Little Passports Spring Reading List: Garden Adventures around the World!

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Spring Reading List: Garden Adventures around the World! 
 
Spring is a wonderful time for garden adventures, both in the backyard and in books. Little Passports asked blogger and child education expert, Deb Chitwood, to create a reading list of great garden books for ages 3-5 and another for ages 6-10. Venture outside with your little explorers and enjoy some or all of this Spring Reading List: Garden Adventures around the World!



And if you missed Little Passports' last blog post on creating life long readers, you can view it here: 4 Tips for raising a life long reader.

Its a perfect time for your little explorer to get lost in a book!

Naughty Letter from Santa!

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links meaning I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking my link. 

Official Naughty Letters From Santa! 

Official Naughty Letters from Santa! Do you have a friend, brother, cousin, etc. who didn't make the Nice List? Send them a Naughty Letter, Naughty List & Certificate from Santa. Sounds like a ton of fun to me, I can only imagine the look on some people I know faces.  

Get Your Naught Letter from Santa!

Guest Post: 6 Things You Didn't Know You Had to Give Up During Pregnancy

Disclosure: This is a guest post, I am not the author. All images were provided to me.

6 Things You Didn't Know You Had to Give up during Pregnancy

by Aleksandre McMenamin

If you have any questions about any of these things, please consult a doctor, and don’t take all of your medical information from the internet. For more information about drug abuse and pregnancy, check out this article here.

If you are pregnant, or trying to get that way, then there are a good deal of things that you may need to change about your lifestyle, at least for the next 9 months. While everyone knows that you can’t be getting drunk and stumbling out of bars or keep smoking two packs a day, or even drink or smoke at all, there is a variety of lesser known foods and activities that you should avoid while pregnant. Here are some of those things...

1. Cold meat

You might want to avoid stopping by the deli during your pregnancy, because there’s a good chance that you shouldn’t be eating anything there. Cold cut meats can have traces of Listeria monocytogenes, which is a dangerous bacteria that causes listeriosis. While adults have advanced immune systems that can easily manage this bacteria (you’re chances of getting listeriosis as an adult are slim to none), this infection can absolutely be fatal to the baby you are carrying around in your body. However, if you thoroughly heat up any deli meat before eating, it will eliminate the bacteria and make it safe to eat.

2. Unpasteurized cheeses

Another edible substance that has a high chance of carrying dangerous bacteria is raw milk. There is an assortment of bacterial organisms that may be found in raw milk that could cause complications in your pregnancy. While this may not seem like such a big deal, as most people don’t drink raw milk, many soft cheeses are made with unpasteurized milk. These can include brie, feta, camembert, bleu, and many different Mexican-style cheeses. If you are partaking in any dairy, take extra care to make sure it is made with pasteurized milk.

3. Hot baths

While this isn’t nearly as dangerous as others on this list, you still might want to taking hot baths or showers while pregnant. The hot water will reduce blood flow to your baby, thus stressing the child out. While it’s unlikely, this could lead to other complications if you are not careful. You can still take warm baths without any worry, but don’t over do the temperature. If you have to acclimate your foot to the water, it is too hot.

4. Too much caffeine

It may be hard to miss that cup of joe every morning, but caffeine is something that you should definitely consider cutting back on during the course of your pregnancy, as it can cause development issues with the child. During your first trimester, you want to avoid caffeine altogether, as the fetus has just begun to start developing. However, in the second or third trimesters you will be able to pick up coffee and tea, again, providing it is only a cup or two per day.

A warning: watch out for painkillers, as they often contain caffeine, as well.

5. Processed foods

Eating processed foods is never really that good for you, even in times when you don’t have another human being growing inside of you. However, when you are pregnant you should cut out as much processed foods as you can, especially processed sugar. It’s a good idea to substitute any sweets or rich desserts with fruit, instead. Too much junk food or processed sugar lead to a child being born with blood problems, and also increases the risk of the child having diabetes.

6. Lazing about

There is definitely a temptation to cut exercise out of your schedule when you become pregnant, but you might want to avoid doing that. Exercising while pregnant keeps your body in a healthy condition that will lead to a healthier baby, and also keeps you active and healthy during the course of your pregnancy. Continuously exercising during your pregnancy will also reduce the risk of your baby having diabetes when it is born. While certain strenuous activities should be discouraged (you might not want to be doing the 400m dash every morning, for example), there are a variety of ways to stay active and keep your baby from being under unnecessary stress while you are pregnant.

Guest Post: 6 Ways to Maintain a More Flexible Lifestyle

 

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

 

6 Ways to Maintain a More Flexible Lifestyle

By: Maurine Anderson

If you’re a lover of traveling, constantly on the move, and always looking to welcome new opportunities into your life, chances are you value a flexible lifestyle. Maintaining a flexible lifestyle means that you can change cities on a whim, head out of town on a moment’s notice, and overall reduce a great deal of stress in your life. But how does one live a flexible lifestyle, exactly? From renting a home, to paring down your possessions, to taking time to trim your budget, here are 6 things that you can do to achieve an overall more flexible lifestyle.

Rent your home.

While there are many benefits to buying a house rather than renting, this article points out that renting does grant you the flexibility of upping and moving whenever you need to, even on a moment’s notice. So if maintaining a flexible lifestyle is one of the utmost priorities in your life, you might want to consider renting rather than owning.

Get an education.

If you’ve never before considered furthering your education beyond high school, or pursuing a graduate degree after your bachelor’s, here is just one more reason to. When you further your education, you are granting yourself more flexibility further down the road in your career. Should you decide to change career fields after years in a particular profession, having a degree under your belt will give you the flexibility to move into a different industry rather than remain in the same discipline. In addition, more education typically means a higher income, which will afford  you more flexibility financially.

Work from home.

While on the subject of careers, if you really want to enjoy flexibility with work, working from home is probably for you. Just think—you could potentially live virtually anywhere, all while still getting the income you need to support yourself. Working from home might involve telecommuting for work with a large company, or it might involve doing lucrative work at home that you’ve created for yourself. Maybe you’ll make your living running a blog full-time, or as a freelance writer. Or perhaps you’re a skilled web or graphic designer. You could even establish an online business that you’re able to run from your home. There are many ways to make a living from home; you just need to find the right method for you in order to pull it off.

Pare down your possessions.

When you pare down your possessions, you automatically become more mobile, making things like moving and traveling much less of a stress. To pare down your possessions, you might start by asking yourself how much of your wardrobe you truly wear, how many skincare products you truly need, or which kitchen utensils you actually use on a regular basis. With the advances being made in mobile technology, simplifying your life is easier now than ever before. Your phone, for example, is host to a virtual library of books, your address book, GPS, calculator, alarm clock, streamable entertainment, and more—all things that used to occupy shelves and drawers of space in the home.

Watch your health.

While of course there are certain health complications that no one can avoid completely, you can do your best to keep your health in top condition so that you’re as mobile and adaptable as you possibly can be. This means eating a healthy diet that will keep you feeling great, and exercising regularly so that you have the strength to do the things you’ve always dreamed of doing. Simply put, when you make good health a priority in life, poor health is much less likely to become a limiting factor in your life.

Trim your budget.

Finally, look for areas in your budget where you can trim things down, giving you more of an expendable income to spend on the things you’ve always dreamed of doing. You might consider living in a smaller home, for example, increasing your chances of living in the area you want, or simply saving you money overall. Or, you might decide to nix some of those cable, streaming, or magazine subscriptions that have been taking away from your budget every month. Start cutting down on your monthly expenses, and you’ll be surprised by the financial freedom that it affords.

Guest Post: 12 Proven Ways to Boost Your Energy

Disclosure: I have not been compensated for this post. 

Author: Alyssa Craig

Have you ever hit that afternoon wall or woken up feeling like you just barely went to bed? Perhaps you have been especially busy and you feel worn out. We all have times when we wish we could have a little extra energy! Luckily there are quite a few natural and healthy ways to increase your body’s energy and help you feel better than ever.

Here are just twelve ways you can contribute to your body’s ability to give you more energy:

1. Catch Some Rays: Vitamin D helps maintain the proper balance of other energy increasing vitamins in the body. Spend some time outside, sit by the window, or eat some fish to improve your vitamin D intake and improve your energy.

2. Increase Magnesium Intake: Did you know that magnesium is needed for more than 300 biochemical reactions? This includes our cells converting glucose into energy. Be sure to consume 300 milligrams (women) or 350 milligrams (men). Almonds, hazelnuts, cashews, whole grains, and fish are all great natural sources of magnesium.

3. Physical Activity: Make a point to get in some physical activity each day, ideally 150 minutes per week. However, even a short, brisk walk can do a lot for your energy level. Studies have shown a 10 minute walk can leave you feeling refreshed for up to two hours.

4. Good Sleep: Life can get busy, but don’t let your sleep take a hit for it. Getting seven to nine hours of sleep per night will help you to have the energy you need throughout the day. Keep in mind, power naps are also great for energy boosts.

5. Reduce Stress: Stress wears on our bodies and can make us feel tired. Practice breathing exercises, meditation, or other methods that help reduce stress for you. Look for other ways to reduce anxiety such as getting a massage or listening to music.

6. Eat a Well Balanced Diet: High calorie diets require more energy for your body to process, taking that energy away from the cells. A healthy diet has many positive effects, increased energy being one of them, as explained here. Be sure to incorporate more fiber, lean protein, vegetables, and whole wheat, while avoiding foods high in sugar or fat.

7. Drink More Water: Your body is largely made up of water and it contributes to many processes throughout your body from cleansing to cell function. Dehydration keeps your body from being able to work at its best. Drink plenty of water, especially during warmer months.

8. Work on a Puzzle: If you enjoy any variety of puzzle, then take some time to work on one when you are feeling sluggish. This will help to stimulate the mind and lead to increased energy levels overall.

9. Laugh More: Laughing raises your blood pressure and heart rate, giving you a burst of energy. It also pushes neuroendocrine to your brain, spiking energy levels. So go to the comedy club, rent a funny movie, or watch hilarious YouTube videos.

10. Stretch: While this might mean yoga, it doesn’t have to! Simply doing stretches in a doorway or sitting in a chair can help give you energy. This is because stretching stimulates your sympathetic nervous system, energizing both the body and the mind.

11. Don’t Skip Meals: While you might want to skip breakfast or your lunch break, this can be detrimental to your body. In fact, you should be incorporating healthy snacks into your day. This will help keep your energy levels up throughout the day and keep you from crashing. Healthy nuts, apples, berries, and greek yogurt are all great options.

12. Spend Time with Friends: Whether you prefer one or two good friends or a whole party of people, spending time being social can boost your energy levels. Even just talking to a good friend can help with the stress relief mentioned above.

Any one of these options is a great way to increase your energy level, either for a short time or in your overall lifestyle. Pick one or two suggestions and slowly incorporate it into your life. You will find that over time your energy levels are high more consistently and you are able to get through your day with a little extra pep in your step.

Guest Post: 18 Simple Home Upgrades to Give You a New Lease On Life

 Disclosure: I have not been compensated for this post.

Author: Andy Andersen

Looking for a change of pace? A break from the norm? A new spring in your step? Sometimes the best way to evoke change in your life is to start with your immediate surroundings. Installing a few simple, useful, attractive home upgrades can be a great way to change the course of your day to day routine and give you a new lease on life. Here are 18 suggestions to start with:

1. Convert a Dormant Room

If you’ve got a dormant bedroom in your house that currently serves no particular purpose, there’s no better time than now to convert it into something useful. In no time at all an empty room can become an arts and crafts area, a gaming room, a home office, or space for any other type of hobby you may have. Regardless of what you choose to do with a spare room, giving it a purpose can direct your time toward something that makes you happy.

2. Electronic Locks

Electronic locks can be a great alternative to your traditional home lock system for a variety of reasons. First and foremost, electronic locks offer a keyless, hassle free security option for your home. Whether you choose a keycode, touchscreen, or other style of electronic lock, the advantages detailed here will become apparent immediately.

3. Motion-Sensor Lights

Installing motion-sensitive lighting on the outside or inside of your home can be a great way to revolutionize your day-to-day. Most motion-sensor lights on the market today are pretty affordable, and they will save you a fortune on electricity bills in the long run.

4. Knock Down Some Walls

The open concept is all the rage these days—and with good reason. If you’re looking for more light and open space in your home, chances are it’s something you can achieve simply by taking out a few walls and combining separate spaces.  Knock down the wall between the kitchen and dining room, or open up the space between your front room and family room for a more welcoming, airy atmosphere.

5. Tinted Windows

Residential window tinting has a wide variety of benefits. Tinting your windows will prevent fading damage to your furniture and improve your home’s energy efficiency by minimizing heat and cooling loss through your windows. You’ll also have the added benefit of extra privacy.

6. Soft-Close Drawer Slides

Improve the functionality of your drawers and cabinets by installing soft-close slides. You’d be surprised at the difference such a small upgrade can make. Soft-close slides will equip your drawers and cabinets with the latest advances in household technology while ensuring greater safety in your home.

7. Soap Dispenser

A new, high-tech automatic soap dispenser probably won’t revolutionize your life, but it will streamline your washing habits and give you an affordable, fun gadget to breathe life into your kitchen or bathroom.

8. Recessed Vanity

Installing a new vanity that recesses into the wall will not only save space in your bathroom, but give it the contemporary elegance and style it deserves.

9. Ceiling Fans

If you’re looking for a way to save on cooling costs in the summer, install some ceiling fans in your home. Though not every climate will allow for cutting back on the AC, using a ceiling fan in place of your home’s cooling system every so often will take you to new heights of energy efficiency.

10. Re-evaluate Your Sprinkler System

Have you found that your sprinkling system isn’t functioning as well as it used to be? Over time, even the best sprinkling systems tend to not perform as well if they go uninspected for too long. Maybe now is the time to have your irrigation system looked at and corrected so your lawn can look its best again.  

11. Replace Old Carpet With Wood Floors

If you’ve got old carpet that’s got to go, consider replacing it with a hardwood floor. This will increase the value of your home and give it the contemporary look and style that everyone is after.

12. Bathroom Tile

Have a bathroom with a laminate floor—or worse, outdated carpet? There’s no better time than the present to install quality bathroom tile. Though it may be a tad expensive upfront, bathroom tile will pay off in the long run. Make it extra affordable and learn how to install it yourself.

13. Replace Ornate Lighting

Chandeliers and other forms of ornate lighting are truly a thing of the past. Not only have they become impractical for modern homes, but there are far too many affordable, elegant, contemporary lighting fixtures available to keep an outdated ornate fixture. Take the time to research fixtures that will suit your home’s design and make your lighting something to be proud of.

14. Temperature Control Sheets

Another great way to save on heating and cooling costs. Temperature control sheets absorb and release heat in accordance with body temperature, making sure you sleep comfortably no matter  the conditions of your room or the weather outside.

15. Matching Kitchen Appliances

Sick of the eyesore that your inherited or mismatched kitchen appliances are creating? Replace them with a matching set. You’ll be surprised at how you can make your kitchen shine by having the appliances to match your style.

16. New Paint Job

Painting the walls of your home a new color or shade can give you a whole new lease on life. A room that’s become drab or boring can become a whole new, vibrant place in your house merely with a new coat of paint.

17. Rearrange Your Furniture

It won’t take more than an hour or two of rolled-up sleeves to make a room in your home a completely new and exciting place. Take a few minutes to strategize and see where you can rearrange your furniture to improve the flow of each room. This can make all the difference in making your home a more inviting place.

18. Window Shutters

Ready to be rid of your old blinds? Replacing them with quality shutters is the way to go. Shutters are so popular for today’s homes, in fact, that they’ve become quite affordable, with a wide variety of aesthetic choices to make your windows look great even when they’re closed.

So the next time you are ready for a change, look no further than the room you are in and consider installing some of these great upgrades in your home.

Guest Post: 9 Troubles You Can Treat with Ingredients Already in Your Cupboard

Disclosure: I have not been compensated for this post nor does it contain affiliate links. 

Author: Whitney Hollingshead

Everyday life can present various discomforts and challenges. The next time you encounter the various symptoms of discomfort, you may want to turn to your spice cabinet or kitchen cabinet instead of your medicine cabinet. Many common discomforts can be treated naturally with ingredients that are already in your kitchen. Check out the list below to find natural solutions for many of your everyday physical troubles:

Nausea = Ginger

Several studies have shown that ginger can help to quell everyday nausea, as well as nausea tied to morning sickness in pregnant women. Just put a spoonful of honey in a small cup. Add a pinch of ground ginger and stir. Eat with a spoon. While the remedy should prove helpful in alleviating the symptoms of nausea, ginger should not be used to treat nausea for longer than a four day period.  

Heartburn = Baking Soda

Baking soda contains sodium bicarbonate which makes baking soda an effective remedy for treating the symptoms of heartburn. The pancreas naturally produces sodium bicarbonate to aid in neutralizing stomach acid and baking soda is thought to perform the same function. For adults, mix ½ teaspoon of baking soda powder into water and drink every two hours as needed. For children, consult your doctor concerning the right amount.  

Cough = Honey

A study published with the Natural Institute of Health reported that honey was more effective than common cough medicine at suppressing nighttime coughs in children with upper respiratory infections. Honey has also been shown to be an effective healing agent. The American Academy of Pediatrics also encourages using honey as a cough remedy, especially in children under the age of six. For adults or children over the age of one, try two teaspoons of honey. Never give honey to any child under the age of one for any reason.  

Sore Throat = Salt

Perhaps your mother encouraged you to gargle with warm salt water as a child to ease your throat pain. The Mayo Clinic agrees that gargling with salt water is an effective remedy for your sore throat. Heat a glass of water until warm (not hot!) and stir in ½ teaspoon salt until dissolved. Gargle small amounts of the mixture. Keep in mind that children under the age of six are usually unable to gargle properly.  

Dry Skin or Rash = Oats

Oats are proven to calm inflamed skin and can be used on all skin types, even super sensitive skin. Just fill a sock with whole oats and tie the open end in a knot. Drop the oat filled sock into warm bath water and soak the affected areas for 15-20 minutes.

Sunburn = Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar works as an antiseptic and cools the skin as it evaporates, making it a great remedy for sunburn relief. As explained here, in order to keep your skin from stinging, dilute the vinegar with water. Use the same amount of water as vinegar and apply to the sunburned area with a wet washcloth.

Bee Sting = Meat Tenderizer

One of the enzymes in the seasoning works against the toxic proteins which may reduce the body’s reaction. Just mix meat tenderizer with water to make a paste and gently apply the paste to cover the affected area.  

Bug Bite = Basil

Basil contains eugenol, a chemical compound believed to relieve itchy skin. Boil ½ cup of water in the microwave and add 2 tablespoons of dry basil. Let cool completely. Dip a cotton ball in the mixture and gently apply to bug bite site. If you happen to have fresh basil leaves on hand, you can chop the leaves and place them directly on the affected skin.

Dandruff = Bay Leaves

The antibacterial properties in bay leaves are known to treat scalp skin plagued by dandruff. Simply boil 4 cups water and add a handful of dry crushed bay leaves. Allow the mixture to steep for 20 minutes. Strain the liquid and cool completely. Apply to scalp. You can wait up to one hour before rinsing.

Remember these helpful natural remedies the next time you encounter one of the common troubles listed above. Just remember that if any of the discomforts above is accompanied by additional symptoms, or if the symptoms persist, you should seek the advice of a medical professional.