eco-friendly or cruelty-free. Opt for more sustainable alternatives at the grocery store, like picking paper stem cotton buds instead of plastic.Shopping for clothes? Avoid those that are made from non-biodegradable materials like nylon and polyester. Choose more environment-friendly organic cotton or Tencel.Gfycat4. Go paperless.Choose paperless invitations and notes. Thank God for technology; communication and sending information can now be done without printing paper.Read the news online.Choose email subscription or paperless receipts.Giphy5. Plant.What can be more sustainable than growing plants and trees? People may take plants for granted, but it gives us more than we can ask for. It provides us a sustained supply of food. It's the source of oxygen our body needs to survive and function.Plants can also be used as medicine and are good sources of nutrition.Plus, plants provide cleaner air, not to mention a gorgeous, calming view.Nature is a gift that keeps on giving. Agree?Giphy6. Go plant-based.Speaking of plants, choose plant-based food. Plant-based or vegan food is healthier for your body, rejects violence (no animal harmed!), and is safer for the planet.What would you pick to choose between growing your own food and killing a sentient being for a sandwich? Would you really do it if it's up to you to wrestle and kill the animal for food?Lucky us today because there are companies that produce sustainable products. Healthier meat alternatives are now available in giant food chains and are seeing a high increase in revenue."In mid-March (peak), sales of plant-based foods were up 90% year-over-year. For the 4 weeks following, plant-based food sales at retail grew 35% faster than total retail food sales." -Julie Emmett, Senior Director of Retail Partnerships at Plant-based Food AssociationThat's one heck of a growth!7. Support local, organic, sustainable brands.Buying locally means lesser shipping costs and a lower carbon footprint.Let's help sustainable organic brands grow because their products provide us a better option than what's available in the market.What natural, sustainable brands do you support? I personally recommend Human Nature. It's an ethical company with world-class, award-winning quality.GiphyEvery little thing you do impacts the planet. From the food you put on your plate to the shampoo you use, small daily habits like turning off the faucet when not in use, and adequately throwing your trash...you make a huge difference, my friend.You can leave the world a little better than you found it or make it unlivable.Never think that what you do doesn't matter. It does. You matter. You, dear one, maybe a tiny speck in the vast universe, but you can make an effective change and leave a dent.The question is, what kind of change are you making?Be a good earthling and steward to the creation. Follow these seven simple, sustainable living tips. The planet and future generations will thank you for it.
Food How To Become A Coffee Connoisseur 2:19 AM How To Become A Coffee Connoisseur Coffee. Just reading the word likely produces a reaction, like a craving or a recall of the familiar smell. People love coffee so much that it's the most-consumed beverage in the world, aside from water. Those who become coffee connoisseur knows that there's so much to explore within the world of coffee beyond Starbucks and standard coffee makers. If you love coffee but want to take your coffee-drinking habits to the next level, this guide will show you how. But first...What is a coffee connoisseur?A connoisseur is an expert. They understand the details, technique, or principles of specific arts and is competent to act as a critical judge. (Merriam - Webster Dictionary) As for coffee connoisseurs, they know everything there is to know about coffee. They're considered coffee experts, authorities, and specialists.How to Become a Coffee Connoisseur 1. Learn the Coffee-Production Process What does it take to make a cup of coffee? Coffee production, practiced predominately in tropical climates, is a precise science. How farmers grow and process coffee significantly impacts the final product's taste. According to the National Coffee Association, coffee production boils down to the following steps: Planting coffee beans, which are actually seeds Harvesting the cherries, the fruit of planted coffee trees Processing these cherries to extract the coffee beans, with the dry or wet method Drying the beans, if using the wet method Milling the beans Exporting the coffee beans Quality checks Roasting the beans Grinding the beans Brewing the coffee grounds You can learn more about how different factors at each step of the production process affect the final taste here. 2. Try All Different Flavors and Roast Profiles Finding the varieties of coffee you enjoy the most requires research, exploring, and taste testing. As mentioned above, numerous factors impact the taste of a given cup of coffee. Two factors, in particular, significantly affect the taste of coffee and deserve more in-depth investigation and taste tests. The Type of Coffee Beans Used– Coffee is grown worldwide, and the specific coffee species grown and the environment in which it's grown affect the taste.There are countless different types of coffee beans available, but a few popular options include the following:Arabica- This is the number one coffee bean sold on the global market. The flavor is sweet and mild, and considerably less acidic as compared to Robusta. Ethiopia is a famous exporter of Arabica beans. Robusta- Robusta is the second most popular coffee bean. They have high caffeine levels because the cherries repel insects and protect the tree. Liberica- Liberica coffee beans are rare and more challenging to come across. People describe the flavor as mildly acidic with a woodsy touch aroma. Excelsa- Although it is a part of the Liberica family tree, it has a unique character. These coffee beans are the rarest of them all and are only grown in Southeast Asia. Excelsa bean coffee tastes tartish and fruity. The Roast Profile– The roasting process impacts coffee's taste because pyrolysis occurs once the heating begins at 400 degrees Fahrenheit, causing a hidden fragrant oil to emerge from the beans. The longer the beans roast, the less intense the coffee tastes. 2. Buy Your Own Beans Although buying a bag of ground coffee is more convenient, grinding your beans no doubt makes for better-tasting coffee. Coffee works like most products and other food items: the sooner you consume it, the fresher and better it tastes. However, leaving ground coffee aside for a while or storing it away loses its freshness and quality. A coffee connoisseur must know where to buy high-quality coffee beans to get a quality experience each time. A coffee subscription is highly recommended to remove the hassle of ordering coffee every time you're low on it since you will get coffee delivered regularly.When you buy coffee beans, follow these tips to store them properly: Buy just the right amount or store the beans in a large batch Opt for an air-tight container Store the container at room temperature 4. Become a Brewmaster Yes, you can buy fancy lattes and macchiatos at coffee shops, but nothing beats brewing your own delicious coffee at home. To find your perfect cup of homemade coffee, try out a few different brewing styles: Pour-Over– All you need is a coffee cone and a matching filter. Simply pour hot water over the ground coffee into the filter and wait for it to slowly drip into the mug below. French Press– Fill the carafe with the ground beans, top it off with nearly-boiling water, stir it, and close the lid. After four minutes, press the plunger down to press the coffee out into the carafe, then pour. AeroPress– You can learn about the 10-step brewing process directly from the AeroPress website. Drip Method– The drip method differs slightly from the pour-over method. You use a glass flask that acts as a carafe and a special drip filter paper for the drip method. Just pour water into the ground beans and wait for the coffee to drip into the flask. 5. Experiment and Find Your Favorite Not all coffee connoisseurs like the same cup of coffee. The key to enjoying your daily brew is researching your options, trying them out, and identifying your favorite products and methods. Also, try out different combinations of bean types, roast profiles, and brewing methods. After enough trial and error, you'll find the perfect way to enjoy your favorite drink. And you'll become a coffee connoisseur every coffee drinker can trust.
Freelancing Tools Every Blogger Should Consider Investing In 7:35 AM Blogging is fun. It can also be a great way to earn a living. But, to do so, you will have to invest quite a bit of your time into learning new skills, doing your research, and becoming a decent writer. It is also a good idea to invest some money in buying a few tools. Doing so will enable you to work smarter and produce better, more engaging content. Here are a few for you to consider. Tools Every Blogger Should Consider Investing In Use a decent plagiarism checker Nobody wants to be partway through one of your articles only to end up feeling that they have already read it somewhere else. You want to be original, so it makes sense to check for any copied text before you hit the publish button. Everyone researches their blog posts differently. But, one method that a lot of people use can make it surprisingly easy for you to inadvertently publish a piece that contains sections of text that has been published elsewhere. If you are in the habit of going online, reading studies, and copying and pasting points that are relevant to your readers into a separate document, then crafting it into your article you can easily make a mistake. It is possible to inadvertently forget to rewrite a section or leave something in that you meant to remove. So, it is good practice to run what you are planning to publish through a plagiarism checker. Doing so will also enable you to pick up self-plagiarism and to prevent you from creating duplicate content on your website. Something that can have an extremely negative impact on your ability to rank well. GiphyText analysis tools You need to remove any spelling and grammar errors. Usually, you can do this simply by using the one that is built into your word processor. It is also possible to put what you write through a text analysis tool like Hemmingway or invest in the pro version of Grammarly. When you do, you will be provided with alternative ways to phrase things, which can help you to write content that flows better. TenorA way to create interesting images Bloggers that include plenty of images in their articles tend to do better than those that don't. Being faced with a solid block of text puts a lot of people off. So, it is always worth breaking up what you have written using photos, memes, and infographics. If you can create these yourself, it is worth doing so. It will save you a lot of money and ensure that you get exactly what you need. Canva is a brilliant tool, that enables you to create all kinds of visual aids to embed into your content. Initially, you can use the free version. But, once you start earning some money from your blog it is a good idea to consider paying for the pro version. GiphyI really enjoy blogging. As you can see from these statistics it is becoming increasingly popular. So, why not give it a go yourself?
Listicle How Your Friendships And Relationships Have Changed Due To Coronavirus 11:16 PM Do you feel a strain on relationships since the c o r o n a v i r us p a n d e m i c began?It’s a natural feeling as we’re all practicing varying levels of social isolation. It may help to know that we’re all feeling the strain, and we explore all the reasons why in this post. Through it all, there are some silver linings. Here are a few ways your friendships and relationships have changed due to the c o r o n a v i r u s.How Your Friendships and Relationships Have Changed Due to C o ro nav i rus 1. Less Face Time Most of us are getting less face time and more FaceTime through virtual calls. Instead of meeting up at a coffee shop for a chat, we’re brewing our own and having Zoom meetings to catch up. Even if you’ve been good about keeping up with your friends (even virtual friends), it’s definitely a different dynamic. When a friend is struggling, you might want to reach out and give him or her a hug---but you can’t. Until now, most of us have taken those little gestures for granted. Now that we’re missing them, we realize how important they are. 2. Changes in Overall Contact Everyone is handling this crisis in their own way. Some people are reaching out to friends and family members more as they’re stuck at home with little to do. Other people are feeling the weight of depression and not reaching out as much. As a result, you may hear from people you haven’t talked to in years and feel out-of-touch with someone you previously talked to every day. If you do find that a friend or family member seems to be sliding into isolation, try reaching out more often. We could all use a helping hand, and it’s always helpful to know someone cares. 3. More Appreciation In times of panic, many of us are sitting back and counting our blessings. And those blessings include the people we love. So you may find that you have a deeper appreciation for your inner circle, and they may even show more appreciation for you. At the very least, we will all appreciate the playdates and coffee chats when they finally resume. 4. Additional Stressors Everyone is stressed about c oronavirus, but we should address the fact that many of us have been stressed for a long time. And if your friends and family members aren’t addressing their anxiety in healthy ways, they could be picking up some dangerous habits. Additional stressors like lack of work, financial trouble and relationship problems are common right now in the wake of C OVI D-19 isolation. If your loved ones seem to have extra stress on their plates, it’s always a good idea to help where you can. Just be sure you’re not overextending yourself and causing more stress for you. Especially if you notice a friend using alcohol as a coping mechanism, it may be a good idea to say something. Explaining addiction and how it can creep up on a person may help open their eyes. And sometimes, just the act of calling out the behavior can be enough to spark change. Since the c oro nav i r us pandemic hit, it seems as though everything has changed. But it’s as important as ever to maintain the connections that help support our mental and emotional health. If you notice that a friend is struggling, offer to help where you can. And if you’re struggling, don’t be afraid to reach out for help. Just as you would for anyone you love, your loved ones should be there for you in times of personal crisis. With any luck, we’ll be out of this period of isolation and we can only hope our best relationships will be stronger for it.
