Whether or not you cared about the environment when you were single is irrelevant. What matters now is that you are consciously aware (and perhaps a little mortified) at how large your family's carbon footprint really is. Well, if you are looking for super easy ways to lessen the impact your family is having, you will love this list. 1. Spend More on Quality - Okay; obviously, there is no demand to buy the most expensive name brand ski coat for an 8-year-old who will grow out of it before next season. However, when the 16-year-old who has been snowboarding for a while, and will not likely lose interest in the sport, is ready for a new board, spending more on a quality product that will last is better than buying a cheap board that will crack and end up in a landfill before the end of season. Make sense? 2. Stop Burning Wood - You probably know smoke is filled with toxins that damage the environment and your health. It is actually blamed for triggering asthma attacks and allergies ...
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Guest Article – Finding Your Voice: Three Steps for Creating a Personal or Professional Blog
The idea of starting a blog or website can be overwhelming. Even people who have been writing for themselves for years may find their heads spinning a bit at the idea of setting up an attractive website, preparing content, sharing content, and gaining new users. The good thing is that blogging has been around long enough that many services are now available to help even amateur bloggers get started, and blogging has come to gain a lot more acceptance in the literary world. As with any writing project, the key to starting a blog is silencing the inner critic, so your perfectionism doesn’t stop you from making any progress at all. Here are a few resources to help you. Determine the Blog Type The most successful blogs focus on a specific topic. It’s easier to attract readers if you can find a niche that you all are interested in, and seek out conversations on similar blogs or websites that might direct people to what you have to say. You can also check out other blogs that have lots of ...
Guest Article – How To Make A Rose Hair Bow From Ribbon
Rose hair bows are an elegant and fun way to stand out while emphasizing your natural beauty. Fortunately, they are also a lot of fun to make and only require a little bit of time to produce amazing customized results. Making a rose hair bow has a few steps and there are many ways to further accentuate the rose such as using rhinestones, a fake rose flower, or decorative ribbon selections. A rose hair bow is also perfect for coordinating an outfit or matching to a theme – the Fourth of July, Christmas, Prom, and New Year’s are just a few examples a hair rose bow would be perfect for. Very elegant rose hair bows can also be made for weddings and baby showers. The possibilities are endless and allow you to express your unique style and memorialize each event with a craft of your own design. Create Your Rose Hair Bow in 5 Easy Steps 1. Select a ribbon type such as satin, velvet, nylon, or cotton. Avoid ribbon with frilly edging as it can be difficult to tie or look awkward when tied. ...
Guest Article – These Boots are Made For Walking: Fall and Winter Shoe Styles
Fall is a great time to reassess your wardrobe and set aside a bit of money to purchase some staple items that will keep you warm and fashionable throughout the cold fall and winter seasons. Among these important fall and winter staples are boots and shoes that will keep your feet warm and dry while adding a touch of chic fashion to already existing items in your wardrobe. Here are a few footwear ideas to convert your wardrobe into fall-friendly outfits. Flats Reef has an excellent collection of comfortable women’s flats that will work well with tights and leggings in the fall months. Purchase a few neutral colors that will go with many outfits, but be sure to also purchase a bright color to add some pizzazz and a pop of color during those dull winter days. Use flats and tights to convert spring and summer skirts into fall outfits. You can layer long-sleeved button up shirts and cardigans on top to create warmth, without having to purchase a fully new wardrobe. Flats are also sweet ...
Guest Article – 6 Ways to Keep Your Kids Safe Online
For all of the enlightening benefits the Internet has brought into our lives, there is dark side to the World Wide Web. Unfortunately, this dark side is far too easily accessed, or stumbled upon by our children. Given the nature of the Internet, it's difficult to ensure that our children see only the good and are always shielded from the bad. Take heart, there are many things you can do to exercise some control and protect your children. 1. Play the Role of Cyberworld Monitor Visiting another one of the multitude of Barbie websites may not be your idea of quality time with your child, but it's the best way to protect them while they are engaged in the cyber playground. Tim Lordan, staff director of Internet Education Foundation, the nonprofit group that publishes the online safety guide "GetNetWise" advises that, "Parents have to get involved. Just as they know every detail of the playground around the corner – the jungle gym, the swings – they need to know their kids' online ...
Guest Article – Six Safety Basics to Teach Your Children
One of the biggest fears a parent has is finding out their child is in a dangerous situation. As much as a parent hopes their child will never find danger, it is a wise idea to teach your children the basics of safety. If an emergency situation arises, their knowledge of safety can protect them from harm. Here are six basics to teach your children: 1. Home Security System Installing a home security system can protect you and your family from unwanted intruders, fires, or carbon monoxide poisoning. Many parents fear that if they explain the purpose of the alarm they will scare their children. However, neglecting to talk to your children about its purpose can lead children to not be cautious enough if they hear the alarm sound. Of course, use your discretion about details based on your children’s’ ages. If interested in a security system, check out homesecurity911.com/ to find the best deal and features that fit your family’s needs. 2. Stranger Danger It is important for ...