Tuesday, March 19, 2024

International Read To Me Day


Every year on March 19th is International Read To Me Day. Although this day is for children to remind their parents to read to them; It is a day to read to them without being reminded. Read books that can be easy for them to understand. Have them select the book that they want you to read to them. View the front cover of the book and the back cover of the book.  

Read to them aloud and slowly. Change your voice to the narrator and the voices of the characters. If this is the second time that you read to them the same story, you can make sock puppets. Make sock puppets or paper puppets before reading the story. However, if they get bored, stop reading the book and ask them if they want to change the ending of the story with their puppets. 

Another way is by using their stuff animals and to use them as the animal characters from their story. Change your voice and use their stuff animals as puppets. Make a comic strip if they like to draw and color. Read with enthusiasm. Turn off or silent your cell phone for one hour before you read to them. 

Every time you read to them, make story time fun and creative. If they are tired of puppets, make a camping atmosphere in the living room. Use flashlights and battery operated lanterns. Make a tent with blankets and pillows. Read to them camping story books, fairytale books, or other books where they can use their imagination. 

Make hot coco, smores, or trail mix and read to them. Also, have them read to you as you make them trail mix, hot coco, or smores. Have them sound out the words when they read to you. Read to them in another language. Practice reading with them for five minutes or for thirty minutes a day.

It is recommended to have a bookshelf in your living room or in their bedroom. Take them to the bookstore or purchase books online based on their grade level and age. Read to them four or six books per week. Use a reading chart for them and for yourself to keep track of the books you have read together. Stop reading if they fall asleep and add a bookmark to continue reading to them the next day. 

Depending on their age and grade level, they can read to you for thirty minutes to an hour. Furthermore, they can write down words that they can find in their books. Read to them without you getting bored or sleepy. Nevertheless reading to them before their nap or before they go to sleep can help them develop language skills. Here are resources for reading to your children. 


5 Simple Tips for Reading to Children:

https://supersimple.com/article/5-simple-tips-for-reading-to-children/


Why is it Important to Read to Your Child:

https://childmind.org/article/why-is-it-important-to-read-to-your-child/




* Font, stickers, and background from Photo Collage Editor Maker 


Monday, March 18, 2024

Free Easter Binder Covers


If you are looking for Easter bunny binder covers, then you might like these bunny binder covers to color and to print out. Each binder cover has a bunny in the center of the binder cover. Two binder covers have bunny faces to color. One bunny binder cover has a silhouette of the bunny without the face so you can label the binder. These coloring binder covers are free and for your personal use.

Have fun coloring these bunnies, carrots, and flowers. You can use these binder covers for your Easter recipes, school homework, or spring break travel planners, or for other occasions. Also, you can use these bunny binder covers for planning your baby shower. Happy Easter in advance! Enjoy!















* Font from Photo Collage Editor Maker


* Font from LunaPiC



Sunday, March 17, 2024

Doing Yoga in the Spring


Doing Yoga in the spring can make you feel less tired and help you adjust to weather changes. You may feel more relaxed, happier, and feel refreshed. Incorporating poses such as the Butterfly pose, Rabbit pose, Turtle pose, Horse pose, and other poses can make your yoga experience joyful. Be aware of your comfort level, your breathing, and if your body is in pain. Add blocks, cushions, or modify the yoga poses to feel comfortable and less pain on your body.


If blocks or cushions feel too hard while using them for your yoga poses, you can use blankets to support your spine and hips. Blankets can be folded to be more comfortable while doing your yoga poses. You can use old blankets or cut an old blanket in half. If you cut an old blanket in half and sew the edges, it can help you roll it for giving support to your neck. As well as supporting your knees depending on the yoga pose that you do.


Hip opening yoga poses are useful especially if you sit all day in your job. For example, the Flower pose opens your inner thighs and your hips. However, to do this pose your arms and hands need to be able to balance the rest of your body while your head is on the floor. You lift your legs up facing in front of you. Other hip opening yoga poses are the Lizard pose, Half Pigeon pose, and Double Pigeon pose which help with stiffness on your hips and thighs.


The Turtle pose helps you concentrate especially if you feel sleepy in the mornings. Try doing the Heron pose, Pigeon pose, and the Crow pose to stretch your body in the morning or in the afternoon. These poses help you focus and strengthen your body. Challenge yourself by doing the Horse pose and the Frog pose. The Frog pose and the Horse pose opens your hips.


If you have a tough time relaxing your mind from never ending thoughts, you can put on an essential oil diffuser bracelet or an essential oil diffuser necklace. Make sure it is lightweight and not distracting to you or to others. Although, it is not recommended to wear jewelry during a yoga session, you can put on an essential oil diffuser bracelet during your last yoga pose as you focus on your breathing. Inhale and exhale as you smell the essential oil coming from your diffuser bracelet or necklace. You can also wear an anklet with an essential oil diffuser.


Another way to practice yoga in the spring is by practicing yoga in your garden. Being surrounded by flowers and smelling your flowers can help you be in a good mood. In the last yoga pose, you can hold a flower from your garden as you finish meditating. Another way is by getting dry flower petals from your garden and putting them in a bowl with water. Stare at the flower petals as you say your mantra for five minutes before ending your session.


However, if you practice yoga indoors, you can imagine a flower garden while you meditate. Say a flower name as your mantra to help you focus. Purchase a flower yoga mat to help you visualize a garden as you meditate and do yoga poses. After your yoga session, you can work on a journal and press flower petals on the pages. Furthermore, you can write in your journal and stare at the flowers or petals for five minutes.

The spring season makes it easier to increase exercise activities and doing yoga outside to lift your mood. After doing these yoga poses, you may feel flexibility and be able to move your body with less pain. The Rabbit pose and the Butterfly pose reduce stress especially from a long workday. However, any yoga pose permits you to relax before going to work or before going to sleep. Here are websites with more information about doing yoga in the spring.



Living Seasonally-Tune into Spring:

https://www.ekhartyoga.com/articles/wellbeing/living-seasonally-tune-into-spring


Springtime Yoga Flow:

https://www.yogaflavoredlife.com/springtime-yoga-flow/





* Font and collage made in Photo Collage Editor Maker 



Saturday, March 16, 2024

Dill Chicken Recipe (National Nutrition Month 2024)


March is National Nutrition Month where you can dedicate some time in your kitchen to vary your spices when cooking your meals. For example, dill weed is often used in soups, sauces, fish, meat, and chicken. Dill weed may lower your cholesterol and lower blood sugar. As well as reducing menstrual cramps. It has an earthy aroma when you are cooking with dill. 


Also, it reduces gas. It may help with constipation. It is not recommended during pregnancy or when you are lactating. Always consult with your primary doctor especially if you are allergic to carrots. Here is the recipe for making this dill weed chicken meal. 


Ingredients:


One packet of chicken

One can of Asparagus or boil Asparagus in water

One salad bag/box 

Tomatoes 

Cucumbers

Bell peppers 

Onions

Extra Virgin Olive Oil or other Cooking Oil

Your favorite Salad Dressing or light vinaigrette 


Spices:

Chili Powder

Garlic Powder

Smoked Paprika

Coriander Whole Seeds

Curry Powder

Ground Ginger

Onion Granulates

Dill Weed


Preparation and Cooking Time:


Begin by adding the spices to the chicken. Blend and mix the spices: Paprika, Garlic, Dill Weed, Onion, Chili, Curry, and Ginger onto the chicken. In one skillet add coriander seeds with olive oil or other cooking oil with the chicken. Then, add slices of bell peppers and onions. Continue cooking until the chicken is golden brown.


Slice tomatoes and cucumbers for a salad. Boil asparagus in water or open one can of asparagus to reheat it. Last, serve the chicken with the bell peppers and the onions. Add the salad and the asparagus. Then, pour the coriander seeds on top of the asparagus.


Serve immediately. This meal serves two or three people. You can serve this meal with iced tea, lemonade, or other beverages. Save the leftovers in separate containers. Here are websites with the benefits of dill weed.


Dill Weed: 

https://draxe.com/nutrition/dill-weed/


Health Benefits of Dill:

https://www.eatingwell.com/article/7826914/health-benefits-of-dill/





* Font and collage from Photo Collage Editor Maker 





Thursday, March 14, 2024

Dating Someone Similar to Your Ex


Sometimes when you are dating someone, you are reminded of your ex. You find similarities with the person you are dating and cannot stop thinking about your past relationship. You might be afraid and might feel the need to be unattached from the person you are dating. This is a mechanism to protect yourself from getting hurt. However, keep in mind that the person that you are dating is like your ex, but you are not dating your ex.

This is a common occurrence when you are dating. You might like someone based on their resemblance to your ex’s physical appearance, their manners, intellectual conversations, and other qualities that you liked from your ex. Furthermore, these similarities can make you feel motivated to begin a conversation with the new person that you are dating. Due to the similarities, you might feel vulnerable and rushed to trust the person that you are now dating. Also, these similarities can make you feel comfortable with the relationship although you do not know the person that you are dating that well.

Therefore, it is necessary to remind yourself that you are not dating your ex. Remind yourself that you are dating someone new who is like your ex. Furthermore, the attraction of liking someone who is like your ex might become uncomfortable at times; But it can be managed to have a romantic relationship. One must remember that every relationship has challenges and that both partners need to agree to solve them. One must have an optimistic attitude and let go of expectations based on past experiences.

When you find similarities in someone who reminds you of your ex, it is often an unconscious emotional aspect that influences you to select your new person to date. This can also occur in a social aspect because you might not have forgotten your ex to the full extent of your subconscious. You might have unresolved issues from your past relationship experiences that can reveal to you hidden emotions and unrequited feelings toward your ex. It is important to consult with a therapist to solve those unresolved issues with patience and self-awareness. Pay attention to your reactions and what you feel when you discuss with your therapist about your past experiences with your ex. 

Take the first step to work on those unresolved issues. Additionally, dating someone that is like your ex is not bad especially if the person makes you feel optimistic, attractive, comfortable, and feel genuine. Yet be cautious when you are dating and be open to new experiences without being reminded about your past experiences with your ex. Do not make comparisons with the new person that you are dating. Furthermore, do not make expectations thinking that the new person that you are dating is exactly what your ex would do. 

Think about what attracted you to this new person. Often being attracted to someone like your ex might make you miss your ex. Loneliness and missing someone from your past can make you feel empty. Sometimes seeing someone like your ex can make you smile and enjoy their companionship. However, you might end up calling them the wrong name because of the resemblance of your ex. 

It is recommended to separate your feelings regarding your ex. Start by getting to know the new person that you are dating. Think beyond their appearances, age, and other similarities; Get to know them by who they are intellectually and their sentiments. If the person that you are dating only brings out pessimistic thoughts about your ex; Reconsider the relationship. Feeling angry, aggressive, and feeling that it is your fault is another deduction to reconsider the relationship. 

Dating someone because of the similitude can also cause unfulfilled desires to be unveiled to you. These desires can make you have unrealistic expectations. Therefore, be patient with your emotions and permit yourself to move on from your past romantic relationships. Acknowledge and accept the similarities while going beyond that to get to know them better. Here are resources about dating someone like your ex.

 

 

How to Deal With Reminders of Your Ex:

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/close-encounters/201806/how-deal-reminders-your-ex


Is There a Reason You Keep Dating People Similar to Your Ex:

https://themilsource.com/2022/10/26/is-there-a-reason-you-keep-dating-people-similar-to-your-ex/







* Font and artwork made in Photo Collage Editor Maker 


Wednesday, March 13, 2024

Pineapple and Banana Smoothie


Pineapple and banana smoothies make a delicious dessert or a sweet snack. Consuming pineapples provides fiber, vitamin C, iron, magnesium, and potassium. It helps the immune system, digestive system, and the cardiovascular system. This fruit may help lower blood pressure. Furthermore, it may help with constipation. 


This smoothie recipe serves two people. On top of the smoothie, add whipped cream and cinnamon for a quick dessert. However, whipped cream and cinnamon are optional. There is no need to add sugar, especially if the bananas are sweet. Here is the recipe for making this smoothie. 


Ingredients:


One Box of Sliced Pineapples

One Ripe Banana

Ground Flaxseed 

Milk

Whipped Cream

Cinnamon 


Preparation and Smoothie Time:

In one blender, add pineapple slices and banana slices. Then add milk and one spoon of whipped cream. Blend everything and add two spoons of ground flaxseed. After that blend everything until it is smooth. Serve immediately and enjoy!






* Font, pineapple stickers, and collage from Photo Collage Editor Maker 



Tuesday, March 12, 2024

A Spa Day with Buttermilk


Buttermilk hydrates the skin and can be used in a bath for a relaxing spa day. It can also be used in face masks by using buttermilk with other ingredients. However, buttermilk can also be used by itself to reduce melasma and redness of the skin. To lighten dark spots and remove dirt from the skin, use a cotton ball to put on buttermilk. Leave on your face, hands, and feet for twenty minutes. 


Rinse off the buttermilk. Apply Aloe Vera or lotion after rinsing the buttermilk. You can apply buttermilk on your face at night. Another option is to put buttermilk in a small container with turmeric. Apply it on your face, hands, and feet. 


Use chilly water to rinse it off. Buttermilk has vitamin A, vitamin D, potassium, calcium, and vitamin E. It might help in preventing skin lines or wrinkles. Nonetheless, it softens the skin by removing dry flakes from the skin. There are several ways to make a buttermilk face wash or face mask.


You can use honey, turmeric, and other ingredients to personalize your face mask. Mangoes, oranges, avocados, and lemon peels can be used to make a face mask with buttermilk. Also, rose water and essential oils can be used. Always evaluate a small area before applying the entire area with the face mask ingredients. Always use the leftover face mask ingredients that same day with the buttermilk. 


Oatmeal oats can be used with buttermilk especially if you have dry skin patches on your face, hands, and feet. Wear an old shirt. Buttermilk can also be used for your hair because of the lactic acid, vitamins, and minerals. It may help with hair growth and give moisture to dry hair. Consult with your doctor or dermatologist before using buttermilk for your skin and hair. 


Creating a spa day with buttermilk is a quick and effortless way to relax for twenty minutes. It is recommended to use buttermilk twice a week for your skin care regimen. You can find buttermilk in a powder form to create a paste for your face mask. Yet, you can use the liquid form of buttermilk for a thinner face mask or facial wash. Here are resources for using buttermilk for your skin. 

 

Avocado Buttermilk Mask for Dry Dull Winter Skin:

https://www.stephanietourles.com/post/avocado-buttermilk-mask-for-dry-dull-winter-skin


4 DIY Buttermilk Beauty Secrets:

https://grapplehappy.com/blogs/news/4-diy-buttermilk-beauty-secrets






* Font and collage from Photo Collage Editor Maker