5 benefits of journaling.

Hey readers.

There are many excellent reasons to journal, not the least of which is that many journals available for purchase nowadays have attractive designs.

 While keeping a notebook as an adult may seem silly and writing things down may seem old-fashioned, the advantages of journaling tend to grow with age and the complexity of your ideas.

You should occasionally sit down with a diary and collect your thoughts since, as an adult, it's simple to become lost in the hectic and complex environment we live in. 

Everyone has different motivations for keeping a notebook, but you can find solace because it's a place where you can focus entirely on yourself without fear of criticism.

We urge you to try journaling because it is a valuable and therapeutic technique. And before you get started, look at our top five reasons for journaling.

 1. Keep thoughts organised. 

Journaling enables us to clarify and organise our thoughts. You can jot down daily occurrences, ideas, and emotions related to specific encounters or viewpoints. Your journal entries can be archived and tagged in Journey.

2. Health benefits. 

The benefits journaling can have on your health are some of the most significant and frequently disregarded benefits. 

Journaling can help with anxiety relief and stress reduction, among other health advantages.

 Finding techniques to reduce these sensations is essential since stress and anxiety can negatively affect mental and physical health.

Journaling has other positive effects on your health, such as enhancing your emotional intelligence, mood, and memory.

 Therefore, grab a pen and diary and write everything down if you're feeling anxious or uncertain about anything in your life.

3. Writing practice.

Writing in a journal is a great writing exercise. Anyone who wants to become a writer must put in a lot of practice to master the craft. 

One of the finest strategies to improve your writing is to keep a journal. Writing for a brief period each day will help you develop good sentence structure, word choice, grammatical usage, etc.

4. Changes.

Journaling records development and subtle changes. Human nature makes it easy to miss the subtle signs of growth when you're in the middle of something. 

On those difficult days when it seems like everything is imploding, it's easy to lose sight of the progress you're making. 

You can read about your past to understand how far you've come and gain the perspective that a terrible day isn't indicative of a bad life. 

5. Encourages self-confidence. 

In several ways, journaling can increase your self-confidence. If you keep a notebook to organise your thoughts and routine, you could discover that being organised lessens worry.

 Your ability to effectively manage your time and constantly cross things off your to-do list might serve as positive reinforcement for yourself.

You can discover that being kind to yourself also enhances your general relationship with yourself if you use your notebook to practise good self-talk and fight negative thoughts actively. 

What do you think about journaling? Is it something you do? I would love to hear your thoughts down below. 

Cheers for reading X 

My Sunday photo 27/08/2023

My boys experienced going ice skating this week ⛸ 

Dirt pies recipe.

 Hey readers, 

If you want a fun and yukky recipe for kids, look no further, as I have the perfect mud pie recipe.

Ingredients.

* Ready to roll puff pastry. 

* 150g of chocolate buttercream. 

* 2 ready-made chocolate muffins. 

* 2 tbsp of golden caster sugar. 

* 75g black ready-to-roll fondant.

* Handful of chocolate-covered raisins. 

* Handful of mint leaves.  

Method. 

1. Use a cuttie cookie and cut out nine cookie shapes. Place them into a Yorkshire pudding tray, and cook them in a 180c fan oven for 15/20 minutes. 

2. Place them onto a cool rack for 5 minutes to cool down. 

3. Spread a teaspoon of chocolate frosting into the bottom of each pastry shell and use the back of the spoon to smooth it down.

4. Crumble the muffins into a bowl and stir the sugar. Sprinkle on top of the chocolate frosting. 

5. Sprinkle more sugar on the crumbled muffins to resemble sand. 

6. To make the slugs and bugs, roll the fondant into sausage shapes and add two little antennae on top. Add a few small fondant sausages for the legs of the bugs. Use a knife to add a little detail to the back of the slugs. 

7. Add the chocolate-covered raisins as a pebble path, then small bunches of mint leaves as bushes and chopped chives as grass. Add your slugs and bugs on top as a finishing touch. 

Enjoy. 

Cheers for reading X

Ibs what is it?

Hey readings, 

Although the exact causes of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) are unknown. 

Correlations to oversensitive gut nerves, food moving through the gut too quickly or slowly, family history, and stress have been made.

You may take steps to assist in alleviating and regulating symptoms even when a remedy has not yet been discovered.

What are the symptoms of IBS? 

IBS symptoms might vary, but they frequently last for a long time. The most typical ones are:

* Abdominal discomfort brought on by having a bowel movement, such as cramps or bloating.

 *  Alterations in the way that bowel movements look

alterations in the frequency of your bowel movements.

* The feeling of incomplete ejection and a rise in gas or mucus in the stool are additional symptoms that are frequently associated.

What causes IBS? 

IBS can be treated in various methods, but its aetiology is uncertain.

An abnormally sensitive immune system or colon are potential culprits.

 A prior bacterial infection in the gastrointestinal system is the root cause of post-infectious IBS.

 It's challenging to avoid IBS because of its many potential causes.

The process of getting a diagnosis of IBS. 

The doctor will want to rule out other illnesses but should be able to diagnose the patient based on the symptoms provided. 

You may occasionally experience IBS symptoms from medications you take for other health issues. 

To investigate if a medication swap is possible, it could be worthwhile to bring up this topic with your doctor.

Blood tests may be utilised as additional examinations and will be used to evaluate the following:

* Whether or not anaemia exists.

* Functional liver and kidney.

Any indications of bowel irritation. 

*If celiac disease could be the problem. 

To ensure that another bowel condition is not causing symptoms, doctors are now using a stool test called faecal calprotectin to detect inflammation. 

The doctor can therefore be assured that it is IBS. 

IBS and diet. 

There isn't a single IBS diet that will reduce your symptoms. 

This is because the precise origin of IBS is still unknown, and every person's body responds differently to certain foods.

However, studies and evidence-based recommendations have revealed that while some food groups can trigger IBS, others can help ease symptoms.

Take into account the following crucial aspects to attempt and manage your IBS symptoms:

Potential IBS trigger foods and drinks.

 

A successful IBS diet plan entails more than just selecting healthy foods.

 Additionally, it involves avoiding foods and beverages that could cause unpleasant and painful symptoms.

 You may already be aware of the foods that are difficult for your body to properly digest and therefore aim to replace them in your diet.

A wonderful approach to keeping track of what you eat and figuring out which foods can cause IBS flare-ups or symptoms is to keep a food diary.

There is no list of foods to avoid if you have IBS because various people may experience symptoms in response to different foods.

Common foods that cause IBS, however, can include:

* Nuts, beans, potatoes, and whole-wheat flour all include insoluble fibre, which can be more difficult to digest and worsen bloating and pain.

* Dairy products - For certain IBS patients, foods like milk frequently cause symptoms.

* Despite being rich in protein and fibre, beans and legumes can be difficult for some individuals to digest, leading to bloating, gas, and other IBS symptoms.

* Processed foods, frequently heavy in fat, sugar, and salt, can cause flare-ups of IBS.

* Caffeine and alcohol are both known to make some IBS sufferers' symptoms worse.

Cheers for reading X

My Sunday photo 20/08/2023

 

A good game of monopoly taking over 4 hours to complete 😂

No churn Daim bar ice cream recipe.

Hey readers, 

The ingredients for this no-churn ice cream recipe can be combined in only 10 minutes, and then the mixture is left to freeze. 

It's an excellent dinner party dessert to prepare in advance.

 

Ingredients. 

* 397g of condensed milk.

* 600ml cream. 

* 6 Daim bars, roughly chopped. 

Method. 

1. Pour the condensed milk and double cream into a large mixing bowl. 

Beat with an electric mixer for about 10 minutes until thick and voluminous. 

Fold in 4 of the chopped Daim bars. Freeze in a lidded freezer-proof container until firm.

2. Scoop into bowls and sprinkle over the remaining chopped Daim bars to serve.

Enjoy. 

Cheers for reading X

5 wonderful benefits of reading books to kids at night

 Hey readers, 

The activities your kids engage in before night may be the reason for their difficulty sleeping.

 Before going to bed, watching TV or playing video games may affect how well they sleep. 

The good news is that reading at night can ensure they sleep better and wake up feeling rested and ready to take on the day.

 Continue reading to learn more about the advantages of reading at night.

1. Bonding time.

Whatever their age, having you all to yourself during a bedtime reading gives your child a chance they might not otherwise have during the day.

A night-time book shared with your child when they're snuggly and ready for bed is the perfect time for cuddles, bonding, and making cosy memories that will last a lifetime.

2. It enhances attention. 

Why read to your kids?

Their focus will increase if they remain still and listen to a beautiful bedtime story!

Reading is much more complicated than watching TV, which makes it easier for the brain to strengthen and form new connections.

If a youngster reads frequently, paying attention to the story will aid in information retention.

3. Helps lower stress levels.

Reading-based stress reduction is just as helpful for children as for adults. 

Reading allows your child's imagination to wander to new locations and sends them on an adventure outside their surroundings. 

In adults, reading helps put our problems behind us and relaxes and loosens our muscles.

 In contrast, reading a bedtime tale while cuddling with a parent lowers cortisol levels in children, improving their ability to unwind and focus.

4. Expands their vocabulary.

Because it allows us to interact with others and our environment, communication is a vital life skill.

 Additionally, an extensive vocabulary significantly improves your capacity for communication. Numerous studies have also shown how reading expands vocabulary.

5. Helps build a routine.

Reading bedtime stories to your child fosters a passion for learning. Additionally, it aids your youngster in developing a reading regimen. 

Children must comprehend the significance of adhering to everyday routines. Even for adults, this promotes stability. Additionally, this will enhance their education and personality. 

Building a healthy routine that includes reading bedtime stories at the same time every day helps teach kids the value of time. 

These habits will undoubtedly alter and mature as they get older.

What do you think about reading to children at bedtime? Love to hear your thoughts in the comment section below. 

Cheers for reading X 

My Sunday photo 13/08/2023

 

We went on the road train at our local park and the boys loved it ☺ 

Malteser tiffin recipe.

Hey readers, 

A delectable chocolate traybake that doesn't require baking. Making beautiful Malteser tiffin are biscuits, Maltesers andchocolate. Check out the recipe below. 

 

Ingredients. 

* 200g milk chocolate. 

* 100g unsalted butter. 

* 2 tbsp golden syrup. 

* 125g digestive biscuits.

 

* 135g bag of Maltesers. 

For the topping. 

* 200g milk chocolate. 

* 25g unsalted butter. 

*1 tsp golden syrup.

Method.

1. Use baking parchment to line a 20 cm square baking pan.

2. Melt the 200g of chocolate, butter, and syrup in the microwave or over a saucepan of gently simmering water.

 Once almost completely melted, remove from the fire and stir gently until any last remaining chocolate specks are melted. Allow to slightly cool.

3. Place 35g of the Maltesers and the biscuits in a freezer bag, seal it, and pound with a rolling pin. A few tiny biscuit chunks are okay, but crumbs are what you want the most.

4. Stir the melted chocolate until everything is thoroughly coated before adding the crushed mixture and whole Maltesers (save 1 or 2 for yourself). Make the topping and press it into the prepared pan.

5. Melt the chocolate, butter, and syrup for the topping as before, then distribute it over the biscuit foundation.

6. Before cutting into squares, wrap the tin in foil or cling film and place it in the refrigerator for a few hours.

Enjoy. 

Cheers for reading X 

The benefits of meal planning.

 Hey readers, 

The idea behind meal planning is to organise your meals in advance. 

Meal planning can be done for a variety of reasons, and it is becoming more popular with the cost of living and people trying to save money where they can. 

What are the benefits  meal planning than? Well read more below to find out. 

1. Learn portion control.

You can monitor how much you actually consume if you plan your own meals. This also helps you avoid overeating at restaurants, which frequently provide portions that are far larger than you should be consuming.

2. Meal planning takes away indecisions.

Nothing is more annoying than checking everything in your kitchen cabinets while you wait for inspiration to strike over what to make, only to find that nothing jumps out.

Procrastination, which is never a good thing, and time wastage are both caused by indecision.

Instead of wasting time considering what to make, spend that time actually making the food so that you may spend more time later on doing something else you want to do.

When you have a meal plan, you may operate more automatically because the preparation and planning are already done, and you are likely to have the necessary time and ingredients. I'm sure you'll agree that it's lot simpler this way!

3. Saves money. 

It has been demonstrated that by scheduling your monthly meals at least a week in advance, you may significantly reduce your food expenses each month. Plan your meals and snacks in advance.

The cost of a takeaway dinner can often equal the cost of 4 home-cooked meals, which shows how expensive eating out has become. You can "repurpose" meals by using leftovers to make an entirely new dish when you learn how to cook at home. Double Discounts!

4. You will eat healthier.

Once you get the hang of meal planning, it will help you control your frequent hunger pangs and peckish feeling, which encourages you to buy canned and boxed foods that aren't the healthiest options. 

When you want to make the move to being healthier, it's important to eat nutritious foods. Making a meal plan in advance can help you decide what you will eat each day of the week and guarantee that the components are very nutritious.

5. Reduces stress.

You won't have to worry about what you will prepare or scramble to locate anything at the last minute if you write up a meal plan for the next week and stick it on your refrigerator. 

What to you think to meal planning? Is it something that you do? Love to hear your thoughts in the comment section down below. 

Cheers for reading X 

My Sunday photo 06/08/2023

 

How to help your child start secondary school.

 Hey readers,

Starting secondary school can be an exciting but challenging time for children. 

As a parent, there are several ways you can help your child transition smoothly into this new phase of their education. Here are some tips:

1. Communication. 

Talk openly with your child about their feelings and concerns about starting secondary school.

 Please encourage them to share their thoughts and listen attentively to their worries.

 Assure them that it's normal to feel anxious and that you're there to support them.

2. Attend orientation events. 

Take advantage of any orientation programs or open days the school offers. 

These events allow your child to familiarise themselves with the school environment, meet teachers and staff, and connect with other students.

3. Visit the school beforehand. 

If possible, visit the school with your child before their first day.

 This will help them become familiar with the layout of the building, locate classrooms, and identify facilities like the cafeteria, library, and restrooms.

 It can also alleviate some of their anxiety about navigating a new environment.

4. Establish routines. 

Establish consistent practices and schedules to help your child feel organised and prepared.

 Plan regular bedtimes and wake-up times to ensure they get enough rest. 

Help them pack their school bag the night before and lay out their uniform or clothing for the next day.

5. Encourage independence. 

Secondary school often requires more freedom and responsibility from students. 

Please encourage your child to take ownership of their school-related tasks, such as organising their materials, completing homework, and managing their time.

 Teach them organisational skills and help them develop a system for keeping track of assignments and deadlines.

6. Foster social connections. 

Encourage your child to make new friends and build social relationships at their new school. 

Encourage participation in extracurricular activities or clubs that align with their interests. 

Remind them that many other students are also starting fresh and looking to make new friends.

7. Stay involved. 

Maintain open lines of communication with your child's teachers and stay engaged in their school life. 

Attend parent-teacher meetings, stay informed about their academic progress, and address any concerns or challenges that may arise. 

Showing interest and support will help your child feel more secure and motivated.

8. Monitor stress levels. 

Monitor your child's stress levels during the transition period. 

Please encourage them to talk about any difficulties they may be facing and offer guidance and reassurance. 

If you notice persistent stress or adjustment difficulties, consider contacting the school's counselling services or seeking professional support.

Remember, every child is different, and their needs may vary. Be patient, supportive, and understanding as your child navigates this significant transition. 

With your guidance and encouragement, they will gradually settle into their new school and thrive academically and socially.

Cheers for reading x