Getting better sleep. We all know that we need it, but do you know exactly why? Sleep is an altered state of consciousness in which we have minimal interactions with our surroundings and environmental stimuli. It might seem counter-intuitive, but our brains are quite active during sleep, carrying out a wide range of crucial functions.
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Are you pumped for summer but not for the backyard prep? We have you covered! Embracing the season should be anything but stressful. Here are some ways to fast-track your backyard for summer poolside vibes and serious relaxation.
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Enjoying the cool splash of a swimming pool is one of the best feelings one could have during a heat wave, especially in the summer season. But the pleasure of the swimming pool comes with risks. To ensure your safety and the safety of the people around you, check out our tips and pool safety best practices for a fun summer.
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Are you looking for ways to get your kids more involved in meal time? It can be hard to find recipes that are safe, easy to make and tasty for the whole family, but with these kid-friendly recipes, you and your children will be cooking up a storm in no time! Whether they are looking for a snack after school or want to make their own lunch while learning virtually, we’ve got you covered for all times of the day.
Breakfast
Oatmeal Cookie Smoothie
A healthy and easy snack for your kiddo to make is a smoothie. Of course, you can always switch up ingredients if your child likes a certain type of fruit or veggie, but another sweet treat is the oatmeal cookie smoothie. To have the family involved, go ahead and place all the ingredients on the table with the right measuring cups and then have your child scoop everything up and dump it in a blender. It’s safe to make and yummy to taste!
Ingredients: rolled oats, raisins, pumpkin pie spice, milk, vanilla yogurt, brown sugar
Snack Time
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As many parents adapt to their children learning from home, the idea of the ideal workspace for kids is coming up more and more. We take a look at five steps to creating the perfect at-home classroom that will make your child learn, grow and have fun!
1. Ask the student
What inspires your child to their best and get excited about learning? No one knows better than the student themselves! Although you may already know their answer, go ahead and ask what they would like to do while at school. Maybe they like to play outside or bake in the kitchen. You can work those fun activities into your classroom with using baking to learn fractions or using outdoor games to learn new skills. Just like adults, children will want to focus on things more if it’s something they have fun doing at the same time.
2. Provide consistency
It’s important to establish a sense of security and routine during school days. Even though you want them to enjoy their workplace, they also need to know it is meant for learning. Try to set-up a specific spot for backpacks, books and computers so that they know exactly where things are and that the space is similar to their classroom at school. Doing this will also help keep your home organized throughout the day!
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Keeping backyard chickens has become increasingly popular, and for good reason! While chickens do take a lot of work, they also have quite a lot to offer to anyone who is ready to take on the challenge. Here are five of the top reasons why you should consider keeping backyard chickens.
They Provide Produce.
Raising your own chickens means you have your own supply of eggs, poultry, or both! While commercial manufacturers are typically reliable, raising your own flock means that you know exactly where your food is coming from, and you know how the flock was handled and cared for. Whether you raise chickens for eggs, poultry, or dual-purpose will depend on the breed. Here are some recommendations:
There was a time when many people associated words like “trust” or “estate” with wealthy people, with the belief that only the rich should be concerned about who should get a hold of their assets when they pass on.
These days, however, more and more people are becoming aware of how important estate planning can be. Whether or not you have a huge house, plenty of cash in the bank or a massive enterprise is immaterial. With estate planning, you get to choose who gets what, even if it’s just a tiny home, a little bit of cash or a few trinkets here and there. At its very heart, drafting a will or setting up a trust is all about protecting your loved ones.
Of course, trusts and estates need to be administered when the time comes. With estate and trust administration, the directions in a will or trust can be routinely implemented, all loose ends pertaining to debts and taxes tied up and the affairs of the whole estate managed.
Here are some of the things you need to know about trust and estate administration.
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Your curb may be close to the drain, but don’t be confused: Putting money into curb appeal is in no way throwing money down the drain. Homes with better landscaping sell for a higher price — and few people would ignore the kind of value it can add to your home. Depending on where you are and how much landscaping you do, you could be talking about tens of thousands of dollars. Here are a few landscaping trends that increase the value of your home.
Sustainability
The low-maintenance, low-water and eco-friendly yard is not a myth. While a thick, green lawn is always appealing, you can always mix things up with xeriscaping elements or native plants to bring out the best in your yard. Sustainability has become a keyword in the landscaping industry. Clients want to see yards that add to the natural biodiversity of their neighborhoods. Another benefit? A yard that’s easy to keep up is a good selling point for potential buyers.
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Spring motivates a lot of us to do some much needed deep cleaning. It’s a good idea to take a few days to really cleanse your space and revamp your style. Cleaning and decluttering is a great way to start off the new season and fill your time. Not only does it clear your house, it also clears your mind!
Clean Baseboards, Cabinets, Doors, Windowsills, and Walls
Sound like fun yet? These are not typically chores we do on a regular basis, but a lot of crud builds up here, especially in kitchens and bathrooms.
Baseboards and window sills accumulate dust, dirt, hair and can become discolored. You’ll be amazed how much cleaner and brighter your space looks with freshly scrubbed baseboards and window sills.
Don’t forget to do the ones in the kitchen, too. Sticky food residue easily accumulates here and can attract bugs when the warmer weather sets in. Wipe down your walls and doors to get off the dirt and grime, especially the parts closer to the floor where the foot traffic is coming and going.
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Having a family and living a peaceful life in a beautiful suburban home is a dream for many. Your kids growing up with a backyard and playing around, breathing fresh air and enjoying the smell of freshly cut grass is one of the best things you could provide them with. There are, of course, a lot more options for living arrangements for families and not everything is going to be a good fit for everyone. However, if you’re leaning towards life in the suburbs or are simply unable to make a decision, keep on reading. We’re here to talk about the benefits of buying a suburban home.
Why buying a suburban home is not for everyone
Let’s start off by saying that if you’re just not the type to live in a suburban home and lead a quiet life, that’s completely fine. There’s no one right way of living, choose what’s best for you!
Having to maintain your home
If you’re used to living in a bigger urban city, chances are that you used to live in an apartment. Although living in a house has a lot of perks, it has its downsides as well. Having to mow your lawn, fix your fence or clear snow off of your front porch and driveway can be bothersome. You might not be cut out for it and that’s completely understandable.
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