How To Take Control of Your Health With Motherhood?

Have you been feeling like your health controls your life and not the other way around? Our lifestyle choices and habits can make a lasting impact on the way our short and long-term health decides to show up. For instance, if you’re a disciplined individual with a set routine, a clean diet, and good mental hygiene, it will show in your physique and productivity, However, if you’re constantly stressed, have weak boundaries, don’t eat well, or live life one day at a time, your health may slowly decline.

When illnesses strike, we often wonder when the first signs started showing up. Chances are that the process started a long time ago and the manifestation of these symptoms was overlooked. For instance, say you were suffering from mental health, if we had been able to pinpoint when the actual symptoms had occurred, we probably could have sought treatment (you might want to check out this psychological retreat Thailand, if interested) and prevented it from getting worse. Such is the life of being a mom, where you put everyone else first but don’t look after yourself well. Today’s blog will help you reroute back to your health, no matter what stage of motherhood you’re in.

  • Get a full-body checkup: We couldn’t stress less upon the fact of how many fatalities could be avoided because of timely diagnosis. It’s a universal experience for women and men to feel extremely anxious about finding out an ailment they wish they didn’t have. However, for the sake of your health that directly impacts your children and family, make sure that you get a yearly or bi-yearly full body check up. This includes a variety of tests to check for genetic, age-related, or general diseases that may otherwise go undetected. And, of course, dental checkups with experts like this Dentist in Raleigh are equally important.
  • Check your hormone levels: Your hormonal levels as a woman regulate your body and energy levels. If you suspect that your fatigue and mood swings have become a chronic condition, make sure to get a female hormone test. This uses a blood work sample to assess all the necessary hormones to ensure your physical and mental health stay in top shape.
  • Eat a balanced diet: You may have heard this piece of advice from the time you were a wee little child, but the power of a balanced diet is life-changing. By adding all the primary nutrients to each meal, you give your body an organic way to process the vitamins and minerals it needs to stay healthy. Especially after childbirth, women need to eat well in order to recover the nutrients lost.
  • Take the necessary supplements: Speaking of pregnancies and childbirth, women tend to lose out on a lot of essential nutrients while nurturing the fetus. You may have been prescribed prenatal and postpartum supplements help your body stay healthy, but it doesn’t end there. The need to take supplements only increases over time, considering our current lifestyle. Nutrients like Vitamin C, D, E, B complex, calcium, and zinc may not be abundant in your diet, which is why these supplements help.
  • Get regular exercise: Getting 30-50 minutes of movement every day for 4-5 days a week is imperative to keep your metabolism working well. Apart from maintaining your metabolism, exercising is a great way to keep your hormonal levels in check. It also aids muscular and bone health, promoting an overall feeling of wellbeing.
  • Sleep 7-8 hours a day: It may feel impossible at some stages of motherhood to get decent sleep, but let us show you how. If you have a younger child, taking frequent naps can help you power through the day without burning out. Lean on the help of your family, friends, partner, or even a babysitter if you’re not getting enough sleep.
  • Make time for your priorities: Be it a single mother of a teen, or a young mother with a family to back her up, every one of you deserves to be in good health. While you may think you need to be a superwoman and take on a million tasks for the day, it’s the reason why you feel drained all the time. To make sure that you’re using your time well without stressing your mind about tasks, make sure to prioritize heavily. This will also reduce some of your anxiety behind the never-ending to-do list. Your priorities must also include things that restore your health.

Wrapping Up:

Taking accountability for our own health is one of the biggest gifts we can give to ourselves and our loved ones. In today’s day and age where life moves at light speed, it is essential to move through life purposefully, making health our priority. Eating well, sleeping well, conducting regular self-body checks, and professional scans all fall into this list. We hope that this blog inspires you to take control of your well-being.

6 Ways to Deal with Houseflies this Summer

If there’s one thing we hate about summer, it’s the flies. It would have been better if they were like birds that never want to get into our homes. But they’re house flies, and they live up to their name.

Despite their tiny size, houseflies are dangerous and pose health risks to entire families. They perch in rotting food particles, garbage, and excrement. As they do so, their footpads collect matter from such substances, and they go on to perch on our food substances. Some house flies even go as far as dropping larva wherever they perch.

What diseases do flies spread?

The diseases flies are known to transmit include:

  • Cholera
  • Diarrhea
  • Dysentery
  • Typhoid
  • Eye infections such as epidemic conjunctivitis
  • Among livestock, flies can spread parasitic tapeworms.

How do flies breed?

Garbage bins are a breeding ground for flies. Houseflies perch on and hover around any dirty, decaying, and smelling organic matter where they can get their food source.

And once they find such environments, each female fly can lay up to 600 eggs there and hatch up to 150 eggs every two weeks.

It takes about a week for a maggot housefly to develop into an adult in favorable temperatures. The quantity of food available and weather conditions will affect the length of their transformation. Those tiny, white larvae you see in decaying food matter in dust bins will soon turn into adult flies. If care isn’t taken to prevent or eliminate them, they can quickly ravage your home.

Controlling fly infestation in your home

You can get any insecticide from the store and spray it within any fly-infested part of your home. The sprays are absorbed into the fly’s central nervous system, paralyzing and killing them. Flies move around by day, so this is the best time to do it.

You can also go for more potent products like pyrethrin-based insecticides. These products are more poisonous, so you should use them in lower concentrations than regular insecticides. Pyrethrin disintegrates under exposure to light and air, so there’ll be no build-up of harmful chemicals in your home.

Perhaps you currently have a full-blown fly infestation. If it seems you just can’t get rid of them all, it’s best to call in an expert such as the Terminix pest control firm. They’ll be better equipped with the right tools and chemicals to control and even prevent further infestation.

Preventing housefly infestation

Here are crucial ways to prevent flies in your home this summer.

1. Eliminating fly breeding sites

The first step to preventing houseflies in your home is to eliminate their breeding grounds, including garbage and decaying organic matter. The smell can attract flies from miles away.

Do not allow garbage to stay in your kitchen for too long. Instead, take out the trash at least twice weekly to prevent flies from laying and hatching.

2. Keep fruits in closed areas

Decaying fruits are fly magnets. The moment your fruits start to decay, you’ll notice the house that was once a no-fly zone is now swarming with these tiny insects. So keep your fruits refrigerated. And check those on your dining table to ensure rot hasn’t started.

3. Wash and disinfect your trash can

When flies lay eggs in your trash can, removing the refuse may not be sufficient. If there is still decaying matter lodged in the bin, it can attract flies. Additionally, fly eggs that have already been laid may still be present.

It becomes crucial to regularly wash and disinfect your trash bin to prevent fly infestation.

4. Take care of your lawn and drains

If you use manure on your lawn, you might be at risk of a fly infestation. That’s because you’ll likely keep decaying organic matter for some time and later spread it in your yard. Be sure to stack dung heaps to reduce their surface area when placed in your yard. Use a light material such as a plastic sheet to cover it to prevent flies from perching. Also, inspect your drains to ensure organic matter from your kitchen isn’t lodged.

5. Put the fan on

Flies and mosquitoes cannot thrive in a windy environment. They can’t perch as they’re caught in the crosswinds. So you can place a standing fan in fly-prone areas (such as around fruits) during summertime and leave it on.

6. Use nets to block windows

Flies come through the windows. In summer, you’ll likely open your window and put up the curtains for ventilation. To prevent flies from coming in, ensure you have nets up. And be careful when opening the door to your exterior. In fact, you can even install nets for your doors, so even if you have to keep them open, you won’t have to worry about the insects getting inside the house. Check this Fly Screen Doors Melbourne company or others closer to you and find out if they can be helpful if installed for your house.

Wrapping up

Houseflies are a complete nuisance. Even the sound they make can be pretty unbearable. So there’s every reason to prevent flies from getting into your home at all.

If they do get in, never hesitate to use insecticides or call in procedure pest control.

3 Ways To Take Care Of Your Work Tools

Equipment is the lifeblood of every business, no matter what industry you’re in. Regardless of how big or small your business is, the tools you need to get the job done are crucial, and if they aren’t properly maintained, you might lose clients, money, and your excellent name.

 As a result, proper maintenance of your work gear is essential if you want to be certain that they will always be there, ready to help you when needed. If you’re going to be the best and beat the competition, keeping your tools well-maintained is an essential element of operating your company. Read on for some ideas about how to do it.

Photo by Pixabay

Store Your Tools Properly 

You may not have much storage space, but that’s no justification for tossing your tools into a drawer or even on the floor and picking them up from wherever you left them when you need them. This is how they will get damaged, and it will cost you to repair them or perhaps replace them if they are damaged beyond repair. No company can afford to continuously replace tools that have been ruined due to improper storage, and there is really no need for this to happen.

 Check your walls if you don’t have a lot of floor space. Do you have the room to hang pegboards? Pegboards are ideal tool storage locations since they allow you to quickly and easily identify any specific instrument you may want. You’ll also notice if anything is missing since you’ll see the gap on the wall. Or how about renting 10×20 storage units? You can use these as mini warehouses, ensuring that your tools are safe and protected at all times. Not only will they be properly taken care of, but they will be safe from thieves too.

 

Regular Maintenance 

Regular maintenance is required for all tools, no matter how small or large they are. Add this to your calendar and do a check-up at least once a month, if not more often. It will take some time, particularly if you have a lot of tools, but after you’re done, you’ll know that everything is functioning properly and that your tools and equipment will be ready to use when you need them.

 Having some equipment that you can use to inspect your tools can save you money in the long run since you won’t have to pay someone else to do it for you.

 

Clean After Every Use 

As annoying as it may seem to have to clean your tools every time you use them, the long-term benefits far outweigh the inconvenience. If you don’t clean them before putting them away, they could become rusty and useless. If you can’t do the job you are paid to do the next time you are hired because your tools are unusable, your reputation and revenue will suffer. Make it a habit to tidy up after every project, and you’ll always have the things you need at your fingertips, and you’ll always be able to do what your clients ask.

4 Tips to Starting an eCommerce Business That Actually Sells

Starting an eCommerce business is a great way to make money online. You can set yourself up for success with the right tips and strategies! This blog post will discuss four tips that will help you get started. Keep in mind that these are just general tips – you will need to tailor them to fit your specific business. Let’s get started!

Photo by PhotoMIX Company from Pexels

1) Find a niche market.

The first step to starting an eCommerce business is finding a niche market. This can be done by researching online or talking to people in your target market. Once you have found a niche, you can build your store around it. This will help you attract the right customers and make sales! If you are selling products, it is crucial to find a not too saturated niche. If you are selling collectibles product, it is crucial to find a not too saturated niche. There are many eCommerce stores, so you need to make sure yours stands out! Choose products that are unique and offer something different than what is already on the market. Again, this will help you attract customers and make sales!

 

2) Choose the right platform.

The next step is to choose the right platform for your eCommerce business. This is where you will build and host your store. There are many different platforms to choose from, so it is essential to research and find one that fits your needs. Some popular options include Shopify, WooCommerce, and Magento. Once you have chosen a platform, you will need to set up your store. This includes adding products, setting up shipping, and selecting a payment processor. All of this can be done through the platform’s interface. Once your store is set up and running, you can promote it! All of this can be done through the platform’s interface. Once your store is set up and running, you can promote it using attribution reporting!

 

3) Get financing for your business.

If you want to start an eCommerce business, you need to get financing. This can be done through various methods, such as taking out a loan or investing your own money. If you take out a loan, make sure you shop around and compare credit. You don’t want to end up with a high-interest rate that will eat into your profits! Investing your own money is also an option. If you have savings, you can use this to start your business. Again, this is an excellent option if you don’t want to take on debt. However, keep in mind that more risk is involved when using your own money.

 

4) Use digital marketing to make sales

The final step is to use digital marketing to make sales. This includes promoting your store online and driving traffic to it. There are many different ways to do this, such as SEO, social media marketing, and email marketing. Digital marketing is a great way to reach a broad audience and make sales. One key aspect is optimizing your site for search engines, ensuring your business ranks well in online searches. Expert insights on SEO strategies can be incredibly beneficial, especially in competitive markets. However, it is crucial to do it correctly. If you don’t have experience with digital marketing, it might be worth hiring someone who does. This will ensure that you use the most effective strategies and make sales!

 

These are just a few tips to help you get started with your eCommerce business. Remember that these are just general tips – you will need to tailor them to fit your specific industry. However, with the right planning and execution, you can be successful!

 

The Benefits of Owning an Air Purifier for Your Home

The US is exhibiting signs of increasingly poorer air quality. Figures suggest that inside air can be up to five times more contaminated than outside air. With many experts worried about the level of pollution in the air, being able to filter any contaminants out is vital. Even if you do not have allergies, investing in an air purifier can benefit you. You can use the air purifier for cat hair, dog hair to protect your whole family members.

Image credit

 

Relieve Asthma Symptoms

The air quality in the US is deteriorating. Pollution in the air can cause asthma symptoms to become worse. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that one in 10 people’s lives is impacted by respiratory diseases, with over 400 million people currently suffering from 20 million new cases of asthma each year.

 

One study found that children who grow up in areas with poor air quality have an increased risk of developing childhood-onset asthma. To help combat these statistics, investing in an air purifier can be an invaluable tool. As well as filtering out pollutants like pollen and dust, some air purifiers even protect against bacteria and viruses. This will help alleviate any asthmatic symptoms your child may be experiencing due to the high level of pollution around them.

 

Eliminate Harmful Chemicals

An air purifier can eliminate harmful chemicals in everyday household products like bleach, paint, cleaners, and new furniture. These chemicals can cause allergies and asthma if they are not filtered out. By investing in an air purifier, you will be able to remove these contaminants from the air before they have a chance to affect you.

 

An indoor air quality (IAQ) test can tell you whether or not your home is at a safe level for pollutant levels. This test measures the number of different types of pollutants indoors over 24 hours and then determines if there is a problem. It’s essential to take one every few months to monitor your home’s IAQ level as trends change over time. If you find out your levels are too high, you should invest in an air purifier as they are very affordable nowadays.

 

Improve Sleep Quality

We spend a third of our lives asleep, so we must get the best quality sleep possible. Pollutants such as dust, pollution, and pet dander are common causes of poor sleep quality. The best air purifiers can help to improve your sleep by filtering out these pollutants from your home. It can also work to regulate humidity levels in the air, which is essential for better breathing at night.

 

Neutralize Odors

Airborne odors, like cigarette smoke and cooking smells, can pollute the air we breathe in our homes. This can lead to health problems like chest discomfort, headaches, or nausea.

 

Air purifiers are a great way to eliminate airborne allergens and other particles that may be in your home. Fortunately, many models of air purifiers have built-in odor eliminators that work to remove any smells that are present in the air.

 

Reduces Airborne Diseases

Airborne diseases are an increasing problem and not just for people with allergies or asthma. Viruses and bacteria floating around in the air all the time. If you have a family member who is immunocompromised, having an air purifier in your home can help them avoid contracting airborne diseases.

 

A Guide on Preparing Your Property to Sell for a Higher Return on Investment

When you are selling your property, the goal is to get the best return on investment possible. To do this, you need to prepare your property for sale in the best way possible. Having said that, if you’re going through a tough time, you could even consider selling your house to a cash-for-house buyer. Just do a quick search on the internet using keywords like ‘We Buy Houses Birmingham Alabama‘ and you may probably find a suitable buyer for your property.

This guide will discuss some tips that will help you achieve this goal. By following these tips, you can ensure that your property sells quickly and for a higher price than if it were not prepared correctly. Let’s get started!

Photo by Christopher Moon from Pexels

1) The first thing you need is to clean up your property.

This means making sure the outside is free of debris or trash and that the inside is clean and presentable. A potential buyer wants to be able to see the property at its best, so take some time to make it look great. If you have any furniture or belongings taking up space, now is the time to get rid of them, also get Cleaning Services to get your home sparkling clean. You want potential buyers to be able to imagine their belongings in the home, not yours. In addition, decluttering will make the house look more extensive and spacious.

2) The second tip is to make any necessary repairs.

Unless you intend to Sell house as is in Atlanta (or elsewhere), now is the perfect time to get all those home repairs done. This could include anything from fixing a leaky faucet to repairing a hole in the wall. The goal is to make the property look and feel new. By making these repairs, you will make your property more appealing to potential buyers, but you will also likely increase its value. In addition, buyers are more likely to purchase a property in good condition that does not require major repairs. However, if you hire a real estate developer like Lincoln Frost to do the renovations, you won’t have to worry about the changes. They would most likely be competent enough to transform existing buildings into new businesses and homes.

3) The third tip is to stage your property.

Staging means setting up your home in a way that is appealing to potential buyers. This could include placing furniture in certain areas, hanging artwork, etc. The goal is to make the property look inviting and comfortable. By staging your property, you will likely sell it quickly and for a higher price. This is primarily because many potential buyers are more likely to request a showing of a staged home than one that is not.

4) The fourth and final tip is to price your property correctly.

You want to make sure you are pricing your property competitively. Look at similar properties in your area that have recently sold, and price yours accordingly. If you are not sure what a fair price is, consult with a real estate agent. They will be able to help you determine the right listing price for your home. Make sure you are prepared to negotiate. Often, buyers will try to lowball you, and you don’t want to get taken advantage of. By pricing your property correctly, you will increase the likelihood of selling it quickly and for a higher price.

On the other hand, if you feel like renting out the property rather than selling it would be better for you financially, then that is definitely an option to consider. You can get in touch with property management companies in washington dc (or closer to you) with experts who can offer proper advice on the rental market, and even manage the whole process if you so wish. The extra monthly income that you get from renting out your home could really prove to be a blessing for you, rather than a lump sum payment received as in the case of selling. Nevertheless, the ultimate decision is for you to make.

By following these tips, you can prepare your property for sale in the best way possible. This will increase the likelihood of selling quickly and for a higher return on investment. So take some time to clean up, repair, stage, and price your property correctly, and you will be on your way to success!

7 Rug & Carpet Cleaning Tips Busy Mom Can Use

Busy moms everywhere know the struggle of trying to keep their homes clean while juggling work, school, and other obligations. One of the most commonly neglected areas in the home is the rug and carpet. But with a little bit of effort, you can keep your carpets looking new using these seven carpet cleaning and rug cleaning tips:

1. Vacuum Regularly

One of the easiest ways to keep your carpets clean is by vacuuming them regularly, as well as using Carpet Cleaning Melbourne services and others like it on occasion to keep on top of all vacuumed areas. This will remove any dirt or debris that has accumulated and will help keep your carpets looking new. When vacuuming, make sure to go over each area multiple times and use both the suction and the rotating brush. If you stay for too long without vacuuming, the dirt and dust will become ground into the fibers of your carpet and will be difficult to remove. This will in turn lead to the formation of dirt mounds and can also cause your carpets to wear down prematurely.

2. Clean Spills Immediately

One of the biggest challenges for moms is dealing with spills. Whether it’s juice, coffee, or red wine, spills can be a hassle to clean up. But if you clean them up immediately, the job will be much easier. Use a cloth or paper towel to soak up as much of the liquid as possible and then use a carpet cleaner or carpet shampoo to remove any remaining stains. If you wait too long, the spill will become embedded in the fibers of your carpet and will be difficult to remove.

3. Blot rather than Rub

When you’re trying to clean a spill, it’s important not to scrub or rub the area. This will only cause the stain to spread and will make it more difficult to remove. Instead, use a cloth or paper towel to blot the area. This will help soak up the liquid and will prevent the stain from spreading. Comparatively, scrubbing or rubbing will only push the stain deeper into the fibers of your carpet and will make it more difficult to remove.

4. Use a Carpet Cleaner

If you have a spill or if your carpets are just generally dirty, using a carpet cleaner can be a great way to get them clean. There are many different types of carpet cleaners available, so you can find one that best suits your needs. Some carpet cleaners are designed for general cleaning, while others are designed for more specific tasks, such as removing pet stains. Be sure to read the instructions carefully and follow them closely to get the best results. Having said that, if you’re too busy or not too fond of cleaning things, get in touch with a carpet or rug cleaning service as they might be able to make your carpets look as good as new.

5. Use a Steam Cleaner

Rug cleaning machines come in a few different varieties but one of the most popular is the steam cleaner. These machines use hot water and pressurized steam to clean your carpets. Not only do they remove dirt and stains, but they also kill any germs or bacteria that may be lurking on your carpets. Steam cleaners are available for purchase at most home improvement stores or online.

6. Use a Carpet Shampoo

If you have particularly dirty carpets, you may need to use carpet shampoo to get them clean. Carpet shampoo cleaning is available at most home improvement stores or online and can be used with a carpet cleaner or steam cleaner. Be sure to follow the instructions carefully to get the best results.

7. Use a Carpet Protector

Once your carpets are clean, it’s important to protect them from future dirt and stains. One way to do this is by using a carpet protector. Carpet protectors are available at most home improvement stores or online and can be applied with a carpet cleaner or steam cleaner. They work by creating a barrier between your carpets and dirt, dust, and liquids. This will help keep your carpets looking new for longer.

Cleaning your carpets regularly is essential for keeping them looking new and for preventing dirt, dust, and stains from becoming embedded in the fibres. But being a busy mom might prevent you from keeping your carpets clean. That is why it might be a good idea to take the help of professional carpet cleaners, who can be available at the likes of Chem-Dry Carpet Solutions (you can learn more about them by visiting their website). Such experts can use non-toxic, fast-drying carpet cleaning methods to make your carpet spotless.

However, if you can still manage some time to clean the carpet all by yourself, even after being a busy mom, then these seven tips will help make the process easier. Who knows, you might be able to get your carpets clean without having to sacrifice any of your precious time by following the tips! This is a win-win for busy moms everywhere!

3 Tips For Dealing With Climate Change In Real Time

 

Pixabay (CC0 Licence)

 

As the long-range forecasts pencil us in for another summer where the mercury gets higher than ever before – and both the Arctic and the Antarctic record temperatures far above their usual levels – it seems clear that we’re going to have to get used to a warmer climate. A lot of work is going into figuring out how, through sustainable living, we can mitigate the worst of the change that is ahead, but it won’t be lost on any of us that we’re dealing with actual climate change in the here and now. There are too many signs for it to be legitimately ignored.

 

So, while it remains a good idea to follow the advice on how not to contribute to the acceleration of climate change, it is also fair to say that we have another concern to bear in mind. How do we deal with the increase in temperatures we’re facing in the present day? How do we live with climate change while also trying to fight future change? Below, we’ll look into some tips.

 

Ensure your home is energy efficient

 

Higher temperatures – and the cold snaps that are increasingly common in winter – can be guaranteed to make us all reach for what makes us more comfortable. While the weather outside is hostile, the indoors can be made cosier (or cooler). However, if everyone is doing that at once, it can lead to a power demand on the grid that causes blackouts and brownouts. Having access to an efficient heating and cooling system will ensure you place less of a strain on the grid, and also that you get the best possible benefit from periods when your energy supply is secure.

 

Try to expand your diet

 

Food shortages are one of the markers used in Hollywood to demonstrate that a situation has grown critical. Well, we do have food shortages in the here and now, so you can make of that what you will. The pandemic era seems to have been a tipping point, but the supply chain has not recovered even as limitations are lifted. Meat and poultry have been among the affected foodstuffs, so experimenting with meat-free dining and managing a veg garden at home might well be a smart idea in the immediate term.

 

Move to higher ground

 

Extreme weather events are becoming more common across the world, not just in the USA, and it’s not a trend that is going to go into reverse any time soon. There are going to be more high winds, more bitter rainstorms and more flooding in the foreseeable future. So if you have the capability to do so, it would be a good idea to move away from areas that are at greater risk of flooding. However much some people sneer at the idea of survivalism, being ready to decamp to a mobile home and escape the area even temporarily will also help you through the most problematic times.

 

Dealing with climate change at the moment is going to mean thinking outside the box at times. Researchers could be doing their best to study and monitor climate changes as well as predict frequent transitions in the weather with the help of cellular weather stations, which you can learn more about on the internet. However, as a part of this ecosystem, every human being has a role to play in controlling environmental shifts and reducing our impact on the planet.

There are straightforward changes you can make in your daily life and also some curveballs. Be prepared to make changes you didn’t expect would be necessary, and it will be easier to handle.

Easy and Fun Paint Magic

I have been looking for activities to help limit screen time.  We really try to be mind full with our screen time but during the winter months findings indoor activities can get tricky.  Happy Fox Books has come to the rescue! Their team has put together an amazing and engaging new series, Easy and Fun Paint Magic with Water Books.  Fox Publishing designers have honed in on numerous developmental building blocks. This series showcases bold colors, shapes and engaging scenes on each page!  Even though these books are rated for 4+, my daughter, Aurora, who is two years old enjoyed the interactive pages.

The Coloring Books: 

The books are part of a four book series. The series includes coloring books about Dinosaurs, Fairies, Unicorns and Aurora’s favorite, Animals.  The books come with a paint brush. (Watch how you put the paint brushes in the dishwasher. I found out that the brushes can easily slip through the utensil rack and melt! Whoopsie!) The water color is so gentle and easy to clean up a quick rinse in the sink is all that is needed.

The Pages: 

The pages have a nice perforated edge which makes removal from the books a breeze.  The edges rip off clean and easy.  The ability to remove these pages has greatly increased the life of this activity, giving me more bang for my buck.  If Aurora has a coloring book in her hands she often flips through, colors a little bit on each page and then says all done before moving on to the next task.

In addition to being perforated, the paper is a thick heavy duty construction like paper. This thick paper comes in handy.  Aurora is refining her motor skills, at times she can come off heavy handed with her paintbrush. The card stock like paper allows the paper to retain it’s integrity even when excessive water and pressure are applied to the paper.

In conclusion: 

Aurora and I are really enjoying these children’s books by Fox Publishing. These activity pages allow me to do what mom’s do best, multi-task.  I can set Aurora up to color and juggle a baby on my hip. The activity are an easy set up: a paint brush, pour a small cup of water, rip a page out of the book and stick it to the table top.  (Mom hack: tape the pages to the table top to help facilitate motor skills and increase activity time).  I can walk away after setting up without fear of returning to a mega mess or expensive supplies drying up.  The pages are very interactive with a variety of shapes, animals, colors and scenes.  I am digging how easy it is to generate conversation with Aurora. I will often ask her to point out items on the page.   We hope you enjoy our first project.

How to Buy Furniture Sustainably

The climate is changing at a rapid pace, but it does not mean that you cannot play a signifianct role in doing things more sustainably. You can easily start with creating a smart plan to buy sustainable and Second Hand Appliances and furniture instead of giving in to the rapidly growing fast furniture industry. Sustainability has increasingly become more and more important in the field of furniture, and many companies are actively marketing their products as state-of-the-art models when it comes to sustainability.

However, claims can be misleading, so if you wish to buy truly sustainable furniture pieces, you will have to tread carefully. This article will provide you with some tips to help you buy furniture sustainably. It draws on some of the great guides on more sustainability in the furniture industry written by Interiorbeat.

Mind the materials

The materials are the most impactful factor when it comes to sustainability, so you might want to deal with it first before handling the other factors. Not all materials are made equal, and some will have more impact on the environment than others. Wooden materials are among the most sustainable choices because they come from renewable sources. However, they can be quite expensive at times, and not all furniture pieces can be made from wood.

Plastic has a pretty bad reputation as a material, but if you can get furniture pieces made out of recycled plastic, it will be a great help to the environment. Recycled plastic that is used to make furniture will not end up in landfills, the ocean, and the countryside, greatly alleviating the current plastic pollution situation. If you buy furniture that is made mostly of metals, keep in mind that some metals such as aluminum can also be recycled as well.

Using metal products, especially the ones made out of steel is considered sustainable as they can be recycled with little maintenance. Using metals isn’t difficult and you can do them yourself with enough help from blogs like MetalProfy. People usually assume that metals are not eco-friendly as they often associate metal products with big machinery and manufacturing, but in fact, they are naturally occurring and easily recyclable.

Check the manufacturing processes

How furniture is made is also a contributing factor to its overall sustainability. Sustainable furniture features a smart manufacturing process that does not involve toxic chemicals that can severely harm the environment. The process should also use renewable energy sources such as wind, solar, or hydro energy.

Many companies are quite transparent about their manufacturing processes, and they tend to post this information on their website for your information. You can also rely on eco-labels such as Greenguard or EPD to determine whether the manufacturing process is truly sustainable or not.

Buy locally

The carbon footprint of the global furniture supply chain is surprisingly high, so if possible, you should buy furniture from your local supplier instead of from an international chain. The closer you are to the manufacturing factory, the less carbon footprint the whole supply chain will produce, minimizing harmful effects on the environment.

Durability is the key

Furniture that breaks down after just a couple of years is a bane for the environment, as you will have to constantly replace these pieces, further increasing your negative carbon footprint on the environment. The right furniture pieces should be easy to repair, and they should also be easily disassembled for any future recycling attempts. Try to avoid pieces that use too much glue, because they are typically not very easy to disassemble.

Some companies offer a buyback scheme in which they will buy back your furniture pieces at the end of their life cycle. These pieces will then be broken apart and recycled, ensuring that the carbon emission will be kept at a minimal level. If you wish to reduce your impact on the environment, these are the companies you should support.

Never underestimate the power of small changes. Buying furniture responsibly and sustainably is a great step towards making changes to the world, and if enough people are doing it, the world will become a much better place. The key is to be more mindful of the processes behind the products and to make conscious decisions.