How To Stimulate Your Child's Mind

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As a parent, it is your responsibility to ensure that your child is ready for the world, and that means
preparing them for adult life. This often tends to sound a lot easier said than done, and yet, it really
all depends on the direction that you go in. You could be one of those parents who constantly drill
your child and keep them on a tight leash throughout their early years, setting rules and creating
endless tasks for them to complete. But, this strategy can backfire, and once your child hits a certain
age, they may end up letting loose and becoming out of control because they haven't been allowed to
experience anything yet. So sometimes it's better to take things a little easier, and allow them to learn
but while having fun. It's all about stimulating their mind and showing them that there is more than
what they see in front of them. Letting them explore the neighborhood with a cool pro scooter can
also help them develop a sense for adventure. This approach will also give you more of a chance at
bonding with your child and building a solid relationship over the years.

Here's what you can do.

Encourage conversation through games.

As technology is getting more advanced, there are so many different kinds of virtual games out there
that cater to all different types of individuals. Final Fantasy XV is a game that allows you to build your
very own kingdom and protect it from all kinds of threats. You can find hidden treasure, you can
explore lost worlds, and you can even connect with your friends online. Games like this let your
child's imagination run wild because anything is possible. This will also develop your child's skills
and creative mindset.

Discover mother nature.

Mother nature is an incredible thing, it provides us with so much beauty in the world, and because of
that, there is so much to uncover. All you have to do is take a walk in the park to see it for yourself,
and many children don't do this enough anymore because they live in a different era. It is your job to
encourage this and let them feel the air caress their skin and bask under the sun. There is so much to
see, all you need to do is truly open your eyes and let it in. So when the weekend comes, take them
out somewhere nice and explore the countryside once more.

Introduce them into sports.

Sport comes in many different forms, and that's what makes it so much fun. Not only is it a great way
to keep your child fit and healthy, but it also teaches them so much that can be put towards their
everyday life. They will learn discipline, respect, technical strategies, and of course, teamwork. And
these are all things that they will greatly benefit from in their future. So have a look in your local area
and see what sports are available. If your child isn't sure as to what they want to do - that's fine. Think
of it as a trial and error process. Let them test the water until they find something they really love.

Summer of Productivity and Organization #2: Entertaining Box

Welcome back to the Summer of Productivity and Organization.

The older I get, the more I turn a little bit more into an introvert. Plus the older I get the less energy I have. I'm not the party girl I once was. If it takes too much effort BEFORE the party, event or celebration to get it ready, then I am a grumpy mess when it's time to socialize. THAT IS NO FUN.

The problem:

1. I can't find party stuff when I need it and lose a lot of time digging around in different places all over the house: in the actual party box, in a holiday box, above the stove, in a kitchen drawer, above the pantry.
2. Because I can't find what I'm looking for, I buy new stuff, wasting money!
3. The kids also can't find what they need when they want to have little impromptu celebrations.
4. The whole affair makes me NOT want to entertain, EVER. 

The solution:
The Par-Tay Box (or Entertaining Box, since it has everything in it I use to entertain guests)

Just start by locating ALL your party supplies: balloons, candles, cups, plates, napkins, plasticware, banners, streamers, and maybe even thank you notes and general invitations if you still do that kind of thing! You might think my box is lame ... you might have a TON of party goodies. You may have them in a pretty plastic tub with a lid. Yay for you! I am cheap and already had this box and the stuff fit in it!

There are the contents of my party box, compiled on Google Docs after locating all the goodies and putting them all in one spot. Then I took them all out and logged them before putting them back in the box.

I realize this still looks like a huge mess, but it's not so easy to organize all the different kinds of stuff we own. All I know is I can now find what I need and so can the kids! I got it organized before my birthday and Joel's!
IT IS ALL IN ONE PLACE!

See the others in this series here:
#1 Hand-me-Down Clothing Boxes

Home Remedies for Knee Pain That Really Work

Knee pain is often very debilitating, especially in severe cases, but there are many instances where it’s possible to treat the pain at home. Home remedies for knee pain are quite varied, although their effectiveness is dependent on the severity of the knee pain.

As with any home treatments, it’s important to consult your doctor before you do anything, as

they will know the best options for your circumstances. This is especially true if you’ve injured

the knee or if there is a crunching noise in the knee. This may require surgery or other

treatments.

However, in the case of minor injuries, inflammation, and moderate arthritis, it’s very possible

that home remedies for your knee pain will in fact work. Check out some below that may help

ease knee pain:

Cold Compress

One of the most effective home remedies for knee pain that really work is cold compression.

The simplest way to do this from home is to get a large amount of ice cubes and place them

inside of a plastic bag or towel.

Apply this to the sore knee, compressing it against the joint for around 10 to 20 minutes.

Leave the cold compress for a few hours, and then use it again if it still feels sore, doing so

several times a day until the pain subsides.

Ginger

While commonly used as an ingredient for food and drinks, ginger is also an effective

anti-inflammatory treatment. Compounds inside of the ginger root provide pain relief from

inflammation, making it a good way to treat knee pain at home, with ginger being sold at

most supermarkets.

Try combining some fresh ginger with boiling water, leave it to rest for around 10 minutes,

and then strain the ginger from the water. Add some lemon and honey for flavor and then

drink. Make several of these a day until the pain stops.

You can also use ginger essential oil by massaging a few drops onto the problem area or

adding a few drops into a hot bath and soaking the knee for 20 minutes.

Lemon

If your knee pain is caused by arthritis, then lemon may also work as an effective home

remedy, with the citric acid present in the fruit being key to the treatment. Citric acid in lemon

dissolves uric acid crystals, which build up in certain types of arthritis, meaning it could be

the cause of the knee pain.

Try slicing a few lemons into smaller sections and then wrap them in a paper towel and then

apply it to the knee, while you can also drink lemon squeezed into water in the morning -

make sure it’s on an empty stomach!

Tai Chi

This ancient Chinese martial art involves slow, deliberate movements that are known to

improve balance and flexibility, especially in older people. Research indicates that practicing

tai chi may provide relief from joint pain while improving range of motion, while the meditative

aspect of the martial art may help with the mental aspect of dealing with chronic pain.

Living Well, Without the Spending

Many believe that to live well, they have to spend big. So, what do they do? They spend, and they spend, and they spend some more. Yes, they live well, but for ten times the amount they needed to spend to do so. They need not spend that much. You need not spend that much, either. You need not break the bank or burn a hole in your pocket to live well. Want to know how? Well, make sure to read on.

  

Don’t miss a deal

To live well without spending, you have to know how to spot the latest deals. You have to be able to get the item you want or need for half the price you would usually pay for it, and you have to spot deals to do it.

When it comes to deal spotting, you should always look for retailers that pride themselves on offering you the chance to find the best price. You should also look out for those that are willing to price match, or even beat, their competitors. These are the retailers that offer the best deals, and they should be the ones you look to take your business to. Deals are always out there; a quick Google search will tell you that. They’re out there and waiting, and it’s down to you to find them and then take advantage of them.

Save your bonuses

The bonuses you get on top of your paycheck, whether accumulated through extra hours or gifted for hard work, should be saved if you want to live well but spend less. You should save them because they are not a part of the monetary package you need to get by in life. Thus, there is no need to spend them. When you don’t spend your bonuses, and you instead stash them away, you build for yourself a healthy ‘rainy day’ fund, and that fund will prove pivotal in you saving money in the long run.

Make sure there is a use for every inch in your house

You may believe that you need a big house to live well. Well, you don’t. You don’t need to have a big, fancy mansion to be living well, and don’t you ever forget it. If you were to live in a big house and were then guilty of not making use of every inch the house offered, then you would be wasting money. And, wasting money is the enemy of spending well! So, if you need to downsize to pay for a house that you can afford with comfort, and thus not waste any money on, then do it. When you do, you’ll have less to clean, as well, so it’s a win-win!

  

Living well does not have to equate to spending big. You can live your life, and you can be happy and comfortable when you do, by spending way less than you think you need to. So, start tightening those purse strings of yours and start living without the spending.

Modern Kitchen Design: What are the Best Kitchen Gadgets for a Healthier Lifestyle?

Eating healthy may not be the easiest task, but it is very rewarding. If you want to eat healthy foods, you should make a habit of preparing your own food at home. Think about it: if you don’t prepare your own food, aren’t you more likely to eat out or order food in? And isn’t that food likely to be highly processed or fat- filled? Over the long haul, how close will you be to attaining your goal of eating healthy?

If you are to prepare more foods at home, you should have gadgets that make cooking easy. There are countless gadgets that can do amazing things in your kitchen. Some will even make you look forward to making your own meals.

 Here are a few kitchen gadgets that you should consider investing in if you are to have a healthy lifestyle:

1.       Vitamix Blenders

Fruit juices and green smoothies are the epitome of healthy living. Not only are they full of nutrients, but using them as a meal replacement can work wonders for your weight loss goals. Vitamix blenders will prove to be invaluable in helping you make smoothies and other juices. The blenders are powerful and extremely easy to use. Better still, they can be used to make anything, from salad dressings to pesto to dips to even nut butters. You can even use the blender to prepare your vegetable- based soups. Amazing, isn’t it?

The blenders are some of the most durable kitchen gadgets. They will serve you for years. Additionally, they are exceptionally reliable. On the downside, they are a bit too pricey. But you can rest assured that they are worth every last coin you spend on them.

2.       Knife Sets

Knives are indispensable in any kitchen. Can you imagine how difficult it would be to prepare any one meal without using a knife? And because they are so important, it is important that you have a quality set of knives in your kitchen at all times.

But what exactly defines quality in a knife? First, a good knife should have a good handle. This means that the handle should provide a firm grip for users. The knife should also feel balanced when held. The knife should also be sharp enough to cut nearly anything. Of course you will have to sharpen even the sharpest knives at some point, but they should be reasonably sharp when you buy them.

The best kitchen knife set should also be versatile. Can the knives be used to chop and dice vegetables as well as to cut meat? Can they be used by left- handed people just as they can be used by right- handed people? How durable are they? Do they come with a warranty? If the answers to these questions are yes, then by all means go ahead and acquire the knife set. It will prove to be a worthwhile investment.

3.       Instant Pot

Ever since they were launched, instant pots have been all the rage. Many people rave on and on about the benefits of these pots. You should try them yourself to experience their magic. Instant pots are virtually multi-purpose pots that can work as a steamer, rice cooker, pressure cooker or even a slow cooker.

For those who are always busy and short on time, these pots are a godsend. All you have to do is toss your ingredients in the pot and wait for them to get cooked. You will be alerted once your meals are ready, so you can do other things while your food is cooking. The pots also cook food faster than ordinary cookers, which saves you plenty of money over time.

4.       Mini-stand Mixers

If you don’t yet own a mixer because of lack of space, mini-stand mixers are a perfect solution to your problem. As the name implies, these are extremely small and exceedingly powerful. In fact, besides their compactness, they are really no different from ordinary mixers.

If you wish to make cooking easy, you should invest in good, quality, time-saving gadgets. An instant pot for instance will make it extremely easy to prepare healthy meals. Good, quality knives make cooking a breeze, while a good blender encourages you to eat healthy. If your kitchen is not particularly big, then a mini-stand mixer will come in handy as it is extremely small. Be sure to try out these gadgets. You will not regret it.