Traveling to a place that is family friendly can make all the difference in your enjoying your vacation. Florida has so much to offer for families. Let’s take a closer look at some of Florida’s best family vacation spots!
best florida family vacation spots
Florida is renown to have the best vacation spots in the US! Here are 7 things to do in Florida with the family.
1. Walt Disney World
In my opinion, the best Florida family vacation spot is Orlando. The Orlando area is a wonderful travel destination for families with little ones. They have the world-renowned Walt Disney World Magic Kingdom, which contains many attractions and rides for children of all ages. You can spend many hours and even days at Walt Disney World. Many children are already very familiar with Mickey Mouse and many of the other Disney characters. It is also great for families in that there are a lot of good travel deals because it is such a popular destination. You can often find nonstop flights. In addition, there are many hotels, which make it fairly easy to find a reasonably priced hotel to fit your needs.
In addition to the Magic Kingdom, you will find other theme parks in that area. EPCOT explores the world of the future as well as the cultures of many countries. This can be very interesting for the entire family. There is also the Animal Kingdom, which is especially great for children who love animals, as many do. You can go on a pretend safari. Another park in that area is Disney’s Hollywood Studios. They have some great activities, rides, and shows for the children, including a newest addition, Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge!
Universal Studios
2. Universal Studios in Orlando
It may seem like jumping from one park to the other, but Universal Studios has a lot to offer every age range. There’s shows, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, rides, awesome food, and so much more. If you want the theme park experience but feel that the kids are too old for Disney, Universal Studios is a must.
Alligators at Gatorland
3. Gatorland
Another great attraction in Orlando is Gatorland. If your kids love wildlife, this is an awesome vacation destination. There’s more to Gatorland than gators though. There are crocodiles, birds, wildcats, snakes, tortoises, and more. There are also zipline rides, shows, and nighttime experiences. The park features over 110 acres which is home to over 2000 gators. There’s plenty to see and do at Gatorland.
Awesome Florida Vacations For the Family
4. Daytona International Speedway
Does your family love motor sports? Then a vacation to Daytona Beach is definitely in order. Daytona International Speedway not only offers an amazing museum, but there are so many activities to take part in. You can try your hand at being a pit crew member and even ride a bus around the track. Of course, if you really want the full experience. Consider the Richard Petty Driving Experience where you can drive a NASCAR around the track.
Boy feeding a giraffe ~ Photo courtesy of Lion Country Safari
5. Lion Country Safari
Do your kids love animals? Then a visit to Lion Country Safari is a must. It’s Florida’s only drive thru safari and your chance to get up close and personal with some of the world’s most beautiful wildlife. There are over 1000 animals and there are many chances to encounter the wildlife and even feed some of the animals. There are also rides, food, and shopping.
6. Do a Turtle Walk
Another great wildlife experience for your kids is to visit Juno Beach. During the months of May – October, thousands of sea turtles lay their eggs on the beaches. Here, people participate in turtle walks that help ensure that the baby sea turtles make it safety to the ocean. It’s a wonderful, free experience that your children will always remember.
7. The Sunset Celebration on Mallory Square
The Florida Keys are one of the most beautiful areas in Florida. Key West, however, is home to one of the most beautiful sunsets in the world. During the evening hours, a number of performers put on acts at the Mallory Square. It’s a great experience for the entire family. If you’re planning a trip to the Keys, make sure you make it out to Key West for at least one Sunset Celebration.
Florida may be known for Disney, but there’s so much more to experience. Whether you love wildlife or just beautiful scenery, there’s something for everyone to enjoy! Hoping you liked our Florida Vacations for the Family tips!
If you’re anything like me, you imagined your anniversaries to involve grandiose plans like an extended trip to an exotic place thousands of miles away or a huge party complete with photographers, wine, and dancing. Basically, I wanted my wedding and honeymoon to reoccur every year. It may have taken me awhile but I did eventually learn over the years that an anniversary celebration can be just as sweet, if not more so, even if we keep it simple and stick close to home. Whether your budget is tight, your time is limited, or you simply need some new anniversary ideas, below are some ways to make sure this special day is cherished.
Picnic basket on a bicycle
Anniversary Ideas That Won’t Break the Bank
Picnic at the Beach
Depending on where you live and when your anniversary is, this idea could cost you next to nothing and still be a special time. Pack some food and extra large towels and chairs. You could even bring some buckets and small shovels to play in the sand! Go on a long walk, explore, take a nap in the sun. Don’t even bother to check the time. And be sure to stay to see the sunset.
Christmas Lights Tour
Christmas Lights Tour
If you chose a winter wedding, enjoying the holiday festivities is a great way to celebrate your undying love. Make sure to leave the kids so just the two of you can go hunting for some amazing Christmas light displays. Bring along hot chocolate and popcorn.
Scenic Bike Ride
Find a bike trail and rent some bikes (or bring your own of course!) You can carry a backpack with some food, and find a beautiful, peaceful place to stop for a picnic. Reminisce over your last year and make plans for the next one.
A woman and a man on a bicycle taking a scenic bike tour
Be Tourists
Be tourists in your own town by checking out the local museums (many museums have the occasional free day!), stopping in that cute candy store, walking around a park, experiencing the night life. What about that book store you’ve always wanted to check out but have never made the time? They might be hosting a game night that the two of you could get in on!
Local Concerts/Bands/Festivals
Does a nearby coffee house or club have live music? Is your friend’s cousin’s brother in a band playing at your neighbor’s house? Go, enjoy! Maybe there will be dancing!
Local Bed and Breakfasts
You don’t have to leave town to get away. Book a night or two at the local B&B. Participate in their planned activities or just spend some time in the hot tub. Get a couples massage.
Anniversary Ideas That Won’t Break the Bank
Stay Home
Sometimes the most romantic place to be is where you are most comfortable with each other. Send the kids to Grandma’s for the night and order in. Snuggle on the couch with your favourite movie, give each other massages, have real conversations, and sleep in late.
Spending time together is really all that matters, whether you’re celebrating your first anniversary or your 25th. Don’t let what you do to celebrate get in the way of why you’re celebrating. Enjoy each other!
If you’ve been planning a Disney vacation, chances are you’ve heard of the Disney FastPass. The idea of being able to get on rides by waiting in a shorter line than the Standby line may sound enticing, but is it everything it promises to be? Let’s look at the pros and cons of the Disney FastPass.
The Ability to Skip Lines
Obviously, the biggest benefit of the Disney FastPass is being able to avoid the very long lines. If you’re staying at a Walt Disney World Resort Hotel, you can reserve rides up to 60 days in advance. This helps ensure that you get to ride most of the rides your family is interested in. Guests not staying at a Walt Disney World Resort Hotel (off-site) are only able to select their Fastpass up to 30 days prior to each planned park day. The most popular attractions may not be easily obtainable within the 30 day window.
How does Disney FastPass works
The FastPass+ service is free and included with all park passes to Walt Disney World. To access the feature you need to create a Disney account and log into the Disney World website or app. For a single theme park per day, you can make up to 3 FastPass+ selections in advance either online or using the mobile app and you may change or cancel your selections any time. A FastPass+ provides you with a single access to the Fastpass line within the selected time frame. The selected windows are 60 minutes for attractions or 15 minutes for some shows. Simply present yourself during your window and you can skip the standby line and enter the FastPass line which is typically significantly shorter.
Having to Schedule Your Day
Many people prefer being able to be spontaneous. They complain that using the FastPass+ service requires you to plan your day around the rides. With a 60 minute window for more than 80% of attractions, the FastPass+ service ends up being an outline rather than a detailed itinerary. Your selection can also be canceled or modified as long as the Disney attraction is available. If you truly want to be spontaneous you can always wait until the day of and book your FastPass+ as you go however the attractions and times available will be limited.
Ensuring You Get to Ride the Rides You’re Most Interested In
It’s not uncommon to stand in line for one to two hours to ride a popular ride and 3+ hours for the latest most popular rides. This means spending your day in long lines is definitely an option. This can be frustrating. In fact, it’s one of the biggest complaints tourists have when visiting theme parks. The FastPass+ service allows you to reserve the rides you most want to experience. While you’re waiting for the next FastPass ride, you can walk around, do other attractions, enjoy the shops and the unlimited amount of delicious Disney snacks.
What’s the Catch?
There are 2 big buts when it comes to the FastPass+ service.
Your 3 first Fastpass of the day must be for different rides and in the same park. Once you have used your 3 FastPass you can then get additional FastPass, one at a time, until the park closes. These additional passes can be for the same attractions you initially reserved, if available.
This one doesn’t apply to Magic Kingdom but it has a big impact on Epcot, Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom. The FastPass are tiered. For your first 3 FastPass you can only select up to 1 attraction from the Tier 1 category, which has the most popular rides. For example, both Pandora attractions at Animal Kingdom are in Tier 1 and all 3 Toy Story Land attractions are in Tier 1 at Hollywood Studios.
Getting More From Your Day
When you structure your day like this, you’re able to experience so much more than Disney has to offer. You can go to shows, enjoy the restaurants, hit the shops, and immerse yourself in the tiniest of details that make these parks so magical. You can even head back to your room for a nap or a swim in between rides. In other words, you’ll get so much more out of your day.There are many benefits to the Disney FastPass, but there are also drawbacks. If you don’t mind scheduling your day, this can be a great way to experience more of the park. However, you do need to realize that you can’t just ride your favourite rides over and over without standing in line. Book your FastPass as soon as you are able to so you can get the more popular attractions. Should your plans change you can always change them.
The Pros and Cons of the Disney FastPass
Getting More From Your Vacation
You can have someone take care of all this for you. Let an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner, like OMC Blogger, Jeremie from Pure Magic Vacations. They will work with you and offer FastPass suggestions for your family and even book them for you, if you want. It’s all free!
I Am One in Six: My Infertility Struggle (and Solution)
Nobody ever mentions infertility when you’re younger – sometimes even into early womanhood. It’s a natural assumption that when you’re ready to start a family, it will just happen. At least, that’s what I thought. The news of my infertility came as a devastating shock, but fortunately it became a lot easier after coming across donoreggbankusa.com. This is my story of how a donor’s egg turned my sense of helplessness into a story of hope, which I believe will empower others going through a similar experience.
When my husband and I married in 2007, we shared bright visions for our future. We were undertaking a business venture together, and having kids was in the cards for us, but not a priority at that time.
A few years later when we decided to start trying, we were shocked to find it wasn’t working. It was hard not to blame myself or feel like I’d “missed my chance”.
Woman holding a baby girl
We consulted fertility specialists and found some comfort in learning that we weren’t alone. In fact, one in six Canadian couples will have problems conceiving. We were advised that In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) would be our best chance, but even then, the chances weren’t great. By then, I was in my late thirties and was aware that declining egg health could very well affect my chances of conceiving.
Sure enough, traditional IVF didn’t work for us. A couple years and several rounds later, we still didn’t have the baby we longed for. After more consultations with our specialists, we were told that IVF with donor egg might be our best chance of becoming pregnant and having a baby.
At first, the idea of donor egg seemed a bit strange. We started to consider if there were any family or friends we could ask. We wondered if we should search for donors we didn’t know, but quickly realized that regulatory restrictions made that difficult. The entire process seemed completely overwhelming until someone pointed us in the direction of a frozen donor egg program. We were thrilled to discover that California Cryobank’s Donor Egg Bank had helped many Canadian couples in recent years achieve their dreams of starting a family using frozen oocytes.
Not only that – the Canadian Assisted Reproductive Technologies Register reported that there had been a 10% increase in frozen donor egg cycles from 2015-2016. We were pleasantly surprised by the high success rates using frozen donor eggs and that treatment wasn’t as expensive as we thought it would be.
I Am One in Six: My Infertility Struggle (and Solution)
The Frozen Donor Egg Process
The process starts with selecting your donor from the egg network’s extensive database. There you can access important information about the donor, including health and educational background. Once you select a donor, five to eight of her viable eggs will be shipped to your fertility clinic of choice.
My experience was relatively simple. I was given medication to thicken my uterine lining and make it a hospitable environment to receive an embryo. Initially, I was worried about taking the medication, but I didn’t experience any side effects.
Leading up to the embryo transfer, my egg lot was thawed and each egg was fertilized with my husband’s sperm. A few days later, the two most viable embryos were chosen for transfer. The transfer itself was very straightforward – two embryos were placed in my uterus via a thin catheter. The procedure felt similar to having a pap smear.
The following two weeks were perhaps the most difficult. I was hoping so hard for it to work, trying to imagine the embryos implanting as they should. At the end of the two-week period, I had a blood test to check if I was pregnant, and couldn’t believe it when I got a positive result. One of the embryos had stuck! I was so grateful for the opportunity to carry my child for the next nine months, and even happier to meet our little girl in person.
If you, too, are battling infertility and think age or egg health may be a factor, I highly recommend you consider donor egg IVF as a path to parenthood.
The sun, the heat and the lush vegetation are all signs that summer is here in the capital! One thing Canadians love doing at this time of the year is firing up their grills to dine al fresco. Cooking on the barbecue is a really great solution for many everyday meal issues during this time of the year. Not a lot of prep is needed when the grill is in use, and it is a fabulous way to feed your loved ones in a hurry. Do you find it hard to find a protein that is versatile and can feed groups large and small? Try Canadian turkey BBQ Turkey Mixed Grill Dinner Recipe!
Photo credit: https://www.canadianturkey.ca; BBQ Turkey Mixed Grill Dinner platter on a table.
Turkey can be cooked on a grill?
Wait! You have never tried cooking with turkey on the barbecue before? There are so many different dishes that can be created with the use of your barbecue. On busy days, the barbecue can your best friend. The various heat zones around your grill allows for you to use different areas to cook your meal at the same time. This helps as it can be a real time-saver and makes it possible for you to prepare a meal with less mess and cleanup. Canadian turkey would be a perfect high-protein meat to prepare for special occasions celebrated during the summer such as Canada Day, backyard barbeques. Turkey also works well for quick and tasty meals you feed your family every day.
Hold on! Isn’t turkey a heavy and fatty protein?
Did you know that turkey is a nutritious option for a protein that is simple to prepare on the grill? This bird’s white and dark meat are lean. This means that your family can enjoy different cuts that suit their taste without worrying about the nutrition of the part of the bird they are eating. Since turkey is a lean meat, this also reduces flare-ups on the grill.
How does turkey taste when cooked on the grill?
This fabulous fowl enhances the flavour of meat and veggies! You know what this means: less butter, oil, or processed sauces need to be used in your recipes. Turkey is a bird that lends itself to many flavour profiles, making it easy to prep with marinades and rubs. Since the white and dark meat of turkey are super packed with flavour, it can easily be added to many grilling recipes. When you go shopping for food, make sure to ask your grocer or butcher for 100% Canadian raised turkey and turkey cuts, in store, all year long! You should look out for ground turkey, turkey breast, turkey rolls and roasts, turkey thighs, and drumsticks, turkey steaks, turkey burgers, and turkey sausages. These cuts will definitely add sizzle to our table this summer.
How do you prepare Canadian turkey on the grill?
Not sure how to prepare Canadian turkey on your barbecue? Keep these 8 ways you can use to build big flavour with turkey on the grill in Canadian Turkey’s BBQ Bootcamp.
8 Ways To Build Big Flavour With Turkey On The Grill:
Learn to use direct and indirect heat. Direct heat works best to sear turkey, develop savoury crusts on your cuts, create flavourful grill marks, and cook smaller or thinner cuts of meat quickly. Indirect heat works for larger cuts of meat that need to cook low and slow, coaxing out flavours while keeping cuts moist and tender.
Smoke and sizzle mean big flavour! Use the barbeque to brown your turkey and create caramelization that adds big, bold flavour and keeps your meat juicy and tender. Smoke adds that unique and special BBQ taste, allowing you to cut down on salt, sugar and fat.
Preheat your grill to hot so that food will sear on contact. Searing will lock in those flavourful juices and help to avoid sticking which can lead to charring. Make sure you season your meat first, so that the sear will create a flavour-packed crust.
Use dry and wet rubs to season your turkey cuts. Turkey marries well with a wide variety of herbs and spices, so feel free to experiment with your favourite combinations to enhance taste and texture. Take a look at these
Know when your meat is done! Use a meat thermometer to check doneness and avoid overcooking or undercooking your turkey.
Leave it alone! When cooking over indirect heat, leave your turkey cuts alone without turning or flipping very often to allow for even cooking and browning.
Cook your entire meal on the BBQ – appetizers, side dishes, vegetables and even desserts can be cooked over the grill. Cooking entire meals on the grill will give you juicy meat and tasty vegetables. Grilling locks in moisture and adds natural smoky flavour, cutting down on the need for extra fat, salt and sugary sauces. Visit canadianturkey.ca to explore a library of amazing grilled turkey recipes!
Marinate your cuts to add big flavour and help to keep your turkey moist and juicy. Infuse flavour into your meats by marinating with healthy fats like olive oil, and adding citrus, beer, wine or vinegar and fresh herbs, spices and rubs.
BBQ Turkey Mixed Grill Dinner Recipe
YES! There are many recipes that are perfect for many parts of the bird to be cooked together in one meal. If you are having a large group over this summer, this BBQ Turkey Mixed Grill Dinner is a meal that will easily wow and feed a hungry crowd.
BBQ Turkey Mixed Grill Dinner
Summer is here! Are you looking for ways to be barbecue ready this year? See how you can be by making this BBQ Turkey Mixed Grill Dinner!
Season all the turkey cuts except for sausage with the rub.
BBQ over medium heat until cooked through, no longer pink, and the meat registers 165°F (74°C) on a meat thermometer inserted in the thickest part of the meat. (Heat setting and cook time will depend on the power of your BBQ and the size of each cut.)
While cooking, combine sauce ingredients in a hand blender or mini chopper and blend to combine.
Baste all turkey cuts generously in the last 10 – 15 minutes (depending on cut) of cooking time.
Approximate cooking times: o wings and drummettes: 8 – 10 mins per sideo sausages: 8 – 10 mins per sideo drumsticks and thighs: 12 – 18 mins per sideo bone-in breast: 20 – 30 mins per side
Set aside to rest, 15 mins.
Baste again with sauce before serving.
Notes
Note: Heat setting and cook time will depend on the power of your BBQ and the size and weight of each cut.TIP: For best results when cooking your turkey breast and to avoid drying out, cook your bone-in breast off heat. To do this, place the breast over a burner that is off while surrounding burners are on.
Are you curious about other ways to prepare Canadian turkey? You can find additional tips, recipes and HOW TOs on Canadian Turkey’s website! The recipe section is filled with tasty grilling recipes for full meals, snacks, appetizers, and family favourites. You can also have the HOW TOs for helpful grilling tips and techniques.
Disclaimer: This post was generously sponsored by Canadian Turkey.
Want to make your amazing summer road trip experiences come together in a memorable way? Here are 5 road trip photography ideas to shoot during your summer vacation that can help bring your journeys to life!
Family posing for a photo in a car.
Road Trip Photoshoot
Road trips are the mark of a fabulous summer travel vacation. From beginning to end, hitting the open road on an adventure is always fun to experience. One thing you should have on hand your travels is your trusty camera. Whether it is a cell phone or a hand held one, a camera helps to capture all of the fun that can happen at any time of your trip.
1. Road Trip Pictures
The beginning of any journey can be memorable. This part of your trip also sets the stage for the rest of your trip. This part of your journey can also make for some amusing photos. What kind of images would be fun to catch the spirit of this part of your road trip, you ask? Take a look at these ideas:
Packing your luggage
Piling your bags filled with everything except the kitchen sink by the door
Hopping in the car
Waving goodbye
2. Snaps in transit
Photo ideas for road trip are some of the best to capture the essence of a good road trip. What makes this kind of photo opportunity so good to take? Out of all of the types being shared, many of these road trip photography tips are candid ones. Some great examples for road tip photography:
Sights outside of the window
The winding road ahead of you
Funny things happening in the car
Wildlife wanderings
Interesting stops along the way
Road signs
Road trip sunset photography
Winding road in a wooded area.
Whether inside or out of the car, these road trip photos can be humorous. Even a photo of the driver parking can be a great moment to have. This is where a backup cameras come in handy!
3. Capturing your home while on the road
Where you rest your head while on a road trip can help to make your trip memorable. This is the time where everyone gets to take a breath, relax and get energized for the events ahead. This can be at a hotel or at the home of loved ones. Photos of your downtime can help you remember these good times. Check out these road trip photoshoot ideas you can snap to keep these memories fresh:
Shot of front of the hotel
Selfie or group shot in front of the hotel
Inside of your hotel room
A view from your balcony or window of your hotel room
Fun at the pool
Seeing family or loved ones
4. Food! Glorious food!
Some of the best stories happen on a road trip are centred on food. Good or bad, food has a way of bringing back memories of places you visited and the people you were with when it was enjoyed. Some amazing foodie photography shots to take while on your next road trip are:
Favourite food places
New foods experiences
Beautiful plating
Selfie or group photos while eating or waiting for food
Food tasting shots
Interesting patio, restaurant or eatery décor
5. Final goodbyes
The end of a great summer road trip can be moving. It is the turning point of a fun getaway as it is time to return home. There are still stories that can be captured at the end of this trip. A good photo can also help sum up the good times you had while you were away. Check out these fabulous road trip photo ideas you can capture to put a close to your summer vacation:
Closing door to hotel room
Leaving hotel or family or loved one’s home
Rear view shots
Putting key in the door of your home
Sprawling out on the couch, chair, or bed at home
These are just some of the ideas to capture memorable photo opportunities while on a summer road trip. A sampling of these different kinds of shots can make for an amazing story where no words are needed. No matter what kind of camera you use, these road trip photography ideas will make the memories you snap special and put together memories of fun moments had while on the road.
What are some of your favourite photos to take to capture fun memories while on a road trip?
If your family is planning a Walt Disney World vacation, you may be tempted to stay at a hotel outside of the resort. The thing is there are so many benefits to staying at the park. Whether it’s the earlier and later access to the park or extending the magic, there are many reasons to stay at a Disney Resort. We will also look at 9 tips for for choosing your perfect Walt Disney World Resort for your family.
6 Reasons to Stay at a Disney Resort
Finding the perfect resort for your Disney vacation should never be stressful. Planning for your Disney extravaganza should be as memorable and fun as the trip to see the world’s most famous Mouse.
1. Earlier Access to Reservations
When you choose to stay at a Disney resort, you’re able to book FastPass+ reservations 60 days prior to arrival for the entire duration of your stay (up to 14 days). Those staying outside of Disney can only reserve their FastPass 30 days prior to each park day. This can make a huge difference in the attractions and times you are able to reserve. Some of the most popular attractions such as Avatar’s Flight of Passage will surely not be available at 30 days or have very little time choices.
2. Extra Magic Hours!
Resort guests also get the benefit of enjoying parks earlier or later into the evening. The schedule for which parks will open earlier or stay open later changes. However, this can make a huge difference in how much you get to experience at the Disney park. Being able to get into a park one hour earlier than others or stay up to two hours later can give your family so much more time for everything on your bucket list. Everyday there is at least 1 park that either opens early or closes late.
3. Location
The ability to pop back to your room for a nap, swim or even a snack makes staying at a Disney resort a must. Imagine being able to put the little ones down for a nap. That’s not something you can easily do when you’re staying outside of Disney. This can make a trip to Disney much more enjoyable. After all, every parent knows the struggles of missing naptime.
4. The Pixar Play Zone (The Children Activity Centres are shutting down on August 1, 2018. This is the only one remaining open. This service is not just available to guests staying at a Disney hotel)
Children ages 4-12 can enjoy a Pixar-packed evening of fun, games and Character encounters at Disney’s Contemporary Resort. This kids-only experience from 6 pm to 10:30 pm also includes dinner and dessert! This centre allow parents to drop off their children and go experience the parks for themselves. If you want a bit of alone time, but don’t want your kids to miss out, this is perfect. You may even want to take advantage of this service a few times during your vacation. Reserving in advance is strongly recommended as space is limited.
5. Transportation
No driving required, except for the Tomorrowland Speedway! No matter where you want to go on resort, Disney has bus (mostly), boat, or monorail services to get you there. They even offer a complimentary airport shuttle, Disney’s Magical Express, that will bring you to your resort with the option of letting them take your luggage directly from the plane to your room.
6. The Magic
Last, but not least, staying at the park enhances the magical experience. Going to sleep in a Disney resort room is simply magical for children. The more you spend on a room, the more decorative of a room you can expect. In other words, the value resorts aren’t as magical as some of the higher end resorts. If you want your children to have a room that’s as fun as the park, you’ll have to pay a bit more.
Walt Disney World
Now, let’s look at some tips for choosing a Disney resort!
9 Tips for Choosing a Walt Disney World Resort
Sporty, ultra-modern, elegant, exotic, and even a bit wild, the diversely-styled resorts at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida provide their guests with a magical escape from reality. With 23 individually-themed resorts, how do you choose the one that will make your wishes come true?
1. Know Your Traveling Party
How many kids will be in your group? All Disney resorts welcome children but some are better for younger kids, teens, and families on a budget. For example, if your party includes two children under the age of ten that love any game played with a ball, The All-Star Sports Resort would be a great choice and is suited to a young family’s budget. Larger families may like the Disney’s Beach Club Villa Resort with extra living space and kitchen accommodations. For a romantic stay, try the Grand Floridian Resort and Spa or a cozy hideaway for two at the Caribbean Beach Resort. Is your group a bit wild and loves all creatures great and small? The Animal Kingdom Lodge offers a late afternoon safari tour followed by dinner at its famous Jiko restaurant, but these special is only available to guests staying at the Animal Kingdom Lodge.
2. Determine Your Vacation Dates
If you are visiting Walt Disney World during the Value Season (usually Jan. 1-Feb. 13, Aug. 3-Oct.1, or Nov. 30-Dec. 18), resort prices are at their lowest and you might be able to upgrade to another resort that in the Peak or Holiday Season would not fit your budget. If you are planning a trip during the winter holidays, be sure to book far in advance as some resorts will book quickly during that season.
3. Disney Resorts To Choose From
Disney offers four price levels of resorts and each resort has complimentary resort transportation, Disney’s Magical Express Service, and extra Magic Hours to all resort guests.
Value Resorts: Big on everything but small on price. They include the following themed resorts: PopCentury, All-Star Movies, All-Star Sports, and All-Star Music.
Moderate Resorts: With amazing themed pools, slides, and recreation activities these include The Caribbean Beach Resort, Coronado Springs, Port Orleans French Quarter and Riverside. The Cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness are also included as a Moderate Resort.
Deluxe Resorts: These include Animal Kingdom Lodge , The Wilderness Lodge, The Grand Floridian Resort and Spa. Other Deluxe Resorts include The Contemporary, Disney’s Beach or Yacht Club Resorts, Disney’s Boardwalk Inn, and The Polynesian.
Deluxe Villa Resorts: Complete with kitchens or kitchenettes and extra living space, these six Villa resorts offer guests the comforts of home with the magic of Disney. They include the Animal Kingdom Villa, Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa, Old Key West, Beach Club Villas, Boardwalk Villas, and the Villas at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge.
Camping: Camping is available at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Campgrounds.
4. Location Location Location
Online you can check out the map of the Walt Disney World properties and see the locations of each resort in comparison to each theme park. If you know your family is going to spend most of your stay visiting the Magic Kingdom, check out the resorts located in that area: Disney’s Contemporary, Fort Wilderness, The Grand Floridian, The Polynesian, The Wilderness Lodge, or the Villas at The Wilderness Lodge. If your Disney vacation is a romantic holiday, you may enjoy the southern charm of the Port Orleans Resorts with their direct boat service down the Sassagoula River to Disney Springs and its fantastic dining, shopping, and evening entertainment.
5. Virtual Tours
Gather the family around the computer and take virtual tours of each Disney resort online to get a feel for each unique theme and style.
6. Get Recommendations
Talk to several different people and hear which Disney Resort they enjoy most. Talk to friends, family, and especially The Reservation Specialists at (407) 939-1936. You can call and talk to a Disney Reservation Specialist even before you are ready to book your trip. The Reservation Specialists are always helpful and will offer recommendations on resorts and pricing options.
7. Read Reviews
A valuable resource for information on how to find your perfect Disney resort is just a click away at Plan Disney. This site is home to the Disney Moms and Dads Panel and they are there to provide insight and information on Disney vacations. At the site you can read reviews and even post your questions.
8. Amenities
Determine which amenities is a must-have for a magic visit. All resort rooms are air-conditioned, have cable/Satellite TV and internet access. Pak-n-Play cribs are available and each room is non-smoking. Each resort offers in-room babysitting, housekeeping, voice mail, wake-up calls and is wheelchair accessible. For a complete list of resort features on an easy to read comparison chart, check out the Disney Resorts page.
9. Visit Other Resorts
During your Disney vacation, stop by the other resorts and see first-hand if they might be your choice for your next Disney vacation. Talk to other guests in line while you’re waiting to visit the Haunted Mansion. Ask which resort they’re at and what they like about it.
There are many reasons to stay at a Disney resort. Not only do you not have to worry about driving to the park, but you also don’t have to worry about the traffic jams when trying to leave. There’s also the ability to book rides well in advance and leave your children in the care of others so that you can enjoy some alone time with your spouse. There is even an entire specialized profession (Authorized Disney Vacation Planner) that will help you plan the whole thing, like OMC Blogger, Jeremie from Pure Magic Vacations. Families should experience staying at a Disney resort at least once!
Disney Magical Express Photo credit: Jeremie Laviolette at Pure Magic Vacations
There’s nothing quite like dunking a traditional Oreo into a glass of milk! It’s a timeless classic for adults and children alike! Every now and again, however, it’s fun to make things a little more incredible, and Oreos are no exception! Who would’ve thought that such delectable cookies could become a tasty dessert? I know I certainly wouldn’t have! These The Incredibles Oreo Cookies are sure to be a hit with the whole family!
The cookies are fun and easy to make (not to mention delicious), on top of being a fun way to celebrate the release of The Incredibles 2 in theatres! Not even Jack-Jack could resist these incredible cookies! And while you’re waiting for them to cool down in the freezer, we’ve got a fantastic printable you can print out to pass the time! It contains 5 colouring pages (for you and/or the kiddos), 1 activity page, and two recipe cards! What a remarkable tasty (and fun) treat for everyone to enjoy!
Incredibles Oreo Cookies
Incredibles Oreo Cookies Recipe
Ingredients
Oreo cookies
Wilton light cocoa and red candy melts
Yellow frosting
White sugar pearls
2 decorating bags
2 small bowls
The Incredibles Oreo Cookies Recipe
Instructions
Incredibles Oreo Cookies ingredients
1. In a small microwave safe bowl, melt 2 cups of your light Coco candy melts and 1 cup of your red candy melts on 50% power for 3-4 minutes, stirring every 30 seconds until melted.
Incredibles Oreo Cookies in process
2. Dunk each Oreo into your light Coco candy melts, letting any excess drip off and place onto a piece of parchment paper.
Incredibles Oreo Cookies in process
3. Place your chocolate covered Oreos into the freezer for about 10 minutes.
Incredibles Oreo Cookies in process
4. Scoop your red melted candy melts into a decorating bag, cut a small tip off the end and use it to draw on the Incredibles logo like pictured onto your chocolate covered Oreos.
Incredibles Oreo Cookies red frosting
Incredibles Oreo Cookies in process
5. Place your Oreos into the freezer for another 10 minutes.
6. Scoop one cup of your yellow frosting into a second decorating bag, cut a small tip of the end and use it to draw on the yellow part of the Incredibles “ii” logo like pictured.
Incredibles Oreo Cookies in process
7. Place a white sugar pearl onto the dot of the eye and they’re ready to eat.
Enjoy!
I hope you enjoyed my Incredibles Oreo Cookies Recipe! If you make it, make sure to share with us on Facebook or Twitter! Also, check out all of our other delicious Recipes.
In a small microwave safe bowl, melt 2 cups of your light Coco candy melts and 1 cup of your red candy melts on 50% power for 3-4 minutes, stirring every 30 seconds until melted.
Dunk each Oreo into your light Coco candy melts, letting any excess drip off and place onto a piece of parchment paper.
Place your chocolate covered Oreos into the freezer for about 10 minutes.
Scoop your red melted candy melts into a decorating bag, cut a small tip off the end and use it to draw on the Incredibles logo like pictured onto your chocolate covered Oreos.
Place your Oreos into the freezer for another 10 minutes.
Scoop one cup of your yellow frosting into a second decorating bag, cut a small tip of the end and use it to draw on the yellow part of the Incredibles “ii” logo like pictured.
Place a white sugar pearl onto the dot of the eye and they’re ready to eat.
Enjoy!
Keyword cookies, Incredibles cookies, oreo cookies
Let’s admit it. Parenting is hard. And dealing with temper tantrums can be harder. If you’re a momma who’s emotionally and physically drained thanks to your little one being a bit too difficult over possibly anything, here’s a little something to help. Keep reading to discover super effective ways to deal with your toddler’s tantrums!
Improve Toddler Behaviour
The toddler years are difficult, there’s no doubt about it. All of a sudden your little child feels like the world revolves around them, they may have started demanding things and at times can be completely unruly. Toddler behaviours are completely normal. Tantrums come because they aren’t quite sure how to handle their emotions. Toddlers also haven’t learned much about the bigger picture in life, having compassion for others or empathy. While some toddlers may be the easiest children ever, overall most parents struggler with varying behaviours during the toddler raising years. I am sharing a few tips below to improve toddler behaviour so that your days can be less challenging and, hopefully, can avoid tantrums.
Let’s have a look at some tips to improve toddler behaviour:
Prioritize Rules
Toddlers have a short attention span, so trying to give them too many rules of the household at once will certainly be asking for misbehavior. Start by having rules based on safety, such as not touching the stove, electrical outlets and so forth. Once your toddler seems to comprehend the safety rules, you may gradually add in other rules. Be sure to remain consistent in the rules so that your toddler understands the rules are the rules. Period.
Show Love
Your toddler is going through a change of life now, as they learn to talk more and experience deeper emotional responses. While your toddler may be acting out, having a tantrum, or whining, internally they feel sad or angry. Be certain to show love to your toddler, most of the time they simply want your attention. Toddlers will work to get an attention they are able to get. Be proactive by showing love, aka positive attention, more often so that you curb the bad behavioural patterns based on simply needing attention.
Use Distraction Techniques
Instead of having the normal response of no to scenario’s where your toddler is doing something that you don’t want them to do, try to distract them. The distraction technique is where you try to get your short attention spanned toddler focused on something that they can do. This can be a particular toy, television show, or some tie listening to you read a book to them. Using this technique will improve toddler behaviour and avoid tantrums as it works to guide their attention from desiring to do the wrong thing.
Know Your Toddler’s Limits
Every child has a limit of stimulation during the day, you should pay attention to the cues from your toddler that shows they’ve had enough today. This will help with limiting tantrums. Once you have figured out what your toddler’s limits are, you can then incorporate a nap time or quiet time into the day during those unruly hours. This time can be used for you to nap, catch up on work or sit quietly to enjoy a break in parenthood. Making sure you’re aware and respectful of your toddler limits will truly improve their behaviour.
Set Consequences
Lastly, you will have to use consequences for bad choices. During the toddler years, your child will make bad decisions even if they should know better or aren’t even at their “bad time of day”. The act of testing boundaries and rules is going to be something you battle as a parent throughout the years of raising children. During the toddler years, you may set consequences that you are comfortable with and be sure the consequence fits the crime.
How To Deal with Toddler Tantrums
See below effective ways to help with toddler tantrums:
1. Make Eye Contact
There’s a lot of scientific evidence to back up the fact that establishing eye contact with someone (even your kid) tends to make you have a much larger impact on them. So instead of screaming and yelling at him when he’s in the middle of a tantrum, bend down a little, look into his eyes and speak to him in a firm, clear yet easy tone.
2. Give Him the Choice
Almost all toddlers throw temper tantrums when they experience a loss of power. So instead of flat out disagreeing with him or ignoring his demands, give him a choice to make. For instance, if your kid is making a big scene about his bedtime, ask him whether he’d like to put on his pyjamas first or go take a nice bath? Give him the chance to make small decisions himself.
3. Don’t Lose It
There are going to be times when your child might be unreasonably difficult to deal with, but no matter what, don’t lose your calm. If you lose control, you’ll just end up encouraging your toddler to throw more tantrums whenever he wants to get his way.
4. Stay Away from Triggers
You know your child better than anyone else does. You know the triggers, and undoubtedly, one of the best ways to tackle those tantrums is to stay away from the potential triggers. In case of toddlers, it may be when they’re not fed on time, or when they don’t get enough sleep. In older kids, it may be issues with school or peer pressure.
5 Ways to Deal with your Child’s Tantrums
5. Ditch the ‘No’
This one’s probably the golden rule when it comes to tackling temper tantrums in kids. Ditching the ‘no’ doesn’t mean you have to say ‘yes’ to everything, but it’s just about avoiding the negative words that make your toddler feel defeated and powerless. In most cases, kids throw temper tantrums when they experience a power struggle, so don’t let it be a battle between yes and no. Use your words smarty and win it!
There you have it some tips to deal with your toddler’s tantrums, and also to improve his behaviour. This stage of parenthood will be difficult at times and you will wonder how in the world you will make it through, but you can survive. Use these tantrum tips to help inspire you to switch up your mindset into one that allows your toddler’s behaviour to improve naturally with distractions, positive attention, consistent rules and consequences.
Raise your hand if you’ve been patiently waiting a very long fourteen years to see The Incredibles 2 in theatres! I don’t know about you, but I sure have been! Finally, June 15th is fast approaching, so why not celebrate the upcoming and highly anticipated release of Disney Pixar’s The Incredibles 2by making these scrumptious The Incredibles Sprinkles Cookie Cups!
Cookie cups are an incredible take on the traditional cookie and they’re undoubtedly a fun, must-try recipe, especially if you’re looking to try something new! This summer, consider preparing this delightful treat fit for the superheroes of all ages in your life that even the Parr family would approve of!
Incredibles Sprinkles Cookie Cups
Incredibles Sprinkles Cookie Cups Recipe
Ingredients
1 box of French vanilla cake mix
1/3 cup Canola oil
2 large eggs
Red, Yellow, Orange gel food colouring
Mini cupcake pan
Mini ice cream scooper
1 container of Yellow sanding sugar
Pam baking spray
Red, Yellow, and Orange cake sprinkles
Yellow stars cake sprinkles
Black sanding sugar
Incredibles Sprinkles Cookie Cups Recipe
Instructions
Preheat oven at 350º F.
Spray the cupcake pan with Pam baking spray, set aside
Using a standing mixer, combine cake mix, vegetable oil, and 2 eggs until combined.
Divide the batter into three separate bowls.
Mix Red food colouring into one bowl
Mix Yellow food colouring into the second bowl
Mix Orange food colouring into the third bowl
Take about 1 TSP of each colour of dough and form into tablespoon sized balls.
Place cookie dough balls into the cupcake pan
Incredibles Sprinkles Cookie in process
Incredibles Sprinkles Cookie in process
Bake for 7 to 8 minutes.
Once the cookies come out of the oven, press down the back of 1 tbsp into the cookies to make an indent for the frosting.
Allow cookies to completely cool.
Frosting Ingredients
1 cup unsalted sweet cream butter, softened
2 1/2 cups powder sugar
1 tsp vanilla
3-5 TBSP heavy whipping cream
1 disposable piping bag with a star tip
Directions
Using a stand mixer, combine all ingredients (Except the sprinkles) and mix on medium speed.
Mix until you see stiffed peaks in your frosting.
Scoop the frosting into the piping bags
Decorating instructions
Pipe the frosting into the indent of the cookies
Sprinkle with the cake sprinkles and black sanding sugar
Enjoy!
I hope you enjoyed my Incredibles Sprinkles Cookie Cups Recipe! If you make it, make sure to share with us on Facebook or Twitter! Also, check out all of our other delicious Recipes.
If you are looking for great ideas for celebrating dads on Father’s Day, I’ve come up with some pretty amazing ways to share this special day with him!
Father’s Day is a day meant to show the appreciation for your father or father figure, notably including your stepfather, father-in-law, and family friends, that you hold dear in your life. Do you look for that special gift for dad on Father’s Day, but never seem to find the right thing that truly expresses the way you feel? How about writing some Father’s Day poems and reading them out loud at breakfast? He will truly be impress!
Ways To Celebrate Father’s Day
We all love our dads, right? But what can you do to truly show Dad how much he means to you? Young or old, regardless of their tastes, interests, or personalities, fathers really do love to hear how much they mean to us. Too often we take it for granted that our dads know how we feel. Here are some great ideas for celebrating dads on Father’s Day.
1. SPEND SOME QUALITY TIME TOGETHER
There’s no better gift you can give than your time. This is especially important as you get older since dads often feel like their children don’t have time for them anymore when they’ve grown up.
2. LISTEN TO HIM
When your dad tries to give you advice, do you roll your eyes? Or do you really give him your attention, listen, and take to hear what he is saying? One of the best ways you can show you care is to really listen when he’s talking.
3. SURPRISE HIM
What’s something your dad has always wanted to have or to do? Is there something he’s talked about wanting to do with you, but you never have? Now is the perfect time to surprise him with that one special gift, or some time together doing something he’s always wanted to do.
4. COOK A MEAL TOGETHER
If your dad doesn’t like to cook, you could prepare a meal for him instead on Father’s Day. Start the day off by cooking his favourite breakfast. Top it off by presenting him with a few homemade gifts created just for him.The point is that you spend some quality time together. You can cook his favourite meal, or you can try making a new recipe together for the first time.
5. Take your dad fishing or golfing
It’s a great way to get some fresh air and spend a nice relaxing day with your dad doing something he loves! If it happens to be raining that day, perhaps you could take him bowling or engage in some other indoor activity!
6. Plan a nice, quiet picnic at the park or right in your own back yard!
A picnic can be so much fun! Make his favourite sandwiches and put together some snacks with cold beverages on the side. It’s simple fun for the whole family and there’s no pressure on dad to go anywhere or do anything!
7. If your dad enjoys working with his hands, plan to spend a few hours building something together.
It could be something as simple as a birdhouse or the beginning of an elaborate project in which you plan to spend a few hours each week working on.
8. If your dad loves adventure, look for something to do that’s exciting and fun.
For example, this is a great day to play his favourite sports as a family in the backyard or at a park. You can engage the family in a Nerf Gun battles or go hiking in nearby hills would be a great way to spend the day.
9. If your dad’s not the crafty type or for whatever reason going out for the day is not his thing, just spend some time at home with him.
Talk about the good times you’ve had or watch his favourite movie or the game on TV with him. The main thing is that you’re taking time out of your life to spend with him on this special day. The best way to express your love for your dad or anyone else for that matter is too spend quality time with that person.
These Ideas for Celebrating Dads on Father’s Day can help make a special day for dads, one he will always remember. Make sure your dad knows just how much he is loved and appreciated! You’re creating memories that you’ll cherish forever!
No one like handling negative comments on their blog. Maybe you said something that unintentionally came across as combative? Maybe the reader misunderstood something? Maybe you intended to share an opinion that would result in others sharing their own opinion, and some stepped way over the line? For whatever reason, you’re stuck having to moderate those negative comments. Here’s some tips to help handle negative comments on your blog, and keep your reputation in the green with your readers.
Woman typing at her desktop
5 Handy Tips For Handling Negative Comments on Your Blog
1. Triage negative comments when you’re moderating them.
If you ever run into a post that has several negative comments from various readers, address the easier issues first. This will allow you to take a moment to re-think a response that could add fuel to the harsher comments.
It’s really easy to get mad when your work and opinion is being picked on. However, the first response should never be to fight anger with anger. Take a moment to cool off by handling other comments that are either positive, or less abrasive.
2. Approach the comment with respect and gratitude.
Respect and gratitude for your visitors are both important things to remember. Other people aren’t obligated to visitor your website, let alone leave a comment. Before replying to a comment, proof your comment, and make sure it doesn’t come across as offensive.
Also, with most comments, try thanking your visitors for leaving a comment. It tends to make them want to come back.
3. Never tolerate name calling or profanity when the commentator address you, or another person who left a comment.
This type of behaviour should never be acceptable, or it could really ruin your blog from growing. People don’t like to see a lot of negative activity, and will avoid it. If you’re allowing people to participate in profanity and name calling to yourself or your other readers, you’ve deterred people from wanting to interact on your blog posts.
4. If the issue that they are angry about, are about information you’ve given that they’ve pointed out as false, research, and correct the issue.
Mistakes happen in blogging, but there’s no need to get angry over them. After you’ve confirmed whether the information is true or false, thank the reader for helping you improve your article. If they are wrong, still thank them, but give them a link to a credible source or two, that will back up the information that confirm that your own article was correct.
5. If the person has become totally unreasonable, block them from your website.
Some people love a good argument. It doesn’t matter if you’re right or wrong. They will continue to become a problem. In this case, banning them from your entire website may be necessary. Also, in case they decide to bring the conversation to social media, simple report and block them on those channels too.
5 Handy Tips For Handling Negative Comments on Your Blog
Have you ever had any negative comments on your blog? Tell us about it.
Chances are you loved popsicles as a kid – we all did. While a popsicle is okay on a really hot day, many are just too sugary and artificially flavoured treats that are better suited for the kiddos. If you want something really good, you definitely want to consider making homemade popsicles. There are so many great recipes to choose from. Below, you’ll find fourteen amazing gourmet popsicle recipes.
This roundup features both creamy and fruity popsicles. There’s something for everyone. And, yes, while we’re thinking about having tastier popsicles for adults, the kids are also going to love these treats. With flavours like pineapple, raspberry, and lime, these blow all store-bought popsicles out of the water. Best of all, you control the ingredients. You don’t have to worry about high fructose corn syrup or artificial dyes if you don’t want those in your family’s diet.
14 Gourmet Popsicle Recipes
These popsicles are perfect for any summer event. If you’re having people over for a pool party or barbecue, these will definitely help cool them off. Make a few different flavours so that there’s a nice selection for everyone to choose from.
There are so many great popsicle molds on the market. You can find several different ones on Amazon and also at Walmart or at many discount dollar stores. You can also recycle pudding or yogurt cups. Wash them with soap and water and fill with your popsicle mixture. Place plastic wrap over the top, cut a small slit in the plastic, and insert a popsicle stick.
Everyone is going to love these recipes. Whether you want something creamy and decadent or something fruity, there’s something for you. Look through the recipes below and see which ones sound good to you. These are all easy to make and such a nice change from store-bought popsicles.
I hope you enjoyed my list of 14 Gourmet Popsicle Recipes. My family has loved making a few of these. If you make any of these, share them with us on Facebook or Twitter!
What are your favourite popsicle flavours? Comment below!
We all dream of planning the perfect vacation. Yet, when vacation time arrives, we find that we’ve forgotten something important, can’t get our schedule to work out, etc. You end up coming home frustrated that your vacation didn’t go as planned. While it’s okay for things to go off course from time to time, a good family travel planner will help you stay on track. If you want to plan the perfect vacation, you’re going to love this free travel planner.
Free Family Travel Planner
This family travel planner includes everything you need to help you plan the perfect vacation. Not only is there a checklist for everything you need to pack, but there’s even a section for planning out your days. Another fun section is the bucket list. Here you’ll write down everything your family wants to do and where. This can help you plan out your week so that you can check off as many items as possible. There’s even an area for keeping up with your travel plans and accommodations.
Family Travel Planner
Remember when planning out your vacation and daily activities to leave room in between activities. For example, if you were planning a vacation to Walt Disney World, you would want to make sure to write down all the rides you want to enjoy, but you must keep in mind that some rides will take over an hour of standing in line. When you give yourself buffer time, you’re better able to stay on schedule.
If you’re tired of winging it or hoping your vacation goes as planned, print out this travel planner. It has everything you need to plan out the ideal vacation. Just remember that every vacation is different. You’ll need to pack different items for each vacation – that’s why there’s blank pages for the packing checklist. Also remember that buffer time is essential when planning out your family vacation.
Opinions vary greatly when it comes to the best months to visit Walt Disney World. If you want to avoid the crowds, then you’ll want to go when it’s off season. If you don’t mind fighting crowds and waiting in lines, you can go during the busy season. Lastly, if it’s important to you to see certain seasonal Disney events (such as Halloween or Christmas events), then it’s important you go during the season you want to see.
Ideally for me, the best time to go to Disney is when prices are reasonable, crowds are manageable, and temperatures are tolerable. Generally speaking, the month of January and early February are the cheapest times to visit Walt Disney World. The parks are usually at their quietest due to families traveling during the holidays and the sporadic cold spells.
Usually, hotel room prices are lower and the parks themselves are easier to visit with fewer people attending during that time. Having said all this, no one can really tell you what is best for you. You need to decide that based on your needs and desires for your visit.
The Best Times of Year to Visit Disney Parks
Here are some guidelines for best months to visit Walt Disney World
● If you want to go when the prices are lowest and lines are shorter, you go in the off-season. That’s when the plane tickets and hotel prices for Disney are the cheapest.
● Avoid summer, spring break, and all the holidays.
● If you want to go when the weather is not too hot, consider going between October and April. The Disney parks are located in warm climates so even during those months, the weather will be mild.
Now you know how to determine what’s the best time of year to visit Disney World, you can plan your Disney trip. Have a magical trip!
40’s and loving it! Although, not every middle-aged woman can actually say that! You are at the peak of your life, it’s the right time to make sure you keep your weight in check, your stress levels reduced, and maintain an exercise routine, but there are certain things That Happens To A Woman’s Body After 40 that often no one tells us about and how it will affect some of us.
At forty, you maybe have lots of commitments, children, a spouse/significant other, or you may also be running a business, and these things can get quite distracting. They might even make you forget who you are in your 40’s. Therefore, it’s important to remember to take better care of yourself throughout this stage. It’s also the perfect time to change certain lifestyle decisions made in the past. There is a popular say that goes like this “ Life begins at 40” and it’s one of my favourite because indeed life does begin at 40!
Woman talking and laughing while sitting at a table.
7 Things That Happens To A Woman’s Body After 40
1. Hair Loss
Usually, a woman’s hair gets thinner as she ages, which often becomes noticeable when you approach forty, but what we do not know is that the hair loss happens everywhere: your legs, pubic regions, and every other place you have hair. Your body looses a ton of hair after 40, but it’s always good to know it’s not a fast process but a slow one and only progresses gradually.
2. Decrease In Metabolism
Your metabolism slows down a lot after 40, as does your digestion speed, so this means you need to watch what you eat and eat more fruits and vegetables. It’s important to avoid fast food and fried foods, slash your intake of salt, and, above all, when dealing with decreased metabolism, stay as hydrated as possible and drink lots of water and green tea which helps deal with the bloating.
3. The Brain
You begin to lose little bits of memory that go back and forth. Suddenly, you begin to notice that you have trouble remembering certain things, like names or what you walked into your bedroom to pick up, but it is also good to remember that this isn’t permanent and will return to normal after menopause, so try not to over think it or beat up yourself over it.
4. Inconsistent Monthly Cycle
For a lot of women, menopause comes at forty, while for some others it comes later on. Your monthly cycle becomes irregular, sometimes it comes too early or you miss a few months, and eventually ovulation stops too for a lot of women when their body goes through this. It can also be mentally stressful, so consult your doctor if this is too difficult for you and he/she will be happy to review your options with you.
5. Weak Bones
Your bones become weaker and thinner as you hit forty. At this point, you are advised to include lots of calcium in all your meals to help give your bones as much calcium as you can. You should aim to consume 3 servings of calcium in your diet daily as this will help strengthen your bones and prevent you from experiencing any bone related fracture.
6. Body Pains
For many women as they approach forty, they begin to experience constant body pain every time their muscles are stretched. At this point, it becomes difficult to exercise as much as they want and need, but this is a stage where you must constantly remain active to feel your best. You want to be cautious with your exercise routine at this stage to avoid any injuries.
7. Vaginal Dryness
After 40, you can experience vaginal dryness due to lower estrogen levels, and most times this can lead to constant occurrence of urinary tract infections. It’s important to discuss with your doctor to find out how he/she can help you prevent the frequent occurrence of UTI’s and restore a decent amount of balance to your estrogen levels.
7 Things That Happens To A Woman’s Body After 40
Are you over 40 and loving it? What major changes have you noticed that is taking place in your body? Comment below!
What follows is a list of 17 delicious lemonade cocktails, great to serve to guests or simply to mix up for yourself when you’re in the mood for something with a little kick. Which easy cocktail recipe do you want to try first? Let’s focus on a few of them.
Lemonade Cocktails
Lemonade Cocktail Ideas
You may be surprised to learn that lemonade dates back to 13th-century Egypt. Honestly, I had no idea! Typically served in the summer, it’s a refreshing drink that can be prepared in an almost unlimited number of ways. Lemonade also makes delicious alcoholic drinks!
Spiked Blueberry Lemonade
Prepare this Spiked Blueberry Lemonade in advance, so that it’s ready to go when the party begins. In only calls for three simple ingredients and is best when chilled at least 30 minutes before serving. Make it “less boozy” by using less than the called for five jiggers of rum.
Pink Lemonade Margarita
When you can decide between drinking a margarita or a glass of lemonade, the solution is simple. Combine the two, for a refreshing liquid treat. Like the majority of the cocktail recipes showcased here, this Pink Lemonade Margarita calls for frozen lemonade concentrate. Grand Mariner and tequila makes the drink extra delicious.
Strawberry Basil Lemonade Cocktail
Nothing says summer like the taste of fresh, sweet strawberries. If you happen to be watching your weight, this Strawberry Basil Lemonade Cocktail can be made with diet lemonade. The addition of fresh basil makes this a super-healthy taste sensation you don’t want to miss!
Mango Lemonade Mimosa
Mimosas anyone? This tasty lemon-infused alcoholic drink is just is perfect for a bunch as it is for “just because” occasion. If you don’t have easy access to fresh mangoes, they’re typically easy to locate in the frozen fruit section of your favourite grocery store.
Delicious Lemonade Cocktails
This isn’t your typical “lemonade stand” lemonade. It’s grown-up spiked lemonade suitable to serve at almost any hot-weather gathering or event. That being said, there’s no reason you can’t leave out the alcohol, in many of these recipes, to make these lemonade non-alcoholic drinks available for even your kids who love lemonade too!
Hope you enjoy these delicious lemonade cocktail recipes as much as I did! Also, check out all of our recipes! If you have a favourite lemonade cocktail, be sure to share that with us in the comment below!
Now that our kids are older, my other half and I are happy that we are able to do more things with them. They are able to understand how to play with others better, especially where playing games are concerned. Since they are able to grasp the rules of games, we have started playing games with them in order to become more engaged as a family. It helps their brains work out strategies, learn social skills and adds to fun when bonding as a family. Goliath Games and Pressman Toys are all about bringing people together in a fun and educational way. They asked us to try three games they thought my family would love to play while getting our brains in gear.
Three items we received to help our family learn, strategize and learn from are:
With large, colourful numbers on the tiles and a durable wood case, Rummikub is a game my kids loved playing. Players take turns creating runs with these numbered tiles (either in consecutive numbers of the same colour) and groups (three or more of the same number in different colours). The winner is the player who has the highest score after all the tiles are gone or has the lowest count on their tiles in their hand. Note – This game is suggested for 2-4 players, and is for ages 8 & up.
Photo credit: pressmantoy.com. Rummikub in Wooden Box game.
This game is great for all three of my kids. My younger kids are able to learn about grouping and patterns and my eldest gets to flex her strategic brain power to put down certain tiles at the right time.
Kids playing Rummikub on a table.
Hand placing Rummikub tile on holder.
It was easy for all of my kids to pick up how to play this game. We had a good time playing this game.
Excited girl playing Rummikub.
Tri-ominos Deluxe Game Review
Taking a classic game to the next level
We are huge dominos players. It is a great way to think critically while having fun. Tri-ominos Deluxe takes this this game to the next level with its triangular tiles. Players score points by matching numbers on these three-sided pieces. The winner either clears their hand with the highest score or with the lowest number on their tiles if players could not clear their hands. Note – This game is suggested for 2-4 players, ages 7 & up.
Photo credit: pressmantoy.com. Tri-Ominos game box.
I surprised my kids with this game when they came home after school. They eagerly sat around our table in our backyard to challenge each other to this strategic game.
Kids playing Tri-Ominos game on a table.
The brass spinners make it easier for my kids to wash the tiles and pick them up off of the table. Smiles always light up their faces when they are able to learn which tiles in their hands matched those on the table. The fun twist of scoring more points by creating hexagons, pyramids and other geometric shapes they have been learning about in school. They can see these shapes in the real world while having fun making them through play.
Tri-Ominos tiles on the tile holder.
Tri-Ominos tiles on a table.
Stuff Happens Game Review
Ranking crazy scenarios
When my other half and I have those fleeting moments without our kids, we like to do things to engage our minds. Stuff Happens is a game that makes us think about different things and how they impact us. There are cards that describe certain situations. The goal of each turn is to be correct about how you rank each of the scenarios based off of their Misery Index. A player is crowned the winner by being first to correctly rank ten cards. Note – This game is for 2-4 players, ages 13 and up.
Photo credit: https://www.goliathgames.us. Stuff Happens game box.
It was really funny to learn how I would rank different situations versus how my other half did.
Stuff Happens game box and game cards on a table.
Some of the situations, I feel, are mundane, while others I would never want to experience. We both like how easy it is to fall into the rhythm of this game and want to play over and over again.
Stuff Happens game cards on a table.
Man holding Stuff Happens game card with game cards on a table.
This game would also be great for playing with older children or for a Game Night with friends. I have one note of caution for this game: there are some cards in this game that may make some people feel uncomfortable. We chose not to play with them when we played the game. This is why the suggested age of this game is for a more mature audience.
Family fun anytime
Overall, my family really enjoyed laughing, having fun and learning with games from Pressman Toys and Goliath Games. Each of these games got the cogs in our brains churning while having fun. My younger children can flex their brain muscles by learning patterns in Rummikub and Tri-Ominos. Big kids get to ponder over life’s unpleasant situations in a fun way with Stuff Happens. These games are fabulous additions to our game library and are great to keep us entertained when trying to escape devices for family bonding. They help to bring us closer together!
Learn, Strategize, and Laugh with Pressman Toys and Goliath Games
Would you like for your family to have fun laughing and learning? We found more game and activities for the whole family to enjoy with Pressman Toys on their website. You can also connect with them on their Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and Instagram pages! We also learned more about Goliath Games on their website and checked them out on their Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and Instagram pages!
When it comes to beauty products, lavender is one of the most popular fragrances to use. This isn’t just because lavender has a calming scent. Lavender has many beneficial properties. Lavender has the ability to reduce mental stress and anxiety, aid in treating insomnia, treat acne, relieves muscle and joint pain, and helps relieve bug bite irritation as well as deter bugs. This is why it’s such a popular option in everything from bath bombs to facials. You will find below 10 DIY Lavender Bath and Body Recipes to make as a gift or simply for yourself.
Lavender beauty products are the best way to pamper yourself after a long, stressful day. Being able to soak in a bath scented with a lavender bath bomb or rubbing a lavender oil on your body to help sooth aching muscles. You could even use a lavender lip scrub to help create soft and smooth lips. There are so many wonderful beauty products that use lavender.
10 DIY Lavender Bath and Body Recipes
The benefits of making these Lavender Bath and Body Recipes at home are that you know what’s in them, when the products were made, and you even save money. You can purchase many of the ingredients used in these recipes for very little. Of course, you want to pay to get the best products available, which means 100% pure essential oils. However, this is still less expensive than purchasing beauty products that use the same quality of products.
If you’re looking for a great gift for someone, consider making some of these products and placing them in a gift basket. What woman wouldn’t love getting a gift basket filled with homemade beauty products? It’s the perfect gift for a new mother or someone who is under the weather and needs a lot of pampering. You can even turn homemade beauty products into a business by selling on Etsy or setting up at local craft fair.
However you choose to use these products, chances are everyone is going to love them.
Who says Disney is just for kids? There are many wonderful things for adults to see and do at the Disney World, and it also makes a great trip for couples. You could turn a Disney vacation into a romantic getaway for you and your significant other. We’re going to take a look at Disney for Couples: 9 Tips to Make It Great!
Walt Disney World is home to some of the most cherished love stories of all time. This makes it a perfect place to create fairytale romance. For couples looking for a chance to rekindle the fire, celebrate an anniversary or engagement, pop the question, or take the plunge, Disney fits the bill for planning the perfect romance.
Disney for Couples: 9 Tips to Make It Great!
1. Cuddle and watch the fireworks
You can snuggle up in a hammock, or lie down on a blanket and watch the fireworks that happen every night at Disney. It’s so wonderfully romantic and you might even find yourselves making out like teens in the magic of the moment.
Fireworks above Disney Castle
2. Experience wine tasting “around the world”
You can find lots to drink at Epcot’s World Showcase, that has 11 represented counties for you to explore the finest wines, beers, and other drinks of the area.
3. Snuggle up for a Disney movie viewing
Disney regularly shows viewings of their films and this can be an opportunity to experience it like never before, with the person you love most.
Disney Cruise Ship
4. Go on a Disney cruise
It’s the ultimate couples’ cruise for Disney fans. You can enjoy all the great things about a Disney cruise together, and you can also enjoy everything you love about Disney, with the person you love.
5. Recreate a movie scene
There are many opportunities around the park to recreate a movie scene. There are even Disney photographers around to capture that special moment for you.
Disney Resort
6. Spend some time in your room
While there is a lot to see and do around the parks, you can enjoy a romantic time right in your room. Disney also allows you to leave a special basket or gift inside your room for when you arrive, if you arrange it ahead of time.
At the Grand Floridian Spa, sweethearts receive the royal treatment in a “couples room”, featuring massages and facials especially for lovebirds. For even more intimacy there is a couples instructional massage that includes take-home notes, aromatherapy body oil and tips on relaxation.
7. View Disney Fireworks from a Private Boat
Couples looking for that magic spark (or a whole sky of sparks) should book a Disney Fireworks Cruise and watch the fireworks from a private boat. Prices start at around $399 an hour and ships fit 10 guests (or just two). Soda and snacks are provided and festive banners and balloons are also included in the cost.
Disney for Couples: 6 Tips to Make It Great
8. Explore the Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground
An ideal place for a romantic adventure for couples is at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground. Sweeties can rent a kayak at the Bike Barn and float through serene wildlife. Animals lovers should head to the Tri-Circle-D Ranch and take a pair of ponies for a stroll. In the evening, horse-drawn carriage rides leave from Pioneer Hall. Lovers can cuddle through the 750-acres of woodland resort.
9. Eat at Disney’s Most Romantic Restaurants
Disney has many top-notch restaurants, and much to contrary belief, there are not characters at all of them! While families with children are prevalent at most dining establishments, there are quieter places for lovers to share a plate of pasta “Bella Notte” style.
For dining within the parks, the best bets are in Epcot’s World Showcase. Monsieur Paul is the priciest option, but transports eaters to a serene table in the heart of France. Le Cellier Steakhouse, located in the depths of the Canada Pavilion, offers low lighting and less screaming children than many of the other restaurants. The food is delicious at both locations. Disney’s Hollywood Studio’s Brown Derby also offers a quiet getaway. Diners travel back to the heyday of Hollywood while feasting on the famous Cobb Salad.
To guarantee a more adult environment, couples should book a table at Victoria & Albert’s at The Grand Floridian Resort and Spa. It may cost a week’s pay, but it is the meal of a lifetime. Cítricos, located next door is the cheaper option. Though less expensive, the food is exquisite. Other great romantic bets are Story Book Dining at Artist Point at the Wilderness Lodge, Jiko at The Animal Kingdom Lodge and the Yachtsman Steakhouse at the Yacht Club. The Contemporary Resort’s California Grill provides a truly magical evening. Boosting a beautiful view of the Magic Kingdom, diners should arrive just before Wishes is scheduled to blast off.
With these 9 tips, you can make Disney for couples great. If you’re planning a Disney trip with your special someone, you’re going to have a blast!
If you’re one of those that dread that time of the month, and suffer from painful period cramps that literally make you unable to do anything for at least a couple of days, here’s some solid, actionable advice to make things better. While there may be several possible reasons for painful period cramps, there are some tricks that can help you reduce the pain to a good extent. Read on to know more!
5 Secret Ways to Get Rid of Period Cramps
5 Secret Ways to Get Rid of Period Cramps
1. Sip Chamomile Tea
A study conducted by a team of researchers at the Imperial College of London found how sipping on some German chamomile tea during your period can help reduce inflammation and muscle spasms which give rise to period pain and cramps. This can be a good remedy particularly for women who are used to having stimulants.
2. Ditch the Coffee
Well not completely, but at least when you’re on your period, avoid having coffee or at least reduce its consumption for a noticeable relief from the cramping. The caffeine present in most soft drinks and coffee tend to worsen the symptoms. Instead, sip on some herbal teas and focus on keeping your body hydrated.
Running shoes resting on dumb bells
3.Exercise
Now this may sound counterintuitive but exercise really does have a positive impact in helping you regulate your menstrual cycle and reducing the pain considerably by releasing endorphins and stretching your muscles and tissues. It might take a lot of effort for you to exercise when you’re in pain, but try to get some light physical activity and keep yourself active, and you’ll see how it works wonders!
4. Banana Power
Bananas are an excellent source of potassium, and having them during your period can very effectively help you curb those cramps. You could also consider getting more of potassium rich foods in your diet such as white beans, lima beans, prunes, spinach etc.
Woman doing the Yoga Cobbler pose
5. Yoga Rules
Apart from being one of the best remedies for almost all health issues, yoga can help with period cramps too. Poses like the Cobbler’s pose can help reduce period pain almost instantly, and in general, practising yoga has many benefits for the different systems of your body, including the reproductive system.
Do you have any Secret Ways to Get Rid of Period Cramps? Comment below!
We all know that Disney parks are famous for many different types of food. You probably can’t enjoy it all in one visit, even if you tried. That’s why we’re compiling a list of some of the 5 best Disney foods that you need to try when you’re there. Many could have made the list, including the croissant donut, the Dole Whip, and all the delicious Mickey Mouse shaped food, but these are the best ones worth every penny and calories! No Disney trip is complete without trying some of the best Disney foods from many the different parks!
5 Disney Foods
Here are some great Disney foods you MUST try if you ever get the opportunity:
Mickey Premium Bar
Mickey Premium Bar
This is the classic Disney food and a favourite traditional Disney snack. You can’t take a trip to Disney and not enjoy this Mickey Premium Bar ice cream treat.
Disney loves to take it to the next level. If you check out the many shops around Disney parks, there are elaborately decorated apples in an assortment of designs and flavours for you to enjoy.
German PretzelsAt the Epcot Germany Pavillion
You’re only going to need one because these pretzels are nearly the size of your head. Get them at the Germany pavilion at Epcot.
Mickey Waffles
You just can’t have breakfast at Disney without some Mickey waffles. They’re classic and delicious.
Now that you know about some of the best foods Disney has to offer, you know what to put on your list when you visit the next time.
Do you have favourite Disney foods you’d add to our list?
Summer is right around the corner! Finally, we can say goodbye to our never-ending Canadian winters and focus on enjoying the warm weather and outdoor activities! No more coats, boots, gloves, and that irritating snow, but we’re instead saying hello to seasonal allergies, sunburns, and sand getting everywhere. This year, stay ahead and be summer smart and taking the necessary precautions to make the most out of those sunny days!
Tips To Be Summer Smart
Seashells and Starfish on a sandy beach.
Here are a few tips you can try to help you be summer smart:
Enjoy the sun – responsibly!
Making a conscious choice to keep your skin happy and healthy is crucial all year, but especially in the summer season. Finding your right sunscreen can be challenging, but the new Coppertone® ClearlySheer Whipped leaves my skin feeling soft and moisturized. The rich and creamy foam absorbs quickly while protecting me from the sun’s harmful rays.
Don’t sweat it!
Staying active and exploring the outdoors is an integral part of a successful summer, but when you sweat, there are extra steps you need to take to be summer smart and sun safe. Including hydrating more often and choosing a sunscreen that can take the heat. For sunscreen, the Coppertone Sport® Sunscreen Stick with SPF 50 has you covered. It stays on strong even when you sweat and won’t run into eyes and sting! To boot, it’s even water resistant for 80 minutes!
Don’t overdo it!
We all want to make the most of the beautiful weather but knowing your limits and taking appropriate breaks is important to enjoy the summer responsibly and be summer smart. Monitor your breathing and heat levels. If your body is telling you to rest and cool down, make sure you listen.
Be Summer Smart
Get into the habit of bringing a reusable water bottle and snacks with you!
Particularly during those extremely warm summer days, I’m always grateful to have water and snacks on me at all times, no matter what I’m doing. Drinking water continuously throughout the day while you’re out and about (especially under the sun) helps prevent dehydration, and that snack could make all the difference if you (or a family member/friend) begin to feel a little light headed at any given time.
Treat your seasonal allergies!
With the blooms and buds comes pollen. A runny nose, sneezing and tearing of the eyes can force us indoors, depriving us from enjoying those glorious summer days. When my allergies start acting up, I take Aerius®. It gives me multi-symptom 24-hour relief. Aerius® is non-drowsy so it can help you function normally, both at school and at work.
What are some of the things you do to be summer smart?
Share below!
This post is sponsored by Bayer. To be sure these products are right for you, always read and follow the label.
We all know that crafts are a great way to keep kids busy when they’re stuck indoors. Whether you’re a mother, or even a teacher, it pays to have several craft ideas up your sleeve. Crafts inspire creativity, spark the imagination, and – probably best of all – keep kids quiet. You can even save yourself some time by putting together a few homemade craft kits. This Smiley Butterfly Craft for Kids is easy to make and if you look around our site here, you’ll find a bunch of easy crafts for kids of all ages. Keep your craft kits in a box and choose a different one each time you need to keep the kids busy. They’ll think it’s fun to choose a new craft from the box. The key is to only open the box when the kids are stuck indoors. This makes the box special.
Smiley Butterfly Craft for Kids
This smiley butterfly craft is so much fun. Best of all, you can find everything you need for this craft for affordable prices. You may even already have the supplies in your children’s craft stash. Let your kids be creative with this craft. If they want black and pink butterflies or purple and green, why not? Let them live out their dreams and escape reality for a while. Too soon they will be grown and no longer interested in cotton-candy coloured butterflies.
If you need crafts for small kids, this is a great one. It’s not only fun, but so easy for them to make. If you have really small kids, you can cut out the shapes and let them choose the colours and do the gluing. If you want to take things one step further, consider attaching fishing line to the back and hanging the butterflies in front of a window. You could also let the kids adds some glitter so that the butterflies really shine when the sun hits them.
Print and cut out the patterns from the template. Place the cut out patterns on the selected coloured craft papers and trace around the sides. Use scissors to cut out the traced patterns nicely. The template includes – 1 body pattern with wings, 2 small strips (antenna), 1 oval pattern (to create the smiley face of the butterfly), 2 teardrop patterns and 2 circle patterns for wing decoration. You can create your own patterns for decorating the wings or simply print, cut out and use the template given with the tutorial.
Step (2)
Smiley Butterfly Craft for Kids Step 2
Attach the two teardrop patterns on the top side of the wings and the two circle patterns on the bottom side of the wings.
Step (3)
Smiley Butterfly Craft for Kids Step 3
Take the oval pattern and draw the smiley face using black gel pen. Use pink sharpie to create two blush patterns on both cheeks of the butterfly smiley face. You can add more or less details as you wish.
Step (4)
Smiley Butterfly Craft for Kids Step 4
Attach the smiley oval pattern right on the middle of the wing pattern.
Step (5)
Smiley Butterfly Craft for Kids Step 5
Finally, attach the two small strips (these will be the antennas) at the back side of the top end of the smiley oval pattern.
Mix and match different coloured papers and draw different smiley faces for variation.
Smiley Butterfly Craft for Kids
You can use these smiley butterflies for tons of other crafts!
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