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Heading to a Picnic? Keep These Food Storage Safety Guidelines in Mind!

August 18, 2016 by

The only thing that can spoil a picnic more than rain is spoilage in another area: the food! You might be so concerned about mastering your mom’s potato salad recipe that you forget to properly protect it from the hot sun, and that will put quite a damper on your fun day outdoors. Follow these safety tips for properly storing and serving picnic food:

  • Keep cold foods cold. This may seem obvious, but you’ll need to thoroughly line a cooler with ice or frozen gel packs to ensure that your food stays cold even as the temperatures rise. This includes things like creamy salads, meats, and cheeses.
  • Use a thermometer. Perishable foods should be stored at a temperature of 40°F or below, so use a thermometer to make sure that you maintain that temperature all day long.
  • Keep the cooler closed. Store water and soft drinks in a separate cooler from the perishable food to minimize the how often the cooler is opened throughout the day.
  • Prevent cross-contamination. If you’re grilling meats at your picnic, be sure to thoroughly wrap them in plastic wrap or store them in plastic containers. Always wash your hands after handling raw meat, and don’t let meats touch fruit, veggies, or other foods.

Eating Outdoors, Handling Food Safely [FDA]
Perfect Food Safe Picnics! [FoodSafety.gov]
Picnic Food Kids Will Love: Pack A Safe & Healthy Basket [Parents]

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All-Natural Ways to Repel Mosquitoes This Summer

July 21, 2016 by

You spray and swat, but most of the time, you still end up itching and scratching after the night is through. Luckily, these all-natural mosquito repellents will help you to keep the pesky bugs away — without the use of potentially harmful chemicals or additives.

  • Lavender oil. Create a simple mixture of 30 drops of lavender oil blended with two tablespoons of vegetable oil and rub it on the skin to keep mosquitoes away.
  • Rosemary. If you find yourself swatting at mosquitoes while standing over the barbecue grill, throw a few branches of rosemary on the grill to keep those bugs away.
  • Neem oil. Neem oil, which is extracted from the Neem tree that is native to India, is one of the most effective natural mosquito repellents. You can purchase this oil from most organic health food stores.
  • Apple cider vinegar. To repel mosquitoes from the inside out, mix one or two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar with your usual drinking water earlier in the day.
  • Remove standing water. Above all else, you’ll need to remove the areas where mosquitoes breed to really get rid of the mosquitoes in your area. This means removing all buckets, tarps, and even pet bowls that collect standing water.

13 Natural Ways to Keep Mosquitoes Away [Natural Living Ideas]
All-Natural Homemade Bug Spray Recipes That Work! [Wellness Mama]
DIY: Homemade Insect Repellent Sprays and Lotions [Inhabitat]

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How to Adapt Your Skincare Routine to the Spring Season

April 21, 2016 by

While your face may require heavy creams and serums to shield it from the cold winter air, you likely don’t need so many rich products once the weather warms up. Here are a few expert ways that you can change your skincare routine to adapt to the changing seasons.

  1. Switch to a lighter moisturizer. Instead of slathering on a rich, moisturizing facial cream every evening, invest in an equally high quality but more lightweight moisturizer. Be sure to choose one that also contains SPF, as more time spent outdoors requires more sun protection.
  2. Use a toner. If your face tends to sweat a lot or become oilier during warmer weather, you may need a refreshing toner to help keep oil in check. You can sweep this product across the skin after removing your makeup or any time you want to create a more matte appearance.
  3. Use a stronger, gel-based cleanser. If the spring weather causes your skin to break out or become oily, you may also require a more thorough cleanser. Choose a gel or foam option to really clean deep within the pores.
  4. Carry oil-blotting sheets. For quick touch-ups when your skin gets a bit shiny throughout the day, carry oil-blotting papers in your purse or gym bag.

What to Do When Climate Change Affects Your Skin [Paula’s Choice Skincare]
Seasonal Skincare [True Holistic Beauty]
Spring Clean Your Beauty Routine: How To Declutter & Organize Your Makeup [Beauty World News]

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Safety First! Read These Halloween Safety Tips

October 22, 2015 by

Your kids can’t wait to put on their costumes and go trick-or-treating, but as a parent, Halloween might make you nervous. It only makes sense to take the necessary precautions before allowing children to go from door to door, and these simple tips will help you to keep your kids safe while still letting them have fun this Halloween season.

  1. Never let your kids trick-or-treat alone. This one may seem obvious, but it’s one of the most important things that every parent should keep in mind at Halloween. Even older children shouldn’t go to strangers’ houses alone, so always make sure that a trusted adult is supervising a group of trick-or-treaters.
  2. Stay visible. Since most trick-or-treating takes place once it starts to get dark outside, you should make sure that your children stay visible to passing cars. Add reflectors to your kids’ outfits, and be sure to send them off with a bright flashlight for navigating dark streets.
  3. Avoid unpackaged treats. Tell your children to never accept homemade treats from strangers while trick-or-treating. Also, be sure to inspect candy for any signs of tampering with the wrapper before allowing kids to dig in to their stash.

Halloween Health and Safety Tips [CDC]
Halloween Safety Tips [American Academy of Pediatrics]
Halloween Safety Tips [Safe Kids Worldwide]

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How to Make a New Year’s Resolution—and Stick With It

December 18, 2014 by

Whether you resolve to hit the gym every day or to finally take that trip to Europe, most of us make some type of resolution for the New Year. Sticking with a New Year’s resolution for the other 364 days can be much more difficult, however, and it can take a great deal of dedication to make your goals happen. Here are a few simple ways to choose a resolution and stick with it.

  1. Stay realistic. Although the whole point of a resolution is to become better than you are today, you don’t want to pick something that’s completely out of reach. Instead of vowing to become President, for example, enroll in classes to work toward a law degree.
  2. Make a specific goal. Likewise, resolutions that are too vague will also set you up for failure. Choose something that you can monitor, like losing a certain amount of weight or visit a specific number of countries.
  3. Set aside time in your schedule. Once you finally decide on a resolution, the best way to stick with it is by setting aside a certain amount of time each day, week, or month just for that activity.
  4. Make a grand proclamation. If all else fails, call on your friends to keep you accountable. By posting your resolution online or telling a trusted confidant, you’ll feel more obligated to stick with it.

5 New Year's Resolutions You Won't Keep – And 5 You Will [Forbes]
Just 8% of People Achieve Their New Year's Resolutions. Here's How They Do It. [Forbes]
10 Tricks to Help You Actually Keep Your New Year's Resolutions [Huffington Post]
9 Ways to Keep your New Year's Resolutions [Bankrate]

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Easy Thanksgiving Decor Crafts the Whole Family Can Make

November 20, 2014 by

Between prepping your home for out-of-town guests and ensuring the turkey is properly basted, you're likely going to be stressed a little thin on Thanksgiving Day! Luckily, these Turkey Day crafts can help keep your little ones entertained, requiring just a little assistance from you along the way.

Mod Mayflower [Parenting]
Task the kids with making these adorable masted ships out of paper. White construction paper is affixed to popsicle sticks to create the ships' sails, while a paper beverage sleeve helps the mini Mayflowers to stay upright. Use the ships to add flair to your Thanksgiving Day decor, or write each guest's name onto the sails and use the ships as place cards.

Turkey Headband Craft for Kids [abccreativelearning.com]
Create a custom turkey headband for your favorite little pilgrims with this quick and easy craft. Simply cut a length of brown construction paper to wrap around your child's head, then instruct your pint-sized dinner guests to trace their hand shape onto multiple colors of construction paper. The hand shapes will become the turkey's "feathers," while a googly-eyed turkey face decorates the front of the funky, seasonal accessory.

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