Showing posts with label guest post. Show all posts
Showing posts with label guest post. Show all posts
In light of motherhood and everything that goes with it, today's post is a guest post about things you can do to be a more present mom. We could all use a good reminder once in a while.
When you are a mom, it is important to find better ways to parent your child, and avoiding alcoholic beverages is an important way to make you more aware about your child’s emotional, physical and mental needs. Here are some of the ways that not drinking can make you more present for your children.
1. You Are More Aware of Time // If you are drinking alcohol, then it can interfere with your awareness of time. You may forget to take your children to school or special activities, making them feel resentful because you were too confused about the time. When you stop drinking, you will maintain a regular daily schedule to avoid forgetting important appointments. You are also teaching your children about the importance of time management.
2. You’ll Keep a Cleaner Home //While cleaning house isn't an enjoyable activity for many parents, it is a necessity in order to maintain a certain level of hygiene. If you are drinking wine or beer several times a day, then you may ignore certain types of cleaning, leading to piles of dishes in the sink or having your children wear smelly clothing. When you are numbing your feelings with excessive alcohol consumption, your home can become dirty quickly, leading to additional emotional isolation from your children.
3. You’ll Get Better Sleep and Have More Energy // When you drink alcohol, it can disrupt your circadian rhythms, making it difficult to sleep at night. You may develop insomnia, and this can lead to changes in your alertness. If you are tired, then you aren't alert enough to notice your children's needs. In addition, while you are sleeping, your body's glands release hormones that are designed for boosting your mood along with repairing your immune system.
4. You’ll Be More Social // Despite being a mother who stays home with her children, you need to socialize with your peers to have better emotional health. However, if you reach for a glass of wine while your toddler is napping, then you probably won't take the time to talk to a friend on your smartphone or in person. Socializing isn't a waste of time because it helps you to have a healthier mind that is more present for your children.
5. You’ll Be More Alert // If you are drinking alcohol, then it reduces your reaction time to potential dangers. While you already know that you shouldn't drive a vehicle after drinking, there are also other things that you shouldn't do. You might enjoy taking your toddler on a bicycle ride around the local park, but if you have been drinking, then you are more likely to lose your balance. There are also dangers from walking outside with your infant in a stroller because you may not notice a vehicle while crossing the street.
6. You’ll Be a Better Role Model and Able to Provide More Discipline // When you drink a glass of wine to cope with a misbehaving child, you aren't helping your son or daughter to act in the appropriate manner. Disciplining your children is hard work because it requires thinking about a child's particular personality. Rather than punitive punishments for misbehaving, you will want to take the time to learn more appropriate discipline methods such as timeouts in a chair in the corner of the room or charts for stickers when a child behaves correctly.
7. You’ll Stop Wasting Time // If you are getting inebriated from drinking frequently, then you may waste a lot of time. You might feel too tipsy to spend time with your children, and in only a few weeks, you will miss a child's important milestone such as watching your son learn how to walk. However, when you are sober, you will realize how much time was wasted buying alcohol and drinking too much so that you could numb your feelings.
Quitting drinking may mean professional alcohol addiction treatment or recovery meetings. When you stop drinking alcohol, it can feel difficult for the first few days or weeks, but within a month or two, you will stop having constant cravings for liquor. Rather than shutting out the world with alcohol, you will have additional mental clarity, especially for your children, helping you to become a better role model.
Happy Friday friends! Cheers to us all being great moms and doing the very best we can.
Your wedding day is bound to be wonderful. With all the hustle bustle and planning that surrounds it, you and your partner deserve a beautiful break! Your new beginning should be filled with romance, love, and happiness. What better way than to invest in a beautiful honeymoon to start your life together!
If you’re trying to figure out which are the best spots around the world to go to, we’ve got you covered. Katie from Orla James prefers a variety of choice when selecting beautiful honeymoon spots. We decided to assist them with a few gorgeous, yet romantic spots around the globe. Whether it's adventure, culture, or romance you crave, we’ve got options for you to choose from.
Let’s look at some of them.
BALI, INDONESIA: Bali is popularly known as the ‘Isle of the Gods’. With gorgeous mist-shrouded temples, pristine beaches, and warm welcoming people, Bali is the perfect honeymoon destination spot. The beautiful mountains and cultural hub made it a popular location for the hit movie ‘Eat, Pray, Love’. Take a trip to the famed Pura Luhur Uluwatu temple that stands 200 ft. above sea level. The sunset from this point is one from your dreams! You should head to Bali to experience romance that lasts a lifetime.
CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA: Cape Town has everything you could imagine! From gorgeous landscapes, wild party scenes, exquisite beaches, and a bustling city, Cape Town has something for everyone. You can also visit the plethora of wineries and indulge in a safari or two. Ideally, you should take the 90-minute drive from Cape Town to the Cape of Good Hope and Cape Agulhas and stop off at Boulders Beach to meet the famous warm-weather penguins! If you’re unsure of what sort of honeymoon to invest in, Cape Town is the perfect location for privacy, romance, and fun!
MARRAKECH, MOROCCO: Indulge your senses in this colorful city! Brimming with sights, sounds, scents, and people, Morocco has you covered. If you’re up to it, you can go surfing, binge on delicious seafood and kebabs, drink coffee at roadside cafes, do some street shopping, get your fortune told, and visit the never ending mosques and museums. You can also head to the ancient city of Fez and trade your car for donkey carts and walk old, narrow alleys. Whatever your preference, you are bound to have a memorable honeymoon in Marrakech.
PROVENCE, FRANCE: If it’s an uber romantic location you want, you must head to Provence. Known for rolling lavender fields, wine, art, and history, Provence in France is a beautiful getaway for honeymoon couples. Explore the rugged landscapes that Provence has to offer and the wonderful outdoor sports that are available there. You could also go horseback riding, take a picnic in lavender fields, explore quaint villages, and take French cooking classes. If you and your partner want a peaceful, yet romantic honeymoon, you could consider Provence to be your ultimate honeymoon destination!
LANGKAWI, MALAYSIA: Langkawi Island in Malaysia is an unforgettable destination! Crystal clear waters, dense jungles, and virgin beaches are some of the things that you can expect to see in Langkawi. Experience the famous Malaysian well-being spas, fresh seafood, and juicy local fruits, and go bird watching. Asia’s first UNESCO Geopark is located in Langkawi, so you simply must take a wildlife tour! Some wild animals you can look forward to are otters, snakes, the famous walking fish, monkeys, and eagles. You can also visit neighboring islands by taking a boat and island hop!
MUSCAT, OMAN: Oman is a hidden jewel in the Middle East. This beautiful Arabian oasis is rich in culture and beauty. A favorite holiday destination for many Europeans, it is filled with charming beaches, gold souks, bustling markets intermingled with shopping malls, theatres, cultural centers, and world famous food chains. In Muscat, you can visit the Grand Mosque, Muttrah Souk, and Al-Bustan Beach. If you and your partner would like a road trip, you can also drive down to the beautiful fishing village of Sur while taking stops at the historic Nizwa Fort, and the silversmith and handicrafts markets in Sohar. Oman makes for a beautiful sandy playground and is a wonderful place to spend your honeymoon!
After months of planning your wedding and finally tying the knot, you should spend quality time with your new spouse and leave all your worries behind. Invest in a beautiful unforgettable honeymoon to start your life together in bliss and harmony. Whether it’s a tropical retreat or an adventurous one, make the most of this time together and start your new life with happiness.
If you’re trying to figure out which are the best spots around the world to go to, we’ve got you covered. Katie from Orla James prefers a variety of choice when selecting beautiful honeymoon spots. We decided to assist them with a few gorgeous, yet romantic spots around the globe. Whether it's adventure, culture, or romance you crave, we’ve got options for you to choose from.
Let’s look at some of them.
BALI, INDONESIA: Bali is popularly known as the ‘Isle of the Gods’. With gorgeous mist-shrouded temples, pristine beaches, and warm welcoming people, Bali is the perfect honeymoon destination spot. The beautiful mountains and cultural hub made it a popular location for the hit movie ‘Eat, Pray, Love’. Take a trip to the famed Pura Luhur Uluwatu temple that stands 200 ft. above sea level. The sunset from this point is one from your dreams! You should head to Bali to experience romance that lasts a lifetime.
CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA: Cape Town has everything you could imagine! From gorgeous landscapes, wild party scenes, exquisite beaches, and a bustling city, Cape Town has something for everyone. You can also visit the plethora of wineries and indulge in a safari or two. Ideally, you should take the 90-minute drive from Cape Town to the Cape of Good Hope and Cape Agulhas and stop off at Boulders Beach to meet the famous warm-weather penguins! If you’re unsure of what sort of honeymoon to invest in, Cape Town is the perfect location for privacy, romance, and fun!
MARRAKECH, MOROCCO: Indulge your senses in this colorful city! Brimming with sights, sounds, scents, and people, Morocco has you covered. If you’re up to it, you can go surfing, binge on delicious seafood and kebabs, drink coffee at roadside cafes, do some street shopping, get your fortune told, and visit the never ending mosques and museums. You can also head to the ancient city of Fez and trade your car for donkey carts and walk old, narrow alleys. Whatever your preference, you are bound to have a memorable honeymoon in Marrakech.
PROVENCE, FRANCE: If it’s an uber romantic location you want, you must head to Provence. Known for rolling lavender fields, wine, art, and history, Provence in France is a beautiful getaway for honeymoon couples. Explore the rugged landscapes that Provence has to offer and the wonderful outdoor sports that are available there. You could also go horseback riding, take a picnic in lavender fields, explore quaint villages, and take French cooking classes. If you and your partner want a peaceful, yet romantic honeymoon, you could consider Provence to be your ultimate honeymoon destination!
LANGKAWI, MALAYSIA: Langkawi Island in Malaysia is an unforgettable destination! Crystal clear waters, dense jungles, and virgin beaches are some of the things that you can expect to see in Langkawi. Experience the famous Malaysian well-being spas, fresh seafood, and juicy local fruits, and go bird watching. Asia’s first UNESCO Geopark is located in Langkawi, so you simply must take a wildlife tour! Some wild animals you can look forward to are otters, snakes, the famous walking fish, monkeys, and eagles. You can also visit neighboring islands by taking a boat and island hop!
MUSCAT, OMAN: Oman is a hidden jewel in the Middle East. This beautiful Arabian oasis is rich in culture and beauty. A favorite holiday destination for many Europeans, it is filled with charming beaches, gold souks, bustling markets intermingled with shopping malls, theatres, cultural centers, and world famous food chains. In Muscat, you can visit the Grand Mosque, Muttrah Souk, and Al-Bustan Beach. If you and your partner would like a road trip, you can also drive down to the beautiful fishing village of Sur while taking stops at the historic Nizwa Fort, and the silversmith and handicrafts markets in Sohar. Oman makes for a beautiful sandy playground and is a wonderful place to spend your honeymoon!
After months of planning your wedding and finally tying the knot, you should spend quality time with your new spouse and leave all your worries behind. Invest in a beautiful unforgettable honeymoon to start your life together in bliss and harmony. Whether it’s a tropical retreat or an adventurous one, make the most of this time together and start your new life with happiness.
So, you want to host a BBQ party in your backyard but are worried about how your vegan-friendly friends will feel surrounded by so many ribs, steaks, and chicken?
Then, I am going to show you how to host a vegetarian BBQ, so everyone will have a good time and enjoy the food.
How to Host a Vegetarian BBQ
Different cultures have different meanings for BBQ but the concept stays the same: Barbecues are all about spending a good time with your friends and family while you are preparing fresh food outside your house, usually on the back yard.
Different cultures have different meanings for BBQ but the concept stays the same: Barbecues are all about spending a good time with your friends and family while you are preparing fresh food outside your house, usually on the back yard.
With so many people coming at your BBQ, there will be a huge diversity of preferences and sometimes it can be hard to satisfy everyone.
Barbecue parties are usually full of meat products, burgers, hot dogs etc. and meat lovers will enjoy them to the max.
But, what about the vegetarians? If you have a few vegetarians friends that are coming to your BBQ, then don't worry. You can actually host a barbecue for vegetarians.
Apart from the traditional BBQ menu, you can serve up a few vegan-friendly options for your vegetarian's friends, so they don't feel bad and enjoy the food.
If you stick to the traditional BBQ menu, then I would start by thinking about a couple of items that can be easily transformed into vegan-friendly. I know it may sound a bit weird, but you would be surprised about how many items from classic BBQ menu can be transformed into vegan-friendly.
The key to a great party food is to prepare a variety of foods with small bites so people can try many things. Luckily for you, vegetables are very easy to cook and to combine them with other foods is even easier.
Here are some vegetables which taste amazing when you grill them and are a perfect option for a vegan-friendly BBQ party: Very healthy vegetable. It is recommended to be cooked on High heat for about 10 minutes, by turning one; about three to four minutes per side.
1. Asparagus: Very healthy vegetable. It is recommended to be cooked on High heat for about 10 minutes, by turning one; about three to four minutes per side.
2. Broccoli or Cauliflower: Both these vegetables are recommended to be cooked on Low heat for about 10 to 15 minutes, depending on your preferences. Just break them into smaller pieces, rub them with oil and put them on the grill. After they are cooked, you can add curry powder to cauliflower and just a bit olive oil and lemon juice to the broccoli.
3. Carrots: Just wash and peel them, toss with olive oil, salt, pepper and place them directly on the grill grate for about 20 minutes on low heat.
4. Onions: Onions are very common when it comes to grill cooking. Cut them into 1/4 thick pieces and grill them for about 6-10 minutes on Medium Heat.
5. Potatoes: Potatoes are recommended to be grilled after they are boiled for about 10 minutes. After 10 minutes of boiling, drain them and cut into slices, rub with oil, salt, pepper and grill over medium heat for about 15 minutes. If you want to go for a whole potatoes grilling, wrap them in foil and place directly on the grate of the grill for about 30-40 minutes, based on your preferences.
If you already know how to grill vegetables, you can try the combinations of spicy dishes with cooling sides such as:
- Cold cucumber slices with unflavored yogurt, garlic powder, vinegar, salt, and pepper.
- Sliced squash and zucchini, placed in a foil packet with vegetable seasoning and olive oil. Grill them for about 15 minutes.
- Smoked peppers, sliced into strips and pack in garlic infused olive oil.
- Wilt spinach in the side burner if the grill with a little balsamic vinegar and garlic/herb seasoning.
Vegetarian BBQ Sandwiches & Coleslaw
Ingredients
Coleslaw
Ingredients
- 1/2 head purple cabbage
- 2 carrots
- 2 cups vegan mayonnaise
- 2 Tbsp. of white vinegar
- 1 Tbsp. sugar
- 1 tsp. of celery seed
- 1/2 head purple cabbage
- 2 carrots
- BBQ Sauce
- Whole-Grain or Gluten-Free Sandwich Buns
- Grate carrots using a food processor and slice cabbage into thin ribbons.
- For the coleslaw preparation, combine half cabbage or carrot mixture with other slaw ingredients, mix well and refrigerate for a few minutes before serving.
- For BBQ, warm BBQ sauce and then stir the remaining cabbage or carrot mixture and cook until the vegetables become softener.
- Serve it on toasted buns and add additional BBQ sauce as desired.
I hope you liked these examples and have finally completed planning your next BBQ party with a few vegetarian options. If you want, you can go and host a full vegetarian BBQ but not everyone is a fan of eating only grilled vegetables or other vegan-friendly dishes. So, it is better to prepare traditional BBQ foods for meat lovers and a few quick and easy vegan-friendly option for your vegetarian friends.
Just remember to be creative and you can transform almost every classic BBQ item to a vegan-friendly with just a few resources and a few minutes. You will be surprised by the end results and your vegetarian BBQ cooking will make even the meat-eaters in the group impressed.
Author Bio: Kendrick Kotter is a food lover and a grilling/outdoor cooking passionate. He loves to share his knowledge and passion about cooking with the world at FuriousGrill.
Singapore is one of the most family friendly destinations in Asia and it’s no surprise that it is so popular with tourists all around the globe. Traveling to Singapore is usually hassle-free and quite possible the reason why many prefer to spend their weekends and family visits in Singapore.
The streets are spotlessly clean, the sky is clear and the grass is always fresh and green, the spacious hotels and the great malls and landmarks, not to mentions with the exciting theme parks and resorts - Singapore is the hub of arts, fashion, culture and events. Street vendors line the roads selling everything from food to tiny gadgets. This small island consists of a friendly and safe environment with a variety of ethnic groups coexisting in perfect harmony. All these make Singapore perfect for a family vacation.
Here is a guide to all the great things you can do on your trip to Singapore with your family.
ETHNIC QUARTERS
The three main ethnic groups in the country offer areas like Chinatown, Little India and Kampong Glam (the Malay quarter), which are filled with traditional shop houses and a large variety of products ranging from furniture, various spices, snacks and toys, all inspired by the culture they represent. Even if you don’t plan on shopping for anything, you could still stroll around these parts and explore the richness of the different ethnic groups represented in the tiny little area in the streets of Singapore.
SENTOSA
Hop on a cable car and take your entire family to this lovely trip down to Singapore’s playground Sentosa. A previously deserted tropical island, Sensota now hosts a multitude of attractions like Fantasy Land, a fantastic waterpark offering incredible rides, Volcano Land and even the world famous Universal Studios Singapore. This place has it all for everyone, be it for your children or for some quality family fun time.
BOTANIC GARDENS
Away from the everyday noise and dirt of the streets outside, the Botanic Gardens offer a safe haven that gives you a break from the concrete jungles of the city. Available to the public since 1859, these gardens are filled with lush trees and plants filled with beautiful and aromatic flowers. You can explore the various species of plants while resting in for a picnic on the lawns. A perfect getaway afternoon for your whole family.
JURONG BIRD PARK
With over 8000 birds of over 600 different species, it’s a haven for birds and bird lovers alike. You and your children are bound to fall in love with the beautiful parakeets and macaws. You may even get a chance to carry one on your arm! The main attractions here include the Bird Discovery Centre, Lory Loft Aviary, Southeast Asian Birds Aviary and the award winning African Wetlands. Different sections showcase different species of birds found in different parts of the world. A part of the money you spend on the ticket goes to avian hospital and the Breeding and Research Centre to ensure the
welfare of birds and endangered species.
BATTLE BOX
Take a trip down to history in the Battle Box where you can explore the bunkers that made up the underground command centre beneath Forth Canning Hill in WWII. The tour guide will assist you through the 26 bomb proof rooms that have all gone through restorations to make it more accessible to the public. Meanwhile audio-visual effects and animations will create the atmosphere that persisted during the Battle of Singapore at the time. This would be an exciting as well as education trip for you family.
SNOW CITY
Looking for some snow in a tropical region? Head over to Snow City where its cold 365 days a year, making it a great escape from the heat. If you are up for some adventurous activities, you can give snow tubing, skiing or snowboarding a try. Although you may consider safer alternative activities if you have small children with you. You can even explore igloos and have snowball fights with your kids in the play area.
NIGHT SAFARI
This is perhaps the most exciting and favorite adventure for all age groups. The night safari takes visitors on a tram ride through a park containing only nocturnal animals roaming around in the jungle. You can travel through the rainforest, savannah and jungle where you will spot exotic creatures, many of which are endangered species that live by night.
These are only a few of the many great things you can do on your trip to Singapore. So start planning your family trip to Singapore this season!
About the Author: Isabele is Silly and observant can be quite contradictory natures to have, but not impossible! Name's Isabele and someday, I want to be the greatest social analyst in the world! Till then, find me here and there, everywhere!"
The streets are spotlessly clean, the sky is clear and the grass is always fresh and green, the spacious hotels and the great malls and landmarks, not to mentions with the exciting theme parks and resorts - Singapore is the hub of arts, fashion, culture and events. Street vendors line the roads selling everything from food to tiny gadgets. This small island consists of a friendly and safe environment with a variety of ethnic groups coexisting in perfect harmony. All these make Singapore perfect for a family vacation.
Here is a guide to all the great things you can do on your trip to Singapore with your family.
ETHNIC QUARTERS
The three main ethnic groups in the country offer areas like Chinatown, Little India and Kampong Glam (the Malay quarter), which are filled with traditional shop houses and a large variety of products ranging from furniture, various spices, snacks and toys, all inspired by the culture they represent. Even if you don’t plan on shopping for anything, you could still stroll around these parts and explore the richness of the different ethnic groups represented in the tiny little area in the streets of Singapore.
SENTOSA
Hop on a cable car and take your entire family to this lovely trip down to Singapore’s playground Sentosa. A previously deserted tropical island, Sensota now hosts a multitude of attractions like Fantasy Land, a fantastic waterpark offering incredible rides, Volcano Land and even the world famous Universal Studios Singapore. This place has it all for everyone, be it for your children or for some quality family fun time.
BOTANIC GARDENS
Away from the everyday noise and dirt of the streets outside, the Botanic Gardens offer a safe haven that gives you a break from the concrete jungles of the city. Available to the public since 1859, these gardens are filled with lush trees and plants filled with beautiful and aromatic flowers. You can explore the various species of plants while resting in for a picnic on the lawns. A perfect getaway afternoon for your whole family.
JURONG BIRD PARK
With over 8000 birds of over 600 different species, it’s a haven for birds and bird lovers alike. You and your children are bound to fall in love with the beautiful parakeets and macaws. You may even get a chance to carry one on your arm! The main attractions here include the Bird Discovery Centre, Lory Loft Aviary, Southeast Asian Birds Aviary and the award winning African Wetlands. Different sections showcase different species of birds found in different parts of the world. A part of the money you spend on the ticket goes to avian hospital and the Breeding and Research Centre to ensure the
welfare of birds and endangered species.
BATTLE BOX
Take a trip down to history in the Battle Box where you can explore the bunkers that made up the underground command centre beneath Forth Canning Hill in WWII. The tour guide will assist you through the 26 bomb proof rooms that have all gone through restorations to make it more accessible to the public. Meanwhile audio-visual effects and animations will create the atmosphere that persisted during the Battle of Singapore at the time. This would be an exciting as well as education trip for you family.
SNOW CITY
Looking for some snow in a tropical region? Head over to Snow City where its cold 365 days a year, making it a great escape from the heat. If you are up for some adventurous activities, you can give snow tubing, skiing or snowboarding a try. Although you may consider safer alternative activities if you have small children with you. You can even explore igloos and have snowball fights with your kids in the play area.
NIGHT SAFARI
This is perhaps the most exciting and favorite adventure for all age groups. The night safari takes visitors on a tram ride through a park containing only nocturnal animals roaming around in the jungle. You can travel through the rainforest, savannah and jungle where you will spot exotic creatures, many of which are endangered species that live by night.
These are only a few of the many great things you can do on your trip to Singapore. So start planning your family trip to Singapore this season!
About the Author: Isabele is Silly and observant can be quite contradictory natures to have, but not impossible! Name's Isabele and someday, I want to be the greatest social analyst in the world! Till then, find me here and there, everywhere!"
If you are a dog lover, it has probably happened to you at least once: you are sitting with your dog in some random park conversing with him or her about the joys and sadness of everyday life. Suddenly, you come to the realization that you are not in the privacy of your own home, but rather in a public place and the folks walking by you have been giving you a weird look as you and your pup have been having a heartfelt chat.
Those strangers may think that you are crazy. However, does opening up your heart to a dog adversely affect your mental health in some way or another?
Our Human Need for Companionship
Dog lovers will almost unanimously attest to the fact that having a furry, four-legged friend in the home is good for your health. Studies have repeatedly shown pet owners to have lower blood pressure and better overall health than their “pet-less” peers. However, a recent article in Time Magazine shows that there are also mental health benefits to owning a dog as pets have been shown to lower stress and anxiety.
Sitting down on the couch with your pup after a long and stressful day of work is a great way to
unwind. In fact, petting your dog can even cause your body to release certain relaxation hormones that help to get rid of anxiety. Dogs are usually great listeners and you can rest assured that your dog will never offer some sort of snide remark.
Furthermore, dogs have a resilience and strength of character that is inspiring, to say the least. Even when confronted with a threat to their survival, dogs find ways to overcome the challenges that they face. This resilience and positive outlook on life can often help people find the determination to
improve their own situations.
The Need for Human Contact As Well
While confiding in your dog as a strategy to unwind after a long day of work is a perfectly acceptable coping mechanism and a good way to get rid of the stress and anxiety that too often characterizes our lives, we humans also need to have human companionship.
A person who is experimenting with a new haircut might ask his dog for opinions on his new look when it would obviously behoove him to get feedback from a person who might be able to offer some constructive criticism. Being able to accept criticism is something that we will never be able to get from dogs, yet it is a fundamental part of being human.
Balance is the Key
As with everything in life, finding the right balance between time spent confiding in your dog and sharing your innermost feelings with human counterparts is the key to good mental health. Let your dog listen to your everyday work frustrations, but make sure to find a human listener when you are in need of some good advice.
Bio: Aron James is the founder of StubblePatrol.com. He loves to write about his personal experiences.
Those strangers may think that you are crazy. However, does opening up your heart to a dog adversely affect your mental health in some way or another?
Our Human Need for Companionship
Dog lovers will almost unanimously attest to the fact that having a furry, four-legged friend in the home is good for your health. Studies have repeatedly shown pet owners to have lower blood pressure and better overall health than their “pet-less” peers. However, a recent article in Time Magazine shows that there are also mental health benefits to owning a dog as pets have been shown to lower stress and anxiety.
Sitting down on the couch with your pup after a long and stressful day of work is a great way to
unwind. In fact, petting your dog can even cause your body to release certain relaxation hormones that help to get rid of anxiety. Dogs are usually great listeners and you can rest assured that your dog will never offer some sort of snide remark.
Furthermore, dogs have a resilience and strength of character that is inspiring, to say the least. Even when confronted with a threat to their survival, dogs find ways to overcome the challenges that they face. This resilience and positive outlook on life can often help people find the determination to
improve their own situations.
The Need for Human Contact As Well
While confiding in your dog as a strategy to unwind after a long day of work is a perfectly acceptable coping mechanism and a good way to get rid of the stress and anxiety that too often characterizes our lives, we humans also need to have human companionship.
A person who is experimenting with a new haircut might ask his dog for opinions on his new look when it would obviously behoove him to get feedback from a person who might be able to offer some constructive criticism. Being able to accept criticism is something that we will never be able to get from dogs, yet it is a fundamental part of being human.
Balance is the Key
As with everything in life, finding the right balance between time spent confiding in your dog and sharing your innermost feelings with human counterparts is the key to good mental health. Let your dog listen to your everyday work frustrations, but make sure to find a human listener when you are in need of some good advice.
Bio: Aron James is the founder of StubblePatrol.com. He loves to write about his personal experiences.
Happy Wednesday friends! I promise, the bachelorette recap will be up tomorrow. My motivation is SUPER slacking when it comes to this season. I love Rachel, but it's just dragging to me.
But, big news today, Bachelor in Paradise is back to filming. We will have a season after all.
I am so pumped about todays post.
One of my best friends, Ally has the most amazing shop and business. She creates the most beautiful pieces to help celebrate the best times in ones life. From weddings to babies, to everything in between. Need a gift? This girl has the PERFECT thing for you. Ally did all of the wedding paper at our wedding and she's created some amazing keepsake pieces for Adam and I that we will treasure forever.
Today is all about her, her shop and all the pieces you can purchase and where you can buy!
But, big news today, Bachelor in Paradise is back to filming. We will have a season after all.
I am so pumped about todays post.
One of my best friends, Ally has the most amazing shop and business. She creates the most beautiful pieces to help celebrate the best times in ones life. From weddings to babies, to everything in between. Need a gift? This girl has the PERFECT thing for you. Ally did all of the wedding paper at our wedding and she's created some amazing keepsake pieces for Adam and I that we will treasure forever.
Today is all about her, her shop and all the pieces you can purchase and where you can buy!
TELL US ABOUT YOU:
Hey everybody my name is Alexandra, I have an unhealthy obsession with cactus, iced coffee with honey and creating beautiful art. I am a military wife, I have a three year old babe named Isla and the cutest mini pug named Chloe. Being a military family we move around a lot but my heart will always belong to the desert and I hope to end up back in Arizona someday.
I mean, is she a stunner or what.
TELL US ABOUT YOUR BUSINESS: Fleurish Letters + Design is my way of creating pieces for every beautiful and wonderful milestone in life. I have always painted. My grandmother is an astounding watercolor painter and growing up she gave all the grandkids art lessons. it was always one of my favorite things to do.
For my own wedding in 2012, I created all of our invitations, envelopes, place cards, and chalkboards and I fell right back in love with art and lettering.
For my own wedding in 2012, I created all of our invitations, envelopes, place cards, and chalkboards and I fell right back in love with art and lettering.
I went on to do a few of my best friends weddings and created my first watercolor wreath for Kristen and Adam when they got married. Since then I have evolved into not just creating pieces for weddings, but for every great and wonderful milestone in life, which is my business motto.
From hand lettered love songs, to water colored wreaths to commemorate your wedding day, to birth announcements and nursery art.
WHERE CAN WE FIND YOU & YOUR BUSINESS?:
You can find Fleurish Letters + Design HERE on Etsy, Instagram and her Facebook page!
Right now I am based in Hawaii. It is absolutely gorgeous here and I love living here. My business is home-based which is great since I have 3 year old. You can find my designs online in my etsy shop and soon I will have my own website fleurishlettersdesign.com
Right now I am based in Hawaii. It is absolutely gorgeous here and I love living here. My business is home-based which is great since I have 3 year old. You can find my designs online in my etsy shop and soon I will have my own website fleurishlettersdesign.com
WHY DID YOU START?
I started on nursery designs after Isla was born. I saw a niche I wanted to be apart of and that is my favorite thing about this business; it can grow with me as I go through my own life's milestones and my daughters.
WHY ANIMALS? HOW DID YOU PICK THE ANIMALS?
Animals are a huge thing when it comes to nursery decor and I wanted to incorporate my love of flowers in some way and floral crowns are huge right now. Right now I have woodland animals but I will be expanding into safari animals and farm animals soon!
WHAT DO YOU OFFER?
I offer pieces for each milestone in life so if you are a client of mine you can start with when you fall in love, to when you get married, to buying your first home, and then having your sweet babe.
- LOVE & WEDDINGS: Weddings are the perfect example of my love for lettering on every surface. For the wedding itself I offer:envelope addressing, place cards, seating charts, programs, menus & any other lettering or signs you may need. I also design custom crests and watercolor floral wreaths with your wedding date, new names, initials or anything special to represent your special day.
- HOME: For home I offer prints, originals and canvas of hand-lettered quotes and songs. I can do lettering on just about any surface I can get my hands on.
- BABY: I offer custom watercolor and hand-lettered birth announcements in a variety of themes. I also create hand-lettered baby quotes and watercolor animals for nursery decor.
- MISCELLANEOUS: I am working on a line of greeting cards for each category, including but not limited to thank you notes, invites and more. Custom commissions are some of my favorite things to create. I always tell my clients if they can dream it, I can create it.
WHATS YOUR FAVORITE ANIMAL?
WHO OR WHAT IS YOUR BUSINESS INSPIRATION?
My process varies for each item I create.
- LETTERING SONGS & QUOTES: A lot of my ideas for lettering come from songs that I personally love or lyrics that stick to my soul when I hear them. And a lot of times they are songs that people use as their first dance songs for their weddings. I do a lot of my hand-lettered work on my iPad Pro and my Apple Pencil which has been a total game changer for the world of calligraphy and hand lettering.
- WREATHS: I am usually commissioned to do these to the client requests the flowers that they want. From here I search through the depths of Pinterest for the types of flowers they want me to paint. I try and find photos at every angle I can find of the flowers, which has taught me soooo much about flowers and their names and where they are from. from there I "build the wreath".
- I used to pencil sketch these on paper for the rough drafts that I sent to clients, which used a lot of lead and erasing and paper. But now I can send clients digital proofs of pencil renderings that I create on Procreate on my iPad (see I told you it was a total game changer!) this makes any changes the clients wants so much easier and I'm not killing a thousand trees while doing it. Once the client approves, I start painting (my favorite part) and the last thing I do is hand write the quote or clients names and wedding date).
- BABY ANNOUNCEMENTS: These take the most work and sketching and research. First I decide what theme I want. Then I make a list of all the items that go with said the me. So for example some of the items I listed on my woodsy announcement were mushrooms, canoes, wood, acorns, etc...Then I make little pencil sketches of each item.
- I have a base design I use for each announcement and I work around that. I usually use my light board for this and put the base design under a piece of scrap paper and it's sort of like putting a puzzle together. Making all the items fit together and at the same time not making it too cluttered. I love this part of it. Then once I have all the items sketched into the announcement I then go on to painting and lettering all the sweet babes info.
- CARDS AND PRINTS: Breaking into the world of cards and prints has been a different experience for me. These things are not custom and need to go with what's trending right now. Such as llamas/alpacas. It seems so random but people go crazy for a llama/alpaca print. They are adorable first of all, super puffy and I have recently fallen in love with Peru and where the largest number of llamas and alpacas can be found in the whole world. Seriously google peru and tell me you don't want to go there! The bright colors of their textiles are amazing to paint and the fact that they dress their llamas/alpacas in them is amazing!
- I will soon be offering prints of original watercolors of my llamas and alpacas, along with cards for every occasion with my cute Peruvian pets on them.
WHERE TO FIND FLEURISH LETTERS + DESIGN:
I told you she was great right? Her pieces are just as amazing as they look on screen. Now, go show her the love!
Happy Friday Friends! We made it! Is it just me, or is the week post a vacation the hardest ever? Wednesday seemed like Monday, I thought Tuesday was Thursday and all week I was super thrown off. But, it's Friday, its the weekend and I plan on enjoying every little moment. Plus, Denver thinks it's funny to snow today and tomorrow. So I'll be cozied up by the fire this week should you come looking. If you do come, bring wine.
Anyways, it's Friday and I have such a treat in store for you. It is the week of guest posts people but this guest post is my favorite. My best friend, Whitney is a bad-ass mama, wife, nurse and friend. Whitney and I have been friends for over 15+ years. She was the maid of honor in my wedding and I was in hers. We were roommates in college for a year, traveled the world together and we've drank a lot of wine and coffee together.
UPDATE: Whitney lives in San Diego with her husband, Kale and her 3 1/2 year old baby girl, Blakely. Whitney blogs at Positively Posie and you can find it and all the good stuff here. She blogs about her health and wellness, beauty regimens, fitness routines, outfits and all her mom finds.
Today, she is sharing her favorite things. So, without further ado, I introduce you to my best friend Whitney and all her favorite things.
Today I wanted to share my 5 Must Haves as a New Mom. The inspiration behind Positively Posie is an outlet for my creativity where I hope to inspire many to find a new style, a new beauty trend all while sharing some new mama wisdom. As a mom of a busy one year old (Miss B), I’ve found some things that I’m absolutely IN LOVE with and I’m all about sharing the mama seal of approval! Hopefully some of these items can make your life a little easier (or will make for a great shower gift)!
Anyways, it's Friday and I have such a treat in store for you. It is the week of guest posts people but this guest post is my favorite. My best friend, Whitney is a bad-ass mama, wife, nurse and friend. Whitney and I have been friends for over 15+ years. She was the maid of honor in my wedding and I was in hers. We were roommates in college for a year, traveled the world together and we've drank a lot of wine and coffee together.
UPDATE: Whitney lives in San Diego with her husband, Kale and her 3 1/2 year old baby girl, Blakely. Whitney blogs at Positively Posie and you can find it and all the good stuff here. She blogs about her health and wellness, beauty regimens, fitness routines, outfits and all her mom finds.
Today, she is sharing her favorite things. So, without further ado, I introduce you to my best friend Whitney and all her favorite things.
Today I wanted to share my 5 Must Haves as a New Mom. The inspiration behind Positively Posie is an outlet for my creativity where I hope to inspire many to find a new style, a new beauty trend all while sharing some new mama wisdom. As a mom of a busy one year old (Miss B), I’ve found some things that I’m absolutely IN LOVE with and I’m all about sharing the mama seal of approval! Hopefully some of these items can make your life a little easier (or will make for a great shower gift)!
2. Baby Shusher: I never realized how much work “sssshhhing” is until I had Miss B, spoiler alert…..it’s exhausting! That’s when I was introduced to the Baby Shusher. It has become my go-to baby shower gifts that I buy for my friends--even if they haven’t registered for it. It literally ssshes for you and it’s small enough to toss in your purse for when you are out and about or place it by the car seat to help make getting around town easier. It is truly a must have item for all new moms.
I decided to try placenta encapsulation to help my hormones levels gradually regulate instead of quickly dropping post baby. I believe that it did allow my body's hormones to adjust at a better rate and I felt very balanced post-baby. I can truly say I never experienced any depression or big mood swings while taking my placenta pills. I highly encourage you to do some research on placenta encapsulation it's worth it!!
5. The 3 F's: These were a must have for me after having Miss B—Family, Friends and FaceTime. As a first time mom and a perfectionist, I knew that it was going to be really hard for me to ask for help and take "me" time. I encourage all new moms to do what I did and ask your family and friends to help keep you accountable when it comes to taking time for yourself. It might just be a phone call with your best friend or a longer shower than normal. Take a few minute to be alone and breath.
Click up to find more of Whitney and her posts!
Happy Friday Friends! I hope you have the best weekend, let's make it good.
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