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Science Explains How Virtual Reality Improves Life for Alzheimer’s Patients

April 30, 2020 by Power of Positivity

According to recent medical studies, science is revealing how virtual reality, or VR, can improve the lives of Alzheimer’s patients. Although the statistics are preliminary and the technology has been around since 1957, the results are promising. Perhaps VR can be the treatment that you or a loved one who battles dementia needs.

Currently, there is no cure for Alzheimer’s Disease or regaining the cognitive functions it erodes from the brain. It’s a devastating neurological disease that slowly robs people of their memories until they no longer recognize loved ones or themselves. The medical community has sadly dubbed it as “The Long Goodbye.”

If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia, you may feel like there’s no hope. Fortunately, some positive strides have been made to at least slow down the process, like virtual reality therapy. Many patients and caregivers have reported positive results.

Besides medication, what are some other therapies to help patients with Alzheimer’s or dementia? Medical experts recommend both medication and treatment for optimal treatment. Here are some therapy options to discuss with your professional healthcare provider.

What is Virtual Reality Therapy?

If your kids or grandkids are into video gaming, they can tell you all about virtual reality. What was once the fantasy of science fiction writers has become a real technology. Visit any theme park in America, and you will probably experience some attractions that use VR. The best bachelor parties in Toronto use VR.

Virtual reality uses sights and sounds to make you feel like you are in the setting. Participants wear special goggles equipped with electronic sensors. The three- dimensional images and surround sound are stunningly realistic.

Alzheimer’s and dementia patients eventually lose cognitive function and much of their memory. The sensory experiences of virtual reality stimulate patients’ brains and may bring out remaining memories. In VR therapy, the patients choose their environments, like being on a beach or out in the woods listening to songbirds.

While this therapy can’t revive memories gone with decayed brain cells, it may prompt patients to re-live pleasant memories still stored. In controlled tests, many patients taking VR therapy can always choose their favorite scenarios on their own.

Patients can visit the seashore or any setting in the world from the comfort of the therapist’s office. They can see the places they once loved and can no longer visit due to their health conditions. VR therapy can take them to scenes in their mind that bring joy and comfort to them.

Eight Other Useful Ways to Stimulate Cognitive Function in Alzheimer’s Patients

1 – Music Therapy

Music has long been associated with brain stimulation and mood enhancement, so it is a viable therapy for Alzheimer patients. Some virtual reality therapists combine music with VR sessions for a total sensory experience.

Perhaps you have visited a nursing home or an assisted living facility and heard therapists playing music and singing with the residents. Often, people who have Alzheimer’s or dementia still have enough long-term memory to remember songs from their past. Hearing the upbeat music takes them to a happy place in their mind.

Does your loved one still play a musical instrument, like the piano or guitar? Keep his/her favorite instrument available each day, along with sheet music, if they play by note. You can have memorable times playing and singing together.

As a caregiver, you may consider playing music for your loved one that they have always enjoyed. Even non-verbal patients seem to perk up when hearing familiar tunes. You may be surprised that some patients in the early stages of the disease may sing along with you.

Science shows us that music can alter our reality.

2 – Basic Organizational Tasks

Was your family member a person who enjoyed organizing or housekeeping? Everyone likes to stay busy and feel needed, even with Alzheimer’s or dementia. When you offer your loved one a small task to do, it can stimulate his/her cognitive functions and feelings of belonging.

When you do laundry, let your loved one match socks or fold towels. Keeping them busy may ease anxiety and boredom. If you are working in the kitchen, let your loved one help with simple recipes, like stirring cookie batter or buttering toast.

Patients who are still ambulatory may enjoy helping you dust furniture or clear the dinner table. If your loved one was an avid gardener, let him/her assist you in planting seeds or pulling weeds. Let him/her re-live the pleasures they had.

3 – Encourage Your Loved One’s Creativity

Even when someone’s mind is affected by the ravages of Alzheimer’s or dementia, they can still appreciate art and beauty. It is part of them and is embedded in the soul. Instead of your loved one just wasting away in a recliner, you can be part of enriching their remaining life.

They don’t need to be Rembrandt to delight in creating a lovely picture with whatever art mediums you choose, even if it’s coloring books. Perhaps your loved one liked to draw, knit, crochet, or do any number of handcrafts. Encourage them to do any creative art they want.

4 – Make Reading Part of Everyday Activities

Reading is a passion for life that stays with one’s heart even when you no longer comprehend the words. Alzheimer’s and dementia patients who are ardent readers usually continue this favorite pastime. Encourage your loved one’s passion for books and keep several within reach.

What do you do when your family member can no longer read or understand? Holding a book or magazine can be familiar and comforting. Sometimes, just looking at the pictures together can be a rewarding activity. Don’t forget the impact of reading aloud. Try to read a chapter or a short story together daily.

5 – Pet Therapy

The medical community has long recognized the benefits loving animals offer to people, including those with Alzheimer’s and dementia. There’s something about cuddling a gentle dog, cat, or another therapy animal that goes beyond words or cognition. Pets give acceptance and unconditional love that resonates in everyone’s spirit.

Do you have a beloved family pet to spend time with you and your loved one? Petting and caring for an animal can brighten both of your spirits and may trigger some fond memories. You may need to help your loved one understand how to hold a smaller animal.

6 – Spend Time with Kids

Parental love stays with us regardless of who or what we can remember. Encourage your children and grandchildren to spend time with their loved ones with Alzheimer’s or dementia. The happiness and laughter of youth are contagious, and you can feel the bond connecting both generations.

7 – Planting and Caring for a Garden

You know that plants purify the air and provide nutritious food for the animals and us. Did you also know that tending to houseplants or a garden can boost your mood? No wonder so many people around the world love plants.

Perhaps your loved one with Alzheimer’s or dementia has a lifelong green thumb. While they can’t care for a large-scale garden, miniature style, and container gardens are ideal. Watch the smiles of joy and satisfaction as you both dig into the fertile earth, plant seeds, and watch them grow.

Colorful flower gardens envelop the senses with color, texture, and delightful fragrance. Maybe you both would enjoy planting a small vegetable patch and harvesting the ripe veggies. Tailor your gardening activities to your loved one’s ambulatory, energy, and cognitive levels.

8 – Browse Through Family Photo Albums

They say a picture paints a thousand words, especially when these images of long ago are painted on our hearts. Surround your loved one with family photos to inspire memories and joy. Try not to be discouraged when they have confused faces and names. Sometimes, engaging in shared activities, like looking through a list of the best crypto casinos together online, can spark a surprising connection, as the familiarity with certain routines or topics might bring a sense of comfort. Since many Alzheimer’s and dementia patients’ fragile memories are often frozen in the past, they often recall old family photos, but not recent ones. Browse through the pictures together and cue him/her by identifying people and talking about some of your favorite memories with each.

Do you have vintage family home movies or videos? Watching these can take your loved one to the moment to re-live weddings, reunions, and family vacations. Your loved one may want to talk about it, or silently relish the memories.

Final Thoughts on Virtual Reality and Other Therapies for Alzheimer’s Patients

As you lovingly care for a parent, spouse, or another precious person with Alzheimer’s or dementia, it is important to also care for yourself. Caregiving can be exhausting physically, mentally, and spiritually. Get the rest you need, and don’t hesitate to ask for help when you are overwhelmed and need a break.

While implementing virtual reality or other therapy ideas into your daily caregiving activities, enjoy each special moment. If your loved one doesn’t want to participate one day, set the activity aside for later. Even when your loved one no longer recognizes you, you still know him/her and can still spend quality time together.

Thanks to the fascinating science of VR and other useful therapies, you can bring life and joy to a loved one with Alzheimer’s or dementia. Talk to your doctor about how to incorporate VR therapy into the patient’s care plan. You’ll never regret spending quality moments with your dear family member.

15 Signs Your Partner Has a Wandering Eye

April 30, 2020 by Power of Positivity

Sometimes, a man or woman’s wandering eye is not necessarily a sign of disrespect. Instead, a short glance toward the opposite sex is more often than not a sign of curiosity from your partner. Or, they could simply not help but notice someone’s attractiveness.

Much as we might admire a beautiful sculpture or painting, it makes sense that we would continue to appreciate beautiful people after the honeymoon stage of a relationship fades, and the bond matures.

Sometimes, however, wandering eyes could be a sign that your partner is or is considering cheating. So what are some other signs you can look for to tell the difference between the two?

Here are 15 signs your partner has a wandering eye:

1 – Does your partner criticize you, incessantly?

Constant criticism is considered by experts to be one of the four horsemen. Sometimes as people settle into a relationship, they find their partner’s quirks and habits to become less endearing and more of an annoyance. If your partner happens to be less emotionally mature, they may seek out another partner behind your back instead of ending the relationship.

If someone is suddenly finding every opportunity to find something wrong with not just your actions, but who you are as a person, they may be trying to deflect some internal shame about not being forthcoming with you. Even if your partner isn’t cheating, this is a sign of a strained relationship.

2 – Has your partner made accusations of you being the cheating partner?

Along the same lines as deflecting shame, if your partner makes accusations about you cheating, they may do so because the fact that they are cheating makes them feel insecure. Some people want to have their cake and eat it too. They want loyalty and a hot new fling.

Be careful, though, as some people have simply been burned in the past, and that accusation might not have any relation to current behavior. Therefore, your significant other may not be a cheater.

3 – Has your intimacy suddenly changed?

When someone is cheating on you or has a wandering eye, their sexual behavior can change. They may retreat from the bedroom due to guilt over their actions. Conversely, they may ramp up the volume in the bedroom with some new techniques their side-lover introduced to them. Be careful with this one. Indeed, he or she may merely be trying to spice things up in the bedroom to get you excited.

4 – Have strange expenses showed up in your bank account?

When a woman acquires a new lover, she may suddenly have a new income that is unexplained. If the man in the relationship is cheating, you can expect to see that bank balance decrease as he woos his fling. Finances are a significant point of contention between couples. Therefore, both parties should be transparent.

If there is a lack of transparency when it comes to money, this may indicate you both have a strained relationship.

5 – Do you have an intuition that something is off?

Sometimes nothing does a better job of tipping you off to cheating better than your gut. You do not consciously realize this, but your gut picks up on thousands of micro bits of data as you go about your day. When something is off, your gut or intuition will undoubtedly tip you off. Indeed, because you are reading this article right now, your intuition is probably already on full alert!

6 – Has their schedule suddenly changed?

Another sign that a partner is participating in an affair is if their schedule shifts to make time for steamy romp sessions, rather than to bury their heads in more work or a suddenly sick family member. Make sure that your partner gives other signs of cheating before accusing them of being a cheater, however.

7 – Are your friends treating you differently?

Friends may start acting more courteous or try to avoid you altogether. That is because they are often the first ones to find out about an affair. The same applies to your partner’s friends. They, too, may start to avoid you or act exceptionally nicely around you.

One way you can check to make sure that your partner doesn’t have a wandering eye is by telling your friends that you’ve noticed the change in their behavior and want to know what that’s all about. Who knows, they may be planning a surprise party for you and your spouse. Otherwise, your partner may already be cheating on you.

8 – Have technology habits changed?

If your spouse suddenly has their eyes glued to their phone most of the day, they may be having an affair. Of course, if your spouse needs to be on their phone often for work-related reasons, that is one thing, but if their habits change, that might signal a strained relationship.

Technology habits can include anything from checking their phone once before bed to suddenly checking their phone more often for “emails.” If they suddenly change up their technology habits, this is a reliable indicator that your partner has wandering eyes.

9 – Do they have a new phone?

Unless your significant other has recently dropped their phone in the toilet, your partner buying a new phone without explanation is a major red flag that they are cheating on you. Many people who are seeing other people on the side will keep a burner phone or small flip phone, away from your vision so they can hold conversations you won’t be privy to.

10 – Do they have a secret cloud account?

Along with a new phone or new technology habits, most information these days gets stored in “the cloud,” or an online data storage service. This data can include work-related documents, videos, and yep, you guessed it—racy photos from an affair. If your significant other is secretive about showing you his laptop or other electronics, he or she may be a cheater.

11 – Have they stopped making plans for the future with you?

Someone who is cheating may stop making plans for upcoming birthdays or celebrations because they want to keep the calendar open for both you and the person they are keeping the affair with.

12 – Have you effectively discussed your boundaries with your partner?

Cheating isn’t always as cut and dry as going out and hooking up with a stranger. For some couples, cheating can range from watching a man walk by a few seconds too long to creating emotional intimacy with someone else beyond what they have taken the time to develop with their spouse. You will want to discuss some of your boundaries with your partner so that they don’t unintentionally hurt you.

13 – Has the emotional intimacy between you two changed?

Speaking of emotional intimacy, have you noticed your partner sharing less meaningful information with you? As relationships grow and mature emotional intimacy, ebbs and flows as life becomes more complicated and less complicated. However, there should always be an open pathway for communication. If one party shuts down, that person may be participating in an affair.

Perhaps you can suggest to your partner to have a weekly discussion about life and your feelings towards each other.

14 – Have their clothing preferences changed?

If your partner generally wears a pair of jeans and a regular t-shirt, and suddenly go out and purchase more formal clothes, this can indicate that they are making an effort to impress someone else.

The same can be said if they have been keeping roughly the same style of hair for the past few years and suddenly come home with a bold new haircut. The best way to handle this situation is to ask your partner what they intend to use their new clothes for or why they decided to get a new haircut.

You never know, they might want to take you on a lovely date!

15 – Is your partner happy overall with life?

Your partner should be content with his/her life. Discontentment can lead to poor behavior, so it is wise to discuss life paths together to find out how to improve the relationship. This will help your partner to keep their eyes from wandering.

Final Thoughts on Having a Partner with a Wandering Eye

If you suspect that your partner is a cheater, it is essential to have an open and honest conversation about if cheating is the actual issue or if it is related to a stressful life circumstance the both of you are going through. What is the reason behind the deception? Is there a work schedule issue where both of your paths are failing to align often?

Do you both have enough interests together to keep the relationship interesting? Is one partner addicted to adrenaline rushes? There’s never an excuse for cheating. However, depending on the reasons for cheating, you can decide where to go from there. It will depend on if your partner is remorseful for his or her actions. It will also depend upon your morals and feelings.

10 Online Habits That Can Reveal a Cheating Spouse

April 30, 2020 by Power of Positivity

A cheating spouse can be the biggest heartbreak you experience in life, as well as the reason for the destruction of your home. In this digital age we live in, you may notice unusual online habits of your partner.

They may be using social media to communicate with a lover…or not. If you suspect a cheating spouse, you don’t want to jump to conclusions.

You want to observe and be sure before you make a very serious accusation. If you want to find out for sure, there are certain things to look out for. Here are ten online habits that may reveal a cheating spouse.

10 Online Habits of a Cheating Spouse

Here are ten typical online habits that reveal you could be dealing with a cheating spouse.

1. Labeling Themselves as Single on Social Platforms

Most social media accounts allow users to display their marital status. You can usually let people know if you are “married,” “in a relationship,” or “single.” If “married” or “in a relationship,” the user can tag their significant other. This status lets the whole world know that you are together.

Look at the “relationship status” of your spouse. If it says “single” or “it’s complicated,” that could be a very bad sign. It shows that they don’t want other people to know they are committed to someone else. They may want to hide their relationship status, so other potential lovers won’t know.

It’s an especially bad sign if you send them a relationship status request, and they ignore it. They likely saw the request. Why won’t they just accept it?

2. Ignoring Your Tags and Comments

As a spouse, you probably have a lot to say about the things your significant other posts. That’s natural! You may comment on their posts and tag them in different posts yourself. When you do this, you expect them to respond to you most of the time.

If your partner ignores everything you write on their wall, it can make you feel like they don’t want to publicly interact with you. This pattern could mean they don’t want someone else to see those interactions.

A cheating spouse may claim they see you all of the time at home, so they don’t see the need to interact online as well. However, if they talk to everyone else who posts on their social media pages, that excuse could be less than comforting. Your spouse may also avoid talking about you online. If you went to the zoo during the day, they might omit that when talking to other people.

However, they may mention other things they did throughout the day. Or, if you both painted a room together, they may post about painting the room but not include you in the post.

3. Being Overly Flirty Online with Other People

You can see the different things that your spouse and friends post on each other’s walls. You may notice that your spouse seems to be especially flirty with certain people they talk to online.

They may call them terms of endearment like “babe” or use heart emojis in their communications for everyone to see. A cheating spouse may make it seem like it’s all in good fun.

However, it shows a certain level of disrespect for your relationship, whether they are cheating with other people or not. Your spouse should make a point not to get too friendly with online acquaintances.

4. Being Overly Protective of Phone/Laptop

Does your spouse turn away any time they grab their phone to prevent you from looking at what they’re doing? Do they laugh at their phone but then not show you what was so funny? Do they go through extreme measures to keep their phone and social media accounts secure and locked? Are they doing the same thing with their laptop?

There is no reason for them to scream at you if you try to use their laptop to check your email if your phone is dead. This overreaction is an indication they are hiding something. Granted, some people truly value their privacy.

However, there is a difference between keeping things private and being sneaky. A person who values privacy probably did this all along. On the other hand, if this reaction is a new behavior, it can indicate a cheating spouse.

5. Secret Social Media Accounts/Emails

One of the most obvious signs of a problem is if your significant other has secret social media accounts or email addresses. They may have one account that they use for their regular life and others to help them live a secret life.

Some of the accounts may utilize a different name and no picture to help them stay anonymous. They probably think you don’t know about the other accounts. You may discover the accounts if they have multiple accounts to log in and out of on Gmail or Facebook on their phone or laptop.

You likely don’t have access to any of these secret accounts, and they may even get defensive about them if you point them out.

6. Accounts on Dating Sites

Did you happen to notice an app like Tinder or OkCupid on your spouse’s account? Even if they used it to meet you, there is no need for them to still have that app on their phone.

It’s an obvious sign of an affair if they’ve been using the app recently. They may try to tell you it’s not a big deal to have dating apps on their phone, but you aren’t overly jealous. Your spouse having dating apps is a completely legitimate thing to be mad about. They need to be deleted immediately.

Even worse, some spouses may sign up for notoriously dubious websites that pair up married people. Even curiosity about these sites should not be tolerated.

7. Behaving Single Online

People portray themselves in a particular way online. Some people portray themselves as a family person with plenty of pictures and posts about family (including their spouse). This married life is how your spouse should portray themselves.

They may choose to go another route, though, and post pictures of scantily clothed girls and offensive memes that make them look single. Also, they may post more pictures of them out with friends at the club than pictures with you. They may do this to convince people online that they are, in fact, single.

This behavior could attract the wrong kind of attention from people online. If nothing else, it portrays them as someone who wants to be single.

8. Constantly Communicating With People Online

Many spouses cheating online will be glued to their phones. They will always be talking to people online on social media. This chatting could be all through the day as well as at odd times throughout the night.

Of course, they won’t allow you to look at anything they are doing. it’s normal for people to text and message people, but a cheating spouse will allow it to interfere with private time with you and take it to an uncomfortable level.

9. Correspondence With People You Don’t Know

As a spouse, you should know a majority of the people your spouse communicates with. When you look online, do you see them talking to people you’ve never heard of before? Or an ex? Do you see them in pictures with people you don’t know?

There may be a reason your spouse is trying to keep these lives separate. One of the first things that comes to mind is they are having an affair and don’t want you to know. These people may be people they are cheating with or just people who know the person they are cheating with.

10. Lying

Cheaters will often find themselves in positions that force them to lie. They may lie about who they are talking to or where they are going at night to avoid suspicion. They may also blatantly lie about their own life to other people online.

Do you notice them lying about what they did with their day online? All of these lies point to the fact that they might be keeping things from you. A cheating spouse may also lie about things that don’t even matter. It’s a sign of someone who shouldn’t be trusted.

If they lie about small things that don’t matter, it’s probably easy for them to lie about serious things, too.

Final Thoughts on Detecting the Online Habits of a Cheating Spouse

If you notice more than just a couple of these online habits, you could have a cheating spouse. There are multiple ways to cheat. It could be someone your partner leans on for emotional support behind your back but has never met in person. It may also be someone with whom your partner has a physical relationship.

Finally, it could be that your partner hasn’t found someone yet but is looking. No matter what the situation, you should not have to put up with being second place in your relationship. You deserve someone who is proud of you and the life you are building together as a couple.

If you aren’t feeling appreciated, it may be time to have a serious conversation. If things don’t change, you may be the one changing your relationship status to “single.”

10 Healthy Freezer Meals to Make Ahead and Save Money

April 30, 2020 by Power of Positivity

Dinner time is always a chaotic point in the day. Coming in from work and trying to get food on the table is often a significant task. When everyone is hungry, the food cannot be prepared quickly enough. However, you can prepare freezer meals ahead of time to solve this dilemma.

If you want to make healthy foods, or even include a few vegan options for your family to enjoy, then freezer meals are the way to go. You can come in from work, pop your entrée in the oven, and sit back and relax, waiting on the meal to be complete.

Quick Freezer Meals

You may have a few dishes that you can think of to put back for another day. However, many people have no clue how to prep for a week or more at a time. When you have some downtime, you need to prepare for when things are more hectic. Here are some fantastic freezer meals that will make your family beg for an encore.

Meal prepping saves time, money, and empty calories.

1. Lasagna

Lasagna is versatile in that you can create it with the things you like best. If you prefer to avoid meat, then you can make a veggie variety. The sky is the limit with this Italian masterpiece. Who doesn’t love a meal like this with some garlic bread and a nice, crisp salad?

2. Sloppy Joes

The fantastic thing about a hamburger dish is that you can precook the hamburger and then refreeze it for another date. Keep in mind that you cannot refreeze beef after it has been thawed, but once it’s been cooked, you can use it to create freezer meals.

Sloppy Joes are one of the easiest meals to prepare. You can have a meal in under 20 minutes. If the hamburger is already cooked, then it can be done in under 10 minutes. Just add a few sides like green beans or tater tots, and you have a meal that will keep your brood’s bellies full.

3. Chili (Freezer Meal Favorite!)

Nearly every family has a chili recipe that has been passed down from their ancestors. While all the base ingredients are the same, your personal touches make it unique. You can make a large batch of chili. You can have a healthy serving the first night, and then put a batch in the freezer to use later.

There are many vegan options since the base of chili is tomatoes, onions, and green peppers. You can customize this dish to fit your diet. Thankfully, it’s low in calories and fat. Once it’s premade in the freezer, all you need to do is reheat and eat.

Read some ideas on using kale in your keto lifestyle.

4. Chicken, Broccoli, and Rice Casserole

Casseroles are comfort food. The perfect pairing with chicken is broccoli and rice. An additional bonus to this recipe is that you can quickly put it in freezer bags, and it’s little to no mess.

Simply fill your freezer bags to the fill line, and mark the date on the outside. Then you can just take them out and reheat it when you need it. It’s best to add a layer of cheddar cheese or some breadcrumbs to the top before reheating. Also, the oven works best for reviving this dish.

Not many people can pass up a heaping helping of any chicken casserole. You can feed your family a healthy meal that doesn’t take all your time.

5. Shepherd’s Pie

If your freezer has the likes of a Shepherd’s pie in it, then you will attract the masses at dinner time. When it comes to savory and delicious, a helping of mashed potatoes over some ground beef and veggies is perfect.

Shepherd’s pie is an old recipe that has dated back to the 1870s in Scotland. Before grinding machines, cooks used leftover roast to throw together something for another meal. Why not use the wisdom of cooks from decades gone by and freeze this masterpiece?

6. Meatloaf

What is better than meatloaf, mashed potatoes, and macaroni and cheese? If you freeze the potatoes and the meatloaf, then all you need to make is the noodles. Meatloaf is a classic comfort food that can hit the spot.

Instead of freezing a large 1-2-pound loaf, why not make several mini loaves. The smaller loaves cook quicker, and they are instantly portioned to the perfect size. You don’t have to worry about overeating when everything is already made in the proper portions.

7. Burritos

You can walk into any grocery store across America and buy frozen burritos. However, they won’t even compare to the homemade variety. You can sneak some healthy stuff, like black beans, into your Mexican masterpiece.

The first burritos were introduced into the United States in 1930. It was served at the El Cholo Spanish Café in Los Angeles after they got the recipe from a cookbook. The good news is these beauties freeze well, and if you want to turn them into a chimichanga, all you need to do is deep fry it.

8. Meatballs

While you may debate if meatballs are a proper meal, just think of all these things you can do with these juicy little bites of heaven. First, meatballs can be the perfect addition to spaghetti.

Second, why not have meatball subs? You can literally heat these babies in a matter of minutes. Just add your favorite sauce, some cheese, and plop it all on a toasted bun. The smells alone will have your whole family salivating for dinner time.

If you’re looking for healthy foods, then you can make these with ground turkey or a vegan option too. Freezer meals don’t always have to be the entire meal. When you make staples like meatballs and mashed potatoes, they can quickly be added too, or you can make them into a fantastic dish in a matter of minutes.

Learn some meal prep ideas for vegans.

9. Chicken Fajitas

You can make chicken fajitas a couple of different ways. First, you can pre-fry everything and have it so that you all you need to do a simple reheat. The second option is to put all the ingredients together raw in a freezer bag or other approved container.

You can pull out your crockpot to have them simmer slow and low all day long. The aroma of fresh chicken fajitas is going to fill your entire home with tantalizing smells. Plus, it’s one of the easiest meals to make when you’re in a hurry.

10. Herb-Roasted Chicken & Vegetables

While this dish is stated for chicken, it can be substituted for any meat you choose. Fill a disposable metal pan with the meat and veggies of your choice. Sprinkle them with herbs like Italian seasoning, rosemary, lemon pepper, or whatever your family loves.

You will need to thaw this dish in the refrigerator the night before so that the chicken is done at the same time as the vegetables. Otherwise, the vegetables will be overcooked and soggy, and the chicken not done.

This is another meal that is so versatile because you can make it according to your family’s choices, and it’s healthy too. Think of all the different creations that you can make when you get creative with herbs and spices.

Use Your Crockpot to Make This Task Even Easier

You can use your freezer meals alongside your crockpot for easy cooking during the dinner rush. Wouldn’t it be amazing to come home to a meal already prepared and ready to eat? Your children will thank you that they don’t need to wait for an hour for a meal.

Crockpots are one of the essential appliances in the kitchen. They require way less electricity than your oven to operate, and they can even bake things like a cake. Who would have ever thought you could make such masterpieces in a crockpot?

Don’t Forget About Breakfast

While this article focuses on dinner items, you can also get creative and make freezer meals for breakfast too. Wouldn’t it be nice to wake up, pop a bacon, egg, and cheese muffin in the microwave on the way out the door?

Who says you need to hit those fast-food restaurants on the way to work? You can save money, eat healthily, and save time. Your family will appreciate all the efforts you make to ensure they have tasty meals.

Final Thoughts: Freezer Meals Can Bring Back the Family Dinner Table

Lastly, mealtime doesn’t need to be a rush. The family dinner table is about sharing. If you’re not worried about a big mess to clean up from all the prep-work, then you can have more time to sit and chat.

Too many people grab fast food on the way to and from work, and their waistline shows their poor eating habits. Also, it’s very costly to eat out all the time. The beautiful thing is that you can create the same drive-thru food in your home, and it will cost you less. And, you can replace unhealthy ingredients with more healthful ones.

Plus, the lower sodium, calories, and fat makes a significant difference, not to mention that you don’t use MSGs or other harmful substances in your cooking either. It’s time to bring back the family dinner table, and freezer meals are just the way to do it.

Counselors Reveal How to Work From Home with Kids (And Still Have Boundaries)

April 29, 2020 by Power of Positivity

Telecommuting is becoming increasingly popular today. For the family with children, a stay at home job means that you don’t need to pay the exorbitant daycare bills. However, it takes a unique person to work from home with kids and juggle everything.

Children thrive in their home environment. Having the pleasure of working from home means that you get to be a part of all their milestones. Additionally, you don’t need to worry about what may or may not be happening at the daycare or babysitters’ home.

Setting Boundaries When You Work From Home With Kids

No one can care for your child like you. Consequently, it’s a real balancing act to try to juggle the role of employee and parent simultaneously. How can you bring in the bacon while making lunch and changing diapers too? Here are some healthy boundaries to help you make working from home with kids a success.

1. Maintain A Routine

Some jobs are a bit more restrictive than others. Whether you can work whenever you want, or you need to punch the virtual time clock doesn’t matter. You must have a routine to be successful.

It’s easy to get your days and nights mixed up when you allow the children to dictate the routine. To feel and be a success in this job setting, you need a schedule. The beauty of being at home is that you can lay in that extra 15 minutes or you can take a longer lunch.

Get up bright and early and start your day. You don’t need to account for traffic on the commute and dressing for success. Just make sure you keep a schedule so that the children don’t get their sleep patterns off balance, which can affect the entire home.

2. Have A Dedicated Workspace

Working from your dining room or the coffee table in the living room will only last so long. You must have a dedicated space so that you can be organized. Also, the children must learn that this area is off-limits to little hands.

If you’re lucky to have a room where you can close the door, then it works out great. No matter where you set your home office, it must be a space that allows you to concentrate. If your children are younger, then you will need to be close to keep an eye on them.

Kids of all ages must learn that they can’t mess with your papers, scissors, pens, or other necessary office supplies. Establish early on that your space is for you only. Having clear rules about your work area will help to learn the importance of leaving you and your things alone in this zone.

If your children are older and more responsible, then you may want to put a sign on the door to let them know when it’s safe to come in. If you’re going to be on a conference call or doing a Skype chat, then you want to put a “Do Not Disturb” sign on the door.

Having some simple boundaries can save you from some embarrassing situations that can arise as you work from home with kids.

3. Have A Sitter on Back-Up

While working from home allows you the freedom to watch your children, there may be times when you need to go to the office. Each career has different demands, and you must be flexible to adjust to those requirements. If you need to go to a meeting, then your boss is not going to want you to bring the children along.

Have a person that you can trust to watch your kids for a few hours each week, if necessary. Even if you don’t need to go to the office, you must get out and get some fresh air at times. You and your children will enjoy a break from each other on occasion.

4. Enhance Your Ability to Focus on One Task at a Time

Before you even begin your job where you work from home with kids, you need to be a multi-tasker. You may be changing diapers while talking to your boss or a client. You need to learn the power of the mute button on the phone.

Get a good pair of earbuds that have noise cancellation features. There are times when you need to ask the children to be quiet, and you don’t want the entire office to hear your banter with the youngsters. No matter how hard you try to mold them, your children are not always going to be perfect angels.

It takes a special person to balance the life of a parent and career individual from your abode. Setting boundaries is imperative, but you must also be able to do a juggling act every day.

5. Learn to Drown Out the Chaos

Have you ever seen or been with a parent that has their kids screaming and playing around them and doesn’t seem to be bothered by the noise? You must become that parent who can tune out the chaos to get anything done. No matter the age of your children, you will always have them at your door and in your face wanting and needing you for something.

Sadly, it doesn’t seem to get any better when they are older. To be a parent who works from home with kids, you need not let every little noise bother you. Unless you’re on the call with a boss or talking to a customer, then drown the noise out.

Some parents who work from home like to play classical music in their earbuds while they work. They can still hear the kids should there be an incident that they need to help with, but they can focus on the task at hand, thanks to the likes of Beethoven and Tchaikovsky.

6. Let Workers Know You Have Kids or Pets

Your employer should know if there is anything that can distract you during the day. Some jobs know and expect that there will be children, spouses, and pets that can interrupt, and they are okay with it.

If your job requires you to be on video conference calls, you should let everyone know upfront if a child may come in crying or a dog may bark. It helps everyone else to learn why you may have that mute button on more than the next person.

Don’t wait until you’re in the middle of a meeting before you let everyone know. Working at home can be chaotic on a good day, so it’s best that your company understands your situation and knows what to expect during such events.

7. Carve Out Time for You

Boundaries are essential with your children, but you must also set some personal boundaries to ensure your sanity. Working from home is not for the faint of heart. You won’t get the social interaction that you need.

In your weekly planner, you must include things that allow you to have some free time. You need a night with your buddies or wine with the girls. You must have some time that is just for fun and relaxation that’s outside your home.

When you work and live in the same place, it can be quite overwhelming never to have an escape. Your sanity demands that you have some time away from your home and out amongst other people.

8. Tell Your Children What You Expect

You must tell your children what you expect while you are working. They should have clearly defined rules to ensure your success. While you cannot talk with a newborn about rules, a five-year-old can undoubtedly know the importance of leaving mommy or daddy alone while they’re telecommuting.

When you work from home with kids, you must somehow make money while taking care of their needs. So they need to know why your job is so outstanding and why they need good behavior. Make a rule sheet and enforce these rules to ensure that your days are a little easier.

9. Give Your Children an Approved List of Activities

Your kids need to have an approved list of activities that they can do while you are working. Some great things for them to do can be:

•Color
•Watch TV
•Play on Tablet
•Video Games (with limits)
•Play with Toys

Then they also need to know things they cannot do, like:

•Go Outside Without Permission
•Ride Bike Too Far
•Play with Noisy Toys
•Argue with Siblings
•Get in Swimming Pool or Hot Tub Unattended
•Cook

Keep in mind that these guidelines must be written the age in mind. A 15-year-old can do some light cooking or ride their bike, but you wouldn’t want a seven-year-old to feel adventurous.

Final Thoughts: Strike a Balanced Life and Work from Home with Kids Successfully

Whether you chose to work from home with kids or you were forced into this role, you need to make the best of the situation. Telecommuting is the wave of the future. It can be a great way to make a living and be there for all your children’s little moments.

Childcare is such a considerable cost, and you can’t forget the savings in transportation costs too. If you can make working from home with kids a success, then, by all means, you should do it. Setting effective boundaries will ensure that your home can be both your haven of rest and place of employment.

12 Ways to Create a Pampering Spa Day at Home

April 29, 2020 by Power of Positivity

One of the best ways to relieve stress is by taking a trip to the spa. While it’s the little things in life that matter, you may not be able to afford to have such luxuries. Thankfully, you don’t need to go out and about to create a spa day at home.

A spa day at home is a way for you to unwind and release some stress and tension that you carry around. There’s very little that they do at a spa that you cannot do at home. Additionally, it’s very beneficial to have some “you” time where you put the children and spouse on the back burner for a few minutes.

Pampering Yourself with A Spa Day at Home

If you have no idea where to begin, we have created a list for you to simplify the process. Grab some candles, essential oils, bath salts, and a beautiful, fuzzy robe, and you’re ready. Here are some ways to let the pampering begin.

1. Do a Cleansing Facial Mask

There are hundreds of facial masks on the market. You can find ones for dry, oily, or combination skin. There’s no need to spend a fortune as you can usually get sample packets that give you a one-time treatment before you buy a more significant portion.

Mud masks are great because they draw impurities from the skin as well as hydrate. The black charcoal masks are great for those who have acne and whiteheads. Though it’s challenging to pull off the cover once it’s dried, it brings with it all the dirt and debris that hides deep in your pores.

Masks and facial scrubs can stimulate the collagen in your skin to generate new cells. You will look and feel amazing when you scrub all the build-up off your face.

Learn why shea butter is well worth a try for your hair, skin, and nails.

2. Pedicure for Pennies

Your feet take a lot of abuse, so a foot soak is in order. Do you have cracks and rough spots that are driving you crazy? Wintertime is the worst for dry skin on your heels. Thankfully, you can get rid of this before summer’s sandal season.

Start by pouring some Epson’s salt into a tub of moderately warm water. Put your feet into this tub to soak for 10-15 minutes. Once you pull them out, the skin will be softened and more comfortable to remove.

Take a pumice stone and work those rough patches out. Pay special attention to the sides and heel of the foot. One your feet are silky smooth, then rub a foot cream on them to seal in moisture.

Lastly, clip your toenails and add a color of polish, if you so desire. Your foot makeover can be a fantastic transformation that doesn’t cost a fortune.

3. Manicure Miracles

Your hands are busy throughout the day. Do you have hangnails and need to get them back into shape? Start by trimming off all the overgrown cuticles that are edging up your nail.

Next, clean out any debris from underneath the nail. Then, clip the nails to the desires shape. Finally, buff the top surface to promote growth and evenness. Now, you can color or gloss them to look like a million bucks.

4. Tweeze Those Brows

Are your brows on fleek? Having well-manicured eyebrows are all the rage. If you love threading, then you can accomplish the same thing with tweezers or wax. You can mold and shape those brows and then use color to make them stand out.

5. Laser Hair Removal

As you begin to age, you may notice that you have hair growing in places that it shouldn’t be. Even guys have hair creep up in the ears, eyebrows, and nostrils that can be unsightly. You don’t need to go to the spa to make your hair problems go away.

There are many laser hair removals system that you can buy to use from home. These systems are inexpensive and work well. Just be sure to read the reviews before purchasing as some are better than others.

Forget paying $100s for each treatment. You can get rid of that hair in your home for pennies for each session.

6. Have a Spot of Tea

One of the best things about going to the spa is all the gourmet teas that they offer. These teas are amazing and have the perfect herbal blend to put your mind, body, and soul at ease. Thankfully, you can make these drinks at home.

Chamomile tea is one of the best options for calming you, but don’t forget the power of peppermint, either. A lovely hot cinnamon tea is also refreshing. When you’re in the middle of a pamper session, a cup of tea will hit the spot.

7. Muscle Healing Massage

One of the best parts of going to a spa is the massage. They use oils and rub all those tired and overworked muscles. Now, you will need some help to pull off this part of your spa day at home, but it’s worth the effort.

Light some aromatic candles, put on some soft music, and grab your favorite essential oils. Your spa day at home wouldn’t be complete without a fantastic massage. Plus, you will feel so much lighter after the stress is rubbed away from your body.

8. Bubbling Bath

Who says bubble baths are just for kids? There is something mesmerizing about sitting in a tub of hot water with bubbles all around. Use the hottest water you can tolerate and fill the tub with oils and bubble bath.

Next, light candles and put them all around the tub for an ambient glow when you turn off the lights. Then, put some soft mood music on to help you relax your cares away. Fill the tub as high as you can get it, and then you can soak for as long as you like.

9. Take Care of Those Dark Circles

Do you have dark circles under your eyes? It’s a common problem for someone who isn’t getting enough rest, has sinus issues or is under stress. Get a few cucumbers to place on the eyes.

Cucumbers have been used for decades to help erase dark circles. They have cooling properties and are loaded with vitamins and minerals to stimulate healing in this area. They can also help with fine lines and wrinkles.

Leave the cucumbers on for about 10 minutes or until they become warm. A cold cucumber works best to help the dark circles. Plus, cucumbers can be used as sunscreen and hand sanitizer when juices and mixed with other agents.

Read up on essential care tips to decrease dark circles under your eyes.

10. Hot Oil Treatment

Your hair can develop split ends if it’s not cut promptly. Hot oil treatments can help with split ends as well as nourish every shaft. You simply heat the mixture, leave it on your hair for the allotted time, and wash it out.

Hot oil treatments can be done every month or more often if needed. They don’t leave the hair greasy afterward. Instead, the hair is silky, shiny, and repaired. If you don’t have the premade kit, then you can use olive oil too.

11. Yoga

Now that you’ve done all the things to have your body calmed, why not try some yoga. Doing deep breathing exercises will help to remove any lingering stress. Yoga is an excellent way to open your mind, as well as heal your body and soul.

Doing this ancient practice as often as possible will only help you. When you learn to control your breathing, you can stop anxiety and panic in its tracks. It can help you to gain control of your life and stress levels too.

12. Moisturize from Head to Toe

Lastly, you’ve pampered yourself with your spa day at home. Now, it’s essential to seal in everything you’ve done with a great moisturizer. From head to toe, your body needs hydration.

Now, you don’t want to use the same moisturizers on your face that you use on your feet. Buying a few different varieties will help to address the dryness issues wherever you need them. There’s nothing better than a silky-smooth body that feels great to touch.

Plus, when you feel good about you, then your confidence will radiate for others to see. No one wants alligator skin so that you can take care of that with the right moisturizer.

Final Thoughts on Treating Yourself to a Spa Day at Home

Once a week or so, enjoy a spa day at home for one. You will treasure the quiet moments and the time you’ll have to spend on self-care. Who knows? Maybe your in-home beauty treatments will add up so some serious savings of cash.

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