Christmas break may or may not be extended beyond the original date in the first part of January like planned, so some WFH Parenting Hacks with MathGames.com is high on my priority list, and maybe yours too!
As we navigate the New Year, and a hope of returning to something somewhat normal, we may see a few things from 2020 still lingering, especially if you have kiddos and school aged children. Daycare and school may be still forced to close, and I know for one, the board games and screen time probably aren’t going to help anyone. And those toys from Christmas will most likely wear out faster than years past.
Listen, we can only expect the kids to entertain themselves for so long, and hope it’s long enough to get our work done ourselves. Especially if we are working from home and trying to take conference calls in a makeshift home office.
Here are a few tips to help mix things up, and help with ensuring your kids don’t drive you straight crazy even with all the magical energy that is the holiday season!
WFH Parenting Hacks
Make Screen Time Educational: As children attempt distance learning, one subject they might be struggling with is math. MathGames.com has a collection of games and apps that connects math and fun and makes it easy for kids to learn! Created for ages pre-k to 9th grade, Math Games has over 1,200 tutorials created by 20+ teachers, to help kids with their at-home learning.
Find a new online game: Instead of watching TV, introduce your kids to online games that will challenge them mentally and keep them entertained. Puzzle games like Candy Connect or Hex Puzzle from Addicting Games will keep your children busy for hours, for FREE.
Limit Screen Time with Worksheets: Give your kids a break from screens and print out FREE, educational worksheets from Math Games. This is the perfect way to give your kids the extra opportunity to practice skills taught in the classroom.
Play Games together!: As we continue to social-distance, multiplayer games are a great way to stay connected with friends virtually. Little Big Snake is the ultimate slither style game. In this game, you start off as a small, wormy looking serpent that has to eat, smash, and slither its way up the food chain. The jungle is an arena and you’ll be pitted against other players who are hungry for the same evolution as you. If you want to win you’ll have to be sneaky!
Plan Breaks with your Kids: It’s always important to get some fresh air and at least twenty minutes of sunshine! Take your lunch outside and have a fun picnic or go on a brisk walk around the neighborhood. This will provide a reset mentally and the physical activity will give you and your kids energy to power through the rest of the day!
Even with all the changes and having one home parent of both working parents, it’s really important to have quiet time especially when we are overstimulated. When everyone has a bit of quiet time, we are able to come back refreshed and recharged able to take on the rest of the day. Sometimes it’s due to not having enough sleep while others it’s due to being cooped up and restless. Don’t forget, we are all experiencing things differently, all navigating these times at different ages with different understandings. Take it easy and remember we all process things differently and some of us might need one parent more than the working parent at different times of the day/week. Take everything in stride and one day at a time to help get through these times.
I know for us, these few tips have been super helpful, even with school in session and especially now that school is out, and they are home while my hubby and I both are trying to do work. And trying to keep the mom guilt at bay while still getting things done, is always an up hill battle. May your new year be one filled with ease and joy no matter what is thrown your way!
When it comes to awe-inspiring desert scenery, Arizona pretty much takes the cake.
Boasting some of the most iconic national parks in the country, six national forests, and a whopping thirty one state parks, it makes perfect sense if you’re feeling a bit defeated while plotting your Arizona itinerary. Seriously – How do you even choose where to go in a state that is pretty much a mecca for unparalleled views?
From iconic landmarks to hidden gems that come in all shades of colors, these are the 7 destinations in Arizona you need to put on your travel bucket list. Not only will visiting these places give you a pretty well-rounded glimpse into the best this magical state has to offer, but they will also get you inspired to come back for more.
7 Bucketlist Destinations to Visit in Arizona
1. Sedona
Way, way back in time, geological forces created deep rifts into the Colorado Plateau and Sedona’s majestic landscape was formed. With enormous desert spires lining the landscape, river canyons as far as the eye can see. And a maze of red rock formations, a visit to Sedona is as awe-inspiring as it can get.
The best part? Sedona can be explored in a million ways. For many, this region of Arizona is the ideal spot to get a pretty good introduction to desert hiking. But if you’re more into culture and heritage, there’s a wide array of museums and centers ready to be explored, too!
A big plus of Sedona is its very close driving distance for those visiting the Phoenix valley. You can travel to Sedona and back to the valley in a day. And have ample time to explore, hike, eat, and come home without feeling like you have to rush!
2. The Wave
The Wave is probably one of the most intriguing places in the United States. Located right on the border of Arizona and Utah, it may just be one of the most sought-after hiking trails in the entire world.
What makes The Wave so unique, you ask? A rainbow of orange and rusty tone plastered all over the rocks. Which make the landscape resemble a sea of shimmering desert hues.
The Wave hike is only 6.4 miles long. But due to the conditions of the area and heat, it can get pretty strenuous even for expert hikers. Moreover, due to its popularity, it’s pretty difficult to snag permits to hike The Wave. So make sure you start planning your visit as early as possible as this is not a hike you can do spontaneously!
3. White Pocket
If you’re keen on checking out a hidden Arizona gem, White Pocket is just the hike you’re after!
If you couldn’t snag a permit to hike The Wave, White Pocket is a pretty good alternative (or addition) to your itinerary. Made up of whacky-looking Navajo sandstone formations, White Pocket is a sea of pink, orange, and red hues that will have you wondering if you were transported right into the heart of Mars.
4. Havasupai
7 Bucketlist Destinations to Visit in Arizona
Turquoise-colored water cascading down from bright red rocks is what make Havasupai one of Arizona’s most stunning places. Seriously, getting to swim in the turquoise blue waters with the road of the waterfalls echoing on the canyon walls will make you feel as though you’ve been transported into the movie Avatar.
The Havasu Canyon boasts five waterfalls in total: Mooney Falls, Beaver Falls, Havasu Falls, New Navajo Falls, and Fifty Foot Falls. Each one more strikingly gorgeous than the last. The best way to see them? By going on a hike! Even though hiking in the desert is quite a challenge, you’ll be able to stop at each waterfall to get refreshed. Which isn’t too shabby, if you ask me!
As a note, keep in mind that Havasupai is set on Native Land and is kept by the Havasupai Tribe. This means it’s extremely important to be respectful of their culture. And, if possible, learn a bit about their heritage. So you can better understand the land you’re walking on during your visit. Moreover, visiting Havasupai requires a permit that isn’t very easy to get. So try applying for it as early as possible to try to snag yours!
** Havasupai hasn’t been reopened after the Pandemic. And probably won’t until at least summer of 2022 so take note of this when looking at this destination.**
5. Grand Canyon National Park’s North Rim Section
Visiting the Grand Canyon may sound a little cliché. But the fact that it’s one of the most iconic sights in the USA. And a natural wonder if the world makes it a must-see in your Arizona bucket list.
If you’re the type of traveler who likes to do things a little differently and would much rather avoid the crowds, you’ll be delighted to know that you can totally visit the Grand Canyon and do things a little differently than most travelers do. While most visitors focus on the South Rim of the canyon, there are actually a ton of off-the-beaten-path trails and activities on the lesser-visited North Rim. This region of the park is considered a bit more adventurous and is often overlooked by tourists. Which means you’ll get to experience the Grand Canyon in a more secluded way!
If you visit Arizona in the winter and want to take a visit to the Grand Canyon, make sure to pack winter clothes. The elevation is much higher and winter happens quite a bit more than other areas of the state.
6. Antelope Canyon
Arizona is home to some seriously stunning slot canyons. And Antelope Canyon might just be the king of them all. This stunning canyon was created by harsh floods flowing into the cracks of sandstone in the area. Which created a spectacular swirl of colors that brim to life when light reflects off the rocks. With light beams brimming from high canyon walls, Antelope Canyon may just be one of the most photogenic sights in entire Arizona.
Plus, if you want to get off-the-beaten-path during your visit, you can also check out the lesser-visited adjoining canyon, Lower Antelope Canyon, which is just as stunning but is made up of narrower passageways, so you’ll find yourself twisting and turning to get through the walls.
7. Petrified Forest National Park
7 Bucketlist Destinations to Visit in Arizona
Some 225 million years ago, heavy floods brought trees into the area. Time passed, volcanic eruptions covered the dead trees in silica-rich ash. And the logs were petrified and buried for centuries to come. Today, the logs have been exposed again. Making the entire scene looks like a rainbow of sparkly colors that will have your jaw dropping right on the ground.
A few must-dos while visiting Petrified Forest include checking out Crystal Forest, where colorful logs adorn the path, walking along the rim to check out the stunning views of the park’s Painted Desert, and hiking the alluring Blue Mesa Trail, where you’ll get to walk through badlands that look as they belong in a completely different planet. If you’re keen on a really spectacular sight, make sure you also walk down the Giant Logs Trail. Which does get a bit crowded but boasts a display of the largest logs in the park.
Moreover, if you’re interested in learning more about the region’s Native American heritage, make sure to pay Newspaper Rock a visit. While here, you’ll get to see a display of over 600 petroglyphs, some of which are as old as two thousand years!
I hope this list of the best destinations in Arizona helped you come up with the perfect road trip itinerary! Even though Arizona is home to a vast array of things to see, these seven spots are the perfect place to start getting a taste of Arizona’s desert magic.
Have you ever visited Arizona? I can’t lie, there are a few places on this list still on my own bucketlist! What are some other incredible destinations that are musts in everyone’s itinerary? Let me know your favorite spots in the comments section below!
All of us know that our life is not a romantic novel, yet all we want is to have a happy ending. We want our relationships to last, but it does not always happen. Even when we have a partner who loves us unconditionally, we always have this fear at the back of the mind… what if it does not last. And we just wonder seeing those old happy-still-in-love couples, how can we have that? How do we ensure that our relationship stays alive till the end of our time?
We are going to answer all your questions. Meanwhile, you can put aside your worries, and let the love gurus be at work to guide you.
In this article, we are going to tell you about the things you can do to make sure that your relationship lasts.
How to keep the spark alive in your relationship
1. Communication
Love is not the only thing to keep your relationship alive. You need more than that, you need communication. It’s essential to be honest with your partner and talk about your feelings with them. (Not only when you are having rough days, but all the time). You cannot just have a happy relationship if you barely talk to your partner for days. It does not work like that. Communication is the pillar of any relationship, you cannot avoid that.
If you don’t know what to talk about anymore, here is an idea – Talk about literally anything, Talk about your day, your future plans, how do you feel, what’s bothering you, and so on! When you have better communication, you can spend quality time better together. Date nights no longer seem dreaded or overlooked when you and your partner both feel loved and communication is the key to everything.
2. Understand each other a little more
In any relationship, we want to be understood. But in between wanting to be understood, we forget to understand our significant other. Understanding is important, if you don’t have that between you two, then you might hit the rock bottom.
If you have a hard time understanding your partner, just imagine yourself in their shoes. How would you feel if you were them? What would have you done? Once you do that, you will be a little more accepting and compassionate towards them. When you understand each other and develop an emotional connection, that can make your partner feel even more secure than physical intimacy can as they feel they can trust and know you are on the same page.
3. Let go of grudges
You can have rough patches in a relationship, you can be mad at your partner for something they had done or said. But just so you know, you cannot make it last if you hold grudges against your partner. Be a little easy, and be a little more forgiving. Everyone makes mistakes, but if you think they regret it to their core then it’s time to let go of what you hold against them. Get past it.
This is the secret to long term couples and even couples who are in relationships over long distances. Never go to bed with a grudge or angry, it only helps in losing the spark faster!
4. Plan surprises
One of the primary reasons why relationships don’t last is because people stop making efforts, and stop doing all the special things they did for their partners; it’s as if they begin to take things for granted. If that’s so, just remember the beginning of your relationship, how different you had been? You used to go to greater lengths to make the other person smile, now you just come home, grab a beer, watch TV, and sleep.
If your goal is to make it last, then don’t stop with the efforts. Keep on surprising your partner with cute gestures. For instance, prepare the ambiance, decorate the room with candles and lights before they come back home. Treat them with fancy dinners. Keep on planning dates like you did before, and you will be just fine.
This one is especially important to understand the 5 love languages and know which your partner prefers. It might be physical touch or quality time or even acts of kindness that help bring the spark for them while yours will probably be something completely different. Understanding this will ensure a long term relationship working and help you to always bring the spark.
5. Spend time with each other
Life happens, and you might get busy amidst a thousand professional obligations. That’s okay, you have work, and sometimes you cannot ignore it. But at the same time, you cannot ignore your relationship. If you cannot spend time with your partner today, then make up for it tomorrow.
If you are making up the time not spent one day, make sure to do so without your cell phone or social media getting more attention than your partner. I know it should be a given and not necessary to say this, but I will be honest, there are times where Steve and I go out for date night yet work still manages to creep in and we have to consciously remember to put down the phone and enjoy ourselves together. It’s hard, but it’s worth it to keep the relationship going.
Believe it or not, the best gift you can sometimes give to anyone is your time. They might not say anything in order to be understanding, but they crave your presence. The same is true of your children and pets. They just want your time, and life goes by so fast, be sure to be present as often as you can.
Well, that’s all we have to say. Now that you know how to keep the spark alive in your relationship, we do hope that things work out for you, and you become those lovey-dovey, forever-in-love couples we all envy.
How do you keep your relationships alive? Feel free to share your experiences and suggestions with us in the comment section.
We use, and we waste. Sadly, it is our environment that has to deal with what comes afterward by risking itself. And the result? A long list of environmental issues starting with air pollution, rising temperatures, changing climates, and natural disasters; it’s not surprising to assume that the environment might be showing that it is done with handling our mess. We live a waste lifestyle and the environment has to take the brunt of it.
Nevertheless, if there’s someone that can handle the situation – it’s us. And surprisingly, it doesn’t take a lot to do something good for the environment. All we have to do is change our lifestyle a little, be more conscious to reduce wastage.
So, if you’re someone who wants to contribute, and do your part, you must start somewhere and in my opinion, your kitchen is the best place to do so. It’s the home to harmful substances – the most deadly of that lot is PLASTIC. Your job is to reduce its consumption as much as you can.
But how do you do that?
Start with these easy kitchen swaps.
Zero-waste kitchen swaps
What not to use » What to use
Plastic Sponges » Cotton sponges
Liquid soap that comes in plastic packaging » Organic dish soap bars
Aluminum foils and plastic wraps » Beeswax wraps/steel lunch boxes (My favorite ones come from Nature Bee Wraps!)
Plastic food storage bags » Silicon bags
Plastic food jars » Glass/steel jars or mason jars
Polythene » Cloth shopping bags
Plastic vegetable bags » Cloth Vegetable trolleys
Paper napkins » Cloth napkins
Plastic straws » Steel/Bamboo straws
Disposable plates and spoons » Glass or steel plates, and steel spoons/fork (My new favorites come from Bentgo and I use these for the girls’ lunchboxes and silverware)
Plastic bottles » Glass/copper bottles
Teabags » Tea leaves
Plastic coffee tumbler » Stainless steel mugs
Paper cupcake liners » Reusable silicon cupcake liners
Plastic chopping board » Wooden chopping board
Plastic kitchen spatula » Steel/ wooden spatula
Plastic soap dish » Wooden soap dish
Plastic buckets » Steel buckets
Plastic bags / Plastic sachets » Brown paper
Cleaning agents in plastic packaging » Baking soda/ lemon
Plastic Tupperware » Glassware
Bottled water >> Reusable water bottle
Cotton balls >> Organic Cotton wipes or even washable makeup sponges
Drip Coffee Filters >> French Press
Other additional tips to reduce and handle waste
Reduce takeaways
Takeaways come in plastic packaging. Unless you choose a restaurant that emphasizes sustainable living conduct, try to reduce your takeaways. If the option is available, try to eat out in the restaurant itself – that would ensure that you’d have the option of using crockery (Glass, or steel) available at the restaurant.
This is one thing as a family, we usually don’t do, unless it’s dessert! We rarely eat leftovers, so they end up taking valuable space in the refrigerator we aren’t willing to give up. Plus, it’s less to carry away!
Only take what you can eat (Be mindful of the quantity)
This one is for reducing food wastage at your home. Only take the quantity you can consume. If you are not sure, take a little, and if you still have the appetite, refill. That way, you’d ensure you eat as per your appetite, without wasting food.
I practice this in our home constantly, especially when the girls say they are starving, yet only eat a little bit. It’s easier to have little portions to start than a whole plateful that goes to waste.
When you take more than you can handle, this usually results in using plastic wrap for storage or even paper towels to cover the food when warming up in the microwave.
Composting
Composting can be a blessing for both the environment and your garden. In fact, composting is the process of converting food waste into fertilizer that can be used to improve the quality of your plants. You can do composting at home, or contact the local authorities that provide the facility.
I haven’t personally composted, but I have seen some pretty great options which take the smell right away and are quite powerful. This one from Vitamix has great reviews.
Opt for loose food items
Some grocery items such as wheat and rice come in both plastic packaging and loose. Go for the stores that allow you to have refills, or collect these food items in your own packaging. Try to stay plastic free as much as possible.
I believe this will start to return into a post COVID world, but do the best you can to reduce the waste. If you must buy something with a “plastic” on it, make sure it’s made of alternative material so it can be recycled or composted.
Conserve resources
This goes without saying – we think we have the resources in abundance but we do not. Resources are limited and we must do our best to conserve them not only for the environment but for our budgets as well. Thus, always ensure that you conserve valuable resources like water and electricity. For electricity – do not leave the electric points running when you don’t need them, and for water – by ensuring you do not leave the tap running for long. (Even ten seconds of water wastage can be heavy.)
It is really important we teach the younger generation this especially with the growing amount of screen time and need to always be doing something. My two get distracted easily so this is an important reminder for them.
Go local
When you opt for local markets, instead of the big, commercial stores, you reduce your carbon footprint. You save the transportation, production, and packaging needs and resources that are usually incurred to meet your demand. Not to mention, these big commercial brands and retail stores are not eco-friendly and do a lot of energy wastage in the name of convenience. Be wise with your choices.
I love shopping local farmers markets as much as possible because I usually discover a new company or product I can share with my guests and family!
Go vegan
Going vegan can be highly beneficial for the environment. Among the many benefits, the most significant one is that vegan products use minimum resources and produce minimum damaging byproducts as compared to a non-vegetarian eating lifestyle.
I’ve been vegetarian/vegan since I was a teenager and I can attest that not only is it healthier for your own body, I find less waste in the kitchen as I don’t have a lot of the same trash as my non vegan/vegetarian family members. It makes trash day lighter and also keeps the refrigerator nice and stocked!
Grow your own vegetable garden
You’ll not only save the environment by reducing your carbon footprint but would also save a lot on groceries. So, if you love to maintain a yard, try to keep food-producing plants more than floral ones.
Well, that’s enough to get you started. If you decided to do as mentioned, you’re doing a marvelous deed for the environment. Be proud of yourself. These waste swaps are pretty easy to implement and are more than most people will try to do in their life, so every little bit helps!
Hey there, how do you reduce wastage in your kitchen? Feel free to share some tips with us in the comment section.
There are days when we go berserk; we would have a million thoughts going in our heads of the injuries of the past, memories of the bad decisions, worries about if we are going to make good use of life, and not to forget work stress. All these chaotic thoughts, in this little head of ours!
Well, it can drive all of us to the edge…Unless; you dump them like you dump your garbage every day. This is what a brain dump is, wherein you just scrap and let out every thought you have to feel better and lighter than ever. It’s simple you know, just perceive these thoughts like several unwanted guests. You wouldn’t want them in your house. Would you?
If that’s so, we are happy to help you drive away those thoughts. In this article, we will provide you a few ways that can help you do a brain dump for self-care.
How to do a brain dump for self-care
1. Grab a paper and pen
Let not your thoughts wander just in your mind, grab a pen and paper and let them be out on the paper. Be as vulnerable as you can. Write everything you feel. What are you sad about? Did someone say anything to upset you? Is there something you hate about the world or people in general?
Write everything, don’t miss anything. What you are doing right now is what Aristotle called catharsis. In simple words, it’s just letting out your feelings. Imagine your head like a balloon, the more thoughts it will fill, the sooner it will burst.
So even if you are angry, write it down. Write curses or abuses. Be assured that no one is going to read it other than you (Given that you tear it later). You are even allowed to clench your teeth or harshly scribble to let out your anger and frustration. Writing it out helps you release all the tension and frustration you might have in areas of your body causing pain.
Just let that piece of paper consume all that you are feeling and don’t feel the need to use punctuation or proper spelling. Get it all out of your brain and on the paper.
2. Use art
There are different ways of letting out. Some people choose to do it with a pen; others do it by channeling through different art forms. If writing doesn’t suit you, then you can paint, or draw to let things out.
You don’t have to be an artist for that. Just draw anything that describes what you are feeling. You can draw a cartoon, with a bubble over it putting words to your feeling, or literally anything. Remember, no one will see this, so don’t judge yourself when you are doing this. Let it all out.
If you happen to like music and singing, you can do a brain dump by writing a song. It’s okay if you haven’t done that before. It’s a good day to start. Don’t refuse it just because you think you won’t do a good job. You are letting out your thoughts for yourself, and it does not matter if the output is good or not.
3. Use an audio recorder instead
Find writing too exhausting for your fingers? Or perhaps you think that a piece of paper might not be able to contain all that you are feeling? No worries, make-shift for a voice recorder. Act as if you are recording something to send to your friends. So, just be as free you can. Vent it out, there’s no time limit to it. You can go beyond hours if you feel the need to. Because we have our phones and technology with us almost always, you can download a voice recorder app onto your phone and press play whenever and wherever you are. There’s no limit to when and where you can do a brain dump any longer!
You can even use the mirror if you cannot find a voice recorder. Just stand in front of it, and empty all that you are feeling.
4. Talk to a virtual assistant
How to do a Brain Dump for Self-Care
I know this sounds insane. But just so you know artificial intelligence can be your companion that might not be real ears and mouth, yet it would still feel like you are typing your heart to a friend of yours. Trust me, Siri would not judge you. You can say things and be as transparent as you can.
Sometimes, you will find Siri saying things that would make zero sense, and you would laugh, you would get angry, but hey, what else can you expect from artificial intelligence?
Final thoughts
When you are done with it and feel better, try to do it more often. If you can, do it daily, if not weekly. It will be a booster for your mental health!
Hey, feel you have some suggestions and ideas to spare or something I missed? Feel free to drop them in the comments below.
majestic landscape was formed. With enormous desert spires lining the landscape, river canyons as far as the eye can see. And a maze of red rock formations, a visit to Sedona is as awe-inspiring as it can get.
border of Arizona and Utah, it may just be one of the most sought-after hiking trails in the entire world. 
king of them all. This stunning canyon was created by harsh floods flowing into the cracks of sandstone in the area. Which created a spectacular swirl of colors that brim to life when light reflects off the rocks. With light beams brimming from high canyon walls, Antelope Canyon may just be one of the most photogenic sights in entire Arizona.
your partner and talk about your feelings with them. (Not only when you are having rough days, but all the time). You cannot just have a happy relationship if you barely talk to your partner for days. It does not work like that. Communication is the pillar of any relationship, you cannot avoid that. 
for their partners; it’s as if they begin to take things for granted. If that’s so, just remember the beginning of your relationship, how different you had been? You used to go to greater lengths to make the other person smile, now you just come home, grab a beer, watch TV, and sleep. 
can consume. If you are not sure, take a little, and if you still have the appetite, refill. That way, you’d ensure you eat as per your appetite, without wasting food.
In fact, composting is the process of converting food waste into fertilizer that can be used to improve the quality of your plants. You can do composting at home, or contact the local authorities that provide the facility.
loose. Go for the stores that allow you to have refills, or collect these food items in your own packaging. Try to stay plastic free as much as possible. 
also save a lot on groceries. So, if you love to maintain a yard, try to keep food-producing plants more than floral ones.
as you can. Write everything you feel. What are you sad about? Did someone say anything to upset you? Is there something you hate about the world or people in general? 
different art forms. If writing doesn’t suit you, then you can paint, or draw to let things out. 
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