National Mezcal Day- and a recipe #honestoliveoil #capatriti  #oliveoil  

November 3, 2021 by 1 Comment
Did you know that October 21 is National Mezcal Day? That’s right, every year. Little did we know!  This is a great recipe using OLIVE OIL of all things! @capatritioliveoil is a EVOO with a full body and amazing taste, and the mezcal is an artisanal brand created by renowned Mexican actor and producer Luis Gerardo Méndez. Amazing together.

mezcal drink recipe

Ingredients:
1.5 oz Mezcal Ojo de Tigre
8-10 Mint Leaves
1 oz Simple Syrup
2 Dashes Lemon Bitters
3 Drops Olive Oil
Method: Place all ingredients except olive oil in a shaker with plenty of ice and give it a good shake. Serve in a cold coupe glass and use a fine strainer to catch stray pieces of leaves. Finish with 3 drops of olive oil on top and decorate with a mint leaf.

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Should Your Child Be Taking STEM Classes?

November 3, 2021 by Leave a Comment

Researchers and educators have agreed that literacy experience needs to get noticed early in children’s language development. For over 30 years, educators have tried to foster the children’s literacy skills through the strong movement that got established. It has resulted in the availability of information targeted to parents who mentor them by giving their children the best. They help play word games, repeat nursery rhymes, sing songs, read books, and notice the child’s handwriting.

The aspect has proved to be very important, and many have proposed to continue giving literacy skills to our children. Through this learning and reading, it has been a major success in life and schools.

Early literacy skills have promoted the system which forms the basic, most important part of the success of our children’s academics. Our children’s early childhood forms the starting point of STEM, making them curious to explore a lot in their environment and world.

One parent’s role model, Sundar Pichai, was encouraged and motivated to study STEM and it made him who he is today. Growing up in Madurai, a city in the south of India, he got nurtured towards technology. It got this father listening to what he had to do to solve problems in electrical engineering. Sundar Pichai had displayed exceptional memory of recalling numbers dialed each day on his rotary phone.

He ventured into technology, and currently, he serves as the CEO of Google. Today, Sundar Pichai net worth amounts to 13.8 million dollars with over 4832 shares in the alphabet stock.

The government has helped ensure the children know what they get good at, thus improving their career later. They have also made children interested in politics through their curiosity after making them much emphatic. Moreover, the government has had an influence on making the parents realize their children need to get their skills directed to their future careers.

Parents and teachers need to watch closely and see what motivates a child. This can help them detect what they are capable of, thus detecting their interests in the skills. But, unfortunately, the educators and parents sometimes tend to underestimate the skills and miss the children’s talents. Parents and educators need to look at the following to learn if their children’s skills direct them to STEM.

  • Children get to notice things all around them. They start getting into an environment where they notice the changes in seasons, plants, and even how the wind keeps on moving. Once the educators and parents start observing kids, they tend to get more observant, especially when they seem to get thinking about what is going on in nature. They get advised to encourage them, get into their conversation, and help them understand the language and all the observations. For any science, making observations creates a critical part and ensures the data gathered from the hypothesis
  • Encourage children at the table to describe all the things they see and get involved. Once the parents and educators start to notice, the children can describe the features and attributes of what they see and form the basis of a child’s interest in science. It makes them form the language of STEM, which builds a lot of confidence in science, thus encouraging them to study
  • Children should be asked “what” and “why” questions. It makes them think harder and figure out how things work and what will happen. It helps the children get a confident answer and makes them interested in discussing more of their interests
  • Children might be interested in counting things. They start by counting everything they see, such as pennies or cars on the road. They even tend to count the leaves on a tree. A parent will know their kids have an interest in mathematics
  • Children thinking about space tend to show more interest in sciences. They should be encouraged to study STEM. In addition, children interested in space need to get a lot of encouragement as this will help them take difficult classes as they try to make rocket science their career
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10 Steps To Design The Backyard Of Your Dreams

November 3, 2021 by 1 Comment

dirt

If you’re lucky enough to have an outdoor space you’ll want to make the most of it. The key to creating a beautiful backyard is about planning your design, and learning a few new skills. To design the backyard of your dreams these ten steps are just what you need.

1 . Make a plan

If you’re looking to redesign your space the first step is to create a plan. Drawing up a design plan can help you to figure out various elements, including:

  • Which style are you looking to create? For example, minimal and neat, or quirky and wild?
  • Which color schemes would you like to focus on? There are lots of ways to create a color scheme, whether it’s planting flowers or using accessories.
  • Are you looking to make any adjustments to your lawn? For instance, creating a shaped lawn.
  • How will you separate your backyard into different areas? or get rid of landscape debris? 
  • Set yourself a budget 

    When you’re designing a backyard it’s a good idea to create a budget first. Laying out a budget can help you to figure out what you need to buy, and split your spending into categories. A budget can stop you from overspending and even make savings on the supplies you need. If you’re looking to improve your yard without spending too much money you should check out affordable backyard design ideas.

    If you’re keen to get creative you might try making a few garden decor objects yourself? Alternatively you could also try buying a few second-hand items to help you save money.

     

    1. Hiring a professional gardener

     

    When you’re improving your outdoor space you’ll need to decide if you’d like to hire a professional gardener, or whether you’d like to do the work yourself. The decision will probably depend on how complex your backyard design is, and how strong your gardening skills are.

    If you’re keen to design a shaped lawn you’ll probably need to hire a landscape gardener to do this for you. If you’re laying down decking or paving you might be able to do this yourself, (however it’s important to level the ground first).

    1. Purchase gardening tools

     

    If you’re keen to improve your garden space what you’ll need are the right gardening tools. Basic gardening tools for beginners include pruning shears, gardening gloves, a hand trowel, a garden fork, loppers and a spade.

    Having the right gardening tools will help you to improve your gardening skills, and boost your confidence as a gardener. Once you start having fun with gardening, you’ll create the perfect space to relax and unwind.

     

    1. Create a vegetable garden

     

    Making your own vegetable garden has so many different benefits. When you create a vegetable garden you can grow yummy food, live sustainably and improve the look of your backyard. Getting started doesn’t have to be difficult; there are lots of vegetable garden tutorials that you can check out online.

    If you’d like a little more guidance try using apps like Gardroid, Vegetable Tree or Garden Answers, all of these have plenty of cool features and tips, to help you become a gardening pro.

    1. Attract wildlife 

     

    Creating a stunning garden space is about embracing the natural world, designing a space that’s thriving with life. If you want to make your backyard beautiful you’ll want to attract lots of wildlife. One of the best ways to do that is to choose the right plants and flowers. To fill your yard with butterflies, try planting flowers like sedum, lavender, buddleja or hebe. To attract bumble bees, plant sage, toadflax or snapdragon.

    If you want to bring frogs into your backyard you’ll want to add a pond and ensure that you avoid using pesticides. Frogs tend to avoid sunlight, as it can make them dehydrated, so it’s a good idea to build shady spots. Remember, while you’ll want to attract wildlife you’ll also want to keep pests away from your home. Chrysanthemums are the perfect flower to ward off pests, (so make sure that you plant plenty of these)!

     

    1. Create an outdoor living room 

     

    Every garden needs a relaxation space, creating a backyard oasis is all about designing a peaceful place. Over the last few years outdoor living rooms have become incredibly popular. Homeowners are purchasing plush garden sofas and rugs, which are very similar to indoor furniture. There are so many accessories you can use to enhance an outdoor living space. Try using cushions, throws, tablecloths, wall hangings or mirrors. Hang fairy lights or paint your fences in bright colors. 

    Designing an outdoor living room is all about finding your style. Many people design their outdoor space as a continuation of their indoor space. This means focusing on a similar style, color scheme and aesthetic. Of course there are no set rules, if you want to create a whole new look for your backyard, go right ahead.

     

    1. Try the permaculture approach 

     

    Wild gardens are back on trend, it’s all about letting your garden get a little ‘unkempt’, and creating a natural look. Permaculture gardening means improving the health of your garden with natural and sustainable practices. Permaculture gardening follows several different principles, a few of which include:

    1 . Learn from nature and take an ethical approach to gardening.

    1. Catch energy from the earth and use it, (for example growing your own food with help from the rain and sun).
    2. Ensure that you do not produce any waste.
    3. Any dead plants should be utilized as mulch to enrich the soil.
    4. Focus on plant diversity

     

    1. Smart garden features

     

    Looking to improve your garden with tech? There are many ways that you can create a smart garden. For example, you might consider investing in a robotic lawnmower, these do a great job of mowing the lawn, and can save you plenty of time! Other options include smart sprinkler systems, smart garden lights, or smart water features. If you’re a tech-nerd who wants to create a cool garden, these upgrades are certainly for you. As technology advances there are so many new ways to improve and enhance your outdoor space.

     

    1. Find inspiration 

     

    When you’re designing a new garden it’s a fab idea to collect plenty of sources of inspiration. Here are some great podcasts to make a start:

    1 . Roots & All: If you’re keen to make the most of your garden Roots & All has got plenty of tips. Here you can learn how to create a green garden, minimizing waste and saving resources. The podcast discusses plenty of different topics including , ‘Creating A Wild Garden’, and ‘New Nordic Gardens’.

    1. Gardening With The RHS: Throughout this podcast you’ll get plenty of seasonal advice, practical tips and inspiration. You’ll hear about scientific research, techniques and horticultural advice. There are lots of topics covered on the show including lawn care, flowers, vegetable growing, and gardening with children. 

     

    1. The Plotting Shed: This podcast is packed with plenty of awesome advice about gardening. If you want to design a gorgeous garden, but you’re not sure how this is the show you need. The plotting shed aims to make gardening fun and interesting, you’ll learn plenty of new things and boost your confidence in no time.

     

    Using these ten steps you’ll create the garden of your dreams. Designing the perfect garden can be a gradual process, and you may well need to hire professional gardeners. Creating your design is all about finding inspiration, and planning your key elements.

Filed Under: home Tagged With: ,

Creating a Safe and Soothing Space for Your Children

November 3, 2021 by 1 Comment

vase of flowers

As soon as you had children, you always wanted to create a home environment that felt safe, secure and calming. As little ones grow up, their surroundings can have a huge impact on their development and overall well-being. This means that you may want to focus on making a few changes around your house sooner rather than later. Whether you’re trying to deter pests or improve the quality of the air in your home, there are a number of techniques that you can adopt. Creating a safe and soothing space for your children will not only help them to feel comfortable at home, but it will also allow them to adapt to new environments successfully. As a parent, you will always want what’s best for your little ones and the first step towards happiness is creating a safe space for your child. Use some of the following ideas to take action on your home environment and you will soon feel confident that your house is the perfect place to raise healthy and happy children for years to come.

Secure Your Windows and Doors

When you’re worried about security in your home the main thing that springs to mind is your children. No matter what, you want to make sure they’re kept safe whilst they’re sleeping, playing and relaxing at home. Replacing any broken doors or windows is your first step to creating the calming environment you have always wanted for your children. If there are any gaps in your current windows it’s likely they’ll be able to hear whistling from the wind, and they may even feel cold draughts at night time. This is why you may want to consider aluminum window installation to create a higher level of insulation and security for your property. Although it may seem like a small change to your home, having new windows brings a sense of freshness and safety that your family will appreciate for the years to come.

Reduce Toxins and Chemicals

Keeping your home clean and tidy is something you will always battle as a parent. You want to maintain spotless surfaces and rigorously clean the highchairs so that they’re always sparkling clean, however your cleaning products could be creating a toxic environment. Now is the ideal time to take a look at the labels of your washing detergent, sprays and kitchen cleaning products. Switching to eco-friendly, natural solutions can help to create a safer environment for your little ones. You can even have a go at making your own at home cleaning products using some of the items you already have in your cupboards. White wine vinegar can be used as a surface spray to kill any unwanted bacteria. You can also use bi-carbonate of soda to get rid of any staines on your white dishes, cups and plates.

Create a Routine

Structure and routine can allow your children to thrive at home. Even if you want to create a fairly relaxed and calm home environment, a gentle routine is extremely beneficial to your children. Try eating at the same time each morning for breakfast and having a routine for getting ready in the morning. During the weekends it can be trickier to stick to a set routine as you may have plans outside the house. You can maintain a level of calm by sticking to your bedtime routine so that the start and end of their day is always the same. When your children know what to expect in the mornings and the evenings it becomes much easier to create a calming routine that works for everyone in the household.

Ask for Help With Chores

Structure and routine in your household should go hand in hand with chores. From a young age your children should be able to help you with age-appropriate tasks around the house. Whether they’re making their own bed or feeding the family dog, this creates a sense of responsibility and respect. When your children feel trusted at home it can help to build their self confidence when they’re at school or playing with friends. Offering this level of independence will greatly improve their development over the years as they will always know what is expected of them in the house.

Think About Your Color Schemes

If you’re looking to create a relaxing home environment, then the color schemes you choose are very important. Bright, dark and brash colors can be overstimulating to little children so make sure you take this into consideration when you’re decorating their bedrooms. Opt for cool, soothing shades such as dusky pinks, light creams and baby blues. With a calming bedroom, your child will always feel safe when they’re playing or going to bed at night.

Build a Safe Environment

Overall, your home can be the safest and most calming environment possible for your children, but do they have a dedicated space to relax and unwind? Even small children need a safe space to escape to when they’re feeling tired or stressed. You probably run yourself a hot bubble bath or you curl up in your favourite chair with a book. Creating a similar type of space for your children can create a sense of safety for them. Whether you use comfortable cushions and cuddly toys to create a quiet corner or they have a dedicated playhouse to take time out to themselves, there are so many ways to create a safe environment for your little ones.

Choose Child Friendly Storage

Have you ever found your child emptying out the kitchen cupboards or tearing your bedroom drawers apart whilst you weren’t watching? Not only do you want to keep your child safe, but you also want to ensure a level of independence for your children. Preventing them from getting inside every drawer and cupboard is almost impossible, which is why you should aim to adopt two simple strategies. The first one is securing all dangerous cleaning items, medicines and small parts into high cupboards with a lock. Even if your children manage to sneak into the kitchen when you’re not looking, you can have peace of mind that your hazardous substances are locked away and out of reach from little hands. Next of all, you may want to consider creating a child safe cupboard. Allowing your children to easily access their favorite toys, cups, plates or shoes can give them a level of independence whilst keeping them safe at home. When they have a dedicated cupboard that they can call their own, they will be much less likely to cause mayhem in the other areas of your home!

Every home environment is completely different, so it’s up to you to make the most of the space you have. Whether you’re working with minimal outdoor space and a large living area, or you have small bedrooms and an expansive communal space, you need to play to the strengths of your home. Most importantly, you need to consider the needs of your child or children first and foremost. Whether you want to create a special reading corner to encourage your little one to pick up a book more often or you need to pay special attention to the cleaning products you use, it’s time to create your own version of a safe space. Ultimately, as long as your child feels happy and content when they come home you have done your job as a parent perfectly. Start making small and simple changes today and your child will start to reap the benefits quicker than you know!

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Fun Activities To Try to Keep Your Kids Entertained

October 27, 2021 by Leave a Comment

Having a bored child can be a challenge to parents. It is important for parents to find ways that their children can be entertained, whether they are at work or busy around the house. Children need an outlet so that they don’t feel alone or bored during the day when they aren’t with you.

You may not have time to take them out of the house. So it’s a good idea for parents to find ways that their children can keep themselves busy and entertained. The best way to proactively entertain your kids is by getting them involved in activities that are fun and engaging. This includes playing board games, reading, taking walks, watching movies and television shows, cooking together and more.

But if you want some other ideas, read on.

Why Your Kids Playing Video Games Is A Good Thing

Video games have become a part of our culture. Playing video games can help people with everything from learning to socialization. In fact, most people who play video games tend to be more social, and it has been shown that this socialization has a positive impact on an individual’s mental health.

So trying to stop kids playing video games might not be a good idea. Whether it’s drift cars or war games, they might do some good. Playing video games can teach kids about different things such as creativity, innovation, and problem solving. It could also help them learn about technology too.

Encouraging Your Kids To Do Chores For Fun & To Earn Money

As a parent, you will know how difficult it is to get your kids to do chores. In case you need some ideas on how to get your kids to do chores for fun and earn some money too, it helps to make sure they know of the rewards. You could buy them a treat or they can earn their allowance this way. You could also get them to try all different chores to work out which ones they’re all best at and then give set chores going forward. You could also encourage them to be entrepreneurial too, by doing chores in the neighborhood.

Different Ideas For Your Kids To Be Creative At Home

Being creative is not always about having the latest and most expensive painting tools. It’s about finding ways to make your children be more imaginative and creative at home. One way to make your kids more creative is through art activities. This could be painting or drawing, making collages or playing with clay. They could also experiment with sidewalk chalk or making a dress. Either way, creative activities can immerse them for hours on end.

Fun Active Activities and Sports For Your Kids To Play At Home

Outdoor activities and sports are important in the development of kids. They help in building a healthy body and mind. It also helps to develop skills such as planning, teamwork and imagination. Outdoor activities are great ways to keep your kids active and engaged throughout the seasons. Some really fun activities to consider include;
-Horseshoes
-Toss the Frisbee
-Water balloon fight
-Dodgeball
-Kickball
-Football toss

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Practical Tips And Tricks To Keep Pests Away From Your Home

October 27, 2021 by 2 Comments

mouse

Pests are undoubtedly the bane of many homeowners in America and beyond. Getting rid of them can be expensive, with research indicating that you can spend about $450 to hire a pest control service to eliminate these animals in one treatment application. Consequently, it is prudent to take proactive steps to prevent these animals from getting into your home in the first place. Here are some practical tips to keep pests away from your house.

 

 

  • Get rid of stagnant water

 

 

Stagnant water is an excellent breeding ground for mosquitoes, so their presence on your property puts you at risk of battling these insects later on.  Therefore, conduct regular checks for stagnant water around the home, as it is easy to miss these puddles sometimes. You can look in rain spouts and pick up toys left in the yard, so they don’t collect water. Additionally, check for any leaks near your air conditioner and keep any buckets in your bathroom dry when not in use. Also, clean drains outside your home regularly to prevent stagnant dirty water from collecting. For added protection against mosquitoes, you can reach out to mosquito control experts to treat your property, ensuring that these insects can’t breed or live in or around your home.

 

 

  • Dispose of your waste regularly

 

 

Waste is a prime source of food for mice, birds, flies, rats, cockroaches, and other pests. As such, you can battle a huge pest problem if there is a lot of waste spread out all over your home. Therefore, consider getting rid of your home’s waste every day. Also, remember to dispose of your garbage correctly and keep your trash bins closed at all times. This way, you can prevent food waste from lying around your home, making your property unattractive to many pests.

 

 

  • Use the right light bulbs

 

 

There is no denying that many flying insects are attracted to bright or bluish light. Therefore, to reduce their presence around your doors, windows, and other entryways, consider replacing your standard mercury vapor light with halogen lights or high-pressure sodium vapor lights. Insects reportedly find yellowish, pinkish, or orange lights the least attractive, so you can select lights in these colors to reduce the number of insects on your property. Furthermore, consider changing the location of your lights if possible. Although fixing lights on exterior walls near doors is common, positioning the light farther away from your home on a pole is a better idea to keep many of the insects by the pole and not on your property.

 

 

  • Declutter frequently

 

 

Decluttering your house is also essential to effective pest control, so keep this in mind. Old items like shoes, toys, plastic bags, torn luggage, and packaging materials are hot spots for various insects and germs. Therefore, sell, dispose of, or give away these old items to prevent them from accommodating any pests in your home. A reported 78% of Americans have no idea what to do with their clutter, so they just let it build up. Consequently, if you struggle to decide whether to get rid of something, ask yourself if you will use the item in the next three months. If not, this item is undoubtedly worth getting rid of through sales or donations.

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Tried-And-Tested Techniques For Combating The Flu

October 27, 2021 by Leave a Comment

Flu is a serious condition and it looks like the disease is probably going to be doing the rounds this winter, thanks to a “snap back” after the disruption of the last 18 months.

There is no way to cure the flu once you get it. Instead, you will need to rely on your body’s immune system to fight it off.

However, there are ways that you can accelerate your recovery. Here are some of the techniques you can use to combat the flu.

 

Keep Humidity Levels High

 

Running your humidifier might sound like a strange way to fight the flu, but it’s an excellent option after you get the disease. Warm moist air is excellent at easing congestion and soothing coughs. Try breathing in moist air for a couple of hours per day during the worst of the infection to see if it helps. Don’t leave the humidifier on all day, as excess damp can lead to bacteria and mold buildup in your home.

 

Use A Saline Nose Drop

 

Saline is just a salt solution. It’s one of the oldest medications and something that physicians have been using for thousands of years to prevent infection.

 

Salt is naturally antiseptic. That’s why food manufacturers use so much of it to extend the life of their products.

 

You can harness the same antiviral powers by using a saline nose drop. These solutions help to unblock your nose and leave you feeling fresher.

 

Use An Antiviral

 

If your flu becomes more serious and you require urgent care, they may provide you with an antiviral. These are essentially drugs that enhance the immune response to the virus and shorten the time that it spends in your body. People with chronic heart or liver conditions benefit from this class of medications the most.

 

Drink More Fluids

 

Did your doctor ever tell you to drink fluids when sick? Well, there’s a good reason for that: fluids actually help the body flush out viruses, keeping you healthy. Fluids are particularly important for creating the mucus membrane that lines the respiratory system. The more of this you have, the more easily you can transport harmful viruses out of your body.

 

Don’t Work

 

In the current high-pressure work environment, many people suffer from presenteeism. This is the idea that they must show up to work every day in order to get ahead.

 

Working all the time is bad for you in general, but it’s particularly harmful if you have flu. You’re much more likely to get run down and experience more severe symptoms. You’re also more likely to spread infection to other people in the office if you go in with active symptoms.

 

Use the flu as an opportunity to give yourself time off. Try curling up on the couch, watching a few DVDs and generally pampering yourself.

 

Sleep More

 

Lastly, your body fights the flu the best while you sleep. Try going to bed early and sleeping for at least seven hours per night. Don’t spend time on your laptop responding to emails from your boss.

 

Filed Under: health Tagged With: ,

Top Tips For Planning Your Fairytale Proposal

October 21, 2021 by Leave a Comment

From your first date to the first time you said you loved each other – you’ll know when you’ve found the person you are supposed to marry. However, before you start planning your wedding – you need to ensure that you pull off the perfect proposal. After all, this is a moment that the pair of you will treasure for a lifetime – so you must make it as special as possible.

 

proposal

  • Find unique jewelry. Your relationship with your partner, whether you grew up in the same town or navigated your way through a long-distance relationship, is entirely unique. It is a love story unlike any other – and as a result, the ring – which is a symbol of your bond – should be unique too. Thankfully, there are plenty of ways in which you can achieve this. For example, you could buy loose diamonds at Whiteflash.com and have them turned into one-of-a-kind jewelry. If your partner doesn’t wear rings or works with their hands, you could even have them placed onto a necklace instead. 

 

  • Choose a romantic location. A perfect proposal requires a perfect backdrop – one which creates an atmosphere of romance and excitement (and will look great on any photographs you take). Therefore, you should start by finding the perfect location for your proposal. For example, you may want to return to the scene of your first date or to a local nature spot that you’ve fallen in love with. Alternatively, if you are a couple of adventure-seekers, you might even want to propose when vacationing – after all, what could be more romantic than to propose in Paris or before the Niagara falls?

 

  • Think about the time of day. Regardless of whether or not you want to take pictures during your proposal, you should also think carefully about what time of day you want to propose. For example, dawn or dusk are great for creating a romantic atmosphere – and if you are proposing in a public place, they will likely be less busy during these times too, giving yourself and your partner the privacy you need. Additionally, if you are proposing outdoors, you should also make sure you are prepared for any bad weather that may come your way. (But don’t worry too much, the rain can be romantic in its own way).

 

  • Plan what you are going to say. Proposing to your partner, while you may already know that they will say yes, will always be a little nerve-wracking. However, you can help soothe your worries a little by thinking about exactly what you want to say ahead of time. While this does not mean you should have a script to hand on the big day, you should at least have a vague idea of the things you want to mention. Furthermore, you don’t have to prepare a long speech – you simply need to look back over your relationship and make your partner feel special. Before you start speaking, take a deep breath and remember why you are proposing in the first place. It will be worth the worry in the long run.
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