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Route 60: The Biblical Highway Film This Fall


Many thanks to TBN for providing a sample of the product for this review. My opinions are 100% my own.

From learning about the Egyptian pyramids to the crash of American Wall Street, I love history in most forms-particularly film. This season Israel’s Route 60, featuring its famous biblical sites, as it’s commonly known, the Biblical Highway, is no exception. Former U.S. Ambassador David Friedman and former U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo help to bring new information about the promised land to life in the new film, Route 60: The Biblical Highway, in theaters on September 18 and 19.

This powerful story of the 146-mile asphalt and concrete road begins in Nazareth, Israel’s largest Arab city. Later, it weaves its way through Samaria south to Jerusalem, then through Judea, and ends in Beersheba, Israel’s high-tech centers. Route 60 connects both ancient with modern Israel, Jews with Christians and Muslims, and Israeli citizens with Arabs living under modernist Palestinian governmental control.

Far more than a mere two-lane highway, Route 60 offers a historic link to the roots of both ancient and modern Judaism and Christianity, riddled with both tales of modernism as well as stories of both the Old and New Testaments. As Friedman and Pompeo travel this ancient thoroughfare, walking in the footsteps of Judeo-Christian heritage, the forefathers Abraham, Jacob, King David, and Jesus, viewers are brought along on this inspiring journey of post-modernism and religious understanding.

“We hope that audiences are left inspired and encouraged to continue their walk-in faith,” said Ray Nutt, CEO of Fathom Events. “Reading about places rich in history is one thing, but `Route 60’ will allow audiences to get a firsthand look at what these places and cultures were like.” I couldn’t agree more. This film was both inspiring and a true start to the Autumnal season in theatres.

For more information on this film or to buy tickets today to see Route 60 in theaters ONLY on 9/18 & 9/19, visit Route 60: The Biblical Highway, via Fathom Events, here.

Plus, readers of Theladyprefers2save.com, can begin their fall season with a $10.00 Amazon gift card for Theladyprefers2save.com reader. To enter, simply leave a comment on this post letting me know your reasons for wanting to see this film in theaters this fall.

Friends, will you be seeing Route 60: The Biblical Highway in theatres? Leave your thoughts in the comments below.

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8 Tips To Boost Recovery During And After Falling Ill

Falling ill can be a challenging experience for anyone. Whether it’s a common cold, flu, or a more serious condition, being sick can take a toll on your body and mind. While resting and seeking medical attention are crucial steps to getting better, there are other things you can do to boost your recovery and feel better faster. In this article, we will explore some tips to help you recover during and after falling ill.

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1. Stay Hydrated: 

One of the most important things you can do when you are sick is to stay hydrated. Drinking plenty of water, electrolyte drinks, or herbal tea can help keep your body hydrated and flush out toxins. If you are experiencing vomiting or diarrhea, you may need to replenish your electrolytes with an oral rehydration solution.

2. Get Plenty of Rest: 

Rest is essential for recovery. When you are sick, your body needs more rest than usual to recover from the illness. Make sure to get plenty of sleep, take naps when you need to, and avoid strenuous activities.

3. Eat Nutritious Foods: 

Your body needs fuel to recover from an illness, so it’s essential to eat nutritious foods. A balanced diet that includes plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean protein can help provide the nutrients your body needs to fight off infection and repair damage.

4. Practice Good Hygiene: 

When you are sick, it’s important to practice good hygiene to prevent the spread of germs. Make sure to wash your hands frequently, cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze, and avoid close contact with others.

5. Manage Stress: 

Stress can take a toll on your immune system, so it’s important to manage stress levels during and after an illness. Try relaxation techniques such as meditation, deep breathing, or yoga to help manage stress.

6. Take Medications as Prescribed: 

If you have been prescribed medication by a healthcare professional, it’s important to take it as prescribed. Skipping doses or stopping medication early can make it harder for your body to recover. This includes visiting an Infusion Center for infusion therapy.

7. Stay Connected: 

Being sick can be isolating, so it’s important to stay connected with friends and family. Talking to loved ones can provide emotional support and help you feel less alone during the recovery process.

8. Follow Up with Your Healthcare Provider: 

After recovering from an illness, it’s important to follow up with your healthcare provider to ensure that you are fully recovered. Your healthcare provider may recommend follow-up tests or appointments to monitor your recovery.

There You Have It

Falling ill can be a difficult experience, but there are things you can do to help boost your recovery. Staying hydrated, getting plenty of rest, eating nutritious foods, practicing good hygiene, managing stress, taking medications as prescribed, staying connected, and following up with your healthcare provider are all important steps to take during and after an illness. By taking these steps, you can help your body recover faster and get back to feeling your best.

7 Tips For Better Fall Skincare

This post has been sponsored by Diamond Bloggers. All opinions are my own. Thank you.

If your skin has been dry lately, you’re not alone. Unforgiving fall weather mixed with dry indoor heat work in tandem to leave your skin dry, cracked, and unhealthy this time of year. Cold weather and winds can also aggravate your skin, particularly if you’re already prone to dry or combination skin during the rest of the year.

If you need tips on keeping your  skin smooth and hydrated during the cold winter season, check out these five tips to stay looking your most hydrated best this season.

Shorten your time in the shower

Avoid taking long hot baths, showers, or using saunas during the winter months. Hot water can strip the skin of its natural moisture. Instead, bath in water for shorter periods of time. This will help you stay hydrated as well as lower the high cost of winter heating this season too!

Stay hydrated

Drinking 64-ounces of clean, cool, filtered water each day will help to keep your skin hydrated. This will also help ward off cold-weather skin fissures and chaffing too!

Lubricate your skin

Lubricating your skin with essential oils or pure cocoa butter after showering or bathing is one of the best steps you can take to keeping your skin hydrated this winter. Cocoa butter is a natural alternative to petroleum-based moisturizers, and when applied to the skin when slightly damp, will help create a protective layer to the skin. Trapping the moisture your skin desperately needs rather than letting those precious lipids evaporate into the dry, hot air of your home this season at home.

Exfoliate

Exfoliating dry, wintery skin is one of the best forms of self-care you can give yourself this season! Buffing away dry skin with a gentle body scrub 2-3 times a  a week is more than plenty!  Be sure to use a good quality scrub. Then, just rub the scrub mixture all over your body in gentle circular motions, and rinse off. You’ll be glowing and moisturized too! Need a great DIY scrub? I love DIY coffee scrub. It’s moisturizing and helps fight cellulite naturally too!

Use a humidifier

During winter, the higher the heat indoors, the less humidity there will be. Using a humidifier can help you keep moisture in your home and office air. Because it’s the humidity that helps keep skin from drying out. Looking for an affordable DIY? Try keeping a bowl of water on your radiators to add moisture to the air.

Know what in your skin products

Knowing what products you put on your skin is vital. Especially in the cooler months of the year. Making it imperative to know which ingredients you’re applying to your skin. Checking labels for cruelty-free measures and sensitive skin-safe beauty ingredients. Opting for products that contain less-drying ingredients such as witch hazel and plant glycerin.

Speak to Your Dermatologist

If there’s anything you’re not sure about, it makes sense to speak to your dermatologist as they’ll be able to give you the tailored advice you need in order to help your skin through the fall months. Find a nearby dermatology clinic if you don’t already have a dermatologist and book an appointment to get started.

7 Ways To Pamper Your Skin This Winter

Create your own moisturizer

If your budget prohibits more upscale skin care this season, opt for using nourishing, wholesome oils at home. And making your own 2-in-1 facial moisturizing cleaner and skin-nourishing oil couldn’t be easier

Friends, don’t be afraid of oil. It is your friend. Especially if you wash your face with something that strips your natural oils. As most of us do. Which makes replacing those oils with something nourishing the best way to nourish your skin, replace vital nutrients on your face, as well as to calm down irritates the skin. Which can actually help to not only balance your skin’s ph levels but help prevent blemishes too!

The best part? Natural facial moisturizing oil can be made with only 3 simple ingredients. Here’s how to make it.

Ingredient Number One – Your Base

Your base, or carrier oil, is your foundation oil. Your foundation oil helps incorporate your other oils and will essentially provide the bulk of the moisturization your skin receives from this washing treatment.

Here are the base oils you could choose from:

  • Argan oil: Great for dry, aging, or acne-prone skin
  • Jojoba oil: Great for oily or acne-prone skin
  • Apricot kernel oil: Great for any skin type, but especially for dry skin
  • Sweet almond oil: Great an all-around, slow-absorbing facial oil
  • Grapeseed oil: Great for oily or acne-prone skin
  • Avocado oil: Great for dry and aging skin
  • Hemp seed oil: Great for combination skin

When creating your base, remember that 2/3 of your blend will be your foundation oil. I make my face wash in 1-cup measurements so 2/3 cup of base oil will suffice. This amount lasts me 1 year with twice-daily use.

Ingredient Number Two

Nourishing Oils. Keep in mind that many natural face oils can also come with hefty price tags. Luckily, in today’s market, there are nourishing oils of various price points and since you need very little for each batch, you can really get a lot of bang for your buck. 

While these oils aren’t necessary, they are wonderful for the skin and in my opinion, useful during the winter season. Here are some ideas for the more nourishing oils:

  • Tamanu oil: Great for oily skin or skin with scars
  • Buckthorn oil: Great for aging skin
  • Rosehip seed oil: Great for aging and sun-damaged skin as its incredibly regenerating, firming, and hosts many anti-aging properties.
  • Carrot seed oil: Great for sensitive skin
  • Borage oil: High in oleic acids and great for most skin types
  • Evening primrose oil: Great for acne-prone skin
  • Emu oil:  Nourishing for dry or aging skin)

You will add 1/3 cup of your nourishing oil to your blend.

Ingredient Number Three:  Essential Oils

Ah, the essential oil Nature’s miracle elixirs. These highly customizable, concentrated gems really help take your oil blend to the next level. But like with all things in nature, a little can go a really long way. With 4-6 drops being all, you need for your final level.

Here are a few personal favorites:

  • Lavender: Great for acne, oily, or even dry skin
  • Peppermint: Great for aging or dry skin
  • Chamomile: Healing and soothing, perfect for sensitive skin
  • Rose:  Wonderful for aging, dry, or combination skin
  • Geranium: Great for dry, sensitive, aging, and normal skin types
  • Lemongrass: Great for brightening dull, dry skin
  • Rosemary: Great for cystic acne and pregnancy mask

Now that you have created your foundation and nourishing layers, add 4-6 drops of any combination of essential oils to complete your oil.  And that’s it! Making sure to store your facial oil out of the sunlight, to prevent oxidation and the separation of your essential oils. This blend will last an entire year’s use.

3 Natural Beauty Products To Gift This Season

When I make my blend I love to use avocado oil,  jojoba oil, and grapeseed oils. They are affordable, work well, and help support a mom-owned and operated company online. What’s more to love?

3 Natural Beauty Products To Gift This Season

I love making this blend and giving it to friends and family too! This past holiday season, this facial oil was one of my go-to holiday gift ideas for friends and family. I also managed to put back a jar for myself too!

when ready to use this oil, simply start with a semi-clean face. A face cleansed with water only clean, patted dry with a clean towel. then apply this oil cleanser to your face. Rubbing in circular motions. rinse with warm water and pat dry. Within days, you’ll start to see a noticeable difference in the tone and clarity of your skin all Winter long!

Friends, I encourage you to consider making this 3-Ingredient Winter Skin Oil for yourself this season. After all, the gift of self-care is the best gift you can give yourself. Every season of the year!

Be sure to check out Organic Bunny’s line of affordable natural care products, perfect all your DIY sin care needs.  Need other DIY natural beauty ideas? Check out my Beauty on a Budget tab for more ideas this season.

Now I want to ask, will you give DIY beauty products during the holiday season? If so, I’d love to hear about your gift-giving ideas below!

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5 Must-Try Fall-Inspired Recipes

 

Apples are by far one of my most favorite fruits, which is probably why I love the fall so much. Growing up in Virginia, there was nothing I loved more than picking McIntosh apples with my family. With the cooking spree that generally followed at home a close second. Between our homemade applesauce, apple crisp, apple pie, apple fritters, tarts, and Waldorf salads. Needless to say, things could get pretty fruity at home during the apple season.

While I have an extreme fondness for apples there is also a great legacy of apple-loving in America. Apples have been recorded as culinary staples in colonial kitchens stemming back to the early 1600s, making them a true staple of American culture.

In 1603, Jamestown settlers grew apples for one sole purpose- making cider. The apples they produced then were small, tart varieties more akin to crab apples, unlike the handy fruit snacks we enjoy today. 

Even though apples are not the most purchased fruit in the United States. They come in at a close second behind bananas. But whether it’s through fresh apples or apple products, the average American consumes roughly 19 pounds per year. Making them the perfect fat-free, low-cal, sodium-free, cholesterol-free 80-calorie snack. 

As the old adage goes, an apple a day keeps the doctor away. Eating an apple before bed can help cleanse and whiten your teeth, eating the skin of apples can provide you with age-fighting anti-oxidants, including Quercetin, apples are nutrient-dense in fiber, and contain high levels of boron, which increases mental alertness. Now for a new more modern American apple facts!

1) Washington State produces the most apples each year in the United States. In fact, 70% of all apples sold in the U.S. come from the Evergreen State. This is followed by production by New York, Michigan, Pennsylvania, California, Virginia, North Carolina, Oregon, Ohio, and Idaho. 

2) The United States currently produced close to 200 unique varieties of apples but the only native apple in North America is the Crabapple. Crabapple trees once called common apples, became a staple of American markets as early as Boston in 1625. It is believed that apple seeds brought over from Europe began to change consumer markets and over time crabapples became out of step with American tastes. That was until the reemergence of the 20th-century cider renaissance, where now over 30 varieties of crabapples can be commonly found in store-bought microbrews. 

3) It takes an apple tree five years to produce its first fruit. Apple trees are slow, but steady producers. Once the tree begins to grow, each apple tree can become quite voluminous. The average tree can fill 20 fruit boxes, with the average box weighing in around 42 pounds! 

4) It takes around 40 apples to produce 1 gallon of cider. Making that each glass of cider you drink is the equivalent of 4 apples. 

5) The top 10 varieties sold in the United States are Gala, Red Delicious, Fuji, Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, Golden Delicious, McIntosh, Pink Lady, Braeburn, and Jazz. The most used apple for baking is the Red Delicious, due to its sweet, rich flavor. The top cider producing apples are McIntosh, Rome, and Empire.

How to Make a Marc Thomas

Now that we all know a little more about these naturally sweet snacks, I thought I would share with you a few ideas to get you thinking of all things apple in the season to come. Five Marc Zboch-Inspired recipes inspired by the fall classic: A Marc Thomas.

So pull out those crock-pots, baking mitts, and coffee mugs! Here are my 5 favorite apple recipes for the fall season ahead.

 

 

5 Fall National Apple Month Must-Try Recipes!

Crock-Pot Apple Chia Cider: What I love about this recipe is that it’s super easy to make, stores well, reheats like a dream, and encompasses my two favorite drinks, cider, and Chai tea. This drink is always a favorite for family get-togethers, and family movie nights deep in the Fall. The best part? It can be prepped in under five minutes! This will be your new go-to drink this fall at home!

5 Fall National Apple Month Must-Try Recipes!

 

Harvest Crock-Pot Apple Butter: Need a way to use up leftover apples? This organic apple butter is perfect for just that! I often use leftover apples from my Crock Pot Apple Chai Cider recipe! What I love about this tasty apple butter is it a truly low and slow recipe, but oh so worth the wait. Depending on the sweetness of the apples used, the amount of sugar used in this recipe can be reduced or removed as a whole, making this a true low-glycemic recipe! 

 

5 Fall National Apple Month Must-Try Recipes!

 

Crock-Pot Pork Loin with Apple-Cranberry Sauce: Looking for a super simple weeknight meal idea? Well, it doesn’t get much easier than my Crock-Pot Pork Loin with Apple-Cranberry Sauce! What’s nice about this dish, is that is can be made for a weeknight dinner, taken along to a potluck meal, or even served for Christmas Dinner. And my favorite part of this recipe? The aroma put off by the rosemary, granny smith apples, and cranberries. It’s totally reminiscent of the holiday season!

 

5 Fall National Apple Month Must-Try Recipes!

 

Make-Ahead Apple Pie Pecan Chia Seed Pudding: This yummy, nutrient-dense, flavor-packed chia seed pudding is a fun and frugal vegan, a gluten-free, oil-free, soy-free recipe you’ll want to try this coming apple season! Enjoy it on toast, layered in parfaits, or warmed for a fun breakfast treat! 

 

5 Fall National Apple Month Must-Try Recipes!

 

DIY All-Natural Apple-Honey Cough Syrup Recipe: If you are anything like me, then throughout the year you suffer from dry, scratchy, painful throat symptoms. With allergy season right around the corner, here’s my go-to fall All-Natural Apple-Honey Cough Syrup! Not only is this blend all-natural, but it also costs a mere $0.50 per bottle!

Friends, those are my 5 favorite go-to apple recipes each fall. With the start of National Month a few short days away, I hope these recipes will inspire you to think outside the box when it comes to America’s favorite snack, the apple! Now, I’ve got to ask, do you have any go-to apple recipes you enjoy each fall? If so, I’d love to hear about them below! 

 

 

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Makeup Tips That Will Save You Money This Fall

When it comes to makeup, there is a common misconception that we have to spend a whole BUCKET load of cash to look fabulous. However, this is not the case, and in fact, there are many ways to look amazing fall season without splashing the cash. Today we are going to take a look at how you can save some money, look great, and save your hard-earned dollars on  Zoom-ready makeup this coming season.  

Focus on skincare 

The skin is the largest organ in the body, and it is susceptible to a lot of problems. If you want to look amazing all year long, it is important for you to look after the skin first. The better your skin looks, the less coverage you will need to apply, and therefore the less money you will spend on products.  Making organic skincare products, like Amanda Jo Organic Bunny products, the necessary foundation for achieving your best, natural makeup looks this season at home. 

https://doseofcolors.com/products/blending-brush

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Use concealer as an eyeshadow primer 

Most of the big beauty influencers out there tend to use products that in real life are unnecessary. The biggest culprit for this is the eyeshadow primer. This product is one that admittedly can be useful for looks involving a lot of shadows, however, concealer will have the same effect and will allow eyeshadow to stick to your lid. So the next time you want to create a smoky eye, add some extra concealer to your lids! 

Dab, don’t swipe 

If you are looking to save money on your everyday beauty routine, a useful trick is to dab foundation onto the skin instead of swiping. Whether you use a brush or a beauty blender, when you swipe foundation into the skin you’ll lose a lot of the product along the way, therefore needing to use more. Dabbing foundation into the skin takes a bit more time, but it allows you to use fewer products and gain flawless coverage. 

Use highlighter as eyeshadow

Eyeshadow can be an expensive makeup product, and if you buy a whole palette only to use 2-3 colors in your routine, it is a huge waste of money. This is why instead of forking out on expensive eyeshadow palettes, you can instead use highlighter and contour to create a natural look. Use contour in the crease to create a natural shadow, and then use highlighter on the lid for a pop of brightness. 

Mix foundation and moisturizer

Foundation is a difficult product to source, and if you always have problems finding the best shade for you, it is no surprise that you want to keep your foundation for as long as you can. One great way to gain a light coverage and look after the skin is to mix your foundation with some moisturizer before applying. The moisturizer will allow for easy spread of product and as a result, it will allow you to use less product overall. 

Use clever dupes 

W7 is a great example of a beauty brand that dupes expensive makeup. Their eyeshadow palettes are the perfect copy of Urban Decay palettes for a fraction of the price. As well as this, there are many sites online that sell cheaper beauty products such as this brush or Primark makeup. You can find a surprising selection of no-name products that work just as well as the known brands. 

The 9 Best Halloween Podcasts for Fall

October, the season for all things spooky, and what better way to do it than with a good podcast? So whether you love spine-tingling fiction to bone-chilling true crime, or are eagerly waiting for new episodes of your two other favorite podcasts, Misfit Minimalism (insert shameless self-promotion) and Lore, here are other 9 podcasts to help you enjoy October nights ahead.

The 9 Best Halloween Podcasts for Fall

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The No-Sleep Podcast

Fans of scary movies might enjoy NoSleep, a fiction podcast that comes with a warning: “[NoSleep] is intended for mature adults, not the faint of heart. Join us at your own risk…” NoSleep started as a subreddit devoted to original horror; in 2011, member Matt Hansen proposed a podcast, and David Cummings signed on to host and produce. The stories are brought to life by voice actors, sound effects, and spooky scores. NoSleep is currently in its 13th season, which it promised “has 16 candles we hope you can handle, with five tales about nasty nature, terrifying transformations, and malicious malls. This one might sting.” If you’re not sure where to start, the team has assembled a handy list of sample episodes to get you started. Check out this podcast, here.

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Pretty Scary

Listeners who love My Favorite Murder will likely enjoy Pretty Scary. While the overall vibe of this podcast isn’t exactly creepy, but it’s well-produced and it’s hosted by comics Adam Tod Brown, Caitlin Cutt, and Kari Martin, who brings humor to the podcast in such spooky, awesome ways. Pretty Scary covers everything from true crime cases to conspiracy theories to the unexplained. Past episodes have explored the chupacabra, the ghost ship Mary Celeste, the effects of nuclear explosions, and, of course, various murders that happened on Halloween. Find out more about this podcast, here.

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Into the Dark

This podcast, just 23 episodes long, is hosted by Cooper B. Wilhelm, and it’s the perfect pre-Halloween listening: It features “friendly interviews with practitioners and scholars of witchcraft and the occult arts, as well as answers to listener questions on occult subjects.” Wilhelm is excellent at getting the witches and wizards he interviews to open up. Check out this episode, which features a discussion about Satanism versus American Devil Worshiping celebrations. Or whatever that is. To find out more about his podcast, click here.

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Unexplained

This podcast, which drops bi-weekly, takes on events that defy explanation, “the space between what we think of as real and what is not. Where the unknown and paranormal meets the most radical ideas in science today…” Host Richard MacLean Smith explained to TVOvermind that he has three criteria for selecting stories to feature: “One, that it has a human element at the heart of it; two, that it is actually a story and not just an event (for example, like just saying, “this person was abducted on this day, and that’s all they can remember”); and [third], that the unexplained mystery has never been sufficiently debunked.” In past episodes, they have covered the Stocksbridge Bypass, Operation Cone of Power, and the disappearance of the Eilean Mòr Lighthouse Keepers. Season 2 already shaping up to be ever greater than its premiere season, you’ll not want to miss this podcast at home. To find out more, click here.

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Here Be Monsters

Created by Jeff Emtman in 2012, Here Be Monsters is a podcast self-described as “a podcast created by and for people interested in pursuing their fears and facing the unknown.” Emtman told The Guardian in 2015 that “What I do—and encourage the people who produce for the show to do—is take our fears and those moments of discomfort and pursue them. You poke around until you feel repulsion and then break it down into its constituent parts and chase each of those. Here Be Monsters has covered everything from a Satanic prayer line and a three-legged arctic fox to crow funerals and ASMR; each episode features an unsettling soundscape and is accompanied on the website by eerie art. To find out more about this podcast, click here.

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Haunted Places

The premise of this podcast is self-explanatory: In each episode, host Greg Polcyn takes listeners to a new haunted location around the world. So far, it’s featured infamous tourist destinations—think the Winchester Mystery House and Paris’s Catacombs—alongside places like Vermont’s Bennington County Courthouse and Austin’s Driskill Hotel. Each episode’s storytelling is a blend of real history and creepy lore and regional legends supplemented with spooky sound effects and narration. New episodes are released every Thursday. To find out more about this podcast, click here.

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Stuff You Missed In History Class

This uber-researched podcast, hosted by Tracy V. Wilson and Holly Frey, has covered plenty of horrifying historical events, and its Halloween episodes—of which there are several every year—are no exception. In the past, Wilson and Frey have covered the Villisca Axe Murders, the mysterious disappearance of Aaron Burr’s only daughter, and Disneyland’s Haunted Mansion. Click here for details.

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Dr. Death

Doctors are supposed to make sick people better, and in fact, they all must take an oath to do no harm. In the event they ignore that oath, the medical system is supposed to protect patients—but that doesn’t always happen. Dr. Death follows the crimes of neurosurgeon Dr. Christopher Duntsch, who cut a path of destruction through the spines of his patients. It was preventable destruction that his various employers, and the medical system, simply did not do enough to stop. What could be scarier than that? To find out more about this podcast, click here.

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Snap Judgement Presents: Spooked

Featuring true stories straight from people who say they’ve experienced paranormal phenomena, SPOOKED—which launched its second season in August—is hosted by Glynn Washington. The grandson of a seer, Washington saw his first exorcism as a teen. “There’s nothing scarier or more mesmerizing than a real-life ghost story,” he said. “The encounters in SPOOKED will stay with you beyond each episode and leave you questioning your understanding of reality.” With its scary stories and spine-tingling sound backing, SPOOKED is one you won’t want to miss this season and beyond. Favorite episodes, including, season one, episode six, “The Shadow Men,” which features two tales: one about a house haunted by a malevolent spirit, and one about the things that went bump in the night for one border patrol agent. To find out more about this podcast, click here.

Friends, those are my 9 favorite fall-themed, spooktacular podcasts for October. All perfect additions to your online hygge music and podcast libraries this season. Tell me, have you listed to any of these? If so, which are your favorites? Shares yours in the commend below. 

5 Tips on How to Stay Healthy During Fall Allergy, Cold & Flu Season

Please note, this post is sponsored by MomsMeet.com. All opinions expressed are my own. Thank you.

When it comes to fall allergy season as well as cold and flu season, the old adage is true, that an ounce of prevention is always worth a pound of cure. So are we are currently in the midst of one of the worst flu season’s on record, it’s more important than ever to find ways to prevent flu and cold symptoms in our lives, especially in our homes this season. With this in mind, here are seven tips to help you prevent at all season long:

Wash your hands often

Let’s face it, the effort is key when it comes to protecting your family this germ season. You have to do better than a quick rinse under the faucet. Do this by rubbing your hands together with soap and warm water vigorously for at least 20 seconds. Paying attention not to forget the areas between your fingers and under your nails, and then pat your hands dry. And remember, keep your hands away from your nose, mouth, and face to help to prevent illness.

For times when you cannot use soap and water to wash your hands, then I recommend Desert Essence Probiotic Hand Sanitizer. It is a pure, potent hand sanitizer that kills 99.99% of germs while delivering good bacteria courtesy of probiotic-packed Kefir, which nourishes and conditions the skin. It uses a combination of botanical extracts including Tea Tree Oil, Thyme, Elderberry, and Echinacea to help reduce bacteria.

Using patented “membrane”  technology that creates a “membrane,” or protective screen, a Desert Essence Probiotic Hand Sanitizer formula’s probiotic-rich formula, providing users with sanitization and the added benefits of gut-building flora. This one-of-a-kind sanitizer neither kills the probiotic, nor neutralizes flora, but rather helps facilitate the removal of harmful bacteria from hands while ensuring that gut-friendly flora thrives. 

You can find Desert Essence Probiotic Hand Sanitizer available here for purchase and you can use promo code DEprobioticpower to get 30% off Desert Essence Probiotic Hand Sanitizers. You can also check this store list to see if a retailer carries Desert Essence Probiotic Hand Sanitizers near you. Or use promo code DEprobioticpower for 30% off Desert Essence Probiotic Hand Sanitizers when visiting desertessence.com. 

Sanitize surfaces

Stopping the spread of germs doesn’t stop with our hands. Making sure you clean and disinfect hard surfaces such as countertops, tables, refrigerator handles, doorknobs, and faucets in your home is a must this season, too. Including the surfaces of our most-used items, including TV remotes, computers, laptops, tablets, toys, and phones, too. Some germs can live in these spots, in small creases for up to 24 hours, so make sure you clean with a disinfectant or disinfecting wipes, or 1/4 cup of vinegar mixed with 1 gallon of water and 10 drops of lavender essential oil.

Steer clear of the sick

It can be tough to completely avoid a sick person in your house, especially if you’re a caretaker. But sometimes the best thing you can do to stay well is to keep your distance. If you can, give the sick person their own room for sleeping and relaxing. Stock it with the items they’ll need, like tissues, a trash can, medicine, and bottles of water. And limit their guests, so that the only person who should go in and out of the sick-room is the person taking care of them.

Pamper your immune system

Your body does a remarkable job protecting you from illnesses most of the time, eating lots of fruits and veggies, and making sure you get plenty of rest, can help you out as well. Also making sure to add daily exercise, keeping stress in check, and limiting alcohol as well.

Close your toilet lid before flushing

You really should put the toilet seat down. No really! While it may put some household arguments to rest, the real reason to close the toilet lid is a phenomenon known as a toilet plume. When you flush a toilet, the swirling water that removes your waste from the bowl also mixes with small particles of that waste, shooting aerosolized feces and urine into the air. Low-flow toilets have decreased this risk but have not eliminated this and as aerosol plumes can reach as high as 15 feet, closing the lid is a must!

Get a flu shot

While this may be controversial to some, it’s also worth noting that getting a flu shot is still one of the surest ways to stay well each cold and flu season. Flu vaccines cause antibodies to develop in the body about two weeks after vaccination, antibodies provide protection against infection with the viruses that are in the vaccine. The seasonal flu vaccine protects against the influenza viruses that research indicates will be most common illness this season. As the vaccine is different every year, so it’s vital to make sure yours is up-to-date each season.

Don’t overshare

One of the best ways to prevent cold and flu at home is by not sharing food or drinks, cups, utensils, or towels with people who are sick in your home. Also, don’t forget to throw out toothbrushes after everyone gets well and to keep a sick person’s toothbrush separate from the rest of your family’s. They can be a breeding ground for germs. A great tip? Trade out plastic toothbrushes for naturally antimicrobial, compostable toothbrushes. As well, don’t let anyone share pillows and blankets with anyone who is sick, and they should have their own bedding, in their own space in the house. Then, once he’s better, wash everything he used. The same goes for toys and playtimes, too!

Friends, those are 7 tips to help prevent germs at home this fall allergy, flu, and cold season. While you may not be able to prevent every illness under the sun from coming into your home this season, these tips may be able to help you and your family stay healthier at home just the same! Also, make sure to follow Desert Essence on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for more product information, sales, and giveaways. So, now I want to ask, do you have any tips for preventing germs at home this fall? I’d love to hear about them below.