Benefits of Nature for Kids
Benefits of Nature for Kids
There are so many benefits of having your kids spend time in nature. Fresh air and open spaces are lacking in so many kids lives, which is a shame when you consider how important being outside in nature is for a child’s development. With the beautiful fall weather, now is the time to get outside! Here are five different benefits of kids in nature from this article listed below. 
Limits Screen Time
Kids spend more than 7 hours a day in front of a screen! This is not healthy or good for a child’s development, and by stepping outside and spending some time at the park or riding a bike will get them away from a screen and boost their overall health. In our family we have a no technology outside rule - if you’re out in nature, enjoy it!
Increases Self Confidence
As stated in the article, “kids exposed to the natural world experience a greater degree of self-control, peace, and disciple.” Dealing with the real world and with the things around them gives children a chance to show how capable and strong they actually are.
Improves Social Skills
Without having a screen, game, or text to hide behind, kids will be able to interact and connect with others around them. The freedom that comes from unstructured playtime outdoors teaches children to collaborate, make friends, and come up with new games to play together.
Health Benefits
Kids who spend more time outdoors are sick less often than kids who only play indoors. Their immune systems get a boost when they are exposed to the great outdoors. Kids who are active outdoors are also less likely to struggle with obesity and weight issues.
Problem Solving Skills
Being outside teaches kids what risks to take and how to think creatively when it comes to solving problems. This will translate into everyday life when they are faced with stressful situations.
For more information on the benefits of children spending time in nature, read this article from Best For The Kids and let me know what your favorite outdoor activities are!
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Vinyl vs. Laminate Flooring
Drop any preconceived ideas you have about vinyl and laminate flooring! More and more people are choosing to save money and install laminate or vinyl flooring over more expensive options like tile or hardwood floors. Both vinyl and laminate come in a variety of looks, colors, and styles that simulate real wood, tile, and stone and both vinyl and laminate are durable, easy to maintain floors. So how do you choose? We’ve listed everything you need to know about vinyl vs. laminate floors so you can make the best decision for what you need.
Vinyl vs. Laminate Flooring
Luxury vinyl floors are an affordable flooring option that looks much more realistic than the bold patterned vinyl from the 70s. Vinyl is a softer option than laminate, which makes it more comfortable to stand on and absorb sound better than laminate. This also makes vinyl more forgiving of uneven subfloors because it will have more give than laminate floors. Like laminate, vinyl flooring can come in interlocking tiles that make it extremely easy to install. Unlike laminate, vinyl flooring is completely waterproof. This makes it a great option for laundry rooms, kitchens, and bathrooms.
Laminate floors come in so many options that you’ll definitely be able to find something that works in your home. Like vinyl, you’ll be able to install laminate floors yourself. Laminate planks are very hard, which makes it important to have an even subfloor. If your subfloor is uneven your laminate floors could crack or break. Because they’re so hard, laminate floors are harder and can be louder than vinyl. Laminate floors are not waterproof, so it is imperative that these floors don’t get wet! Water will seep down into the planks and can seriously damage the floors, so you need to make sure whatever room the laminate floors are in will not have leaks or standing water.
When it comes to vinyl vs. laminate. which flooring type would you pick?
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If you Want to Change The World....
Have you seen this? It's an excerpt from Naval Admiral William H. McRaven's, ninth commander of U.S. Special Operations Command, Commencement Speech at The University of Texas at Austin on May 17, 2014. The speech was given a few years ago, but recently has been making waves. It's incredibly inspiring. Give it a watch, and I can gaurantee one thing: You'll definitely make your bed tomorrow morning:)
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Affordable Art
Finding affordable art will make your bare walls feel warm and cozy, and won't break the bank! I’ve found some of my favorite affordable art I thought I’d share below.
Affordable Art
via RC Willey
via ClareElsaesser
via RC Willey
via 20x200
via RC Willey
via blancucha
Check out our other Affordable Art post here and tell me which one is your favorite? Where do you find your affordable art?
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How To Use Apple TV
Now that you’ve set up your Apple TV, it’s time to learn how to use all the apps and perks that come with your new streaming device! You’ll definitely want to watch the video below to pick up some tips and tricks on how to use your 4th generation Apple TV. It’ll change how you stream TV and movies!
How do you use your Apple TV? Did he miss any tips or tricks?
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21 Spices Every Kitchen Needs
It's that time of year when I actually start cooking again! There's something about the crisp air in the fall that just lures me from a summer of hiding back into the warm kitchen. I just can't help myself. Lounging around in an oversized sweater and slippers while a pot of stew simmers on the stove is pretty unbeatable.
I opened my spice cabinet the other day and decided that it needed a little [read: a LOT] of help. I should probably be embarassed to admit this, but I literally still have several spices that we got as wedding gifts...... ummm yeah. We got married in 2009. For those of you that aren't exactly quick with math, that was a solid 8 years ago! This got me thinking: What spices does a well stocked kitchen really need? Which spices do people buy, and then actually use? I gave it some thought, and am pretty confident that I've nailed the 21 spices every kitchen needs. Without further ado (and in no particular order).....
1. Oregano
2. Thyme
3. Rosemary
4. Garlic Powder
5. Onion Powder
6. Basil
7. Parsley
8. Crushed Red Pepper flakes
9. Smoked Paprika
10. Nutmeg
11. Cumin
12. Ginger
13. Cinnamon
14. Chili Powder
15. Cayenne Pepper
16. Sage
17. Kosher Salt
18. Sesame Seeds
19. Bay Leaves
20. Cilantro
21. Allspice
What do you think? Do you agree with my list? If not, what would you add or take away?
Also, I just learned that spices lose their potency after about 6 months to 1 year. For this reason, it's wise to buy 1-2 oz. at a time. If you're unsure if they are still good, smell them before use. If and when they stop giving off an aroma it's definitely time to replace them.
Spices sold at the grocery store work fine, but thanks to the fact that they start out in a warehouse, and then sit on a shelf for who knows how long, by the time they get to your grocery cart there is a very good chance they are stale. Plus, the FDA doesn't require suppliers to list add-on ingredients found in many spices (flour, salt, rice, etc), and spices are not required to be free of contaminants. Purchasing whole spices and grinding them yourself ensures that you are getting the purest, highest quality spices available. Sure, it's a little more work and a little more money than buying pre-packaged spices from the grocery store, but in the long run it could take your cooking to the next level!
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How Long Does a Laminate Floor Last?
Laminate floors are becoming more and more popular because, along with so many other benefits, laminate floors are extremely durable. They resist scratches, fading, shrinking, and swelling and are a great option for families with pets or kids. One of the biggest questions that come up when choosing whether or not to put in laminate floors is how long does a laminate floor last?
How Long Does A Laminate Floor Last?
The first thing to remember is that the lifespan of your laminate floors will really depend on a couple of things:
- The quality of your laminate. Not every floor is made equally! The better the quality, the longer the lifespan.
- Correct installation of your laminate. If your floors have been installed correctly, they will last much longer than floors that have been installed incorrectly or on uneven subfloors.
- Amount of foot traffic. Just as you would probably think, a laminate floor in a room that is seldom used will stand the test of time much better than a room that is used multiple times a day.
- Proper maintenance. If you keep your floors clean and dry, you should have floors that will last a long time. Remember that laminate floors are not waterproof. If you leave standing water on your floors they can be permanently damaged.
Keeping all these things in mind and if you take care of your floors properly, your laminate floors should last between 15 - 30 years. Not too bad, eh?
How long have you had your laminate floors?
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How Do The Season's Hottest Colors Get Picked?
Have you ever wondered who decides what colors are going to be the 'it' color each season? We as consumers fall in love with the color trends each year, but have you ever thought about where they actually come from? Color trends are established on an annual basis by color forecasting organizations. They research color direction and forecast color trends with impeccable accuracy. Three of the best known and most influential are The Color Marketing Group (CMG), The International Colour Authority (ICA), and The Color Association of the United States (CAUS).
Why the yearly change? We crave change, and we are often very impatient for it. We live in such a fast paced society, where information is literally available 24/7 at our fingertips. Instagram, facebook, twitter, and other social media platforms have only sped up this process! When fashion or interior design changes and a new look or color is introduced, people are usually incredibly receptive in order to stay current and in style. Color forecasting might seem like a trivial thing, but it actually affects EVERYTHING. The color of the shirt you are wearing, the paint color on your front door, the new shade of lipstick you picked up the other day, and all of the colors woven throughout your living room rug were determined and selected by color forecasting! Isnt' that wild?
Roseanna Roberts, director of Color Trends at (CAUS) was interviewed by TIME a few years ago about the role CAUS plays in color forecasting. "We really try to capture a feeling or zeitgeist of what's going on in society," she said. "What are the common threads throughout our cultural patchwork?" Not only are they pinpointing and selecting the hues that designers, manufacturers, and buyers will be working with, but they are also responsible for developing a tangible sensory experience that portrays the mood of our changing world at any time. Doesn't this sound pretty tricky?
CAUS was established in 1915, and since then it has grown to make up five important categories: women’s fashion, menswear, youth fashion, interiors/environment and beauty. Forecasting is a complex, meticulous process that occurs two years in advance of the season in question. The trends are forecasted by a panel of committee members who are experts when it comes to color. They each bring in research on and examples of colors that have been resonating with them. "We've had committee members come in with a stone they found on a street, a scrap of fabric, a flower, a spice, anything that really has color," Roberts said.
This committee looks at and decides which hues the public is most likely to accept based on an awareness of past and present trends, input from national and international companies that prouduce the colors, national or international events, prominent people, and an understanding of human response or psychological reaction to specific hues. “Because we’re working two years in advance, we obviously want to root [the trends] in as many permanent facts as we can,” she says. “Anything from architecture and films to events, like the Olympics or elections; even a person who has been touted as someone who will be making waves. We try to foresee where our attention will be focusing." Just think! The colors that are popular for Fall/Winter of this year were selected and defined way back in 2015. Isn't that fascinating?
So next time you go to the store and die over a vibrant plum throw, a shimmery champagne eyeshadow, or a bright red serving bowl, you can silently thank the World's Color Organizations. They've always got our backs.
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How To Set Up Apple TV
Now that you’ve got your Apple TV, it’s time to learn how to set it up! Apple TVs are easy to install and configure. Before you begin, you’ll need an Apple TV, an HDMI cord, your WiFi password, and Apple ID information. Once you have everything you need, it shouldn’t take long to get everything set up. You’ll be able to start streaming all the shows you want! Watch the video below for instructions on how to set up Apple TV.
How To Set Up An Apple TV
(This video is for 4th generation Apple TV)
I have an older Apple TV - do you have a 4th generation Apple TV? Does it make a big difference?
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Pumpkin Carving Ideas
Each Halloween I try to come up with new pumpkin carving ideas, and each Halloween I get in way over my head and end up with a mangled up pumpkin. To solve this issue, I have looked up some easy pumpkin carving ideas so that I can actually have something I’m proud of displayed on my porch! Check out some ideas below.
via Stone Gable
How easy does this pumpkin look? If you have a drill, you’ve got this pumpkin carved in minutes!
via Design Bolts
Print out a template of a bat, trace it onto your pumpkin, and you've got yourself a simple pumpkin that will look great.
via Pinterest
Just like the first pumpkin, you'll be able to get the dots done in minutes and PacMan and the Ghost just take a few simple cuts to get done. Easy!
Anyone can carve out a square. Paint your haunted out onto your pumpkin and carve out a couple of windows and doors to make a haunted village.
via Bob Vila
Obviously, this is NOT a simple pumpkin, but holy smokes, isn't it cool? This is the trap I fall into each Halloween. All I want to do is try and carve this pumpkin.
What is your best/worst pumpkin carving story?
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