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MLK Day: 6 Last-Minute Way Your Child Can Honor by Serving

Posted on January 15, 2018

If you didn’t enroll you or your children to participate in one of the many service activities organized around the nation, there is still time for you and the children to do something kind on their own for their neighbors or fellow man.

Here are a 6 other suggestions besides watching a speech and reflecting on its meaning:

Take garbage bags down to the town creek or some other littered area near your home and clean it up.
Make sandwiches and pack fruit and a snack into about a few dozen brown bags and pass them to homeless people in the closest town or city to you.
Gather old toys and bag them up to donate to Goodwill or a local family shelter.
Call a local home for the elderly and ask if you can come by and play cards and/or board games with the residents.
Make Homemade colorful Get Well Greetings cards to send to a local children’s hospital/
Make Festive Thank You Cards to send to the local USO to ship off to military serving abroad.

Good luck and Happy MLK Day of Service!

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How To Give Yourself A Winter Paraffin Wax Manicure

Posted on January 14, 2018

Do you have a hand that is rough and dry? If yes, it time that you take care of your hands and make them beautiful and smooth. Going to the spa for a manicure is quite expensive. So here is a solution for you. This is an amazing manicure, which you can do easily at home and thus save money. We are talking about paraffin wax manicure and this is how it is done.

Heat paraffin wax in a large bowl for 10 seconds in the microwave. Make sure that the wax gets liquefied completely.
Let the wax cool down. As it gets cooled, apply a thick and rich cream or lotion on your hands and massage well, so that your hands are well moisturized.
Now check whether the wax has cooled and then dip your hands in this wax. Lift your hands from the wax and then wait for 5 seconds and then dip your hand again. Repeat this till your hands het completely covered with wax and 5 to 7 layers of the wax is made on your hand. Now you can wait as long as you wish. You may use this time to sit back and relax, watching TV or a movie, or listening to your favorite songs.
You should make sure that you leave wax on your hand for at least 30 minutes. This will provide you excellent results. After the stipulated time, go to the trash bin and takeoff the paraffin from your hand. After removing the wax, massage your hand again with cream or lotion. Now cover your hand with a glove. Repeat with the other hand also.
Now apply the same procedure for waxing your feet also.
Once you have completed treating your hands and feet in this manner, you will see that your hands and feet have become soft and smooth. All the dryness and roughness you felt on your hands and feet will be gone. One of the additional benefits of paraffin wax is that it also makes your nails strong.

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New Year: Get Your Unhealthy Snacking In Control with Urthbox

Posted on January 14, 2018

It is an undisputed fact that snacking on high calorie, high fat, sugar and salt snacks does our diets in every time. The average American gets about 23 percent of daily calories from snacks. According to data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), for a man that amounts to 634 calories each day from snacking and 438 for women.

However, it is possible to snack smartly by incorporating a handful of nuts, greek yogurt, berries, raw veggies and humus to help stave off hunger so we aren’t ravenous come lunch or dinner time. But that’s not easy either. In today’s high paced times, people don’t make time to pack healthy snacks and the good stuff isn’t always the most tasty, hence why we go for the junk food!

Fortunately, there is a whole cottage industry of snack subscription boxes available to take the guess work out of finding tasty, healthy and nutritious options for snacking.

We want to introduce you to one such box, which is also one of our newest partners: Urthbox!

Urthbox specializes in sending healthy, delicious and tasty new snacks from local stores and vendors. Delivered each month, the curated collection is designed to serve as an alternative to unhealthy snacking in the face of stress, busy schedules, and other life struggles and to complement a healthy, fit lifestyle.

Each month, Urthbox’s team of expert buyers carefully select new products to go into each box, considering the ingredients, source, calorie, nutrition and manufacturing process of each item. Getting that box each month in the mail is a treat. Customers pick a box from their Classic, Gluten-Free, Vegan dietary options and Urthbox does the rest!

It’s a known fact that the primary driver of our good or bad health is what we consume. Both childhood obesity and adult obesity largely have to do with the types of foods we consume, especially while snacking. And, with our busier and busier daily lives of career, fitness and family who has the time to make sure the very crucial thing that drives our health is attended to?

UrthBox is a convenient and subtle way to make sure you have access to healthy snacks for your home, the office or on-the-go.

You can get a mini box of a little over 6 snacks for the casual snacker. That will cost $12.99 per month. If you fancy yourself (or the person you plan to gift) a “part-time snacker” then a small box of about 12 snacks will cost $19 monthly, which is a 10% savings.

A Happy Snacker gets a 20% savings and over 18 snacks for $29 per month while a professional snacker can count on over 25 snacks in his or her box for $39 per month.

I also dig the Office Box. You can get a generous box for the entire office, serving 5-10 employees each. For the $199 cost, your team can enjoy over 100 full size products.

And for all the boxes over $25, shipping is absolutely free! If you order from us, Get $10 Off an Awesome Vegan Snack Box From UrthBox!

The classic box is all-encompassing in its culinary scope, while the gluten-free box and vegan box embrace dietary restrictions. The diet box is stocked with products good for those who are counting calories or watching their carb and fat intake.

photos: courtesy Urthbox.com

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QUIZ: Are you An Extrovert, Introvert or Ambivert?

Posted on January 13, 2018

I am an Ambivert. I am part extrovert and part introvert. I can be loud, outgoing and can strike up a conversation with almost anyone. I also do not like networking situations when you have to introduce yourself to people you don’t know and engage with them. I prefer alone time and time to gather my thoughts, plot my day and life and figure things and people out. But I also thrive well in boisterous and loud social activity.

It’s a good balance in my opinion. And then there are those who are strict extroverts! Are you one? Take this quiz below and find out. I did and it revealed what I already know: that I am an Ambivert!

Good luck!

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Pregnancy Complications You Need To Keep On your Radar

Posted on January 13, 2018

Don’t worry because the majority of pregnancies go along without a hitch. Aside from the morning sickness and constant peeing, it’s a smooth transition. Still, it’s always a good idea to be on the alert when you and your baby’s health are in question. One way to stay on top of things is to watch out for the complications which can occur. After all, not every birth is plain sailing. The following are by no means guaranteed to happen, yet it is helpful to know the signs.

Here is a quick guide to the complications to watch out for during pregnancy.

Premature Labor

On average, pregnancies should last up to 37 weeks. However, some women give birth way before the nine-month mark. It’s called an early pregnancy, and it occurs to around 12% of babies in the States. So, it isn’t an issue to worry about because it is by no means uncommon. Still, a premature labor needs addressing as soon as possible to make sure the baby is safe. The best way to tell is to time your contractions. Regular ones which occur before 37 weeks are a sign you are going to give birth.

Heart Problems

Of course, pregnancy puts a strain on a woman’s body which can affect the heart. Quite simply, one of the most vital organs in the body has to be able to pump enough blood around the body for both the mother and child. Unfortunately, some women have hearts which aren’t up to the task. Aside from high blood pressure, it can also lead to heart failure. Women who suffer from palpitations or excessive fatigue should contact their doctor ASAP. Even if you don’t exhibit the symptoms, you can ask for a simple test to be on the safe side.

Diabetes

Another cause of the pressure on the body is gestational diabetes. Because the body has to share food and water, it can often go without sufficient nutrition. When this happens, blood sugar can plummet or skyrocket depending on the circumstances. Thankfully, there are tests on hand to ensure the experts don’t miss a diagnosis. A birth injury lawyer would insist on a glucose screening between 24 and 28 weeks, and so should you. If the result is positive, it’s essential to keep your blood sugar in check by maintaining your diet and not missing a meal.

Breech Birth

Last but not least, there is a breech baby. Usually, this is when a child spins around in the womb and comes out feet first. The reason this is an issue is the umbilical cord. Sometimes, the cord can wrap around the neck and lead to complications. There is no way for a mother to tell if the baby is breech without a consultation. Babies move and kick that much that it’s impossible to tell what movement is what. If the doctor spots it before the birth, they should be able to turn the baby back to a normal position.

Hopefully, none of these will occur, but it’s still a good idea to watch out for the signs.

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Summer Camp Slots Are Filling UP Already: 10 Alternatives

Posted on January 10, 2018

Even though Summer Camp slots have already started filling up, there are plenty alternatives out there for parents to consider.

Can you believe it is already time to start scoping for and signing up your little ones for summer camps already? Yup! By the middle of February, most of the best and most popular camps are already filled and only taking children for the wait list.

Here is a website that attempts to curate all the camps nationwide for you to peruse: www.summercamps.com. Get on it, parents!

If you are thinking of alternatives, and or if you are on a tight budget and camp may be out of the question this year, there are plenty of alternatives for you to consider.

Here are 10 we posted previously, shared again for your convenience:

1.Volunteer Programs – Older children can learn a sense of civic responsibility and the importance of helping others by spending part of their summer participating in a local volunteer program. Animal lovers among the smaller set may be thrilled with the idea of helping at a local animal shelter, while others may enjoy working with a local charity or visiting a local retirement community.

2.Community Day Camps – Community centers in most cities offer summer day camp programs, allowing kids to enjoy all of the fun activities that are a part of a sleep-away camp without the stress of spending weeks away from the familiarity of home.

3.Religious Summer Programs – Many places of worship offer vacation workshops and other similar programs with a theme of religious instruction during summertime, which may be an ideal choice for devout families. Kids can spend the summer among peers who share their spirituality, learning about their family’s belief system through arts and crafts, story time, and other kid-friendly activities.

4.Arts Workshops – Many art museums offer programs specifically tailored to budding art aficionados; local universities may also host summer programs for children staffed by students with education or arts majors. University programs may include visual art, musical instruction, or theater programs, depending upon your area.

5.Sports Clinics – Pint-sized athletes are sure to love spending the summer honing their skills, which makes a local sports clinic the ideal choice. These programs keep kids physically active, which is a huge plus for parents who are concerned about the sedentary lifestyle that many children adopt when school ends. Rather than spending hours in front of the television or the computer, kids who participate in a sports clinic can enjoy fresh air, sunshine, and exercise while becoming stronger and more skilled athletes.

6.Academic Programs – During summer vacation many school systems still offer programs for academically gifted children. Some programs even focus on peer-tutoring, allowing more advanced students to offer assistance to classmates who struggle in some areas, which can build a sense of social consciousness. Alternatively, many programs feature an emphasis on building and expanding gifted kids’ already-impressive knowledge base.

7.Scouting – While the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts of America do have summer camps for their troop members scattered across the country, plenty of troops stay home during summer vacation to participate in locally-based scouting activities. School vacations provide active scouts with the opportunity to earn merit badges and other achievements, which can be difficult to do during the hectic school year.

8.Family Day Trips – Families can spend their summer vacation taking a series of fun and exciting day trips. Visiting the zoo, the park, or a children’s center during the dog days of summer are surefire cures for the boredom and inertia that often sets in around mid-July.

9.Visiting Extended Family – Today’s families tend to be more spread out than in previous generations, so kids might not get to spend as much time with members of their extended family as they would like. While spending a few weeks at summer camp might be daunting for some kids, visiting a favorite family member during summer vacation might not be as stressful.

10.Family Camping Trips – Skipping a sleep-away summer camp doesn’t mean that kids have to forgo the camping experience altogether; outdoorsy families can plan a camping trip that keeps everyone together and costs far less than sleep-away camp fees.

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The 5 Things To Do To Avoid Vericose Veins While Pregnant

Posted on January 9, 2018

Guest Post

Whether it’s your first or your third, pregnancy is an exciting time for you and your family. There are a lot of changes going on in your body to prepare it for the delivery of new life. As part of this, your body has an increased amount of blood flow, which is why you have a higher chance of developing varicose veins during pregnancy.

However, there are a few things that you can do to prevent varicose veins during pregnancy:

1. Create healthy habits. Healthy habits help to prevent varicose veins, and promote good health all around for you and your baby. Make sure you are eating a balanced diet with substantial vitamin C, as it helps promote good blood flow.

In addition, exercise each day. Cycling, swimming and walking are low-impact exercises that help move blood through your veins.

2. Invest in compression socks.

Compression socks provide constriction to your legs, where varicose veins are most likely to develop. This tight fit can help to promote blood flow to prevent blood from pooling in your veins, which causes varicose veins to form.

3. Dress smart. While compression socks are recommended, other tight-fitting clothing is not. Instead, make sure you are wearing loose-fitting apparel.

Wearing high heels while you are pregnant is also not recommended, as it can result in circulation issues. Avoiding both of these types of clothing will make you and baby more comfortable during your nine months.

4. Pay attention to your legs.

Whether you stand or sit for a long period of time, it can have the same effect on your legs. A stagnant position can lead to blood pooling in your veins. Make sure you are moving around throughout the day and spending time elevating your legs as well.

Propping your legs on a chair or stool can help to promote good circulation. Add ankle flexes for extra blood flow benefits.

5. Avoid heavy lifting. Lifting heavy objects while you are pregnant can be challenging, resulting in straining. This straining can increase vein visibility and your chance of forming varicose veins.

After pregnancy, the appearance of varicose veins may diminish. However, you may want to consider consulting a medical professional for treatment. There are several treatment options available and a doctor can help you determine what works best for you. If varicose veins are left untreated, they can lead to health complications that can be life threatening.

Dr. Yan Katsnelson has more than 20 years of experience in surgical treatment of cardiovascular diseases and currently practices at USA Vein Clinics. He specializes in non-surgical treatment of vein disease to oimprove and enhance the lives of his patients.

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5 Exercises You Can Do With Your Baby at Home; No Gym Required

Posted on January 8, 2018

It’s a New Year and a new opportunity to get in shape, even if you just had a baby.

After getting the A-OK from your doctor, there are certain exercises that you can safely to with your baby in tow! These exercises are great for the woman who cannot get to the gym.

I also highly recommend doing Gaiam‘s Pilates for Weightloss ($11.99) which I did relreligiously every day while breastfeeding and lost an average of 2 lbs per week steadily. I was really shocked that the weight peeled off like that without me really altering my eating. Great stuff!

Finally, for not-so-new moms, check out these older fitness-related posts that are still relevant and can be used to help you get in shape from home, today and beyond!

http://bellyitchblog.com/2013/01/10-tips-for-exercising-when-you-have.html

http://bellyitchblog.com/2013/01/new-year-new-you-10-free-iphone-health_11.html

http://bellyitchblog.com/2012/04/4-best-ways-to-lose-weight-after.html

http://bellyitchblog.com/2013/10/zumba-and-9-other-free-ways-to-exercise.html

http://bellyitchblog.com/2013/05/10-iphone-apps-to-help-you-lose-your.html

http://bellyitchblog.com/2014/07/moms-try-these-3-workout-moves-fro.html

http://bellyitchblog.com/2014/09/national-yoga-month-pre-post-natal-yoga.html

http://bellyitchblog.com/2017/12/all-the-ways-to-get-your-pre-baby-tummy-back.html

http://bellyitchblog.com/2016/12/heres-how-to-boost-your-babys-brain-with-a-healthy-prenatal-lifestyle.html

http://bellyitchblog.com/2013/06/3-exercises-to-help-you-get-your-pos.html

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7 Things To Do Before Returning to School After Having a Baby

Posted on January 6, 2018

You don’t have to let the fact that you had a baby before or in the middle of college deter you from returning or starting. Despite all the obstacles and challenges associated with returning to school after a baby, if you put in a plan, you certainly can do it and findAnanny.com wants you to use these beneficial suggestions to get it done.

1. Build a Support System – The most important thing for a student mom to have in place is a strong and reliable support system. Not only will you need help with childcare and managing the needs of your new baby while keeping up with your studies, you’ll also need a shoulder or two you can cry on when things get difficult. Finishing school as a parent will be a challenge, and having a few people in your corner can make all the difference.

2. Create a Routine That Works For Your Family – There is no hard-and-fast rule about how you have to structure your household routine, especially when your little one is still an infant. Find a schedule that works for you and build around it. If online classes are more conducive to learning and completing assignments than a traditional classroom setting, that’s the best solution for you. On the other hand, getting out of the house and interacting with your classmates may help you manage the demands of parenthood more easily. Whatever works for you is the best solution, regardless of how well it would work for someone else

3. Set Realistic Goals -You may have planned to take on a full course load before your pregnancy, but that may not be realistic after the birth of a child. Rather than setting goals that aren’t feasible and being disappointed when they prove to be a bit more than you’re ready to handle, take your time and make a plan that you can actually adhere to. Celebrate each milestone along the way and stay focused on each smaller goal as they approach

4. Work Out a Reasonable Timeline- Finishing school on the standard time table may be out of the cards for you as a new mom, and that’s okay. The goal is to finish, so take the time to figure out when you can realistically complete your studies. You may have to shoulder a lighter burden in terms of classes and finish later than some of your peers, but you’ll still leave with a diploma, which is better than trying to take on too much only to end up burned out and frustrated enough to quit school altogether. You may also have ideas of returning to school days after the birth of your child, however, that may not be possible. Finding the right time to return to school after you recover from delivery and have bonded with your new baby may be a bit more complicated than simply returning as soon as you’re discharged from the hospital.

5. Find a Caregiver You Trust – Your child will have to be cared for while you’re at school since you won’t be able to take her to class with you. To make the transition into school after becoming a new parent, you’ll need to make sure that you’ve found a childcare provider you absolutely trust and have no qualms about leaving her with. If you’re distracted and worried about your child’s safety while you’re in class, your academic performance probably won’t reflect your actual abilities.

6. Prepare for a Bit of Separation Anxiety -Regardless of how excited you are to get back into school after your maternity leave ends, you will feel at least a little bit of separation anxiety until you adjust to the idea of no longer spending the entirety of each day with the fascinating little person you’ve created. If you’re prepared for the stress of leaving your child in someone else’s care and understand that it’s just temporary, it can lessen the sting and help to make that pain a bit more manageable.

7. Don’t Be Scared to Adjust Your Schedule – As a new mom and a student, your schedule may have to be adjusted a few times until you find the one that works for you. Making adjustments is not the same as admitting defeat, so don’t be afraid to finagle things until you find the methods that work best for you and your new family.

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My Recommendations For At Home Spa Treatments for Cold Weather Self-Care

Posted on January 6, 2018

If you live in the East Coast, then you are aware that the weather temps are pure disrespectful! It’s a great time to stay indoors and keep warm. Whether you’re recovering from the bomb cyclone or stuck indoors because you’re on bed rest, one sure fire way to soothe your body and get some self care is to pamper yourself.

Personally, I am a BIG fan of pamper products, facials, manicures, body scrubs, pedicures, peels, you name it. All of it is not just great for helping you relax, but spa treatments can also help you expel toxins from your body. The top of the year is a great time to get a head start.

Pregnancy generates all sorts of hormones in your body that you can’t control. You may find yourself having a difficult time dealing with stress, and may be short tempered, moody and otherwise just irritable and miserable. A good facial, massage or body scrub can do wonders to ease some of that tension.

Start with some home brewed herbal tea. Chamomile, Peppermint, English Breakfast will work too. Sip slowly throughout your day to calm your spirit.

You don’t even have to leave the home to get a good facial or body scrub Hubpages has some great low cost recipes that you (or your spouse or partner, if you are on bedrest) can whip up using items already in your fridge and kitchen cabinet! Fab!

Facial Mask Recipes

Recipes for my favorite at-home face masks. Each provides unique benefits, but all are quick and easy to blend up at home, with ingredients you use every day.

Body Scrub and Salt Glow Recipes

Use these easy at-home body scrub recipes to bring life back into tired skin and give you the youthful glow of nourished, healthy skin all year round! Coffee Body Scrub Coffee tightens and rejuvenates skin.

Facial Cleanser and Scrub Recipes

Try some of these easy-to-follow recipes for homemade cleansers and scrubs that provide amazing benefits, for a fraction of the cost of those expensive brand-name formulas at the drug store.

If your budget can afford it, I recommend investing in a parafin foot tub. Add the wax blocks they come with that are infused with lavender and peppermint, then plug in and let the wax melt, dip in your feet, elbows, knees, hands or whatever body part needs smoothing and watch it work wonders. I have a tub under my desk as I type.

The South Korean face sheets were big and trending last year and the obsession with them has spilled into this year as well. Per InStyle mag, Chrissy Teigen and Karolina Kurkova to Lena Dunham and Lady Gaga hailing them for their skin-plumping, mind-stilling abilities.

Purchase them in your local drug or department store or order online and use them at the end of a stressful day or for no reason at all. There is no need to have an excuse to treat your body right. They start as low as $1.50 online.

Aromatherapy is excellent for the mood as well. Invest in a diffuser and some essential oils and have rosemary, lavender, sage waffling through the air as you work, do some housecleaning, listen to your fave podcast, or read a good book.

Essential oils can get costly so your best bet is to get a kit. My fave is ArtNaturals Aromatherapy Essential Oil and Diffuser set which comes with a vial of Peppermint, Tee Tree Oil, Rosemary, Orange, Lemongrass, Lavender, Eucalyptus and Frankincense.

I love that it glows in 7 colors and for safety it shuts off automatically. At $43 this is a steal because if you were to purchase each vial separately in a lot of places, you’re looking at spending $80 for the oils alone!

All of these recommendations will surely help you re-center yourself and your sensibilities and be able to tackle all that life throws at you…at least for the next few days, then repeat the process and get carried away all over again!

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Even though Summer Camp slots have already started filling up, there are plenty alternatives out there for parents to consider.