5 Ways to Add An Extra Hour to Your Day

Ok so I can’t physically add an extra hour to your day.  But before you click off the page, you can actually save time and I’m here to help you get better organized.that sentence.   I’m working on it.   These are 5 ways that have helped me get on top of my game.  5 organization tips, if you will:

5 Ways to Add An Extra Hour to Your Day

  1. PLAN OUT YOUR DAY –
    Have you heard the quote “If you fail to plan, you plan to fail?”  It’s pretty harsh.  But taking time to plan out your day will guarantee to have more structure and the ability to accomplish what you need and want to.  This can be done several ways – the night before, first thing in the morning, whatever floats your boat.  Just set aside a dedicated time to make a plan and stick to it.
  2. SET A TIMER –
    This goes for anything – cleaning, working, working out.  If you set a timer to go off within 20-30 minutes depending on the task, you are more likely to stick to it.  Once that timer goes off move to the next item on the list.
  3. DO SOMETHING FUN –
    While everyone has things on their list that they loath (laundry I’m talking to you), if you do something fun the day won’t feel so darn long.  Break it up.  Dance in the kitchen if that’s your thing.  Call your best friend.  Read a book.  Whatever you consider fun- do it, at least once a day.
  4. TURN IT OFF-
    That’s right.  Turn off your phone, computer, tv, etc.  Disconnect.   It doesn’t have to be all day long.  But take some time each day to put it aside and you’ll be amazed at how much you can accomplish and how it seems like you have more time.  Do it.  I double dog dare you.
  5. WRITE IT DOWN –  
    This is where I come in.  I created a simple little to do checklist.  I’ve made some in the past but this one is more detailed.  It has spots for all kinds of things with little boxes to check off.  I also made one without the categories in case you don’t like the ones I use.  Writing down your plan will help most people stick with it (especially visual learners like me!).   Instead of getting distracted 19109120192 times a day, it’ll only be 19109120 and leave you with more time.

Kate from learnandgrowbooks.com

Kate is the founder of Learn and Grow Books, which is a website for parents and teachers of pre-K children.

Why Skin Care is Important?

Why Skin Care is Important

Skin care plays a very important part in your life. Since your skin is something that everyone can see, and you will always have the same skin for your whole life, then it is very important to take care of it and keep it in the best shape that you can.

Get enough sleep. The amount of sleep you get can make a real difference to your skin. A lack of sleep causes your skin to look washed-out and dull, with dark circles under your eyes. You may also suffer from unsightly breakouts more often. Try to get a full night’s sleep – 7 hours or more. You will wake feeling refreshed and your complexion will have a healthy glow.

If you have a serious skin care issue, don’t hesitate to speak to a doctor. Your skin requires care, just like the rest of your body. If you are suffering from serious acne, uncomfortably dry skin or other issues that don’t resolve with over-the-counter treatments, your doctor may have prescription medications that can help you.

Skin becomes infinitely more sensitive, so avoid conditions which are hot and humid as these tend to exacerbate the problem and result in excessive tenderness and redness. This includes saunas and spas, Jacuzzis, and even long, hot baths or showers.

Your skin needs vitamins! A deficiency in certain vitamins, such as Vitamin B or K, can cause dry skin as well as cracks at the corners of your mouth. Take a multivitamin daily to ensure that you are giving your skin all the nutrients it needs to be healthy and youthful.

Treat your skin with care to limit the potential damage from a daily routine of cleaning. Don’t take long, hot showers or baths, as these can strip your skin of its protective oils. Take shorter showers and lower the temperature of the water. Use gentle cleansers instead of stronger soaps to clean yourself.

Vitamin H is an important part of a vitamin regiment that promotes healthy looking skin and prevents age spots. Vitamin H gives your skin a natural glow. Additionally, vitamin H makes your skin smoother, making it look more beautiful and more even. While it may seem too good to be true, vitamins can help your skin stay healthy and more youthful.

If you have serious skin problems like psoriasis or eczema then you should make sure that you carry your prescriptions with you at all times. These sorts of skin problems tend to flare up in the winter when the air is drier so it is important that you take you medicine around with you.

With proper care, your skin will stay in good shape for a long time. If you use the tips provided to you in this article, you can greatly increase your chances of having nice skin throughout your entire life. Always remember that your skin is not replaceable and that you will have it for your whole life. To that end, it should be well taken care of.

Kate from learnandgrowbooks.com

Kate is the founder of Learn and Grow Books, which is a website for parents and teachers of pre-K children.

Hand and Nail Care Tips

Here are some Hand and Nail Care Tips.

Hand and Nail Care Tips

To harden soft nails, soak them in warm olive oil for about 20 minutes, on alternate days.
To remove stains from your nails, mix one tablespoon of lemon juice in a cup of water and soak your nails in this liquid for a few minutes.

Then, wash off with warm water and apply a hand moisturizer.
It is not a good idea to remove the cuticles from your nails, as it will make the nail susceptible to infection. Rather, you should make use of good quality cuticle oil and gently push back the cuticles, with the help of an orange wood stick.
Try to stay away from acetone polish removers as much as you can and stick to the one that make use of acetate.

Still, try not to use a polish remover more than once a week.
In case you wear nail polish, make sure to give your nails a break from time to time. In other words leave them without polish for a few days, every now and then. Otherwise, they will develop an ugly, yellow tint.
If you want to give a natural sheen to your nails, just like the colorless base coat, rub petroleum jelly on your nails and then buff them, with the help of a soft cloth.
If you have brittle nails or split or dull nails, then increasing your consumption of Organic Silica, Vitamin B (especially B5) and MSM (Methyl-Sulfonyl-Methane) will surely help.
Never ever resort to nail biting, as it is extremely destructive for the nails as well as the cuticles. If you are in the habit of biting your nails, drop it as soon as possible.
Whenever you wash your hands, while bathing as well as otherwise, make sure to dry the nails properly and apply a hand cream or lotion, using it on the nails as well. This is because soap makes the nails dry and brittle.
The best time to file your nails is when you are already wearing a polish. This will prevent splitting or breaking of nails.
If you have brittle nails, it is advisable to wear a nail polish, or at least the colorless base coat, as much as you can.

Hand and Nail Care Tips

Beautiful, well-kept and delicate hands are important.

Hands tell you a number of things about yourself. Hands tell you how you lead your life and how you take care of your body and skin. It is said that the hands tell you how old a woman is. No matter how old you are, your hands tell an observer a lot about yourself as a person. Dressing up in fancy clothes is of no use if you do not take care of your hands and feet. While speaking or communicating with others you use your hands to express yourself, emphasize a point etc. Hands play an important role in communication. Imagine what life would be like without your hands. It is a part of the body that you use the most, you cook with them, get dressed with them, write with them, empathize with them and shake others hands when you meet them. Take good care of your hands and treat them well as they are essential for your existence.

Here are few hand care tips:
• The skin on your hand is thin and delicate; therefore take special care of them.
• Moisturize your hands at least four times a day.
• Use your face exfoliator on your hands once a week.
• Once a week apply your face cream on to your hands before you go to bed.
• For dry hands after washing your hands with soap, wet them again. Pour salt on your hands and then scrub them under water. Dry hands and apply moisturizer on them.
• For greasy hands, after washing your hands rub cornmeal on them.
• Wear rubber gloves while working at home and in the garden.
• Protect and prevent your hands from aging and abuse.
• Protect your hands from the ravages of changing weather.
• Protect your hands while working in the sun.
• The best way to take care of your hands is to protect them on a daily basis.
Home Remedies for Hand Care
We often forget to take care of our hands. Through we use our hands to do all the work in and outside the house we seem to pay very little attention to taking care of them.

Hand Care Recipe
Our hands have a very few oil glands, with the result that they tend to get dry easily and very often as well. As they come in contact with chemicals, detergents, garden dirt, and so on, when you undertake cleaning works, they are exposed to further damage.

How to Have Beautiful Nails
Your nails form a very important part of your hands and they too need to be well taken care of. Well-kept hands, with neat, clean and healthy nails, are a pleasure to behold. On the other hand, dirty and poorly kept nails will make your hands look ugly, even though the latter are healthy and well cared for.

Kate from learnandgrowbooks.com

Kate is the founder of Learn and Grow Books, which is a website for parents and teachers of pre-K children.

Apple Oatmeal Crisp Recipe

Apple Oatmeal Crisp Recipe

I found a Apple Oatmeal Crisp Recipe that I like.

This dessert is effortless enough to whip up right before company arrives, or just before you sit down to dinner; after an easy prep, it just takes a bit of time in the oven. The ingredients may be typical staples, but this apple-pie like dish is anything but ordinary.

Feel free to mix it up by adding berries (blueberries are delicious) or mix in a few extra spices, such as nutmeg, cardamom, or a specialty pie spice mix. This dish is best served warm, and can easily be reheated in the oven just before serving if needed. Simply reheat at 350 degrees Fahrenheit until warmed throughout and crisp on top. Serve with your favorite ice cream (a la mode) or a dollop of plain coconut yogurt. For those who eschew refined sugar, coconut palm sugar makes a fantastic substitute and delivers and even more of a caramel flavor.

Ingredients
  • 3 small apples, any crisp variety
  • 1/4 cup + 1 Tablespoon coconut oil
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 1/4 teaspoon + dash salt
  • 1/2 cup all purpose flour
  • 3/4 cup rolled oats
  • 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 2 tablespoons maple syrup
  • Cook Time: 47 minutes
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Total Time: 62 minutes
  • Yield: 8 servings

 

Preparation

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Slice the apples so that they are about 1/4 inch thick and cut into even sized pieces. There is no need to peel the apples, but you certainly can. I like leaving the peels on as it retains a bit more vitamins and fiber that way.

In a medium sized bowl, cream together the coconut oil, brown sugar, and 1/4 teaspoon salt until creamy. Toss the coconut oil mixture with the apples to completely coat. Spread apples evenly into an 8 x 8 inch metal baking pan.

 

In a smaller separate bowl, whisk together the dash salt, all purpose flour, oats and cinnamon. Sprinkle liberally over the apples and toss very gently to coat–just once to get rid of any big patches of flour. Drizzle with maple syrup to evenly cover the apples in a criss-cross pattern.

Bake for 45 to 50 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool on wire rack for about 10 to 15 minutes before serving.

Note: This recipe also works well with other types of fruit. Try it instead with peaches, plums, pears, cherries or even nectarines. You will achieve best texture and flavor if the fruit is slightly under ripe–for stone fruits, look for fragrant but firm. If using pears, just be sure they are not too soft, and peeling may be necessary depending on the type of pear used. Bartlett is an excellent choice.



Kate from learnandgrowbooks.com

Kate is the founder of Learn and Grow Books, which is a website for parents and teachers of pre-K children.