Jul6

Slim Chillers Frozen Martinis Review

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Slim Chillers Frozen Martinis Review

Hi! I am constantly seeing Facebook posts filled with recipes for frozen boozy drinks that I will literally never make no matter how delicious they look. Mainly, because lazy. Lol! So, needless to say, I was very excited to find some martini freezer pops when I was out and about. All I needed to do once I was home was stick them in the freezer and wait for a frozen drink of my own – no blender required! Check it out:

freeze1

I paid twenty dollars for a pack of eight Slim Chillers, which included two of each flavor: Appletini, Watermelon Lemonade, Lemon Drop, and a Cosmopolitan. The first flavor I tried after I got home from work was the Watermelon Lemonade and, I’m not going to lie, it was absolutely disgusting. The freezing process somehow managed to get all of the vodka on top and the flavor at the bottom. This resulted in a solid block of liquor to munch on and syrup that was wayyy too sweet pooling at the bottom. Yuck.

I was feeling less than impressed with my purchase after the first freezer pop, which I didn’t even finish. But, I figured you can’t go wrong with a Lemon Drop and that one was perfect. So was the Appletini! Lil Red loves sweet/tart drinks and both freezer pops tasted like a classic Lemon Drop and Appletini – not like liquor and snow cone syrup. 😀

The jury is still out on the Cosmo, as I have yet to try it. In fact, I’ve never tried a Cosmo in my life so we’ll see what happens. Fingers crossed it’s just as good as my two favorites and, if not, Johnny can drink those! :*)

What is your favorite treat to cool down with? How about your favorite kind of martini? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jul5

Summer Spaghetti Recipe

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Summer Spaghetti Recipe

Hello! On our last day of staycation in Lexington, Kentucky we had a great big cookout. My sister’s boyfriend, Ramon, was the grill master for all of the guys and I was in charge of the vegetarian dish for the ladies: Spaghetti. At first, I was fine with just heating up some sauce and calling it a day. However, Ramon was creating grill magic and I wasn’t going to be caught dead just serving spaghetti with red sauce!

So, I got to work. And, I must say, thanks to the friendly competition, I think I created a masterpiece that I would definitely serve for myself and Johnny again. My entire family loved it and I think all of you will, too! Check it out:

Ingredients:

  • 1 box spaghetti
  • 7 cloves garlic
  • 1 eggplant
  • 2 medium zucchinis
  • 1/2 of a large, red onion
  • 2 lemons
  • Butter
  • Olive oil
  • Red wine vinegar
  • Salt, pepper, parsley, oregano

Directions:

We all know how to make spaghetti so we are going to talk about the saute I made to put on top of it. I wanted the dish to be really light so I didn’t want to go with a heavy sauce. So, I created a dressing in the vegetable saute by doing the following:

  1. In your frying pan, add butter and olive oil and season it with the herbs of your choosing. I kept it light with salt, pepper, parsley, and oregano.
  2. Once your mixture is all melted, add the vegetables. Then, squeeze the juice from one full lemon over top. If the mixture still looks dry like mine did, add more butter and olive oil. To top it off, add five to six splashes of red wine vinegar and continue seasoning to your heart’s content.

By now, your vegetables should be frying away in its own sauce, which is going to make them literally burst with flavor. I kept mine cooking on a medium to high heat until the last five minutes or so when I brought it down to a simmer. I wanted to make sure they were all thoroughly cooked but I also didn’t want them to shrink away into nothing!

3. Once your pasta is cooked, simply add your saute to it and mix it well. Then, you’re going to take the juice from another full lemon to add in as well as any additional seasoning to taste.

The end result? A light, lemony pasta dish that is amazing on its own or, according to the meat eaters in my family, fabulous with chicken over top. I would have snapped some pictures of my creation but, by the time I thought to do it, the pasta was long gone. Lol, WHOOPS. 😀

My entire family agreed that another cookout needs to happen this summer and, this time, Ramon and I agreed that he will make the chicken and I will make the pasta again because it was such a hit. Bon appetit! ❤

How do you like to get creative in the kitchen? Have you had any cooking success or failures lately? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jul4

A Friendly Reminder!

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A Friendly Reminder!

Hey everyone!! I recently went on a getaway staycation with my family in Lexington, Kentucky and, although the trip really just consisted of chilling, it was the most fun I’ve had in ages. I wanted to remind everyone that you can still have a great time despite taking extra precautions like face masks and social distancing. Especially since I can imagine we are all going a bit stir crazy right now!

During our trip, all of us stuck with what we were comfortable doing. If that was wearing a mask and going out, fine. If it was just hanging out at home in the air conditioning, that was okay too. It’s easy to feel trapped in this situation, which is why going out of state for a while felt like the perfect solution… Even if it was just to sit in a different living room and watch TV. 😀

Feeling stressed amidst the coronavirus pandemic? Try planning a small, safe getaway. Stay in a hotel for a night or rent a cabin in the middle of nowhere! Sometimes the best thing you can do is get out of the house or apartment you’ve been stuck in and experience a change of scenery. Keep your safety standards high and I promise you, it will make you feel like a brand new person. I know I do!

Are you planning a safe getaway any time soon? How do you destress during the coronavirus pandemic? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jul3

Family Staycation

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Family Staycation

Helloooo! This past week, Johnny and I drove to Lexington, Kentucky for a Mushenheim family vacation. I had been looking forward to this trip for a long time and it certainly did not disappoint. Now, normally, you guys are used to hearing about a traditional Mushenheim family vaca with jam packed activities and amazing restaurants every day. However, we are in a very nontraditional time right now and precautions were taken to keep everyone safe during our trip.

We honestly didn’t do too much. We had some great carry out meals and visited a gorgeous horse farm where social distancing was easy. Everyone also came prepared with face masks and hand sanitizer for grocery store errands or an activity. Despite this being the most lax family vaca ever, it was AWESOME!

For four days, Johnny and I got to stay in a lovely house with central air and not a care in the world. But wait! It keeps getting better becauuuuse… For the first time in a very long time, my entire family was all together. We had four whole days of quality time with my parents, siblings, their partners, and our little niece and nephew.

Getting to Lexington was a five hour drive – a perfect amount for a getaway staycation. I so enjoyed the time shared with everyone and I know my parents were both happy as a clam the whole trip. It’s not every day all of their adult children, grandchildren, and children-in-laws can be together, after all! ❤

What is your dream vacation? What is your favorite thing about your own location? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jul2

Simple Improvements To Secure Your Home

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Simple Improvements To Secure Your Home

It is important that you feel safe and secure in your home. After all, a quiet evening on the couch after a long days work is what most of us crave! Feeling safer can be done with the following super easy steps:

Close Those Windows:

The very first thing that we are going to suggest is that you close all the windows in your home when you aren’t in. Even when you are, it is safer for you to leave them on the latch, and never leave them open at night time. If you live in an area that is known for having a high crime rate, then you want to make sure you are locking them too. We know it can feel like a pain to have to go around locking and unlocking the windows all the time, but you can’t really put a price on safety.

So, make sure that your windows are not left open at night time or through any period that you are not in the home. People who are looking to break in don’t typically want to enter a home when there are still people inside, so as long as it is obvious you are home, you should be okay.

Get Your Doors Checked:

You also need to look into getting all of the doors in your home checked. Now, this includes your garage door, so if you are at all worried about this, then you need to visit the better built door website where you will find a service that can help you with the garage door in particular. You want to ensure that all doors close properly, all of them lock, and a slight gust of wind isn’t going to blow them open. You don’t want to be in a vulnerable home and doors that don’t shut or lock make yours vulnerable.

Install A Security System:

Finally, you’re going to want to install a security system. There are so many different types on the market that you aren’t going to be limited in what you want. For example, you might want one that sets off a loud alarm to let the intruder know what they have done in the hopes that this will make them turn and back away. Or, you might want one that activates a silent alarm, sends a notification to your phone and the police so that they have a higher chance of getting caught by the authorities. It’s up to you, but a security system is definitely one of the best ways to keep your home feel secure.

We hope that you have found this article helpful, and now know what some of the simple improvements are that you need to do in order to secure your home. Good luck, and ensure everything is done to the highest possible standard.

Featured Image By: Pexels

Jul2

6 Things To Consider Before Homeschooling Your Children

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6 Things To Consider Before Homeschooling Your Children

If you’re thinking of homeschooling your children but you don’t know where to begin, then don’t worry: you have definitely come to the right place. Whether you’re looking to start homeschooling them as soon as they’re old enough or you want to homeschool them from a specific age, you need to be sure you’re making the right choice. Luckily, there are lots of questions you can ask yourself to ensure you’re doing exactly that. From dedicating ample time to them and keeping them motivated, the more questions you’re asking the better. With that in mind, here are six things to consider before homeschooling your kids:

Do you have enough time to dedicate to them?

One of the first things you need to consider is whether or not you have enough time to dedicate to homeschooling, as this is how they are going to get the best education they can get. Whether this means finding a job that works around school hours or creating a schedule that works for everyone, you need to be sure you can dedicate as much time as you possibly can. For a guide to creating a family schedule, you can visit this site here.

Do you have the financial means?

Homeschooling your children often means forgoing your full time work schedule and seeking part time work or odd jobs. This could cause financial strain on your family and might not be the best option for you at the time. That doesn’t mean that it won’t be achievable later, though. If you are working out the finances for homeschooling, you still will want your child to have the best education in the meantime. This is especially true if you would like your child to learn a new language. If this is the case for you, you might want to look into programs like Singapore Primary School Chinese Tuition (or something similar in your local area for the preferred language) to start your child on the right foot. When homeschooling is possible, your child will already have a great educational foundation.

Do you have all necessary supplies?

Another important thing you need to consider is whether or not you need to buy any supplies before you get started. From notebooks to colored pens, you need to be sure you have everything you need. For a list of things to buy before starting homeschooling, you can visit this site here.

Cambridge Homeschool

How will you create lessons?

Once you have worked out a schedule and you’ve stocked up on all of the essentials, you need to think about lesson plans. Whether you’re using state-mandated lesson plans or following something similar, it’s important that you know exactly what you’re going to be covering. If you’re looking for example lesson plans, you can find them here.

How will you keep your kids motivated?

One of the hardest things about homeschooling is keeping your children motivated, especially if they have lots of distractions at home. Whether you’re setting up a rewards system or giving them some new responsibilities, there are lots of different ways to help keep them motivated and on task.

Will you need extra help?

Finally, you need to think about whether or not you need any extra help. Whether that means hiring a nanny or working with an online tutor, you need to be sure you have all of the support you need. In some cases, you may be able to hire a student-teacher to help you once or twice a week.

With lots of important things to consider before homeschooling your children, you have to be sure you’re as prepared as you can possibly be. Use the tips above to help get yourself started!

Featured Image By: Esi Grünhagen from Pixabay

Jul2

New Yellow & Teal Nails

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New Yellow & Teal Nails

Hello! Before I went on a staycation with my family in Lexington, Kentucky, I treated myself to an evening at Elysian Nails. I figured that I had to get my nails looking right after getting such a funky new hair cut and color! My half blonde hair has inspired an adoration of all things yellow and I just had to reflect that on my new nails with this beachy cool color combo:

Nothing screams summer fun more than a bright, poppy burst of in your face yellow. I am absolutely obsessed with this sand and surf palette and, while there are no beaches in Ohio (Lake Erie doesn’t count, people!), it takes me to a happy, tropical place with every passing glance. Summer is the perfect time to experiment with bold and flashy colors and I think that the best place to start is with your nails!

Going to my monthly appointment at Elysian Nails is something that I always look forward to but this fill was an extra special treat. I never mind which member of the Elysian team does my nails because they are all fabulous but the tech who did this fill named Shelly is out of this world.

Miss girl had my acrylics shortened, shaped, sharpened, and painted in under a half hour, easily. It worked out better than I could have imagined because this super speedy appointment left me with ample time to do vacation preparation once I returned home. Bonus!

Thank you to Elysian Nails for all of the extra precautions that they are taking to keep everyone safe. And, special thanks to Shelly for some much needed pampering after a LONG ASS WEEK! ❤

What color of nail polish do you have on? What is your favorite color? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jul1

Redefining How You Perceive Yourself In Daily Life

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Redefining How You Perceive Yourself In Daily Life

Self-image can seem like a tertiary consideration to reflect upon, but it actually defines much of how we view the world, and how we relate to other people. For instance, if you hold very little self-confidence, everyone can seem impressive and, sometimes, others can take advantage of you more easily. If you are thoroughly narcissistic and egocentric, odds are you’ll have trouble really connecting with anyone or forming trusting relationships.

Of course, it’s rare that we are either one or the other. Personalities are complex, to the point where even the best behavioral scientists, psychologists, and neurologists haven’t and likely will never fully map out how our ‘souls’ can express themselves. But that doesn’t mean you can’t commit to personal changes that make the most sense.

Redefining how your perceive yourself in everyday life can seem like an intense challenge and reflective habit, something that we might not be very comfortable with. Yet taking small changes for the better and doing so with a sense of grace and consideration can lead to big, positive changes. For instance, what if instead of telling yourself that you’re not skilled enough, you simply thought ‘I can give this a go?’ Odds are, you’d benefit dramatically over the years.

Now, try the following to help keep the positivity flowing in your life:

Daily Affirmations:

Daily affirmations needn’t share voodoo, spiritual, or otherwise ethereal beliefs. Simply looking in the mirror and telling yourself you are powerful and are about to enjoy a great day can be enough. Telling yourself you look great in the mirror and pointing your finger-guns to confirm it can be enough. How we speak to ourselves matters, because ultimately you will begin to believe the narratives you tell yourself. If you wouldn’t allow a friend to speak to you that way, why allow yourself?

Working Towards Improvement:

Confidence can also come from working to improve yourself. For instance, if you’re obese, does that really matter if you’re now eating right and working out as you can? Obesity is just a present state, sooner rather than later you’ll be amazed at the progress you’re making. This can help you avoid feeling completely stuck in the situation you are in now. No matter what the improvement is, from taking care of your skin to losing weight or simply feeling more body-confident with well-fitting clothes, you have a sense of progression and something to be really proud of. For some, this might be emphasized with a new tattoo or a visit to SOMA surgery center for further work. This can help you feel positive about your self-image to an untold degree.

Comparing Yourself To Yesterday:

Comparing yourself to yesterday is much better than comparing yourself to someone else’s stature today. If you’re stronger and more pensive than you were last week, that’s good news. If you feel happier in that you’ve managed to achieve a life milestone, be that a promotion or starting a new relationship, it doesn’t matter that someone ten years younger than you is advising the United Nations. What matters is your own progress. Remember, you’re lapping everyone stuck on the couch!

With this advice, we hope you can incrementally redefine how you perceive yourself in daily life – all for the better.

Featured Image By: Pexels

Jul1

Unlocking Your Health Through Vital, Practical Means

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Unlocking Your Health Through Vital, Practical Means

When it comes to optimizing and even unlocking our best health, it can be hard to know where to begin. Sometimes, it can seem most evident in the mini-decisions we make each day. Choosing to walk up the stairs at work rather than take the elevator, for instance, can burn off a few calories and get our heart pumping in a way it might not have otherwise. Adding this up over the course of very many months, and you might be better off for it.

Yet it can be hard to measure small efforts like this, despite how worthwhile they are. When it comes to true health improvement we want to know that it’s having an effect and we want to feel the difference in advance. So, how can we do this? Furthermore, how can we be sure the pursuit we’re taking on that journey is practical, backed by the science, and also something we can sustainably commit to?

Of course, no health advice column will help you perfect your particular needs, but you can be nudged in the right direction. As always, be sure to speak to your doctor regarding any changes you make to your lifestyle, first.

Posture & Physical Care:

Your posture is important to consider, because it can mean plenty for your digestive system, how comfortable you feel during the day, and your core strength. Of course, physical care cannot be forced, sometimes you’re lacking in flexibility or sometimes you need OPA orthopedic care to help better manage your physical limits as you grow in potential. When you can better manage your body’s strength and flexibility, you will enjoy a marked increase in your health.

Reducing & Addressing Stress:

Stress can be a big problem. It can cause neurodegeneration, impact your sleep, and even affect your appetite. From taking walks in nature and reading to meditating and exercising regularly, you can manage and directly address your stress levels. If you live a relatively high-impact life with intense workloads, this can be a fantastic new set of schedule assertions to make. Stress, if managed, can be felt and then easily expressed rather than being bottled up and causing you untold physical and mental health damage.

Diet Is Everything:

You’d be surprised how much your diet can impact your life. From how it influences your gut flora to your skin condition and how well you sleep at night, a good diet can improve your life in almost every way. Calculating your macros with an app and scanning the foods you eat can be a worthwhile approach to take and you might find that good supplementation is key. Many people are vitamin D deficient, for instance, and so understanding what this means and how to remedy it can help you unlock the doors of your health and push them open just a little wider.

With these starter ideas, we hope you can further unlock your health via vital, practical, and sustainable means.

Featured Image By: Pexels

Jul1

Peachy Clean

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Peachy Clean

Hello! These past few months of quarantine due to the coronavirus have been fairly stressful for yours truly. As an “essential” employee, I have been working this entire time and it can be a lot, especially when my clients don’t fully understand the extent of what’s going on. On the other hand, my boyfriend has been on furlough since late March and will be returning to work in early July.

There have been days when it feels nearly impossible to get myself ready for work when I know that Johnny is home. But, he has seriously been so amazing throughout this whole thing and I can’t imagine being confined to the apartment all day every day. We both have very different situations and are handling it the best way we know how. But, at this point, we kind of have it down to a science.

While I am at work, Johnny has been doing all of the household chores like the dishes, taking out the trash, and clearing out the clutter. And, on Wednesday evenings and Sunday, I take over the cleaning for the day. This past week, I had a particularly difficult time and Johnny texted me to let me know that I should look in the bathroom for a surprise when I got home.

Naturally, we had to have our immature exchange about a toilet catastrophe and when I was reassured it wasn’t that, I spent all day being curious about what was awaiting me in the throne room. As soon as I get home, I ran into the LOO and saw:

59B98D84-C7F2-4BCE-9869-63830D0FC19B

A CLEAN SINK! I have been going on about how I need to clean the bathroom for the past few weeks and have just been too drained to do so. Johnny then took it upon himself to take care of it for me. Is it clean enough to eat out of? No. But it is way better than before and I couldn’t think of a better bathroom surprise if I tried! 😀 ❤

How does your significant other like to surprise you? How do you two divide up the household chores? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah