My Sunday Photo 09/10/2022

We make a cornflake tray bake this Weekend! 

Things I would like to change.

Hey readers,

I love my blog as it is a place where I can track my thoughts and a way to express any worries I may have. So as this is the case I am going to share some of the things I want to change to help make my life a little easier.

Recently I have been struggling with tiredness. It normally occurs around the end of the week and thinks that it is just because is a knock-effect of all the week has on me. I get tired anyway because of how much energy it takes to deal with my autism difficulties.

I think just being kind of and not so demanding on myself. Taking it slower is better for me and my health and that is what I want to achieve. I am a firm believer in taking small steps or else it can be risky to lose motivation if I push myself too hard.

I also want to try to be more experimental in the kitchen and try new recipes to help with getting more confident or at least give my husband a break from the wonderful cooking he does. However, I do love trying new recipes, even if it is just once a week, it does help with my confidence and esteem when I achieve good results.

Because of my tiredness and anxiety, I dip in motivation to go out and about. I am hoping to get out more now that children are back at school I aim to get in 10,000 steps at least five days out of the seven. 

I know I can achieve this when I am out I feel good but my downfall is getting past the first walk step.

I know so cliché but for someone with an anxiety condition, it has to be to try not to worry so much. I panic about my parenting and how good I am. Sometimes, just accepting a situation can reduce that great big weight on my shoulders.

Cheers for reading X

GreenJinn app review

Hey readers, 

With the cost of living rising, we are all looking for ways to help reduce the cost of our good bills. There are a few good apps that can help by giving you free or a percentage off food items.

 

I have done a review of two good ones you can check out called Shopmium and CheckoutSmart. Today I am focused on Greenjinn it is not the most popular money-saving app but every little helps as they say especially in this day and age.

What is the Grennjin app?

 
Greenjinn is a cashback app that either gives you free food or gives you food at a discounted rate. You can get the cash back after you have bought the item from the specific store and the item it says on the app. 

The money can be transferred to PayPal. All you have to do is look at the app and check the supermarket s offers. Buy the specific product as if I was going to Sainsbury's I would click on the top tab that says Sainsbury's.

 Search the offers that I want so currently there is a tribe protein flapjack caramel, 50g. It is important to get the exact product such as the flavour and size.

 Then buy the product and get a receipt. Next, you need to upload the receipt. It is really important that the receipt is not wrinkled and the photo of the receipt has good lighting as you don't want to get it rejected. There you have it, it is that simple to use the Grinnjinn app.

You can download the free Grennjinn app from the Play store and Apple app store. You can sign up using your email, Facebook or apple account. 

The shops that are covered in the app are as follows:

* Sainsbury's
* Waitrose 
* Tesco
* Morrisons 
* Asda 
* Coop
* Boots 
* Plant Organic
* Booths
* Ocando 
* MFG

The type of items that Greenjinn offer at a reduced cost or as a freebie are oat milk, lemons, toothpaste, washing up liquid that sort of thing. 

How do you get paid?

Once you have scanned your receipt and it has been confirmed, you can opt to be paid either by Paypal or directly into your account.

Is GreenJinn worth it?

On the plus side, GreenJinn has the most offers available out of all the receipt apps I have downloaded on my phone. But sadly, it’s also the weakest when it comes to how much money you can save, with the discounts lacking compared to its rivals.

With that said, it doesn’t cost you to be a member, so there’s no harm in having it downloaded onto your phone. It will save you some money, just not as much as I would like.

Take a look at the offers and then tap the ones you plan on buying to add them to your cart. Once purchased, take photographs of your receipt via the app, clearly showing the time, date, products and supermarket name. You can take several if you need to.

Once uploaded and processed the cashback will be added to your account. You will then need to request to withdraw this to your Paypal account. You will either be refunded the full amount or a part of the purchase price, depending on the offer. 

The minimum withdrawal amount is £1.50. There is no limit to cash out and there is no charge as well which is good compared to the likes of CheckoutSmart where they would charge you 5% if you want to cash out under £20.00. 

Here are a few tips for using the Greenjinn app.

Always check the app before you go shopping to see if there are any offers you can take advantage of. 

Greenjinn typically releases new offers on a Monday Morning.

Write down the size and name of products in case you can’t get a signal while shopping to check them while shopping.

Make sure you get a receipt, even when using the self-service checkouts.

Cheers for reading X

My Sunday Photo 02/10/2022

Positivive benefits of video games for kids

Hey readers, 

Playing video games for kids gets a bad press but did you know that actually there are positive benefits to playing video games. Here are 10 benefits of video games for kids. 

  1. Teach them problem-solving. 

Traditionally video games train problem-solving and strategy development skills by getting the player to solve increasingly complicated problems. In many cases, there is time pressure which develops speed and decision-making skills.  

2. Sparks creativity. 

Ample research has shown that video games can stimulate creative thinking and problem-solving. And they help to keep your cognitive abilities sharp as well. Gaming can also have other big benefits when it comes to creative problems and works. Video games can also help to set up perfect challenges that help gamers to expend energy. Engaging in an activity that is either stimulating or engaging leads to an increase in dopamine levels in the brain. 

3 Visual-spatial awareness.  

When we are talking about spatial awareness in games it refers to the spatial skills that we have and our ability to rotate and conceptualise 3-D objects and decipher maps, graphs and diagrams can help with spital awareness.

 Studies have found evidence that video games can increase processing speed, cognitive flexibility, working memory, social skills, and problem-solving skills. The bottom line: it's absolutely possible to develop important spatial awareness skills while playing games such as Minecraft, Roblox and The Sims.  

4. Social connections. 

Studies have found that playing video games, especially those that are social and collaborative, can lead to more prosocial behaviours (behaviour that is positive, helpful, and aimed toward social acceptance and friendship) among children. 

Video games have created a fun and engaging way of connecting with people and can act as an essential teaching tool in developing social skills. Video games can help build cooperation skills and supporting skills as players have the option to work together to form alliances and create teams working cooperatively.

5 Improve concentration.  

Video games help improve children's concentration. And it was the kids who played action video games which showed the biggest improvements. Not only did they perform better on attention tests. They also improved their reading speed without any loss of reading comprehension. 

6. Improve coordination.  

Managing a controller with their hands while watching a screen with their eyes improves kids' hand-eye coordination. In fact, research from the medical journal PLOS One found that surgeons who played video games improved their hand-eye coordination and precise muscle movement. 

7. Enhance memory. 

According to some research studies, video games improve problem-solving skills. These research studies reveal that some parts of our brains may grow as a consequence of playing. These parts are associated with strategic planning, memory and spatial navigation.

8. Reduces stress.

Specifically, video game play has been found to lead to improved mood, reduced emotional disturbance, improved emotion regulation, relaxation, and stress reduction. Importantly, the moderate play has been associated with better outcomes than either excessive play or a lack of play.

9. Improve self-esteem.  

Specifically, video game play has been found to lead to improved mood, reduced emotional disturbance, improved emotion regulation, relaxation, and stress reduction. Importantly, the moderate play has been associated with better outcomes than either excessive play or a lack of play.

10. Good learning tool. 

 Many modern education institutions incorporate video games as a teaching methodology. This helps these children improve their academic skills by providing video games that are specifically aimed at enhancing their cognitive and creative skills.

What do you think about kids' video games? Love to hear your thoughts in the comment section down below. 

Cheers for reading X  

How to save money on your clothes

Hey readers,

Times are tough and we are looking for ways to cut down our costs of spending one way we can do that is by reducing the amount we spend on clothing. I have 5 tips on how to save money on your clothes. 

 1. Recycle old clothes for vouchers

These schemes all reward you for recycling old clothes:

• H&M - receive a £5 voucher (to be redeemed against a £25 shop) if you recycle a bag of unwanted clothes or textiles from any store in any condition at a branch of H&M.
• Marks and Spencer - receive a £5 voucher (to be redeemed against a £35 shop) if you donate items to Oxfam (either clothing or soft furnishings). They must not be damaged or soiled as clothes will be resold. You can also donate items in M&S stores under the retailer's 'Shwop' scheme - you won't get a voucher but Sparks members will get a free treat if they scan the QR code on the donation box.
• New Look - take good-quality, pre-loved fashion to a Hospice charity shop (find them here), scan the QR code on the counter and receive 15% off your next shop at New Look.
• Schuh - receive a £5 voucher (to be redeemed against a £25 spend) when you bring an old pair of shoes (any brand).
• Sweaty Betty - receive a £10 voucher (to be redeemed against a £50 spend) when you recycle an old pair of leggings (any brand) to the store, which can also be done online.

2. Shop out of season.

We know, it’s exciting to buy things pre-season. When it’s icy outside, that lightweight sundress makes you feel like spring is right around the corner. But if you’re buying in anticipation of what’s next, you’re paying the maximum retail price. If you shop for what’s not happening, you’ll get a much better price. Sure, it might feel weird to buy a sweater when it’s nearly triple digits outside, but it’ll save you some cool cash.

3. Where to buy second-hand clothes

There are many places where you can buy second-hand clothes, either in-store or online. 

For stores try local charity shops, or antique shops if you like vintage clothing. Many such shops have now reopened with all the necessary Covid-related measures in place. You will need to be prepared to browse as obviously everything is a one-off item and you can’t guarantee what will or will not be there. But there are many bargains to be had and you will be helping to support either a charity or a local business

There are also many online auctions and selling sites, for example:

* eBay

* Facebook Marketplace

* Depop

*  Preloved 

As well as searching for specific items that you want, it can also be worth including the word “bundle” or “job lot” in your search. You can often find a listing that includes several items which a seller does not have time to list individually, so can work out at incredible value. And if there are some of the items that either don’t fit or you don’t like, you can always pass them on to friends or your local charity shop: you will still bag a bargain.

5. Try 'swishing'

 'Swishing' is the term for swapping items of clothing or footwear with other people. Instead of shopping for new garments, it’s worth getting a group of friends or colleagues together to swap unwanted clothes.

6. Upcycle existing garments

Changing your existing clothes is one way to freshen up your wardrobe without throwing out and replacing the whole lot.

Merion Willis, the Craft Editor at Lovecraft's, said embroidering flowers, geometric patterns or fun lettering to clothing can give a personal finish.“Adding embroidery to tired knitwear is a super-fast way to brighten it up.”

What do you think of my tips on how to save money on clothes? Have I missed a good way to save money that you use that has helped you? Love to hear your thoughts in the comment section down below. 

Cheers for reading X

My Sunday photo 5/09/2022

 

They can be nice together now and again 😉 

What does an autistic shutdown feel like?

 Hey readers, 

As I am getting older I have noticed that the way I manage to respond emotionally has changed somewhat. I have reduced the number of times I have a meltdown and I am more likely to respond to a situation by going into a shutdown mode. 

 I don't know whether this is a direct response to getting older or having more experience of life. It could simply be down to the fact that a shutdown is the better response for me as it is less emotionally draining and easier to hander after the event as well.

 You have to realise that meltdowns not only are emotionally charged during that the moment of the event but also there needs to be a time to recover after the situation.  Compared to a shutdown you use less emotional resources which results in an quicker time to recover emotionally. 

Although one does wonder does a shutdown in the long term causes harm if you are suppressing emotions however that is something I probably will blog about at a later date.

Meltdown. 

You may be wondering what I mean by the terms of a meltdown. 

A meltdown in regards to a autistic one, as opposed to a toddler one, is a response to the mind or body when it is feeling overwhelmed. It may at times appear to happen without warning.

 

By rights, anyone can have a meltdown an autistic meltdown is stronger and more frequent. I tend to find I need time after my meltdown to recover and deal with processing the situation.

 With my meltdowns I tend to shout because I am angry and lose control because mainly as a result of the change, I am flapping and pacing, I sometimes self-harm, hyperventilate and struggle to put my thoughts into words and express myself clearly. I am also very anxious and can have panic attacks again linked to control and not knowing what is happening or being in control of a situation. 

Shutdown. 

So on the other side, we have a thing called a shutdown and you probably can work out from the name what the behaviour will be towards this term. 

Due to the overwhelmingness of the situation and the inability to know how to deal with the situation an autistic person will sometimes literal shut down like a computer. 

The characteristics of a shutdown tend to be for me is when I go mute, I don't want to talk to anyone. I want to hide away in a corner away from anyone or any stimulation time. 

 I like to hide in the darkness as this tends to help calm me down. As before shutdown mode, I do often get sensory overload when too many different sensory things all occur at once whether that be the level of noise in the background, the lights, business etc. 

 So I seek out a quiet, dark and calm environment where I can just be still and don't have to think. Going into shutdown mode for me is a safe place where I can regain regularity within my body and mind. It is the time when I can stop thinking the most and not have to collect so many messages to my brain, it is a break to breathe and just be. 

One of the reasons I prefer shutdown to a meltdown is that they take up less emotional guilt which I feel after a meltdown I will be honest I am aggressive and get very frustrated. 

Autism affects me with change and not knowing what is happening strongly and I would call myself a control freak and hate not knowing what is happening. 

If people are late it sends my anxiety high and then waiting for a response pushes me right over the edge. So you can see I like to know what is happening, I am not a placid easy come, easy-go type person. I hate uncertainty which causes me great anxiety hence it displays itself in anger. 

So shutdowns I prefer are less emotional and time-consuming before and after a meltdown, but they come with a cost not only do you feel shit for a long time. 

Meltdowns chip away at your confidence as a person especially if you're having them frequently and as an adult, I think as a child you are more socially acceptable to have a meltdown but people judge you. 

Over time, this really affects your mental health, so you can see the correlation of why so many autistic people have mental health conditions as well to deal with.   

Shutdowns are easy to manage they take less time because they are slower you are calmer in a sense so that helps although over the long term could fuel depression which has happened to me in the past so be mindful of that. 

So you can see why shutdowns are more attractive if you had to choose between two as a way of dealing with the neurological and emotional factors of autism issues that occur frequently throughout most autistic persons' lives. 

Cheers for reading X 

60 autumn blog post ideas

Hey readers,

Sometimes it can be challenging to think of ideas on the spot so I have 60 fantastic blog ideas for the autumn period so you don't have to stress. Hope they help find some inspiration.  

1. Autumn wardrobe capsule.

2. Outdoor activities to do during autumn time.

3. Your favourite autumn Instagram captions.

4. How to deal with darker days.

5. A seasonal recipe.

6. A coat wishlist.

7. A favourite autumn Instagram account to follow.

8. Things to do in autumn with the family.

9. Your favourite knitwear.

10. Morning routine.

11. Evening routine.

12. A list of autumnal walks in your local area.

13. Autumn bucket list.

14.  How to carve a pumpkin. 

15. Different ideas to decorate a pumpkin.

16. Autumn self-care routine.

17. Autumn wellness tips. 

18. Things to do on a rainy day. 

19. Slow cooker recipes.

20. Hot chocolate recipes

21. Ways to embrace Hygge.

22. Why do you like autumn.

23. Your favourite autumn candles. 

24. Halloween nail art.

25. Halloween DIYs.

26. Autumn photo props.

27. How to take blog photos on darker days.

28. 10 autumn stables.

29. Frugal autumn meals.

30. How to cut down on your heating bill. 

31. Autumn bag essentials. 

32. Autumn hairstyles.

33. Loves and lusts for autumn.

34. What's worth watching on the telly this autumn.

35. Your favourite Halloween movies.

36. How to keep warm this season.

37. Places to go pumpkin picking. 

38. Autumn date ideas.

39. Product Review.

40. What I am thankful for this year.

41. Your favourite autumn scents.

42. Blog post ideas for autumn. 

43. Share a Q & A autumn tag.

44. Best bloggers to follow this autumn. 

45. Your autumn workout routine.

46. How to save money during autumn time. 

47. How to layer clothes.

48. How to deal with dry skin.

49. Where to get cheap Halloween decorations.

50. No cost fall activities.

51. Top 5 autumn beverages.

52. Autumn stables you can not live without. 

53. Autumnal activities to do with children.

54. Autumn/Halloween decorations you have in your home.

55. Favourite Halloween memes

56. Halloween costume ideas.

57. Do an autumn photography challenge.

58. Blogging essentials for autumn. 

59. The boots you need this autumn.

60. Share an autumn music playlist. 

Have I missed any good autumn blog post ideas out of the list? Love to hear your thoughts in the comment section down below. 

Cheers for reading X

 

My Sunday Photo 18/09/2022

We had fun enjoying the Polination event in Birmingham listening all about senses and taking it all in. 

100 of the best mummy blogger Instagram hashtags!

 Hey readers, 

I love Instagram it is a great way to see loads of different types of interests and gives so many visual ideas. You can check out my Instagram account here I often post about parenting (I do have two boys aged 8 &10). 

I also post about food and saving money I am not one for sticking to one area as I get bored easily and get distracted. I go by the philosophy that variety is the spice of life so I am going t tell you you should be tailoring your Instagram to be a certain style of feed. I miss the old Instagram when people just posted random shit, people seem so obsessed with making the feed a certain and the colour theme and all that bollocks.

 I digress but my point is I do enjoy Instagram, I post whatever tickles my fancy often parenting because I am a parent it influences my life it is fun and hard so yeah that is one theme. 

So do I like to use hashtags, of course, they help with reach because if you didn't use them then fewer people would see you're imaged because they wouldn't be tagged with the hashtag.

 Obviously, your feed does what the hell you want but if you're going to get more engagement the most way would be hashtags. If parenting is your jam then you might find this post helpful as I unveil 100 mummy blogger hashtags that can help give you some inspiration for you to use when tagging on your photos.

100 hashtags for mum bloggers on Instagram. 

1. Mumlife. 

2. Mum.  

3. Momlife. 

4. Instamum.

5. Pbloggersuk.

6. Motherhood.

7. Parenting.

8. Mummybloggeruk. 

9. Mumbloggeruk. 

10. Familytime. 

11. Mummyblogger. 

12. Raisingboys.

13. Dailyparenting. 

14. Mumofboys. 

15. Family. 

16. Motherhoodunplugged. 

17. Mama. 

18. Ukmumssquad. 

19. Pblogger. 

20. Boymum. 

21. Happydays. 

22. Memories.

23. Familylife. 

24. Capturingmemories. 

25. Realparenting. 

26. Familyfirst. 

27. Love.

28. Documentyourdays. 

29. Mumblogger.

30. Parentblogger. 

31. Mumlifeuk.

 

32. Mumblog.

33. Ukmummyblogger. 

34. Ukmums. 

35. Kidsofinstagram. 

36. Momsofinstagram. 

37. Channelmumvillage. 

38. Parenthood. 

39. Familiesofinstagram. 

40. Parentbloggeruk.

41. Childhoodunplugged.

42. Mumbloggers. 

43. Magicofchildhood.

44. Mumssupportingmums. 

45. Mummydaries. 

46. Instamummy. 

47. Mummylife. 

48. Ukmumblog. 

49.

50. Dailymotherhood. 

51. Mommybloggers. 

52. Momblogger. 

53. Family blogger. 

54. Motherhoodunfilitered. 

55. Familyof. 

56. Ukparentbloggers. 

57. Pbloggers. 

58. Mumsofinstagramuk. 

59. Mumbloguk. 

60. Ukmum. 

61. Mommyblogger. 

62. Justanothernormalmum. 

63. Cutekidsclub.

64. Lethembelittle. 

65. Kidsofinstagram. 

66. Unitedmotherhood. 

67. Childhoodunplugged. 

68. Rememberingthesedays. 

69. Momswithcameras. 

70. Littleandfierceones. 

71. Magicofchildhood. 

72. Igmoms.

73. Lifecloseup. 

74. Littlestoriesofmylife. 

75. Worldoflittles.

76. Motherland.

77. Themagicineveryday.

78. Capturedmoments.

79. Developinglife. 

80. Mbloggers.

81. Whatevertheweather.

82. Celebratingmotherhood. 

83. Familylove. 

84. Candidchildhood. 

85. Letthekids.

86. Simplychildren.

87. Letthemexplore. 

88. Runwildmychild.

89. Thehappynow. 

90. Clickinmoms. 

91. Wildandbravelittles. 

92. Kidsfashion. 

93. Mytinymoments. 

94. Cameramama.

95. Thatsdarling. 

96. Simplemamahood. 

97. Nothingisordinary. 

98. Livethelittlethings

99. Blessed.

100. Mycolourfulkids. 

There you have 100 mummy blogger Instagram hashtags you can use at your disposal!

Cheers for reading X 

50 date night ideas for parents

Hey readers, 

Date nights are so important to spend time with your loved one and it is good to do fun stuff, so check out my fun list of ideas for when you next plan your date night. 

1. Have a picnic

2. Take a walk, hike or bike ride together. 

3. Take a brewery or winery tour.

 
4. Grab some ice cream. 

5. Rent a canoe, paddleboat, kayak, or paddle board. 

6. Head to a coffee shop. 

7. Go out for breakfast. 

8. Hit the arcade. 

9. Go bowling. 

10. Go ice or roller skating. 

11. Paint together on a big canvas. 

12. Prepare dinner together from another culture.

13. Organise digital family pictures together. 

14. Play video games together.

15. Play cards together.

16. Play a childhood game. 

17. Have an indoor picnic. 

18. Take Youtube dance classes together. 

19. Do a puzzle together. 

20. Watch the first film you ever saw together.

21. Gardening. 

22. Go camping. 

23. Stroll a local farmer's market. 

24. Go geocaching. 

25. Attend a local karaoke night. 

26. Take a driving test in a new car you dream of owning one day.

27. Take a drive around town. 

28. Fine free events in your area such as concerts, art displays etc. 

29. Volunteer together. 

30. Take a bubble bath together. 

31. Lie down in the grass and look at the clouds. 

32. Take random photos of each other at different points in town. 

33. Look at local deals on your mobile app. 

34. Catch up on a tv set together. 

35. Play frisbee golf together. 

36. Go to a spa together. 

37. Make homemade pizza together. 

38. Build Lego together. 

39. Go window shopping. 

40. Go to an escape room.

41. Head to the theatre. 

42. Get a hotel room, take a picnic, and just chill for a few hours in peace. 

43. Go to a desert place together. 

44. Go for a walk together in a country park. 

45. Have high tea together. 

46. Go bird watching. 

47. Go to miniature golf. 

48. Do a photoshoot together. 

49. Go fruit picking together.

50. Go to the zoo. 

What do you think of my list of date night ideas for parents? Have I missed any ideas? Love to hear your thoughts in the comment section down below. 

Cheers for reading X 

My Sunday photo 11/09/2022

And just like that they back at school with the eldest entering his final year at primary school. My youngest is starting year four so let's get ready for all the fun and games to start 😜

Defeated

Hey readers,

I have depression, however, I can still function fairly well most of the time. This week though I have suffered a knockback which has been hard to even get out of bed to function. 

I wanted to hide because I just didn't have the energy to fight. The only time I got up was for my children; otherwise, I felt numb and worthless.

Everything feels like a chore, having to find the motivation to continue was so hard it felt like a mental workout. 

My body aches because it has taken a battering from my mental torture inside my mind. I am frustrated because I fool myself that I am better when all I do is mask and try to continue.

I suppose with uncertainty my anxiety flares up making me hyper-alert to emotions and always on the lookout because I am not in control. I feel powerless and scared. I hate to think about my future because it saddens me.

My anxiety seeps into my dreams and I relive some painful memories. I don't like it, I smashed all my stuff on my bedside cabinet not realising until I was awake to find the destruction.

People don't realise how hard work it is. I know to change the record but it is true, you can't escape your own mind, there is nowhere to run and feel safe. You have to get through it.

 It is one of the toughest things I have to do, living is hard work when you feel like a pile of crap. I am consciously aware of how I feel. It is exhausting because I am battling my inner monologue.

Sometimes I want to give up a bit I don't because I would never dream of doing that to my children. They are the only things keeping me going at the moment. 

I know it's just an episode where I feel this crap and I know it will pass. it is just getting through this lousy storm to see the other side. During this dark time, it is hard to believe that light will appear because it feels like it will never end.

I think one of the triggers is feeling threatened and not being heard. I feel the injustice and the accusation that has been flowing around.

 It sucks and hurts. Fear that what I need won't be there and the fight forgetting what I deserve is tough going. It wouldn't have been so bad had it not been the situation encouraging the event to then turn the other way.

It is hard trying to fight and price something when really the person should open their eyes, but of course, money talks and who cares about being honest when really it all boils down to the number game, f*uck the individual.

I just feel so angered by life and just trying to prove my point. I just got to keep reminding myself it will pass and take one day at a time.

Cheers for reading. X