Brushing Your Teeth & Meditation

Brushing your teeth is an easy way to practice meditation and mindfulness. It only takes two minutes to brush your teeth twice a day. Brushing your teeth without judging how your teeth look helps you to feel confident, beautiful, and optimistic. After brushing your teeth, you feel calmer and energetic to start your day. You can focus more on what needs to be done throughout the day. 

Taking care of your teeth and gums boosts your self-esteem. Not only is it a good hygiene habit, but it lets you have two minutes to do some self-care. Meditating and brushing your teeth enables you to use your senses and concentrate in the present moment. A fun way to meditate while brushing your teeth is by doing counting meditation. Count to one hundred while you brush the outer and inner areas of your teeth. 

Next, brush the sides of your teeth. Besides, counting, notice how the bristles feel on your teeth. Brush slowly and don't rush. Another way is by practicing mindfulness while you brush your teeth. Start by placing the dental floss between each tooth. Use your sense of taste to taste the mint dental floss and then the taste of the toothpaste.  

Continue to brush your teeth and let go of any negative thoughts you might have. Rinse your teeth and finish meditating. Tell yourself positive statements and smile. In addition, this can be practiced at night to end your day on a positive note. Here are more resources about brushing your teeth and mindfulness. 
 
How to Be Mindful While Brushing Your Teeth:
https://www.nytimes.com/2016/09/21/well/mind/how-to-be-mindful-while-brushing-your-teeth.html#:~:text=

How to turn to brush your teeth into a mindfulness exercise:
https://www.headspace.com/blog/2015/10/01/brush-brush-brush-your-teeth/

Mindful Brushing for a Shinier Day:
https://www.destressmonday.org/mindful-brushing-shinier-day/

*Free Clip Art of Tooth Brushing:

https://www.uihere.com/free-cliparts/tooth-brushing-dentistry-cartoon-toothbrush-mother-and-daughter-brush-your-teeth-1244266

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Cleaning Methods for Fashion Jewelry

There are several ways to clean fashion jewelry naturally without using harsh chemicals. Cleaning jewelry with baking soda and vinegar gets rid of tarnish and dirt from silver and gold jewelry. However, it is not recommended to use baking soda and vinegar on gemstones, beads, and pearls. Instead, use mild dish soap or baby shampoo to clean jewelry with beads, gemstones, and pearls. Also, you can use a soft children’s toothbrush to clean the small gemstones that are on pendants and on rings.

Don’t brush too hard when you clean the jewelry pieces. Cleaning jewelry at home only takes a few minutes to do. It only takes ten minutes to clean the jewelry pieces with baking soda and vinegar. Also, you can use a teaspoon of salt in the mixture to make the jewelry pieces shiny. Another way to clean jewelry is by using lemon juice and letting the jewelry pieces soak up the juice inside a small container.

Last, you can use toothpaste to clean fashion jewelry. Using a soft toothbrush, brush the jewelry pieces with toothpaste. Then, get a cloth and wet it with warm water to remove the toothpaste. After that rinse the jewelry pieces with cool water and dry the jewelry with a soft cloth. Here are more resources about cleaning your fashion jewelry. 

How to Clean Silver Jewelry With Vinegar:
https://oureverydaylife.com/clean-silver-jewelry-vinegar-21711.html

How to Clean Jewelry At Home-Reader's Digest:
https://www.rd.com/home/cleaning-organizing/cleaning-jewelry/

How To Clean Jewelry-Best Jewelry Cleaning Tips:
https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/home/cleaning/tips/a25736/how-to-clean-jewelry/

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Vanilla Oil for Depression, for Anxiety, and for Sleep

Vanilla oil is used frequently in aromatherapy due to its sweet scent and calming effect. For example, vanilla oil is blended with lavender essential oil to induce sleep. Inhaling the scent of vanilla oil calms the nerves and it has a sedative effect. This oil also lowers your blood pressure. It reduces uneasiness at night.

Additionally, vanilla oil is often blended with citrus essential oils such as lemon. When vanilla oil is blended with citrus essential oils it creates an uplifting and energetic stimulation to the brain making you feel joyful. Although, vanilla oil is not considered an essential oil; It can be combined with other essential oils along with a carrier oil. Vanilla oil can be mixed with jojoba, almond, or coconut oil for the skin. Nonetheless, vanilla oil and patchouli enhance a good mood and relax your nerves when it is used for massage therapy.  

Always consult with your doctor before using Vanilla oil or other oils. It is not recommended for pregnant women to use vanilla oil because it induces menstruation. However, vanilla oil can be used to treat PMS symptoms. Vanilla oil is a great addition to complement any treatment for depression, anxiety, sleep, and other conditions. Here are more resources about vanilla oil.

9 Incredible Benefits of Vanilla Essential Oil:
https://www.organicfacts.net/health-benefits/essential-oils/vanilla-essential-oil.html

Vanilla Oil Benefits, Uses & Even How to Make Your Own:
https://draxe.com/nutrition/vanilla-oil/

Vanilla Essential Oil-An Exotic Scent With Endless Health Benefits:
https://monq.com/eo/essential-oils/vanilla/

Vanilla Clip Art:

https://www.uihere.com/free-cliparts/flat-leaved-vanilla-thai-tea-wedding-cake-stock-photography-vanilla-1676413

Glass Oil Bottle Clip Art:

https://www.uihere.com/free-cliparts/bottle-oil-glass-oil-bottle-1482970

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Handmade St. Patrick's Day Card

Making handmade cards is a terrific way to relax and to feel creative. Also, making cards will only take a few minutes to do out of your daily routine. Since Saint Patrick's Day is almost here, I have created this mini shamrock card. All you will need is paint, photo paper, and glitter to surprise your friends and family members with this card. Here is the tutorial in making this handmade card. 

Materials:

Scissors
4 X 6 Photo Paper
Card Stock
Glue
Glitter
Shamrock stencil (Optional)
Paintbrush 
Acrylic Paint

First, glue one card stock paper on a 4 X 6 photo paper. Trim the edges with scissors. Second, glue another card stock on the other side of the photo paper. Third, fold the paper in half. Fourth, paint a shamrock by hand or with a stencil. Fifth, wait for the paint to get dry. 

Continue adding dots around the shamrock card. Sixth, wait for the paint to dry. Seventh, add glue and glitter to the front of the card. Then, on the back of the card, paint another shamrock. Leave some blank spaces to write "Made by" and"Your name" inside the shamrock. 

After that continue adding more dots around the shamrock. Wait for the paint to dry before adding glitter. Once everything is dry, write your name with a fine pointed pen. Last, write inside the card. This mini card fits inside a small standard size envelope. Also, this card can be made to wish someone good luck and best wishes. 

Free Tulip Coloring Bookmarks

Today, I've created five tulip bookmarks for spring. Each bookmark has a tulip design with basic design elements. Also, there are blank spaces in between the bookmarks where you can add phrases, quotes, names, or other words to personalize your coloring bookmarks. These bookmarks are free and for your personal use. Have fun coloring your new tulip bookmarks!

Being Comfortable With Yourself

Sometimes, life feels like a contest when you try to fit into a group, a social club, or with new friendships. It can be difficult when you are trying to get to know someone when they compare you to someone else.  However, there are ways to handle these situations, particularly when he or she criticizes your defects or how you look to them. At first, it might be difficult to comprehend and to deal with it. Yet, you try to ignore those hurtful words especially if you care for that person. 

Second, analyze everything and evaluate your relationship with that person. If you feel all the criticism is getting too harmful, walk away and let things cool down. Focus on your strengths and do not feel insecure. Being insecure because of what your boyfriend or girlfriend told you will eventually cause more harm. Sometimes, it is best to leave a toxic relationship for your own health and state of mind. 

Therefore, being comfortable with yourself will make you feel less insecure about yourself. You might be tempted to go back to an unhealthy relationship; But going back to a relationship that caused too much damage will bring back your painful recollections that person brought into the relationship. Also, accept yourself and forgive that person. Third, love the way you look, love your flaws, and love everything about yourself in a positive aspect. Having confidence in yourself will attract the people that can make you feel better about yourself and not worse. 

Be grateful and move on. Take care of yourself and do acts of kindness. Do not let the criticism from your boyfriend, girlfriend, or ex get you down. Being comfortable with yourself is fundamental to have healthy relationships. Here are more resources to feel good about yourself. 

How to Feel Comfortable in Your Own Skin:
https://tinybuddha.com/blog/how-to-feel-comfortable-in-your-own-skin/

6 Ways to Get More Comfortable With Others and Yourself:
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/fulfillment-any-age/201501/6-ways-get-more-comfortable-others-and-yourself

6 Ways to be More Comfortable With Yourself:
https://www.bustle.com/articles/130190-6-ways-to-be-more-comfortable-with-yourself

A Meditation on Your Self-Critical Voice-Mindful:
https://www.mindful.org/a-meditation-on-your-self-critical-voice/

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National Gum Disease Awareness Month

Being aware of gum disease symptoms can keep your gums and heart healthy. Flossing once a day and brushing your teeth twice a day can prevent gum disease. Make sure you use fluoride toothpaste because it prevents cavities. It strengthens your teeth. Using Listerine mouth wash or any other therapeutic mouth wash is helpful to kill the bacteria that is beyond the gum line. 

Another way is by using baking soda which whitens your teeth naturally. Baking soda prevents plaque buildup. It also stops your gums from bleeding. Taking vitamin C, calcium, phosphorus, and vitamin K also keeps your gums healthy. Here are more resources for taking care of your teeth and gums. 

11 Best Practices for Healthy Teeth:
https://www.healthline.com/health/dental-and-oral-health/best-practices-for-healthy-teeth#1

National Gum Disease Awareness Month-Best Tips for Healthy Gums:
https://www.jeffersondentalclinics.com/blog/national-gum-disease-awareness-month-best-tips-healthy-gums

How to Keep Gums Healthy-7 Ways:
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/323534

How to Be Mindful While Brushing Your Teeth:
https://www.nytimes.com/2016/09/21/well/mind/how-to-be-mindful-while-brushing-your-teeth.html

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Love Poetry for Valentine's Day

Today, I have written two poems for Valentine's Day. The first poem is about love at first sight. The second poem is about being heartbroken and ready to love again. Happy Valentine's Day! Thank you for reading and commenting on my blog. 

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How to Take Care of Your Hands Throughout the Seasons?

Taking care of your hands makes you feel confident and makes an enormous impression in a job interview. It makes a positive perspective about yourself. Keeping your nails clean and trimmed will decrease the chance of breaking a nail. Furthermore, fewer microbes can get into your nails especially when you are preparing your meals. 

It is recommended to moisturize your hands in the morning and at night. Using a fast-absorbing hand lotion makes your hands feel less slippery throughout the day. Exfoliating your hands with olive oil and sugar once a week makes your hands feel smoother. At night, you can apply shea butter, coconut, or any other hand lotion to moisturize your hands. Once a week, a hand mask can be used to repair and nourish your skin. 

Changing your lotion or oils as the season's change is very helpful to keep your hands moisturized. Creating a self-care routine for your hands will boost your self-esteem. Choose a hand lotion or oil that is unscented if you have sensitive skin. Also, do a skin patch test before applying scented lotions. Consult with your dermatologist for the correct hand lotion for your skin type. 

Wearing gloves at night will make the lotion or oil to absorb into the skin. Before, applying lotion or oils, inspect your hands for cuts, cracks, or bruises. Massaging your hands at night is one relaxing technique before going to sleep. Nonetheless, wearing sunscreen throughout the day makes your hands moisturized and protected.  Here are resources for taking care of your skin.

How to Care for Your Hands Like a Hand Model:
https://www.byrdie.com/hand-model-tips

Preventing and Treating Dry, Chapped Hands in Winter:
https://www.webmd.com/beauty/features/prevent-soothe-chapped-winter-hands

How to take care of your hands in the winter?
https://www.sheknows.com/living/articles/822387/how-to-take-care-of-your-hands-in-the-winter/

11 Tips to Help Protect Your Hands During the Winter Months:
https://www.healthcentral.com/article/11-tips-to-help-protect-your-hands-during-the-winter-months

Free Tulip Coloring Pages

Today, I have created three coloring pages of tulips. Each tulip coloring page has an exquisite design. Did you know there are ten different varieties of tulips that are planted in autumn? Tulips are part of the lily family. The popular color of tulips is red which symbolizes true love. These coloring pages are free and for your personal use. 

Here are more resources about tulips. 

Tulips- How to Plant, Grow, and Care for Tulip Flowers:
https://www.almanac.com/plant/tulips

Tulip Facts-What to Know About Tulips:
https://www.countryliving.com/gardening/a35956/tulip-fun-facts/

Mango and Apple Dessert

Mangoes are beneficial for keeping your eyes and hair healthy. This sweet fruit absorbs iron because of the vitamin C, and it boosts the immune system. It helps aid digestion due to its fiber content and lowers your cholesterol. In addition, this fruit has vitamin A which helps the skin to repair itself. Eating one serving of mangoes regulates the blood sugars. Therefore, adding mangoes with apples to your yogurt will help with digestion and regulate your sugar levels. Here is the recipe in making this mango and apple recipe.

1 Red Apple

1 Mango

1 Cup of Yogurt

2 Small Containers

1 Knife

1 Peeler

Whip Cream

Wash one apple. Peel one apple. Remove the stem and the core of one apple. Slice the apple into small pieces. Next, wash one mango. Then, peel it. Slice the mango into small pieces. After that put a few spoons of yogurt into two small containers. Add the apples and the mangoes. Continue adding yogurt. Then, you can add whip cream which is optional. Enjoy!

Here are more resources about the benefits of mangoes.

Mango: Nutrition, Health Benefits and How to Eat it:
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/mango

Mangoes: Benefits, Nutrition, and Recipes:
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/275921.php

6 Health Benefits of Mango:
https://www.health.com/nutrition/health-benefits-mango

Handmade Valentine's Day Card Tutorial

Do you like making handmade cards for Valentine's Day? Then this tutorial is for you. This handmade is simple and quick to do. All you will need is paint, glitter, and paper. Here are the instructions in making this handmade card for Valentine's Day.

Materials:

1. Red Acrylic Paint

2. Glitter

3. Glue

4. 4 X 6 Photo Paper

5. Scissors

6. Any Color Stock Paper

7. A Thin Paint Brush

8. Heart Stencil (Optional)

First, glue one 4 X 6 photo paper onto one color stock paper. Using scissors, trim the edges. Second, glue another color paper on the other side of the photo paper. Trim the edges. Third, fold the photo paper in half. Fourth, using a thin paintbrush and red paint, paint a heart onto the center of the card. You can use a heart stencil that can be found at the dollar store or another arts and crafts store. 

Fifth, let the paint dry before putting the glitter. After that in the center of the heart add glue and glitter. Continue adding glitter. Sixth, paint another heart on the back of the card. Let the paint dry. 

Make a different design on the back of the card by adding paint on the edges. Last, write " Made By" and "Your Name" inside the heart. Add glitter on the areas of the red paint. Wait for the glitter to dry before writing onto the card. This card can also be made for Mother's Day or for another occasion. Have fun making these handmade cards.  

Three Organization Tips for Your Closet

During the busy winter months, it is best to go through the clothes that are in your closet. Making an organization plan to organize your clothes, will make it easier to find the clothes that you want to wear. Begin with two different colored laundry baskets to sort your clothes. First, go through all your clothes. Try them on and see how it makes you feel. 

Second, go through all the accessories and shoes. Ask yourself how you feel while you wear the item and if it still serves a purpose. After sorting all the items that you are going to keep, toss the items in a laundry basket. The items you no longer want can be stored in a different colored laundry basket. Before storing the clothes back in the closet, clean your closet with vinegar and water or with baking soda.

This will get rid of any musty smells and dust from the closet. Neatly hang your clothes by color, by fabric, and by season. Alternatively, you can hang your clothes by how it makes you feel. Third, roll the t-shirts, pants, and other items to make more space in your closet. Cleaning your closet every few months will make it easier to keep your closet organized. 

Donate the items you no longer want to wear in a different color laundry basket. Also, make sure you label each laundry basket before you go through your clothes. If the item has sentimental value, you can take a photo of the item before donating it. Using different colored hangers can help you find the items that you want to wear for the day.  Here are more resources about organizing your closet.

The Ultimate Guide to Organizing Your Closet:
https://www.thespruce.com/how-to-organize-your-closet-2648411

23 Best Closet Organization & Storage Ideas-How to Organize:
https://www.womansday.com/home/organizing-cleaning/tips/g298/closet-organization-storage-ideas/

30 Closet Organization Ideas-Best DIY Closet Organizers:
https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/home/organizing/g2171/diy-closet-organizers/

*Courtesy Photo by Priscilla Du Preez on Unsplash

Free Valentine's Day Coloring Cards

Today, I have created three Valentine's Day coloring cards. One of the cards has blank spaces to add any word, greeting, phrase, or a person's name onto the card. Each card is hand-drawn and has different design elements. Also, these cards are ready to be printed and colored. These cards are free and for personal use. Happy Valentine's Day in advance! 

Taking Care of Your Heart (National Heart Month)

The entire month of February is dedicated to taking care of your heart. One way is by walking which reduces your stress and improves your health. Walking is considered a low impact exercise because it raises your heart rate which boosts your energy. The second way is learning how to reduce your stress so that your heart can function properly. The third way is by getting plenty of rest, exercise, and eating low-fat meals to strengthen the health of your heart.

Adding psyllium fiber can help lower the risk of heart disease. Psyllium fiber regulates cholesterol and sugar levels. This fiber is found in cereals, fiber bars, powder, and capsules. Psyllium is a prebiotic and it is absorbed with plenty of water. Also, it helps you to lose weight.    

Potassium, iron, CoQ10, Omega 3, is also recommended to keep your heart healthy. Before using any supplements, consult with your primary doctor. Limiting your intake of sugar and salt helps to lower your blood pressure. Exercising, meditating, and drinking water is beneficial for keeping your heart healthy. Here are more resources about National Heart Month. 

Walking Your Steps To Health:
https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/walking-your-steps-to-health


American Heart Association:
https://www.heart.org/

Go Red for Women-The American Heart Association's Signature:
https://www.goredforwomen.org/

American Heart Month: National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute:
https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health-topics/education-and-awareness/heart-month

7 Ways You Can Take Care of Your Heart:
https://ezinearticles.com/?7-Ways-You-Can-Take-Care-of-Your-Heart-Health&id=1827746

Frankincense Essential Oil for Pain and Stress Relief

Frankincense essential oil gives you relief from headaches, congestion, and body aches. When inhaled this woodsy aroma has a sedative effect which lowers anxiety and lowers your stress. It opens your nasal passages and makes you breathe more. Adding a few drops of Frankincense essential oil in a bath calms the nervous system and the Limbic system. It also prepares the body for sleep. 

In addition, this essential oil can give you relief from arthritis and rheumatism. In general, this essential oil is usually blended with lavender, sandalwood, pine, and other essential oils to promote relaxation. This essential oil must be diluted with a carrier oil such as Sweet Almond oil, Avocado oil, or another carrier oil before applying to the skin. When Frankincense essential oil is blended with Ravensara essential oil, it can give you relief from insomnia. A few drops of these essential oils with a carrier oil can be applied to your wrists to feel calm. 

Before applying essential oils, do a skin patch test. Also, consult with a dermatologist before using essential oils.  If you are pregnant, consult with your doctor before using essential oils. Nonetheless, frankincense essential oil can also be used in a diffuser to clean the air in your home. Here are more resources about frankincense essential oil.  

5 Benefits and Uses of Frankincense and 7 Myths:
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/frankincense

Frankincense Essential Oil: Benefits, Side Effects, Dosage:
https://www.verywellhealth.com/frankincense-essential-oil-what-you-should-know-88778

8 Frankincense Essential Oil Uses and Benefits for Healing:
https://draxe.com/essential-oils/what-is-frankincense/

* Free Essential Oil Clip Art: 
https://www.uihere.com/free-cliparts/glass-bottle-essential-oil-cosmetics-flacon-oil-7480101

* Frankincense Essential Oil:
https://www.uihere.com/free-cliparts/boswellia-sacra-frankincense-essential-oil-doterra-myrrh-peppermint-1722471

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