Nicole

Insurance Policies That Can Benefit Your Kids

When we have little ones, we tend to want what’s best for them in life. Now, no matter how hard you may try to protect your little ones from negativity, situations may arise at some point or another that can make living conditions difficult. However, there are steps that you can take which will at least protect your kids on a financial level. Here are just a few to consider.

Home Insurance

Home is where the heart is, but all sorts of disaster can strike. Problems such as natural disaster, fire, and theft are just a few issues that could arise and affect your little ones financially down the line. However, home insurance policies can help you to repair any damage and replace any broken or stolen belongings in your time of need.

Life Insurance

While we don’t want to be morbid, you do need to remember that passing away is an inevitability and that we never know when the worst might happen. So, it’s always a good idea to invest in a life insurance policy. This policy will ensure that your dependents receive a payout should your life be cut short, and this can be used to tide them over until they are able to provide for themselves. Now, before taking out a policy, you may have various questions, such as “How much life insurance do I need”. But not to worry. The infographic below should help to provide you with a little more information on the topic.

Infographic Design By How much life insurance do I need

0 Comments

How to teach kids to be Internet Awesome

Disclosure: As a member of the Forward Influence Network, I’m sharing with you some ways to teach kids internet safety, how to spread kindness online, and what to do about bullying as part of the Be Internet Awesome initiative. #ItsCoolToBeKind #BeInternetAwesome

If you’ve spent more than a few minutes on social media in the last few years, you’ll have noticed how more and more online sources are filled with negative messaging than you may be used to seeing, you’re not alone. Worse still, this pervasive social adversity is greatly affecting our children and students.

Which is why it is vital that we instill in future generations the necessity of being kind to others online. That by stopping the spread of negative on the Internet, we actively seek to promote good citizenship and social skills – something that will help safeguard our children from Internet bullying as a whole.

Facts about Bullying

Is bullying a pervasive reality for children online? Absolutely. In fact, according to the latest stats, 28% of school-aged students have been bullied and 71% have seen bullying happen each school year. Behaviors that often cascade to online platforms. With 11% of students in grades 2–8, 15% of high school students, and overwhelming 55.2% of LGBTQ students experiencing cyberbullying in the past year. Making internet safety, especially for children, a top priority for parents and educators the nation over.

October is National Bullying Prevention Month

October is also National Bullying Prevention Month. A month-long initiate started in 2006 by PACER to help create a world without bullying by providing information and resources for parents, schools, and communities. With numerous resources on their website, you’ll find a lot of great digital safety tools for both homes and in the classroom at g.co/BeInternetAwesome.

Showing parents and educators the best way to prevent bullying is to equip our kids with proactive measures to enable them to handle online bullying. starting with teaching them how to practice kindness at home. Showing them how to be good citizens, in real life, and how these actions should be carried into their online life. By doing so, we can help stop bullying in its tracks.

And that’s why I’m excited to share three ways to teach kids to be kind online and to introduce a brand new, free online program to aid parents, educators, and homeschoolers how to prevent Internet bullying.

What is Be Internet Awesome?

International Society of Technology in Education is Google’s free multifaceted program designed to teach kids the fundamentals of digital citizenship and safety so they can explore the online world with confidence. The program is available in English and Spanish and consists of an International Society of Technology in Education (ISTE) standards-aligned curriculum.

Full of ready-made Pear Decks for each lesson, Interland – an adventure-packed online game about digital safety and citizenship.

Our five areas of Internet awesomeness:

SMART: Where we learn to share with care
ALERT: Where we learn not to fall for fake
STRONG: Where we learn how to secure Our digital stuff
KIND: Where we learn that itʼs cool to be kind
BRAVE: Where we learn that when in doubt, we talk it out

Take a look at how this curriculum can help kids become good online citizens. Here’s how!

Set the example.

If you want your children to be kind to others online and otherwise, you must first set the example of kindness in your own home. Modeling the path to compassion, empathy, and diversity you expect children to be kind online if they don’t see us behaving in a kind manner with those in our circles in our everyday lives. Let your children see you comment positively to others. Whether that be to an everyday situation, towards other family members, to service workers, and on online platforms as well.

This is an especially useful tool when discussing current events and human interest stories with children. Instead of avoiding speaking about negative topics, speak life and hope into online reports by explaining topics to children. In lieu of avoiding heavy topics, try discussing human experiences by way of news stories. Sharing with your children better and more proactive ways that such situations could be better executed in the future. Empathizing the aspects that being a truth teller, and speaking truth to power can be done in a kind and compassionate manner.

Speak about safety.

Encourage your children to openly, and safely, comes to the aid of fellow classmates, friends, and community members who are bullied or they witness being bullies. Help them brainstorm possible responses to witnessed bullying and help them brainstorm ways to report bullying of peers. While simultaneously encouraging them to seek out positive, uplifting, age-appropriate media sources to visit online.

Explaining that it’s better to surround yourselves with sources of information that encourage you to think and grow while avoiding sites that do not. When we give children positive things to consider, we make it easier for them to spot bullying and equip them with the fortitude to handle such situations in an appropriate manner.

Show them how to thoughtful online.

A helpful resource for modeling kindness online is Be Internet Awesome, a comprehensive curriculum from Google that helps educators, homeschoolers, and parents share with students how to be good Internet citizens. This program features ready-made curriculum and class activities to teach with kids, both at school or home, how to practice the arts of encouragement, kindness, empathy, and safety. Relevant information for their tech-savvy, internet-inspired generation moving forward.

Want to make learning about Internet kindness fun? Let the kids play Interland, where they can make their way through the Kind Kingdom, a virtual environment that shows them how to make thoughtful decisions when interacting with others.

Teach your Child to be an Upstander, not a Bystander

In any situation, a bystander does little more than watch situations unfold. Including bullying. In contrast, an upstander is someone who tries to help make it better. Not everyone likes being in the position of being an upstander. It’s hard. Often uncomfortable and awkward. But it’s a necessary stance to take. Which is why children should be taught ways to be an upstander though kindness and everpresent showing of compassion by:

Tell an Adult. This is always my number one rule. Encourage your child to tell a trusted adult what is happening. Speak with your kids about who might be a trusted adult in different situations, such as at school, in aftercare, or online.
Be Kind. The target of bullying needs friends. Talk with your children about finding ways to be that friend and to spread kindness to those affected by bullying. Including inviting those being bullied to hang out with them at lunch or to act as a listener to their situation.
Never Engage with Bullies. Remind your child that it’s okay to call out bullying behavior without fighting back. That will most often make it worse and negate their position of compassion and kindness.

Internet Safety Tips for Parents and Guardians

A few last tips for promoting internet safety for kids includes parents and guardians setting expectations for internet use. Starting by showing your child appropriate online behavior and what sites they are allowed to visit. Then as your children grow, internet safety rules will need to be modified to grow with them. Here are a few tips to get started with young children:

Monitor your child while they are online.
Keep all devices in common spaces and collect them before bed.
Use parental controls on your browser.
Install mature content filtering software and add-ons.
Know the game ratings for games your children play (check out these game rating sheet).
Teach your kids internet safety basics.
Make a general rule of now allowing your children to shop online without you.

More Internet Safety for Kids Resources:

For me, ending childhood bullying starts with equipping children with the skillset is requires to be a kind, empathetic person into adulthood. For me, those lessons came from my grandmother. Who taught me that when it comes to dealing with others, always ask yourself the question – “Would Grandmother fell proud for the way I am speaking to people right now?” This has been a cornerstone of my adult life and I believe it is also a great way for kids to think about their behavior towards others as well. Both online and in real life. After all, If they wouldn’t want Grandmother to hear it, they probably shouldn’t say it! Am I, right?

Friends, you can learn more about how to Be Internet Awesome at g.co/BeInternetAwesome and tell your kids’ teachers about the online curriculum so they can introduce these activities in the classroom. Now I want to ask, have your children been the victims of bullying? What are your best tips for combating this at home?

Google for Education Online:

Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Website

0 Comments

Frisco Crystal Summer Clean Scent Multi Cat Non-Clumping Cat Litter Review

This post is sponsored by Chewy.com. All opinions expressed are my own. Thank you.

This is Mr. Darcy. International cat of mystery. The cutest of kittens. He was rescued at three months of age from a dog fighting ring where cats were baited for sport.

Despite a rocky start in life, Mr. Darcy has led a very charmed life. He was rescued by a local cat sanctuary where we were lovingly cared for prior to our adoption. While our family went through the adoption process knowing we would only able to adopt one kitten, it was not an easy day for us. As visiting the sanctuary was heartwrenching for our family.

Saving that tiny, playful, precocious, ball of love from such an initially horrible situation felt to me, the right way, at the right time, of making a small difference in this world.

I know Mr. Darcy and the other cat’s just like him are appreciative of being adopted in his own purr-fect way. One of the greatest decisions we ever made was to bring Mr. Darcy into our home and to make sure that Boo has the best life he can, we make sure to purchase food, toys, and litter products.

This includes buying Frisco Crystal Summer Clean Scent Multi Cat Non-Clumping Cat Litter. It’s our small way of giving back to those who need us the most!

We love that Frisco Crystal Summer Cat Litter is effective, affordable, and each 8-pound bag helps keep our home smelling fresh all week long! This lightly scented premium cat litter is formulated with formula made with advanced odor-locking crystals that absorb liquids that help to control odors 5X better than the leading non-clumping clay litter. With one bag can last up to a month when used with a single cat, depending on your kitty’s potty habits, of course.

It is also made with paw-activated plant extracts that release a fresh scent on contact, which means that a hint of freshness will be released only when needed! Allowing Mr. Darcy’s litter boxes to be clean and fresh whenever he needs them!

A few other things we love about this litter:

Advanced odor-locking crystals absorb liquids and lock in odors on contact.
One bag lasts up to a month when used with one cat.
Around-the-clock odor protection is also ideal for multi-cat households.
This low dust formula allows you and your cat to breathe easier.
Gentle on paws and easy to maintain—just scoop out solid waste and stir the crystals regularly and after every use.
This formula features a fresh summer clean scent adds a boost of freshness.

Which is why Frisco Crystal is our go-to brand for all of our cats. So be sure to purchase this Multi-Cat Clumping Litter from Chewy.com. After all, your cats deserve it!. It’s the feel-good way to keep your homes fresher and to protect your cat’s urinary health!

Now I want to ask, are you the adoptive guardian of a shelter cat? And do you pamper your pets with Frisco Crystal Litter at home. Share your stories below!

0 Comments

Why Households Should Adopt a Culture of Recycling

Why Households Should Adopt a Culture of Recycling

When we think about recycling, what usually comes to mind is that it’s an activity reserved for richer, more privileged folk. After all, they’re not as busy as most people, so they’d have more time segregating their garbage or crushing their soda cans before carting them off to the local recycling center. The truth of the matter is that everyone should adopt recycling as a culture. Not only does it help the environment, but it imparts certain habits and practices that can help you and your family in life, alongside other practical benefits.

To help you understand better, here are some of the biggest reasons why households should adopt a culture of recycling.

Recycling teaches a household to be mindful of the resources it expands and cut down on wastage.

When we adopt recycling into our daily habits, we’re immediately made aware of how much trash we generate. Trash, of course, is the byproduct of us using up the resources we’ve purchased for our day-to-day needs—such as food, office supplies, personal hygiene products, and so on. Depending on how big the household is, the amount of trash can easily be more than its members first thought, which could startle or alarm then.

This can be seen as a wake-up call for many households, helping them realize that they could have easily cut down on the amount of trash they generate by being mindful of what they use and how carefully they use it. As such, they will be more conscious of wastage.

Recycling teaches a household to be savvier with what it buys and consumes.

Recycling can help a household confront its wasteful spending habits. As the family is forced to sift through the daily trash they’ve generated, in order to see what can be recycled or not, they can see that even something expensive ends up in the trash alongside cheaper, more economical choices. This can then lead to the household becoming a lot more conscious when it comes to what it buys.

For example, when it comes to printer ink cartridges, instead of buying new branded ones, they can buy remanufactured cartridges, which made by third-party vendors who recycle old printer ink cartridges and reassemble them like new. They offer the same kind of quality without the premium, brand-new price tag.

Recycling teaches a household to see more value in their belongings.

The very act of recycling is defined as turning old or spent resources into something new, either to reuse in its original form or as something completely different. By getting into recycling, a household will look upon its old and broken belongings and see more value in them, rather than simply passing them off as trash and tossing them away. They will then either try to restore these belongings and have them repaired for further use, instead of buying brand new versions of them.

One example of this is with fragile but costly electronics like drones. Not only does a household stand to save money by fixing drones, but also learn to see these drones as valuable assets to be taken care of and cherished. The added effect of cutting down on landfill waste is a great bonus in this regard.

Recycling teaches a household to be more creative.

Recycling can also help a household become more creative, especially when it comes to finding the use for old belongings and resources that can be recycled but are also difficult to dispose of. For example, old tires can be cleaned and recycled into a tire swing. It can also be cut up into smaller parts that can be used for Halloween costumes or other arts and crafts projects. Broken toys can be disassembled and made into something new or to repair other toys. Old furniture can be taken apart and used as theater props or scrap metal. The possibilities are endless.

Recycling teaches a household to be more environmentally-conscious.

Finally, and most importantly, recycling can teach a household to be more aware of what damage it’s been doing to the environment and take steps to address them. The very act of recycling, after all, is quite necessary for this day and age, which means that we’ve already reached a point in our ailing environment that it needs all the help it can get. This will result in the household making more environmentally-conscious choices, such as buying a hybrid/electric car, or simply biking or walking whenever it needs to get somewhere. This may seem small in the grand scheme of things, but every little bit helps.

Conclusion

A household stands to benefit a lot from getting into recycling, not just in their waste management or the reduction in its carbon footprint. By adopting recycling as a culture, a household can learn habits and life lessons that can lead to the betterment of its members’ health and outlook in life.

0 Comments

DIY Fall Scented Hand Sanitizer

Hand sanitizer has been all the rage for the past decade. But in the past few months, there has been a lot of talk about the safety and effectiveness of hand sanitizers. In fact earlier this year the FDA began a three-month investigation to determine the long-term effects of the usage to hand sanitizers and anti-bacterial soaps. Their findings? Hand sanitizer products, unlike anti-bacterial soaps, provide a convenient alternative to hand when washing with plain soap and water is unavailable.

I also have a slight confession to make- I’m not an outright fan of hand sanitizers. Don’t get me wrong, I know hand sanitizers have value. But I am also a firm believer in the idea that humanity needs germs, and killing every last little microbe one is an ever losing battle that lands many of us with weakened immune systems and possibly resistant strains of bacteria taking up residence unnecessarily in our gastrointestinal tracts.

While Americans spend on average $175 million a year on hand sanitizers- despite the national averages of most Americans getting two boughs of the Rhino Virus, or as it’s better to know, the Common Cold, per year. So for me, I’ve always felt that unlike hospitals, our homes, our sanctuaries do not need to be subjected to round after round of alcohol-ish stuff. I mean, there’s a difference between being clean and being sterile, between being practical and being paranoid. The latter is not necessary for everyday use in the home. Physicians offices, yes, my home, no.

I am posting a hand sanitizer if it irks me to no end? For lives on-the-go the best method of getting hands clean is hand sanitizer, and in making your own you can avoid the harsher chemical-laden hand sanitizers, make your own varieties for a tenth of the costs of commercial brands, and customize the scent to your liking.

For anyone familiar with this blog will know, I love simple, clean supply lists. So what am I using? My ingredients: Tea tree oil, lavender oil, clove oil, cinnamon oil, witch hazel, and aloe vera gel. You will also know that I am over the moon for anything fall scented. So this hand sanitizer is a win-win for me!

Here’s a little breakdown for my ingredient list

Lavender oil: Lavender’s botanical name, Lavandula, which comes from the Latin word lavare, which means “to wash,” and this miracle of nature has been helping to keep wounds clean for a millennium. Recent studies have also shown that lander also helps to wipe out fungus and helps to inhibit the growth of MSSA and MRSA (methicillin-sensitive and resistant Staphylococcus aureus.)

Tea tree oil: Tea tree oil is well recognized for its ability to kill several forms of bacteria, viruses, and fungi upon contact, thanks to its main antimicrobial component, Terpinen-4-ol. In vitro testing, in either a test tube or petri dish, which has shown that it can is effective against germs ranging from Staph to E. coli. Tea tree oil is also antifungal, antiviral, immuno-stimulant that helps with healing infectious wounds, insect bites, warts, acne, is anti-fungal, clears dandruff, reduces eczema, psoriasis, inflammatory skin conditions, burns to heal, and reduces itching and inflammation.

Clove oil: Clove oil is famous for being a natural remedy for toothaches, the chemical Eugenol. It also contains natural, unprocessed vasoconstrictive properties that restrict blood vessel tension, which causes blood vessels to narrow and restrict blood flow, aiding in head pain relief within minutes. Clove oil is also, as you may have guessed, anti-microbial in nature.

Cinnamon Oil: Cinnamon oil helps promotes circulation, both internally, and when applied to the skin. As well, this fall favorite helps lower cholesterol levels, regulate blood sugar levels, relieve migraines, helps maintains a healthy immune system, promotes good oral health when applied to the gums, helps alleviate sore muscles and joints when applied topically.

Sweet Orange Oil: Sweet orange oil is helpful for lessening a myriad of health ailments including depression and is anti-inflammatory, an antispasmodic, carminative, and is a natural antiseptic.

Witch hazel: Witch hazel is a natural, mild antiseptic that disrupts the cell membrane of the bacteria, denatures its proteins, ultimately kills it, while not drying out delicate skin.

Aloe vera gel: As most everyone knows, Aloe Vera, a succulent plant, hosts its own special antibacterial and antifungal properties, and also works as a moisturizer, too!

Please note: I am not brand loyal currently to any brand of essential oils. Please use whichever brands of essential oils you are most comfortable utilizing for this blend.

Ingredients

30 drops of Tea Tree Oil
20 drops of Cinnamon Oil
10 drops of Lavender Oil
10 drops of Clove Oil
10 drops of Sweet Orange Oil
16 ounces Organic Aloe Vera Gel
1 tablespoon Organic Witch Hazel
Glass Measuring cup
Glass storage containers
Spoon or honey stick

Directions

In a bowl, place all essential oils, witch hazel, and aloe vera. Stir to combine.
Transfer to your portable container of choice.
Let hand sanitizer sit and meld for one hour to let oils fully combine.
Store out of direct sunlight in a cool place for up to a month.
Please note that because this hand sanitizer does not have the same level of alcohol as it’s commercial counterparts, therefore its shelf life is not indefinite.

This blend is not only very easy to make, but it’s also an awesome way to promote a sense of self-care for yourself this season in a way that is healthy, economical, time-saving, and frankly feels like you are pampering yourself as well. Also, be sure to check out my other fall-inspired beauty DIYs here!

Friends, I have to ask, do you have any great fall-inspired DIY beauty products you’re making this season? If so, I’d love to hear about them all below.

2 Comments

Fall Pumpkin Macaroni and Cheese Recipe

Despite all the glitz and glamour we currently see in the stores this time of year, it’s still Fall. And, the holiday season is not quite here. For at least the next twenty-five days anyway!

Which means there’s still plenty of time to enjoy seasonal takes on classic dishes, including creamy, delicious macaroni and cheese. Just with a vegan twist on this holiday classic, for Pumpkin Mac and Cheese.

Made with organic garlic, pan-fried mushrooms, Go Veggie Parmesan Topping, Daiya Cheddar Cheese, Gluten-Free Bob’s Red Mill Flour, and organic pumpkin puree, this super healthy, gluten-free, low-fat Pumpkin Mac and Cheese dish is one you’ll come back to time and time again!

This recipe is also super easy to make. As you can use organic canned pumpkin puree. Which makes not only a light, creamy, cheese sauce but a super quick weeknight meal too! Be sure to check out below on how to make my favorite Fall Pumpkin Macaroni and Cheese. You’ll be glad you did!

You can also check out my other healthy recipes on the blog too! Many perfect for holiday noshing at home this holiday season! Now, I want to ask, do you have a favorite macaroni and cheese recipe? I’d love to hear about it below!

Yum

Fall Pumpkin Macaroni and Cheese Recipe

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes

Yield: 3 cups

Serving Size: 6 servings

Calories per serving: 51

Fat per serving: 2.7g

Fall Pumpkin Macaroni and Cheese Recipe

A delicious, creamy, vegan, gluten-free fall-inspired dish that will make the perfect side dish for your fall meals at home.

Ingredients

2 cups pureed pumpkin (not pumpkin pie mix)
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon Himalayan pink salt
2 tablespoons Earth Balance spread
1 cup soy or almond milk
1 cup Daiya cheese shreds
1/2 cup nutritional yeast
2 cups organic pasta of choice; I use macaroni

Instructions

Combine all sauce ingredients in a medium pot and bring to a complete boil.
Lower the heat, and stir until well combined.
Boil, drain, and cool pasta; add to sauce and stir.
Please note, this sauce will thickens as it cools and will be much thicker the next day.

Notes

Weight Watchers Points Plus: 1 point per 1/2 cup sauce (calculated with Silk almond milk and Daiya cheddar)

Schema/Recipe SEO Data Markup by Yummly Rich Recipes

https://theladyprefers2save.com/pumpkin-macaroni-and-cheese-recipe/

1 Comment

Making Your Home an Eco-Friendly Haven

(Photo Source)

In the past, we were relatively unaware of how our behavior could negatively impact the planet around us. Sure, we may have recognized that throwing rubbish on the floor was bad for local wildlife, but being a litterbug tended to be the worst of the troubles that we were aware of.

However, over the years, scientific research into human activity and the planet has revealed that we truly are destroying the planet for ourselves and the other lifeforms that live on it. We are contributing towards oceanic pollution, deforestation, global warming, and various other unacceptable processes. If this is something that weighs on you and causes you to worry, it’s time to start making changes – and where better to start than from your very own home? Here are just a couple of steps you can take to make your home an eco-friendly haven!

Reduce Heat Loss

It takes a whole lot of energy to heat your home. If your home is poorly insulated, a whole lot of the heat that you generate will leave your property through the roof and the windows. This is problematic, as it means that you will have to constantly run a supply of fuel (which will generally involve constantly burning fossil fuels) to maintain a steady, warm temperature in your home. Instead, if your home is well insulated, you can use a small amount of energy to heat it up in the first place and then this energy will remain within your living space. Now, there are plenty of different ways that you can prevent heat loss.

“But the most effective tend to focus on the areas that are most prone to losing heat – your windows and roof. Make sure that your loft cavities are well insulated. You can hire a roofer to do this on your behalf. Opt for more environmentally friendly, natural insulators like wool. When it comes to windows, make sure that they are double glazed and have security film installation as an extra safety precaution.”

Recycle

We tend to make our way through an astounding amount of disposable products on a daily basis. Our food comes wrapped in packaging which is thrown away once we have consumed whatever may be within it. Our clothes come wrapped in packaging or we bring them home from the stores in bags, which are then thrown away.

We drink from bottles that we then toss aside. This is terrible, as all of this waste has to go somewhere. Mostly, it will end up in landfills or may spill into other areas, impacting environments around the world. While you should do your best to minimize your consumption of disposable goods, you should make sure to recycle whatever items you do dispose of. You can find a comprehensive guide to recycling here.

Sure, these steps may seem relatively simple. But all the more reason to implement them into your lifestyle as soon as possible! They really will make all the difference!

0 Comments

Older Posts

Newer Posts