Laundry Tips During a Pandemic

Doing the laundry should be a priority when you finish doing errands during this difficult time. Yet, during these times it can feel overwhelming to get all the household chores done. Also, you might forget to put enough soap onto the washing machine. In addition, you might accidentally put too much bleach on the wrong fabrics of clothing.  However, to make the process of doing the laundry more effortless, this shortlist will help you feel less scared. 

1. Sort through dirty clothes with disposable gloves. 

2. Put the dirty clothes in a laundry basket or in a disposable bag.

3. Take the laundry basket or the disposable bag to the laundry room. Do not remove your gloves and mask while doing the laundry in public or at home. 

4. Use white distilled vinegar if you do not have Clorox bleach. Vinegar acts as a fabric softener and it removes odors naturally. Use the appropriate laundry soap that is approved and registered with EPA. 

5. Use the warmest settings to wash your clothes. After the clothes are done washing, promptly add the clothes in a dryer. However, if you can use two pairs of disposable gloves. One pair of gloves to add the clothes in the washer and another pair of gloves in the dryer. If you do remove one pair of gloves, use hand sanitizer, or wash your hands for twenty seconds before putting the second pair of gloves. 

After the clothes are fully dry, place the clothes in a new clean laundry basket or in new disposable bags. It is also recommended to clean your clothes hamper with Clorox, Lysol, or with any other cleaning wipe. Last, fold and hang your clothes when you get home when using a public laundry room. These extra steps should make you feel more at ease. Here are more resources about doing the laundry during a pandemic. 

How to Disinfect Clothes: Tips for COVID-19 Prevention:

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/how-to-disinfect-clothes#summary

Laundry Tips & Checklists-Better Homes & Gardens:

https://www.bhg.com/homekeeping/laundry-linens/tips-checklists/

How to Safely and Efficiently Tackle Laundry During the Coronavirus:

https://www.dwell.com/article/laundry-guide-coronavirus-pandemic-covid-19-91f184df

* Free Laundry Clip Art and Washing Machines: 

https://www.kissclipart.com/laundry-clipart-laundry-washing-machines-clip-art-zrr3dl/

* Free Clip Art of Washing Machines:

https://www.cleanpng.com/png-washing-machines-clip-art-computer-icons-portable-7088598/

Tea Tree Oil

Tea tree oil has so many uses in cosmetics, hygiene products, and aromatherapy. This oil can be used as a natural insect repellent. Also, this oil is used in hand sanitizers and in deodorants. Tea tree oil has antibacterial and antifungal properties. When used on the skin, tea tree oil helps to combat acne, fungus, and dermatitis.

Tea tree oil has a minty smell which reminds me of being outside in nature. Tea tree oil can be blended with Lavender, Juniper Berry, Lemon, Eucalyptus, and other essential oils. This oil kills off germs and can be used as a natural cleaner to clean counters and as a laundry freshener. In addition, it helps to get rid of dandruff. Before using Tea tree oil consult with your primary doctor or dermatologist.  Here are more resources about Tea Tree Oil.  

14 Benefits and Uses for Tea Tree Oil:
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/tea-tree-oil#2.-Insect-Repellent

Tea Tree Oil: Benefits and Uses:
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/262944

Tea Tree Oil:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements-tea-tree-oil/art-20364246

Tea Tree Oil Benefits, Uses, and Potential Side Effects:
https://draxe.com/essential-oils/tea-tree-oil-uses-benefits/

* Free Clip Art of Tea Tree:
https://www.cleanpng.com/png-fresh-green-tea-tree-14405/

* Free Clip Art of Oil, Bottle, Essential:
https://dlpng.com/png/6650939

* Free Fonts, Borders, and Backgrounds from Pizap

Embroidered Kitchen Hand Towel (Tutorial)

During difficult stressful times, embroidery can be one of your favorite pastimes. Embroidery helps to feel more creative, feel less stressed, and keeps your brain healthy. Since the 3^rd Century BCE, the embroidery was used to decorate boxes, clothes, and embroidered tapestries. The Items were decorated with fine gold thread. Today, there is a range of different colored threads to do embroidery at home. Here is the tutorial for making these embroidered kitchen hand towels.

Materials:

Embroidery Needles

Embroidery Thread-Any Color

Kitchen Hand Towels-Any Color

Embroidery Hoop
Letter Stencil 
Sequins
3/16 in X 6 yd Ribbon
Clear Nail Polish (Optional)

First, wash the kitchen hand towels. Once, the kitchen hand towels are dry, you can insert ribbon onto an embroidery needle. Continue inserting ribbon on the sides of the kitchen hand towel. Once the ribbon is inserted, sew the ends of the ribbon on the back of the towel. After that sew sequins on the corners of the towel.

Next, sew a small ribbon bow onto the corner of the towel. Also, you can sew a loop on one corner of the towel. Continue sewing sequins. Next, use a letter stencil to write words on the towel. Using a fabric marker or a permanent marker, trace the letters onto the towel. Last, embroider each letter. In the middle of the words, add a few sequins. Add clear nail polish on the ends of the ribbon to stop the ribbon from fraying. Below are links about the history of embroidery and more embroidery resources.  

History of Embroidery: 

https://www.britannica.com/art/embroidery

The Basics of Silk Ribbon Embroidery:

https://www.thesprucecrafts.com/silk-ribbon-embroidery-4076700

7 Basic Embroidery Stitches For Beginners:

https://aprettyfix.com/7-basic-embroidery-stitches-beginners/

* Free Font, Border, and Photo Collage from Pizap

Hibiscus Tea for Your Heart

Hibiscus tea has a soothing and delightful scent. Drinking this tea helps reduce cholesterol and lowers your blood pressure. It also helps to adjust sugar levels. This tea has antioxidants, vitamin C, and has iron. Although, this tea has healthy benefits for cardiovascular health; It is advised not to drink this tea when you are taking medications for the heart.

However, this tea may help you sleep better. Adding ginger and lemon to hibiscus tea gives a boost to the immune system. In addition, hibiscus tea is great for the health of the liver. Overall, it tastes delicious with mini sandwiches. Before consuming hibiscus tea, consult with your primary doctor. Here are more resources about Hibiscus tea. 

Hibiscus Tea Benefits:
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/hibiscus-tea-benefits

Hibiscus Tea: Benefits, Side Effects, and Interactions:
https://www.verywellhealth.com/health-benefits-of-hibiscus-tea-89620

Hibiscus Tea: Health Benefits and Risks:
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/318120

* Free Tea Set Clip Art:
https://webcomicms.net/clipart-10077089-tea-set-png-transparent-images

* Free Hibiscus Flower Clip Art:
https://gallery.yopriceville.com/Free-Clipart-Pictures/Flowers-PNG/Pink_Hibiscus_Transparent_PNG_Clip_Art#.XqIreGZKjIU

Diabetes Care During a Pandemic

If you have diabetes, it is crucial to wear gloves and personal protective equipment when you go out to buy groceries, over the counter medications, and other necessary items. Due to too much pricking from testing your sugar levels, your hands need to be protected. If you do not have gloves, you must use a tissue to cover your hands when you touch handrails, elevator buttons, shopping carts, and other items. Use hand sanitizer and wash your hands as soon as you get home. Wear rubber gloves when you clean frequently used areas such as counters, doorknobs, remote controls, and cell phones.

Also, make and keep an emergency kit at home and for your car. Always have small juice boxes, peanut butter, honey, jams, and items that have sugar in case your sugar is too low. Make sure you have enough medicine, insulin, syringes, lancets, and alcohol in your emergency supply kit. Eat healthy meals and check your sugar. Get plenty of rest and practice ways to relax.

Always follow your doctor’s recommendations for taking care of your sugar. If your sugar is too high, check with your doctor on how to lower your sugar. Stay home and avoid crowded places if you can. Have someone or your caretaker to get groceries and medicine or order online your groceries and prescriptions. Here are more resources about taking care of your diabetes during a pandemic. 

Diabetes and Coronavirus:

https://www.webmd.com/lung/diabetes-and-coronavirus#1

COVID-19-Know What to Do:

https://www.diabetes.org/blog/coronavirus-covid-19-know-what-to-do

Coronavirus and Diabetes:

https://www.healthline.com/diabetesmine/coronavirus-and-diabetes

* Free Soap Clip Art:

https://clipground.com/soaps-clipart.html

* Mask image from: 

http://www.cjvcorpsafe.co.za/disposables.htm

* Gloves Clip art from: 

http://pngimg.com/download/8290

* Free Background, Border, and Font from Pizap

Handmade Mother's Day Card Tutorial

Are you looking for a handmade card for Mother's Day? This handmade card is very easy to make for Mother's Day or as a Thank You Day card. It only takes a few minutes to make this card and uses less materials to make it. All you will need is paint, paper, paintbrushes, scissors, glue, and glue glitter.  Here are the instructions for making this card.

Materials:

4 X 6 Photo Paper

Copy and Print Paper

Glue stick

2 Paintbrushes

Glue Glitter or glitter

Green Acrylic Paint

Red Acrylic Paint

Scissors

Stamp

Stamp Ink
Heart Stencil (Optional)

Glue paper onto a 4 X 6 photo paper. Glue the paper on both sides. Trim the edges. Next, fold the paper in half. Choose a side for the front of the card.

First, paint a heart with green acrylic paint. Second, paint a few dots around the heart. Third, wait for the paint to get dry. After the paint is dry, add glue glitter around the dots. Fourth, wait for the glitter to dry. Fifth, add a word in the center of the heart such as " Thank You" with a stamp.

On the back of the card, repeat steps one and four. Then, for the fifth step add " Made By" and your name on the center of the heart.  These mini cards fit in a standard small envelope. Have fun making these handmade cards. Happy Mother’s Day in advance! 

* Borders, Frames, and Fonts at Pizap

Hibiscus Coloring Bookmarks

Today, I have created three hibiscus coloring bookmarks. These hibiscus coloring bookmarks are wider and bigger for your journals and books. Also, there are blank spaces for you to write phrases, words, quotes, or your name. Each hibiscus coloring bookmark is hand-drawn and has a particular design. These bookmarks are free and for your personal use. Thank you for reading my blog. 

Stress Awareness in April

Reducing stress can be challenging, especially when you have a busy schedule. Sometimes, you have to make a change in your environment to make you realize how much stress you have accumulated. Yet, when you make time for yourself by doing small random things, your stress is greatly reduced. The entire month of April is devoted to  Stress Awareness. Reducing stress makes you stop worrying and from feeling frustrated. 

Swimming in a pool, sitting in a jacuzzi, or surrounding yourself in water is a calming way to reduce stress. Feeling the water and the bubbles is a great distraction and make you forget about your problems. Having a pet is another way to reduce your stress because of their unconditional love and companionship. 
Pets can make you laugh with their playful mood. Laughter is a good stress reliever too. 

Meditating while you read will reduce your stress before you go to sleep. Turning off the television in the afternoon and before going to sleep calms your brain. Adding Meditation into your schedule makes you feel less stressed. Finding ways to reduce your stress and incorporating them into your schedule makes you feel happier. 
Here are more resources about stress awareness month.  

7 Tips for Preventing and Managing Stress:
https://www.bioiq.com/7-tips-for-preventing-and-managing-stress/

Stress and your health:
https://www.womenshealth.gov/mental-health/good-mental-health/stress-and-your-health

Tips for Reducing Stress:
https://www.webmd.com/anxiety-panic/guide/tips-for-reducing-stress

* Font and Border Frame from Pizap

Domestic Violence Awareness

Since 1981, Domestic Violence Awareness Month was developed to save more women and men from emotional and physical abuse from their married or live-in partners. Domestic Violence Awareness Month is in October of every year. However, domestic violence is on the rise. Domestic violence leaves emotional scars to the woman or to the man that is being abused along with the emotional state of their children. Yet, there are ways to leave the person that is causing the abuse.

First, have a list of people to contact in case of an emergency. Memorize their telephone numbers and have them on speed dial. Second, have a code word that only your contacts know so they can help you leave your abuser. Third, know all the areas that are safe in your home. No matter how difficult it might be to leave your partner, you must think of your own safety and the safety of your children. 

Also, know the warning signs that you are in an abusive relationship. Ask yourself questions and how your partner makes you feel. No one should touch you inappropriately, hit you, and force you to do something you do not want to do. Therefore, it is important for you to take the first step to leave an abusive relationship. Here are more resources about Domestic Violence Awareness. 

National Domestic Violence Hotline:
https://www.thehotline.org/

Domestic Violence-Psychology Today:
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/domestic-violence

Domestic Violence and Abuse-Help Guide:
https://www.helpguide.org/articles/abuse/domestic-violence-and-abuse.htm

Domestic Violence Resource Guide:

https://www.mysticmag.com/psychic-reading/domestic-violence-resource-guide/

* Free Border and Font from Pizap

Three Ways to Celebrate National Poetry Month

The whole month of April is the best time to write, read,  and learn about poetry. One way to celebrate National Poetry Month is by reading to your children. Reading about your favorite poems that you read when you were their age will build their vocabulary.  Also, teaching them about different writing styles such as Haikus and Cinquains. After, your children can practice writing different poems. 

The second way is by cutting out words or underlining words from magazines. Your children can cut the words and paste the words onto cards. Similarly, you can use words from crossword puzzles to make your own poetry. The third way is by reading the biographies of poets along with their poems. Here are more resources about celebrating National Poetry Month. 

National Poetry Month:
https://poets.org/national-poetry-month

April is National Poetry Month:
http://www.readwritethink.org/classroom-resources/calendar-activities/april-national-poetry-month-20478.html

30 Ideas to Celebrate National Poetry Month:
https://www.familyfriendpoems.com/national-poetry-month/

* Free Font and Border from Pizap

Banana Smoothie for Your Morning Routine

Banana smoothies are a great way to start your mornings. Bananas have potassium which is beneficial for cardiovascular health. It has fiber for digestion. Bananas have vitamin C and vitamin B6 for your immune system. It also gives you a natural boost in energy. 

Bananas have magnesium which calms the nerves and helps with anxiety. This banana smoothie has honey. Honey has antioxidants and has antibacterial properties. Honey is often recommended for sore throats. Here is the recipe for making this banana smoothie.

Ingredients:

2 Ripe Bananas
Lactaid Milk or Almond Milk
1 Teaspoon of Cinnamon
1 Teaspoon of Turmeric
1 teaspoon of honey
Sugar (Optional)

Wash, peel, and slice the bananas. Next, add milk and the sliced bananas inside the blender. After that add one teaspoon of honey, turmeric, and cinnamon inside the blender. Last, blend everything until it is smooth. Here are more resources about bananas and honey. 

Health Benefits of Bananas: 
https://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/health-benefits-bananas

11 Proven Benefits of Bananas:
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/11-proven-benefits-of-bananas


Honey Health Benefits:
https://www.besthealthmag.ca/best-you/health/honey-health-benefits-beyond-soothing-sore-throats/

Honey: Benefits, Uses, and Properties:
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/264667

* Free Font and Border from Pizap

Mushroom Chicken with Carrots and Beans Recipe

Eating mushrooms will give your immune system a boost and it provides your body with Zinc. Zinc is a mineral that the body needs for the immune system and it reduces inflammation. Also, zinc is beneficial when there is too much stress in the body.  Additionally, mushrooms have antioxidants and B vitamins. It reduces the glucose in the blood. 

Similarly, beans have zinc. Consuming beans may prevent heart disease, lowers cholesterol, and helps aid with digestion. Beans have potassium, iron, magnesium, and fiber. Beans and mushrooms complement this chicken meal and it is easy to make. The whole family will enjoy this mushroom chicken meal. 

This recipe serves four people. It approximately takes one hour to make and prepare this meal. Using five different spices, this chicken has a delightful aroma. There is no need to cook with oil because this chicken is boiled in water. Here is the recipe for making this mushroom chicken with carrots and beans. 

Ingredients:

1 Green Bell Pepper
1 Can of Beans or one bag of beans
1 Can of Mushrooms or a box of mushrooms 
1 Chicken Filet Package
1 Yellow or White Onion
1 Bag of Carrots or 1 Can of Carrots
Pure Ground Black Pepper
Lemon and Pepper
Curry
Paprika
Garlic Powder

First, wash the chicken and remove the fat. Slice the chicken into smaller pieces. Next, use lemon and pepper, garlic powder, paprika, curry, and pure ground pepper onto the chicken. Rub the spices on both sides of the chicken. Wash one bell pepper and remove the seeds. Peel onion. Then, slice the bell pepper and onion into smaller pieces. 

In one skillet, add the bell peppers, onions, and the chicken with a small amount of water. Cook the chicken in low heat. While the chicken is cooking, you can wash and peel the carrots. After that,  you add the carrots in one small pot. After the chicken has cooked evenly, add the mushrooms. 

Rinse one box of mushrooms or open one can of mushrooms. Remove the water from the mushrooms and slice the mushrooms into smaller pieces. Once the mushrooms turn brown, turn off the stove. Cook the beans or open one can of beans. Warm-up the beans with the broth. 

Serve the beans in a small teacup with the broth. Last, place the chicken with the bell peppers, onions, and mushrooms onto a plate. Add the carrots onto the other side of the plate. Your family will enjoy this meal and might ask for a second helping.  Here are more resources about the healthy benefits of mushrooms and beans. 

The 9 Healthiest Beans and Legumes You Can Eat:
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/healthiest-beans-legumes

Why Beans Are Good For Health:https://www.webmd.com/diet/ss/slideshow-why-beans-are-good-for-health

The Health Benefits of Mushrooms:
https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/howto/guide/health-benefits-mushrooms

Are Mushrooms Good For You?
https://www.healthline.com/health/food-nutrition/are-mushrooms-good-for-you

6 Mushroom Health Benefits-Eating Mushrooms:
https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/health/diet-nutrition/a27633487/mushroom-health-benefits/

* Border and Font from Pizap

Hand Hygiene Tips

Washing your hands before and after you cook is beneficial for your health and others. It is recommended to wash your hands for twenty seconds with clean running water and soap. Also, it is recommended to wash your gloves and your hands after doing your errands, cleaning at home, and washing your dishes. However, it is important to wash your elbows too. After touching elevator buttons and sneezing with your elbows, wash your elbows and your hands with soap. 

After washing your hands and elbows, you can apply a fast-drying unscented lotion.  Do not touch your face when you are at home and when you are buying groceries. Wash your hands frequently when you go to the restroom, kitchen, gardening, and after your chores. Alternatively, you can use a hand sanitizer and have adult supervision when your kids use hand sanitizer.  Here are more resources about washing your hands and what not to do. 

Hand-Washing: Do's and Don'ts:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/in-depth/hand-washing/art-20046253

Hand Washing: Proper Technique, Antibacterial Soap, Hand Sanitizers:
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/17474-hand-washing

Handwashing-Clean Hands, Save Lives:
https://www.cdc.gov/handwashing/index.html

* Free Memes, Borders, and Fonts from Pizap

Free Coloring Journal Pages

Are you looking for coloring journal pages? Today, I have created three coloring journal pages with a different border.  Each heart journal page has a place to write the date and lines to begin your journal entry. Also, each heart and border was drawn by hand.  These heart coloring journal pages are free and for your personal use. Enjoy!

Celebrating National Garden Month

The entire month of April is the best time to take care of your garden, plant more flowers, and to celebrate National Garden Month. Planting your own flowers or vegetables can help you and your children learn about how flowers and vegetables are grown. Also, you can read with your child about the different types of flowers and vegetables. Creating a plant or a flower journal can help you and your child learn about plants. Taking photos of flowers and matching those flowers with the garden books or drawing flowers can help you and your child to have fun celebrating the garden month.

Arranging and cutting flowers and placing them in a vase helps you to feel more cheerful especially during stressful times. Another way is by smelling each flower in your garden and distinguishing the different scents of each flower. Smelling flower scents make you feel less anxious and help you be in a good mood. If you don’t have a garden, you can plant herbs indoors, add fresh flowers in the living room, or look at digital photos of gardens online. Here are more resources about celebrating National Garden Month. 

National Garden Month-April 2020:
https://nationaltoday.com/national-garden-month/

April is National Garden Month:
https://www.nationalgardenmonth.org/

April is National Garden Month:
https://www.gardencentermag.com/article/april-is-national-garden-month/

*Courtesy Photo by Szilvia Basso on Unsplash

Free Shoe Coloring Pages (High Heels)

Did you know that September 3rd is  National High Heels Day? Today, I've created three coloring pages of high heels. Each coloring page has a high heel with a different flower along with tiny design elements. These shoe coloring pages are free and for your personal use. Enjoy!

April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month

Every year on April 1^st, the National Child Abuse Prevention month is observed to bring awareness of all the children that are abused. Since 1983, President Ronald Reagan declared April as the month of Child Abuse Prevention Month. Every day five children die of child abuse. In addition, every child knows who their perpetrator is. Usually the perpetrator is someone who they know such as a family member, friend, neighbor, or someone who is close to the family. However, there are ways to prevent this by educating yourself, parents, and anyone who interacts with children.

There are programs that educate parents about child abuse and preventing child abuse from occurring in public places and in homes. If the school of your child has a child abuse prevention program, it is encouraged to go to their sessions. These programs educate parents, family members, teachers, and volunteers to be informed about how children can be safe against cyberbullying, bullying, and with technology. Also, there are programs that teach children to be safe in public places and in their homes. This year, the Childhelp organization and their Youth Ambassador Rosevelt Rawls is raising awareness and has launched a campaign through social media called the Rosevelt Challenge.

By donating $5.00 and by challenging your family and friends to participate in this worthy cause, you can bring awareness about preventing child abuse. In twitter and in other social media platforms, you can use the hashtags, #5TooMany and #RoseveltChallenge. Additionally, you can take a photo of a heart in your hand. Blue is used to bring awareness of child abuse prevention and wearing blue will bring consciousness to everyone.  For more information, please see these websites.

Childhelp:

https://www.childhelp.org/

#RoseveltsChallenge-Childhelp:

https://www.childhelp.org/blog/roseveltschallenge/

#Rosevelts Challenge-Childhelp
http://www.childhelp.org/5toomany/

Child Abuse Prevention Month-Childhelp:

https://www.childhelp.org/blog/child-abuse-prevention-month-history/