Category Archives: sponsored guest post

July 13, 2017 · 8:56 pm

How to Talk to Your Kids About the Importance of Mental Health

This is a sponsored guest post, that may or may not express the views of Mommy Ramblings.

Years ago, mental health was more of a taboo subject, and people were more likely to hide their struggles.

Thankfully, we’ve come a long way as a society. Most people now understand that mental illness isn’t much different from physical illness. The brain is a muscle that we must nurture and exercise in order to avoid issues. Now for explaining this all to your kids…

Why it’s important to discuss mental health

According to data from the CDC, suicide rates are on a steady incline for the first time in over three decades, and one of the most concerning demographic group is girls between the ages of 10 and 14.

To be honest, no one is really sure why suicide rates have increased so drastically in this group, but one theory has to do with puberty.

If you have a teenager, you are intimately familiar with the way hormones can impact your child’s mood. And there’s a ton of research that links puberty with depression in both boys and girls.

To say the least, it’s a precarious time for the child and parent.

Opening the discussion of mental health can let your child know that it’s ok to feel down sometimes, but it’s also important to talk about your feelings.

More consequences of mental health issues

Suicide is a terrifying consequence of mental health issues, but it’s not the only one. Teens who struggle with anxiety and depression are more likely to experiment with drugs in an attempt to self-medicate. Not only is this a problem for teens, but it can lead to bigger issues in adulthood. No less than 90 percent of all adult addicts in the U.S. started smoking, drinking, and/or using drugs under the age of 18.

Tips for talking to your kids about mental health

Start with the basics – Talk to your kids about mental health as it relates to overall health. Let them know that it’s as important to be mentally healthy as it is to be physically healthy, and there’s no shame in having mental health struggles.
Have compassion for others and for yourself – If someone is or seems to be struggling with mental health, try not to take it personally or react in anger. Their actions are not this person’s fault any more than they are your fault. Have compassion. Treat this person with kindness to the best of your ability. The same applies to yourself. If you find that you’re struggling with mental health issues, show yourself some compassion. Try not to be hard on yourself.
Talk about your feelings – If you notice you’re having a lot of negative feelings that you cannot control, don’t be afraid to get help. Let your kids know that they can talk to you about anything. If they don’t feel comfortable talking with you, let them know that you can make a counselor available to them. The important part is to talk to someone.

The topic of mental health should never be taboo – and your children should always know this. They should always feel comfortable talking to you about how they are feeling. And this is more likely to happen when you open the dialog. For more tips, check out this Parents Guide: How To Help Your Team Cope With Mental Health Issues. Let me know what you think, and if you have any tips to share, leave them in the comments.

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Filed under Health, sponsored guest post

Tagged as addiction, Mental Health, Parents, Puberty, Suicide, Tips

June 2, 2017 · 9:17 pm

10 Amazing Ideas to Make Your Home Awesome

This is a sponsored guest post that may or may not reflect the views of Mommy Ramblings.

Most of us have a vision of what we would imagine to be the perfect home. Whether you want it to be modern, have amazing landscaping, or have a spectacular pool, customizing your home is one of the many rewards of home ownership.

If you need help in sparking your creative side, here are 10 amazing ideas to help make your home awesome.

Moat Pool

At first glance, these pools may seem like some kind of home protection strategy, but the fact is they provide a great look and can be quite popular in the right situation. If the idea of a moat pool surrounding your home conjures up images of Medieval castles and drop-down bridges, take a look at modern moat pools and see how far they have come.

Hanging Bed

Here is a trend that has been popping up lately. Suspend your bed from the ceiling and swing yourself to sleep. The bed can be made from wood, concrete, or plastic, but you’ll definitely want strong beams and a professional installation.

Automatic Window Shades

There are few things more convenient than being able to hit a button and have all of your window shades go up or down. Motorized blinds and shades allow you to manage the ambience, privacy, and sun level of each room quickly without the fuss of cords and pulleys.

Interior Cat Transit System

If you are a fan of cats, then you already know that they like to live in a world of their own. The cat transit system allows them to travel the house in the privacy of their own little tunnels.

Glass Floors

How about a glass floor in one of your rooms? It can make some people a bit nervous standing on one, but having a glass floor adds a coolness factor to most homes. Instead of glass you can also have smooth concrete floors with tile or glass features combining the best of both worlds.

Retractable Pool Table

Imagine having a few guests over for dinner and all of a sudden, a full-sized pool table appears from out of the wall. That is high-speed to say the least.

Concrete Crib

There is a company called “Concrete Crib” that can make custom concrete furniture like tables, benches, pools, and counters. Any of their unique creations would be certain to add that special wow factor to any home. Concrete products are popular because not only are they unique, they are easy to clean and durable as well.

Minimalist dining room with table; chair and two closed doors – rendering

Outdoor Movie Screen

Everyone loves going to the drive-in and enjoying a giant movie screen outdoors, but they really don’t compare to having one in your backyard. You can invite friends and family over to see the latest and greatest movies without having to drive anywhere.

Skateboard Room

This might appeal more to the younger generation but how about a room with built-in skateboard ramps? How many times have you seen something like that? If you want to impress your friends, add one of these to your contemporary house.

Spiral Wine Cellar

You don’t have to be a huge fan of wine to appreciate the beauty of a spiral wine cellar. Your guests will be impressed at this amazing feature in your home.

Regardless of which route you take in personalizing your home, it’s always exciting to seek out fun and new things that you can add. Whether it’s a small bowling alley, or a rooftop tennis court, the options are practically limitless.

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Filed under Decorating, Home & Garden, sponsored guest post

Tagged as Concrete Furniture, Design, garden, Guest Post, home, Homes, Pools

May 8, 2017 · 11:34 pm

What’s So Good About Pregnancy Pillows?

This is a sponsored guest post. The views and words in this article do not necessarily represent the views or ideals of Mommy Ramblings.

Many pregnant women use pregnancy pillows when they sleep. As a woman’s pregnancy progresses, it can be more and more difficult to get comfortable and sleep through the night. Since there will be plenty of sleepless nights after the baby comes, you need to get as much sleep as possible while you still have the chance. A pregnancy pillow provides support to your neck, shoulders, back, and legs. It also allows you to sleep in a semi-fetal position, which is the most comfortable position and is also the position recommended by doctors. There are several other ways that a pregnancy pillow can help you during your pregnancy.

Helps With Circulation

Doctors tell expectant mothers that they should sleep on their left side to help with blood circulation. Many women find this position uncomfortable due to their growing belly. A pregnancy pillow makes sleeping on your side more comfortable. Since every pregnant woman’s body is different, the pillow can be adjusted to fit just right.

Prevents Aches and Pains

Pregnancy for most women is an amazing time. Unfortunately, the excitement can be ruined with the aches and pains that many women suffer from. Studies have shown that between 50 and 80 percent of all pregnant women suffer from intense pain and numbness in their neck, back, hips, knees and legs during their pregnancy. Some suffer from these pains even after the baby is born. When you use a pregnancy pillow, it will put less stress on your body while you sleep, preventing these frustrating aches and pains.

Better Night’s Sleep

If you have aches and pains while you sleep, it can be difficult to sleep through the night. A pregnancy pillow will help you relax and it will ease the pain, allowing you to sleep through the night. The more sleep you get, the healthier you and your baby will be.

Helps With Breast Feeding

If you are planning to breastfeed, your pregnancy pillow can be very helpful. You can use the pillow to position your baby properly so that it is easy for them to latch. Because pregnancy pillows come in different shapes and sizes, it is easy to find the one that is most comfortable for you.

When you go shopping for pregnancy pillows, you will notice that there are a few different types to choose from. Each different type has its own benefits. The one that you choose depends on what you want from the pillow.

Pregnancy wedge pillows: This pillow is also known as a maternity cushion. It comes in different shapes and it is the smallest type of pillow. You can use the pregnancy pillow in a few different ways. You can put it under your belly for support, which can make sleeping more comfortable on you back and hips. You can also use it behind your back is you toss and turn while you sleep. It can be used under your regular pillow to raise your head to relieve heartburn, which is common in pregnancy.

Full length pregnancy pillow: A full length pregnancy pillow provides support for your entire body, however, it is not as sturdy as wedge pillows. You can wrap your arms and legs around the pillow while supporting your growing belly. You can find pregnancy pillows that are straight or that are full of styrofoam balls so that it can be shaped to fit your body.

Total body pregnancy pillows: Total body pillows are great for your second trimester and through the rest of your pregnancy. These pillows are between 5 and 6 feet long, and they provide support to the spine. These pillows are either U-shaped or C-shaped. They are also great for your baby after.

If you want to get a good night’s sleep while you are pregnant and you want to be comfortable, you should consider buying a pregnancy pillow.

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Filed under Baby, Baby Gear, pregnancy, sponsored guest post

Tagged as baby, Guest Post, Healthy Pregnancy, pregnancy, Pregnancy Pillow, Prenatal Care

May 3, 2017 · 4:12 pm

Can Frequent Gift Giving Lead to a Stronger Relationship With Your Partner?

This is a sponsored guest post. It may or may not represent the values or views of MommyRamblings.org

Gifts Strengthen The Relationship

Giving Gifts frequently in relationships can help to make the bond stronger. This is especially true when the couple is just starting out in the relationship. In fact, most people use gifts as a way to win the admiration of the person they are interested in. Gifts are bought more frequently at the beginning of a relationship, this slows as the relationship progresses, especially for guys who feel secure that they have won the girl they were eyeing. Truth be told, in established relationships, gift buying becomes less frequent or stops altogether. However, this should not be the case. Buying and giving gifts should continue as they help to increase the bond between the two to be even tighter.

Gifts Act As Security

Sometimes gifts work as security in the relationship. Different gifts are typically given at certain stages in relationships. These gifts signify the relationship is moving to the next level or getting more serious. Having said this, it is good to understand the significance of certain types of gifts to avoid misunderstandings.

Gift Giving Should Be Mutual

Gift giving should be mutual. It is awkward to give a gift to someone who never gives you a gift in return. Look out for hints from your better half to know what type of gift they would like and surprise them with it. No matter the size of the gift, as long as it comes from the heart, it goes a long way to cementing the relationship in ways that can’t be explained. Giftstolast.co.uk has some great deals, check their website for creative, personalised gift ideas.

Gifts Come In All Shapes & Sizes

Gifts come in all types and shapes. Whatever your partner gets you, accept it and show them that you appreciate their efforts to make you happy. Take time to learn about your partner as this will help you know the type of gift to buy. Different people want different things. There are partners who want material things, those who want your affection and others who just want to spend time with you. If your significant other is the type that loves spending time with you, give it to the maximum as it worth more than anything. Taking an evening walk together, watching a movie or just sitting together may be your partner’s perfect gift, give it wholeheartedly and watch your relationship flourish.

Gifts Contribute To The Success Of A Relationship

Gifts are crucial when it comes to the development of a successful relationship. It feels good to have your partner do or get something nice for you, no matter if it was expensive or not; all gifts should be appreciated. However, it is also imperative to talk about gifts and the role they play in that relationship.

Gifts Affirm Love And Commitment

Gift giving gives the assurance that the relationship is alive and doing well. Gifts also act as constant reminders that the partners have each other’s back and that they can count on each other. Gifts prove that there is love between the couple. Gifts in relationships don’t have to be demanded, but should come naturally and are be mutual. However, if for some reason you cannot get your partner any gift, don’t feel bad, explain the situation to them and they should understand.

3 Things To Consider Before Buying a CBD Oil Online

This is a sponsored guest post and does not necessarily reflect the ideals or views of Mommy Ramblings.

There is a lot of buzz lately about the benefits of cannabidiol or hemp oil. Have you found yourself wondering if this oil is as good as it seems? Are you thinking about buying some to see for yourself, but are not sure which one you should buy?

There are tons of articles out there that talk about the benefits – from curing sicknesses, to helping you sleep better, to improving your skin and making it glow. Seems like a great supplement, right?

While it may be, that doesn’t mean that all oils and companies are created equal. Here are 3 things to consider before buying a CBD oil online.

Miracle Oil Claims

While CBD oil is hugely beneficial and does have many health benefits, you have to be careful. Some companies and suppliers will claim that it cures any and everything, thus enticing you to buy and try. Get yourself informed on the real properties of CBD oil, learn as much as you can about CBD oil and it’s benefits and then start looking. It is different from medical marijuana.

CBD oil is a fantastic antioxidant and full of fatty acids essential for the body.

Can it help with many things? Yes it can, but if it sounds too good to be true, as they say, it probably is. Whenever a company starts to play with people who are desperate to find cures, they are not being honest and are actually just playing dirty.

There is still quite a bit of research to be done on the exact effects and properties of cannabis and its extracts, so the best bet is to play it safe and not believe everything you find on the internet or hear from your friends or read on ‘real’ review sites.

The Price Tag

The lowest price is not the one you want to buy. You also don’t want to break the bank. But the thing is that you get what you pay for.

You should look for oils that have a high concentration of cannabidiol in them, and not worry just about the price. You may end up with a very watered-down version of what you were wanting, and that is almost guaranteed to not work or have any benefits whatsoever.

Some pages have lab analysis attached to their pages, which is smart. That is a good thing because it means that you can see the actual results and content of the product.

THC vs. CBD

It’s important to know that the oil you are buying does not contain THC. THC is the substance in the marijuana plant that is psychoactive. It will give you a high and has other known side effects.

CBD, however, is not psychoactive and will not get you high. It has all the same benefits, but without the dangers.

READ THE LABEL well or you may end up with a product you regret!

Cheaper products may not have been properly treated. It takes a lot of expensive technology to remove the THC, and if it’s cheap, chances are that it didn’t undergo that process.

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Filed under Guest Post, Health, sponsored guest post

Tagged as #sp, Buying Tips, CBD Oil, Health, Hemp Oil, Wellness

February 26, 2017 · 10:49 pm

10 Reasons to Dehydrate Food

Preserving foods by drying has been done since ancient times. For many centuries, it was the only way to ensure foods didn’t go bad for long trips or during warm weather. It’s still done today, only it’s more of a useful, pleasant hobby than a necessity. We now have electric dehydrators that remove moisture to create stable, nutritious snacks that some people prefer to the original food. Here you’ll find some of the many benefits of a food dehydrator.

Portable

When your food has been dried, you can bring healthy snacks along wherever you go. Whether you’re driving or seeing the sites, putting a bag of dried foods in your purse or pocket gives you something healthy to snack on and keep up your energy. When in the outdoors, you can even take along dried soup ingredients and add hot water for a tasty meal.

Replace salty snacks

It’s now well-known that most store-bought snacks like chips and crackers contain a high amount of salt. They will also contain unhealthy preservatives that add toxins to the body. By drying fruits or vegetables, you can create a nutritious snack. Weaning your family off potato chips and cookies might be easier than you think if you’re offering delicious banana or apricot chips.

No chemicals

There is no need to worry about preservatives, dyes, or other chemicals. The only thing you need is a dehydrator and almost any food. Cutting your favorite fruits or meats into bite-sized slices creates a chewy dried snack that will retain its natural taste, vitamins, and minerals for months to come.

Efficient storage

Drying food can decrease its size to as little as one sixth of its original volume. Nor is there any need to make room in the freezer or refrigerator. After dehydrating, a few pounds of apples will easily fit into a sandwich bag. You can seal it up and tuck it away in a corner of the pantry to snack on long after fresh apples have spoiled.

Raw foods

Diets based on eating a majority of foods in the raw state are very popular. It makes perfect sense, since boiling and other means of cooking tends to destroy a good percentage of vitamins. This begins to happen as low as 115 degrees Fahrenheit. Dehydrators can preserve your food at even lower temperatures, which means you’re also preserving all the natural fiber and nutrition.

Reduction of waste

The ability to preserve excessive grocery purchases and even leftovers not only save you money but can save time. Dehydrated meals can be easily warmed up again with water, broths, or soup stock. Reducing waste also means lower demand, lower commercial production, and less stress on the environment. You can even go as far as growing your favorite herbs or vegetables in your own garden. You’ll never have to buy them again if you dry and preserve the overage.

Save on costs

Dehydration eliminates spoilage and waste so that you save money over time on every perishable food item you buy. You can also save money in other ways:
* Buy in bulk and dry the excess for storage.
* Purchase your own fresh herbs and dry them for flavoring.
* Provide dried fruits for delicious snacks instead of sugary commercial items.
* Make healthy snack mixes to put out at gatherings or give as gifts.

Consistent quality

With your own dehydrator, you have control over what foods you choose to dry, how much, and how often. You can cut and separate them into any portion sizes you like, or add some lemon juice or cinnamon for a little zest. You can serve your own dried foods to guests and family with the confidence that they are perfectly healthy treats with no hidden ingredients.

Buy during peak seasons

You can save more money and reduce waste even more by stocking up on fresh local produce. During the harvest season, pick up staples like tomatoes, blueberries, or even melons at roadside stands. These are generally fresher and healthier than the big chain grocery store produce that’s trucked in from all over the country. Dry them and you’ll have a delicious food source all winter long.

Fun family projects

Dehydrating and saving healthy snacks is something the whole family can get behind. It’s not hard to do with a little supervision. Everyone in the household can pick their favorite foods and take part in preparing, drying, and storing them right in the kitchen on those cold or rainy days. You might even come up with a new mouth-watering recipe for beef jerky.

Dehydrators are a convenient and simple way of preserving natural foods. In modern times it’s become the best and cheapest option. You can repurpose dried ingredients any way you like. Dehydrating food can easily become part of a healthier new lifestyle.

This is a sponsored guest post and may or may not represent the views of Mommy Ramblings

Beautify Your Home With Porcelain Tile

Porcelain floor tiles are the hardest and most durable tile option available. They are available in two types – through bodied and glazed. Through bodied have the color and pattern throughout the tile whereas glazed tiles are covered with a hard finish, which makes them very strong and dense. They are available in a wide selection of colors and sizes, making it very easy for you to customize patterns. They resist water, stains, scratches, chips and even mold and mildew. They are also relatively easy to keep clean. Because of their versatility, porcelain floor tiles are a fantastic option for just about any room in your home.

Bathroom

The bathroom sees not only a lot of foot traffic, but a lot of moisture as well. People often spend a lot of time in this room. Humidity often finds its way onto every bathroom surface. Water from showers and baths is routinely splashed or dripped onto the floor. Damp towels may be left lying around. Porcelain is an excellent choice for flooring, walls and even counters. It will resist all of the moisture in the air. It will also make your bathroom a gorgeous place to be. By choosing the right colors and smaller tiles, you can create a relaxing pattern on floors and walls.

Kitchen

The kitchen is another room that sees a good amount of use. The durability of porcelain floor tiles ensures that your floor will resist damage from foot traffic, but remain shiny and bright for many years. Large tiles can make the kitchen appear more open. Smaller porcelain tiles are also excellent for walls and floors. You can create unique patterns on your wall to create a specific atmosphere. Their durability makes them excellent for counters.

Entryway

Large floor tiles can create a very open and inviting entry to your home that is also resistant to most damage. You can also use a variety of sizes to once again create a unique pattern.

Porcelain floor tiles are extremely versatile. You can use them on the floors, walls and counters of various rooms to unify the house. And, with the overwhelming variety of colors and patterns available, you can create your own unique atmosphere that is both beautiful and long-lasting. For more information on porcelain floor tiles, head on over to PlumbTile.com and request your flooring samples today!

This is a sponsored guest post and the views expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of Mommy Ramblings.

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Filed under Home, Home & Garden, Home Improvement, Kitchen, sponsored guest post

Tagged as Bath, Ceramic Tile, decorating, DIY, home improvement, Homes, Kitchen, Porcelain Tile, Renovations, Tile

December 16, 2015 · 7:59 pm

Best Housewarming Gift Ideas to Make You the Best Guest in the Party

Attending housewarming parties is always fun and exciting. You share the excitement of the family, couple, or perhaps a single person (who is most likely rich for buying a house for himself). It is a joyous celebration! And you surely do not want to come empty-handed. It just does not feel right even though the couple might probably include in the invitation that no gifts needed. You know that’s just being polite. In reality, they would love to receive gifts, especially good ones. Well, do not be blinded by the word good. Good does not necessarily mean expensive. So there is no need to panic or worry.

Here are some best housewarming gift ideas that will make you the best guest at the party.

Customized welcome mat – living in a new home can be surreal. And often, house owners feel very sentimental and particular. They want everything to be meaningful and special. Giving them a customized welcome mat will surely be a great idea. Make sure to include something that will represent the family or probably their names on it.
Custom address stamp – couples or new house owners usually send out tons of thank you notes or cards to inform people of their new address. A custom address stamp will be very helpful for them. Also, it’s just too cute! They’ll love it without a doubt.
Personalized cutting board – it is common to give kitchenware or appliances for housewarming parties however, if you want to be remembered, make sure to come up with unique idea. How about a personalized cutting board? Include a humorous message that will remind them of you. Most moms who love to cook are particular about cutting boards – so this is a winning idea indeed.
Fire extinguisher – make sure to extend your care for their new home. Giving them a fire extinguisher will help them prepare for emergency cases. This is a very important thing but most house owners tend to overlook its importance. So be the one to remind them how important it is to have fire extinguisher in the house.
Customized Christmas ornament – Christmas holiday is just around the corner. Come up with a customized Christmas ornament that they can display on their new house.
Scented candles – they surely want to keep the house smelling fresh and fragrant all the time. Giving scented candles will be good gift idea to keep their house a comfortable haven.
Cookbook – for newly married couple, a cookbook gift will be nice. It will assist the wife to cook delicious foods for the husband and the entire family. Make sure to choose a really good cookbook. If you have personal recipes you want to share then you should compile everything and come up with a personalized cookbook.

The hosts of the party will definitely love these gifts. They will definitely think that they made the right choice inviting you to the housewarming party.

Thinking of buying your own house? Australia is perfect country to raise a family. Lend Lease’s house and land packages in Adelaide are wonderful with great neighborhood and nearby parks and walking trails for outdoor activities. Who knows, you might be the next host of a housewarming party.

The following is a sponsored guest post and the views expressed do not necessarily express the views or ideas of Mommy Ramblings.

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Tagged as #Sponsored, Buying, Gift, Guest, Guest Post, house, Housewarming, New Home, party, Real Estate

September 22, 2015 · 1:37 am

Overcoming Challenges When Designing Your Child’s Room

Designing a child’s room can be a challenge. It can be tempting just to utilize an adult bedroom set for them, especially if you already have one you can use. Using adult furniture sets can present several issues. Often, the furniture is not suitable for children, it may have sharp corners, lack safety features or just be the wrong size to be safe or functional. Children’s rooms tend to be smaller than what many adult size sets were made for. This can leave a child’s room overcrowded, cramped and lacking in style, functionality and fun!

You might be scratching your head trying to figure out how you can create a child’s room that will be functional, fun, stylish and grow with them. I am happy to tell you that it’s not so hard. You might want to take a look at modular children’s bedroom furniture as an option. Modular furniture is the perfect choice when trying to maximize storage and function for kids, even in small spaces.

The versatility of having some pieces with wheels that can be moved when needed and rolled back when not. Modular pieces provide storage for what you need most. Create a unique storage solution for your child’s things by combining cubbies, cubes, shelves, drawers, hooks etc to get exactly what you need. Wardrobe units can be added and are a solution for more than clothing storage, they can be customized to fit many purposes.

Modular pieces also let you work around oddly shaped spaces where more traditional furniture just won’t work. Other advantages are the ability to add bold punches of color in a drawer or bin that draws the eye and gives the room flair. If your child is old enough, letting him/her plan their room with you and decide on pieces and colors will empower your child and makes them so much more in tune with their room.

Bunk beds or loft beds with desk space underneath add function and style in any space. As your child grows, pieces can be added, colors swapped, pieces rearranged and more to adapt to their changing needs. Changing the color of walls and textiles will also give the same pieces a totally different feel as your child grows.

If you have a budding artist adding a fold down modular wall cabinet that transforms into an art table with smaller cubbies and drawers above for art supplies would inspire and delight any budding Picasso.

If you have a child collector, there are great options for storing and displaying sports memorabilia, dolls, cars and more. What are your greatest challenges in your child’s room? I would love to hear your thoughts in the comments.