Tag Archives: quarantine

Jun20

New LEGO Rolling Stones Mini Figs

Posted on June 20, 2020 by lifewithlilred

Hello! Quarantine has definitely gotten Johnny and I acquainted with our inner child and it has been all LEGO everything. From the competition show LEGO Masters to the Harry Potter set Johnny got me for my birthday, we have been hooked on creating and adding to our collection.

A while back ago, Johnny and I had the inspired idea to make Mini Figs of ourselves and stumbled upon a website called MiniFigs.Me. Sadly, we never made our own Minis of each other but I did end up getting him a little something special from the site as a late birthday gift. Behold, a custom set of his favorite band the Rolling Stones:

From making your own custom Mini Figs to purchasing sets of iconic musicians and characters, the MiniFigs.Me website has it all. Johnny has been enamored with the LEGO replica of the Rolling Stones for a long while and I was so happy to finally purchase it for him. I also love the stage he built – perfect for when they perform as the resident band of Hogwarts!

I am looking forward to getting many more Mini Figs from our newly discovered favorite site. I have my eyes on a little David Bowie and Johnny can’t stop talking about the characters from “The Nightman Cometh” from It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia. The Rolling Stones Mini Figs are just perfect and they were made and shipped so quickly. I probably got it a week after I ordered them and they came all the way from England.

Johnny and I can’t recommend MiniFigs.Me enough and I can’t wait to continue showing all of you our newest additions in our LEGO world. ❤

Who would you like to have a Mini Fig of? Do you have a favorite Mini Fig of your own? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jun16

Embracing Your Inner Gym Bunny

Posted on June 16, 2020 by lifewithlilred

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While in lockdown, you may have been hankering for your work out sessions at your fitness gym and you now have to make do with some at-home exercise. This will suffice for now, but what about when you can go back to the gym? Times will have changed, and there will be a new normal that you have to adjust to. You will have to remain socially distant, classes may only involve a handful of people, you may need to buy your own equipment, and hand sanitizer will become your best friend. Take a look at why you should *safely* embrace your inner gym bunny when lockdown ends:

The Range Of Exercise:

If you are used to doing twenty minutes on the cross trainer, a 5k run on the treadmill, and pumping some iron in the weights area, then an aerobics class as seen at YouTube.com at home simply isn’t going to cut it. Being able to work a wider range of muscle groups and having the equipment to tailor your workout so that it is bespoke to you is only available at a gym. While you might not be paying your full subscription fee each month at the moment, you will relish having the chance to when you can get back to a spin class and enjoy your HIIT workout once again.

While you are indoors a little more, take the chance to hone a new workout plan for when you do head back to the gym. If you are keen to lose the weight in your arms or you want to strengthen your core, construct a workout plan specifically for these areas using the many free guides available on the Internet.

Gear:

If you are looking to head back to the gym, make sure that you look the part. You want to be turning heads for all of the right reasons, so go to a site like curvesncombatboots.com and check out their achingly cool leggings and awesome tops so that you look amazing when you venture to do some exercise for the first time in ages. Pair your clothing with some new running shoes. While you might not fancy heading to the high street or the mall, there are plenty of online retailers with some excellent discounts at the moment. Take advantage of them while they are trying to encourage more shoppers back to their stores.

Classes:

While classes may be smaller, having an instructor in front of you yelling at you to go faster can actually be inspiring and make you work harder. Finding your mojo at home when watching a YouTube session or when trying to go for a jog outside can be tough. Sometimes, you need that expert to encourage you. Classes range from Zumba to box-fit and from spin to circuits. Each of these classes will help you to shift the pounds and tone up. You will also find that your dopamine levels increase negating the cortisone levels in your bloodstream. This can make you feel more positive, content, and happier in these uncertain times.

Venturing to the gym was something that we used to take for granted. Follow this guide, and enjoy embracing your inner gym bunny in the post-pandemic world.

Featured Image By: Pexels

Jun12

Looking After Your Physical Health In Lockdown

Posted on June 12, 2020 by lifewithlilred

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Looking After Your Physical Health In Lockdown

When practicing social distancing by staying at home, it can be difficult to keep your physical health in check. It’s no longer possible to go to the gym, run an organized race, or meet up with your sports team. And our normal food, sleep, and hygiene routines have gone out the window. Much has been said about how to look after your mental health in these stressful times, but your physical health is important too. We don’t know how long social distancing measures will be in place, so it is crucial that you stay on top of your fitness now and don’t wait until the lockdown is over.

If you are struggling to look after your health in lockdown, here are a few tips to help you:

Have a routine:

With your professional and social life on hold, all sense of routine has disappeared. You might feel there’s no need to establish a schedule for your days when you barely leave the house, but this may be more damaging to your health than you think. A lack of structure in your life can make you less motivated to look after yourself and promote bad habits regarding eating, sleeping, and exercise. Establish a framework to your days by getting up and going to sleep at regular times, and sticking to set meal times. Plan your days to fit in healthy activities and use the extra time productively.

Get enough sleep:

These are stressful times, and many people are struggling to sleep right now. The quantity and quality of sleep have a huge impact on your mental and physical health. If you don’t get enough, you may find yourself with weakened immunity, cognitive impairment, weight gain, and a higher risk of conditions such as heart disease and diabetes. Go to bed and wake up at regular times, and make an effort to reduce your exposure to phones and social media in the hours before bed, as these will only impact your sleep further.

Be active every day:

The lockdown has made it harder to motivate ourselves to exercise, but that doesn’t make it any less important. Thirty minutes of moderate-intensity exercise every day will make you stronger and fitter, as well as reducing your risk of almost any health condition, including cardiovascular problems, diabetes, and cancers. Not to mention the mental health benefits. It doesn’t matter whether it’s a brisk walk or an online fitness class or a yoga session, schedule in some activity every day, and you will soon feel the benefits.

Eat well:

When you’re always within a stone’s throw of your kitchen, it can be hard to eat right all the time. Although comfort food can be beneficial now and then, you need to maintain a balanced diet if you want to avoid health problems. Avoid the temptation to order takeout and start preparing yourself nutritious meals with plenty of fruit and vegetables. Stay hydrated by drinking lots of water, and take care to reduce your alcohol and caffeine intake.

As well as taking these steps to maintain your physical health, it is also crucial that you deal with any new or existing health conditions promptly. You can talk to a doctor online about any medical concerns, so you don’t even have to leave the house. Stay well!

Featured Image By: Pixabay

Jun12

My First LEGO Set!

Posted on June 12, 2020 by lifewithlilred

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Hello!! One of my favorite shows that Johnny and I have watched while in quarantine is LEGO Masters. I had never played with LEGO in my youth and Johnny was all about it and he still is. Watching the friendly competition show definitely spiked my interest and Johnny and I resolved to build a LEGO set together… Which he gifted me with for my 26th birthday! Check out my Harry Potter themed masterpiece:

From the rubble of LEGO bricks scattered all over my coffee table, a replica of Hogwarts Castle during the Yule Bar arose within one evening at chez moi. Johnny and I cleared the clutter, improved the lighting situation with a standing lamp from the bedroom, and began to build along with the assembly instructions. And, I have to say, the first brick was so satisfying!

Very early on in our build, Johnny and I found that with my talon nails, assembling the smaller LEGO pieces was damn near impossible. So, I handled the big pieces while Johnny focused on the details and it made for a perfect pairing. It was so amazing to see our hard work take shape as the castle came alive with such iconic parts of Harry Potter And The Goblet Of Fire.

A Christmas time ball at Hogwarts does, indeed, sound magical and I think that added to the joyous atmosphere of the entire evening. Johnny and I worked together and made something awesome and it was hands down the best quarantine date night we’ve had. We are looking forward to continuing to extend Hogwarts and plan on getting more sets to add on soon. Keep it posted!

What was your favorite childhood toy? Have you built anything cool with LEGO recently? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jun3

Caring For Your Senior Loved Ones During Lock Down

Posted on June 3, 2020 by lifewithlilred

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Caring For Your Senior Loved Ones During Lock Down

Lock down has been tough for many of us. As the days and weeks roll on, life has become rather mundane, and in some ways, quite stressful too. Not only do we need to find new things to do with our time (after binge-watching the entirety of Netflix), but we have had to cope with the mental effects of lock down too.

Times are hard indeed, but if they are hard for us, they will be especially difficult for our senior loved ones. If they are living independently, they might well be suffering from the effects of loneliness and stress themselves. So, consider what you might do to care for your aging parents or your grandparents. Here are a few suggestions:

Ensure they have health support:

If they need support with any health-related issues, now is the time to make sure your senior loved ones have everything they need. It might be that you need to collect any prescriptions for them or you might need to contact their doctor to refill them. Specialist home care services, such as those provided by Serenity Home Health, can offer support to the elderly, so get in touch if your loved one hasn’t yet accessed such support. And speak to your loved one’s neighbors, and ask those that can be trusted to keep a socially distanced eye on your family member.

Stay in touch:

If your senior loved one is living alone, you should make an extra effort to get in touch with them. A daily phone call might make their day, although you could also use Skype, Zoom, or social media to stay in touch with them too. And when you talk to them, be reassuring. The last thing they might need is your stressed-out tones if you’re worrying about lock down, as they might have similar worries themselves. Instead, be encouraging and reassuring, and do nothing to exacerbate their fears. Let them talk to your kids, share stories that will make them smile, and answer any questions they might have if they do share any concerns with you.

Offer practical support:

We have already suggested picking up their medications, but there are other ways to offer practical support too. You might arrange food deliveries for them, for example, or you could take food parcels to them. Maybe you can help them stay on top of their garden and you could drop off books, DVDs, knitting supplies, and anything else that will give them something to do while they’re restricted at home.

If you aren’t in a position to offer practical support hands on, there are still other options. Sarah Care, for example, or Care.com can be most helpful in finding you a helper. You might also want to consider chelseaseniorliving.com/locations/new-jersey/sparta/ if your loved one has more critical needs that can’t be met through drop ins.

Share ideas with them:

If your senior loved ones are unable to exercise outside, share these 10-minute chair exercise ideas with them. If they are experiencing anxiety, research breathing exercises, and go through them with your loved ones on the phone. And if they have any other needs that could be met through your research, do what you can, and provide them with the solutions to the problems they are facing.

Your extra care to your elder family members is just what they need right now. Use our suggestions and research other ideas online to meet their particular needs during this crazy time.

Featured Image By: Pixabay

May31

Fine Dining At Home: Soup & Sandwich Combo

Posted on May 31, 2020 by lifewithlilred

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Fine Dining At Home: Soup & Sandwich Combo

Helloooo! One of my most favorite foods in the whole world is SOUP. I friggen LOVE it and find myself craving a huge bowl of French Onion even during the hot summer months. Weird? Maybe. Delicious? Always. While in quarantine, I have become increasingly fond of the soup and sandwich combo for lunches at home on the weekend.

Although, nothing beats my mom’s homemade soups, I have had pretty good luck finding vegetarian friendly canned soup at the grocery store. Normally, I’ll heat up whichever soup I feel like on the stove top (I’m partial to Progresso’s Butternut Squash) and make a grilled cheese or bagel sandwich to go with it.

I am a huge fan of Everything bagels and recently went with the following for an easy and filling lunch:

The Amy’s Southwestern Vegetable was definitely not as good as their Black Bean soup but it was alright. Although, I can’t say I would want to get it again. Meanwhile, on my sandwiches, I love to have a leafy green on it like spinach, lettuce, or sprouts. Then, to break up the dryness of the bagel, I apply hummus and a spicy mustard for that extra special little kick. 😉

We are in a very weird time right now and, purchasing food that you can stretch out will really help you limit your visits to the grocery store. The beauty of the bagel sandwich? You could get yourself the ingredients for about ten bucks and it would provide you with lunches for an entire week!

I have grown very fond of packing myself a bagel sandwich for my longer days at work and it always nips the hunger pains right in the bud. It has been a solid month since I have gone grocery shopping for myself and my boyfriend so, hopefully, this fondness will continue as I eat my way through this bag of bagels. 😅

What is your favorite kind of soup? What is a food that you can eat any time no matter the weather? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

May30

Fine Dining At Home: So Much Spaghetti Edition

Posted on May 30, 2020 by lifewithlilred

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Fine Dining At Home: So Much Spaghetti Edition

Hello! My method of grocery shopping has always been to just do one big monthly haul and be set for the next four to five weeks. This technique has proved especially beneficial while in quarantine because it minimized the amount of times that Johnny and I have been in a grocery store exponentially. But, once we get to the point of needing another trip to the store, it is super slim pickings in our kitchen. And, in those trying times of feeling like I have “nothing” to eat at home, I say a special little thank you to the spaghetti and noodle family.

Johnny and I will make a pot of spaghetti with garlic bread once or twice a month. It is never not delicious and it also gives us a lot of leftovers, which is always nice. And, it’s also nice to share a bottle of wine with your Italian dinner! My pantry has a ton of spaghetti staples to help complete the meal and I love trying out different sauces when I go to the store. We currently are working with the following in our pantry:

Spaghetti has been a Mushenheim family go to meal for as long as I can remember and it has forever been one of my favorites. I never say no to Alfredo, pesto, or tomato sauces and tend to have at least one of each kind at the ready in my cabinets. There is nothing better than plain old spaghetti with sauce but the best part of the noodle family is all of the delicious pasta salads that you can make!

When I have fresh veggies at home, I love to chop up a selection of colored bell peppers, zucchini, onions, and garlic to saute over the pasta. Then, I add fresh mozzarella and balsamic vinegar for a tasty summer salad that I enjoy throughout the year. 😉 Don’t forget the garlic bread, bread sticks, focaccia bread, or baguettes. And only the finest Barefoot Peach Fruitscato wine (which is my obsession right now) for a delicious, easy meal.

What are some of your favorite simple dinners to make? Which meals can you make stretch for infinite leftovers? (Mine is baked ziti!) I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

May28

3 Ways To Keep Busy During Lock Down

Posted on May 28, 2020 by lifewithlilred

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As the days in lock down turn into weeks and the weeks roll into months, it can become increasingly difficult to know what else to do with all of this extra time on your hands. Well, most people always wished they had more time and now that it has come, we should put it to good use. Whether it’s spending more time with the children or learning something new, it’s safe to say that this opportunity will probably never become available again. Without a firm quarantine end date in sight, check out this list of three ways to keep busy during the lock down:

Learn a New Language:

The benefits of learning a new language go beyond being able to order food while on holiday. It also comes with both personal and professional advantages. On the personal side, it strengthens your IQ, and it is also a great workout for your brain. These cognitive benefits help to ward off dementia and enable you to be more decisive and focused on the task at hand. Did you know that learning a new language also sharpens your sensory perceptions in terms of touch, hearing, sight, speech, and movement? Not many other hobbies can attest to this claim.

On the professional side of things, having bilingual skills greatly opens up your job prospects and makes you more attractive to employers. For companies, it allows for a greater ability to reach new customers in new markets worldwide. Learning a foreign language also sharpens your communication skills making you a more rounded employee.

Take Up a New Hobby:

With most people working around the clock in today’s modern societies, not much time is left for extra-curricular activities and hobbies. Yet the advantages of having hobbies are priceless. For one thing, it keeps you present in that moment. A lot of time is spent regretting the past or planning for the future that most people never truly live in the ‘now’. Hobbies can be used for stress relief as it diverts your attention to something that creates pleasure. Hobbies help you connect with people or groups with similar interests. This encourages feelings of inclusion, support, and community, which is great for your mental health.

There are many hobbies that you can consider taking up, including writing, photography, cooking, and gardening. If you think that you have green fingers, why not get out of the house and into your backyard and try to grow something a bit different than the standard household vegetables. As summer is on the way, try growing some pineberries (white strawberries) or some achocha pods. If you’re really adventurous, you could look up how to grow a luffa gourd, then have the added benefits of organic sponges for your bath or kitchen. No matter what hobby you choose to take on, it will certainly help you while away the extra time on your hands.

Give gardening a go!

Catch Up on Family Time:

Spending more time with your family can be done in multiple ways thanks to the technological advances in video calling. If you don’t have immediate family around you, then you could link up with them via Zoom, WhatsApp, and many more similar programs. Family time is probably the most important use of our time, yet hardly any time is committed to it. Why not jump in and play some fun games online with your kids or video call your aunt or grandparents – you’ll certainly be glad you did!

Dedicating your time to worthwhile hobbies will make your quarantine much more enjoyable. Choose something you’re interested in and watch a day go by as you immerse yourself in something new!

Featured Image By: Pexels

May27

Tips On How People Can Protect Their Health During COVID-19

Posted on May 27, 2020 by lifewithlilred

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Tips On How People Can Protect Their Health During COVID-19

The coronavirus has changed life as we know it with a number of people terrified to go back to work or school. Protecting your individual health is essential in keeping your family and those you come into contact with virus-free. There is a myriad of guidelines that have been set out by the CDC along with other medical experts. Below are tips to protect your health during this global pandemic:

Avoid Those Throwing Social Distancing to the Wind:

There are those that are practicing social distancing but still seeing members of their family. Avoiding these people is not essential, for the most part, although it might still be wise. The people that are constantly on social media at some sort of large gathering weekend after weekend should be cut out of your social life for the time being. Footage has been taken around the country of celebrations of the end of lock down with huge gatherings. The last thing anyone wants is a few more months of lock down so be smart in your decisions.

Understand How Your School or Workplace is Preventing the Spread:

The tough choice of going back to school on campus is a reality for many students at this current juncture. Looking into the preventative measures taken to reduce the chances for the virus spreading is crucial. Coronavirus cleaning for schools is available, which is something a school will publicize if they have invested in it. Lack of restrictions or dedication to distancing might make the decision for you with you opting for online classes.

The workplace is far more complicated, as you might not have a roof over your head if you do not go into work. The chance to work remotely is available for some people but it is not an option for all. Wearing a mask can be done if you have to deal with people face to face or work in a tight office environment. You also might want to introduce your employer to Unigloves so that he or she can stock up on the best disposable gloves for your work setting. The decision to go into work is one that will have to be made at one point or another. Make the decision when you are comfortable doing so, as many employers are being flexible in this uncertain time.

Cleaning and Disinfecting Your Home:

Doing a deep cleaning and disinfecting of your home weekly during this time is important. You have extra time to clean so use it to make sure the virus cannot spread. You do not want to get sick so a dedication to making sure hands are washed and areas like railings are disinfected is important. Most of the time a person’s home could use a little extra cleaning especially in tough to reach areas, anyways!

The importance of being proactive when it comes to washing your hands and practicing social distancing cannot be stressed enough. Wearing a mask is not required in many areas but it should be done just in case. The last thing you want is to contract the virus only to pass it to a family member that is elderly or has health complications. Once you get into the right routine this will become second-nature until things go back to normal.

May27

The Strange Effects Of Social Distancing On Your Emotions

Posted on May 27, 2020 by lifewithlilred

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The Strange Effects Of Social Distancing On Your Emotions

When the government announced that it wanted people to stay in their houses and not leave for a few months, most agreed with the idea. A dangerous virus was on the loose, and that seemed like an excellent way to stop it from spreading.

A lot of scientists, however, warned that social distancing would have knock-on effects on people’s mental health and should be kept to a minimum. The government couldn’t just bar citizens from going around to each other’s houses until 2021. The consequences for human health and happiness would be just too high.

For many of us, social distancing has had a profound effect on our emotions. It is a strange experience staying indoors every day, only able to communicate with friends and family via text. If you feel a little odd, you’re not alone. Science actually has quite a bit to say about how isolation affects your well being and why it is vital for all of us to get on with our regular social lives when it’s safe to do so.

Higher Levels Of Insomnia:

The scientific research on the effects of social distancing is relatively limited, owing to the fact that there have been so few pandemics to study over the last 100 years. Even so, there is evidence from the 2014 Ebola outbreak that social distancing can exacerbate insomnia and lead to bad dreams.

Being away from other people appears to affect the way that our unconscious works. When we’re surrounded by people we love, we feel safe and can fall asleep quickly, no matter how busy our lives are. But when we are on our own, our brains sense danger, it can become more challenging to brush off.

The pandemic is also an intrinsically dangerous thing – and our minds aren’t ignorant of that. This phenomenon is leading to more extreme dreams and less restfulness while asleep – again impacting our ability to recover.

Loss Of Ability To Socialize:

You’ve heard the expression, “use it or lose it.” Well, it appears that that might be a real thing when it comes to socializing. People who spend a considerable amount of time by themselves might lose necessary social skills once they finally come out of isolation.

Fortunately, we live in a world full of unprecedented communication technologies. In the past, social isolation meant spending week after week by yourself without interacting with people. But now, you can text whoever you like, whenever you want, and immediately get that social interaction you crave.

Disease mitigation technology is also progressing leaps and bounds, according to COVID Guard. If you visit their site, you’ll see how face mask technology is advancing as entrepreneurs get to grips with mitigating the disease.

The psychological fallout from COVID-19 still isn’t clear, but there are good reasons to feel optimistic. Many people hunkering down together feel a sense of solidarity and strength in their efforts to help their communities. People are developing new cultures, methods of dating, and getting more exercise. Positive lifestyle changes are coming out of this phenomenon if you know where to look!

Featured Image By: Pixabay

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