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Actions to Help You and Others Feel Beautiful

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It’s vital to ensure that you feel beautiful and confident. Finding ways to boost your self-esteem can help reduce insecurity or sadness. Unfortunately, it can be difficult to discover different ways to boost one’s self-image. This list below outlines some simple actions to help you and others feel beautiful.

Visit a Sauna

According to a study published in the National Library of Medicine, three out of four participants saw an improvement in their skin texture and roughness for up to six months after an infrared sauna sweat session. Whether you buy yourself or someone you know a session at the spa or take advantage of a home infrared sauna, it’s the perfect antidote to feeling bad about yourself and your appearance. Follow this up with other self-care appointments, such as getting a massage or a manicure.

Consider Yoga

Yoga is a great way to practice mindfulness and self-love, both essential for feeling beautiful. Not only does yoga improve flexibility, strength, and endurance, but it also offers a way to reduce stress and focus on the present moment. If you need help figuring out where to start, look for yoga classes or start with beginner-level poses at home. You can also buy a membership for someone you love to attend yoga classes and make it a fun activity together.

Give Compliments

Remember to give compliments to yourself and others. Acknowledge all the great things about yourself and those around you. It’s easy to be critical of ourselves, so when you can find time, focus on everything you and those around you do right. A few kind words can go a long way in helping someone feel beautiful! One way to do this is to post positive affirmations or encouraging comments on people’s posts. This is a great way to boost your self-esteem and that of those around you. You can give compliments on social media, as well.

Consider Skincare

According to Daily Mail, Lumecca can improve the appearance of your skin in as little as one to three sessions. The treatment helps to improve skin tone and reduce redness, giving you a more youthful appearance. Over time, Lumecca can also help improve the appearance of wrinkles and skin laxity, making you feel more beautiful and confident in your skin. Consider other skincare treatments, such as facials and masks, to help give your skin the extra boost it needs. Try DIY remedies at home if you need more time to be ready to invest in professional treatments.

Buy Flowers

According to the Society of American Florists, over 60% of Americans feel special when receiving flowers. Buy yourself a bouquet or give it to a friend, family member, or colleague to show your appreciation. Not only can they help bring a smile to someone’s face, but they can brighten up any room and make it feel more inviting. Consider adding potted plants around your home for an extra touch of beauty.

Practice Self-Care

Finally, remember to take time out of every day just for yourself. Whether going for a walk, reading a book, or listening to music, these activities can be very therapeutic in helping you feel beautiful and gain more confidence in yourself. Taking care of your mental health is as important as your physical well-being. Consider counseling for more serious issues. Counselors are excellent resources for helping you sort through difficult emotions and develop healthy coping mechanisms.

Many options are available no matter your goal, whether to help yourself or someone else feel beautiful. Start today by taking small steps to feel more beautiful and confident in who you are! These activities highlighted in this article can help make you and those around you feel better about yourself.

 

What Is International Baccalaureate and How Can Your Child Benefit From Enrollment?

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As a parent, giving your child the best education possible is likely a top priority for you. It gives them a foundation for their future endeavors, be it in their careers or personal life. Let’s explore what International Baccalaureate is and how your child can benefit from the program.

What Is International Baccalaureate?

International baccalaureate is an internationally recognized curriculum for students aged three to 19. It was established in Switzerland in the late 1960s. This curriculum gives students a sense of freedom, global awareness, and the option to choose the subjects they’re interested in, making it one of the most popular globally.

The key characteristic distinguishing this curriculum from others is its emphasis on critical thinking, which helps students to be more practical and productive later on in their lives and careers. According to Sage International Network of Schools, only schools that are authorized by the IB Organization are allowed to offer either of its four programs: the CP (Career-related Programme), the DP (Diploma Programme), and the MYP (Middle Years Programme), or the PYP (Primary Years Programme).

Benefits of the International Baccalaureate Curriculum

Each educational system offers unique benefits to students. Here are some of the major advantages of the International Baccalaureate Program for students.

1. Students Become All-Rounders

Every parent wants to see their child excel in all their educational endeavors. That’s one of the primary objectives of the International Baccalaureate curriculum. From an early age, children are taught how to communicate effectively, which equips them with debate, essay writing, and research skills.

These skills give kids more confidence when communicating. Great communication skills are a key requirement among those seeking employment. Additionally, students become part of the international baccalaureate alumni network, which is considered an accomplishment in itself, according to most students and parents. The students also get to interact with diverse cultures, which teaches them not to jump to conclusions based on cultural stereotypes.

2. Students Have an Academic Edge Over Others

According to the Global Indian International School, a U.S. 2009–2010 survey indicated that students attending the top five international baccalaureate schools outperformed those attending non-international baccalaureate institutions in terms of academic performance. This can be attributed to the fact that students aren’t confined to learning the same subjects.

They get to choose the subjects they’re passionate about. Freedom benefits students academically and makes them more aware of recent developments in their chosen fields. Even with this freedom, students at private secondary schools are 50% more likely than those in public schools to enroll in AP or IB science and math courses.

They outperform their colleagues from non-international schools in all areas across multiple grades. Not only does the US study demonstrate this, but also the UK and Australian studies have supported the validity of the results. It’s no secret that students from international baccalaureate schools get into reputed universities and land top jobs in the world’s leading companies.

3. They’re Exposed to Real-World Situations

An international baccalaureate school offers an extensive and well-rounded curriculum. By observing the natural world and studying the problems that occur in everyday life, students gain an independent understanding of the concepts. This equips them with analytical and reasoning skills that most of their counterparts lack. Notably, children who go through the IB curriculum develop the ability to reason by the age of five.

Students who attend an international baccalaureate school often compose letters and essays that are of high-level quality in their earlier years. Since they’re not confined to studying any particular subject, they get to pick the subject they’re most interested in, giving them a sense of control over their education. The freedom to choose subjects based on their passions gives them room to be creative and develop original solutions to real-life problems.

The International Baccalaureate Curriculum is a great choice for most students. It’s a fantastic option if you’re searching for a globally focused education system that’ll set up your child for success in their future endeavors. Consider this option for your young learner today!

 

Healthy Valentine’s Day Recipes Your Kids Are Sure to Love

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Valentine’s Day is just around the corner — and because many families are continuing to stay home, this provides us with a great opportunity to get cooking in the kitchen. But while February 14 is often about indulgent meals and sweet desserts, that doesn’t mean your kids are destined to spend the day in a sugar rush. There are plenty of family-friendly and health-conscious recipes you can try out for Valentine’s Day. And best of all, your kids will fall in love with them! Here are just a few recipes you might want to consider making this February to show some love to everyone in your household.

I Love You Berry Much Snack Mix

Instead of picking up pre-packaged snack mixes or chips for this holiday, you can easily make your own at home with a fruity twist. And while 4 million Americans wear braces, there are no sticky caramel or popcorn pieces in this recipe that could give your pre-teens any trouble. It’s a super easy and customizable “recipe” that doesn’t involve much more than mixing, though you could also make some of these elements yourself if you don’t want to go the store-bought route.

The original recipe calls for one cup each of freeze-dried strawberries, yogurt bites, rice or corn Chex cereal, pink chocolate candies, strawberry fruit snacks, and sour cherry candies. However, you can make it even healthier by swapping out the chocolates, fruit snacks, and candies for dried cherries, carob chips, pretzels, fruit juice gummies, or dry-roasted nuts. Just makes sure that there are elements of red and white included to really get that Valentine’s feel. Then, snack on this mix while watching a movie as a family or to tide you over before a special dinner.

Be My Sweetie Smoothies

Although some adults might want to pop the champagne on Valentine’s Day, this is a non-alcoholic beverage that everyone can enjoy. Since the BAC for drunk driving in states like Texas is .08%, no one will have to be worried about the effects of this smoothie if they have to get behind the wheel. You can enjoy these simple smoothies for breakfast, a mid-day pick-me-up, or a healthy alternative to dessert — and you can personalize them with whatever fruit you have on-hand.

Just combine one cup milk (or plant-based alternative), one cup frozen strawberries, and half a frozen banana in a blender and puree until smooth. Feel free to add more milk if it’s too thick. Then, pour into a glass and serve with a fancy straw and a strawberry heart garnish. If you want to add frozen peaches or raspberries, you’ll still keep that beautiful valentine color while adding even more flavor (and nutrients!).

Have a Pizza My Hearts

Since 26% of U.S. adults suffer from untreated tooth decay, it’s important to take a break from the sweet stuff. Pizza is always a crowd-pleaser and you can make it healthy — and heart-shaped! — with this fun recipe.

Making your own dough might be a lot easier than you think, though your grocery store may have some ready-to-bake alternatives. If you want to start from scratch, begin by mixing a pinch of sugar into one cup of warm water and sprinkle one packet of dry yeast into it. Wait for the yeast to “bloom” (or get foamy), which takes about 10 minutes. Then, pour the water-yeast mixture into a large bowl and add 2 and 1/2 cups of all-purpose flour, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 to 1 tablespoon olive oil. Combine and knead for six to eight minutes until you get an elastic yet stiff dough. Cover your dough and let it rest for 20 to 30 minutes.

While your dough is resting, you can get your toppings ready. You can get the kids involved and include their favorite toppings, but be sure to focus on the veggies! Low-fat cheese, turkey pepperoni (cut into hearts!), peppers, olives, halved tomatoes, basil, sliced chicken, turkey sausage, and pineapple are all great options. Once your dough has risen, you can cut it in half and roll it out on a lightly floured surface. Then, simply use a knife and cut a wide “V” in the top to create a heart shape. Transfer the dough to a cornmeal-sprinkled pizza pan or upside-down baking sheet, add your sauce and toppings, and bake your pizza in an oven heated to 425 degrees for 10 to 15 minutes. Once it’s slightly cooled, you can slice and enjoy with a side of veggies and dip or fruit skewers!

If you’re planning to spend Valentine’s Day at home as a family, these recipes can bring you closer together and delight your tastebuds — all while showing your love through the enjoyment of healthy food.

 

Essential Home Staging Tips For A Successful Sale

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When selling your home, there’s no doubt about the fact that there’s a right way to do it and a wrong way. You need to make sure to stage your home right so that potential buyers are attracted to your home enough to buy it at a great price. With this in mind, read on to see some essential home staging tips that can help you stage your home perfectly for a fast and straightforward sale.

Polish Your Curb Appeal

Your home’s curb appeal is going to help you convince more people to give your home a chance when they’re looking for one to buy. This is because a house that’s attractive from the street will set a great expectation for anyone viewing your house. Keep in mind that a whopping 90% of Americans prefer to live in homes that are surrounded by grass lawns. This is enough to let you know that the better your landscaping is, the higher the chances of attracting a buyer for your home. Apart from the landscape, you could update your front door and clean up the exterior of your house to make it a lot more attractive.

Remodel the Bathroom and Kitchen

Next, the kitchen and bathroom are important spaces for you to remodel when staging your home. This is because these are spaces that get a high amount of traffic on a daily basis. Potential buyers will be attracted more to a home that has a kitchen and bathroom in a complete state. This is because making improvements will be an additional cost to them, and this is something most people on the market for a home aren’t likely to be attracted to.

Check the Plumbing and Electricity

Your home’s plumbing is another element that could make or break your home sale. The same goes for the electrical setup. This is because plumbing and electrical issues can be expensive and time-consuming to fix, especially for someone who has just spent a good amount of money on buying a home. Note that 33% of new home buyers in Florida were keen on avoiding problems and renovations with electricity and plumbing. A further 33% wanted to have the ability to choose and customize design features in their home. That said, make sure that your home doesn’t have problematic plumbing and electrical aspects, since these will chase potential buyers away, fast.

Paint It Afresh

It’s amazing what a big change can be made by a simple coat of paint. This is why painting the home is an important tip to staging it the best way possible. Keep in mind that staged homes, according to NAR, sell up to 25% faster than those that aren’t staged. Clearly, the better the staging, the better your chances of securing a buyer for your home. When picking a color, you could either simply refresh the existing shade or pick a different but neutral shade. Bold and bright colors may make it harder to find a buyer since people have different tastes. What seems like an amazing color to you may not have the same effect on another person.

Finish Unfinished Spaces

Finally, if your home has any unfinished spaces in it, it’s a good idea to finish them. These may include the basement, garage, or even a seldom-used room inside the house. Buyers will be happy to buy a home that looks finished since they’ll have less work to do after they make the purchase. Try to do a professional job as this will make it easier for you to stage the house and you can get a better outcome.

Use these home staging tips to increase your chances of successfully selling your home. If you do, you may even get a better price than you would have under other circumstances. This shows that it’s worth making the effort, so don’t hesitate to do so.

 

4 Business Ideas You Can Start From Your Home

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At some point in life, probably everyone has thought about starting their own business. This is because of the endless benefits that come with being a business owner. Have a look at four business ideas that are easy enough for you to start from home and get a taste of this amazing world of self-employment.

1. Online Flower Delivery

Whether or not you have a green thumb, you can start a business as an online florist as long as you love flowers and know a thing or two. You could plant your own flowers if you have the space and resources to do so. Alternatively, outsource the flowers from a reliable supplier and resell them. You will obviously need a website for the best results as an online florist, but as you test the waters, you may leverage social media first. Try out your hand with different methods of marketing and photography until you find the right spot where you get great results from customers. With 88% of people responding to a survey saying that a gift of flowers improves their mood, you can expect to get some good business if you market right.

2. Freelance Web Designer

Consider beginning a web design business. This is an amazing business idea because having a website is an important step for any business or brand that wants to go far. It’s clear that having a website can do wonders even for businesses that have brick-and-mortar outlets. If you have some ideas about how to make websites that work well and look good, you should consider becoming a freelance website designer. Note that about 900,000 domains are registered every single week, and all of these are potential customers who could use a good website. Plan well and you may make some amazing returns designing cutting-edge websites for users.

3. Virtual Assistant

As a virtual assistant, you would help busy individuals manage their hectic schedules. This means that they should never miss an important meeting or get the details of their flight wrong. If you are a highly organized person who has a good memory, amazing planning skills, and remarkable communication, check online to see if you can find a position as a virtual assistant. Polish your computer, phone, and email skills so that you can efficiently assist busy individuals, a position where you can easily work right from home. If you feel that this is the right business idea for you but you have some hesitation, it’s a good idea to take an online course or two. You can easily find cheap or even free ones if you take the time to look.

4. Freelance Writer

Finally, if you have a way with words and can do research on certain topics, and find a way to put them across to people, you should consider becoming a freelance writer. To fit this role well, make sure that your grammar is top-notch and that you’re conversant with writing aids like Grammarly. This will make it easy for you to land a position as a writer for businesses and brands that want to communicate effectively with consumers.

As you look for a business idea that you can start from the comfort of your home, you should also know how to manage your money well. Almost 7.2 million Americans have kept a bank or credit card account hidden from their spouse or partner. This includes 2.8 million women and 4.4 million men, and while that’s one way to keep funds safe, it’s always better if you can teach your partner about smart money management so that you’re on the same page about making and saving money the money you earn.

 

This Mom Can Cook