Friday, June 30, 2017

Earn up to 17,500 Swagbucks Donating to Children's Fund International


Children's Fund International has a special offer until the end of June through Swagbucks where you can earn up to 17,500 SB (that's $175 in gift cards) for making recurring monthly donations and helping support an in-need child, improving their quality of life.
 
You'll earn SB for each month you keep your sponsorship active - the longer you make valid donations, the more help your sponsor child receives & the more SB you can earn!

Earn 5,000 SB after your first month’s donation. That’s enough for a $50 gift card!
Earn 1,500 SB after your second month’s donation.
Earn 1,500 SB after your third month’s donation. 
Earn 1,500 SB after your fourth month’s donation. 
Earn 1,500 SB after your fifth month’s donation. 
Earn 1,500 SB after your sixth month’s donation.
Earn 5,000 after your seventh month's donation.  
 
  Click here to make your first donation and earn your first 5000 SB. As my referral, you'll also get a bonus 300 SB paid out in early July.
 
Haven't tried Swagbucks yet? They're a site where you earn points (called SB) for doing things like online shopping, watching videos, taking surveys, and discovering deals and services you might like to try (like Hulu!). You then take those points and turn them into free gift cards to places like Amazon, Starbucks, Walmart, Target, or PayPal cash! 

Estories and Swagbucks Partner Up to Bring You an Amazing Deal! #audiobooks


*Personal note: I love estories! This deal is cheaper than Audible and that's why I signed up with estories in the first place. They have all the choices of Audible but at a cheaper price. I love audiobooks for when I'm walking or driving or sitting and watching my kidlet play soccer.

If you're looking for a deal on audiobooks, there's an estories offer through Swagbucks where you get up to 2000 SB  for paying $5.99/month for your first three months, which is 50% their normal rate. You get 800 SB when you sign up, and once your third monthly payment of $5.99, you get an additional 1200 SB. You can use estories to easily stream or download stories to your iPhone, iPad, Android, PC or Mac. I know this is a great deal because I have been using estories for 3 months now and have 3 great reads loaded onto my phone.

So even if you only try it for the first month, you still make money on the offer, since you're spending $5.99 and your get 800 SB (equivalent to $8). Plus, if you're also signing up for Swagbucks through this offer, you'll earn an additional 300 SB bonus paid out at the beginning of next month. Just click here to take advantage of this offer!

Haven't tried Swagbucks yet? They're a site where you earn points (called SB) for doing things like online shopping, watching videos, taking surveys, and discovering deals and services you might like to try (like Hulu!). You then take those points and turn them into free gift cards to places like Amazon, Starbucks, Walmart, Target, or PayPal cash. 

Swagbucks 4th of July Sale = Double Cash Back


Swagbucks is currently offering double cash back or more at a number of stores for Independence Day. From JC Penney to Lowes, you'll get cash back (in the form of SB points) for buying your gifts online through Swagbucks. They also have offers where you can earn SB points towards free gift cards for things like trying Hulu.

You can find all of the details here. If you haven't signed up for Swagbucks yet, you can also do that at this page and start earning points towards your first free gift card. As a bonus, if you sign up through me a spend at least $25 shopping online through Swagbucks before the first of the month and you'll get a 200 SB bonus - that's $2 in addition to the points you get for each dollar you spend.

These deals will run all the way through Fourth of July!

Thursday, June 29, 2017

Get Your Shape Back By Doing These 5 Things


Staying fit doesn’t always come easy. Getting in shape is a challenge most people face on a daily basis. Being fit takes time and a determined mindset. See how to get your shape back by doing these five things.

Eating Healthily
Eating healthily takes real effort. You can’t expect to go around eating whatever you want and still look great. There are many ways to go about eating right. Start by grocery shopping and doing your own cooking. Make meals that are bright and colorful with vegetables and protein. Avoid lots of carbohydrates and starches in your meals. There are lots of healthy recipes online that’ll put you on the right track. When you do go out to dinner, be selective in your choices and stick with a beautiful salad or choose an item off the appetizer menu, since it’s a smaller portion. If you must cheat, set aside a day or meal where you eat foods that are less healthy for you.

Cardio
Be sure you’re exercising regularly. Make a schedule and stick to it. Cardio is an important aspect of your workout routine, so start walking, running or doing machines to get your heartrate up. It’s a great excuse for getting outside and enjoying nature. You need to break a sweat and really get your body moving. It’s important in your overall fitness routine and will help you lose weight. Aerobic exercise has many health benefits and is an excellent tool for weight control.

Weight Lifting
Strength training is another aspect you should include in your exercise routine. Lift weights a few times a week and start to notice a difference in body shape right away. Strength training boosts your metabolism and keeps your muscle groups working, even after you’re done lifting. Think about getting weights for your home and working your muscles when you’re sitting around the house.

Using A Waist Trainer
There’s no harm in using tools and other gear as part of your weight loss journey. Purchase a women corset waist trainer and watch the pounds melt off. These are great for molding your shape and helping you lose weight. Your waist is an important part of your overall fitness goals and it’s also one of the trickiest places to shrink. A waist trainer will make you look slim and do a lot of the work for you. Feel beautiful and start losing inches as soon as you put a waist trainer on your body.

Tracking your Progress
Get serious about your shape by tracking your progress. Be honest with yourself about your weight and what you’re doing to try and take it off. Count your steps, track how much water you’re drinking and log the minutes of exercise you complete. You’ll quickly be able to tell if you’re doing too little or overdoing it. Track your progress and the rest will fall into place.

Conclusion
There are times we all fall off track from our exercise routines. Finding ourselves again is an uphill battle. There are ways to make it easier on yourself. Get your shape back by doing these five things.

On a personal note, here's my walking story for National Walking Day a couple of years ago with an update.

Wednesday, June 28, 2017

Leaders Aren’t Born, And Here’s Why



One of the biggest myths in business is that leaders are born and not made. In all honesty, this ‘pearl of wisdom’ is nothing but nonsense. Yes, there have been great leaders who were naturals, but there have also been people who worked hard to lead by example. If you’re not a natural, it isn’t impossible to transform into an effective boss. For those of you that don’t believe that to be true, here is why you need to open your mind.


These are the reasons it is possible to turn into an effective leader of people and become a great boss.


You Can Study And Observe


The main reason the statement is untrue is that it insinuates leadership skills are innate. Either you have them or you don’t, and if you don’t that is unfortunate. However, people lack all kinds of skills in their everyday life, yet it never holds them back. The reason is simple: they study and learn. Just because you are not a natural doesn’t mean you can’t discover how to do it in the future. The trick is to observe the people that are effective leaders and use them as a sounding board. Over time, their influence will shine through and you will emerge into a leader. You just have to take the time to study the right people. Plus, you need the wherewithal to understand that your leadership skills need sharpening.  


It’s Psychological


Saying that a leader has to be natural diminishes the effects of psychology. Everything you do is to try and get the best out of your employees. After all, you need them to work at their maximum for the benefit of the firm. As long as you know what makes these people tick, that is a realistic possibility. And, it doesn’t have to take ages because an online psychology degree can teach you the basics. Once you drill into the bedrock of a person’s personality, you will be able to provide them with what they want. It may be more money or more responsibility, but it’s arbitrary as long as you give the right people the right incentives.


There’s No Need For Ego


It’s business – how are there not going to be a lot of egos flying around?! That is true, but you don’t have to be one of these people. Of course, you need a level of confidence to perform well in your job. However, there is no reason to believe that you are right of all of the time. Regarding leadership, this correlates very nicely. People who think they are leaders are not prone to personal growth. They believe they know it all, so they don’t see the need to improve. You’re different because leading people isn’t your greatest skill. As such, it is easier to learn from your mistakes and grow than it is for natural born leaders.

The above are only three examples of why you don’t need to be born with leadership qualities. In truth, there are plenty more, and that says everything you need to know.

Saturday, June 24, 2017

Weird And Wonderful Talents You Can Try Yourself

Some people are gifted, and often these gifts are quite unique. For instance, while one person can play a beautiful tune on the guitar, another can balance and spin on their head. While you might be able to get a fifteen-foot jump shot in basketball, someone else might be able to breathe fire. So let’s look at some of the coolest unique talents in the world and why you just might want to give them a go yourself.
Base Jumping

Have you heard of base jumping? It’s pretty awesome but incredibly dangerous. Base jumping is a lot like parachuting or skydiving. Except rather than jumping out of a plane at fifteen thousand feet, you jump off a building a few hundred feet off the ground. Then, hopefully, and with a little luck, you can land somewhere not too far away. The jump isn’t the hard part, nor is the steering while you’re in the air. The difficult aspect of this rather special talent is the land. If you don’t perfect the technique for landing the force and speed that you reach the ground will cause you to break both your legs. So, it’s probably not a skill you want to try without some serious training.
Creating Clouds

Ah, now this one is quite special because the idea probably originated from a little-known book called The Lord of The Rings. Those of you who have read Lord of The Rings might recall that Gandalf the Grey used to take great pleasure in creating smoke clouds and transforming them into images in the air. You probably never thought you could do that in real life but you can and people to through cloud-chasing. Cloud chasing is the process of creating large billows of smoke through vaping. And, then if you have some talent you can create some incredibly impressive images with the water vapor in the air. Some of the people that can do this have to be seen to be believed.
Light As Feather…

Mind over matter presents itself in many forms throughout the world. It’s actually believed be the the reason why some individuals can accomplish great displays of strength. However, the most impressive version of this is the talent some people have to manipulate physical objects. The simplest example of this is spoon bending, and many people debate whether it’s an illusionist trick or real psychokinetic ability. You’ll have to make your own mind up about this one, but there are schools across the world that teach this ability.
Forget Me Not

Yes, there are people in the world who don’t forget a single moment of a day in their life. In fact, there are even people who claim they remember being born. Many people dispute whether there is such a thing as a photographic memory. What is clear, however, is that some people do have a talent for recall and it is possible to improve your own ability here. Some foods seem to have a positive effect on memory as does meditation. If you start testing your mind and treating it like a muscle that can be grown, you might surprise yourself!
Are you fascinated by these incredible talents and abilities? Perhaps you want to give one or two a try for yourself.



Tuesday, June 20, 2017

8 Reasons to Visit a National Park This Summer

A trip to a National Park can make a fantastic vacation whether you are traveling with a young family or a group of friends. There is plenty to do and see and many people find they either return to the same park or aim to visit as many as they can because they love it that much.
If these reasons below tempt you, check out Zion National Park for more information and start planning your National Park visit today.

Here are just eight of the many reasons you should consider a National Park vacation this summer.

Cost

Visiting a National Park is much cheaper than taking a group abroad. You won’t need passports or visas, you can travel there by car, and once you arrive there are restaurants and activities nearby so you’ll save more money traveling.

When it comes to accommodation, there is always a range of options to suit any budget. You could go camping, glamping, or stay in a value for money hotel.

Location

There are over 50 National Parks in the US, so wherever you are or wherever you want to go, there’s a park not too far away. California has the most parks with eight, followed by Utah with five, but there are parks as far afield as Maine or Oregon too.

Scenery

One of the best reasons to visit a National Park is the gorgeous scenery. You could see volcanoes in California, glaciers in Alaska, or snow-covered mountains in Washington, as well as long stretches of forests, greenery, and clifftops. Whichever National Park you chose to visit you’ll have your breath taken away by the beauty of it. Make sure you spend some time exploring and taking in as much of the park as you can on your visit.

Activities

There is plenty to do at any of the National Parks. You could try horse riding, climbing, hiking, diving, water sports, sandboarding, or cycling. Those people looking for a more relaxing break could have a go at painting, bird watching, or walking.

Food

There are always plenty of fantastic places to eat in and around National Parks. You could try some classic American cuisine or try something a little different.

Education

Each park has its own history, nature, and wildlife for you to learn about. Some will tell you tales of America’s politics whereas others date all the way back ancient peoples. Spend some time exploring fossils and learning about the history of the park on your visit.

Experiences

National Parks can give young children their first real experience of the great outdoors. They can also remind adults with hectic lives what the world is really about, helping them to leave their stresses behind, reconnect with the world around them, and gain a fresh perspective on life.


You are sure to meet some fantastic people during a visit to a National Park. There’ll be fellow tourists on their first visit, amazed by the wonder of it all, and others who have returned time and time again to fill you in on the things you need to see and the ways their visits have helped to shape their lives. There will also be those who live and work in the Park who are always happy to offer stories and advice. 

Sunday, June 18, 2017

A Ouija Board is Not a Game

Originally posted July 17, 2011

Updating this June 18, 2017 because the 9-year-old neighbor got a Ouija board for his birthday and thinks my 7-year-old is "scared" to use it but the truth is I told him not to touch it and I told him this story. I am going to need to let the parents know that I am not okay with my son ever "playing" with that "game" in our out of their home and it's not because I'm Catholic but because I had a weird experience once.

I’m trying to get used to not having a mouse on my new laptop. It’s weird only having a little patch of silver to move my finger around on. Sometimes I’ll be moving my finger one way on the pad and the arrow goes another way on the screen, and this reminds me of an experience with a Ouija Board I had once. 

My friend Ambre (who was like my sister, really) and I were probably around 12 and were hanging out in my bedroom. My parents and I had just moved in to the house recently, and had heard that a baby or kid or something had died there. It was a Cape Cod house with two large bedrooms upstairs (built in 1950, which was interesting since both my parents were born in 1950 and both are the oldest of four of the same sex of kids). 

My room had a wall put up to turn it into two rooms … something about twins were expected or lived there and one died. Anyway, one night Ambre and I were doing the Ouija Board … which made a comeback in the 80s. (update: I found out today, June 18, 2017, Ambre's birthday, that there were two girls who lived there and their twin baby sisters died at one day old ... newspapers.com).



We were asking the usual questions like what’s your name and how did you die? We’d done the Ouija Board before and it usually “worked” … which meant we weren’t sure if the other one was moving it or what. This time was different. 

This time I can’t remember exactly what happened (maybe I wrote it in my diary … I’ll have to dig around to find out), but the thing you put your hands on (lightly is the idea) was moving faster and faster to spell something and we couldn’t keep up and were accusing the other of moving it. 

We both got pissed because accusing the other of moving it and we both took our fingers off of the cursor-like thing. 

It started moving around by itself. It moved OFF THE BOARD and onto the dang hardwood floor and kept moving around. 

We freaked out. One of us picked it up and threw it back in the box and then put the board on top of it. I don’t think I’ve touched a Ouija Board since. I get chills just writing about it. 

Look, I’m all for good spirits and all that. I believe the dead can communicate with us. But doesn’t that mean that bad spirits are also around? I don’t know what we were dealing with that day, but it didn’t feel right. 

I saw a Ouija Board “game” in my aunt’s garage recently. The boys wanted to get it out. It still creeps me out and I said no.

Tuesday, June 13, 2017

Here's How You Can Make Moving Day a Doddle!

Moving house and starting a brand new chapter is so exciting- but the actual process of moving your belongings from A to B really isn’t! After months of realtor meetings, house viewings, sorting paperwork and packing, moving day is where everything comes together.

Moving day is a big deal, and is more than likely going to be a stressful day. However, with the right planning and organization you can make it run as hassle free as possible. Property websites such as homes for sale by Joe Manausa Real Estate often have a blog section with helpful advice about moving, which is something you may not have thought of if you’re looking for tips. Here are some other things to bear in mind for a smooth moving day!
Hire a Moving Company
There’s no doubt that hiring a van and moving yourself will be cheaper, but you make so much work for yourself. You have to move your large kitchen appliances, beds and mattresses and other large pieces of furniture onto the van and then off again at the other side which can be incredibly exhausting. On top of that, you then have a million boxes to move and pack- getting in a professional moving company saves you so much hassle and energy. Be sure to choose a company who are insured, so your possessions are covered whatever happens.
Clean and Prepare The New Property
If you’re lucky, you will have received the keys a little in advance of moving day, and this will allow you to bring over a few things beforehand. Otherwise, this is something you could go over and do early on the day. You could stock up the bathrooms with tissue, soap and hand towels. You could put a bin in the kitchen, some tea towels, crockery and cutlery. A kettle and some biscuits for tea breaks will be much appreciated when your stuff starts being brought in. You could make sure there are light bulbs in each of the rooms and hang some curtains. Plus it gives you chance give the place a bit of a clean. It should have been left in a clean and tidy condition from the last tenants or owners, but you are always going to want to go over it yourself to make sure it’s up to standard. Cleaning around bathrooms and kitchens before you move in (or early on the day) means you can start using them right away as you need. Doing this means you have basic functions in the house without having to dig through boxes.
Have Children and Pets Looked After
With people coming and going, the front door left open and boxes being stacked everywhere, it’s not an ideal place for children and pets. To make sure they’re safe and not getting stressed it’s best to have them looked after while you get things set up. Not only is this better for them but it’s better for you too. Without having to keep an eye on them, you’re free to get on with the million jobs on your to- do list!


Sunday, June 11, 2017

Home Depot FREE Monthly Kid Workshops


Aron and I used to attend these Home Depot free monthly kid workshops with our kids when they were little and had a blast! I am lately trying to challenge myself to do more things with Eva and Samuel that I used to do with the Bigs (Joel, Michael and Callie) when they were little. I have to remind myself that Eva and Sam are only 7 and 9 and still need fun things to do. Just because I have been there/done that doesn't mean they have. Yes, I'm 10 years older now and getting more tired, but when I see the smiles on their faces, I know that everything I do for them and with them is worth it!

This is an activity that was on our 2017 Summer Bucket List :-)

2007 when I was pregnant with Eva (10 years ago!). That's my dad trying to hammer my head.
Last year we just happened to be in Hays, Kansas when it was the first Saturday of the month in July and we went to Home Depot to make a Minion motorcycle. This month was a tic-tac-toe game and I can see something like that being kept for a long time.

Next month is a bug house and I fully plan to take any kids who want to go. Joel already has plans, but he probably doesn't need a bug house anyway :-)

Here are some pictures from our summer bucket list 2017 escapade. They not only get a project to build but also an apron they should bring back each month and then a new pin each month for the project they create!

Eva is on the end in purple. Eva, you were in my belly in the picture at the top of this post and little Sam, you were not even around yet! Look how Callie and Michael have grown! And Joel is gone for practically a month working at a camp and is almost 16!!!!


Sam says Michael is the best helper ever and he always wants Michael to come along

I was Eva's designated helper. Two ladies with a touch of ADD makes for some funny instruction-reading and building!

My precious children, 80% of them anyway

July 1, 2017 you can build a bug house!





Swagbucks Sweet Treat Team Challenge


To help make your June a little sweeter, Swagbucks is holding a fun team challenge to help you earn free gift cards! For those of you who don't know what Swagbucks is, it's a website where you can earn cash back on everyday tasks you do online like shopping, answering surveys, discovering deals, and watching videos. You can even earn for searching the web! 

If you've never tried Swagbucks before because you didn't know where to begin, their Team Challenges are a great way to learn the ropes! Their latest, the "Swag Wars" Team Challenge, begins Monday, June 12th at 8am PT.
Here's how you can join the challenge and the site:  

1. Click here to join the challenge and be assigned to a team.
2. Starting June 12th at 8am PDT, in addition to earning SB you'll contribute points to your teams total as you complete different activities on Swagbucks.
3. Check back on the page often to see the scores and what you've contribute so far.   

All members who participate and contribute at least 400 points to their team’s total will receive a SB bonus in the form of a SB Swag Up Rebate on their next gift card! 

Not only that, but if you earn 300 SB before July 1st, you'll get a 300 SB bonus (as long as you've signed up under me)!

Members of the 1st place team will receive a 60 SB Swag Up Rebate, members of the 2nd place team will receive a 40 SB Swag Up Rebate, members of the 3rd place team will receive a 20 SB Swag Up Rebate, and members of the 4th place team will receive a 10 SB Swag Up Rebate, Your SB Swag Up Rebate will be made available on Friday, June 16th and will expire on Friday, June 30th at 11:59 pm PT.

Friday, June 9, 2017

Shocking Ways To Drop Those Pounds


When you think about ways to lose weight, you probably immediately think about your diet. How can I get all my minerals and vitamins, cutting out the sugar and fat, you say? Well, it might shock you to learn that some research suggests that diet isn’t the most important underlying factor when it comes to weight loss. Genetics certainly play their part here. For instance, your body might natural maintain water. If this is the case, you might be larger than other people, but you will still be a healthy weight with a positive BMI. Though, that won’t come as much comfort if you can’t happily look at yourself in the mirror.

And what of metabolism? Some people have slower metabolisms that make it more difficult for them to drop those pounds. You could be eating the same diet as someone, and while they have lost stones in weeks, you’re struggling to drop even a few pounds. So while dieting can play its part with a weight loss plan as can exercise, it doesn’t give you the full picture.
That’s why you might want to consider some of the unique and more successful ways that you can drop those pounds. These aren’t based on what you eat at all, but rather ways that you can radically change your body. There are a few options here.
Shocking, Isn’t It?
You might have heard of the technology that can be used to tone your muscles, making them stronger and more distinguished. To do this, you can use technology that sends electric shocks through your muscles, causing them to tense, essentially exercising them for you. This puts pressure on your body, but rather than focusing on every aspect of you, it pinpoints the strain. This can allow you to lose weight in key areas like the buttocks, the torso, and the hips. While the technology has often been disputed by key researchers, there is no denying the results.

People who use this technique are often incredibly happy with the results, as their bodies are leaner and meaner after a short period of time. That’s right, this doesn’t take months or even weeks. You can see changes in just days. Are there any adverse effects? Well put it this way, the tech has been approved for market so you can expect any side effects to be minimal. And, it might just be a price you’re willing to pay for those rock hard abs.
Ice, Ice, Baby
Of course, if you want the best way to lose weight, you need to look at the latest science. In this case, we're thinking about freeze therapy. You can freeze the fat right off your body, and it’s not quite as insane as it sounds. First, it’s important to realize that it’s not like putting your body in a freezer or anything so drastic. This is a highly targeted procedure. The fat cells in your body are pinpointed and frozen using injection methods. Once the fat cells are frozen, they die and waste away, so you get thinner from the inside out.

The problem with this treatment is that you won’t see the effects straight away. It can take a few months before you notice any changes but rest assured, your body will be getting healthier every time you use the treatment. Though there is another issue, and that’s the cost. This treatment doesn’t come cheap, and you could be looking at spending anything up to a few thousand.
Sup It Up
A cheap and cheerful alternative would be diet supplements. You can buy diet supplements online, and they work wonders, ensuring that you lose pounds over a period of weeks. The weight loss pills Walmart offers are medically approved, and most are made up of natural ingredients. That means they are almost completely organic. Research shows that if you do use these bills, it’s best to get the natural brands. So how do they work? Well, they burn fat by activating enzymes in your body. They can be a great way to ensure that you are ready for bathing suit season when you’re running out of time to get an exercise routine going.
Stretching Things
Or finally, a lot of people find it difficult to lose weight because they are constantly hungry. If that sounds familiar to you, you should think about controlling your hunger. It’s possible to do this with a gastric band. A gastric band cuts off an area of your stomach, shrinking it. This means even eating a little will make you feel full. Eventually, that will pay off with actual weight gain being the final result.


Thursday, June 8, 2017

Supercharge Your Skeleton: Taking Care Of Your Bones

Two hundred and six individual bones make up the human skeleton, the structure of our entire body. When we think about good health it’s easy to overlook bones in favor of our organs, but — let’s face it — we wouldn’t get very far without it. As we begin to age, our bone health becomes even more important and starting young is the best way to guarantee it. Here’s what you can do to take care of your bones.
Eat Calcium-Rich Foods
Eating a healthy, balanced and varied diet will ensure you get all of the vitamins and minerals your body needs to thrive. One important thing to ensure you’re reaching your targets for is calcium. While dairy such as milk and yogurt is a good source, if you’re dairy free it can also be found in lots of different vegetables, seafood, legumes and fortified foods. A food tracking app such as MyFitnessPal is not only good for tracking fat and calories but also calcium levels. If you find you’re struggling most days to reach your target, adding a supplement like Algaecal can be useful. If you’re unsure, you can find a review of AlgaeCal Plus here, but of course be sure to speak to your doctor before making any important decisions about your health. Eating plenty of calcium-rich foods helps to build up bones and increase density. As we age, we can begin to lose bone cells faster than they are replaced leading to weak and brittle bones (osteoporosis) which are easily broken. Osteoporosis can cause death in many cases, a large number of older adults who fall and break their pelvis never recover and die in the hospital. Having very dense and strong bones, to begin with gives you a better head start against bone loss. You can begin the process of building them up right from childhood, so the sooner you start eating for bone health, the better.

Exercise
Another way to build up bone density as well as strengthen the supporting muscles and ligaments is plenty of exercises. This will benefit every cell in your body, your bones included. Staying fit, healthy and mobile will prevent illnesses, help you maintain and healthy weight and keep you mobile into older age. Don’t see exercise as a chore, stay active by incorporating it into everyday life. Go on walks, hikes and bike rides with friends and family. Take up a sport, go to the gym or join a dance class. When you find something, you enjoy it doesn’t feel like hard work and allows you to keep it up.
Quit The Alcohol and Cigarettes
As if you needed another reason to quit the booze and cigs, not only are they bad for the lungs and liver but can cause the loss of mineral density in bones too. If you’re having a hard time quitting, speak to your GP who will be able to give you tailored advice about what to do and things you can try. If you want to live a long and healthy life, they are two dangerous vices that it’s time to wave goodbye to.


Great Careers for People Who Love Kids

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If you love kids, and you can’t imagine doing anything but care for them, deciding to work with children might just be the best decision you ever make, and no matter what qualifications you hold or where you live, there are always going to be endless options enable you to follow your dream and spend your days with kids.

Here are just some of the great career options for those of you who love kids so much you want to work with them every day:

School Counselor

Most high schools have at least one school counselor to help young teens through the tough times in their lives, so if you’re the caring, compassionate type, and you feel like you could handle listening to kids’ problems and offering them advice, you might want to look into getting an online masters in school counseling, so that you can start on the path to being a real help to young people in need.

Social Worker

I’m not going to lie, being a social worker is hard work, and some of the things you see can be quite harrowing, but there are few jobs that are more worthwhile, and if you do go down this route, you will make a difference. You’ll be able to help homeless kids, foster children and young people who are suffering and have the satisfaction of knowing that you’ve really helped people throughout your career.

Make a Wish Coordinator
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The Make a Wish Foundation is a fantastic non-profit that helps make the dreams of terminally ill children come true. I honestly can’t think of many jobs that would be more amazing that being a Make a Wish Coordinator and organizing trips to Disneyland for children with cancer or helping sick kids to live their dreams and be a prince or a fireman for the day.

A Special Advocate

Kids who have been abused need to be looked after by caring individuals who can take care of them and help them to feel a bit better about themselves and the world while a safe home is found for them. If you have the space in your home and room in your heart to look after them during a difficult time, you should definitely look into becoming a court appointed special advocate.

A Sports Coach

If you like having fun with kids and you are good at a particular sport, you could really make a difference in children’s lives by giving them lessons. Sport is a fantastic way to bring people together, promote healthy living and help kids who might otherwise fail, to succeed in life. It can build self-esteem and help less academic kids to stay in school. It really is a great way to make money while making a difference.

Teacher

Last, but by no means least, if you really love being around kids and you’re passionate about helping them to fulfill their potential and grow up to be happy, well-rounded adults, a career in teaching is just about the best gift you could give yourself and the children whose hearts you will touch.

Do you work with kids? What career path have you taken?