Saturday, January 29, 2022

Simple Techniques to Ease Stress in Five Minutes or Less (Guest Post)

Whether you’re stressed about work, dealing with some family drama, or feeling anxiety about any one of a million possible things, the fact is that many of us feel stressed out on the regular. And if we’re not addressing those stressed-out feelings just as regularly, those feelings can become overwhelming.


Fortunately, there are quite a few simple ways to calm down — fast — but some require a little advance planning. For example, listening to music or a guided meditation can be seriously helpful, but that’s easiest to do if you have a playlist of relaxing tunes downloaded or a meditation app at the ready when you need it. Same thing goes if you benefit from watching an autonomous sensory meridian response (ASMR) video, so have a couple saved. Of course, a breathing exercise, going for a walk, or sitting down to journal are also excellent options, and they require little to know pre-planning. But those aren’t your only options, so be sure to take a look at the graphic below for more ideas.



https://www.northwestpharmacy.com/healthperch/10-ways-to-get-calm-cool-and-collected-in-five-minutes





 

Friday, January 28, 2022

Affirmations for Healing


Often after a break-up from an uneasy relationship, you tend to think the worst about yourself. Also, you begin to think negatively and believe that no one else will love you like your ex-partner. However, to eliminate that negative inner self-talk, you can do affirmations for healing. By doing affirmations, you will positively improve your inner self-talk. It will not repair the damage from the negative relationship, but it will let you see everything from a better perspective.

These affirmations help build your confidence in yourself and to help you heal from past relationship experiences. Additionally, it helps you to get to know yourself before you begin a new relationship with another person. Affirmations help you to heal and to move on to a meaningful relationship. You will feel better after practicing these affirmations. Here is a list of healing affirmations.

  1. I forgive myself for all the mistakes that occurred in past relationships.
  2. My heart will give me a sign when it is healed.
  3. I am full of love.
  4. I respect myself and do not let anyone change me.
  5. I radiate love and I am full of strength.
  6. I am patient with myself and let negativity rub off me.
  7. I am healthy, cheerful, and ready to love once more.
  8. I let resentments wash off me and let happiness come in. 
  9. I let pain float by and let joy stay within me. 
  10. I am stronger and more radiant than gemstones.   
Practice these affirmations for healing whenever you need motivation. You can say them out loud or write them in a journal. Slowly read the affirmations and take deep breaths. Healing from past experiences takes time. 
Below are links for more affirmations for healing. 


Affirmations for Self-Healing, Wellness & Health-Chopra

7 Affirmations for Self-Healing, Wellness & Health | Chopra


The Most Powerful 201 Affirmations for Healing-Personal Develop Fit:

The Most Powerful 201 Affirmations For Healing - (personaldevelopfit.com)


9 Powerful Affirmations for Self-Love and Healing:

9 Powerful Affirmations for Self-Love and Healing - This Village Girl




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Wednesday, January 26, 2022

Data Privacy Day

 


Every January 28th is Data Privacy Day. The National Cybersecurity Alliance has tips on how to control your privacy settings for all your online applications such as your e-mail, location services, banking, search engines, and more. It is recommended to clear your search history from your electronic devices. Clear your search history every time you use the internet. Also, before you search online, you can browse in privacy or incognito mode.

Another way to be safe online is by checking that the website has a lock. Make sure the website begins with a Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure (https) which helps identify a secure website. Delete any applications that you no longer use on your cellphones. Remove any linked electronic devices from your e-mail privacy settings. Check your e-mail privacy settings and watch for anything that does not look correct.

Look for any suspicious activity in your e-mail privacy settings such as the times and locations of when the e-mail was last opened. Change your passwords frequently. Always clear computer cookies after using the internet. Close the websites that you use to log in. Here are more resources about data privacy. 


Data Privacy Week:

https://staysafeonline.org/data-privacy-week/


6 Ways to Protect Your Personal Information Online:

https://www.chubb.com/us-en/individuals-families/resources/6-ways-to-protect-your-personal-information-online.html


11 Ways to Protect Your Privacy Online:

https://www.lifehack.org/articles/technology/11-ways-protect-your-privacy-online.html






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Tuesday, January 25, 2022

How to Avoid Gaslighting?


Gaslighting is a combination of emotional and psychological abuse where the person changes the other person. The other person is changed through words and through actions that distort their truth. A person that does gaslight wants to control and manipulate a person negatively. The person loses their identity, self-worth, and their perception of themselves. Also, he or she will begin to question themselves, question events, and question their memory.

Over time, a person who was gaslighted begins to be severely depressed, emotionally traumatized, or tormented. The person constantly apologizes to the gaslighter. A person who does the gaslighting will lie, deny, and have their version of the arguments. He or she also extorts the other person. Additionally, he or she might put family and friends against the other person. 

There are many warning signs of being gaslighted. He or she calls you crazy and tells you that you are imagining the whole situation. You will begin to question yourself, feel insecure, and feel anxious all the time. You begin to blame yourself, feel less attractive, and make excuses for your partner. You also believe everything from your partner including their lies. 

A person who gaslights never apologizes. He or she has no compassion for their partner. To avoid this from happening to you, pay attention to your partner's behavior in person and online behavior. If you do notice any differences in their words and actions, proceed with caution. Do not let the gaslighter change your beliefs, morals, and your essence. 

Leave the gaslighter if he or she will not change. Seek professional help to find yourself. Do meditation techniques to find your self-worth. Practice self-love meditation, mindfulness, and love and kindness meditation. Incorporate self-care, make a vision board, write your emotions, and work on your hobbies gradually. 

Do things that made you feel joyful. Contact the Domestic Violence Hotline for support. Spend time alone to find your identity. As well as finding support with friends and family. Below are links for more ways to end gaslighting in your relationship. 


Domestic Violence Hotline:

What to Expect When You Contact Us - The Hotline


Mindfulness-A Skill You Can Use to Stop Gaslighting-Join One Love.org: 

Mindfulness: A Skill You Can Use to Stop Gaslighting (joinonelove.org)


How to Deal with Gaslighting in 6 Easy Steps-Marriage:

How to Deal with Gaslighting in 6 Easy Steps | Marriage.com


5 Go-To Tactics of Gaslighters and How to Resist Them-Psychology Today:

5 Go-To Tactics of Gaslighters, and How to Resist Them | Psychology Today






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Monday, January 24, 2022

Winter Classical Music for Relaxation


Listening to classical music in the winter can help improve your sleep. Also, it will help you relax at night. The winter compositions are slow at the beginning and goes by quick while you are listening to it. One famous winter composition is by the French composer Emile Waldteufel who composed The Skater’s Waltz. This classical composition was composed in 1882.

Another classical composition is Tchaikovsky, Symphony No. 1 Winter Daydreams. This composition was composed in 1866. In this composition you can hear the flute, bassoon, and the clarinet. It has a nice melody that is slow and gets quicker in the middle of the composition. You can close your eyes and imagine playing in the snow, ice skating, or watching the snow fall.

Additionally, you can listen to Erik Satie. Erick Satie was also a French composer who composed Gymnopedies. Gymnopedies were three compositions for the piano. It is a relaxing composition to listen to in the winter or any other season. Below are links with more winter classical compositions. 



Come in From the Cold with the 12 Best Classical Works for Winter-Your Classical.org: 

https://www.yourclassical.org/story/2017/12/19/come-in-from-the-cold-with-the-12-best-classical-works-for-winter


Winter Music-The Best Pieces Inspired by the Coldest Season-Classic FM:

https://www.classicfm.com/discover-music/occasions/best-winter-music/the-snowman/


Best Classical Music for Winter-Top 10 Pieces-U Discover:

https://www.udiscovermusic.com/classical-features/best-classical-music-for-winter/




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Saturday, January 22, 2022

Egg White Stuffed Bell Pepper for Breakfast

 


Eggs whites are a reliable source of protein. Also, you can lower your cholesterol by eating egg whites. Consuming egg whites helps your cardiovascular system and the skeletal system. It has fewer calories. A healthy way to eat egg whites is with a bell pepper.

This stuffed bell pepper has scrambled egg whites and vegetables inside making it a healthy breakfast. Bell peppers also lower your cholesterol, and it is excellent for the heart. Each color of bell peppers will give a unique flavor to your egg whites and the rest of your meals. In this example, a yellow bell pepper will give a sweeter taste to your egg whites. Here is the recipe for making this stuffed bell pepper with egg whites.

Ingredients:

One bell pepper

3 or 4 Whole Eggs

Onions

Green beans or ½ of a can of green beans

One big tomato

Olive Oil 

Preparation and Cooking Time:

Wash one bell pepper. Dry the bell pepper. Cut the top of the bell pepper. Remove the seeds of the bell pepper. In one pot, add the bell pepper in water and let it cook for five to ten minutes.

Separate the egg yolk from the egg whites using a small bowl. In one small bowl, place the egg whites. Peel and slice a small portion of onions. Wash and remove the seeds of one tomato. Slice one tomato.

In one skillet, use a little bit of olive oil and add the sliced tomatoes and onions. Then, add green beans. Let it cook for a few minutes before adding the egg whites. Scramble everything together. Then, add the egg whites with vegetables inside the bell pepper.

No sauce was added inside the bell pepper. However, you can add a little bit of black pepper or salt to the egg whites before stuffing the bell pepper. This recipe is for one person. However, you can adjust the recipe to make two bell peppers for two people. Below are links about the healthy benefits of egg whites. 

13 Amazing Health Benefits of Eating Egg Whites:

https://www.naturalfoodseries.com/13-health-benefits-egg-whites/


Egg Whites and Your Health-What You Need to Know:

https://www.webmd.com/diet/egg-whites-your-health


What are the Health Benefits of Egg Whites?-Live strong.com: 

https://www.livestrong.com/article/252979-what-are-the-health-benefits-of-egg-whites/






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Friday, January 21, 2022

Balloon Flower Bookmarks

Today, I have created four coloring bookmarks with balloon flowers and bees. Three bookmarks have blank spaces to write anything. The fourth bookmark has two bees and one balloon flower. These bookmarks are free and for your personal use. Enjoy!















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Tuesday, January 18, 2022

Thyme Chicken Recipe


Thyme has a distinct aroma and flavor. It is used on seafood, meat, chicken, and vegetables. Thyme can be found in the spice aisle at the local market as a dried spice powder form and naturally as a fresh herb. This spice is added in soups to add more flavor. It is beneficial for giving healthy support to your immune system.

The best part is that if you are trying to lower your cholesterol, you can try using this herb in your meals. Additionally, it fights cancer cells. However, it does not improve uterine fibroids because it acts like the female hormone, estrogen. Therefore, consult with your primary doctor before using thyme and other fresh herbs before any surgical procedure or if you are taking blood thinners. Yet, thyme has antioxidants and can be found in the form of tea. Below is a chicken recipe using thyme.

Ingredients:

One packet of chicken fillets

Bell peppers

Onions

Lemon juice

Olive Oil (optional)

Spices:

Thyme

Lemon and Pepper

Ginger

Side dishes:

Asparagus

Sliced radishes

Sliced avocados

Rice or cauliflower rice


Preparation and Cooking Time:

Add sliced bell peppers and sliced onions in one skillet. Then, wash and remove the fat from the chicken. Add spices to the chicken. Cook the chicken with the sliced bell peppers and the sliced onions with water. After the water has evaporated add lemon juice.

After that add olive oil in another skillet. Transfer the chicken onto the skillet. Let it cook for five minutes. Turn the chicken on the other side once it is golden brown. Let it cook for five minutes until it is golden brown. Remove the excess olive oil from the chicken with paper towels.

In another pot, add water and the asparagus. Cook the asparagus for ten minutes or until it is soft and tender. Serve the chicken with bell peppers, onions, asparagus, radishes, avocado, and rice. The rice can be substituted for cauliflower rice. Below are links about the health benefits of thyme. 

Thyme-Overview, Uses, Side Effects, Precautions, Interactions, Dosing and Reviews (Webmd.com): 

https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-823/thyme


What is Thyme and How is it Used-The Spruce Eats:

https://www.thespruceeats.com/all-about-thyme-996135


Thyme Nutrition, Health Benefits, Uses, and Recipes-Dr. Axe:

https://draxe.com/nutrition/thyme/







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Monday, January 17, 2022

Taking Care of Oily Hair


Oily hair can be tricky to control. Yet, having a hair care routine will make it easier to take care of your oily hair. Using fewer hair styling products might help as well as washing your hairbrushes. Wash your hair with a shampoo that is specifically for oily hair. Sometimes, using the wrong shampoo can make your hair to be greasier.

Choose a shampoo that keeps your hair healthier and easier to style your hair. Depending on your hair type, too much oil in your head scalp tends to make your hair look flat. If you have fine hair, choose a shampoo for fine and oily hair. Also, keep in mind that every shampoo might work differently depending on your hair type. Nonetheless, there are a variety of shampoos for oily hair such as clarifying shampoos, clay shampoos, volumizing shampoos, and shampoos that balance the oils in your hair.

Additionally, you can use baby shampoo for your hair when you run out of clarifying shampoo. Baby shampoo is gentle for your hair. It does not irritate your eyes and it might help control your oily hair. Before you brush your hair, wash your hairbrush or hair comb. It is recommended to wash your hairbrush or hair comb every two weeks.

Use a mild soap or baby shampoo to wash your hairbrush. Also, you can wash your hair comb with baby shampoo by using a baby toothbrush to remove the dirt between the bristles of the comb. You can also use your fingernails to remove the dirt from your hair comb. Make sure your hairbrush and hair comb is dry before styling your hair. Here are more resources for taking care of your oily hair. 

How to Take Care of Oily Scalp and Dry Hair-Makeup and Beauty:

https://makeupandbeauty.com/take-care-oily-scalp-dry-hair/

Oily Hair Remedy-25 Natural Ways to Get Rid of Greasy Hair-Healthline:

https://www.healthline.com/health/oily-hair-remedy

How to Clean a Hairbrush-Step by Step Guide-Healthline:

https://www.healthline.com/health/how-to-clean-a-hairbrush

How to Clean Combs and Brushes-Tutorial:

https://www.byrdie.com/how-to-clean-combs-and-brushes-tutorial-400087





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* Photo Filters at LunaPic





Saturday, January 15, 2022

Cleaning Tips (National Bath Safety Month)



Cleaning your bathtub with natural cleaners is good for the environment and your health. The liver is affected by toxic chemicals when it is exposed to the air. Also, the lungs get sensitive when you breathe certain toxic chemicals that might aggravate your asthma, allergies, and other respiratory issues. Even if the windows are open, it is still harmful to be exposed to certain chemicals. Therefore, cleaning with natural cleaners is safer for yourself, your family, and your pets.

The first cleaner that comes to mind when cleaning your bathtub is vinegar. Keep in mind the type of materials that your bathtub is made of. Combine a small amount of vinegar with water in a spray bottle. Let it sit for twenty minutes and use a cloth to remove the dirt. Another way to clean with vinegar is by combining it with baking soda.

Additionally, add essential oils with vinegar and baking soda to remove scum from your bathroom tiles and bathtub. Rinse your bathtub well after cleaning it. Make sure it is not slippery. Slippery bathtubs are the number one source of falling in the bathtub. Carefully use essential oils to deodorize your bathtub and bathroom.

Certain essential oils such as Lemon, Tea Tree Oil, Peppermint, Pine, and other oils make good deodorizers. Also, it has antimicrobial and antibacterial properties for cleaning. Another method is by combining essential oils with water in a spray bottle to clean your bathtub and bathroom. Wear gloves and comfortable clothes when cleaning your bathtub and bathroom. Here are more resources for cleaning your bathtub and bathroom. 


Natural Homemade House Cleaner for a Bathtub: 

https://homeguides.sfgate.com/natural-homemade-house-cleaner-bath-tub-78710.html 


5 Smart & Simple Ways to Clean a Bathtub-Tips Bulletin:

5 Smart & Simple Ways to Clean a Bathtub (tipsbulletin.com)


Getting Rid of Mold Naturally-5 Non-Toxic Ways-The Maids:

https://www.maids.com/cleaning-hacks/3-non-toxic-ways-clean-mold-natural-cleaners/


Homemade and Natural Cleaning Products-The Spruce:

Homemade and Natural Cleaning Products (thespruce.com)






* Free fonts, background, and other digital elements from PiZap


* Cleaning Supplies clip art:

cleaning materials - Clip Art Library (clipart-library.com)




Thursday, January 13, 2022

Art Day (Inspire Your Heart)


Every year on January 31st, you can have an art day. Inspire your heart with art day brings awareness to how art makes you feel and how you see the world. Also, through art, you or your child can express their feelings and thoughts. Your child will have fun making their own artworks and displaying it in their room. Additionally, they can do mini artworks to display on the refrigerator.

Besides painting, you can make a quilt, crotchet, or work on any other creative hobby. Displaying your artwork and handmade items is motivating and builds your self-confidence. Share your artwork and handmade items with your friends and family members. Do not limit yourself to one creative hobby and find more creative ways to express yourself through art. Below are links about inspire your heart with art day. 


Lauren Kingsland Shares Inspiration for " Inspire your Heart with Art Day"-Iona.org:

https://www.iona.org/inspire-heart-art-day/


Getting Your Child Involved in Art-Inspire Your Heart with Art Day:

https://www.iseeme.com/blog/blog/2017/01/31/getting-child-involved-inspire-heart-art-day/


Inspire Your Heart with Art-My Modern Met:

https://mymodernmet.com/inspire-your-heart-with-art/





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Monday, January 10, 2022

What to do When you are Cyber-Stalked?



Cyberstalking has increased more for identity theft, sextortion, and for other crimes. Often, a person is cyberstalked by someone he or she knows. The cyber-stalker is usually manipulative and threatens the person to give out personal information. Also, the cyber-stalker might be a bully and might work with someone else to get information. The main purpose of a cyber-stalker is to increase fear, anxiety, and disturb a person so he or she can get the data. If you feel you or your child is being cyberstalked, you must report it to authorities.

Gather all the evidence by printing out the information, do screen shots, and do a back-up of all the information from the cyber-stalker. Save e-mails and save text messages from your cyber-stalker. Set all your profiles to private. Block your cyber-stalker. Purchase a spyware and malware removal program.

Never show your location on social media or other websites online. Do not have your telephone number, addresses, and personal information set to public on social media and other websites. Have a professional to look at your computer and other electronic devices. Ask authorities about more tips on how to protect yourself online from the cyber-stalker. Here are more resources about cyber-stalking. 


Cyberstalking-How to Keep Your Teen Safe-Very Well Family:

https://www.verywellfamily.com/cyberstalking-how-to-keep-your-teen-safe-5181308


Protecting Your Kids-FBI:

https://www.fbi.gov/scams-and-safety/protecting-your-kids


What is Cyberstalking? How to Recognize and Protect Yourself:

What is Cyberstalking? How To Recognize and Protect Yourself (vpnoverview.com)


What to do if You're Being Cyberstalked-Prevent Cyberstalking:

https://joindeleteme.com/blog/being-cyberstalked-prevent-cyberstalking/






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Saturday, January 8, 2022

Platycodon Grandiflorus (Balloon Flower) Coloring Pages

 


The botanical name for balloon flowers is Platycodon grandifloras and these flowers come in blue, violet, white, and pink. These flowers can be planted in the spring and come in different variations. Balloon flowers can be planted in the shade or a sunny area. These coloring pages are hand-drawn and were inspired by the Platycodon grandifloras Astra variation. This variation has ten petals. These coloring pages are free and for your personal use. Enjoy! 














How to Grow Balloon Flowers:







* Free fonts from PiZap




Wednesday, January 5, 2022

Love Your Liver Awareness Month (January)

 


Taking care of your liver takes discipline from abstaining from alcoholic beverages and desserts. Limiting processed foods and sugar is challenging with a busy schedule. However, finding time to exercise helps your liver to reduce accumulated fat. Adding more nuts, berries, broccoli, fish, and other foods will keep your liver healthy. Do not share the same razor and needles with your partner, relatives, or friends. 

This month pledge to eat healthier, exercise more or limit alcoholic beverages. Reduce or eliminate red meat from your meals. Donate to the liver foundation.  Wear something green to bring awareness of liver diseases. Here are resources about taking care of your liver. 


Healthy Liver: 

https://www.webmd.com/hepatitis/features/healthy-liver


11 Foods for Your Liver: 

https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/11-foods-for-your-liver


Love Your Liver- British Liver Trust:  

https://britishlivertrust.org.uk/information-and-support/liver-health-2/love-your-liver/


Love Your Liver: 

https://www.love-your-liver.org/





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Tuesday, January 4, 2022

National Stalking Awareness Month



National Stalking Awareness Month was proclaimed in January by President Biden. More women are being stalked online through their cell phones and other electronic devices. However, men are also stalked and do not report it due to embarrassment. Stalking is an unhealthy relationship especially if it is done by someone you know. A person would stalk another person because of trust issues, insecurities, and the need for controlling the other person. 

If you think you are being stalked, these are the warning signs. The stalker gives too many gifts, sends too many messages, and hangs up too many times on the telephone. Also, a stalker shows up at all the events unexpectedly. However, a stalker can also use spyware to spy on their ex-partner or current partner. The stalker can use multiple telephone numbers with fake names to stalk the other person. 

Stalking also occurs with acquaintances and with strangers. Therefore, save the unwanted gifts and messages as evidence. Report your stalker to authorities. Do not feel embarrassed when giving the details of your stalker to authorities. Below are resources about preventing this from happening. 


Stalking Awareness & Prevention-SPARC:

Definition & FAQ | Stalking Awareness & Prevention | SPARC

Learn the Facts About Stalking-National Sexual Violence Resource Center-NSVRC:

https://www.nsvrc.org/blogs/learn-facts-about-stalking

Stalking-Know it, Name it, Stop it-CDC:

https://www.cdc.gov/injury/features/prevent-stalking/






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* Man clipart with binoculars:

Man Clipart Binoculars - Human With Binocular Png,Binoculars Png - free transparent png images - pngaaa.com



Sunday, January 2, 2022

DIY Heart Embroidered Gloves

 

Embroidered gloves have been popular since the 16th century. Today, embroidered gloves or mittens still make a fashion statement during the winter months. It might seem like a challenge to do needlepoint onto a pair of gloves. However, you will enjoy wearing these heart embroidered gloves. Make sure you wash your mittens by hand after it has been embroidered.  

If you like to wear embroidered gloves, you will like this tutorial. This simple embroidery project will take one hour to do. It is an easy embroidery project for a beginner in embroidering. You will need one pair of gloves that have a stretchable fabric. Here is the tutorial for making these heart embroidered gloves. 

Materials: 

Embroidery thread/floss

Embroidery needle

Mini embroidery hoop (optional)

1 pair of gloves/mittens

Sequins 

Regular needle

Scissors

Regular thread


 


Begin by inserting embroidery thread inside an embroidery needle. After that insert the needle inside one glove. Make lines with the thread until you make the shape of the heart. Next, continue making thicker stitches around the shape. Trim the leftover thread. 

Once the embroidered heart is nice and thick, sew one sequin in the center of the heart. Use one regular needle and matching thread to sew the sequin. After that trim the leftover thread. Repeat the same steps for the second glove. Happy National Hobby Month! 





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