Author: Rebecca Alston

Create a Great Impression With Tissot Watches on Your First Date

People often fret before their first date! The need to please a person reigns supreme. And for that, both men and women plan their attires and accessories for a long time. It’s essential to wear comfortable clothing so that you are at ease. Also, when it comes to accessories, you need to choose bags, belts, and shoes that complement your attire. Colour balance is crucial. However, when it comes to your watch, you need to go classy and decent. It’s here that you can count on the best brands.  

Contrary to popular opinion, you choose a branded watch to add more grace and style to your look, instead of bragging a name. And today, there are several options for you to choose from. There are online watch dealers that helps you to browse through their online collection and select the best wristwatch model. You can count on the Tissot watches and other brands as well. Make sure that you browse through the flagship and recent models so that you choose the best that you can afford. 

How does a branded watch help to create a great impression?

The first dates are mostly about impressions. It’s also about quirky conversations, fun, experimenting with food and drinks. But all that follows when you set the initial pace correct. And there are several ways in which your branded watch can help you create a lasting and decent impression. 

1. It adds to your style and feel-good

When you are confident, you feel good, and it automatically adds to your persona and overall mood. Wearing your choicest wristwatch adds a special mojo that helps you to strike a conversation funnily, that will make the other person comfortable and humor as well. It will give you a finesse with which you can conduct yourself on the first date.  

2. No over the top statements

 

Even though you should impress your date, there’s no need to go over the top. The best brands design their watches in a way that it blends in style and utility. You can choose from the smart leather and metal watches and avoid being over the top. When you make any over the top statements, it shows that you are trying too hard to impress your date. And that will work against you. 

3. Dressing well is always a bonus

If your date thinks that you wear well and your attire and accessories are well-coordinated, that’s a plus point. It shows that they have noticed you carefully and have taken a liking for your dressing sense and accessories. Branded watches have a subtle way of creating a lasting and classy impression. Both the watch dials and bands get designed in a way that it complements your casual and formal attire as well. People get attracted to you and want to spend more time with you.

So, if you have a date, make sure that you wear your best-branded watch. Choose a classy instead of a flashy design, and you are good to go. You can browse online to get the best watch models.

Tips for Saving Enough Money to Go on Vacation with the Family

After a long year of working and attending school, your entire family could benefit from going on a long, relaxing vacation. Unfortunately, if you’re living from one paycheck to the next, it can be downright impossible for you to try to save up enough in order to start planning your next adventure. There are many ways for you and your family to save up money so that you can start planning ahead.

Bring in Extra Money

There are lots of ways for you to bring in some extra money that can be put directly into your vacation account. You might choose to sell some unused furniture or items that are just lying around the house. You can sell these either by holding a yard sale or selling them online to local buyers. If you don’t have much to sell off, you might want to consider taking on some overtime at work or doing some freelancing.

Refinance or Consolidate Older Debts

If you’re in a significant amount of debt, it can be suffocating to try to see the light at the end of the tunnel. If you’re trying to save up some cash for a vacation while tackling debt, you probably won’t be able to meet your monetary goals. For this reason, you need to either refinance or consolidate the debts that you have. If you have old student loans, you can refinance them to save some money and get a longer repayment term.

Set Up a Special Account

The problem with trying to save up money for a vacation in your regular checking or savings account is that you’ll be tempted to use it. Your account is running a bit low, so you simply take it out of the savings. You need cash for an emergency, so you dip into what you have saved up. It’s a good idea to create a special account specific to going on vacation. You may even want to set a restriction that you cannot dip into these funds until it comes time to travel.

Send Funds Automatically to Your Vacation Fund

You can automate your savings in order to prevent forgetting to put into the account. Most banks allow their customers to set up automatic transfers that allow them to choose the amount and time to send money over to a separate account. You won’t even realize that money is being put into this fund each week, and you’ll have significant savings when it’s time to take a trip with your loved ones.

Plan Ahead

The earlier you plan for your trip, the cheaper and more affordable it is going to be. Likewise, you’ll be able to get a feel for how much the vacation will cost so that you have enough time to save up for it. You can check flights and hotel fees well in advance to actually needing them. If you have the money for it, don’t hesitate to establish some bookings while you are able to get them at their absolute cheapest and most affordable.

Smart Ways to Decorate Your Living Space While in Isolation

The whole situation with the coronavirus isn’t exactly ideal. People have to spend more time indoors than ever before, and shopping for decorations is limited. You’re pretty much stuck with what you’ve got, and no one is inspired by looking at the same rooms all day, every day. Even in these tumultuous times, decorating your living room is as important as ever. In fact, it’s something you’ll need to not go crazy from being indoors all day. Luckily, there are some clever ways to redecorate without needing a lot of shopping or effort. Here are a few that might interest you. 

Bring a bit of nature inside

People didn’t get enough outdoor time as it is, but the current situation is turning out to be even worse. Spending time inside is the norm right now, and there’s a severe lack of fresh and natural environments around us. Luckily, there’s a way to bring a little bit of that natural freshness inside your home.

Potted plants can be real life-savers when you need to stay inside for a while. They let your house breathe and make it feel livelier. The soft green hues of leafy plants help you relax and focus, and research has shown that they also affect peoples’ stress levels. Add a few of them in your living room and it’s going to make your home feel more comfortable. 

Rearrange the living room

During isolation, you’re probably going to be spending more time in your living room than anywhere else. It’s where all the entertainment is, and it’s where you’ll interact with your family. Being there more than usual is going to have you sick of the room in no time. Switching things up would be great, but you can’t really go out shopping for new things. 

On the other hand, you could always make some changes without introducing anything new. Rearranging the furniture works well to freshen up a room. Instead of having everything centered around the TV or entertainment center, you could create a chic chaotic arrangement with the furniture. You could also make a coffee table the focal point of the room. This will make it easier to get people into board games or cards. It’s something that would do everyone some good when they get bored of isolation.

Add tasteful touches

While you can’t make enormous contributions to your home’s design, there are still a few small details you can add to your rooms from time to time. Something that adds a little flavor and personality will make spending time in these rooms more tolerable. 

Rugs are a great place to start. They make any room feel cozier and their colors and patterns can really draw your attention. Since you can’t go around flea markets and shops to check them out, looking for modern rugs online would be a better option. You can find rugs that fit any kind of home design. You’ll find everything from chic and messy-looking rugs to clean and sleek rugs that would work well with a minimalistic design. 

Candles are another addition worth introducing to your home. They can create a nice atmosphere that changes the feel of a room. Let’s not forget about the romantic aspect as well. You can have nice candlelight read in your living room and feel like you’re in a chic café. Plus, candles aren’t hard to come by. You can find the most diverse scented candles on the internet. Think about the atmosphere you want in your home and recreate it with the wonderful smell of candles. 

Put emphasis on the windows

Since we’re all yearning for a little more fresh air in our lives, windows and balconies are this year’s saving graces. If you haven’t been spending a lot of time there before, you certainly are now. It might be time to make them a little more comfortable and attractive while this whole situation lasts.

Take the clothes hangers out of your balcony and put a few chairs up. Enjoying the springtime on your balcony won’t be equal to going outside, but it’s as close as you can get. Take some of those candles and use them at night, it’s going to make for even more of a cozy environment.

Being cooped up inside probably has you wishing you had bigger windows to let even more air inside. Try to free up space around your windows and spend more time there as well. Keep them wide open and add a potted plant on it. It’s not much, but it’s going to freshen it up. 

Conclusion

Just because we’re all isolated inside doesn’t mean our houses have to be less attractive. You should do your best to make use of this situation and spruce up your home as much as possible. Even without any external additions, you can still decorate your home to your tastes and make the time you spend inside more interesting and comfortable. 

How Your Sleep Patterns Affect Your Children’s Sleep

Adequate sleep is something that people of all ages need to stay healthy and happy. It’s especially important during childhood and adolescence when the brain is still developing. Unfortunately, many children and teens aren’t getting the sleep they need. According to Sleep Standards, most teens are sleep deprived — a recent study found that only 15% reported sleeping 8 1/2 hours on school nights.

As a parent, you probably know just how important it is for your children to get enough sleep. But have you ever thought that your own sleep patterns could be affecting how much rest your kids are getting? Here’s what you need to know so the whole family can get more (and better) sleep.

Know the Facts About Sleep Deprivation in Children & Teens

To understand just how important sleep is for kids and teens, we need to look at how a lack of sleep can have an impact on their health and well-being. Overall, sleep deprivation can contribute to diabetes, obesity, mental health disorders, disruptive behavior, and more. Having the proper tools and information at your disposal to understand the effects of a lack of sleep is important and can primarily affect vulnerable populations.

The effects of sleep deprivation can even disrupt normal brain development. Poor and inadequate sleep has been associated with structural changes in the brain and can contribute to issues with memory, cognition, and attention.

Sadly, chronic sleep deprivation in young people is very common. In 2013, 68.4% of high schoolers were sleeping less than 8 hours each night. Younger children need even more than 8 hours to stay healthy.

Be Sure to Reduce Screen Time Before Going to Sleep

By this point, we all know that we shouldn’t have screens in our bedroom. The light from electronic devices can disrupt melatonin production, making it harder for us to fall asleep. Plus, if we’re engaged with media use, it’s much more interesting to keep using our devices than it is to go to sleep.

As a parent, you need to set boundaries surrounding screen time and enforce them for the whole family. If you tell your kids to turn off their devices two hours before bed but you’re still surfing on your iPad, they might not take the rules very seriously.

Are You Letting Your Kids Get Enough Sleep?

Kids and teens need more sleep than adults. Their developing brains need extra time for rest, and it’s important for parents to help them get the amount that they need. The amount of sleep needed decreases as a child grows up, but even children as old as 13 may need up to 11 hours of sleep each night, while older teens need 8-10 hours.

So how can you, as a parent, help your child get enough sleep? You might consider setting an earlier bedtime for the family so that everyone goes through the ritual of tucking in for the night together. Then, the adults can get up early and have some time for themselves in the morning before the kids get up. You need to let your kids get enough sleep, even if that means making some adjustments in your schedule.

Consider Having Kids and Teens Meditate Before Sleep

Kids are often over-stimulated in the evening, whether from media use, homework, or family time. When bedtime rolls around, it’s a good idea to have everyone take a deep breath and start to wind down.

One good way to do this is to implement a daily meditation practice in your household before bed. Relaxation techniques can be helpful for children who find their mind racing at night, have anxiety, or just can’t calm down enough to sleep restfully. Meditation can help to improve well-being, and might just set the mood for a restful night’s sleep.

Be Active With Your Kids During the Day

Achieving deep and restful sleep starts long before bedtime. Exercise is important for both physical and mental health but will also help kids sleep more soundly. Physical activity doesn’t have to mean structured exercise—it can be tag in the backyard, yoga together in the living room, and even chores like cleaning or helping with dinner.

Kids spend a lot of time in front of their devices or sitting at a desk, especially during the school year. You might have to get creative to keep the family active, but it will be well worth the effort. Plus, it’s good for you, too!

Be a Good Role Model

When it comes to building better sleep habits in your household, you can’t just tell your kids what to do. You have to model good behavior yourself. Being a role model for good sleeping habits isn’t always easy, but it will make your home happier and healthier more quickly than you might imagine.

10 Places to Find Your Inspiration

You’ve hit the creativity brick wall.  Whether you’re a writer, a painter or a creator of professional stock photography this happens to all creative types from time to time.  No matter how imaginative you think you are, there will be occasions here and there where you will need a proverbial kick in the creativity pants.

The next time this happens to you, take a deep breath and look around.  Sometimes the next great idea materializes right in front of you when you search these tried and true themes for your inspiration.

Holidays

Tired of creating still lives of Christmas lights and ornaments?  Look to some of the more unusual holidays celebrated around the world for your genius.  There is a day dedicated to just about any food, fetish or trivia somewhere.  Search the web and you’ll find a wacky holiday, festival or celebration sure to be a catalyst to your creativity.

Nature

It’s hard not to be inspired by the beauty of nature.  The majesty in a sunset, the colors of the rainbow or contrasts in fields of flowers are all awe inspiring.  But the trick is to see beyond the obvious draw to find originality.  Look small – at the tiny spider building a web on that stunning flower.  Look big – at the storm clouds parting to form that breathtaking rainbow.  Draw from contrasts of light and dark, hot and cold, big and small.  Look not as an observer, but as an artist and you’ll be sure to see a new side to Mother Nature.

Travel

It’s easy to create awesome imagery when traveling to exotic places, but try to be a tourist in your own backyard.  Think like someone who’s looking to book a trip to your area – or better yet, think like the tour director, travel agent or pamphlet designer looking to promote your area.  What is unique to your geography? To your history? To your climate? To your architecture, or people, or traditions?  Use these as your muse.

Humor

Sometimes we simply take art – and ourselves – too seriously when all we really want is a good reason to laugh.  Use your naturally silly side to capture practical jokes, caricatures of folks you know, or just a good old fashion pun.  Think of any person, place or thing and then see how many different ways you can use that in a humorous setting.  Don’t forget to poke some fun at yourself while you’re at it.

Science

Geek is the new chic!  Every avenue of scientific research and study can be a model for your thoughts.  Go to an observatory, or science and nature museum, with an open mind.  Read scientific magazines or watch television shows that discuss astrology, chemistry or any other scientific field.  Or just watch The Big Bang Theory for a few days to see what physics can inspire you to do.

News and Current Events

We all read a paper or watch the evening news so why not use the relevant topics as motivation.  See what’s trending on social media for insights into what the world is talking about and challenge yourself to see how many ideas you can brainstorm from a single hashtag.  Look at the topic of the latest viral video to see what they bring to mind – if nothing else, you’re sure to see some really cute videos of kittens to make it worth your time.

Animals

And speaking of animals, they are a great boost to ideating.  They can be used as a subject in their own right, or studied to identify characteristics that translate well into art;  kitten/playful, fox/sly, dog/loyal, crocodile/cold, etc. etc. etc.  Use them to represent universal themes like a butterfly flying free.

Everyday Life

List all the things you do on an average day.  What are the weekly or monthly items on your to-do list?  What annual events centered on home, work and family occupy your time.  These can each be an impulse to an idea.  Close your eyes and let the mundane become exceptional.

Food

We’re already a world of food paparazzi; why not use the daily bread to add incentive.  If you like to cook, think farm to table to uncover unique examples.   If you like to eat, think happy times with friends and family shared over a kitchen table.  An apple a day keeps the doctor away.  Fish is good brain food.  Every aspect of the food can generate a wealth of new angles to consider.

Health, Nutrition, and Fitness

We are bombarded daily with the importance of balancing nutrition and fitness for good health and the consequences of not doing so.  Instead of obsessing over them in your personal life, let the topic encourage new visions.

A few additional tips to help with your creative flow.

  • Keep a notebook or journal to jot down great ideas when they come to you.
  • Try doodling as a brainstorming technique. It’s amazing what can come to you when you release your mind to the creative process.
  • Get moving! There is scientific proof that motion helps to improve creativity, so take a walk to help get those juices flowing.

Images copyright Karen Foley via Dreamstime.com.

What Are the Benefits of Online Book Reading Apps?

here is no denying the fact that technology is shaping the entire world and reading books with the help of online book reading apps has also gained a lot of popularity. According to https://www.forbes.com, physical libraries are starting to become digital. E–books are in electronic formats and you have the option of downloading them to your computer, laptop, tablet, smartphone, or any other type of reading device. Bookworms indeed love only the traditional form of books, however, in case if you are traveling somewhere for quite a long time, you need to make sure that your luggage is not becoming too much. In this situation, online book reading apps can be your best friend because you are going to come across any and every book that you love.

Given below is a list of the advantages associated with reading books through online book reading apps.

Delivered instantaneously

The first and most important thing that you have to keep on your mind is that with the help of any online book reading app, you just have to choose the book that you are interested in reading and you can start immediately without having to wait for the book to arrive. You have the option of purchasing, downloading, and reading your favorite books within a few minutes without having to leave your couch. You will not have to go to any book store for purchasing them or wait constantly for them to arrive at the nearest shopping mall. 

Have more books than you can imagine

It is not possible for you to purchase every book that you want to read and the reason behind that is that you do not have that much space in your home. However, if you choose to opt for an online book reader, you will get the advantage of reading any and every book that you want. Technically, online book reading apps help in saving a lot of space in your home because all you need is your laptop, smartphone or tablet to access the app. 

Can be accessed from anywhere

Irrespective of where you are, you can read your books from anywhere. For instance, if you are at a party and you are super bored, you do not have to worry anymore. All you have to do is take your smartphone out and open your online book reader. If you are traveling and you have nothing to do, you can be assured that your online book reader will be there as your savior. 

Receives constant updates

With all the technological advancements that the globe is constantly facing, you cannot deny the fact that your online book reading app also needs updates to keep working properly and provide a seamless experience to you. Any and every book reading app will receive updates and the updates will be responsible for improving your experience of reading e-books. 

Conclusion

Online book reading apps have changed the lives of bookworms because now they have even more books than they could imagine. Make sure that you understand all the benefits associated before you decide to opt for online book reading apps.

Some Simple Tips For Baby’s Skin

Weather can be difficult on the delicate skin of a baby. That those lips which you adore could turn also wind-burned, leathery and reddish since the seasons shift. Thus, before you venture out, here are a few baby skincare ideas to safeguard your child from sunlight exposure, dryness and even much more all year long.

Prickly Heat – What’s Prickly Heat?

This is an itchy rash of small red spots on the baby’s face, back,  chest, neck, thighs or on the parts of your baby’s body that are exposed to hot temperatures. It is also not a serious condition.

What Are the Causes?

Prickly heat is caused by the body’s sweat glands when they are blocked. And then, they cause skin irritation and the characteristic heat rash. It’s also by clothing that can make your baby sweat.

Treatment:

You have to spend time in a cool and dry environment. Avoid exposure to excessive heat and humidity. Use a humidifier for the baby can be used to stabilize room temperature. Keep your baby’s skin cool by using loose-fitting clothes.

Seek medical advice to know how to use a lotion or cream because they will help cool your baby down, soothe baby’s skin and prevent further sweating.

Baby Yeast Infections – What Are Yeast Infections?

Yeast infections are the result of a naturally occurring fungus and know as thrush. They are in the mouth and on the tongue. It’s most common in babies and older adults.

What Are the Causes?

They’ re caused by the Candida fungus because of the baby’s immature immune systems. Yeast infections can spread in a warm, moist, and dark area. If your baby is irritated by diaper rash, a yeast infection can also develop.

Treatment:

Use an anti-fungal liquid medicine or gel to treat yeast infection if they don’t clear up within a few days. Besides, talk to your doctor about yeast infections in your baby.

Infant Sunburn – What’s Infant Sunburn?

An infant sunburn is basically a burn. When your baby is sunburn, her skin will be pink or red. Your baby may feel painful and itchy. This burn will probably peel in five to seven days.

What Are the Causes?

Infant burn is caused by too much exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet radiation. Your baby’s skin is very delicate and easily gets the risk of damaging sunburn.

 

Treatment:

Use sunscreen regularly if your baby is being exposed to the sun. Protect your baby from sunburn by covering your baby’s head with a wide hat and infant sunglasses. It’s important to go to the doctor if your baby is sunburn.

Jaundice – What’s Jaundice?

Jaundice is a yellow coloration of baby’s skin and eyes that often appears within two to three days of birth.

What Causes Jaundice?

This is caused by too much a breakdown product of red blood cells called bilirubin.

Treatment:

You can treat jaundice with more frequent feedings as well as phototherapy. You can also ask your health care provider to test to measure the amount of bilirubin in the blood if your baby has jaundice.

Cloth Diapers With Your Baby’s Skin:

Using cloth diapers is considered to be a great choice for most mothers. They are gentle on your baby’s sensitive skin. Besides, they are also free of toxins and artificial chemicals. Cloth diapers are usually soft terry clothes made of natural fibers such as organic cotton, hemp, and bamboo. When you use cloth diapers, your baby’s bottom will get more air circulation, therefore, your baby not only feels comfortable but also avoids diaper rashes. All you need to do just is laundering, drying and making them durable because they are reusable. You can check out our article about cloth diapers reviews on savorybaby.com to get more information.

Baby Massage Tips – Benefits Of Massage:

This is a lovely way to express your love for your baby. It can help her easily sleep. Moreover, massage also brings many different added benefits as improving circulation, aiding digestion, easing teething pain, and improving weight gain.

How To Massage:

You shouldn’t use oils that are scented or contain nuts because they may get into your baby’s mouth. Gently stroke and massage your child’s arms or legs, always use one hand to support the ankle or wrist. Massage your baby’s tummy with a circular motion going clockwise. It’s important to stop massaging if your baby is upset or falls asleep

To Sum It Up:

Most mothers can’t resist stroking babies’ faces and nuzzling the tops of their heads. However, your baby’s skin is so sensitive. Therefore, your baby’s skin needs more than nuzzling. One of the most basic rules is never doing anything to aggravate the skin. Through the article with some simple tips for baby’s skin care, you will know how to provide your baby’s skin a special protection and keep her skin smooth and healthy. Also, you also should be sure to check out our sections on the article to learn more about some skin problems such as rashes, sunburn or eczema.

You might to want visit my blog Babyvenue to read some useful information for take care your baby.

Garlic For Good Food and Good Health

For many years garlic has been known to have great health benefits and is often thought of like nature’s own antibiotic’ but people have been wary of eating fresh garlic because of the pungent odor it leaves on your breath or excreted through the pores. Garlic has this effect because it is a substance that is not metabolized; instead, it is absorbed through the stomach lining.

Now it has been realized that taking a good quality supplement of Allicin (the active ingredient of garlic) gives you equal effectiveness, and of course, you can use the odorless variety, for this garlic is aged and detoxified leaving it deodorized.

I adore garlic and am happy with garlic on just about any type of savory food, but being the minority in the family has resorted to taking odorless capsules to keep the peace. I think garlic is one of the few foods that everybody has an opinion about; you either love it or hate it!

In fact my father-in-law Joe used to eat raw cloves every day, probably one of the reasons he is in his eighties and has never suffered from bad health. Joe originates from Poland where garlic had been used for health benefits for years and years, primarily eaten against influenza, but they would also use it topically rubbed on the soles of their feet to ward off colds and many other ailments.

But yes, there was a problem with odor and it came to a head at the maternity center when I had our eldest daughter, the nurses could not believe how after he visited us the odor lingered and went on to tell him they were worried it would upset the babies on the ward. Obviously he was a little offended, but more embarrassed, even though we had approached the subject before, thank goodness this time it sank in. Now he still uses garlic, but not every day, and happily takes a daily odorless supplement.

To date, garlic has undergone many studies and it seems the list of its benefits keeps on increasing. The main reason I have taken garlic for several years now is because of the effect it has on strengthening the body’s immune system.

With all the stress in today’s society, our bodies could do with a little help. The antioxidant properties contained in garlic come from selenium and germanium that are sulfur-containing antioxidants that boost the immune system.

It is this property that helps rid the body of free radicals that are believed to be associated with the aging process, growth of tumors and atherosclerosis. Garlic in its raw state is thought to be one of the most potent boosters of your body’s natural killer cells. This alone should encourage non-garlic lovers to change their minds.

Research has shown that garlic-Allicin is an excellent natural antimicrobial that can disable a wide variety of infectious organisms. These antibiotic properties can provide extremely active against yeast, fungi and viral infections.

Garlic is great for your heart too, as it contains properties that fight bad’ cholesterol. Nowadays we are all aware that HDL- high-density lipoprotein which is not dangerous, but LDL – low-density lipoprotein definitely is because of the fact that it can be oxidized by dangerous free radicals. Garlic’s antioxidizing qualities help diminish free radical damage.

Garlic is a natural aspirin as it can help prevent red blood cells from clumping together. Garlic naturally keeps the blood thin which is necessary for the prevention of strokes and heart attacks, so people who regularly take garlic benefit from the same aspects as aspirin but without other risks associated with it, but it should not be taken in place of prescribed medication.

Garlic is also beneficial for the cardiovascular system – circulation and has been proven to improve circulation in the body’s peripheries, which is extremely helpful especially in the age when getting enough exercise is often difficult.

Studies are also being undertaken to find the effect garlic has on cancer cells, and to date, the findings carried out on mice are looking good. This is really encouraging.

I hope if you are not a lover of garlic this has given a good insight into the benefits of eating garlic or at least taking a supplement. Not only will your health benefit, but you will also have the added benefit of knowing you are safe from vampires!!

Garlic has been written about throughout history. 22 Egyptian remedies using garlic were found on papyrus dating back to the sixteenth century BC. Vikings would not take to long sea voyages without garlic, because of its anti-bacterial properties, this was also the reason it was used against the plague in the 1770s. African missionaries found that garlic was successful at stopping dysentery.

In fact, my granddad grew garlic, and he used to use old cloves steeped in water to cleanse his lean-to come greenhouse, he would fervently swear that it killed mildew and other infections, and apparently having been his grandfather that passed this down to his father, was obviously well thought of for its antibacterial properties.

In our modern hi-tech world we now live in, we have all but forgotten nature’s own natural problem beaters and these are often absolutely harmless, with no man-made chemicals to endanger the environment. Perhaps we should look closer at what our ancestors knew and we seem to have forgotten.

Family Guide for Dealing With the Current Situation

Since its outbreak in Wuhan, there have been more than 300.000 infected people and more than 13.000 deaths due to Covid-19, a coronavirus-caused illness. The virus has spread wider than Ebola in 2014. The World Health Organization has declared it a pandemic, and countries across the world are taking drastic measures to prevent its spread, including mandatory quarantine and state of emergency declarations. The most dangerous thing about this virus is that it’s spreading very quickly. That’s why health professionals are recommending to stay at home and prevent its spread.

However, social distancing and self-isolation are not very easy to maintain, especially for children and the elderly, the latter being the most endangered group. In these turbulent times, we need to know our priorities. For most people, the top priority is keeping your family safe, so here are a couple of pointers to help you handle this situation.

Talk to your children

Children have it the most difficult when it comes to staying at home and maintaining a social distance. Depending on their age, there are different ways to explain to them what this situation implies and how to deal with it. Here are some basic principles to follow:

● Remember that children react to your tone and not just the words you’re saying, so remain calm and serious.
● Answer all of their questions with patience.
● Provide honest and accurate information.
● Discuss the changes in their everyday life, and emphasize the importance of maintaining a routine now that they’re learning from home.
● Insist on proper hygiene. For the little ones, turn it into a fun game.
● Model healthy habits.
● Ask them about their concerns.

Show support for the seniors in your family

People in their sixties and seventies, as well as people with chronic health conditions, are at the highest risk of getting seriously sick from the virus. The risk profile of the individual depends heavily on the lifestyle and the health condition, but in any case, it’s better to be safe than sorry.

If your parents are at a delicate age, you need to talk to them about their safety. Convey your concerns to them and ask them that, for everyone’s safety, they remain isolated in their home. If they’re not taking your word for it, point them to credible articles that cover everything seniors need to know about coronavirus and respond to all of their questions.

During this time in isolation, make sure you’re always there for them emotionally. Talk via phone or, even better, video call. Also, make sure they have everything they need (food, toiletries, etc.).

Get your house in order

Since your family is going to spend a lot of time indoors, you need to be sure your home is the safest place to be. Here are some general tips that will help you:

● Keep all surfaces disinfected.
● Practice everyday preventive actions such as washing your hands frequently, avoiding touching your face, covering your cough or sneeze with a tissue, as well as wearing masks and gloves when going outside.
● Don’t share personal items.
● If someone at home is sick, isolate them to a separate room.
● Monitor your health and beware of the symptoms.
● Stay at home as much as you can.
● Keep a minimum 3ft distance from others when going outside.
● Avoid gathering in public places.

How to make the most out of the #stayathome time (without going crazy)

The speed of the spreading of the virus is unmatched, and that’s why it’s advised to spend most of your time home. Naturally, this puts a certain kind of a strain on families, who are used to their daily routines that keep the kids busy. Here are some ways you can make the most out of this time, without going completely insane between four walls:

● Constantly remind yourself and your family members that being indoors is for your own good.
● Be physically active – work out with YouTube videos, run up and down the stairs, dance, etc.
● Play board games.
● Stay informed about what’s going on in your area and about any new government regulations, but don’t follow the media obsessively.
● Read books.
● Come up with interesting games for kids and limit screen time.
● Make events out of ordinary things. You can all prepare dinner together, for example, or make house cleaning and disinfection fun with music and competitions.
● Catch up with people you love via video calls.

Final word

These are challenging times for all of us. The entire world is facing a danger we don’t fully understand yet. That’s why it’s crucial that each one of us takes responsibility for protecting ourselves and those around us. Remember, all of this will pass, so try to keep it together. Be safe!

The Ultimate Guide to Italian food with Porcini Mushroom’s and It’s Recipe

In the vastness of the culinary world of mushrooms that are edible, there’s only one that can be deemed as king – Porcini. Those mushrooms affectionately called porcini, that means piglets are the ruling class of mushrooms according to Italians. Porcini have a meat-like texture and have a nutty and earthy flavor. Are they specific to the Italian regions? Not quite. They can be found all over the world and are utilized in a variety of forms but using them as a dried mushroom is a common practice in Italy. While finding or trying to buy porcini mushrooms is easier in supermarkets, gathering wild porcini is still the preferred way of getting them. However, not everyone is trained in picking mushrooms from the wild. Fresh porcini mushroom is usually grilled or served with olive oil and parsley. Because of the richness of the mushroom, it is even considered as a poor man’s steak. They are even better than a grilled portobello. You can buy Italian porcini mushroom pasta’s online.

 

Why are Porcini Mushrooms so Popular?

 

The reason most mushrooms aren’t as popular as the porcini mushrooms are because porcini is grown in many different parts across the world, and thus, is common to many culinary traditions. They also have a distinct, powerful umami flavor, and it adds a sense of flavor and texture to the food. After drying these mushrooms, they can be stored away for ages and have become a pantry essential in most parts of the world.

 

A fun fact – porcini mushrooms may grow a large-cap up to 12 inches in diameter and may also have a sticky exterior. They can be found on the ground in forests near the trees of pine, chestnut, hemlock, and even spruce.

 

Italians use Porcini Mushrooms to:

 

  • Add in sauces
  • Add in soups or stews
  • Fry it with a coating of flour or without – to make appetizers
  • Use them as toppings for chicken, fish and steak
  • Use in pasta recipes usually stuffed ones – like conchiglioni and even risotto
  • If the upper caps are huge in size, they even grill it as if it were a piece of meat.
  • It is also canned in olive oil and preserved to be later grilled or fried. The olive oil brings out the earthy tones and flavor of the mushrooms.
  • They are even minced and then served on bread and bruschetta.
  • Mostly even used as a topping for pizza.

 

Here’s a simple recipe with porcini that is made the authentic Italian way

 

Ingredients

 

  • 4 Porcini Mushrooms (or half a package)
  • Two cloves of garlic
  • Three tablespoons of olive oil
  • Two plum tomatoes for each mushroom
  • Thyme (or any herb of your choice)

 

Instructions

 

  • Firstly, warm the olive oil in a pan heating over medium heat.
  • Throw in the minced garlic and saute it for a couple of minutes along with the herbs of your choice.
  • While the garlic is cooking away, chop the porcini mushrooms along with the tomatoes.
  • Now, add the chopped mushrooms into the pan and cook for more than 5 minutes and until all water is released.
  • Add the tomato pieces and all their oozing juices and reduce the heat to a low simmer and leave it on for about 25 minutes.
  • Add some wine if the water level reduces drastically.
  • These porcini mushrooms are perfect for any meal or even to be served as an appetizer with any kind of bread.

 

What’s even more alluring is the fact that porcini mushrooms cooked this way can be poured over the bed of a perfectly boiled al dente pasta to make a porcini mushroom pasta treat. In this age and day, while still combating the deadly coronavirus, this recipe is so homely, yummy and hearty at the same time. Having this ensures a level of warmth that keeps one comfortable and fills up their appetite as well. This also the ideal sauce base for making the pasta that was bought from the authentically sourced Italian food stores online. At these sites, you can buy tagliatelle pasta and even buy bucatini pasta online.

 

Porcini pasta is best made also like a stuffed pasta meal with a conchiglioni, cheese-filled ravioli and even tortellini pasta filled with porcini mushrooms and cheese. They also work best with gluten-free pasta and make a strong broth and stew base as well. You may try amazing recipes like these for your friends and family.