4 Foods That Clean Your Teeth

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4 Foods That Clean Your Teeth

Did you know that there are foods that clean your teeth when you eat them? While many foods get a bad rap for sticking to your teeth and causing cavities, there are others that are nutritious and actually help your teeth. If you find the concept of getting healthy nutrients for your body while preserving your teeth appealing then take a look at these foods:

Apples:

Apples not only clean your teeth but will also help to ward off bad breath. Apples contain a lot of fiber and when you eat them, they act the same way that your toothbrush would. This means that they scrub away plaque and remove other food particles.

The acids that are present in apples will help you remove bacteria that cause bad breath. The best way to get the most benefit out of apples is to leave the skin on them. The skin of the apple is actually the part that has the most fiber to help clean your teeth.

Munch On Carrots:

Carrots work in much the same way that apples do to clean your teeth. Since apples are loaded with fiber, they scrub off plaque and other substances that are sticking to your teeth. When you eat carrots, it stimulates the production of the saliva in your mouth and this also helps to clean your teeth.

Green Vegetables:

Green vegetables are excellent for cleaning your teeth. While you are crunching on the leafy vegetables, they go to work to remove food particles. There are also some vegetables, such as kale, that have calcium that will help to strengthen your enamel.

Cucumbers:

Cucumbers are good for your teeth because they are also high in fiber. Cucumbers also have a lot of water, which helps to ensure that your mouth doesn’t dry out. When you chew on cucumber a lot of saliva is produced and it helps to wash away bacteria from your mouth. You can eat cucumbers by themselves or you can put them in a sandwich or salad to make them easier to consume.

Whatever foods you consume to clean away plaque, always remember to visit a dentist such as those at tri-state dental care to keep your teeth looking their best.

Now that you know some foods that clean your teeth while you eat them, you should try to incorporate them into your diet more often. Adding them into your diet will assist you with keeping your teeth looking as healthy as they possibly can. This means that there is a greater chance that you will protect your enamel and prevent cavities. An apple a day, right?!

Featured Image By: Tom Swinnen from Pexels

All Boostered Up!

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All Boostered Up!

Hello! This past Friday, I enjoyed a much needed day off to get my hair done for the holidays. As always, my time at the Shear Shop was fabulous and the excitement of the day didn’t end when I left the salon… If you want to call getting the COVID-19 booster shot exciting, that is. Lol, but I do! After my appointment, I met up with Johnny at Walmart to get our Moderna boosters just in time for the holidays and I am so happy!

Originally, we had our booster shot appointment scheduled at CVS only to learn that they didn’t carry the Moderna booster. Luckily for us, though, Walmart had it readily available and you can schedule an appointment or just walk in for your vaccines. We went with the latter option and were on our way home in under ten minutes. 😀

Despite my eagerness to get my booster shot, I’ll be the first to admit that I was a little nervous. For those of you who don’t remember, my second shot of Moderna knocked me out for about three days and I wasn’t exactly looking forward to feeling crummy all weekend long. So, imagine my surprise when I woke up on Saturday morning not feeling completely miserable.

That’s not to say that I didn’t experience any side effects at all. On Friday night, I woke up several times in the middle of the night either feeling really hot or freezing cold. I also had a lot of tenderness in my arm and was tired all day Saturday. But that was about the worst of it and it was a vast improvement from shot number two so I’ll take it. 🙂

With the holidays fast approaching, I can’t recommend getting vaccinated enough to keep yourself and your loved ones safe while you celebrate. Do make sure that you call the location of where you’re getting vaccinated beforehand to make sure that they have your preferred vaccine available. Let’s kick COVID’s butt all together!

Shots, shots, shots, shots, shots, shots OF MODERNA!

How are you safely celebrating the holidays this year? Where did you get your COVID vaccine? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Sweet Surprises: C&C California Earrings Edition

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Sweet Surprises: C&C California Earrings Edition

Hi! One thing that I always look forward to during my work week is seeing my sister, Kristen, and her family. If our schedules allow, we try to see each other every week for a hang session and dinner. It’s so much fun to share good food and the best company together with my sis and little niece. It is also a time when we like to swap our no longer wanted clothes, makeup, skin care, and accessories.

This past hang out, Kristen gave me these darling earrings by C&C California and I am genuinely unsure as to why she didn’t want them because I think they are the cutest! Check it out:

I love these earrings but, despite that, they are a pair that I would never buy for myself because I much prefer longer, dangly earrings with my short hair. Although these are not my preferred style, I love the colors of the hanging tassels along with the blingy gold and I think that they will look charming with my red, pink, and violet hair because the colors match perfectly! 😀

I am thinking of breaking these C&C California earrings out for Thanksgiving dinner if they look good with my outfit. However, if it were up to my little niece, she would be the one wearing them even though her ears aren’t pierced lol! She graciously let her TT hold onto them for safe keeping but I told her that as soon as she’s old enough to have her ears pierced she can have them back. ❤

Sweet Surprises or no, hanging out with my favorites is the best gift in itself and I am the luckiest sister and aunt in the whole world!

How old were you when you had your ears pierced? What style of earrings do you prefer to wear? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

3 Ideas To Get Your Kids Interested In Nature

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3 Ideas To Get Your Kids Interested In Nature

By now, you have no doubt heard of the great mental health benefits of getting outside. But, while you might love the outdoors, your kids may still be on the fence. After all, it’s always more comfortable to sit inside, especially when the temperatures plummet. This won’t do them any favors, though, so it is important to try and get them more interested in nature. If you’re not sure where to begin, here are three ideas to help:

Show Them How Fun It Can Be:

Many kids will associate being outdoors with walking and walking far. There’s some truth to this, but it’s not the walk that makes nature fun, it’s seeing everything along the way. However, when they’re young, kids may not notice or care about this. All they see is a lot of green and brown.

You can change this attitude by considering the different ways to make nature walks enjoyable for kids, such as scavenger hunts, identifying different plants, animals, or bugs, or playing I Spy along the way. If possible, look for a trail that has a play area at the end, as this will give them something to look forward to, as long as they aren’t too tired by the time you arrive.

Bring Nature Indoors:

If your kids don’t appreciate nature as much as you’d like them to, how about bringing nature indoors? This is especially useful if you live somewhere cold and wet, making it difficult to get outside too often.

The benefits of houseplants can make them more appreciative of nature, and as you add more to your collection, they might become even more interested. You might get to the point where they want to help water them, care for them, and give them enough sunlight so they can thrive. It can be tricky to see plants grow outside, but having them inside allows your kids to see the entire lifespan.

Encourage Their Education:

While there might not be much in the school curriculum, you can still speak with their teacher and ask what they are doing to encourage a love of the outdoors in their students.

Depending on what they say, there is a range of resources they can use, including succulent classroom decor by Miss Jacobs that could be a small but inspiring module for your kids and their classmates. As it covers science, it can easily apply to a lesson, even if it’s something done to make up some time once all other lessons are finished.

As much as some people do not enjoy being outside, it’s fair to say that the majority of people can always find something to love about it. Whether it’s the positivity they feel after a long hike or the stunning views that they wouldn’t get from sitting on the sofa, your kids could experience the same shift, and soon, you won’t be able to keep them indoors at all

Featured Image By: Unsplash

Love To Read? Start A Book Club!

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Love To Read? Start A Book Club!

Hello! When I am not working, binging Criminal Minds, ice skating, or playing way too much Animal Crossing, I absolutely love to read. There is nothing better to me than cracking open a good book and reading “just one more chapter” for hours on end! While I don’t belong to an in person book club, I take a lot of pride in Lil Red’s Book Club on the ol’ blog and so enjoy sharing my latest reads with all of you.

If you and your friends are avid readers too, there is no better time to start a book club. The cold winter months means extra time at home and nothing says comfy cozy like curling up on the couch with a new book. It doesn’t take much to create a book club of your own and you can get started with these ideas:

Decide What To Read:

First and foremost, you have to decide what your book club will be reading and how these books are being chosen. Will each person take turns selecting a book? Will you be reading popular books from different genres? Or maybe going with authors in an alphabetical order? You could even make your book club exclusive to one genre like romance or true crime.

However you go about choosing your books, it is important that everyone agrees on it. If you are going the true crime or horror route, do screen the book ahead of time in case there is any subject matter that might be triggering to any of your club members.

How Often Are You Meeting?

Whether you’re meeting in person or virtually, make sure that you come up with a schedule and follow it. Should your members have a book finished in one month to discuss? Or, perhaps, they might read forty pages per week? Keep in mind that everyone’s schedules are different and you don’t want anyone to fall behind with their reading. It can be discouraging if one member is flying ahead in the book while everyone else is stuck on chapter three!

What Will You Talk About?

Some book clubs use an open discussion format when discussing their latest book while others might have a list of questions or topics that they want to talk about. Prior to hosting your book club session, come up with key talking points ahead of time to keep the conversation moving. Some books as well as author’s websites include book club questions which are all great starting points for inspiration.

Snacks & Drinks:

A five course meal is definitely not necessary for your book club meeting but some light snacks and drinks are a must. You could sample different teas, beers, wines, and finger foods popular in where the book is set. Or, you could have themed treats like button cookies if you read Coraline or endless supplies of chocolate if your club just finished Chocolat. If you are having virtual book club meetings, then fear not. You can leave treat bags at each member’s house.

Book clubs are an amazing way to bring fellow reading enthusiasts together for an evening of good company and conversation. Don’t forget that you can host movie nights too if the book you have read has been made into a movie! 😀

What is your favorite book turned movie? What is your book club currently reading? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Tree Of Life Serum Multi Pack Review

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Tree Of Life Serum Multi Pack Review

Hey! A couple of months ago, I ordered a set of three Tree Of Life serums on Amazon thinking that I was getting three of their Vitamin C serums. The price equaled out to be a deal of buy two get one free and I thought that it was a steal so I ordered two sets. When my package shipped, I was surprised to see that I had actually ordered a multi pack of serums which included a bottle of Vitamin C, Retinol, and Hyaluronic Acid serum.

Today, we are going to review each serum and I’ll let you know which ones where a hit as well as what you can skip on. Let’s get to it:

From Favorite To Least:

  • Vitamin C
  • Retinol
  • Hyaluronic Acid

Vitamin C Serum:

In terms of how my skin looked and felt after using each Tree Of Life serum, the Vitamin C definitely takes the cake. Not only did my skin feel extra hydrated by this serum but it looked much brighter too. The Vitamin C serum is an amazing pick me up to use in the morning when you’re looking and feeling tired because the extra boost of radiance will fool everyone into thinking that you got a restful night’s sleep!

Retinol Serum:

I have not used many Retinol products before and from using this serum, I now know that it is a delicate dance to keep your skin hydrated. My skin felt incredibly dry after the first few uses of the Retinol serum and had lots of unsightly red patches too. For damage control, I have been using a hefty amount of moisturizer which I don’t love to do but it sure helps. While my skin might not feel the best as far as hydration goes with this product, it does feel tighter and I love that. 😀

Hyaluronic Acid Serum:

The Hyaluronic Acid serum was my least favorite of the set. What I liked about both the Vitamin C and Retinol serums is that there were noticeable differences to my skin after using them and I just didn’t see that from the Hyaluronic Acid one. My skin felt average at best with each use and this just doesn’t cut it in comparison to the other two. The Hyaluronic Acid is one that you can skip on for individual purchases but it is still a good deal in the multi pack.

While the multi pack set of Tree Of Life serums had a “not so much” product included, I will be purchasing it again because you can’t beat the price! You might not be pleased with each serum but I still recommend this set.

Where do you get the best deals on skin care? What kind of serum do you use? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

A La Maison Hand & Body Lotion Review

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A La Maison Hand & Body Lotion Review

Hello! Today, we are going to do a review of a hand and body lotion that my mom so sweetly surprised me with that I am fricken obsessed with. While I do love my Bath & Body Works lotion, I have never used one better than A La Maison’s so I just had to share it with all of you. To help combat dry winter skin, I can’t recommend this product enough:

I have been using this lotion for the past several nights before bed and I have never had such wonderful results before. During the winter months, my hands tend to get really red no matter how much lotion I use. Although my hands aren’t super dry, red belongs on my hair and not on my hands and it can be a bit unsightly. Within three uses of A La Maison, my hands have returned to their normal shade of pale and I was simply amazed.

I love the way that this lotion feels when applying it because it is like a cold cream and I can literally feel my hands getting hydrated as soon as I rub it in. This product absorbs so quickly and I truly don’t think that my hands have ever felt or looked better. I can’t say that I am particularly fond of the Wildflower scent because it is really powdery but that is a small price to pay for beautifully soft hands all winter long. 🙂

If you suffer from dry hands during the winter, then look no further than A La Maison. I cannot sing its praises enough and am already looking forward to buying more! 😀

What is your favorite cream or lotion? How do you combat dry skin? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Polymer Clay Accessories Are Bringing Back A Funky Trend

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Polymer Clay Accessories Are Bringing Back A Funky Trend

The growth of the online shopping industry has encouraged budding entrepreneurs to get creative in making their products as unique as possible. Trends in accessorizing have leaned toward asymmetrical looks, like mismatching earrings to highlight each one as an individual work of art. More than ever, photo editing for jewelry eCommerce shops has become necessary if the entrepreneur wants their campaign to be successful.

Recently, polymer clay came into prominence due to the unlimited designs that accessory makers can shape and bake. Aside from the available colors of the clay, artists have the option of creating new ones similar to how you might form a new color from mixing paint. The shapes can also have iterations without limiting makers due to how easy it is to mold clay.

It is also more durable once baked compared to cheaper materials that are mass produced. The assurance that the accessory will be long-lasting, unique, and personalized encourages the market to prefer it as an addition to their collection. These are just a few of the reasons why these accessories are so special:

Durability Of The Material:

So long as the accessory is baked and shaped properly, it cannot be broken by hand. This curing process allows it to be stronger while imprinting on the mold or the shape formed. If it is not performed according to the curing instructions for your clay, it will become brittle and easy to break. Due to its durability, it is easier for shop owners to ship to their customers without the possibility of them breaking.

These accessories might be a bit more expensive than the normal off the rack accessories, but they allow you to style yourself without the worry of glued on objects falling off. They will also be cheaper than the more luxurious kinds of accessories while allowing you to be more expressive about your personality.

Personalized Accessories:

Polymer accessories are often used to make tourist key chains because they can be easily personalized. The clay acts as a sandbox for the customer, allowing them to request any design they prefer. Names, phrases, and even likeness can be imprinted on the clay depending on the method used by the artist.

This medium is similar to having commissioned artwork, wherein the client can have a say in what is produced. The items can be personalized for a particular event like a wedding, anniversary, or the perfect gift for a friend.

Each Is Unique:

Early in the 2010s, IKEA released vases that would have hand prints on each one from the potter. The argument for this design was to make them unique and to have an imprint of the human touch. Each polymer clay accessory made are likely to be handcrafted and pressed with the artist’s fingers. Although they might avoid leaving unintentional prints on their designs, the uniqueness of each item cannot be avoided because humans cannot perfectly replicate one design.

There will always be a small adjustment or a faint hint of the attempt to duplicate the original. Even though the customer might not notice the difference, the artist can likely identify their experience when presented with an accessory, even if it is one of two in a set of earrings.

Polymer clay is yet another platform for creativity to enter the fashion world. It encourages vibrant and one of a kind designs to entice the public with the chance for a unique addition to their look!

Featured Image By: ArtHouse Studio from Pexels

Black Friday Shopping Tips

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Black Friday Shopping Tips

Hello! Yesterday we discussed some tips and tricks to help get you prepared for Thanksgiving, which means that it’s time to talk about Black Friday shopping today. Black Friday is going to look different this year with COVID-19 still being so prevalent so it’s important to have a game plan to safely and successfully complete your shopping. Let’s get to it:

Do Your Research:

Lots of major retailers are no longer going to be open on Thanksgiving evening which I think is great. Or, some of the shops might not be open period due to COVID. When you’re planning your shopping route, make sure you consult the websites of your favorite stores to see when they are open, if at all, so you don’t end up at a store that’s closed.

Don’t forget to look into the COVID precautions of where you’re going too. They might be limiting the amount of people allowed in the store and masks could be needed for entry. Pack a couple of extra masks with you and dress in warm layers in case you have to wait outside of the store until you can go in.

Sign Up For Rewards Programs:

So many different stores have rewards programs that you can sign up for to save money and this is something that you can usually do online. If the stores you’re going to offers a rewards program, it never hurts to sign up for it. Some stores might be offering special Black Friday deals specifically for those who are part of their rewards club. This might include early or prolonged access to Black Friday deals and an extra percentage off of your purchase.

Check Out Cyber Monday:

In many cases, you don’t have to step foot in a store to get great post Thanksgiving deals. Due to COVID, many retailers are probably going to be offering the same deals online as they are in store. If you prefer to stay home and aren’t seeing any sales online on Black Friday, hold off until Cyber Monday. Monday is, traditionally, the day when you can save a bundle with your online shopping so don’t fret if you aren’t seeing what you would like to buy on promotion immediately.

Don’t Forget Small Business Saturday:

It is always important to support your local businesses, especially now more than ever. Your favorite local boutiques, eateries, and storefronts are sure to be offering great deals on Small Business Saturday. This is an amazing way to pick out unique gifts for those on your shopping list (Or yourself!) and give back to the small business owners in your area.

Safety First:

We have already discussed looking into the COVID precautions for Black Friday and now we will be talking about a different kind of safety. No matter how good the deal, nothing is worth getting into a fight over! If this should happen to you, just let it go for your safety’s sake. And, please, if you see anyone hurt or who has fallen: HELP THEM.

Whether you’re shopping Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, or Cyber Monday, use the tips above for maximum efficiency and maximum savings!

Do you participate in any of the mentioned shopping days? What is the best deal you have gotten if so? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Creating A Perfect Nursery

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Creating A Perfect Nursery

Once you have a child, you will spend the rest of your life doing what is best for them. The home decor and layout is one area where this certainly rings true. This mindset will be present in virtually every part of the home, including the backyard. Thankfully, many of the rooms only need minor adjustments until your child is up on their feet. For now, though, the main goal is to master the nursery. Here are some simple steps to help you do it in style:

Build around the bed:

The clue is in the title, the bedroom is a room that is primarily a place to sleep. While your son or daughter will spend the first few months in your room, they will soon outgrow the Moses basket. Finding a suitable crib at Foryourlittleone establishes a solid platform to build upon. It is the most important item in the bedroom or nursery. When you get this aspect right, it should provide guidance for all other elements. A baby will spend anywhere up to fourteen hours of the day sleeping so you want their crib to be just right!

Get a nursing chair:

Whether it’s an armchair, a rocking chair, or a small sofa is up to you. One way or another, though, you will benefit from having a seat for the night feeds or when your child wakes up in the night. Moving your tot too far may increase their alertness and make it harder for them to drift back to sleep. So, it is a purchase that will deliver benefits for parents and children alike.

When the nursing chair aesthetically matches the cot or the other room surroundings, it becomes a big part of the decor. In later years, it can move to the office or living room.

nurse1

Pixabay Image

Focus on warmth:

Maintaining a comfortable atmosphere for your child is vital for promoting healthy sleep. Aside from checking your central heating, you will want to ensure that the flooring choices are suitable. Experts at a Carpetwarehouse can help you find the thick solution that will keep the warmth in while also boosting the looks. The right choice of window coverings should avoid unnecessary heat loss too.

Conversely, you’ll need to keep the room cool in the summer. A good aircon system should be supported by big windows and/or an uncluttered design.

Have space:

Uncluttered designs aren’t only useful for maintaining a good temperature. It also provides your child with a place to play. Even when introducing them to tummy time, enjoying these activities in the bedroom can boost their bond with it. As they get older, there needs to be enough room for playing with toys and games. Many parents are surprised by the amount of storage that’s required as their child reaches their toddler years. Planning ahead with shelving and storage solutions is highly advised.

Keep your newborn comfy as can be in their nursery with the tips above!

Featured Image By: Pixabay