Guest Post: Easy Ways to Switch to a More Natural Lifestyle!

Disclosure: This is a guest post meaning I am not nor do I claim to be the original author of the article.

Easy Ways to Switch to a More Natural Lifestyle

By: Maurine Anderson

There are many benefits to be had by living a more natural lifestyle, which must be why more and more consumers these days are making the switch to purchasing more natural products and foods on a regular basis. Switching to a more natural lifestyle can make you feel better, strengthen your overall health, and oftentimes even save you money. If you’re interested in making the switch, here is your guide to switching over to a more natural lifestyle—covering everything from hygiene, beauty and diet to clothing and household cleaning. This list of tips is by no means comprehensive, but it does include essential tips that just about anyone can easily incorporate into their current lifestyle.

Hygiene

What have you been using in terms of soap, lotion, shampoo, toothpaste, and deodorant in your bathroom? If you purchase these items at your local grocery store, chances are that the products you’re using aren’t all 100 percent natural. Here are some techniques you can use to make the switch to natural toiletries.

Make your own products.

You can make just about any hygiene product at home with even just a few base ingredients. Here are some simple examples of how people make their own natural hygiene products at home (or use pure natural substances in the place of commercial products).

• Soap. Switch to raw African black soap, or use diluted castile soap.
• Lotion. Switch to an organic oil like argan oil or coconut oil.
• Shampoo. Try the “no poo” method, which involves using a baking soda paste for “shampoo” and diluted vinegar for “conditioner”; or try making your own concoction at home using ingredients like coconut milk, castile soap, apple cider vinegar, honey, and jojoba oil. You’ll find a great many DIY recipes online to try (just make sure it’s pH balanced!)
• Toothpaste. Try out an online DIY recipe that uses a few simple ingredients like baking soda, mineral salt, coconut oil, and essential oil, as this article outlines.
• Deodorant. Try out an online DIY recipe that features a few simple ingredients like shea butter, coconut oil, beeswax, baking soda, arrowroot powder, and essential oil. Keep in mind here that you likely won’t find many antiperspirant recipes here, as many natural lifestyle enthusiasts shy away from using aluminum chlorohydrate (the substance in antiperspirants that keeps you from sweating).

Visit the natural beauty section of your local big box store.

Don’t want to spend the extra time and effort in making your own hygiene products? The good news is that many big box stores and grocery stores these days are adding natural beauty and cosmetics aisles, stocked with all kinds of natural products. This makes switching to natural hygiene easier than ever, and you’ll find anything from natural soap, shampoo, and acne wash to toothpaste, lotion, and deodorant in these aisles. And if that doesn’t satisfy you enough, pay a visit to a local natural foods store like whole foods and head to their beauty and health section.

Beauty

As with hygienic products, you can find natural cosmetics in the natural beauty aisles of your local grocery store, or at a local natural foods store. And then, of course, you can try making your own natural cosmetics as well. Here are some of the most popular methods for making natural cosmetics at home.

• Powder foundation. Create a simple mixture of arrowroot powder and green clay (optional), adding cocoa powder for color. Apply with a foundation brush.
• Eye shadow. Create your own eyeshadow using arrowroot powder and shea butter as your base, then adding ingredients like cocoa powder, nutmeg, beet powder, and turmeric for your preferred color.
• Eye liner. Create a small jar of gel liner (for use with an angled brush) using activated charcoal and a few drops of distilled water. (Some recipes use additional ingredients like beeswax and coconut oil.)
• Mascara. Use a thoroughly rinsed and cleaned mascara tube and brush as your container, and add a homemade mixture of ingredients like coconut oil, shea butter, beeswax, and activated charcoal.
• Blush. Make powdered blush by combining arrowroot powder, beet root powder, and cocoa powder to create your preferred color.
• Lip color. Combine shea butter, beeswax, and beet root powder to create a rich red lip balm.
• Perfume. Add your favorite essential oils to the carrier oil of your choice (such as fractionated coconut oil or almond oil).

Food

In truth, an entire book could be written on the subject of eating naturally alone. (In fact, there are undoubtedly hundreds of books already written on this subject.) But if you’re new to the realm of natural eating and are looking for a few simple ways that you can make your diet more natural, here are a few tips:

• Work with fresh ingredients and produce instead of buying prepackaged foods. For example, if you want roasted potatoes, buy fresh potatoes, olive oil, and rosemary instead of bagged frozen roasted potatoes.
• Make it a habit to shop at your local farmer's market for fresh vegetables and produce.
• Remember that not everything that comes in a bag, box, or can is bad for you. Frozen fruit and vegetables, for example, are still highly nutritious, and you can use boxed whole wheat pasta to make homemade mac and cheese.
• Remember that the word “natural” isn’t regulated by the FDA, so you shouldn’t make your purchasing decisions around finding the word “natural” on food labels.
• Make sure your food is sourced from safe farming practices, like the ones discussed here.
• Drink plenty of water. As this article explains, it has more benefits than you might think, and it is an easy substitute for processed, sugary drinks. (If you’re missing the taste of fruit in your drinks, try making fruit infused water instead.)
• Consider taking up canning. This allows you to enjoy your favorite fruits and vegetables all year round.

Clothing

Really the key to finding more natural clothing for you to wear is to know what to search for. When shopping online, for example, you’ll want to use search terms like “organic,” “non-toxic,” and “natural fiber.” Natural clothing is free of synthetic fabrics (anything other than cotton, linen, wool, silk, cashmere, or hemp) and of chemical dyes.

Household Cleaning

As for household cleaning, fortunately more and more grocery stores are stocking their shelves with natural cleaning products. Even still, it’s actually very easy to make your own cleaning products at home using household staples. For example, a simple all-purpose natural cleaner can be made by combining distilled white vinegar, water, and a few drops of your favorite essential oils in a spray bottle. The web is filled with natural household cleaning product “recipes” for you to try.

Guest Post: How Digital Technology is Changing Education

Disclosure: I am not the author of this article, this is a guest post. 

How Digital Technology is Changing Education

 By: Maurine Dashney

If you were to spend a day in a public school today, observing how the students learn and what tools they now have at their disposal for learning, you’d likely find yourself surprised at how drastically it is from when you were in school. High school students studying in-depth computer science, middle school students taking their standardized tests all online, elementary school aged children with tablets—it’s remarkable to say the least. Here is a look at how current technology is changing the way that our children are learning in school.

Learning made mobile

With mobile technology comes increased flexibility in where we learn, truly taking learning beyond the classroom. Online coursework has been an option for students—middle school aged and college aged alike—for several years, but now online coursework is even more accessible than ever, and students can choose to view their coursework at a desk with a laptop, on a sofa with a tablet, or at a nearby park with a phone. Even social media is becoming integrated with this mobile learning style, as this article details. Students can find college level lectures made public via platforms like YouTube, follow podcasts that enrich their learning, collaborate with other students over the web, and more, meaning that your education can travel with you.

Mobile technology in classrooms

This same mobile technology is being utilized in the classroom as well. Sure, college students have been bringing their laptops to lectures for years now, but now even elementary school aged children—sometimes referred to as today’s “digital natives”—are using mobile technology in the classroom. In fact, most are beginning to see mobile technology in the classroom as a necessity, as it allows children to learn through the digital medium that they are most used to using. Students can use classroom tablets that are filled with textbooks, or play vocabulary learning games on classroom phones. Any reading done on tablets is now interactive, and students can quickly and easily look up words, cross-reference pieces of information with online content, view embedded animations, and more. One major advantage of having mobile technology in the classroom is that those with learning disabilities can take advantage of useful assistive technology like text-to-speech conversion, audio recording, voice over, or zoom, giving them an increased sense of normalcy around other students. Advantages in other digital technologies such as high tech monitors (such as these) also enhance the way that educators share information with their students.

Stronger educational methods

While it can be easy to assume that our ability to look up just about anything on the web decreases our motivation to learn and makes us less intelligent, many researchers believe that digital technology is actually enhancing the way we learn, making us smarter. Gamification, for example, is a technique that draws on video game design and elements to make learning more fun and engaging, and so far it seems to be having very positive effects on students—particularly on those who are prone to getting distracted. Digital technology also has the ability to engage students in more perceptual learning, which is the type of learning involved in learning a musical instrument or a foreign language. It can even be used to personalize the learning process, meeting students where they are academically and adapting to their particular learning styles.

Up-to-date curriculum

One major advantage to digital technology is that curriculum now has the power to evolve at faster rate. Considering the time that takes to print and distribute a textbook, for example, by the time a textbook reaches students, it’s already somewhat out of date. Digital technology removes the time intensive printing process and greatly facilitates distribution, meaning that educational reading material can constantly be updated.

An evolving curriculum

Moreover, advancing technology means that we need to train our students more and more in interacting with that technology. Computer science, for example, is obtaining a stronger and stronger presence in high schools, and digital literacy is steadily growing in importance in school curricula. Meanwhile, many students are taking coursework that will ultimately prepare them to enter brand-new industries like online marketing—an industry that hardly existed even just two decades ago. (You can read more about that evolving industry here.)

Democratizing education

Though of course we still have a long way to go in terms of making education accessible to all, it can definitely be argued that digital technology is democratizing education by making a wealth of information available to everyone who has access to the web.

 

Guest Post: 7 Holiday Facts You Didn't Know!

Holiday Facts You Didn't Know

 Disclosure: This is a guest post. I have not been compensated for this post nor am I the author of the article.

by Aleksandre McMenamin

There are many different holidays that are celebrated around the world, especially during the Winter. Each of these holidays comes from a wide variety of different cultures with different principles and practices. Due to the cultural diversity of the holiday season, there is a wide variety of interesting information that pertains to these holidays. Here’s some fun holiday facts that you might not have know...

Christmas

 Christmas, as you know, is one of the most widely celebrated holidays in the world. Celebrated on December 25th, the holiday derives from the celebration of the Messiah Jesus of Nazareth, or the Christ, as he is commonly known, according to the Christian religion. However, the holiday today is largely a mix of secular and religious tradition. Here’s some things you may not have known about Christmas.

1. December 25th doesn’t actually refer to the birth of Christ

There is actually no biblical mention December 25th found in any religious text. It’s actually far more likely that Jesus was born sometime closer to April, according to Christian scholars. The date of December 25th was actually chosen by the first Pope of the Roman Empire during the reign of Emperor Constantine. Many believe that the date was chosen to coincide with Saturnalia, the Pagan celebration of Saturn, so that it would be easier for Pagan communities to convert their traditions to Christianity.

2. Coca Cola gave us Santa Claus

Well, not actually the man himself, but the popular image of him. While Santa Claus is based on the eponymous patron saint, the modern incarnation of Santa Claus was actually created by Coca Cola. The red coat and great white beard, along with the jolly hat, were first seen in a 1930s ad campaign by Coca Cola.

3. Christmas is most popular in America

This one may not be as surprising, but America is, by far, the country with the most Christmas celebrations. In particular, however, this is especially true for small towns throughout America. This make a lot of sense, as the traditional view of Christmas in America is often rooted in the small-town aesthetic throughout the country. For more information about how small towns in America celebrate the holiday, check out this post here.

Hanukkah

Hanukkah is a tradition Jewish holiday that is celebrated in December. Specifically, the holiday starts on the 25th day of Kislev, which isn’t based on the modern calendar. Because of this, the holiday starts on different dates in December every year. Hanukkah lasts eight days.

1. Hanukkah was started by a war

Back in biblical times, there was a great war between the ancient Greeks, who had invaded Jerusalem, and the Maccabees, who were ancient Talmudic worshippers. The Maccabees eventually defeated the Greeks in urban warfare, and recaptures the holy temple in Jerusalem. After the war, the Maccabees lit a menorah to celebrate their victory. While they only had enough oil for one day, the menorah supposedly lasted for eight days, which is why Hanukkah is celebrated for eight days.

2. Cheese is symbolically eaten during Hanukkah

Cheese is eaten, frequently, throughout the time of Hanukkah. This is done in remembrance of a separate event from the war of the Maccabees. However, it is still one that is rooted in the violent defense of worship. The legend goes that a Jewish girl named Judith saved her village from Assyrian invaders. She did this by offering herself to the Assyrian general, Holofernes. She fed him an abundance of cheese and wine, causing him to eventually become heavily inebriated. The girl then took his sword and beheaded the general. After doing so, she took his head away from the scene and back to her village. Upon seeing their headless leader, the Assyrians fled the area.

For more fun facts about Hanukkah, check out this fun little post here.

Kwanzaa

 Kwanzaa is a holiday celebration of African heritage that relates to no specific religion or culture, as Africa contains many unique religious beliefs and languages. It is meant to be a celebration of Pan-African ideology. Kwanzaa is celebrated between December 26th and January 1st.

1. Kwanzaa is not that old

The holiday is actually not even 50 years old, yet. Kwanzaa was originally created in 1966 by a man named Dr. Maulana Karenga. He created the holiday in order to celebrate African culture and Heritage. This is why the official colors of Kwanzaa are Red, Black, and Green, which are also colors of the Pan-African movement. The dates coincide with the African harvest celebrations, as well.

2. Seven is a symbolic number for Kwanzaa

There are seven different principles that are celebrated during Kwanzaa. These include unity, self-determination, collective work, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity, and faith. Each of these principles is connected with seven corresponding symbols. This is why there are seven days of Kwanzaa.

Guest Post: Uses of Color Theory in Day-to-Day Life

Uses of Color Theory in Day-to-Day Life

by Aleksandre McMenamin

What is color theory?

There are many different factors of everyday life that have the ability to affect us on a psychological level. Usually, it’s a combination of many things that determine our emotional disposition, and thus is hard to track. However, few aesthetic principles really change and manipulate the way we feel more so than color. The concept of how color affects us in this way is called color theory. This idea dates all the way back to the 15th century, in the writings of renowned artists and scholars like Leonardo Da Vinci and Leone Battista Alberti. However, the term “color theory” was not officially coined until the year 1704, in Isaac Newton’s influential essay on the way that we are affected by our visual sense, Optiks. Since then, plenty of research has been conducted on the effect of color. Here’s a few ways that color theory affects us in day-to-day life...

Our attire

One of the most obvious ways that human beings are able to express themselves out in the world is in the way that they dress themselves. Our clothes are the most readily available way to project our internal feelings about ourselves in an external fashion. And so, while there may be a variety of certain shapes and styles that people prefer, the way that most people are able to accomplish this expression is usually with the color of their wardrobe. Some people prefer to use more muted colors, for more of a low-key presence. While other people use bright colors to stand out and show a more outgoing personality. Even in professional environments, such as hospitals, scrubs are usually a light blue color, because it is a relaxing color that soothes patients.

Modeling our homes

Our homes are, in a lot of cases, the heart of our lives. Our hearths and living spaces are supposed to be a place of comfort that we return to after having to deal with the pressures of the rest of the world. Because of this, when it comes to decorating and designing our homes, color has a huge role to play. The color of walls when you enter a house will have a huge impact on your perception of the entire house. Some people prefer to keep white walls, in order to make a blank canvas that they can cover with memories in the form of pictures and trinkets. Other people like to use lighter primary colors, to spice the place up with a bit more personality However, while most colors on the walls are usually low key, as they are meant to be in the background, the primary elements in a room will often be brighter. For example, red furniture can bring elegance to a room, while orange brings out more of a creative, eccentric feeling. The mixing and matching of foreground and background elements is essentially color theory at work.

Makeup

People use makeup to bring out what they consider to be their best features. In this process, color theory is an absolutely integral element. The type of blush and concealer that people use is incredibly dependent on the color of their skin, and how best to match it. While this may seem obvious, it is an example of how we even think about color theory when we don’t realize it. Another example of this is how people will use certain colors of eyeshadow to bring out their natural eye color, usually something on the opposite side of the color wheel. Lipstick, as well, is designed to match the eyes and skin, as well as easily apply to certain colors of lips. Essentially, many people live with an example of color theory smack-dab on their faces.

Images

Are you into photography? Video? Painting? Or any other visual art form? If yes, regardless of if it is just a hobby, these are still technically art forms that are dependent on technique. A huge part of this technique is the use and management of color. The arrangement of colors in a medium like photography can guide the viewer’s eye to important subjects in the frame, which is the job of the photographer. This is an essential part of the viewing experience. The photography and film industries are both incredibly reliant on this part of production. Any big film production will even have several people who are managing the use of color in the movie. For more information on how color theory gets used in professional visual industries, check out this blog post about color design in commercial filmmaking.

Guest Post: What to Do After a Car Break-In

 What to Do After a Car Break-In

Disclosure: This is a guest post, I am not the author of this post.

Your worst fear has finally come true.  As you walked outside to start your car to get to work, you notice that something is off.  There are little pieces of broken glass on the ground, and as you start to look up, you notice the smashed window. Panic begins to set in. Your mind races as you start to remember that you left your wallet on the seat by accident in the hurry to get the kids inside last night.  It was an easy target, and someone took advantage of it.  However, this is no time to feel sorry for yourself.  You need to take care of the problem immediately. Follow these steps to protect yourself and your family from the repercussions of the theft.  

Step 1: Get to a Safe Place

If the burglary happened recently, you may still be in danger.  If the break-in occurred in a public place, get inside a nearby restaurant or shopping center.  If the break-in occurred at home, get inside until you are sure that the area is secure.  Your safety is your number one priority.

Step 2: Call the Police

The next thing you will need to do is call the police.  Don’t call 9-1-1 unless it is an absolute emergency (or you are unsafe), call local dispatch.  They will send out an officer to deal with the problem.  Make sure that they file a report.  Your insurance company will depend more on the report than on your word.  Write down the police report number and case number, as well as the information about the officer who met with you.  

Step 3: Take Pictures and Inventory 

While you are waiting for the police to arrive, take many pictures of the crime scene.  If your phone was stolen in the incident, borrow a friend or neighbor’s, or someone nearby.  Take an inventory of what was stolen, although it may be better to wait until the officer arrives to do this so you don’t disrupt the crime scene.  Check your glove box, trunk, center console, and even make sure that your garage door remote wasn’t stolen.  If it was, you will need to reset your garage door opener to make sure that the perpetrator cannot break into your home via your garage.  This is especially crucial if the break-in occurred at home.   The police officer probably will need a list of things stolen for their report, so make sure that you are thorough.

Step 4: Call Your Insurance Agency

Find out if break-ins are covered through your insurance policy by giving your insurance provider a call.  You may be compensated for just the damage to your car, and maybe the other stolen items like ipods, purses, etc. are covered too.  Sometimes, you can have those covered under your homeowner’s or renter’s insurance if they are not covered by your car insurance company.  However, if the total damage and amount of goods stolen is less than your deductible, it may not be a good idea to file a claim with your insurance company, as your rates may go up. Whether or not you file a claim, you should still contact them to make sure that you have the best information as to what options you have.

Step 5: Take Care of Identity Theft

If your wallet was stolen in the break-in, or any identifying information such as car insurance information or registration statements, you need to protect yourself from identity theft as soon as possible.  Call your credit card company and cancel your cards.  Contact your bank and let them know what has happened.  It may be necessary to open a new account and transfer your funds. Replace your driver’s license, insurance card, and other documents as soon as possible.  The thief will also know your home address, so be vigilant in keeping your home secure.  If they stole any spare keys, change your locks.  Be prepared to contact a lawyer to help you protect yourself legally against identity theft.  

Step 6: Follow Up

A few days after the event, follow up with the detective in charge of your case.  If any items are recovered, they will let you know.  Find out if there have been any other break-ins in the area, and anything else you can do for help.  Most of the time, crimes like break-ins are not at the top priority for the police, so be patient.