My Sunday photo 23/07/2023

Aw, my son's leaving assembly for year 6!

He has come so far, oud of him. Looking forward to seeing what his next adventure will hold for him 😍

A to Z of self care.

Hey readers, 

Making the effort to look after your physical, mental, and emotional health can significantly improve both your short- and long-term wellbeing.

It is crucial that you set aside some time for yourself, regardless of where you are in life or how busy things seem to be.

To get you started, here are 26 self-care suggestions from A to Z.

A - ask for help. 

B - books.

C - clean your room. 

D - speak to the doctor. 

E - exercise. 

F - use a face mask. 

G - write down what you are grateful for. 

H - hydrate. 

I - important life admin.

 

J - journal. 

K - know yourself.

 

L - let it out. 

M - make your bed. 

N - learn to say no!

 

O - organise.

 

P - pamper. 

Q - quiet time

R - relax. 

S - sleep. 

T - talk. 

U - unplug for 1 hour right now. 

V - volunteer. 

W - go out for a walk. 

X - exhale. 

Y - do some yoga.

Z - get some. Zzzs.

Cheers for reading X

The benefits of unplugging from technology

 Hey readers,

In our quick-paced, digital world, unplugging technology has become increasingly vital. 

With technology at our disposal constantly, it's simple to become overwhelmed by the constant barrage of messages and interruptions, which can lead to stress.

 But stepping away from technology can benefit our mental and physical health.

Below are some of the benefits of taking a break from technology.

1. Sleep.

Receiving a constant stream of notifications and alerts on your devices can interfere with your sleep schedule. 

While we all appreciate the odd amusing joke or tweet, it's wise to step away from social media and business correspondence occasionally. 

Recent studies have shown that social media and cellphone usage hurt sleep quality. 

According to additional studies, the blue light emitted by the screens of our computers and smartphones makes it more difficult for us to fall asleep.

 This suggests that before going to bed, we should probably put the technology away.

2. Start Worrying About Yourself. 

It's simple to get sucked into the social media black hole. 

Being drawn into social media may significantly impact your well-being, whether you're worried about who your ex might be seeing or what your pals are up to. 

While your friends post pictures of themselves hanging out while you weren't invited, it's natural to feel worried. Here's what you can do: stop using social media!

Unplugging from your phone, particularly social media, enables you to realise that you should be concentrating on your overall well-being rather than what someone else is likely doing all the time.

 When we unplug, we start worrying about ourselves instead of other people.

3. Provide more time for simple pleasures.

Simple joys are made possible by taking a break from technology.

 You may use that time to read a book or engage in a stimulating activity like puzzle building instead of watching TV or browsing the internet. 

There won't be any interruptions whether you cook, send a note to a loved one, or play with your pet. Increased enjoyment of your favourite activities can greatly enhance your well-being and enable you to live fully.

4. Discover time.

What you can accomplish when you're not shackled to your phone or computer is incredible.

 Consider how much time you waste reading through social media on your phone or tablet, browsing the web, or watching TV. 

Now consider what else you could accomplish with all that free time! Take a lesson, get in touch with pals (in person), go for a walk, or spend time with your family. All those little time snatches pile up!

5. Increased creativity.

You can think more creatively if you unplug once a week. 

When you're always connected, it's challenging to come up with fresh ideas or refine existing ones because there are so many distractions. 

Productivity and creativity go hand in hand, and unplugging can help you access this mental region.

What do you think about unplugging from technology? Love to hear your thoughts in the comment section below.

Cheers for reading X

My Sunday photo 16/07/2023

We got the youngest school report this week and so proud of his efforts and hard work. 

Asked what he wanted as a reward for all his efforts at a school this year and of course it had to be a can of Prime 😂

Aw my youngest went away for the night Thursday night with school. He was so excited. Love him 😘

Rosemary and garlic foccacila recipe.

Hey readers,

 

Discover how to create the ideal focaccia bread, which combines a crisp surface with a soft, chewy interior.

 

This easy-to-follow recipe for garlic focaccia is appropriate for both beginning and seasoned bread bakers.

 Ingrdients.

* 500g strong bread flour, plus extra for dusting. 

* 7g dried fast action yeast. 

* 2 tsp fine sea salt. 

* 5 tbsp olive oil, plus extra for the tin and to serve. 

* 1 tsp flaky sea salt. 

* ¼ small bunch of rosemary, sprigs picked. 

* Two big garlic gloves.

Method. 

1. Fill a sizable mixing bowl with the flour. On one side of the flour, combine the yeast, and on the other, the fine salt. 

After that, combine everything; the initial separation stops the salt from killing the yeast.

2. Create a well in the centre of the flour, add 2 tablespoons of oil, and then slowly pour in 350–400 ml of tepid water until you have a little sticky dough (you might not need all the water).

 After flouring the work area, tip the dough onto it and scrape the dough off the bowl's sides. 

Knead the dough for 5 to 10 minutes, or until it is soft and less sticky. After placing the dough in a clean bowl and covering it with a tea towel, let it rise for an hour to double in size.

3. shallow rectangle (25 x 35 cm) of oil. Stretch the dough to fill the tin after tipping it onto the work surface. 

For a another 35–45 minutes, cover with a tea towel and let the proof sit.

4. Oven temperature set to 220°C/200°F fan/gas 7. Make ridges in the dough by pressing your fingers into it. 

Drizzle the bread with a mixture of 112 tbsp olive oil, 1 tbsp water, and the flaky salt. 

Insert rosemary sprigs and garlic slices into the dough's dimples.

5. Until browned, bake for 20 minutes. Drizzle 1-2 tablespoons of olive oil over the hot bread. 

If desired, add more olive oil and serve the squares warm or cold.

Enjoy!

Cheers for reading X 

How to Overcome Writer's Block

Hey readers,

 

Writer's block is a common problem for bloggers. It can be frustrating and demoralising when you can't come up with anything to write about.

There are a few things you can do to overcome writer's block:

1. Take a break.

 Sometimes the best way to get over writer's block is to take a break from writing.

 Go for a walk, read a book, or do something you enjoy. Sometimes all you need is a little time to clear your head and return to your writing with fresh eyes.

2. Brainstorm.

 If you're still stuck, brainstorm a list of topics you could write about. Don't worry about whether or not you will use any of these topics; get them down on paper. 

Once you have a list of topics, you can start to narrow it down and choose one that you're interested in writing about.

3. Talk to someone. 

Sometimes talking to someone else can help you to overcome writer's block. Talk to a friend, family member, or fellow blogger about your problem. They may be able to offer you some helpful advice or suggestions.

If you're struggling with writer's block, don't give up. Just keep trying, and eventually, you'll find a way to overcome it.

4. Write about a problem. 

When crafting a scene, fiction writers frequently use this tool. To better examine the issue and continue writing, write about your work in a notebook to yourself when you feel stuck. 

Write out what you're attempting to express in that specific section and the reason you're feeling stuck when you're feeling stuck in plain terms.

 This will ease the burden of coming up with a definitive statement and assist you in identifying the essence of your point.

 

5. Outline. 

For authors who want to prevent writer's block, preparation is key.

 Without a plan, you run the risk of being stuck in your work and being unable to move forward. 

You can follow a road plan to keep track of your plots and overall direction by creating an outline. With an outline, it's difficult to experience writer's block because you know where you're headed in the beginning, middle, and end of the document.

6. Free write.

 Free writing is a great way to get your creative juices flowing. Start writing whatever comes to mind without worrying about grammar or spelling. You can always go back and edit later.

What do you think of my tips on overcoming writer's block? Have I missed any good points to help with writer's block? Love to hear your thoughts in the comment section. 

Cheers for reading X 

My Sunday photo 09/07/2023

 

My eldest son had an excellent school report, so I said I would get him a packet of blue Takis. Which he was beyond overjoyed about!