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 Exploring The Great Outdoors: Fun Activities For The Whole Family

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When the weather warms up, the whole family is ready to get outdoors and enjoy the season. There’s nothing better than making memories with outdoor activities that will last a lifetime. Whether you’ve got little tykes or teens, we’ve got some great ideas to get your family bonding together.

Backyard Splash Zone

When the temperatures soar, and you’re looking for ways to stay cool and have fun at home, creating a backyard splash zone is a perfect idea. All kids enjoy slip-and-slides, sprinklers, inflatable pools, and water balloons! These days, you can find some very intricate inflatable splash zones for sale that come complete with sprinklers, slides, wading pools, and more built right in. Add some refreshing lemonade and popsicles to the mix to keep it extra cool. Parents will love a dip in the pool or just relaxing while they watch the kids go crazy.

Air Gun Target Practice

Air guns are made in styles to suit your whole family. Young kids will enjoy air gun toys that shoot soft balls and foam darts, while older children may be ready to upgrade to low-power rifle-style air guns. As you practice target shooting with your children, they’ll grow to become better marksmen and gain familiarity with air guns when they reach adulthood.

Air gun targets come in a wide variety, but some of the most popular targets are suspended by a stand and spin when they are struck. You can also purchase affordable paper targets. Both options give you tons of target practice fun for the whole family!

Start a Garden

Gardening is enjoyed by people of all ages. Some people like the satisfaction of eating the herbs, fruits, and vegetables they grow, and others love to enjoy the sights and smells of beautiful flowers and foliage. Teaching children how to successfully grow plants is a skill they will carry with them their whole lives. If you’re not sure where to start, there is a lot of information online about gardening in your state and current season.

Bug and Bird Watching

Slowing down to smell the flowers is nice, but you could also slow down and take notice of the insects and birds that are around us every day. It’s easy to miss the tiny crawling critters on the ground and the birds that flit by in the sky. The best tools for this activity are a pair of binoculars to help you get a closer look at the birds, and some clear containers and a magnifying glass to get an up-close and personal look at the insects you find. If you can’t identify the birds and bugs, try doing a web search for birds and insects found in your state. You could also check out books on these topics from your local library.

Take a Hike and Explore Wildlife

Hiking is a great exercise for the whole family. Depending on where you live, you might be able to find hikes with greater elevations to make it more challenging. Or, if you want to keep it easy for little ones, look for rails-to-trails. Some rails-to-trails are paved, which makes a good option if you need to push a stroller. Along your hike, check out the local plant life, like flowers and mushrooms. Spring is a great season to see wildflowers in bloom, and in fall the mushrooms start to peek out from beneath the forest floor. You may also see cool native animals along your hikes, like squirrels, deer, ducks, and turtles. Hiking is a great way to include the whole family, especially your four-legged fur buddies!

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Go Fruit Picking

Pick-your-own-fruit farms are all across the country. You can pick apples and cherries in tall orchard trees, pick blueberries from rows of bushes, or get closer to the ground and pick all the strawberries you want. You typically pay by the bushel or by the pound, and nobody usually notices if a bit of fruit gets tasted before you make it to the counter!

Before you go be sure to pack sun hats, sunscreen, and water to stay hydrated.

Go Fishing

You don’t have to be a bait master to get a fish on the line. Catching small fish, like sunnies, can be as easy as using a bobber, hook, and a small worm. Kids and adults love the thrill of their first bite and reeling one in, no matter the size. Young kids might need help baiting and casting their rods, or you can purchase a child’s rod that is fitted with a weight so they can practice casting. If you’re looking to reel in a big one, chartering a fishing trip for your family is an excellent idea. They provide you with everything you need and give you advice along the trip.

Take advantage of the warm and beautiful weather while it lasts and get outdoors! Make memories with your kids while they’re young because we all know they grow up way too fast.

7 Supplements to Boost Your Mood

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Often when people struggle with regulating their mood, the cause might be your dopamine levels. The lower dopamine levels are, the harder it is for people to stay positive throughout the tough times. This can also affect the quality of your sleep and energy levels, further affecting your emotions. Using supplements is one of the best ways to improve your mood in a natural way.

But which supplements should you take? In this article, you’ll find the seven natural supplements that may help boost your mood.

1. Kratom

Kratom is a tree found only in the southeastern parts of Asia including Thailand and Malaysia. The leaves of this tree contain the alkaloid mitragynine, which binds to certain receptors within the brain. Users have reported that this natural supplement may help boost a person’s mood and improve overall feelings of wellness.

If you’re interested in trying kratom for yourself, it’s best to buy kratom online from a reputable vendor. Look for sellers that proudly share their customer reviews and highlight the purity of their products.

2.  Probiotics

Your gut contains microorganisms known as probiotics that help your body function properly. These are considered the “good bacteria” within your gut flora.

However, these microorganisms do so much more than maintaining your digestive health, they also help with other functions of your body. For example, researchers found that the overflow of bad bacteria within the gut can affect a person’s mood.

Therefore, improving your gut health with probiotic supplements can also work to improve your overall mood. Of course, more studies are needed to explore the connection between mood disorders and probiotics more deeply.

3. CBD Oil

CBD oil has become one of the most popular supplements within the last five years. This is due to the many potential benefits it offers to users including relaxation, focus, and other aspects of overall wellness.

CBD oil may also improve one’s overall mood. Some studies have shown CBD oil’s positive effects on a person’s serotonin levels, but more research is needed to support this theory.

If you think CBD might be an effective supplement for you, you can easily shop for it online. When looking for a CBD store online, choose a brand that highlights their lab testing so you can be confident your supplement is pure and unadulterated.

4. Vitamin D

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Vitamin D plays a vital role in many functions of the body. For example, it helps regulate weight, fight diseases, and support growth within children. It may also help you stay fit and strong while you’re entering your thirties.

One crucial role it provides is regulating our mood and lowering depression symptoms. Some studies show that those who suffer from vitamin D deficiency also have a higher rate of depression. If you believe you’re suffering from vitamin D deficiency, discuss with your doctor if it could be the reason for your low mood swings.

5. Ginkgo Biloba

Chinese doctors used Ginkgo Biloba for hundreds of years to help relieve different issues. Some of these include nausea, poor heart health, and inflammation, but another use of Ginkgo Biloba is regulating mood swings.

It’s been suggested that ginkgo biloba supplements may improve a person’s overall brain function and boost their memory. As a result, this provides benefits to one’s mood. Of course, more studies are needed to prove these theories and explore the other possible effects of this supplement.

6.  Green Tea

Green tea is one of the healthiest drinks to replace your morning coffee habit. This is due to the nutrient content and antioxidant properties of green tea.

One essential nutrient is the amino acid L-theanine, which helps increase the activity levels of neurotransmitters in the brain. This includes dopamine levels. Research suggests that those who take green tea supplements have higher dopamine levels and improved mood levels.

Even if you decide not to take the supplements, switching from drinking coffee every morning to green tea is still better. You’ll notice an improvement in your overall health by doing so.

7. Fish Oil

Eating fish provides many benefits to the body and so will taking a fish oil supplement. One of the main benefits is boosting the overall health of the brain.

This is due to fish containing two crucial omega-3 fatty acids: docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). These two fatty acids may help improve one’s mood and aid in mood regulation.

Improve Your Overall Wellness

If you’re looking for a natural way to improve your mood, these seven supplements may help you achieve this. These supplements may help provide a positive attitude and potentially improve your overall health. When shopping for these natural supplements, remember to look for high-quality products and discuss adding these to your wellness regimen with your care provider.

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Enjoy Dog Walking In 8 Easy Ways

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Dog walking is a great way to get house and… well, walk. Walking with your furry friend can lead to special moments with them – from spending time with them to growing a bond with them.

But what if you want to change things up in your dog walking? Or are you new to the whole trend? No matter your background, anyone can enjoy dog walking!

That’s what we’ve found 8 easy ways to enjoy dog walking! So, grab your leash, bring along your furry friend, and go outside!

  1. Allow For Exploration

“When walking your dog, allow them to explore,” says Charlie Whitaker, a travel writer at Research Papers UK and Writinity. “While walking can be great exercise for both you and your pet, exploration can also take place. Exploration can be mentally stimulating for your dog. Even if they just sniff around, that counts as exploration.”

  • Allow Friends To Tag Along

Who said that dog walking is a solo thing? Why not have a friend come along for the fun?

Like any fun activity, dog walking is much more fun to do with friends. Make it a weekend thing to hang out with friends and dogs. It’s nice to catch up with friends, while taking your furry friend for a stroll.

  • Visit The Local Park

Know any good places to take your dog? How about the local park? Or maybe there’s a dog park that you’d like to visit?

Going to the local park creates a routine for you and your pup. If you want to visit another park, then no problem. Just make sure that Fido is okay with that.

Speaking of changing up the route…

  • Change Routes

You should switch up the routes now and then, so that you and your dog don’t get bored with the “usual” path. Taking up a new path opens doors to new opportunities and new scenery. Plus, this allows for dogs to sniff this new route, thus sparking their curiosity. You can take a new route through:

  • A neighborhood
  • Another park (local or dog)
  • A new dog-friendly patio, etc.

When you change routes, the possibilities are endless.

  • Change Pace

If you’re used to walking slowly and enjoying the view as you walk your dog, then that’s okay. However, if you’re tired of the monotony, feel free to change it up. You can speed up your walk gradually. Just make sure that your dog is comfortable with this change. Don’t force things to happen. Otherwise, your pet won’t like it. No matter how fast or slow you take things, make sure that your dog is okay.

  • Talk To People

Who knows? You might run into other dog walkers. So, it’s definitely okay to talk to people as you walk your dog. This can be a great opportunity for dogs to socialize with one another. Even when you and the other person are the ones socializing, it’s still a fun part of walking your dog.

  • Take Pit Stops

“Pit stops are important for not only yourself, but also your dog,” says Darla White, a lifestyle blogger at Draftbeyond. “So, when you take a pit stop, make sure that your dog gets one too. You may want to bring pet supplies like a doggie bag, in case your dog does more than pee. Also, be sure to bring treats for when they go to the bathroom successfully.”

You can also combine activities within your route. For example, you can drop off a letter at the post office as you make your way to the dog park. Or, you can pick up lunch as you and your dog head to the dog-friendly patio.

  • Bring Treats

Finally, don’t forget to bring the dog treats. Dogs love to get treats every once in a while. So, when going on your walks, be sure to bring the treats.

You can give treats in any of the following scenarios:

  • Your dog goes to the bathroom at the right place, at the right time.
  • Your dog behaves well with other people and dogs.
  • Your dog is obedient to and from your destination.

You can even have your dog find some treats by sniffing them on the ground.

Conclusion

As you can see, dog walking can be fun and easy. By following these 8 tips, dog walking will get better and better; and, Fido will thank you for it!

Eula Skiles is a writer at Essay Writing Services and Gumessays.com. She is also a contributing writer for Thesis Writing Service. As a content writer, she writes articles about digital marketing strategies, entrepreneurship, and lifestyle trends.

5 Aesthetic Lighting Techniques

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Lighting your home interiors should be approached as an artistic endeavor. The way you use light shifts the ambience, affecting your mood and how you experience your domestic spaces. Employing light as an element of decor is as sophisticated as it is simple.

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Whether electric, USB, or solar, lighting in the home should impart feelings of nurture, comfort, and the intimacy of personal space. Even the kitchen needs to feel cozy, while you’re in there slicing and dicing.

For all the areas of the home we’re going to discuss, lighting is about function as much as it’s about form. The function needs to be calibrated to its purpose, while illuminating the action in an aesthetically pleasing way.

Let’s discuss 5 aesthetic lighting techniques that impart both ambience and luminous functionality.

Technique #1: Layered Lighting for your Home’s Warm Heart

Overhead light in the kitchen is the default because it’s where we prepare food. You’re cooking, so you need to see what you’re doing but you’re also unwinding from your busy day in the sanctuary of your home.

While overhead lighting lets you see clearly, it can be oppressive and intense. Our first aesthetic lighting technique solves the problem by positioning light where it’s most needed—over the countertops, hidden under the cabinets.

Layer lighting in your kitchen with overhead, recessed lights. Positioned intelligently, these provide lighting which is both unobtrusive and miles more functional, focusing on the action.

Over the dining table, a low-slung chandelier creates warmth and intimacy, while lighting your evening or early morning meal. The idea is to deploy light for specific purposes that serve function while creating the soothing mood that makes your home’s warm heart even warmer.

Technique #2: Purposeful Lighting for your Home’s Hub

The living room is where most people spend the bulk of their time at home, hosting friends and family, relaxing with a book or movie or just hanging out. A lot goes on in living rooms, so your lighting needs to acknowledge that multi-functional intent.

The living room is the repository of beloved decor like paintings, often elevated to the status of heirlooms with fine art framing. Accent lighting showcases your treasures attractively. As in the kitchen, recessed lighting illuminates without breaking the mood. The light deployed has a specific purpose: to give pride of place to that heirloom painting or your collection of handcrafted swords.

Strategically placed task lighting provides illumination you can read by. With a standing lamp or a minimalist table lamp fulfilling a specific purpose, the mood of the room is enhanced, honoring function while maintaining the calm aesthetic you desire.

For entertaining, wall grazers add drama, highlighting architectural elements and revealing beautiful textures on walls, floors and even your furniture. Grazers tell an aesthetic story about the space itself, bringing it to life.

Technique #3: The Transforming Bathroom

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In the morning, it’s “go time.” You’re transitioning from sleep to the busy day ahead, so you need lighting that’s energizing but gentle. Choose lighting that’s diffused and more closely resembles daylight.

Wall sconces on either side of the mirror with a third sconce positioned over the bathroom mirror create this effect, especially when positioned close to the mirror. Another solution is a mirror equipped with LED lighting, casting an even, diffused light.

But because the bathroom is also the site of relaxing evening baths, a dimmer switch is in order. The daylight illumination of your busy mornings can be readily transformed with a dimmer, creating two moods that align seamlessly with your lifestyle.

Technique #4: The Intimate Bedroom

Ambient lighting that imparts a soothing environment is ideal for the home’s most intimate space. While you need to see while dressing and perhaps to read before bed, the bedroom is a sanctified space, demanding a unique lighting approach.

Those who read before bed will appreciate the presence of task lighting for that purpose. This is best achieved with small, wall-mounted fixtures or pendant lights that leave the bedside table clear for a stack of books.

The ambience of your bedroom is enhanced with moody lighting that provides illumination without bringing daytime intensity into your sacred sleeping space. Light which is soft and adjustable may be provided by a statement standing lamp, or an overhead fixture that emits a calming, low light. The primary goal of bedroom lighting is keyed to its purpose, which is sleep and, of course, intimacy.

Technique #5: The Right Bulb

Once you’ve selected your aesthetic lighting schemes, choosing the right bulb for the light fixture and its purpose is your next task. With ecologically-sound solutions readily available and bulbs for all purposes, the bulb is the finishing touch, providing exactly the right intensity and mood.

Thinking of lighting as an element of decor pushes your interiors to the next level, recreating them as functional oases of domestic beauty and bliss.

Author Bio:

Carolyn Mitchell is a freelance writer and content strategist with a passion for home décor. She can often be found re-painting and updating the furnishings in her home, and she is also a dedicated cat mom to two adorable kitties.

4 Tips to Help You Move at the End of the Year

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No matter the reason or where you’re going, moving can be one of the most stressful life events you’ll go through. While it’s also exciting, doing it the “wrong” way can cause a lot of headaches for you and your family.

However, it’s often a fact of life. The average person in the U.S. moves 11.7 times in their lifetime. Unfortunately, you can’t always control when you’ll move. Maybe you’ve accepted a job offer or you want to get your kids into a new district. Maybe you want to be closer to your aging parents as quickly as possible.

If you have to move at the end of the year, the stress of the holidays can make things even harder. But, it’s not impossible to get through it with a few tips. 

1. Make a Budget

Moving can be expensive any time of year. But, when you’re trying to do it during the holidays, you’ll need to factor in your traditional holiday spending. Think about how much you spend each year on gifts, food, travel to other locations, and even your own home decor.

Creating a budget for your move can make it easier to determine where you might need to cut back this holiday season. Your moving budget should cover things like:

  • Packing materials
  • Hiring movers
  • Renting a truck
  • Unexpected expenses

Taking as much financial stress out of your move as possible will alleviate a lot of stress, especially during a time of year when things might already be tight.

2. Downsize and Declutter

If you’re starting to pack and looking over all your “stuff,” it’s easy to feel overwhelmed.  So, before you put everything in boxes, consider what you need, and what you really want to take to a new place.

Moving is a perfect opportunity to get rid of things you no longer use or want. The holiday season makes it the perfect time of year to donate some of your gently-used items to shelters or things like toy drives and clothing drives.

If you want to make a little extra cash for the move (or for holiday spending money!), consider selling some of your items at a yard sale or online. You’ll have less to pack up and take with you, which can alleviate some extra stress and make you feel good about starting with a clean slate.

3. Make Sure Your New Home is Ready

Moving into a new construction home is exciting. But, if you’re moving into a new home during the holidays, the last thing you want is a stressful transition. There are some potential delays you could face, including:

  • Delays in construction
  • Poor communication
  • Under-budgeting

When you’re ready to pull the trigger and make your move and your new home isn’t ready, it can cause a lot of problems. That’s especially true if you sold your current home and need to be out by a certain date.


The holiday season can slow things down for people, but it’s important to remain diligent if you’re moving somewhere new and make sure every box is being checked off along the way so the transition to a new place is as smooth as possible.

4. Change Your Expectations and Traditions – For This Year

One of the biggest challenges you might face when moving during the holidays is trying to balance all of your traditions with packing, scheduling movers, and getting your home ready. But, many holiday traditions include traveling to other family members’ homes, going to parties, or even hosting gatherings.

At some point, you might have to stop and tell yourself it’s too much – at least, for this year.

If you don’t want to deal with excess stress, lower your expectations around the season this year. Turn down that holiday party and cut back on a few of your traditions. It can be a little disappointing at first, but when you think about how much easier it will be to get things done and move into your new place, it’s well worth it.

Plus, you don’t have to give up everything. Once you’ve moved, make sure to set up your Internet quickly so you can get online and connect with family members and friends. If you’re moving far away from your family, consider hosting a virtual holiday event with everyone. You can create a schedule, plan for everyone to be eating a meal, and even have fun events like:

  • A virtual scavenger hunt
  • Gift opening
  • Holiday cards
  • Trivia
  • Contests

Even if your digital reunion is just for this year, it’s a wonderful way to feel close to your family when you can’t be there in person.

There are some things about moving that are always going to be stressful. And, while moving around the holidays can add to that stress, it doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Keep these tips in mind as you plan and prepare your move, and you can still enjoy the season while staying on track.