Frustration-Free, Cost-Free Soccer Gaming

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It seems that every year, our kids want the newest soccer game. To me, the new $60 FIFA title looks exactly the same as last year’s version. Even my husband, an avid football fan, often says that we don’t need to buy it. Usually we give in, shelling out too much money for what seems like the same game. This year, I might’ve found the perfect solution: a soccer video game that doesn’t cost any money!

Heads Arena: Euro Soccer is a kid-friendly, easy-to-play browser game. It works in Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, Internet Explorer, Safari, Firefox, etc. Because it is on Poki, there’s nothing to download—no apps, special permissions, or payment information required. All of these factors are what initially turned me on to the title. Can a free Internet game be as good as a best-selling console series? After playing, I really think so.

I must admit that I’m not a hardcore gamer. Even so, I was able to compete against the computer in Heads Arena: Euro Soccer within a minute. The menu is simple to navigate, with big buttons that let you choose between Tournament mode (more on that later), Party mode, and one- or two-player matchups. I opted for a solo game in Party mode, which is also called Normal mode. Then, it was time to choose teams and players. There are 12 teams in the game, all of which have two different athletes. The players look pretty silly, with funny expressions and exaggerated facial features. To me, each player looks like a cartoon. My husband insists that they’re based on real athletes, and I’m inclined to believe him. As the name of the game suggests, every team hails from Europe. There are pairs of caricatured superstars from Germany, Italy, Sweden, and the UK.

The controls in Heads Arena: Euro Soccer are simple enough for me, a casual adult gamer, as well as my youngest child. When playing a single-player match, the arrow keys guide your athlete left, right, and upwards. One other key is used for kicking the ball, although it’s not always necessary. In every game I played, goals were scored in all sorts of different ways. Yes, you can execute a perfectly aimed kick to score. However, many goals were actually caused by running or jumping into the ball. I experienced many goals worthy of the highlight reel, such as an accidental header from my defensive zone into the opposing team’s net.

Tournament mode offers a 3-round playoff series. This extra-competitive mode is available in solo and co-op variations, allowing you to team up with a friend. During the tournament, each round is harder than the last. You’ll have to keep improving to beat each team and eventually win the gold trophy.

Whether you’re looking for a quick sports game or want to win the World Cup, kick into Heads Arena: Euro Soccer. It’s accessible to just about everyone; young kids, teens, and adult gamers can glean great fun from my new favorite sports title.

Fighting Boredom is One Key to a Happy Family Vacation

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Traveling with kids can be a lot of fun. If you don’t believe me take a trip to Disney World with a six-year-old. The way their face lights up at every turn will make every mile traveled worth it. But struggles along the way can make taking a vacation with kids seem like a prison sentence.

Kids’ patience can wear thin when they’re stuck in the car or on an airplane and just want to start enjoying the vacation. If they don’t have things to keep them busy boredom will set in followed by cries of “are we there yet?”

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure in this scenario. Packing the right supplies for the trip can keep boredom at bay so everyone stays happy.

A Steady Power Supply

Today, most kids can be entertained for hours with electronics. It’s actually amazing how quiet a car or plane ride can be when kids are engrossed in a game on a device. But then the battery icon turns the dreaded red. Right when they’re at the best part of the movie or about to beat their top score the power finally gives out.

Packing a powerbank in your bag (or even two) can help you keep electronics charged when there’s no electric outlet in sight. Powerbanks store power and have ports so that devices can be plugged directly into them. This isn’t just a matter of having endless entertainment. Being able to charge cell phones and navigation systems on the go make them well worth the cost.

Relax With Reading Material

Even if you have an ample power supply there are times when electronics can’t be used, like during the first 20-30 minutes of a flight. Kids and teens that aren’t used to being without their devices will need another distraction. This is the perfect opportunity to get them to pick up some old-fashioned entertainment – books.

Reading is one of the best sources of relaxation because it’s a great distraction. The best part is research has shown any type of reading material has relaxing benefits. It can be a comic book, a young adult novel or an insect identification guide.

It could be fun to get your kids books and maps on the place that you plan to visit. While they read they can start planning what they want to do while you’re there. You can also get each kid a journal so they can write their own story and chronicle the events of the trip.

Coloring Books for Adults and Kids

Another fun pastime that’s popular right now is detailed coloring books. Kids will definitely enjoy them, but they’re designed for teens and adults as well. The coloring books have beautiful, intricate patterns that help relax the mind and spark creativity. Coloring just one page can easily keep you entertained for an hour or more.

These types of coloring books work best with coloring pencils. That means you’ll need to pack a pencil sharpener as well, or you may run out of the color you need before you’re done.

Cameras to Capture the Trip

Kids innately know how to use electronic devices these days. Even small children are fascinated with them, including cameras. Usually parents are the ones trying to capture their kids on camera, but what if the shoe was on the other foot? A super fun way to keep your kids entertained is to give them their own camera for the trip.

It can be an old one you haven’t used since you got a smart phone or a cheap disposable camera. It really won’t make much of a difference to your kid once they start snapping away. At the end of the trip you can take the pictures and video clips they captured and create a slide show for the family.

Stock Up on Classic Games

Some games are considered to be classics because they are still just as fun today as they were decades ago. Car bingo is one classic that was made for travel. A deck of cards is all you need for dozens of games that the whole family can play together. Legos are another way to stop boredom before it happens. You can even upcycle an old lunchbox to create a portable Lego kit.

Vacations are a great way for families to bond and break free of daily stressors. Just make sure you pack extra entertainment so boredom doesn’t derail the trip.

Traveling With Kids In Hot Weather

Sometimes, travel occurs in the hotter months, or in the summer. This can be hard work when you’re on your own, or with a friend or partner. But when you’ve got a kid, or kids, and are taking them along with you? It is a totally different ball game. Whether you’re traveling to steaming hot sunshine in Hawaii or a hot New York afternoon, you’ll need to be prepared.

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Here is how to make traveling kids in hot weather more bearable for everyone. Here is a clue; It’s all in the preparation.

First off, be sure to give some careful consideration to how you are traveling. Taking your own car is great, as you get to decide when you travel and how. But if that option isn’t available, bus travel is a good alternative. Buses now have good air-con, which will keep everyone cool when it is hot outside. Many have toilets on them too, which can avoid other types of discomfort. Also, be sure to book your bus tickets in advance. You can pick them up on online these days, which is really handy. Get bus tickets from Shofur, for example, and they guarantee clean, safe and pleasant travel. All of which are great words in a parent’s vocab!

Next, you need to think about your packing. Taking the right items with you will make all the difference. Layers are the best way to dress your children in hot weather. If they get too hot, you can strip them down to just one layer. However, if they go inside a shop with air-conditioning, for example, you can keep them warm. Hand-held fans are way more effective than the nearest sheet of paper! Or, consider a little electric hand-held fan.

Outside in the heat, a wide-brimmed hat will do more than just protect their heads. It will also keep their heads cool. Plus, the wide brim will protect and cool their forehead and neck. Of course, sunblock is a must in hot weather. You can use it to cool them down also. Keep it in a cool bag and it will go on nice and cold. Or get a mist; these usually come out much cooler than those in bottles.
You also need to give some thought to your activities. If you will be inside a lot of the time, you’ll be fine. But what if you’ve got outdoor activities planned, like hiking or swimming. The right clothing, hat and sunscreen will go a long way. But so will keep them in the shade. Or, if they are out in the sun, having them go in the shade every half an hour or so. This will keep their body temperature down, and generally, keep them happier! Sunstroke is not fun.

Finally, be sure you keep your kids hydrated. It will keep them happy and functioning, and will again ward off sunstroke. Being dehydrated can just lead to mild things like headaches, but again, this is not something you want to deal with while traveling.

Join Me For the #TMNT2 Twit­ter Party

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Join the TMNT 2 Twitter Party 6-2-16 at 9p ET. RSVP bit.ly/tmnt2rsvp

Join Blog­gin Mamas as we host the #TMNT2 Twit­ter Party on Thursday, 6–2–16 at 9p EST/6pm PST! We’ll be chat­ting about the new Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2 movie in theaters on June 3rd!

Date: Thursday, June 2nd, 2016
Time: 9p EST / 6p PST
Hash­tag: #TMNT2
Pre­sented by: @BlogginMamas and @AlliedHispanic
Featuring: @TMNTMovie
Mod­er­a­tors: Eng­lish– @HeLoEnterprises Span­ish– @BBabushka
Co-Hosts: @EnzasBargains, @BabySavers, @HaveSippy, @DonnaHup and @MamasMission
Panelist: @MommyPowers

About Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles : Out of the Shadows

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Michelangelo, Donatello, Leonardo, and Raphael return to theaters this summer to battle bigger, badder villains, alongside April O’Neil (Megan Fox), Vern Fenwick (Will Arnett), and a newcomer: the hockey-masked vigilante Casey Jones (Stephen Amell). After supervillain Shredder (Brian Tee) escapes custody, he joins forces with mad scientist Baxter Stockman (Tyler Perry) and two dimwitted henchmen, Bebop (Gary Anthony Williams) and Rocksteady (WWE Superstar Stephen “Sheamus” Farrelly), to unleash a diabolical plan to take over the world. As the Turtles prepare to take on Shredder and his new crew, they find themselves facing an even greater evil with similar intentions: the notorious Krang.

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About the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows Toys

To celebrate the release of the new film, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows, Playmates and Mega Bloks have created an amazing line of movie toys for Turtles’ fans of all ages! You can collect all your favorite Turtles and new characters like Casey Jones, Bebop and Rocksteady, plus recreate your favorite scenes from the film using the new Battle Truck and Lair. Whether you want action figures, role-play sets, vehicles, or construction sets, Playmates and Mega Bloks have you covered when it comes to the new movie. You can find the new movie toys at your favorite retail and online stores now.

Dur­ing the Twit­ter Party there will be a chance to win one of the fol­low­ing prizes by answer­ing var­i­ous ques­tions about the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Win­ners will be selected at ran­dom from all eli­gi­ble entries.

Prizes
One (1) prize pack, includ­ing one (1) $25 AMEX gift­card (ARV $25)
One (1) prize pack, includ­ing one (1) $25 AMEX gift­card + one (1) 11″ TMNT Assorted Figure (ARV $40)
One (1) prize pack, includ­ing one (1) $50 AMEX gift­card + one (1) 11″ TMNT Assorted Figure (ARV $65)

First Prize
One (1) prize pack, includ­ing one (1) $100 AMEX gift­card + one (1) TMNT Battle Truck Toy (ARV$150)

Grand Prize
One (1) prize pack, includ­ing one (1) $100 AMEX gift­card + one (1) 11″ TMNT Assorted Figure + one (1) TMNT Lair Hideout Toy (ARV $185)

RSVP Prize
One (1) prize pack, includ­ing one (1) $50 AMEX gift­card (ARV $50)

RSVP Below

Terms and Con­di­tions
NO PURCHASE OR PAYMENT NECESSARY. A PURCHASE WILL NOT IMPROVE YOUR CHANCE OF WINNING.
By RSVP’ing to this event and uti­liz­ing the # hash­tag, the atten­dees acknowl­edge hav­ing read and agreed to these terms and con­di­tions.
Twit­ter Party Prize Give­away begins June 2nd, 2016 at 9:00 pm ET and ends no later than June 2nd, 2016 at 10:30pm ET (the “Twit­ter Chat Entry Period”). Entrants enter via fol­low­ing @TMNTMovie, @HeLoEnterprises & @BlogginMamas, and post­ing a tweet with the #TMNT2 hash­tag dur­ing the Twit­ter Chat Entry Period. Five (5) Win­ners will be drawn ran­domly by random.org at approx­i­mately 12 minute inter­vals dur­ing the Twit­ter Party Entry Period. One (1) Win­ner will be drawn ran­domly via random.org from the event RSVP’s on the Mr. Linky wid­get.
Prizes include:
One (1) prize pack, includ­ing one (1) $25 AMEX gift­card. Total approx­i­mate retail value (“ARV”) $25, to be awarded to one (1) win­ner.
One (1) prize pack, includ­ing one (1) $25 AMEX gift­card and one (1) 11″ Assorted TMNT Figure. Total approx­i­mate retail value (“ARV”) $40, to be awarded to one (1) win­ner.
One (1) prize pack, includ­ing one (1) $50 AMEX gift­card and one (1) 11″ Assorted TMNT Figure. Total approx­i­mate retail value (“ARV”) $65, to be awarded to one (1) win­ner.
One (1) First Prize pack, includ­ing one (1) $100 AMEX gift­card and one (1) TMNT Battle Truck Toy. Total approx­i­mate retail value (“ARV”) $150, for one (1) win­ner.
One (1) Grand Prize pack, includ­ing one (1) $100 AMEX gift­card, one (1) 11″ Assorted TMNT Figure, and one (1) TMNT Lair Hideout. Total approx­i­mate retail value (“ARV”) $185, for one (1) win­ner.
One (1) RSVP Prize pack, includ­ing one (1) $50 AMEX gift­card. Total approx­i­mate retail value (“ARV”) $50, to be awarded to one (1) win­ner who RSVP’s via the Mr. Linky wid­get.
Each win­ner receives one (1) prize pack. Entrants who fail to com­plete said actions will be dis­qual­i­fied and an alter­nate win­ner will be selected from all entrants who entered dur­ing the Twit­ter Party Entry Period. Win­ners will be noti­fied via Twitter Mention & will need to complete a claim form. Win­ners will have 48 hours to complete the claim form including pro­viding ship­ping info, or a an alter­nate win­ner will be selected from amongst all entries received dur­ing the Twit­ter Party Entry Period. All prizes will be awarded pro­vided they are validly claimed by June 6, 2016 at 11:59AM EST.
Entrants agree to release and hold harm­less the Blog­gin’ Mamas, Heather Lopez Enter­prises, LLC, Allied Hispanic, Paramount Pictures, Nickelodeon, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Twit­ter, and any other orga­ni­za­tions respon­si­ble for spon­sor­ing, ful­fill­ing, admin­is­ter­ing, adver­tis­ing or pro­mot­ing this give­away, and their respec­tive par­ent, sub­sidiaries, and affil­i­ates and each of their respec­tive offi­cers, direc­tors, mem­bers, employ­ees, agents and sub­con­trac­tors (col­lec­tively the “Released Par­ties”) from and against any and all claims, expenses, and lia­bil­ity, includ­ing but not lim­ited to neg­li­gence and dam­ages of any kind to per­sons and prop­erty, includ­ing but not lim­ited to inva­sion of pri­vacy (under appro­pri­a­tion, intru­sion, pub­lic dis­clo­sure of pri­vate facts, false light in the pub­lic eye or other legal the­ory), defama­tion, slan­der, libel, vio­la­tion of right of pub­lic­ity, infringe­ment of trade­mark, copy­right or other intel­lec­tual prop­erty rights, prop­erty dam­age, or death or per­sonal injury aris­ing out of or relat­ing to a participant’s entry, cre­ation of an entry or sub­mis­sion of an entry, par­tic­i­pa­tion in this give­away, accep­tance or use or mis­use of prize. Entrant agrees to indem­nify, defend and hold harm­less the Released Par­ties from and against any and all claims, expenses, and lia­bil­i­ties (includ­ing rea­son­able attorney’s fees) aris­ing out of or relat­ing to an entrant’s par­tic­i­pa­tion in this give­away and/or entrant’s accep­tance, use or mis­use of prize, includ­ing, with­out lim­i­ta­tion, lia­bil­ity for per­sonal injury, dam­age, or loss.
The Released Par­ties make no war­ranties, and hereby dis­claims any and all war­ranties, express or implied, con­cern­ing any prize fur­nished in con­nec­tion with the give­away. WITHOUT LIMITING THE GENERALITY OF THE FOREGOING,SUCH PRIZES ARE PROVIDED“AS IS”WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, AND THE RELEASED PARTIES HERE BY DISCLAIM ALL SUCH WARRANTIES, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANT ABILITY,FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE AND/OR NON-INFRINGEMENT.

Dis­clo­sure: Blog­gin’ Mamas is man­ag­ing this Twit­ter Party. Indi­vid­ual co-hosts are receiv­ing com­pen­sa­tion for their par­tic­i­pa­tion. All prize ful­fill­ment is the respon­si­bil­ity of the spon­sor.

Win @fodorstravel #FodorsOnTheGo Prize Pack! #ad

Disclosure- This post is brought to you in partnership with Penguin Random House.

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Hit the road this summer with Fodor’s Travel and Listening Library!

Summer is right around the corner and planning your family vacation has never been easier thanks to Fodor’s Travel. For 80 years Fodor’s has been a trusted resource offering expert travel advice and in celebration of the National Park Service Centennial in 2016, their experts unveiled a new suite of online tools and updated guidebooks to help travelers plan an unforgettable family trip to America’s incredible natural wonders. Throughout 2016, all parks, including the venerable Yellowstone and Yosemite, will celebrate the centennial with activities and initiatives that allow visitors to revel in their natural, historical, and cultural splendor.

There’s no better way to explore a national park (or a few!) than to hit the road and let’s face it, picking which parks to visit and what scenic routes to take can be overwhelming. Fodor’s National Park Road Trip Itineraries, found on Fodors.com, include the most road-trip worthy adventures to parks across various states. And that’s not all you’ll find – National Parks 101 tells you everything you need to know about planning a trip to the national parks, including booking, budgeting and packing tips; and National Parks Finder helps you find and compare national parks based on activity, region or season. When you use these tools with Fodor’s National Parks of the West, on sale May 10, which includes completely updated coverage of the best sites, dining, and lodging in and around each park, you’re sure to have the best summer trip yet.

And while you’re on the road with your family, you’re going to need some travel entertainment. The solution: Listen to an audiobook! With an audiobook, you can completely lose yourself in the journey, enjoying the scenery while listening to a great narrator tell you a story. Ideal listening with kids in the car, audiobooks expand vocabulary, teach pronunciation and improve reading comprehension. In fact, 85% of what we learn, we learn by listening. Whether it’s a charmingly, quirky tale for your middle grader like Jennifer L. Holm’s The Fourteenth Goldfish, a brain-teasing mystery like Chris Grabenstein’s Escape From Mr. Lemoncello’s Library, or Jack London’s classic The Call of the Wild read by Emmy Award winner Jeff Daniels, you’ll be able to sit back, relax, and enjoy the ride!

Follow on SOCIAL MEDIA

Follow Fodor’s Travel on Twitter and Facebook

Follow Listening Library on Twitter and Facebook

Use the hashtag #FodorsOnTheGo

One of you can win this awesome prize pack;

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One (1) winner receives:

  • Fodor’s The Complete Guide to the National Parks of the West;
  • 3 audiobooks to listen to on the drive: The Fourteenth Goldfish, Escape from Mr Lemoncello’s Library, and Call of the Wild;
  • PLUS a $50 Visa gift card to put towards filling up the tank!

Giveaway open to US addresses only.

Prizing and samples provided by Penguin Random House.

Good luck! Ends June 22, 2016.
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May is American Stroke Month #StrokeChat @American_Stroke

Did you know that someone in the U.S. has a stroke every 40 seconds? That’s someone every 40 seconds.

As you may know, May is American Stroke Month, so we’re working with the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association and the Ad Council to raise awareness about Stroke knowledge, prevention, and what to do in an emergency. Here’s why this work matters.

  • Stroke is the No. 1 preventable cause of disability – 80 percent of strokes are preventable!
  • Only 9% of us can identify all the letters in the F.A.S.T. acronym for stroke.
  • When you recognize a stroke and immediately call 9-1-1, the person has a greater chance of getting to an appropriate hospital quickly and being assessed for treatment options like a clot-busting drug or clot-removing device.

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Here’s How You Can Help:
Join the #StrokeChat hosted by @American_Stroke on 5/18 at 12pm CDT. Stroke experts will join from local AHA/ASA handles coast to coast and we’ll have an engaging conversation about superpowers, the face of stroke, what’s in the news, and give away some swag from NBA All Star Paul George and ALEX AND ANI who just debuted a new bangle honoring stroke survivors Questions are available in advance upon request.

Take the #StrokeHero Quiz:  You don’t need superpowers to be a Stroke Hero. You can be a Stroke Hero by knowing F.A.S.T, the warning signs of stroke, so you’re ready to take action.  Share the resources (StrokeAssociation.org/StrokeHero) and the fun (and short) quiz (http://strokeheroquiz.org/) in a blog post or via social media. Be sure to share your result!

Help Prevent Strokes:  80% of Strokes are preventable. Controlling your blood pressure is a great place to start.

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Facts about Strokes:

  • Someone in the U.S. has a stroke every 40 seconds.
  • In the U.S. stroke is the No. 5 cause of death overall, killing nearly 130,000 people a year.
  • Stroke is the No. 1 preventable cause of long-term disability.
  • About 800,000 people have a stroke every year.

How to spot a stroke F.A.S.T. (the warning signs):

  • F – Face Drooping – Does one side of the face droop or is it numb? Ask the person to smile.
  • A – Arm Weakness – Is one arm weak or numb? Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?
  • S – Speech Difficulty – Is speech slurred? Are they unable to speak, or are they hard to understand? Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence like: “The sky is blue.” Is the sentence repeated correctly?
  • T- Time to call 9-1-1 – If the person shows any of these symptoms, even if the symptoms go away, call 9-1-1 and get them to the hospital immediately.

www.StrokeAssociation.org/warningsigns

Unique Summer Getaways in Idaho and Utah

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If you’re looking to visit Utah or Idaho, there’s no shortage of options for a fun, outdoorsy trip. Here are four great options to consider:

Wind Caves Hike in Logan, Utah

This 3.5 mile trail is used for hiking and is open from March through November. The trail is described as moderate, so this might be just the right trail to attempt with children who enjoy the outdoors and don’t mind walking.

Pros:

With children in tow, the hike should still only take about around three hours.

The path is well marked.

There are wildflowers along the trail, and the views of the canyon make for a beautiful hike.

Cons:

There are steep areas, and some parts of the trail are narrow, which can be hard for smaller children.

Hardware Ranch in Utah

If you take a little drive to the east of Logan on highway 101, you’ll find Hardware Ranch. In the summertime families can see an amazing variety of wildlife while roaming around the ranch, and winter is the perfect time to see elk up close and personal.

Pros:

The people at Hardware Ranch dedicate their time to helping others learn about animals and wildlife. This destination has the benefit of being fun and educational, hopefully sparking a child’s interest in animal research and nature.

Around the same area as Hardware Ranch are places to fish, camp, and hunt.

Cons:

Winter storms may wreak havoc on the roads, so it’s necessary to check conditions before attempting the drive to the ranch.

The ranch is closed Tuesday-Thursday every week. This is something to consider when planning a trip.

Snake River Greenbelt in Idaho Falls, Idaho

The Snake River Greenbelt offers views of geese, ducks, and the river, including the falls. There are trails for both walking and biking, and you can also climb around the river on the rocks to get even better views.

Pros:

Free entertainment! For zero dollars your kids can run their energy out.

Snake River Greenbelt is great for relaxing or for adventure. You can pack a picnic, relax, and enjoy the scenery or hike the over two mile trail around the area.

Cons:

This is Idaho, so it can be cold around the water any time of year.

The walking and bike paths are sometimes congested with large groups of people. This can be a problem if you have kids who aren’t paying attention to their surroundings, as they could be hit by rollerbladers or bikers.

Hell’s Half Acre about 25 miles west of Idaho Falls, Idaho

The landscape on this hike was created by lava flows in this area. Designated as a National Natural Landmark and a Wilderness Study Area, this area is the perfect place to study geology in its untainted form.

Pros:

It’s not hard to find Hell’s Half Acre since there is easy access from Interstate 15.

This journey can be a great learning experience. Hikers have the chance to learn how animals and plants adapted to live in an area that used to be covered with lava. There are signs along the trail to help hikers learn more.

Cons:

Due to the lava helping form this area, the terrain on this trail is cracked with jagged places, which can present problems for small kids.

Bio –

This post is courtesy of KJ’s Superstores with many locations in Nevada and Wyoming, including a Logan Utah convenience store and Idaho car wash. KJ’s offers healthy snacks, premium fuel and a wide selection of items for your travel needs for the whole family.

uHoo – What you don’t know, you can’t fix #uHoo #GetUhoo

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Did you know bad air at home can affect sleep, trigger asthma attacks, and cause frequent headaches? The EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) has ranked indoor air pollution among the top five environmental dangers.  Most of us carry on our days at home oblivious to the air quality of our homes.  Why, you might ask? Well the answer is easy. It’s mostly because we don’t know.  We don’t know what harmful chemicals or pollutants are floating around in the room with you day in and day out.  We can’t just smell carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide which can be harmful and fatal to all living things, be they adults, kids, or pets.  So how do we find out what is really going on with the air around us without spending too much money?  With a uHoo -a smart air quality indicator which interfaces with your smart phone via a free app.

The uHoo app measures temperature, humidity, dust, VOC level, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, ozone, and air pressure.  All this from a small, easy to transport device which can be placed anywhere.  From your desk at work, to your hotel room, to your child’s bedroom, it is easy (and smart) to find out exactly what you are breathing in on a regular basis.  Poor air quality can lead to many big problems, like respiratory conditions, skin conditions, allergic reactions, mold and mildew reactions, etc.  uHoo will help identify all these issues before they get to be problem and even give you suggestions on how to alleviate them.

What we really like about uHoo is the fact that it empowers the user to help themselves with knowledge and know how.  There are even some extra benefits to a uHoo, like air pressure measurements.  Many migraine sufferers have particularly difficult days before/after a rain storm, when the air pressure fluctuates often.  uHoo can tell you when this fluctuation occurs to help figure out when is best to take a preventative medication.  Will uHoo solve your breathing problems, or your allergies? Unlikely.  But it will be a valuable tool to make your living space more breathing friendly.