Creative Christian Mama

God bless all Mothers

Miriam Dunning

Four activities you could try for your next team building event

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A team that trusts each other and values each member’s own individual insight is key to your success in the workplace. However, it can be difficult to automatically generate teamwork and collaboration amongst a group of people who may not organically come together. As such, team building events are essential for building trust and friendship amongst your team so that they come to rely on each other and work better together. Here are four activities that you could try for your next team building event.

1. Virtual chocolate tastings

Chocolate tastings are a great alternative to wine tastings events: there are many intricate flavor notes for you to explore with the help of a chocolatier, but without the booziness of alcohol. It also makes a great virtual event, enabling you to connect with members of your team who live further afield and work remotely. Attendees will be sent a box of chocolates ahead of the event – just make sure you remind people to resist them until the actual tasting! Visit dallmannconfections.com to find out more about corporate chocolate tasting events online.

2. Escape room

For a team building event that exercises your colleagues’ problem solving and collaborative skills, while also providing a sense of adventure and excitement, you could try an escape room in your local area or online. Escape rooms are an immersive adventure game, in which you and your team are locked in the playroom and have to break out in a limited time frame, usually 60 minutes. Escape rooms are usually themed to add to the experience; you could be escaping from an Egyptian pyramid, creepy castle, or gritty prison. Escaping involves solving puzzles and challenges, which strengths your team’s core skillset for working together effectively, including effective communication, logical thinking, and collaboration.

3. Assault course

Completing an assault course is a great way to build trust amongst your team and let off some steam in the great outdoors. They provide physical challenges to foster teamwork and exercise critical thinking and collaborative skills as well as your body. When organizing an assault course team building event, remember to consider the fitness levels of each member of your team and any physical limitations a person may have. You may otherwise find that your event is counterproductive if people find it too difficult to complete or have to sit out. However, there are assault courses available to suit most fitness levels, from fun inflatable games to intense military style training courses.

4. Have a drink after work

Perhaps one of the simplest team building events you can do is to go for a few beers after work. This will allow you to get to know each other on a more personal level away from the corporate environment, and to decompress after a particularly stressful workday. Choose a bar that is close to your office, or you could take it one step further and book a table at a nice restaurant.

The Benefits of Laser Tattoo Removal

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Source: Wikipedia | Walker915

Tattoos are permanent additions to your skin, which at the time might seem like a great idea. However, after a while, you might find yourself wondering why you got the tattoo in the first place. While not everyone wants to have their tattoos removed, the option of doing so makes life a lot easier — the reason being that tattoos might interfere with your professional life, personal life e, and even your romantic life. You might find yourself regretting a design or wanting a new tattoo to fill that space; whatever your reason, laser tattoo removal can help clear that space on your skin. You might wonder why you would bother? Or whether it is worth it? Well, reader, this blog will highlight a number of advantages.

How Does it Work?

Laser tattoo removal works by using highly concentrated light waves to break down the pigments in your skin, which are then cleared away by your immune system. The new laser treatments use different wavelengths so that different color inks can be removed effectively. Anyone working with laser removal treatment will be specialists in skin treatments and will be able to remove your tattoo while looking after your skin.

No Scarring

The technology used by laperfection.co.uk is designed to leave your healthy skin cells alone and any tissue surrounding the tattoo. This means that when you have your tattoo removed, you do not need to worry about the risk of scarring, which could put many people off having their tattoo removed. In addition, instead of sanding down the skin around the tattoo, laser treatment targets the pigment, so your tattoo will fade effectively while the skin around the ink will not be damaged.

Minimal Recovery Time

A great perk of laser removal is that the recovery time is fairly minimal. It is the safest way to remove a tattoo compared to other techniques, which means that recovery time is pretty short and has few side effects. Normally patients will have to use sunscreen for several days after the procedure to protect them from UV rays, which is the extent of recovery. Common side effects might include redness or a slightly burning or itching of the skin, which normally clears up pretty quickly.

Precision

Laser tattoo removal is effective on tattoos of all sizes due to the precision and ability of the laser to remove the ink from your skin. The precision of the laser also means that it can remove certain aspects or details of your tattoo that you may no longer like or want to change, which can be helpful if you are making alterations to existing tattoos.

If you are interested in the process of tattoo removal and think that it is the right treatment for you, it is well worth investing in. For example, you might have an old tattoo that no longer serves any purpose, or you might need a tattoo to fade for a new cover-up; whatever your reason, laser tattoo removal is highly advantageous. 

How to Protect Yourself from Sun Damage

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We all love being out in the sun, and some of us even enjoy lying out in it and bathing in its warmth. The problem is, as much as we like the sun, it is extremely dangerous, and can be life-threatening when we don’t take the right precautions. With this in mind, here are some of the best ways to protect yourself from sun damage so you can enjoy the heat and not get sick. Read on to find out more.

Sunscreen

Wearing sunscreen is one of the – and perhaps the – most effective ways of staying safe in the sun. Although ideally you should wear long sleeves and pants, this is not always practical, so sunscreen is a good alternative to protect yourself from the sun’s rays.

Sunscreen blocks the UV rays of the sun and prevents the heat from burning your skin. You should wear sunscreen on any exposed area of skin every time you go outside, even if it looks cloudy or hazy. You might not be able to feel the sun, but it is there.

Sunglasses

Sunglasses from Just-glasses.co.uk are a must when you are in the sun as they can help to prevent some eye conditions that the sun’s rays cause. Too much exposure to the sun can lead to macular degeneration, pterygium, and cataracts, and wearing sunglasses – as long as they have UV protection – will help to keep your eyes safe and healthy.

Not only that, but sunglasses will make being out in the sun a lot more comfortable too. Squinting into the brightness is not pleasant, and if you have to carry out tasks such as driving, or even if you want to enjoy the good weather, wearing sunglasses will help make that possible.

Rehydration

Although you might think of your skin and eyes initially when it comes to protection from the sun, the rest of your body is also at risk due to the problems associated with dehydration. The warmer it is, the more we sweat, and the more we sweat, the more fluid we are losing from our bodies. This can very quickly lead to dehydration which in its severest form can be fatal. Even if you aren’t hospitalized because of dehydration, you can become confused, moody, uncoordinated, and you will find that you develop terrible headaches at the very least.

Therefore, always have a bottle or flask of water with you when you are out in the sun – or when you are out in any weather. As adults, we need to drink around 11.5 to15.5 cups of water a day and more in the summer. Unless you have water with you and continue to sip it all day, you could become sick or at least less productive than you should be.

Wear a Hat

We mentioned long sleeves and pant legs earlier on and discussed how they might not be entirely practical when it’s hot. What is always practical, however, is a hat. Make sure you wear a hat when you go outside (and ideally a wide-brimmed one), and you will be protecting yourself in many ways. This includes protecting your eyes, your face, and your scalp.

Finding a Vet

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If you have a pet, or you’re considering getting one, then it’s important that you find a vet. As a responsible and compassionate owner, it’s important for you to know where to get the care your pet needs when it needs it and to build a relationship with a trained expert who will get to know your pet over time and learn what the baseline for normal is, and spot when something changes.

It’s also your legal responsibility! As part of the provisions of the UK’s Animal Welfare Act (2006), pet owners have a legal responsibility to protect their pets from pain, suffering, injury and disease. The best way you can do that is to register your pet at a vet as soon as possible so you know where to go for help if you suspect your pet is suffering. The regularity of check ups isn’t mandated by law, but if you want to know where you have to register your pet at the vet, uk pet owners have to.

The Right Vet

Finding a vet can be a bigger challenge than simply going to the nearest one. You need a vet you can trust, that can treat the animal you’ve chosen for a pet, and that meets the right price point for you – some vets practices can cost more, and registering won’t do you much good if you can’t afford the treatment.

The first step to finding a vet is to see what’s in your area: don’t default to the nearest one. Check for online reviews, and most important ask around amongst your pet owning friends. A personal recommendation can make all the difference in helping you feel like you’re choosing a vet who’ll understand your pet and its needs.

Exotic Pets

If you have a less than usual pet, whether it’s a snake, a tropical fish or a parrot, you might need to look further afield for a vet that can do everything you need.

Many vets are qualified to practice only on the common animals in their area. It’s easier to find an equine vet in the countryside near lots of stables, for example. If you’ve got a pet that needs specialised care, there are lots of ways to find the right vet. You could look at professional bodies, for example, like the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, groups or clubs of owners or breeders like the UK Parrot Society or ask a local vet for a recommendation.

Style Your Whole Family in Vintage, Nostalgic & Retro Fashions!

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Teach your family and friends alike about the 20th-century heyday of pop culture.

Swinging 60s

Right from the explosion of the mini skirt to the ‘out there’ mod-inspired styles, the fabulous 1960s will always be one of the most impactful eras of fashion. Not only that, but the 60s are also the decade that consistently influences modern-day fashions and trends. They were arguably the most fashion-forward decade. Think Bewitched with less hairspray. Think The Brady Brunch with a more complementary color.

60s fashion was kaleidoscopic, colorful, tailored yet relaxed, and, essentially, a complete floaty free-for-all. The 60s are experiencing a tremendous revival, and dressing like this is even more fun this time around.

Sensational 70s

There was a lot more going on in the 1970s than just bell-bottoms and fitted shirts, although this was the ultimate classic look for the era. In 1970, Vogue announced, “There are no rules in the fashion game now!” The early part of the decade was still consumed with the Hippie look but, a few years later, a more casual, everyday style emerged. Women began entering the workforce; tailored blazers and midi skirts began sweeping the fashion houses. Men’s suits, however, took on a more European feel, with slimmer cuts, tighter waists, and a much straighter pant leg. Embrace your inner ‘70s star with flannel shirts, bright sweaters, light blue jeans, khaki chinos, leather jackets, and, of course, the obligatory oxford shoes.

The 1970s were known for their bold colors and even bolder patterns. Shirts got shorter, boots got taller, and anyone who was anyone sported a headscarf.

Epic 80s

The 1980s were all about cheap fabrics, gawdy fashion accessories, and clothing completely covered in sequins and diamonds. Fake, naturally. An era of striking style, colors, and silhouettes to match, the 80s were definitely one of the most eclectic decades in fashion we’ve ever seen. Fabulous.

Throughout the 80s, t-shirts were worn with absolutely everything, from jeans to suits. Usually crew-neck, nearly all designs featured some kind of slogan, logo, or bold placement print. Check out 8ball.co.uk for a huge selection of t-shirts representing and celebrating the fabulously gaudy 1980’s, including slogans from all the best 1980’s movies and tv shows.

Naughty 90s

Saving, in our opinion, the best till last, why not consider revamping your family’s closet and becoming bang on trend at the same glorious time? The 1990s were all about relaxed, sporty, and downright cool as chuff fashions, with the low-key style comfortable and easy to wear.

The most iconic fashion pieces of the 1990s were, in no particular order:

Pleated skirts (we own some), cargo pants, bike shorts (available everywhere right now), oversized blazers (just like the shorts), and the incredibly useful and surprisingly practical claw clips.

Go on, treat yourself and take your whole family on a journey through the fashion world of the 20th century. If it doesn’t suit you, well, at least you had a laugh and tried something new style-wise.

The Best Things To Do In Southern California

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Southern California

Sunny, rainy Southern California is renowned for its dramatic Pacific coast. San Diego, just north of the Mexican border, is renowned for its surf spots and Balboa Park’s world-renowned zoo and museums. 

The city of Coronado lies across the bay. Further up the coast is Los Angeles, home to Hollywood studios, the Getty Center, Griffith Park, and the high-end shopping district of Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills.

Newport Beach

In Orange County, couples love visiting the beach. They can bask in the sun, swim, and surf. There are many places along the beach where they can do so.

View sea creatures in their natural habitat with the M/V Sea Life Discovery boat. After that, join whale watching tours to see the numerous species of whales.

Orange County is the region of Southern California directly south of L.A. County that is ideal for kicking back and soaking up the sun. Its beaches include more than 40 miles, epitomizing the Golden Coast’s surf, sand, and sun. 

Look out for the best in movers orange county if you plan to move here.

Big Bear

Located in the San Bernardino Mountains, the mountain resort town of Big Bear resembles Lake Tahoe in Northern California. It is a great place to go any time of year.

Snow Summit in the summer is a great place to hit the slopes at the Bear Mountain and snow summit in the winter. If you plan on bringing the little ones click here to deck them out in warm baby clothes.

Sledding is the cheapest winter activity in Big Bear. It complements both skiing and a mountain-side that transports fun to another region. also serves as an alternative for people who aren’t sure if “hitting the slopes” is for them.

When the weather warms up and the snow melts, take advantage of Big Bear Lake. The lake is seven miles long and offers plenty of space for swimming, fishing, kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, and even parasailing!

San Diego

There is nothing more beautiful than having the ocean right next to you in San Diego. The area emphasizes the city’s beach vibes with skyscrapers and sand right here, companies such as Ignitedigital.com loved it so much they called it home. 

There is a lot of fun to be had at Balboa Park, which includes the world-famous San Diego Zoo and more than 17 museums covering all different disciplines. Balboa is a lot of fun. It covers nearly 1,200 acres!

At Mission Beach, visitors can skate along the waterfront, visit one of the many restaurants, or ride the (recently restored) 1925 Giant Dipper Roller Coaster.

San Diego Zoo

There is no better way to spend time with your kids than visiting the San Diego Zoo. There are thousands of animal exhibits to explore as well as many activities, tours, and events geared toward families.

You can get your children involved in a fun program called Kinderzoo, where they can make arts and crafts, participate in story time, meet zookeepers, and make art with animals.

Looking for more ideas? Check out this article.

Tips For Remodelling Your Bathroom

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When it comes to renovating or modernizing the family home, it is likely that the biggest single projects that the homeowner will undertake will be within the kitchen and the bathroom.

A good bathroom design must not only be practical and functional, but it must also be in keeping with the tastes and styles of the homeowners to endow it with a sense of comfort and peace.

Here are a few tips to assist in crystallizing ideas for the perfect bathroom renovation.

Customizing your renovation project

Of all the rooms in the house, the bathroom is that singular room where each member of the household focuses on themselves. As such, the bathroom should not only be practical, but it should endow the user with a sense of privacy, serenity, and comfort.

Each person is unique, and a well-planned bathroom remodel should also underscore that sense of uniqueness. Consider engaging with a professional planner such as the Bathroom Specialists in Bedfordshire, Woodstone Bathrooms, to bring the project to fruition.

Consider the purpose of your remodel

Begin by considering the purpose and the scale of your intended remodeling project. Is the plan to gut and modernize the entire bathroom? In many cases, particularly with older homes, the plan is to remove all fixtures and fittings and undertake a complete facelift of the bathroom.

In other cases, the intention may be to retain certain elements of the existing bathroom – the bath or existing floor and wall tiling, for example – and install or blend new fixtures into the existing décor.

Perhaps the bathroom is too small and needs to be expanded to accommodate the needs of a growing family.

Considering the purpose of the project will give both the homeowner and designer a clearer idea of what is required.

The bathroom floor plan

Dependent on the scale and extent of the remodeling project, the plan and layout of the bathroom may perhaps vary from that of the original bathroom design.

A good professional will assist in the best layout, taking into consideration the location and the serviceability of existing plumbing and wiring.

As a general rule, it is advisable to keep new plumbing fixtures and upgrades as close as possible to the existing plumbing if intending to keep costs of demolition and renovation to a minimum. However, the world is your oyster with remodeling, and with the upgrade giving the bathroom an extended lease of life (not to mention increased property value), the homeowner may consider a more radical re-fit to be worthwhile.

Creating a sense of space

Many older-style bathrooms are typically small and cramped affairs and may benefit from some simple renovations to give the room a more airy sense of space.

Changing the room décor to lighter colors is an obvious first step. This can be further reinforced by switching to a clear glass shower door rather than a shower curtain which blocks light and gives the visual impression of a solid barrier.

Switching to pedestal sinks cuts down significantly on space and gives the impression of a more spacious room.

Using a well-positioned large mirror can add a finishing touch to add a further sense of space.

Summary

The bathroom renovation is typically one of the biggest single-room projects the homeowner will undertake.

Following a few early steps and then engaging a professional bathroom specialist will ensure a rejuvenated bathroom that will not only satisfy comfort and luxury but add significant value to any home.

4 Ways To Create An Eco-Friendly Backyard

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The environment and taking care of it, are hugely important, and it’s something we should all think about more in our everyday lives. Many people are doing a great job in being more eco-friendly and using sustainable products, but if you’re wondering what else you could do, perhaps it’s time to consider your backyard.

When we think of being more environmentally friendly, it’s our homes’ insides, or maybe the transport we use, that comes to mind. However, there are also a number of ways we can make our backyards more eco-friendly; here are some ideas so you can implement the changes as soon as possible.

Eco-Friendly Fencing

One of the best ways to incorporate sustainable products into your yard is by installing eco-friendly fencing. First, the fact that this kind of fencing is made up of composite recycled and sustainable materials means that it’s already better for the planet than standard fencing. Yet there are more great reasons to use this kind of fencing too.

One of these reasons is that eco-friendly fencing will last longer than standard fencing. It’s stronger and more durable, and that means fewer repairs and a longer life for the fence; you’ll have to replace it much less. This is great for the environment as there is less waste.

Conserve Water

Conserving water is an essential part of being eco-friendly, and your backyard is a great place to ensure it happens. Look for every downpipe you have and install a water butt at the bottom of it. In this way, you are collecting any rainwater, which can then be used to water the yard rather than using water from your hose.

With the right setup (which you may need an expert to help you with), you can even use this collected rainwater within your home to flush your toilets. However, if you choose to use this water in your shower, it will need to be treated first.

Don’t Use Chemicals

When you use chemicals in your yard to combat pests or to help your plants grow better, those chemicals will leach into the soil and water systems, and cause problems for the environment. This is why they should be avoided as much as possible.

Instead of using chemicals, there are many natural ways to remove pests from your yard and to encourage better plant growth. You can try ‘companion planting’, for example. When you plant certain species of flowers or vegetables close to one another, they can ward off the pests that would normally plague their partners. Another option is to erect bird boxes in your yard; this will help to keep your slug or caterpillar problem down since you’ll have more birds around.

Encourage Wildlife

We’ve already mentioned how to encourage more birds into your yard is a good idea, but encouraging other forms of wildlife is also eco-friendly. The more wildlife you have in your yard, the more eco-friendly it will be.

Bees are especially useful, and since they are becoming endangered, if you can make a safe space for them in your garden, that’s a positive thing. To do this, choose flowers that have large, ‘open’ faces and are brightly colored. You can even install a bee hotel.

How To Raise Active and Health Kids

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Physical activity participation decreases with a child’s age and grade in school. Physical activity is important for families. Here are some tips to keep your children active and healthy.

Getting the entire family moving

Researchers have found that lifestyles learned in childhood are more likely to stick with an individual into adulthood. If children take an interest in sports and other physical activities as a family, they will lay the foundations for good health.

Be an Active Role Model

Engage in physical activity as a way to take care of your body and health, instead of a chore. Find activities you enjoy and spend at least 30 minutes five days a week being active. 

Children will be more likely to copy their physical activity habits when they see you enjoying time being active. It’s also a great way to build a lasting bond with your kids. 

Include Physical Education

Healthy lifestyles require children to both be able to engage in free play and be properly instructed in specific physical skills. An easy way for children to achieve this is to participate in physical education as part of their regular schoolday, while attending school. 

Whenever there is time when children are at home due to school being out or an event like a snow day, block off a certain time each day for them to participate in physical activity. The most effective approach would be age appropriate and fun.

Organized Activities

Active play can be organized by either a parent or a child. There are games such as Simon Says, which are played indoors, and dozens of outside games such as hopscotch, jump rope, dodge ball, Frisbee golf, badminton, volleyball and the list goes on.  

Consider taking the kids to a bowling alley, a surfing school such as Aquasurf,com, basketball park or skating rink depending on the season.

Make Fitness Part of Your Child’s Day

If your children are old enough, they can walk or bike to school every day, and they will get the many physical and mental benefits of being active. Get them engaged with a hobby that involves fitness such as hiking. 

You can include fun new ideas such as using a disposable camera to take cool pics with. Don’t have a camera pick one up from Analogcc.com.

Make the most of not being at school by walking or biking with your kids when possible as well as organizing family walking or biking trips.

Playing tennis, bowling, or baseball can maintain physical activity at a time when going outside is possible. Active video games can also be used to promote physical activity on ‘physically-active’ television when the weather is bad out. 

Get Help With The Household Chores

Make active chores feel fun with upbeat music, so your children will be motivated to help out with the chores. Make sure they help by joining in with your chores as a family and offer some pocket money to really get them motivated. 

If your kids are old enough encourage them to get a casual job such as a vegan meal delivery rider, lawn mowing or paper delivery. 

5 Tips for Staying Healthy as a Busy Mum

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It can be difficult to maintain a healthy lifestyle when you are a mum. In fact, even adults who do not have children often struggle. However, as mothers, the added worry of being responsible for young children while also trying to maintain a healthy lifestyle can seem almost impossible.

Staying healthy requires much more than simply going to the gym once or twice a week. It also requires huge amounts of dedication, strength, and hard work. While this may be true, there are lots of simple things you can do to make your lifestyle healthier. Here are some of our top tips to help you:

1. Eat Clean

Choosing to eat clean means eating foods that are as close to their natural state as possible. Try eating lean meats, fresh produce, natural sugars, and sugar-free alternatives and avoiding processed foods and artificial ingredients. There are lots of benefits of eating clean. Not only does it help to keep our immune systems healthy to fight off sickness or disease, but it also keeps our bodies functioning properly.

2. Stay Hydrated

Drinking water throughout the day will help you to avoid becoming dehydrated. Dehydration can affect your body in several ways. It can leave you feeling tired or worn out and it can also cause headaches. Drinking water is a simple way to stay healthy as a mum.

3. Take Vitamins and Supplements

While it is important to make sure you get enough nutrition from the food that you eat, vitamins and supplements are a good way to fill in any nutritional gaps you may have. There are lots of amazing supplements and vitamins for you to choose from, CBD gummies from sites like Herbal Health CBD and vitamin D capsules. There is no easier way to keep your body healthy than taking vitamins and supplements.

4. Involve the Whole Family

Another brilliant tip is to include the whole family in your lifestyle change. Do not try and do it on your own; include your partner, and your children too. Talk to your children about the importance of a healthy lifestyle, so that they understand why the changes are necessary, and lead by example. Children are much more likely to eat healthily and stay active if their parents are healthy and active.

Exercise does not have to mean getting up at 6 am to go to the gym before work. Instead, visit the playground with your children, or have a dance party at home. Make it easy on yourself and it is more likely that you will stick to your healthy mum goal and enjoy it too.

5. Prioritise Sleep

Sleep is more important than you would think. Sleep recharges and repairs your body both emotionally and mentally, helping you to reach your goal of being a healthy mum. Sleep also plays an important role in metabolism, immune function, memory, mood, learning, happiness, and long-term health.

It can be difficult to make taking care of yourself a priority when you have young children running around. There are always jobs to do, toys to be cleared away, sippy cups to fill up or children to be consoled. While it can be difficult to make healthy choices when life’s a little bit mad, it is extremely important to take care of yourself properly so that you can take care of your family too. There are lots of simple ways you can incorporate healthy habits into your routine, no matter how busy you may be. Why not try out some of the suggestions listed above?