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10 Healthy Benefits of Burning Sage in Your Home »

10 Healthy Benefits of Burning Sage in Your Home »


In the rich history of herbs and roots, sage remains the queen of the garden. When you think of sage, you probably think of the quintessential seasoning for Thanksgiving turkey and dressing. For centuries, various species of sage have been used for culinary, medicinal, and spiritual reasons.

What is Sage?

Culinary sage, Salvia officinalis, is the recognizable species that you’ll find in your spice rack. It is a perennial woody herb native to the Mediterranean region. Because sage has a historical reputation as a powerful medicinal herb, it was given the Latin name salvia, which means healing.

Origins of Burning Sage

White sage, Salvia apiana, is a species that is native to the western part of the United States. For many Native American cultures, white sage is considered a sacred herb used for cleansing and spiritual ceremonies. For generations, some indigenous Americans dried white sage, tied it into small bundles, and burned it a service called smudging.

Burning sage or other herbs has become a popular tradition in New Age and other spiritual practices. Many cultures around the world have observed some form of this cleansing ceremony. If you watch any television shows about physics or paranormal investigations, you’ll often see spiritual practitioners burning sage to clear the area of harmful or malevolent energies.

How to Burn Sage in Your Home

It isn’t challenging to perform a sage purification ceremony in or around your house. You can do the service alone or with your family. The critical thing to remember is to do it with respect and with positive intentions.

Supplies Needed for Smudging

• A bundle of white sage: Salvia apiana is available in New Age retail shops, which carry products like crystals and singing bowls.

Be sure that your purchase is from ethical and sustainable sources, such as native growers and gatherers. In the west, the white sage harvest is often depleted because of improper cutting techniques and over-picking. It’s important to know your source before buying.

It’s better if you grow white sage in your garden. This plant is exceptionally adaptable in most areas and doesn’t require a lot of care. You can plant it in an outdoor herb garden or grow it in attractive pots indoors.

• An original container for the ashes, such as an abalone shell, wooden bowl, or clay pottery. The ceremony becomes more personal if your vessel is something that you or a loved one handmade.

• A long feather for fanning the smoke: Only use feathers that are legally and ethically obtained. If you object to using feathers on moral grounds, you can use a decorative fan or your hand too.

• Wooden matches

How to Smudge:

• Strike the match and light one end of the sage bundle until it is barely smoldering. You don’t want it to catch fire, so blow out any flame quickly.

• As the leaves burn, it will produce a cloud of thick smoke. Now, use the feather to fan it around yourself and every corner of the space you’re cleansing. Visualize the smoke wiping your area clean of all negative energy.

• Let the sage ashes slowly collect in the shell or other vessel. After the smudge ceremony, release the ashes outside to the wind as symbolism for the negativity blowing away.

Possible Benefits of Practicing Sage Burning

Sage burning ceremonies can be as simple or elaborate as you wish. Not only can you reap spiritual benefits, but you can also gain practical advantages. For safety reasons, never get smoldering sage around flammable materials, and you must make sure the ashes are completely cold before discarding.

Are you ready to see how this mystical practice can help you? It may be something that you can incorporate into your spiritual rituals and journey. Here are ten benefits of burning sage for you to consider.

1. Purify Your Air

Underlying most ancient spiritual practices is usually a physical and scientific principal. Burning sage can purify the air around you, just as native practitioners have claimed. White sage is a natural insect repellent, antibacterial, and antifungal.

When you smudge, smoke from the burning herb creates negative ions that attack allergens in the air like pollen, animal dander, mold, and dust. Do you have asthma or other allergies? A sage cleansing ceremony may clean the air you breathe to minimize your symptoms.

2. Provide Aromatherapy to Calm Your Stress

Have the stresses of life built up in your space to where it’s unbearable? The mesmerizing fragrance of burning sage may be the stress reliever you need. Scientific reports about using sage as aromatherapy suggest that the scent reacts with parts of the brain to produce a calm and feeling of well-being.

3. Boost Your Mood

Everybody has a bad day occasionally that puts a damper on their mood. Did you know that a sage burning ceremony may help lift depression, ease anxiety, and give your mood a much-needed boost? As with stress, the smoke’s gentle fragrance works with your brain to put you in a peaceful, happy atmosphere.

4. Help You Get a Good Night’s Sleep

It makes sense that if your bedroom is charged with negative energy, it will disrupt your sleep. Many people find relief from occasional insomnia by using sage in their room before bedtime. After the sage embers have died into cool ash, the smoke lingers in a soothing perfume that can help you relax, fall asleep, and awaken refreshed.

5. Pump Up Your Energy Levels

When your living or working space is teeming with positive energy, your body reacts with the same vibrancy and positive power. As the positively charged smoke from a sage burning clears the area of negative charges, you may notice that you feel recharged, inspired, and able to do more things than you usually do.

6. Can Boost Your Brain Power

Are you studying for a test or working on a project and need some more enthusiasm from your brain? Try performing a simple sage burning ceremony in the space where you are working or studying. Some scientific research on burning sage suggests positive correlations between the herb and a boost in cognition and creativity.

7. May Dispel Residual Negativity of the Past

Have you ever walked into a room that you’ve never visited before and felt a heaviness you couldn’t explain? Some spiritual practitioners believe that apartments, houses, and even land can harbor negative energy from past traumatic events. Maybe you’ve experienced trauma or other negative experiences, and it still lingers in your shadow.

Burning sage in this spiritually heavy room may dispel residual negativity and replace it with a positive glow. Along with the smudge, the ceremony must come to the positive intentions and affirmations that your cleansing ceremony will work to your good. It may be a tool to cleanse your heart and spirit from past hurts and open your eyes to the beauty of the present.

8. Can Cleanse Objects

We know from high school science classes and Einstein’s theory that matter has energy. Everything in the universe is vibrating at different levels and can produce positive or negative charges. So, it stands to reason that objects in your home or office are energized and can carry negative residual energy from the past.

Before you bring anything into your home, especially things that may have been used in a spiritual ceremony, consider cleansing them first with a smudging ritual. Use your feather to gently waft the smoke around the object and visualize any harmful or detrimental energy vanishing.

9. Might be a Tool for Spiritual Practices

For many indigenous cultures of America, sage has had cultural and spiritual significance. It has often been used to enhance spiritual awareness, open the mind’s sixth sense, or to encourage psychic dreams. A sage burning ceremony usually coincides with services for healing and dedication.

Along with the spiritual experience comes some scientific evidence. Many cultivars of sage, including white sage, contains a chemical called thujone that has trace psychoactive properties. While it certainly isn’t like a psychedelic herb, sage can bring mild feelings of well-being and improved intuition.

10. Enjoy a Natural Air Freshener

Your house is filled with things that can make it smell less than appealing. From the kitchen to the kids’ rooms to the bathrooms, you may have an arsenal of scented candles, potpourri, and sprays to kill the odors. However, most of these synthetic air fresheners only mask the smells and can have chemicals that are hazardous to your family and pets.

Instead, why not freshen the air in your home naturally with a sage burning ceremony. White sage and other varieties have a distinct verdant and woodsy smell that most people find pleasant and relaxing. Burn sage throughout each room that harbors odors, especially the kitchen and bathroom.

Final Thoughts on Taking Advantage of the Healthy Benefits of Burning Sage

There is no magic involved in smudging. While it’s important to use visualization and clear intentions, many attributes of this ancient ceremony have some basis in science. No matter how you plan to practice, do so with respect for the service and those who created it.

Business

Wake up and Work: 7 Tips for Setting up a Home Office for Remote Work

Wake up and Work: 7 Tips for Setting up a


Wake up and Work: 7 Tips for Setting up a Home Office for Remote Work

You’re thinking of setting up a home office for remote work and you don’t know where to start. Whether you’re working remotely due to the pandemic or decided to pick up a side hustle to make some extra money, working from home provides many benefits.

You’ll save money on gas. Avoid the rush hour commute. Eat lunch in the luxury of your home. And spend more time with your family.

But setting up a home office takes more than working on your laptop on the couch or kitchen table. Here are seven important tips to consider when setting up your home office.

1. Choosing Furniture

When purchasing home office furniture, you want to keep a few things in mind. First, you need the right-sized space to do your work. Will you be working on a laptop? You could get away with a small desk.

But if you need room to spread paperwork around, you may need something larger. Do you have room for an executive desk? Or does your desk space only afford you forty-eight inches?

The size of the room you have to work with will dictate the furniture you need to purchase such as a desk, bookcases, filing cabinets, and additional tables. Make sure to use a comfortable chair at the appropriate height to work comfortably. Or find one that’s adjustable.

2. Create a Healthy Work Environment

When setting up a home office for remote work, your environment should be a healthy one. Consider placing plants around the room to get additional oxygen.

Don’t work in a room where people smoke if there are smokers in your home. Another idea is to have sufficient task lighting. Enough to see your workspace, but not too bright causing eye strain and squinting.

If you work at the computer for many hours, consider adjusting the blue light on your display. Blue light is harmful to the eyes when you’re exposed to it for long periods of time. You can pick up a pair of blue light glasses if your computer doesn’t have the ability to use the night vision mode.

3. Set Yourself Up to Be Productive

It’s easy to get sidetracked when you’re at home. The phone rings. You receive emails. Your Twitter feed and social media apps never end. Consider turning off the alerts or using a program that limits the use of social media.

Some apps actually block social media. But don’t worry if you have a social program for work such as Slack. You can set up the preferences in the apps to tell them which sites you want to block and leave others alone.

Another way to be productive is to create a schedule. Especially if your boss isn’t tracking the time you spend doing your work on a company portal.

Plan work times with appropriate breaks, time for lunch, and stick to your schedule. You’ll be surprised at how much work you get done. Plus, you won’t need to attend all those impromptu meetings held at the office lasting half the day.

4. Separate Your Workspace from Shared Areas

Don’t have a private room to do your work? Well, don’t set up your space in the middle of the kitchen or the living room.

Your family may want to watch TV, do their homework on the sofa or the kitchen table. Choose a quiet, peaceful space where you can concentrate. Additionally, an area designated for your work will make you feel more like a professional.

5. Designing and Decorating Your Space

When you’re setting up a home office for remote work, you may want to make your space appear like it’s an office. Find a style that suits your taste. Maybe even paint the room.

If your room has bright red walls, you may want to tone it down. You may want to choose a color more conducive to working in an office environment. To coordinate the space, pick up some accessories.

Want to do a gold theme? Pick up a pencil case and a container for paper clips. You can even buy gold paper clips. These kinds of touches make a great way to personalize your space and make it more productive.

6. Minimize Family Distractions

If you live with your family, let them know in advance that you don’t want to be disturbed. If you have an extra room to use as an office, consider putting a “do not disturb” sign on the door and keep the door closed to minimize interruptions. 

While that won’t guarantee you’ll never get an occasional (hopefully occasional) knock on the door, it will help to make interruptions less frequent than keeping the door open and family members walking into your office to ask a question every hour.

If you live with roommates, ask them to keep the noise down while you’re working if they raise the volume beyond a level you can bear.

7. Keep Your Work Area Positive

It’s important to maintain a positive state of mind when you’re working remotely as well as any time of the day. Unexpected problems occur at work and at home. Clients go with other companies. Your boss loses their temper.

Your child gets sick. The principal calls you because your kiddo has acted up inappropriately. Many situations can put you in a bad mood. 

Try to roll with the punches. Don’t let mishaps and obstacles get you down. They’re often unavoidable. You can deal with them after work if they’re not emergencies. A good way to feel positive is to listen to soft music or meditation tapes while you’re working.

Of course, if this distracts you, think of some other options. One possibility is to place posters with positive sayings you like on the wall. Or positive quotes in frames on your desk. Have a few post-it notes with positive affirmations in front of you.

Is there a painting that lifts your spirits such as lovely Monet oil painting? An Andrew Wyeth watercolor? Hang it on the wall for some creative, positive inspiration. Color and nature affect our state of mine.

7 Helpful Tips Revisited: Setting Up A Home Office for Remote Work

Follow these proven tips for setting up a home office for remote work. These home office ideas will help you create a positive, productive work environment, achieve your goals, and earn an income.

Need more helpful tips career tips and more? Explore our extensive collection of articles.

 

Lifestyle

How to Use Castile Soap to Clean Your Home and Body (No Chemicals) »

How to Use Castile Soap to Clean Your Home and


No matter where you are, germs are around. They’re in the air, on your food, water, and even on your body. Luckily, your immune system regulates the majority of these germs. For the bacteria that your immune system doesn’t eliminate, you’ll need a great cleanser.

With the number of toxins and chemicals in commercial cleansers, you’re putting you and everyone in your home in danger. To remove germs and stay healthy, you need a gentle cleanser. A great natural cleanser for your body and home is castile soap.

What’s in Castile Soap?

One of the most significant aspects of Castile soap is its healthy ingredients. For one, Castile doesn’t use animal byproducts or harsh chemicals. Often, they use vegetable oil bases mixed with essential oils and natural fragrances.

When you purchase this soap, you’re likely to find some of these ingredients:

Coconut Oil

Coconut oil has a variety of health benefits. It’s excellent for healing burns and wounds. It’s also known for its antimicrobial properties and protects the teeth, hair, and skin.

Hemp Oil

Hemp oil is excellent for all skin types, mainly since it works without clogging your pores. If you suffer from chapped skin or inflammation, then hemp seed oil also acts as a natural pain reliever. You can also use hemp seed oil for hair growth. Hemp oil strengthens the hair follicles and improves scalp health.

Avocado Oil

Avocado oil protects against UV radiation, skin damage, and heals irritated and chapped skin. Typically, avocado oil acts as a beneficial carrier oil in numerous beauty regimens.

Depending on which castile soap you use, they’re typically scented with essential oil. Popular essential oils used to fragrance this soap are lavender, peppermint, and tea tree oil. In addition to their unique smells, essential oils have excellent cleaning properties.

For instance, tea tree oil is a great cleaning agent based on its ability to clean mold and mildew. Tea tree oil also has antiseptic and antiviral properties. Lavender essential oil is antimicrobial, antibacterial, and works as a disinfectant.

Lavender also promotes a calming effect that lasts after cleaning.

Peppermint essential oil is an excellent disinfectant. It’s also great for naturally eliminating pests like insects and rodents from your home. Unlike other pest repellents, these are safe for pets and children to inhale.

You can purchase this soap in liquid and bar form. If necessary, you can convert the bar into liquid form. Based on its healthy, natural ingredient list, Castile soap can be an expensive cleaning agent.

Luckily, it’s concentrated enough to clean after being diluted–and quite effectively. And, of course, you cannot hang a price tag on better health. Right?

Learn why essential oils are safer for housecleaning.

15 Ways to Use Castile Soap to Cleanse Your Home and Body

This cleanser is one of the few soaps gentle enough to cleanse the body but strong enough to clean your house. Although it’s lather isn’t as prominent as commercial soaps, it’s still working. Often, chemicals in soap cause them to foam or froth.

Castile soap is a great cleaning agent for nearly any surface. Here’s a list of ways to utilize this gentle cleanser.

1. Wound Cleaner

Everyone, from time to time, gets a minor wound around the house. Whether it’s a paper cut or a knee scrape, you’ll need to clean the wound to avoid infection. The chemicals in commercial soaps frequently burn, making it difficult to clean the injury effectively.

When you use Castile to cleanse your wounds, you’re also adding healing agents that speed up your recovery.

Add two teaspoons of soap to 2 cups of filtered water. A study proved using this cleansing mixture minimized the risk of wound complications. Best of all, your children can use this solution as they learn to cleanse their wounds.

2. Laundry Detergent

Chemicals and toxins in name brand laundry detergents not only irritate the skin but cause your clothes to deteriorate quickly. When making your detergent, mix a bar of shredded or 2 cups of liquid soap with one cup of baking soda. Baking soda acts as an exfoliant and helps remove dirt from your garments.

If you’d like scented laundry with an extra bit of cleaning power, add 30 drops of essential oils to your mixture. Mix these ingredients in an airtight container and use up to a quarter cup per large load. If necessary, adjust the amount of detergent, especially for delicate or smaller loads.

3. Shampoo

Some people struggle with growing robust and healthy hair. They don’t realize it’s their store-bought shampoo. Commercial shampoos use plastics, dyes, and chemicals that make hair dry and brittle.

Some even disrupt your scalp’s natural balance, which interferes with growth. Making your shampoo allows you to customize your cleaning routine based on your specific hair and scalp needs.

When washing your hair, there are two effective methods. You can either use a small amount of pure soap or a premade mixture.

Wet your hair and apply a small amount of undiluted soap to your hair and scalp. Even though it doesn’t lather like traditional shampoos, your hair will get clean.

For premixed shampoo, add one cup of water and one tablespoon of soap to a container and lightly shake. If you have a bottle with a pump or pourable lid, you’ll have better portion control. Wet your hair and apply the soap to your scalp and strands.

4. Facial Cleanser

This mild soap is excellent for cleaning your skin without stripping your natural oils. Wet your face and apply a few drops of soap to your face. After lathering, rinse, and pat dry before applying toner and moisturizer.

5. Body Wash

In addition to a facial cleanser, you can also use it on your body. Simply add a few drops to your washcloth or loofah for additional exfoliating and shower as usual.

6. All-Purpose House Cleaner

From countertops to toilet seats, Castile soap is strong enough to clean multiple surfaces. Add up to 2 cups of soap to a quart of water. You can strengthen your mixture with 20-30 drops of essential oil. Additionally, the essential oils provide a clean and fresh smell to your household.

Add your mixture to a spray bottle and spray your surfaces. Let sit for a couple of minutes and wipe clean.

7. Mop Solution

If you have pets or small children, you need a natural cleanser to keep your floor clean. Mix a half cup of soap with three gallons of hot water for a mopping solution. You can even spray your all-purpose mixture on the floor and follow up with your mopping solution.

8. Toothpaste

Ingredients like coconut oil are great for cleaning and strengthening enamel. It’s an acquired taste, but adding a couple of drops to your toothbrush keeps your teeth clean. You can also add peppermint essential oil to boost benefits.

9. Produce Cleaner

Both conventional and organic products come with dirt and other contaminants on their journey to the grocery store. By adding a tablespoon of this soap to a sink full of water, you can clean your produce. Be sure to rinse off the soap before eating thoroughly.

10. Makeup Remover

Commercial makeup removers contain harsh chemicals that can hurt your skin. For a natural alternative, mix one-part soap with one part carrier oil. Dip a cotton ball into your mixture and remove makeup.

11. Pet Wash

This gentle cleansing agent is versatile enough to clean your pets. The amount of soap you use depends on the size of your dog and their hair. If possible, avoid using essential oils and avocado oil on your pet in case of a reaction.

12. Bug Repellent

If bugs eat your plants, you can create a bug repellent for your garden. Mix a quarter cup of soap with a quart of water in a spray bottle and spray your plants. Try a spot test before spraying your garden.

13. Shaving Cream

When you shave, you need a lubricant to minimize cuts and scrapes. Start by wetting your shaving area and add several drops of soap. This process creates a slippery surface that helps your razor glide as it cuts your hair.

14. Dish Soap

When you clean dishes, the chemicals in soap linger on your dishware. Instead, add several drops of soap to your wet washcloth or sponge and clean your dishes.

15. Glass Cleaner

Not only does glass cleaner contain chemicals, but it can also be expensive. By mixing two teaspoons of soap, 2 cups of water, and a half cup of vinegar, you’ll have a natural, affordable, streak-free glass cleaner.

Final Thoughts on Using Castile Soap for Natural Cleansing

Castile soap is beneficial for the entire family. If you’re worried about your baby or smaller children, several brands offer tear-free Castile solutions. Based on its all-natural ingredient list, you don’t need to worry about chemical reactions and skin irritation.

Whether you want to use this soap for beauty or household care, its versatility makes it an excellent investment. Even if it appears a bit pricey, it saves money based on its ability to replace your commercial cleaners.

If you care about the overall wellness of your entire family, consider purchasing a bottle of castile soap. You’ll immediately see an improvement in your cleanliness and health.

Health

5 Must-Know Steps for Starting a Home Healthcare Business

5 Must-Know Steps for Starting a Home Healthcare Business


5 Must-Know Steps for Starting a Home Healthcare Business

Some people simply weren’t built for the daily grind of following a boss’s orders and fulfilling the agenda of a large medical conglomerate. Instead, these folks were born to be entrepreneurs. They were made to build a business and pursue their own dreams instead.

If that sounds like you, then you’re in the right place. In this article, we’ll teach you how to take your medical industry expertise and apply it towards starting a home healthcare business. 

1. Incorporate Your Business

The first thing that you need to do when you’re trying to start a home health care business is to incorporate that business with the right legal structure. There are a few options for business structures to choose from.

An LLC, or limited liability company, is often the most popular structure of choice. This is because it protects the ownership’s personal assets while remaining a tax-free structure (you only pay taxes at the personal income level).

If you want to create a complicated ownership structure, then try using a C corporation. This structure allows you to issue stock and pay dividends, but do keep in mind that the taxation rates are much higher with corporations. 

2. Acquire Medical Licenses

The next step in how to start a homecare business is to acquire the right medical licenses. The medical industry is a very tightly regulated one. If you want to ensure that your business stays on the right side of the law, make sure to consult a lawyer so that you’re applying for all of the necessary licenses and permits.

3. Hire the Right Staff

Your employees will make or break the success of your homecare business. By taking the time and effort up front to find and hire the right staff, you’ll be able to provide a superior service to your customers.

And that superior service is what will keep customers engaged with your company and revenue flowing into your financial statements. Use home health care training services to ensure that your staff’s skills are up to the task.

4. Create a Marketing Strategy

Without a marketing strategy, it’s impossible for a brand new company to get started with acquiring customers. If you are trying to find patients but don’t have an established brand yet, consider using multiple different channels to get the word out about your company. 

Try digital marketing—create a website and optimize it for search engines. Take out advertisements in the local paper, and air commercials on television.

5. Build Medical Industry Relationships

Last but certainly not least, when starting a home health care business, you should definitely seek to build relationships in the local medical industry. Get chummy with doctors in the area so that they will refer their patients to you. That way, you can ensure a steady stream of patients from referrals.

Starting a Home Healthcare Business Made Simple

There you have it—with this knowledge under your belt, you should be far better equipped to embark on this journey of starting a home healthcare business.

For more business advice, check out the rest of the website!

Lifestyle

Treat Yourself to a Relaxing Pedicure at Home (relax + save your cash) »

Treat Yourself to a Relaxing Pedicure at Home (relax +


Are you looking to treat yourself to an incredibly decadent and enjoyable home pedicure?

Here are the tips you need to make it an exceptional experience. Look no further for instructions because we will walk you through everything you need to know to pamper your precious feet.

You might think that only trained professionals can perform pedis, but you couldn’t be further than the truth. Of course, salon and spa employees and estheticians receive specialty training in these skills, and that education is a fundamental of their success. However, you can quickly learn the basics, and use that knowledge to treat yourself to regular home pedicures at your convenience and within your comfort levels.

It’s always nice to have another person rub and pamper your feet, and you don’t have to give that up. But, you could do well to learn a few of the basics to supplement your spa treatments, to enhance the knowledge you have of your feet, and to make your ankles, feet, and toes feel better thanks to the skills of your own two hands and without having to leave the house.

Benefits Of Home Pedis

Learn how you could be damaging your feet–but not even realize it!
  • You Likely Already Have Everything You Need.

You don’t need to break the bank to get a whole professional-grade set-up for your house. Take a look around at what you already have. Namely, you need a large basin for soaking your little paws, a few towels, plenty of moisturizer, and some handy, clean tools to use on your softened feet.

  • They Are Cheap, Even Free!

    You can easily spend $30-50 a pop or more on professional pedicures at the salon or spa. Of course, you’re worth a million dollars, but perhaps you could find a better use for that moolah and DIY with the same results.

  • You Can Remain In The Comfort Of Your Own Home.

    No need to dress up and hustle about, having to deal with parking and making small talk with strangers. You can stay in your most comfortable lounging pants and get a professional-grade pedicure while listening to your music and eating your favorite snacks.

  • You Can Do It Exactly How You Like.

    Sometimes you leave the salon feeling a bit underwhelmed by the entire experience. No need to be disappointed! Get that water temp perfect for you, let that foot massage run along a little longer, and get that color polished on the entire surface area of each nail bed – just the way you like it.

Step-By-Step DIY Instructions

Start by getting everything you’ll need for your luxurious home spa experience before you put your feet in to soak, or else you’ll miss it later on when you need it!

Here’s what you’ll need:

  • A large basin for soaking both your feet, water to fill it, a few drops of Castile soap, essential oils, or fractionated coconut oil
  • Two medium-sized clean towels
  • Sterile tools for working on your feet, such as a pumice stone, nail clippers or scissors, a nail file, cuticle trimmers, an orange stick for pushing back cuticles, etc.
  • A moisturizer that you like
  • Nail polish, both colored and clear
  • Toe separators

Now, here’s what you do for your luxury at-home pedicure:

1 – Make a perfect foot soaking tub

Fill the basin with water that is more than warm but not scalding. Ideally, you should be able to comfortably put both feet into the soaking tub at one time, but if your container only fits one foot, you can easily do them one at a time.

Be sure to use a clean basin and clean water, and swap out the water in between feet. The name of the game here is sterility, so you want to start with unsoiled items and to only use clean items throughout the pedicure.

You can opt to add a few drops of Castile soap, a few drops of your favorite essential oil, and/or a squirt or two of fractionated coconut oil to facilitate the process a little. Lavender and Frankincense have relaxing properties, while Tea Tree is a natural microbial and will be useful to zap away foot odor.

2 – Enjoy a pampering, long soak

Place one or both feet into the water and let them soak comfortably for a solid 10 minutes. This step is essential so that the hot water penetrates into the many layers of live and dead skin on your feet and begins to soften everything up.

This step is also important to set a time or mood for your overall experience. This should not be a rushed process, as this time should be calm and enjoyable. Consider putting on some calming music, lighting a candle, and flipping through a magazine while your feet start to melt into the water.

3 – Perform nail and cuticle care

Now is the time to use the tools you have, and let’s emphasize once again how important it is for your devices to be clean and sterilized. This is often the source of the infections you read about in salons, so be sure to wash and thoroughly dry all your tools. What happens is, you might nick your skin on accident, and then it is easier for germs to infect your tiny open wound. However, this is easy to avoid with clean tools and surfaces.

Start with the nail clippers or scissors and take advantage of your now soft toenails by clipping them down. You want to cut straight across and not curve the edges down too much to avoid possible ingrown nails. It’s always better to err on the side of caution because you can file them as well.

Next, use the orange stick or equivalent to gently push back all your cuticles. Since they will be soft and pliable, they will be easy to push back. So don’t break the delicate skin by being too rough. Use your cuticle trimmers to cut off that excess dead skin carefully.

4 – Exfoliate your feet

Take a few moments, if you have a pumice stone, to quickly run it over the surfaces of each foot, paying close attention to the heel, the big toe, and the sides. Then, take one foot out of the water and dry it with a clean towel. Keep the other foot in the basin, and cross your dry ankle over your knee to access it. Adding liberal amounts of your moisturizer, begin to massage your foot and rub it in.

This is a time to really knead that arch, stroke that heel, and rub those toes. Use your thumbs to press into the center of your sole. And then rub the thumbs outward toward the edges of your feet. If something feels good, stay with it, and don’t forget to keep adding the lotion or oil to your hands. Your steamy, slightly damp feet will soak that moisture right up!

When you’re finished with one foot, wrap it up in the towel, and set it down on the ground next to your basin. Bring the other foot up to dry and cross it over your knee, gently sliding the tub away from under your feet, so you don’t accidentally step into it. This water should be discarded when you’re finished, and the basin should be scrubbed with soap and hot water in order to fully sanitize it.

When you’re finished with the second foot, wrap it up in the towel. Feel free to take ample time with this step because your feet hardly ever get this kind of dedicated TLC. Enjoy!

5 – A polished finish

To polish or not to polish? If you’re opting out of nail polish, then you are all set! Think about putting on some nice cotton socks for an hour or so in order to let all that moisture fully penetrate into your skin.

However, if you’re polishing, take the corner of one of your towels and buff each of your nails with it. You don’t want the oils and such from your lotion to affect the polish’s finish and need a dry nail bed.

Gently roll each of the polishes, color, and clear, in between your palms for several minutes each. This practice serves to mix up the lacquer but not add air bubbles. Apply two coats of the color of your choice to each of your toenails. Move from one side of the foot to the other twice. Finally, apply one coat of clear coat on every nail. Take your time, and have a piece of tissue nearby to wipe up any polish that ends up on your skin while it’s still wet.

handwashing
10 Tips for using hand sanitizer and performing handwashing the right way.

6 – Patience, please–don’t bloop your nails

Keep your nails dry and smudge-free by applying toe separators or cotton balls in between each toe. After all your hard work, this is not the time for damages! Wait 15 more minutes before getting up from your chair. Remember, this patience is well worth the wait.

Final Thoughts On Home Pedicures

Use this tutorial tonight, and give yourself the pedicure you’ve been missing. This can become automatic and easy, a real pattern in your life if you’d like! Learn what makes the process easier and better and improve your technique each time you treat yourself.

You’ll discover that this type of pampering is more than a simple treat. It’s required maintenance for our bodies and our peace of mind. There’s always time to perform a little self TLC. You deserve it!

Lifestyle

15 Ways to Feng Shui Your Home and Get More Peace 6 Minute Read

15 Ways to Feng Shui Your Home and Get More


Are you looking to create positive energy in your home? Feng shui has been used for centuries to help balance and promote the flow of good chi in your abode. In Chinese, it is a beautifully blended word that means “wind-water.”

Feng shui uses standard principles that anyone can incorporate into their home. It’s one of the Five Arts of Chinese Metaphysics, and they are beneficial to your entire being. If you are looking to create a harmonious environment, then you should consider practicing this art.

The purpose behind this art of space, light, and color, is to clear all the invisible forces that take away from your spiritual focus. The concept is quite simple. Think about your living space and how your furniture is arranged.

The goal is to create an efficient flow so that you can go into and out of a room effortlessly. However, this Chinese art takes things one step beyond good flow and organization. The good news is that it can be incorporated into any design style with ease.

Many have found that these ancient practices help them to set up their new house or redesign an existing room. The goal is to maximize the use of each space and allow it to add beauty and pleasure to your life. You and your whole family will benefit from the domestic harmony it imparts.

According to wind-water philosophy, chi is the life force of the universe. Your home resonates with you and your family’s chi. When it can flow effortlessly, you can enjoy a tranquil home and a prosperous life.

feng shui

15 Ways of Incorporating Feng Shui to Bring Positivity to Your Home

It may sound a bit overwhelming when you don’t understand this art. While there are many steps to incorporate and tips to follow, it’s all about creating prosperity and a harmonious environment. Try these fifteen things that you can do to help give your Feng shui a jump start.

1. Plant Goodness All Around You

Plants have a special place in the Chinese home as they are the embodiment of life. Bringing nature inside helps you to stay connected, plus it brings along numerous benefits. Feng shui 101 is to strive to have better health and vitality, and when you bring plants inside, it puts you on the right path.

It would be beneficial if you bought foliage that will grow according to your specific environment. Most important is that you don’t buy a bunch of plants and have them die. It’s worse to have a dead plant in your space than to have none. This decor element is a fundamental way to start incorporating these principles that most people can do with ease.

2. Get Rid of Clutter

Do you have piles of books, magazines, and clothes that need to be donated to your local charity? Most people don’t understand that the clutter is stopping the natural flow of energy in their homes. Do you want to disrupt the balance and peaceful calm of the space?

Some things in life weigh you down. If you have a room that is heavy with clutter, then it needs to be addressed. You can enhance the energetic function of space by merely tossing and donating all that extra stuff.

3. Learn Commanding Positions

A commanding position is a feature or piece of furniture in your home that stands for something else. For instance, your couch can be a stand-in for you. Your desk space might be a stand-in for your job, and your dryer might be a stand-in for productivity. The goal is to position these things right so that you can take control of your space and life.

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4. Balancing the Elements

Try to incorporate the elements into your peaceful home, which are metal, water, fire, wood, and earth. By having them in your living space, it helps to bring balance. Have you ever been in a room that had wood paneling, wood floors, and wooden accents?

Using too much of one element can be overwhelming to any area. However, when you use wood floors, a stone accent wall on a fireplace, and some metal wall hangings, you will bring the right balance. A room using only one medium is suffocating, but when you have a mixture, they complement each other.

If you cannot use actual elements, such as fire, then you can use the color of fire. A beautiful warm red tone or a bright orange can help to give you the same effect. For water, you can use shades of blue and green. Don’t try to stuff all five elements in each room as it will be too much. However, you should strive to have all five inside your home.

5. Bring in the Light

Natural light is a big part of Feng shui. Have you ever noticed how you feel when the sun breaks after a storm? This invigoration can be created when you let the sunshine in every day.

Never close off windows with blinds and curtains to block your view. Instead, let them bring nature to the inside. Once you expose the windows, make sure to clean them and get off any dirt or debris that can block the flow of sunlight.

If you must have curtains, then choose an excellent opaque style that still allows the light to penetrate. A mirror placed directly across from the windows can also allow the light to reflect throughout the home. Natural radiance lifts everyone’s mood.

6.The Door to Your Spirit

In the system of wind-water, your home’s front door symbolizes the entry to your soul. Practitioners recommend making it the focal point of your home and avoiding using back and side doors for entry. Make your entryway attractive and clutter-free and painted the color of the direction it faces.

7. Points to Forget

Sharp, angular décor, and features don’t have a place in a chi-centered home. They represent broken relationships and cutting words. Instead, opt for soft, sloping lines and rounded edges. Circles are especially encouraged since they embody eternal life.

energy8. Mirror, Mirror on the Wall

Ever since humans first saw their reflection in the water, we’ve had a collective affinity for mirrors. If you want to make a space look larger and more abundant, mirrors do the trick. They represent the water element in your space and enhances its chi.

Remember to use round mirrors and use a large one or a few small ones to create a focal point. As the mirror reflects things before it, so your home reflects your soul. Consider at least one mirror in each room.

9. Keep Your Flooring the Same

Have you ever been into a home that used different styles of flooring in each room? That feeling of unbalance wasn’t just in your head. For chi to flow uninterruptedly, keep the same flooring throughout your house.

If you can, consider using natural floor elements rather than carpet. Not only are they easier to clean, but they bring in positive wind-water balance. It’s best to use wood or stone tile.

10. Fixing Squeaks

Did you know that something as small as a door squeaking when you open it can affect your chi? If your front door is making a terrible creak when it opens, then you need to fit it.

It’s possible that you have become so accustomed to the sound that it doesn’t even bother you, or you may not notice it. However, subtle noises can mess with your vibrations, which means it needs to be fixed. Get out the oil and fix that creaking joint.

11. Use a Water Fountain

A water fountain is an excellent way to incorporate the water element into your home. Finding where to put this fountain can be another problem. It’s best to place any water element near your entry door, but you want to make sure the water is flowing towards the center of your abode.

12. Keep Your Bathroom Door Shut

You know that keeping your bathroom door shut is good for obvious reasons, but there are also some harmonious reasons for it. Your bathroom is the place where water leaves, which can also indicate wealth being flushed away. You don’t want to lose any wealth that is coming your way.

13. Cover Any Television in the Bedroom

If you have a television in your bedroom, and it’s not the best idea, then you should cover it when not in use. A television is a form of active energy, and it can disrupt the peaceful haven you are trying to create.

14. Fill the Space Above the Cabinets

One of the commandments of Feng Shui is to make sure that there is no empty space above the kitchen cabinets. If you do have space, then it’s a great location for some houseplants. You don’t want your chi to become stuck in dead spaces, so fill it up with life, and it will enhance your energy.

15. Use White Sage for Space Clearing

Finally, once you have redesigned your space according to this Chinese art, then it’s time to cleanse it with white sage. Go through each area of the home, making sure that the smoke from this herb penetrates every corner.

Sage can help to cleanse impurities as well as get rid of old, stale energy. You don’t want anything standing in the way of your new, fresh energy.

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Final Thoughts on How Feng Shui Fits Everyone

The beautiful thing about Feng Shui is that it fits everyone with a myriad of lifestyles. By simply arranging your furniture and items in a specific method, you can change your entire life.

If you want prosperity and a peaceful home, then why not use some items from this list to change the energy and harmonious balance of your space?

Lifestyle

10 Ways to Make Fingernails Healthier and Stronger at Home

10 Ways to Make Fingernails Healthier and Stronger at Home


Properly caring for your fingernails is a simple thing you can do to improve your appearance. You don’t have to go to a nail shop to maintain healthy nails. Proper nail care at home can enhance the look of your nails and support cuticle health, too.

Nails are made of keratin, which is a fibrous protein. You can improve nail and hand health by eating healthier and keeping nails neat and clean.

This article will focus on practical things you can do at home to optimize cuticle health. You will also learn some tips for obtaining healthier hands.

Ten Ways for Healthier, Stronger Fingernails (from the comfort of home)

You can skip the time and money you spend at the salon by caring for your nails at home. Here are some tips.

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1. Trim Nails Neatly for Healthy Hands

Neatly trimmed nails are attractive. They also show others that you care enough about your appearance to stay well-groomed.

However, according to the Centers for Disease Control, it’s essential to keep nails trimmed for health reasons, too. Your fingernails can house germs, dirt, and bacteria.

If you wear your nails too long, you run the risk of spreading diseases from your nails to your mouth whenever you eat or touch your face or mouth. Long nails can also spread germs from one person to another.

2. Avoid Synthetic Nails

Gel manicures make nails look shiny and pretty. A gel manicure is also long-lasting and doesn’t require much maintenance.

However, according to the American Academy of Dermatologists, gel nails can cause long-term damage to your nails. Constant use of gel nails could raise your risk of skin cancer and cause your hands to age prematurely.

Other side effects of gel nails are as follows:

  • Nails become brittle
  • Nails may split or crack.
  • Peeling nails

Also, allow periods of rest for your nails in between gel manicures. You should also perform essential maintenance on your nails, especially when you’re getting gel manicures.

Here are a few tips if you still choose to wear gel nails from the salon:

  • Request that your manicurist sterilizes all equipment.
  • Do not allow your manicurist to cut or push your cuticles back aggressively. Light pushing of the tissue is okay, but if you feel pain or discomfort, ask your nail tech to stop. Damaged or cut cuticles makes you susceptible to infection.
  • Apply sunscreen to your hands before your manicure. SPF 30 or higher helps prevent premature aging, and it reduces the risk of skin cancer.
  • Do not peel off your gel polish. Instead, ask your nail technician to have the polish professionally removed.
  • While removing gel nail polish, soak just your fingertips in the acetone. Placing your whole hand or entire fingers in acetone can irritate the skin.
  • You could use cotton balls dipped in acetone to remove the polish. Press the cotton to the nail only, and then wrap each fingertip in aluminum foil. This wrap ensures that only the nailbed soaks in acetone. Wait about fifteen minutes, then peel off the foil.
personality
What doe your fingernails reveal about your personality?

3. Take a Break from Nail Polish

The right nail color can brighten up any outfit or fit perfectly with a particular season of the year. However, wearing nail polish all of the time can weaken your nails and jeopardize your healthy hands.

When changing your nail color, you should choose an acetone-free polish remover. You should also go through periods of several weeks in which you don’t use nail polish. This break gives your nails time to heal and strengthen.

4. Don’t Abuse Your Nails

Some people make a habit of doing difficult tasks with their nails. They may use their fingernails to pry open bottles. Some people also use their fingernails to scrape food off of plates when washing dishes.

Doing these tasks with your nails can cause them to become weak and brittle. When nails are weak, they split and sometimes crack. Rather than using your nails to pry into something, either use your hands or use a tool designed for the task.

5. Don’t Neglect Your Cuticle Health

The tissue of your cuticles can become dry and flaky, just like the skin on other areas of your body. Dry skin is especially common in cold climates. Still, regardless of where you live, you should be mindful of your cuticles. Do the following:

  • Rub a regular skin moisturizer on your cuticles daily
  • Do not cut your cuticles off. Doing so can damage your nails or allow harmful bacteria to infect nails.
  • Use an acetone-free nail polish remover on your fingernails.

You should also wear gloves when doing household chores. For instance, exposing your nails and cuticles to water while washing dishes can dry out your hands. This habit makes your nails and cuticles more susceptible to breaking and flaking.

6. Eat a Diet Rich in Vitamins and Minerals

A diet rich in healthy fat, calcium, and protein can help support healthy nails. Lean proteins you to try include the following:

  • Turkey
  • Chicken
  • Salmon
  • Fish
  • Shrimp
  • Beans
  • Soy products
  • Plant-based proteins

To increase your calcium intake healthily, eat the following:

  • Greek yogurt
  • Milk
  • Cottage cheese

To get healthier fingernails, you could also try increasing your intake of healthy fats. Healthy sources of fat include almonds, canola oil, and olive oil.

7. Don’t Bite Your Nails

According to the American Academy of Dermatologists, there are several side effects of nail-biting. For instance, constant nail biting can damage nail tissue and cause nail soreness. Nail-biting also makes nails look unsightly and ragged.

When you put your fingers in your mouth, you can also transfer viruses and bacteria from your fingers into your mouth. This habit makes you more susceptible to illness.

8. Inspect Your Nails for Signs of Infection

Nail fungus is a common problem. It’s more common on toenails because fungus lives better in warm, dark places. However, some people get nail fungus on fingernails, too. To properly care for your nails, be aware of the signs of nail fungus:

  • Yellow or white spots underneath the nails.
  • Your nail(s) turn green, black, white, or yellow.
  • Nails become thicker, making them harder to cut or trim.
  • Nails curl upward or downward.
  • Nails crumble when you touch them.
  • Nails become brittle and break easily.

If you have nail fungus, over time, you may notice soreness in your nails. In severe cases, a person may wince when walking due to nail fungus pain. Some people are disgusted by the sight of fungus.

germs
Here are some ways to protect yourself from germs when you go out.

There are several things you can do to reduce your risk of getting nail fungus. Consider the following guidelines:

  • Only have your nails done at state-certified nail shops. Always ask what the nail salon does to sterilize the equipment.
  • Change your socks daily, especially if you sweat a lot.
  • Do not cut or tear away cuticles. Doing so can let germs into your skin.
  • Do not share towels or nail equipment with anyone who has nail fungus. This practice may spread the infection.

If you do develop nail fungus, you can often treat it at home. Ask your pharmacist to recommend a fungal cream or lotion.

9. Keep Your Nails Clean

Whenever you wash your hands, you should also be sure to clean your nails. Scrub underneath the fingernails to remove dirt and grime. Dry your hands and nails carefully. Be aware that soaking your hands in water causes nails to become brittle.

10. Don’t Bite Your Nails

Nail-biting is considered a nasty habit for some people. It spreads germs to your mouth. Nail-biting also allows you to spread bacteria from your mouth to others when you touch them.

Aside from being an unpleasant habit, nail-biting comes across as a nervous habit. Some people will judge you as being anxious or dishonest based on fidgeting or biting the nails. Constant nail-biting may send the wrong message when you’re being watched closely, such as during a job interview.

Aside from making you appear nervous, nail-biting also makes your nails look ragged and ugly. You can damage your nail bed, too. Your fingertips might even become sore if you bite your nails too close to the skin.

While experts at the Mayo Clinic do not think nail biting can cause long-term nail damage, it can have short-term effects. For instance, it can damage the skin around the nail, which increases your risk of getting an infection. If your nails are hard and you bite heavily on them, you can also run the risk of damaging tooth enamel.

fingernailsFinal Thoughts on Maintaining Healthy Fingernails at Home

Healthy nails are considered attractive. If you want to make yours as beautiful as possible, keep them clean and neatly trimmed. Do not bite your nails. To prevent nails from chipping, do not use them to pry into items or scrape them across surfaces. Doing these basic maintenance tasks can help you maintain neat and healthy nails.

Lifestyle

15 Things to Get Rid of In Your Home Right Now

15 Things to Get Rid of In Your Home Right


Your home should feel like a calm, comfortable place where you can unwind.

With clutter, however, you may struggle to enjoy your space. It’ll feel crowded, disorganized, and can make you feel overwhelmed or stressed out.

The reason for these negative feelings that arise from clutter is explained in the Journal of Neuroscience. It is explained that your brain can’t handle seeing so many objects at one time. Since this is the case, a cluttered environment can bring on overwhelming or stressful feelings.

With a home that is organized and less cluttered, you’ll feel calmer and happier. You’ll be able to find things easier, and you’ll utilize what you have much more often than you do now.

Whatever the reason, you may struggle to part with some of the items in your house. You need to reassess the reasons that you are keeping everything.

If it is used often, needed, or a sentimental item, you should keep it. Otherwise, consider getting rid of it to make your home a more enjoyable space.

15 Things to Get Rid of In Your Home…Right Now!

anxiety
Counselors explain how your home can give you anxiety.

1. CDs or DVDs

Think back to the last time you listened to a CD. If you can’t remember, it’s time to get rid of them. The same goes for DVDs.

With many streaming services accessible from televisions, DVD’s are becoming useless technology. If you don’t ever watch them, clear the space for something more useful.

2. Bed Linen with Holes

There’s no reason to hang onto old sheets, pillowcases, or comforters that have holes. You only need a couple of extra, so throw out the old ones that you skip over anyway. This will clear up quite a bit of space in your linen closet.

3. Old Clothes with Missing Buttons

We all have those items in our closet or dresser that are missing a button. There’s always a plan to repair them, yet it never seems to happen. Just get rid of those clothing items and open up some closet space for items you wear.

4. Board Games with Missing Pieces

There is no reason to keep a game that is missing pieces. Living with the idea that you may one day find the pieces is a bit extreme. While you wait for the pieces to appear out of thin air, you’re keeping games that may never be used again.

5. Socks with Holes or Missing Mates

You don’t want your toe poking through a hole, or your barefoot rubbing against the inside of your shoe all day. Get rid of socks with holes, so you have more space for the socks that are in good condition.

You should also get rid of any socks that don’t have a mate. At this point, they’re just taking up space in your sock basket. Face it. The mate is gone forever.

6. Plastic Containers Missing the Lid

We all have food storage containers or other plastic containers that don’t have the lid. These containers take up so much space, you’ll be glad when they’re gone.

On that note, think about any lids you have that are missing the container. There is no way to know for sure how this happens, but it does. Clear those out, too.

home
Read tips on getting an organized home on a tight budget.

7. Equipment from Hobbies You No Longer Participate In

If you used to scrapbook but don’t anymore, get rid of the supplies. Same with golf clubs that are gathering dust and taking up space.

Think about anything you used to do but haven’t done in a long time and get rid of the equipment that goes along with it. You’ll be happy with the extra space, and you won’t miss the material or equipment that you never used anyway.

8. Unused Cords or Chargers

As adults, we tend to collect every charger or cord we come in contact with. It’s hard to keep track of what they are all for, so it tends to be easier to keep them just in case.

Before you know it, you have a box or drawer full of cords that haven’t been used in years. The worst part is that it seems like when they end up in the box, they never come back out. Dump it all and use that drawer or box for something more useful.

9. Old Receipts

If you are hanging onto a receipt for something that cannot be returned or exchanged, you may not need to. You only need to keep it if it’ll be necessary for your taxes or for a warranty. If taxes are the reason for keeping it, then follow typical rules for length of time to keep it.

If you won’t need to return or exchange, and it doesn’t pertain to your tax returns, get rid of it. These receipts and just interfere with your organization and take up lots of unnecessary space. Keep things under control by minimizing the receipts that you still have.

10. Takeout Menus

You can find most menus on the internet. There’s no need to keep the old take out menus when you can find everything you need online. The best part is that you don’t have to worry about having an out of date menu when you want to place an order.

11. Empty Wine Bottles

There are so many crafts or décor projects that involve using empty wine bottles. Because of this, so many of us save all of our empty bottles. Then suddenly, you have too many piling up and no projects being done.

Just accept the fact that you don’t need the empty wine bottles. They are just taking up space and getting in the way.

12. Clothes That Don’t Fit Anymore

This goes for adult and children’s clothes. If you have boxes of clothes that have outgrown the owner, it is time to get rid of them. Whether it is your clothes that are too big or too small or your children’s, it’s time to get rid of them.

If you are saving something to fit into after you lose some weight, stop saving it. You’ll want new clothes when the time comes, and the old ones may not fit the way you had remembered.

13. Books You Have Already Read

Most don’t reread the same book twice unless it was a favorite. With this being the case, there is no reason to keep every book you read. Think of all the new books you could get if you had more shelf space.

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14. Toys That No One Plays with Anymore

Your kids are constantly growing and evolving. This means that they’ll outgrow toys they once loved. Instead of leaving those toys around your house taking up space, donate them or throw them away.

You’ll get over the loss of the toy pretty quickly, despite it being a bittersweet reminder that your child is getting older. Remind yourself that your child likely won’t miss it at all or even notice that it is gone. Plus, it opens up space for toys they’ll be getting for holidays or birthdays.

15. Cookbooks

With recipes being easily available online, that’s where you likely go for your recipes. Cookbooks are hardly used anymore, as it’s just easier to find new ideas on the internet. Unless you use your cookbook collection regularly, you should probably get rid of them.

If you have a few recipes that you reference a cookbook for, photocopy those recipes or rip them out. Then, gather all of your favorite recipes into a simple binder or folder and get rid of the bulky books. Even better, you could create an online gallery of your favorite recipes by scanning them to your computer.

When to Donate, Sell, or Throw Away Unused Home Items

Now, the hard part. It’s hard to decide the things you should throw away, donate, or sell. When you are making the decision, you have to consider several factors for each scenario.

When to Sell

-The item is in great condition
-You’re motivated to sell and have the time
-It will sell for enough to make it worth the hassle

When to Donate

-Item is in good condition
-You know someone in need
-The item would be useful to most people
-The time or energy required to sell isn’t worth the return

When to Throw Away

-The item is broken
-It’s in poor condition
-You don’t have time to get to the donation center

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Final Thoughts on the 15 Things to Get Rid of In Your Home Right Now

Everyone struggles to get rid of things sometimes, and there are many different reasons for this struggle. Whatever the reason, however, you have to just get started and get rid of the clutter.

There are plenty of items sitting around your home right now that you could get rid of. By doing so, you’ll be opening space for things you need and regularly use. Plus, as stated before, having a home free of things you don’t need can also improve your mental state.

You can’t keep everything forever, so try not to waste time when choosing to get rid of it. Be picky about what you keep, and get rid of things you don’t use regularly.

Lifestyle

10 Ways A Home Business Creates Freedom in Life »

10 Ways A Home Business Creates Freedom in Life »


Are you tired of punching a time clock? Do you long for the freedom that a home-based business can give you? Wouldn’t it be nice to have no one looming around and watching over your shoulder, making sure you are doing your job correctly?

Starting a home business is an exciting adventure, and now is the perfect time to spread your wings and try something new. Working remotely has never been more popular than it is right now, so why not join the ranks of others? There are many things that you must consider, but the most significant advantage is the freedom that working from home allows you.

Benefits of Working for Your Home Business

While there are some obvious benefits to a home-based business, there are many things to consider that might not have crossed your mind. Here are ten ways that your new venture can give you the freedom you need from a long for in your career.

1. You’re the Boss

When you’re the boss, you call the shots. You have the authority to take a day off, take an extra-long lunch period, or say when you’ve worked enough. There will be no more demands from a boss that is unrealistic in their expectations. When you work for you, you know your limits and can set your schedule according to your needs.

Do you remember times when you had to work instead of attending family outings, or you missed a child’s play at school? You won’t have to worry about those things again. Since you’re in control, you can put everything on hold for those special moments in your life.

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2. No Reason to Wear Stuffy Clothes

Most jobs have a dress code. A warehouse might require that you wear a uniform that is heavy and uncomfortable. If you work in a formal office, you might have to wear dress pants and a nice shirt. Wouldn’t it be nice to work in sweatpants and a t-shirt every day?

If you’re not in a video conference, then you could work in your pajamas. A home business allows you to be comfortable. Did you know that you will have a higher productivity rate when you are wearing comfortable outfits?

A study found that there is a connection between your garments and how you feel. Your clothes can mess with your psyche. Be careful because how you dress can also impress a potential client, but there’s nothing that says you need a three-piece suit to work a home business.

3. No More Long Commutes

There’s nothing worse than being stuck in the car for hours on end. The average commute in the United States is 26 minutes each way. There is a lot of time wasted that you could be doing something else.

What could you do with an extra hour every day and five hours a week? Plus, you must remember you won’t need to pay for gasoline to and from work anymore. There are some savings when you don’t have to commute, and it can add up quickly.

4. No More Babysitters

Many parents can start a home-based business and get rid of the babysitters. If you can rearrange your schedule to work remotely, then you won’t need a full-time provider. It’s always advisable to keep someone in reserve for those times when you need to step out and take care of business.

Think of all the money you will save when you don’t have to pay for full-time childcare. You may save enough cash to fund the start of your home-based adventure, but you won’t need someone else to raise your kids. Somethings are worth more than money and are priceless.

work from home with kids
Learn some tips on establishing boundaries when you work from home with the kids.

5. You Can Take Care of All the Little Things

Do you know how frustrating it is to need to call off work because the plumber is coming, or the HVAC is on the fritz? When you have a home business, you can work while you let the maintenance professional take care of issues around your abode.

Think of all the other times that you called off because of things out of your control. You’ve lost pay, and you may have been written up for such infractions. How many times have the kids been sick and begged you to stay with them, but you knew that calling off may have lost your job?

Any parent feels an obligation to be with their child when they are ill. Now, you won’t need to call the boss and tell them once again that one of your kids has the flu, and you need time off. There are many perks to being in a home business, and taking care of all the little things is a significant one.

6. No More Getting Up At 6 am

Are you an early bird or a night owl? When you have a home-based business, you can set the times when you want to work. Most business hours are from 9-5 pm each day. However, if you live on the East coast and you are dealing with customers on the West coast, then you don’t want to call at 8 am.

You can adjust your hours to fit your needs and preferences. You must do whatever works for you. Remember, you must be comfortable because, to make your business a success, it must fit you and your lifestyle. You may enjoy sleeping in on a Wednesday and working the night shift on Thursday. It’s all up to you.

7. You Can Work Anywhere in the World

If there ever was a silver lining, the best benefit to a home-based adventure is that you can work anywhere at any time. How would your work life change if you could take care of business on a chair positioned beachside?

The beauty of being in control means that you aren’t tied to a desk all day long. Your office can be at any hotel in the world, and as long as you have an internet connection, it’s business as usual. No rule says you can’t sightsee during the day and work at night. You can go anywhere you like.

pop meme

8. Less Stress in Your Job

A significant problem with working outside of the home is stress levels. You hear people complain all the time that they are stressed out. Part of the problem is that they are trying to balance a family, maintain a house and relationships as well as keep up with their career.

It’s a significant undertaking for anyone. However, when you are in a home business, many find that their stress levels go down. Take away the morning commute, the boss breathing down your neck, and the noisy coworkers can only help. Consequently, the fact that you can throw a load of laundry in while making connections with customers means that you can run your house like a finely oiled machine.

9. You Can Have More Time with the Family

One significant benefit of working remotely is you can have more time with their family. It’s hard to see each other when you dash in the door at 6 pm, try to get dinner on the table, and be in bed by 11 pm.

It seems like there are more than 100 things that need to be done in the evening. However, you can eliminate the nightly rush when you are at the house all day long. You can make sure dinner is on the table, and you can have a beautiful, leisurely meal with your family.

You won’t feel the need to rush, and it will enhance your relationships by having more togetherness. Imagine a life where you didn’t feel hurried all the time. Wouldn’t it be fantastic?

10. Productivity Increases

Most people that start a home business are way more productive than if they were working for someone else. When you know it’s your bottom line that is at stake your productivity will be stellar.

You probably did a great job at your place of employment, but imagine what you will do when you’re trying to build a business. You will work tirelessly to ensure your future and that your family is secure.

home businessFinal Thoughts in Creating Freedom with a Home Business

You may be fearful of jumping ship and leaving a job with a guaranteed paycheck. However, some of the most important businesses in the world started in a basement or garage.

In 1976, Apple was started in Steve Job’s home. He and business partner Steve Wozniak only had a mere 1,250 dollars when they began their adventure. In 1994, Jeff Bezos started Amazon in his garage, and you see how that turned out. In 1995, Pierre Omidyar started eBay in the living room of a San Jose apartment.

On eBay, there are currently 168 million buyers each day. Don’t ever sell yourself short or be afraid to dream. Your business venture may turn you into a household name.

So here is the real question. What’s stopping you from turning your passions into a thriving home business?

Lifestyle

10 Quiet Games for Kids to Play While You Work From Home| 6 Min. Read

10 Quiet Games for Kids to Play While You Work


Do you need to come up with some games for kids that keep them quiet while you’re working? Do you dread hearing your youngsters whine about being bored? What’s a busy work-at-home parent like you to do?

In the past, children found creative ways to keep themselves occupied when the weather was terrible. Many of today’s kids just want to vegetate in front of the tv or play video games for hours. Is that a familiar scenario at your place?

Statistics are alarming for the average number of hours most American children play on technology. While limited tv and gaming has its place, you probably want your children to spend more time without it. Besides, your home job may require Internet work, and your connection speed can be slowed down with the whole family using it at once.

Children need structure, so consider making a daily schedule to help balance the needs of your home. Use a poster or whiteboard, write each child’s name on it, and block out the time they each get for technology. Fill the rest of the spaces with exciting games, activities, lunch hour, and rest time.

Before school is out and the battle against boredom begins, you must be prepared. Your little ones can have fun, and you can get your work done in peace.

Here are ten games for kids that they will love to play while you are “at work.”

games for kids

1. Puzzle Time

Children of all ages enjoy a challenge, especially riddles and puzzles. These can be done individually or as a group. The good news is that these fun past times don’t require a lot of noise, which is good for you.

You can find beautiful jigsaw styles inexpensively for any age level. Set up a small table in a quiet space of the house where the kids can work on them. It can stay in place, and they can work on it a little bit each day.

Dollar stores usually have plenty of word searches, crosswords, and other gamebooks for children. Provide crayons, colored pencils, and markers, and store them in plastic containers. The Internet is a free source of free printable games and color sheets to copy.

2. Scavenger Hunt

When it’s raining and blustery outside, your youngsters can still have an adventure. Remember the scavenger hunts you enjoyed as a kid? This treasure hunting game can be just as thrilling indoors.

Beforehand, gather several unusual items and make a list of them. Hide each item in a creative place, considering your children’s age level. Give each child a list of things to find and a pencil to check them during the hunt.

Although healthy competition is suitable for children, you don’t want your scavenger hunt to turn into a noisy brawl. Give each kid a little prize after the game for a job well done. For even more exciting adventures, consider giving your hunt themes, like beach items or beauty stuff.

3. I Spy

Here is a game that kids have loved for generations that is quiet and doesn’t require anything. There’s no age limit, and they can play the game inside, outside, or even while traveling. I Spy encourages kids to use their imagination, guessing skills, and color memory.

To play, one child is chosen to be the spy. He will look around the room and will pick any object to keep in his mind. Then, he will say, “I spy with my little eyes, and the color of it is…” and will say what color the secret object is.

Each child gets a turn to guess one object. The guessing continues around the circle until someone guesses it correctly. The winner becomes the new spy for the next game.

empathy class

4. Fun Challenges on Paper

If you have a pile of scrap paper and some pencils, you can keep your youngsters busy for hours. The rules for tic-tac-toe are simple for even the youngest children as they battle to see if X, O, or the kitty wins.

Your little ones can also improve their spelling and vocabulary by playing the classic Hangman. Who will guess the mystery word before the gallows are drawn? How about a game for kids of Dots and Squares, where players vie for squares to write their initials?

Another fun game with paper is making a classic fortune teller. The paper is folded into triangles that you work back and forth with your fingers and open for a funny fortune. Use bright colored paper and find an easy template online to make them.

5. Hand Games

Many adults still play Rock, Paper, and Scissors to choose someone for a dreaded task. Teach the kids the hand sign for rock, paper, and scissors and how to clap with their fist. Then, teach the rules about what item trumps the other.

Your kids can also learn amazing tricks using a length of string tied into a circle and arranged into designs on their fingers. If you don’t remember how to make the classic designs like Jacob’s Ladder, Eiffel Tower, or Spider’s Web, look for online tutorials under games for kids.

The iconic yo-yo is making its way back to toy departments across America. These little toys on a string are easy to work, and your kids can learn to make them do amazing tricks. When your kids play with their yo-yos, be sure they have enough space away from breakables.

6. Home Bingo

Bingo can be played with numbers, letters, shapes, or even objects. Home Bingo is a hybrid of a scavenger hunt and Bingo and can be made age-appropriate. It can be played in one room or around the house.

Create a simple 5 X 5 square grid on the computer and print them out. For each card, write the names of different household items in each square, making each card different. An older child can call out random things that the others can mark off of their card.

The winner calls Bingo when she has marked off five items vertically or horizontally. Then, she becomes the next Bingo caller. Print out several cards for multiple games.

7. Quiet as a Mouse

Fortunately for parents who work from home, the object of some games for kids is silence. When your kids play a game of Mouse, you may wonder if they are even in the house. It’s a fun game that you don’t have to hear.

Players get in a circle, and the chosen leader says, “One, two, three, mouse!” Everyone must stay quiet or be eliminated. The last person to keep the silence is the winner, and the game restarts. After a good game of Mouse, your busy mice may be ready for a lunch of grilled cheese sandwiches.

8. Classic Games for Kids

Two of the classic games for kids that are enjoying a revival are jacks and marbles. You may have heard your parents talk about it or have played the games yourself. These were favorite playground games that are just as fun indoors.

You can purchase a set of jacks or marbles in most department stores or online. Vintage metal jacks and glass marbles are collectible and can be quite expensive. Today’s finds are cheap and easy to find.

For either game, your kids will need some space to make a circle. If you don’t know or remember the rules for the game, find and print them out from your computer. Explain the rules for younger children.

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9. Using Play Money for Games

Do you have play money left from old board games? Create games for kids, so they learn how to count money and shop. Help your youngsters set up a store or a bank, and they will be counting cash all day.

For the store, give each child some play money and set out a few canned goods or other small things for them to purchase. You can also let them play bank and cash paper checks. These fun games are good ways to teach your kids about business and home economics.

10. Thumb Wrestling

Arm wrestling can be a challenging sport, so thumb wrestling is the next best thing. To make the game fair, pair up kids that are around the same age and ability. While the game is usually quiet, you may hear a little giggling.

The kids pair up and clasp one of each other’s hands, thumbs up. Then, they use only their thumbs to wrestle and hold their opponent’s thumb down for the count of three. Winners can challenge each other for a final championship.

games for kids

Final Thoughts: Mastering Quiet Games at Home

It’s not an easy task to work at home and keep your children quiet and occupied. When you plan games for kids that are creative and exciting, you are less likely to hear them whine about boredom.

So, the kids get to have fun playing quiet games, and you can get your work done. Even something as simple as a word search can make a big difference in your day.